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

Trust Nationwide

Advantages: Efficient, reliable and reasonable value
Disadvantages: No obvious problems

...expected: they should not be anything surprising. Nonetheless, there are sectors of the market where the risk is not just of poor returns but of actual losses. Over the long term one can perhaps ride these out, but it's vital to remember that the risks are such that one can lose money on equities. Now, there are two things that one can do to limit these risks and their consequences. The first is to adopt the principle that one should never invest more in these investments than one is prepared to lose. So, something which is far from guaranteed may default and pay out nothing or very little: if you don't put in money which you can't afford to lose, you won't be finanicially crippled, whatever happens. Second, however, you can diversify, and that is where unit trusts come in. Instead of risking your capital on a small selection of equities...

richardashdowne 03.04.2003 · Read review
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Review of Nationwide Unit Trust Managers

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 - 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

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 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 - 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

HSBC ROCK

Advantages: excellent customer driven service
Disadvantages: some products arent competitive

...Having been with many banks in the last 10 yrs (every time i change job i seem to change banks) i have to say that hsbc is by far and away the best. Their customer service over the telephone is 2nd to none. Dont know how many times i have phoned different companys to be put on hold for ages or to hear silence at the other end of the phone while the call centre staff try to solve your query - none of this with hsbc, they take an interest in you and are freindly and chatty. I have only needed to visit my branch twice and on both occasion have found the staff to be helpful and courteous. I know some people (usually older folk!!)moan about the death of the branch networks but you very rarely need to visit a branch due the varying number of ways you can access your hsbc account, not only do they have the usual internet...

nozafc 24.01.2003 · Read review
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Review of HSBC