HSBC

Advantages: Competitive, wide range, professional.
Disadvantages: Not a seamless service. Lack of branches.

...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! Student Account The student account is a really good account in comparison with the current market - some banks make the huge overdrafts the selling point, but HSBC are striving towards being a responsible lender, and they have all overdrafts based on status. Standard limit for a first year is £1000, 2nd year is £1250, third is £1500. Based on status, you may get more than those limit but they are charged at 3% above the Base Rate (currently 5.25%). I also find HSBC to be very fair with default charges - this their "Fair Charges Policy": 1) you will not have to pay fees for being overdrawn by £10 or less. 2) You will not have to...

shazilrock 05.02.2007 · Read review
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Review of HSBC

HSBC- The best place to bank!

Advantages: Great choice of accounts, helpful friendly staff
Disadvantages: None that spring to mind

...I have a number of accounts with HSBC including two bank accounts and two savings accounts... and hopefully soon a mortgage. 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...

Lisab3410 05.03.2008 · Read review
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Review of HSBC

My first love.... HSBC

Advantages: Easy Banking
Disadvantages: None yet!

..., Barclays, Alliance & Leicester, and then Abbey National. Now Abbey National was the only one out of that little lot that didn't kick me out, I admit before then I was very bad with my money, you'll all be pleased to know that I have now changed - probably due to the fact I work for a bank now, ironic isn't it?! Abbey National was a terrible bank, they only offered me an Electron card that can be used in about two shops in the whole world (both located in Bermuda!) - sorry, slight sarcasm there! I asked for a Switch but they said I couldn't until I had used that card more and proved I could manage my own money. The situation was a bit of a Catch 22 so I found one of the only high street banks left that hadn't kicked me out! I have now been banking with HSBC for about a year, I'm not one to visit branches so I find their internet...

Redhead 04.05.2002 · Read review
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Review of HSBC

HSBC what customer service

Advantages: I did have over 15 years of hassle free banking
Disadvantages: see text

...If you had asked me my thought's on HSBC bank about three months ago I'd have probably said not a bad bank I've had know problems with them. Unfortunately if you were to ask my thoughts about them now I'd tell you to avoid them like the plague! Having been a customer with them for over 15 years, I would like to add that my problems only started two months ago. Up until then I had had a very good relationship with them ie they paid my standing orders out, didn't bounce my cheques and I was happy. During the time I have been a customer with them, I have transferred accounts to different branches on three occassions and transfered my account to a joint account as well. Not once did I experience any of the horror stories associated with opening new accounts etc. Due to a change in domestic circumstances the need for me to close...

jo1l 10.06.2001 · Read review
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Review of HSBC

HSBC - The world's local and greediest bank

Advantages: occasional market leading and innovative products
Disadvantages: Absoluetly no customer satisfaction whatsoever

...It has been a very interesting last thirty minutes, reading the reviews of the self titled "worlds local bank" HSBC. It seems that there is a general lack of satisfaction with one the largest banks in the world and it inspired me to share with you my recent dealings with HSBC. Now I can speak about HSBC as a customer of 5 years and as an ex-employee. I worked as an Financial Planning Manager 2 years in the Hertfordshire area and left about 3 years ago. I and thousands of others left HSBC was for the very reasons that are being aired on this and other review sites. HSBC no longer cares about customer satisfaction. It might not a be a startling revelation to some or even most but having seen, witnessed and experienced it from both sides I can duly understand and empathise with the many frustrations people are having. During my time...

