First Direct or HSBC Advance

Javens

Out of these two banks/accounts, which would you go with?

They look very similar, £500 withdrawal limit, same app, 24/7 customer service etc, however I've been told FD have better customer service on the phone, while HSBC have better internet banking.

I hardly ring my bank, and do everything online. How much worse is First Direct internet banking compared to HSBC?

First Direct or HSBC?

grumbler

Javens wrote: »

... How much worse is First Direct internet banking compared to HSBC?...

IMO FD online banking is perfectly fine, but many people dislike it:
Is it just me or is First Direct

starM

I have both HSBC & FD account. I find HSBC internet banking design allot better. Otherwise both internet banking offer same functions. I have not had problems using any of them.

No harm in having both accounts. You can have 2 regular savers + £100 from FD for account transfer.

I have read somewhere on MSE that calls from Advance customers are answered by First Direct contact centre. If that is the case then customer service wise will be very good.

MARTYM8`

Like many people I have both.

In some respects I prefer HSBC - its just easier with the branch network etc and internet banking is better/easier to use.

I also like the fast balance app - as well as the full app - which allows you to check transactions/balances more quickly without the full rigmarole of logging in.

myth123

It looks like I am in the minority but I prefer FD's online banking compared to HSBC's. FD's online banking does everything that I require.

FD's customer service is very good. With HSBC's CS I've always had a UK call centre when ringing in regard to my advance account.

I found HSBC's account opening to be very slow, I applied by telephone and then had to take ID into branch (despite having an M&S Money and FD account). They then messed up and didn't process this information and I had to take it in a second time. I got some compensation for it but it was not ideal. Having said that I've had no issues since and I'm not saying you will have the same issue.

I would say open both if you can

The_pc_tech

My main account is with FD and while I've hardly ever had to ring them when I have the customer service has been excellent, I've been with them for six years now.

It's true the Internet Banking has some niggles like not being able to label accounts but for me the most important thing is how they deal with any questions or concerns you have and FD have always dealt with these swiftly in my experience.

colsten

It totally depends on your requirements. I have both but I only have them for their savings accounts - both have got good Regular Savers, and HSBC currently have the 'save together' offer on their ISA. If you never switched to FD, their account opening bonus is obviously of interest - but you should wait until they offer £125, which they regularly do via MSE and moneysupermarket.com. They might even do the £125 right now, I haven't checked. FD also give you a £250 interest free overdraft if you get accepted.

Both FD and HSBC are a bit precious over who they take as customers. HSBC also have quite a terrible reputation for demanding to know the source or the destination of your cash. If you don't have cash deposits and withdrawals, this is obviously not relevant.

I find HSBC online banking worse than FD's, and neither are anything to write home about because both are ancient. But you can do all the basic stuff like FPs and SOs, and obviously they show you your transactions incl DDs. You do really need a smartphone for either of them as some transactions require the generation of a code in the mobile app. HSBC also allow you to use a dinosaur keyfob instead of the mobile app. I can't comment on the mobile apps themselves as I do all my banking on the PC (plus the forced use of smartphone for code generating).

I wouldn't use either FD or HSBC as my day-to-day account as I like a current account that pays me interest and/or rewards. Neither FD nor HSBC do, but there are plenty of others that do.

The highlights of both banks are their Regular Savings accounts, and the HSBC 'Save Together' offer is superb as it is relatively easy to make £120 from a £300 deposit in a year.

As I said, it all depends on your requirements, about which you have told us literally nothing.

badger09

I also have both, for the regular savers & the HSBC Advance Save Together Loyalty ISA bonus. Neither is my 'main account' :cool:

Opening the HSBC Advance was a PITA but running smoothly now. I mainly use the IoS apps, which are very easy:)

anoncol

I hardly ever login to FD website, because you need the app any way for second authentication, so may as well just use the app to check your finances instead.

There websites are both ancient though. Along with M&S.

ceredigion

anoncol wrote: »

I hardly ever login to FD website, because you need the app any way for second authentication, so may as well just use the app to check your finances instead.

There websites are both ancient though. Along with M&S.

FD will give you a key fob code generator, if you ask. No need for the app.

katejo

anoncol wrote: »

I hardly ever login to FD website, because you need the app any way for second authentication, so may as well just use the app to check your finances instead.

There websites are both ancient though. Along with M&S.

Very few of my transactions require the 2nd authentication at all. Most times I log in without it though I do now have it set up to access using my smartphone. I have been with FD almost since they started and don't intend to move my account because their customer service on the phone is so much better than any other bank which i have had to contact. I haven't tried HSBC but have heard some grumbles about their service.