In the past I have banked with Natwest, Nationwide and Northern Rock. I also have a range of other accounts in other places such as ISA's and a mortgage with RBS. I am telling you this to show that I have had experience with other banks and building societys.
I find it easy to say that banking with HSBC I have had the best possible experience. I find the service both in the bank and using
online banking to be easy and efficient and completly stress free. I must admit that I also had this experience with Nationwide, but the difference I have found with HSBC is that there is a larger variety of choice and types of accounts to meet the individual need.
I have a normal bank account with HSBC and also bank account plus. I have found plus to be great... for a small monthly charge included I receive travel insurance for me and my other half- this includes cover for winter sports. This means that I no longer have to pay my annual travel insurances charges and the monthly charge does not really cost me anything as I do not have the outlay of travel insurance. The travel insurance doesn't just cover my holidays, but any travel within the UK too. The plus also means that I get a better rate of interest on my savings and if I go overdrawn on my bank account I am also charged this at a lower rate of interest too. The plus also means that I get free withdrawals at cash points abroad, and you can get savings at loads of restaurants and hotels across the UK. It has other things on offer too, but these are the facilities I have taken advantage of.
I have an online bonus saver and a flexi saver, both of which are really easy to manage. I get a better rate of interest on the online saver and a bonus each month if I do not withdraw any money that month. The online saver can only be managed online, whereas the flexi saver can be managed in the branch or at home online. The ISA's are also really good too, you can access you funds at any time without redemption and the interest is calculated daily so if you do make a withdrawal you do not say lose a whole months interest- this is something I am looking into at the moment. What I really like about the accounts is that if i transfer between my bank accounts and saving accounts it is instant so I am either able to access my cash straight away or be saving instantly.
There are a range of other savings accounts. I chose the above because they are right for me- there quite a few and surely something to suit everyone.
They also have bank accounts for children, students, those who are not resident in the UK. For those who have a high income there is also a premier account where the account holder has a relationship manager they can phone and meet to discuss their money and banking needs etc etc- sadly I do not fall into this catagory but I know a bit about it as my parents do. They also give me really good feedback about the service they receive.
I also have card guard. This is great... for a one off payment of £20 a year you can register all you cards, passport etc and if your bag or wallet ever got stolen you ring one number and all of your cards are cancelled. It also insures your bag, wallet, replaces keys and passport, money if you're way and are stuck. It's really good and cheap for what it offers.
So what else is there to say... my experience when going into the bank is really positive. The staff are really friendly and helpful. Sometimes the queues can be quite long but they have a range of machines you can pay your cash and cheques into- they look a bit daunting at first but are really easy to use. What is also great is that you can walk into a branch at anytime and ask to speak with a member of staff about your bank accounts.
The online banking is great. I use it often. You can set up standing orders, transfer instantly between your accounts, make bill payments and it is so easy to do. I have found it to be really secure aswell and have never had any problems- you use a combination of pass numbers and your date of birth to access it.
Of all of the bank / building society accounts I have had. I have found HSBC to be the best both in terms of being able to meet my banking needs and being efficient and helpful. Nationwide comes a close second with Natwest definitely in last place!
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
the quality of service has dramatically fallen at hsbc over the last few years due to the targets system that the staff were forced to take in order to achieve any bonus. customer care is forgotton and it is all sales sales sales.... i used to work for them a few years back..watford branch too....but dont hold that against me
Collingwood21 06.04.2008 16:51
It sounds like they have improved a lot since I have banked with them - the customer service used to be dreadful. I remain unconvinced by their savings accounts though; HSBC rarely appear on either best buy or best long term value tables, which suggests they are not the most competitive rates out there.
HotBabes 06.03.2008 14:58
This is one of the first positive things I've read/heard about HSBC for ages. I closed my sons savings account as the service we received was dreadful and they were the most unhelpful staff I've ever dealt with! x
Advantages: lots of ways to use the bank (online, phone) , customer service (phone) excellent, don't push you into things Disadvantages: sometimes branches are not as accesable as others, occasional waits on the phone
adele1476 02.01.2002 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of HSBC
Mar 5th, 2008
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