A fantastic banking service (hsbc.co.uk)

Member Name: kittybuttons

Product:	hsbc.co.uk
Date:	12/05/09 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: So quick

Disadvantages: Sometimes down

I have been a member on HSBC online banking for quite a while now - so long that I can't remember! Probably at least 2 years, so I must admit I'm not hot on how long it takes them to send you all your login details but as far as I remember it wasn't too long. I am also an online banking member of Barclays, Abbeys, Tesco Personal Finance, ING and Yorkshire Bank so I think I have a good view of comparing them!

You need an IB (internet banking number) to log in firstly, unfortunately you can't choose for the computer to remember it but I just save it on the computer somewhere hidden, probably not 100% safe but oh well. Then you need to enter your date of birth and then certain numbers of your security numbers. This isn't as complicated as other sites where you have to enter certain numbers of a security code and password.

When you login there is a list of options down the side and then it will show a list of your accounts and the amount that is in them. You then click on the one you want to look at.

It will then bring a statement of all the transactions that month and above there will be the amount that is in your bank. If you click on that you can actually see the 'real' amount i.e. if you have just bought something then it will show the actual amount you can take out.

On the left is a list of options such as 'Make a Payment' where it will save where you have made payments to with a nickname so you can remember what it is, 'Set up Standing Order,' 'Transfer Money' etc. One of the MOST important things to me about using HSBC as an online bank is that nearly every payment I make will come into my account of go into the other persons account instantly. This is soooo useful when transferring money inbetween two accounts.

Another important factor is that I find when I request a replacement card or my card expires and I get a new one I have to set internet banking up again. An absolute joke, but with HSBC I have had loads of cards and I have never had to set it up again.

Sometimes I find that I can't log in but that is usually resolved soon enough and you can always use telephone banking instead.

Summary: A fantastic banking service