HSBC InvestDirect Help Needed

BankSaver

Hi,
I applied for a HSBC Invest Direct Account last Wednesday, I have heard nothing yet and the account is not showing on Internet Banking, how long does it take to open in everybody's experience ?.

I also had when it was Lloyds TSB a Sharedealing account which was closed when the bank went back to Lloyds bank, and I could buy shares (I bought Barclays and Lloyds shares with it) and I like have a paper certificate, but I understand with the HSBC InvestDirect you do not get a paper certificate unlike the Lloyds Sharedealing I will therefore not be registered as a shareholder with the company whose shares I purchase, so I will not be able to go to shareholder meetings, iIs this true ?, and if it is can anyone please recommend a sharedealing service where I can purchase shares online and receive the paper certificates and go to Share Holdings meetings etc.

The Lloyds Sharedealing service had no monthly or annual fees, just the fee when purchasing the shares, so I would need the same.

Many Thanks.

BrockStoker

I opened an InvestDirect Plus account in March this year. I think it was around 1 week between applying and being able to use it. I still don't have any money in there but have been playing with the virtual portfolio. A bit annoyed as one of the virtual stocks I hold more than doubled in value overnight :eek: