I haven't wrote a review on Ciao for quite some time, so to get back into the swing of it, I thought I'd write about something I know quite a lot about!!!! HSBC Loans.
HSBC offer several ways of borrowing money, I'm going to talk to you today about the personal loan.
SOME BASIC FACTS
An ... Read review
HSBC offer several ways of borrowing money, I'm going to talk to you today about the personal loan.
SOME BASIC FACTS
An HSBC personal loan is a good idea if you want fixed monthly repayments and you know exactly how much you want to borrow.
You can borrow any amount between £1000 and a whopping £25,000.
As I said the repayments are fixed which basically ... ...of 8 years.
An HSBC personal loan can be agreed for any purpose, and if you are accepted the money can be in your account with half an hour.
WHY CHOOSE HSBC?
But why choose HSBC I here you say. Plenty of other companies offer personal loans, some are even cheaper than HSBC.
Well HSBC is the largest high street bank in the UK, (actually the second biggest bank in the world!!!!!), which means they ... more
I haven't wrote a review on Ciao for quite some time, so to get back into the swing of it, I thought I'd write about something I know quite a lot about!!!! HSBC Loans.
HSBC offer several ways of borrowing money, I'm going to talk to you today about the personal loan.
SOME BASIC FACTS
An HSBC personal loan is a good idea if you want fixed monthly repayments and you know exactly how much you want to borrow. You can borrow any amount between £1000 and a whopping £25,000. As I said the repayments are fixed which basically means you will pay the same amount back each month for the period of the loan. Loans between £1000 and £15,000 can be taken over any period between 1 and 5 years. Loans over £15,000 can be taken over a maximum of 8 years. An HSBC personal loan can be agreed for any purpose, and if you are accepted the money can be in your account with half an hour.
WHY CHOOSE HSBC?
But why choose HSBC I here you say. Plenty of other companies offer personal loans, some are even cheaper than HSBC. Well HSBC is the largest high street bank in the UK, (actually the second biggest bank in the world!!!!!), which means they are a reputable company with a good reputation. With branches on most high streets you can call in at any time if you have any questions or queries. I have served many customers over the last four years that have been offered a better deal from an internet bank or a telephone offer an they have still chosen to take the HSBC loan. When I have asked the question WHY, they have all answered the same. Sometimes the cheapest deal is not always the best, and at least they know if there are ever any problems, they have got a person to refer to rather than the hand set of a telephone.
HSBC can arrange for the repayments to be taken on a date of your chose. For example you could choose your loan payments to come out on the day that you get paid so you dont even notice the money has gone.
The first payment is normally taken out the month after the personal loan has been set up, although there is also an option to take a repayment holiday at the beginning of the loan, and not make a payment for the first three months.
HOW DO I APPLY?
There are several options here. You can visit a branch where you will normally get an answer on the spot and the money transferred into your account straight away. If you are already a customer with HSBC and are registered with internet banking you can apply on line at www.HSBC.co.uk where again you will usually get an instant decision. To sign for the loan once it has been agreed on the internet you can either visit your local branch or you can have the loan agreement forms sent out to your address. If you choose to sign the forms at your local branch then the money can be put into your account straight away. If you choose to have the forms sent out to your address to sign it will take slightly longer for you to get the money. Loans can also be agreed over the telephone 08457 404 404. The same principle applies as with internet banking. The forms can either be signed at your local branch or they can be sent out to your home address.
I would recommend that if you are going to visit a branch to apply for your loan you take some identification with you ( e.g. passport or driving licence). Also if you are not a customer with HSBC already they will need to see your last months bank statements with your current bank or building society. This will help speed up the process.
WHAT IF I CAN'T WORK, HOW WILL I REPAY MY LOAN?
No need to worry HSBC offers a Personal loan protection plan, which covers you against unemployment, accident, sickness, disability and death. Those who are over 18 under 65, work more than 16 hours a week and are a resident in the UK are eligible. The cover is provided by Norwich Union who pay out in 95% of claims. On those claims they don't pay out on it is usually due to the fact that something wasn't disclosed when the protection plan was taken out.
WHAT WILL I BE COVERED FOR?
In the event of unemployment you personal loan payments will be made for up to 12 months, until you return to work, or until you reach 65 (whichever is earliest). Unemployment is not covered if you take voluntary unemployment, if your unemployment starts within 60 days of you starting the protection plan or if you know reasonably about pending unemployment at the beginning of the plan.
If you are off work due to accident , sickness, or disability you loan payments are made until the final repayment (end of the loan), until you return to work or until you reach 65 (again whichever is sooner). The only exceptions to this is self inflicted injury and any pre exciting medical condition which you know about and have had treatment for in the last 12 months, which recurs within 12 months of the start of the protection plan.
In the tragic event of your death the full outstanding balance of the loan is paid off.
