HSBC - Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation - Who do you bank with? (HSBC)

Member Name: katykicker

Product:	HSBC
Date:	05/02/09 (300 review reads)
Rating:

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 my savings account to my current account one day before I was due to make a payment as they wanted to guarantee that the payment would clear and then they sent me a letter advising that they had done this but it took almost two weeks to reach me. I was furious as I was fully intending on logging on that night and transferring the money to ensure I made the payment.

I can't talk about interest terms because I don't actually know what they are (shocking I know!!).

As soon as I hit 18 they were offering me credit cards, loans etc left right and centre and when I invariably went a little plastic happy they soon cracked down on me and tried to talk me in to one big "consolidation" which i declined and I have now paid back all of the debt.

I regularly use telephone banking and online banking and I find both of them to be a breeze and I can make payments over the phone or online and you don't have to speak to anybody in a call centre.

When calling the call centre if you enter your security code wrong do not hang up as they will automatically lock your account for security and sometimes they want to know the answer to a question such as two weeks ago on 6th June you made a transaction, who was it to and how much (ahhh not a chance of me remembering that!!!).

Also, I have signed on to the online banking from my iphone before and had a few verification problems but it's reassuring to know that they take security very serious.

I would recommend HSBC just don't ever get behind on any payments with them or you'll know about it with the constant bombardments - Like all banks I guess!

Another tip for customers, instead of calling costly 0845 7404404 try using 01442 422 005 it's for customers outside of the UK to call in and I use this and then the calls are included in my monthly inclusive minutes on my mobile contract.

Summary: I would recommend HSBC to a friend or relative.