I now bank online with three companies: Egg, Barclays, and HSBC (although I still keep wanting to call them Midland!).
I started with Barclays, both the normal account and Barclaycard, and those two services were almost enough to put me off online banking for good! Eggs service was better, ... Read review
Advantages: Great online banking Disadvantages: Don't offer much to students
...three companies: Egg, Barclays, and HSBC (although I still keep wanting to call them Midland!).
I started with Barclays, both the normal account and Barclaycard, and those two services were almost enough to put me off online banking for good! Eggs service was better, but not enough to restore my faith.
I hardly ever use my HSBC account - there are three standing orders / Direct Debits coming out of it, but other than ... ...I got a letter from HSBC complaining that a Direct Debit had been put through, and their was insufficient funds to process it. *What* I though, entering a mad panic. ‘But I put some money in for this month, what’s happened?’ I rooted around for my last statement, but realised I’d consigned it to the bin in my last tidy up. (You may not be able to guess if you saw what passes for a floor here, but I do tidy up once a month you know.) So, what could ... more
I now bank online with three companies: Egg, Barclays, and HSBC (although I still keep wanting to call them Midland!).
I started with Barclays, both the normal account and Barclaycard, and those two services were almost enough to put me off online banking for good! Eggs service was better, but not enough to restore my faith.
I hardly ever use my HSBC account - there are three standing orders / Direct Debits coming out of it, but other than that it’s just an account I took out for the special student offer, so I saw no reason to ever sign up with their online banking service.
That was until I got a letter from HSBC complaining that a Direct Debit had been put through, and their was insufficient funds to process it. *What* I though, entering a mad panic. ‘But I put some money in for this month, what’s happened?’ I rooted around for my last statement, but realised I’d consigned it to the bin in my last tidy up. (You may not be able to guess if you saw what passes for a floor here, but I do tidy up once a month you know.) So, what could I do?
‘I’d log on to their online banking but it’s probably rubbish’ I thought. Then I realised that the rest of HBSC is pretty good compared to Barclays, so maybe the same could be said about their online banking.
A trip to the HSBC web site showed an online banking button in the top right hand corner. I clicked on it and was presented with some options such as personal / business / tour / register. ‘Oh no, I’m not registered!’ I thought. ‘I want to know *today* not in a weeks time when they post out my passcode...’
I decided to try anyway and got a pleasant surprise. All I needed was my date of birth, the security number I chose when I opened the account, my account number and my sort code. Once those were entered I was allocated an Internet banking number (a code that starts IB then has a string of numbers after it.) and was allowed to get in straight away.
Instant registration! A novel concept that many other banks could learn from.
The web site itself, like the standard HSBC site, is quite simple and fairly low on graphics compared to others of its type. It’s quite speedy and reliable too. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it even works in Opera, my current browser of choice.
When you log in you are greeted by a page informing you of planned improvements to the service, and, further down the screen is a message telling you when you last logged in, with instructions to contact them if that information gives you any security concerns. It’s comforting to see that they care about security like that.
When logging in I have managed to mistype my details a couple of times - strings of numbers can be a pain, but so far I’ve never been locked out of my account for my mistakes. I understand the motives of sites that do that, but personally I find that many banking sites are far too strict over the number of mistakes they allow. HSBC seem to have taken the right line with this though.
Once you’re in you do have to enter you security number to confirm many actions, and it does get slightly irritating, so I’d encourage anyone signing up for a HSBC account to pick a security number that is simple to type, obviously not something like 123456, but something that won’t leave you making mistakes all the time either!]
There is a ‘user guide’ which is really a small introduction to the service and some extra T&Cs. It may be useful to some people but personally I find the service so easy to use that a guide isn’t necessary.
So, what can you do with their Internet banking service?
Well, to quote from the site:
“With Internet banking you can:
Check balances View statement information Transfer money between accounts Make payments (see payments & transfers section for cut-off times) Pay bills View details of standing orders and Direct Debits held View credit card balances and statements Send specific messages to the bank for common requests such as cancelling a standing order Download information to software packages”
If you have more than one account then you can view the balances of all of them at the same time, and select which ones you want to perform actions on. You can also transfer money between accounts, and have the option of setting a date for the transfer up to one year away. At the moment transfers do not take place immediately, but they do plan to introduce immediate transactions soon.
You have the option to either view your statements online, or download your statements in either .csv format (basically a text file so it should open in most spreadsheet programs.) or as quicken or Microsoft money compatible files. You can also choose to have those files zipped to save on download times. As a Microsoft Money user I find those options very handy.
Viewing standing orders and Direct Debits is a nice feature, and you can cancel Direct Debits online quite easily, although if the Direct Debit you wish to cancel is due to be paid within the following two days they recommend you call the bank to cancel it instead of use the online service.
There is a section for changing your address details, and also a list of useful telephone numbers.
The service logs you out after a period of inactivity. The period is around five minutes, and I don’t feel that such a period is long enough, although it’s easy enough to log back in again, and it’s a nice, simple security measure. I’d rather be logged out frequently than find it impossible to get in in the first place.
The main possible downside is that they do their maintenance between Midnight Saturday and 8AM Sunday and while maintenance work is going on their Online Banking service is not available. They say the work is usually finished by 8AM Sunday so I’m guessing that the service may only be inaccessible for a short period on some occasions, but since I have not tried to access the service at those times I can’t confirm that. Who wants to manage their finances at 3AM on a Sunday though! Actually, don’t answer that, it’s probably a common pastime....
All in all I think that HSBC have the best online banking service I’ve ever seen. It’s fast, reliable, easy to use, clear, and does everything I want it to do. By comparison, Egg are slow and unreliable, and also fiddly to use (you have to enter your life story to gain access, or so it feels!) and Barclays goes over the top on security to the point that you cannot use the service. They also have pages that take an age to use and a screen design that is impossible to use and in many places difficult to read. Using a browser other than Internet Explorer is considered a crime.
HSBC, on the other hand, have paid a lot more attention to use-ability whilst still implementing some sensible security measures. They’ve created a service that does everything you want whilst being accessible to those who don’t just use Internet Explorer, and don’t have high speed connections. The integration with Microsoft Money is a wonderful feature. I realise they aren’t the only bank to offer it but it’s still a plus.
HSBC isn’t my main bank account at the moment, but I am seriously considering switching over to them purely because their online banking is so good.
I urge all HSBC users to try this service, and everyone who is looking for a new bank to sign up with them!
Advantages: It is simple, easy to use and just excellent Disadvantages: You need the internet to use it
HSBC INTERNET BANKING – www.hsbc.co.uk
I have decided to write this opinion, because I feel that this has been one amazing find of mine. My uncle recommended that I tried Internet banking because you can do so much with it and I thought that I would give it a try.
There are many features that the site has to offer. You can order booklets to help you with your banking and you can register to fully use the site. After you have registered you can ... ...I have two accounts and I can easily look into both of them with a simple click. All of your accounts are on one page and you can click on them to look into them into depth. This then shows your statement, but the reverse way to normal by having the most recent at the top instead of the bottom.
You can also change standing orders, direct debits and other outgoings by just saying what you want to do. It definitely saves a lot of time with no need ...
Sweetiesarahjane 24.10.2001 (21.07.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of HSBC Online Banking
Advantages: Saves lots of time Disadvantages: Very few
...a current account with the HSBC for many years and have not had any problems or hassles that I can think of, I know that many of you will have had bad experiences for one reason or another but I have not. My main moan however is that over the last couple of years it has become increasingly difficult to contact my branch or to see someone in person as most branches only open a few hours a day and now even the two main branches where I live are no ... ...From the main HSBC web page you register when visiting for the first time, this takes a few minutes and it does help if you are already set up for telephone banking as you can use the same login details and passwords. Once you have entered your unique login number you are then taken to the next security screen, which asks you to verify further details. Once this is done you are taken a page showing details of your account.
I have three separate ...
micksheff 04.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of HSBC Online Banking
Advantages: Convenient, reliable and a great time saver. Disadvantages: Can't think of any.