A couple of shocking statistics as to why its always important to have the loan protection plan. 1 in 10 people in the UK will have at least a year off work in their lifetime due to an illness. 1 in 4 people in the UK will get cancer. Most companies only pay you if you are off sick for 12 weeks (some don't even pay that!!) And most don't pay you your full salary. Sick pay from the state is only about £65 per week!!! Would this pay for your living costs, bills, rent/mortgage and your loan? I think not!! In the event of your death any debt including loans, credit cards, mortgages, that are not covered by protection are left for your next of kin to pay. I know I wouldn't want my beloved left to pay for all my debts, Death is upsetting enough without the extra worry.
The most important thing to think about before deciding to take out the protection is, if I am off work for any length of time can I realistically afford to make my loan payments on top of everything else I have to pay out each month. If the answer is no, and in 99% of cases it is, then take the protection.
(A full example of repayments tables are available on request from any branch on the internet or over the phone).
Cheaper than you thought? All examples are based on a fully protected loan.
CAN I BORROW MONEY FOR ANY PURPOSE?
Yes as long as its legal!!!! HSBC will lend you money for a new car, holiday, home improvements, holiday home, weddings, consolidate exciting debt whether its with HSBC or not, virtually anything you can think of!!
WHAT SORT OF RATES ARE ON OFFER?
I'm not going to go into too much detail about rates because rates depend on personal circumstances and differ depending on the amount you are looking to borrow. But rates start from as little as 5.9% and that takes some beating.
I DON'T THINK I'LL QUALIFY?
You might be surprised. HSBC look at every application and assess it on you personal circumstances. Millions of HSBC customers are already pre-approved for loans of varying amounts. Pop into your local branch or call 08457 404 404 to find out.
Advantages: Low interest rate, very efficient service Disadvantages: None
I have an account with HSBC and have been with them for over ten years now. Recently I needed to take a loan out for £2000 and started having a look on the Internet and comparing rates etc from companies like Direct Line. As it turned out, the money was suddenly needed urgently and I had two days to sort everything out and have the money ready in my account. I have never contacted my bank to enquire about loans and their interest rates, and I'm not ... ...this time I did, and HSBC turned out to be one the of the best available lenders with the lowest rate. Not only that, but they told me that if I could pop in to the bank that afternoon the money would be ready in my account that same day! They were superbly efficient and very eager to sort things out as fast as I needed them to be! ...
Deenie 19.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of HSBC Loans
Advantages: Good rate, Easy to obtain, Flexible package, Smooth running Disadvantages: None I can think of
...service make the loan from HSBC one I would recommend.
I took out a graduate loan in November 1997, to buy a car for my first job. I asked my bank who I had been with during University for a loan, but they would not give me a loan, saying 'I relied on my overdraft too much'. However, on ringing HSBC they were willing to give me a loan if I opened a Graduate account with them.
I opted for £5,000 over a 60 month period. HSBC produce a leaflet with ... ...making it easy to choose the loan amount and period based upon your budget in advance (I think most banks offer this for loans). I went into the bank, preferring to deal in person myself three years ago. It only took about half an hour to sort out the finer details, and the money was in the bank within a few days.
I have had no problems with the loan, since everything is on a Direct Debit, and looks after itself.
I inyend to pay off the remainder ...
lesinge2k 06.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of HSBC Loans
Advantages: easily available, automatic 'facility' - guess why! Disadvantages: you will not be advised of the very high interest rate
I became redundant at the end of last year and owed @ £850 on a flexiloan with HSBC.
As I had to claim benefits, I politely asked them to waive the re-payments until I able to pay them, hope-fully within a few months.
I had banked with them for over 25 years and never, ever went overdrawn or made a late re-payment, however, they refused to show any interest in my circumstances and subsequently ramped- up ridiculous interest charges, created over-drafts ... ...additional sum of over £1500 from me in 6 months and credit black-listed me!
It appears to me that their head office have a policy that just makes things up as they go along and are masters of delay tactics, namely putting you on hold while they think of something. It is blatantly obvious to me that the policies of this organization are based on simple extortion and utter lies, of which I have clear proof, on the grounds that there is no way that ...
DiMarco 23.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of HSBC Loans
Advantages: pay it off quicker you pay less interest Disadvantages: 'Hidden' features
...recently got a Flexiloan from HSBC for £1000 and boy do I regret it now. The idea was great, a payment of £40 a month, the ability to withdraw money back out again without needing to renew the loan and if you pay it back earlier, you pay less interest. Great I thought, the rate was 16.9%, but I only wanted a small(ish) loan so I decided to put up with it. Since then I wish I hadn't done it. The bank seems to like charging me hidden extra's - the ... ...loan, HSBC used to be good, but are currently going through a bad patch and this is NOT the time to get a loan from them. Being a member of the bank doesn't help at all either, no beneficial rates or anything.... Shop elsewhere for your loan. ...
leahslad 02.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of HSBC Loans
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