HSBC switch offer - £120 - apply by 28/02/16

Tragen

brila wrote: »

Having heard nothing further from HSBC by post, I popped into the branch today with some ID just in case. Helpful staff rolled their eyes when I mentioned I had applied online and suggested I apply again with them there and then. The whole thing took about 20 minutes and a cup of tea. They asked me to prove my income, and I said that might be a bit complicated so they suggested I pop into my current bank over the road and ask them to print the last three month's statements so that they could see an appropriate amount of money moving in every month. I did so, and this was enough to fulfil the proof of income requirement. They organised the switch for near the end of Feb which gives me plenty of time to receive a debit card and still qualifies me for the £120 which they confirmed I would be eligible for. All done and dusted.

So if you are able to easily get to a branch, I absolutely echo all the advice above to do it in person.

This proof of income business is odd isnt it? are you applying for something other than the standard bank account I wonder?

brila

I was just applying for the Advance account and with no overdraft facility. I assume the proof of income is because this account apparently requires you to pay £1750 a month in and they want to check you are likely to be able to do this instead of accepting you and then downgrading the account later. I wanted the Advance because of the 6% savings account.

stclair

My application process has been totally shambolic. I raised a complaint and I was offered £100 compensation for all the hassle. I said the service has been that bad I no longer want the account and woman has agreed to remove the credit search as I requested.

Tragen

stclair wrote: »

My application process has been totally shambolic. I raised a complaint and I was offered £100 compensation for all the hassle. I said the service has been that bad I no longer want the account and woman has agreed to remove the credit search as I requested.

So you passed up the extra £100? I think i'd take the £220 and then close the account if that's how I felt!

stclair

Tragen wrote: »

So you passed up the extra £100? I think i'd take the £220 and then close the account if that's how I felt!

I did think that but they wanted me to visit a branch to prove my income etc and I was not prepared to given the fact they have made me visit the branch twice already.

Nationwide8

Am assuming you get asked for proof of income if applying for the Advance account...I applied for the Basic and was asked what my income is but didn't have to prove it.

Tragen

stclair wrote: »

I did think that but they wanted me to visit a branch to prove my income etc and I was not prepared to given the fact they have made me visit the branch twice already.

Not sure I follow the logic there, but can appreciate it being frustrating

Lolly88

stclair wrote: »

My application process has been totally shambolic. I raised a complaint and I was offered £100 compensation for all the hassle. I said the service has been that bad I no longer want the account and woman has agreed to remove the credit search as I requested.

I've had the exact same experience...absolutely awful. They want me to go back into branch for a second time and I told them where to go. I don't have time to be going into branch just to open an account....and this is just for the basic account. The incentive money is just not worth the hassle for me right now, I have enough on my plate.

I didn't know you could get them to remove a credit search...how do you get them to do that?

stclair

Lolly88 wrote: »

I've had the exact same experience...absolutely awful. They want me to go back into branch for a second time and I told them where to go. I don't have time to be going into branch just to open an account....and this is just for the basic account. The incentive money is just not worth the hassle for me right now, I have enough on my plate.

I didn't know you could get them to remove a credit search...how do you get them to do that?

They wasn't obligated to remove it as the search was genuine. However I asked them as part of my complaint and they agreed.

YorkshireBoy

Nationwide8 wrote: »

Am assuming you get asked for proof of income if applying for the Advance account...I applied for the Basic and was asked what my income is but didn't have to prove it.

That would be an incorrect assumption, at least in my experience, as I got the Advance account and haven't had to prove anything. That said, my income (as declared on numerous application forms) has been fairly static for the last 2-3 years, so maybe that helps (since there are no inconsistencies on the fraud prevention agency files)?