...and building societies these days, HSBC is offering an online banking service. Very nice but what’s it all about eh?
Have you ever been in a situation where you need to transfer some funds or cancel a direct debit etc…and the only chance you get to do this is in your precious lunch break. So perhaps it begins with a drive in to town followed with the obligatory nightmare search for a parking space. And after all that you get to the bank ... ...the phone or in any HSBC branch. Now pay a visit to www.hsbc.co.uk and select the option to sign up for online banking, and follow the simple instructions. You will be issued with an identification number, which together with you security number provides the means to accessing your account info. Easypeasy!
Now you’re in you can check your statement, not only of your current account, but also that of any loans or savings accounts. You can move ...
Degsy 24.02.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of HSBC Online Banking
Advantages: a great site, well thought out, and full of features Disadvantages: none!
I have been a HSBC account holder for almost seven years now, wow! Having recently heard in the news that they have launched their online banking, I decided to visit their website and have a look at what they have. And was I impressed!!! I did a fast registration using my account details and a security code which has been set up for their telephone banking service (even though I did previously have to get my code changed back from the letter version ... ...command on the page fails- HSBC more attentive than Smile? Anyway, I tried logging in immediately and it worked. There they were, my current, savings and credit card accounts all on one page. You can see the balance and transactions, as well as amend your Standing Orders and Direct Debits which are all listed. I like the part where you can cease a direct debit either immediately or in a future date (Especially useful for those of you nearing the ...
naryan1 05.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of HSBC Online Banking
Advantages: 24/7 access to all your accounts! Secure site! Disadvantages: None
...Banking has finally arrived to HSBC after what has seemed like years of waiting. A little later than the rest of the banks but was it worth the wait?
As far as I have seen so far the service has nothing over the rest of the banks but has the same services and is very simple and secure to use!
You need your bank details to log on and you will be given a unique IB number. Once entered you can access all your accounts and cards to find your balances. ...
Mick1293 15.08.2000
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I have banked with Midlands for so long now, and I really think it’s a really good bank, even though it’s changed its name to HSBC. The onlinebanking is good and worth a look if you bank with HSBC. It’s free and can be really convenient as you can do what you want when you want.
I always find the personnel friendly, and even if you want an extension on your overdraft, the bank managers always willing to help.
The bank’s big and open at convenient times, so you can pop in after 3pm when most of the other banks shut on most days it is open until 4.30pm It’s not that busy so you get served really easily. The credit card they offer you is also good and the APR isn’t bad.
So, if you want bank that’s reliable and good in providing an efficient service then this is it. I have been a happy ...
begum 16.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of HSBC
Advantages: GOOD BANK Disadvantages: POOR CUSTOMER CARE
I used to be with Barclays but decided to join HSBC, better known to most as Midland Bank.
I liked it because it was open at more convenient hours unlike our local Barclays bank which would shut early.
But, I am not really happy with the fact they offer you no special offers, at least with Barclays you get £40 waterstone vouchers if you are a student, but nothing here. I also got a free mobile with Barclays I'm afraid no such offers here.
The other thing is that I never seem to get any interest on the money I have on my savings account (although, I only have a little) and I never get any bank statements.
I have had a look at HSBC 's onlinebanking, it looks impressive and simple. But, until I am convinced about internet security I will not be using it.
Overall HSBC is a good bank but I don't whether it's just me but I ...
sid 23.12.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of HSBC
Advantages: Excellent Service Disadvantages: Not many
I signed up for a HSBC Student account before coming to University and I have been impressed all-round.
The account offered me a £750 interest free overdraft, a Switch Debit card (optional Mastercard) and access to the excellent HSBCOnlineBanking features.
All of the staff were very helpfull during sign-up and have continued to be helpfull as I moved from home to university.
If you are looking for a first student account then I would reccomend HSBC's service. Also you may be looking to transfer from another bank, this is also not a problem (i asked before signing up).
The best thing for me had to be the £50 cash or 4year Railcard you get Free just for signing up! ...
andrew_newton 18.01.2001
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