I have banked with HSBC for the past few years and I must say that I am very happy with the service I have received so far. I will go through the products I have with them and let you know my thoughts!

Bank Account Plus
I have two bank accounts with them and I opened the Plus account to take advantage of its countless features. The price at first put me off, but when you add the benefits up it is a good package - especially if you're like me and like to travel! The deal I got was £9.95 for the first 6 months and £12.95 for the next. You get annual travel insurance, preferential rates on overdraft, credit balance and on the Flex Saver and ISA accounts, discounts from loads of hotels, restaurants and day trip operators, price promise insurance (which is handy as everything I buy goes on sale the say after I buy it!), cash back on interest paid on the Credit Card and loads more - you would be best checking the website for full details. For £3.23 a week at most its not that badly priced, but they are constantly adding features to it so I don't mind paying for it.

Credit Card
We love them but can't live without them! My Credit Card with HSBC has had a few problems in it's time, but nothing that wasn't sorted out promptly. I had a fraudulent transaction on the card, and HSBC had it resolved within 3 weeks - which I believe to be a timely fashion. Knowing my consumer rights I called them and immediately they sent me a Declaration form, to dispute the transaction. The amount was credited back to my account and I was sent to new card to make sure the fraudsters didn't have my new details. Three weeks may sound like a long time but one does have to remember that the banks ONLY obligation is to prove that it is in fact fraud. If they cannot see that it was fraud then you are liable for it unless you have taken out extra protection. To prove that it is in fact fraud they need to liaise with the merchant to get it resolved. I had ordered a replacement card a few months back which was going to be sent to the branch (which is ages away as they only have 3 so far in Scotland - definitely a negative!) but the card didn't arrive. I sent a message on the online banking (I hate giving people an earful down the phone) to say what had happened. They transferred the funds I needed for my shopping from the Credit Card to the bank account, refunded the charge for the transfer, and credited my card with £20 goodwill. I was annoyed, but they did take ownership and solve my problem for me - and they did it willingly.

Online & Telephone Banking
The online banking with HSBC is much better than most bank sites - it is a plain profile of the accounts held, showing the names of the accounts and the account numbers. To the left is a panel with different buttons sorted into categories MY Accounts, My details, my offers. You can make payments, set up direct debits, standing orders, apply for account, transfer money, check recent transactions and order PINs. The telephone banking is something I use as rarely as possible as I hate discussing my accounts. When I have called, everyone bar one staff member has been lovely and helpful - and he was reported! I demand the best for me and my money! Over the telephone they really do take the time to build up rapport and offer you products and services that they think would suit you - many people see it as purely sales but the way I see it is that I would have a basic bank account and rubbishy savings if people at the bank didn't make such an effort to make sure I made the most of my money.

Many criticize it for "jumping on the Indian Call Centre band wagon" but in reality - they are a foreign bank. They don't just use India; they have call centres in Manila, all over the UK and Malta. I do agree that their service isn't as seamless as one would hope - to discuss numerous accounts you may see yourself being transferred from one area to another which can be time consuming, particularly if it is busy and you are on hold. If staff were multi-skilled I think it would be much better for customers.