Funzo 28.07.2008 · Read review
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Review of HSBC

Pension Stankovic, Dubrovnik

Advantages: magnificent view
Disadvantages: you must climb a lot of steps

...I visited Pension Stankovic, Dubrovnik in the spring of 2009. We spent tree days in Dubrovnik an It is not easy to find the house We arrived in Dubrovnik in the evening. We were tired and it was dark. The navigation system showed us a road which was forbidden for the car. I get out of the car, took the navigation system in my hands and started to follow the commands. I was really surprised when I saw that to reach the address I had to climb at least 100 steps. I didn't have any choice and I climbed the steps. After climbing all the steps, I understood that this was not the right street. I went down and I tried the next street with the same number of steps... :-) After the third try I found the street which was at least 200 steps far of the car. At the end we found the address and we parked in fornt of the house in front...

nadia71 27.10.2009 (28.10.2009) · Read review
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Review of Pension Stankovic, Dubrovnik

Banking on HSBC

Advantages: Good web site, friendly, flexible
Disadvantages: None so far!

...I have held an account with HSBC since 1994 and have had no problems whatsoever. It all started with the great student incentives they were offering at the time and as a student you take anything that is free!! Since then I have had no regrets (I've sinced closed a current account with Barclays as they treated me like poo!). I have had a great overdraft facility and absolutely no problems increasing/decreasing this at the drop of a hat. They are extremely flexible and you actually get to speak to a member of staff at your own bank if you want to (you tend to keep a particular branch even if you move which is good for building up a relationship). I have had cash flow problems in between jobs etc but everytime they have been extremely understanding. The graduate package is good - a reduced, but free overdraft for 3 years...

moose 11.12.2000 (12.12.2000) · Read review
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Review of HSBC

Bad Customer Service HSBC Bank

Advantages: Nothing that other banks do not provide
Disadvantages: Poor Telephone Service

...Problems at HSBC!!!! I have never had such a terrible experience with customer service. Now, you could easily turn the other cheek if this were a mobile phone company but the fact they are looking after your money scares me. The problem starts when you are actually trying carry out your business via telephone banking. They obviously do not have a system in place in which they can log all correspondence with their clients. When I needed to organise my finances I ended up being passed from pillar to post trying to get answers of which I had to explain to every single person what I wanted before being informed that they cannot handle it and then passed the buck on again. Just the tip of the iceberg as from here I had very bad financial advice and was hounded by prank phone calls demanding small amounts of money that was not due to be...

lawdawg 08.02.2009 · Read review
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Review of HSBC

HSBC - Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation - Who do you bank w

Advantages: Lots of ways to bank day and night.
Disadvantages: Not the most helpful customer service centre but then thats banks!

...I have held a bank account with HSBC since I was turned 16 and I had my first job lined up. I went to my local branch with the relevant photographic ID (passport) and proof of address (Medical card) and was immediately signed up for a standard account and a savings account. I then created my security number (between 6-10 digits) which is used for online banking and telephone banking to confirm that you are the account holder. HSBC have many branches all over the world and if you want to use their cash machines they are free. The customer service at HSBC leaves a little to the imagination at the best of times. I previously had a loan with them and had a number of problems getting through to get the date of payment changed when I changed jobs (and the date that I got paid changed!) and on one occasion they even transferred money from...

katyeverett 29.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of HSBC

Invest for your future with a stakeholder pension

Advantages: Value for money, convenience, variety
Disadvantages: Value added, status

...WHAT'S ON OFFER WITH STAKEHOLDER? - Annuity purchase plan with up to 25% as a tax-free lump sum. - You can normally take pensions between 50 - 75 years old even if you are still working. - You can contract out of the State Second Pension and store here. HOW MUCH CAN BE PAID IN? - Both you and your employer can make a contribution. - Most schemes allow small contributions. - The Inland Revenue sets a maximum contribution for each tax year. Most people (whatever your status) can pay a maximum of £3,600 p.a including basic tax relief of 22%. You can pay more than the maximum depending on your age and income. - Payments can start at 16 years old. - You can contract out of SERPS. - If you are a member of an occupational pension you may keep this and make contributions up to £3,600 each tax year. If you are not...

JeffreyB 30.12.2004 (17.05.2005) · Read review
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Review of Stakeholder Pensions