HSBC Advance Account - How long does it take?

isingh1

Does it really take more than a month to open an account with HSBC?

I opened an Advance account with them on the 14th of December last year, received a letter saying "Thank you" etc etc and that I needed to fill out a form to send my signature across.

Once that was sent, I heard nothing until today where I have now been told to order to access Internet banking and telephone banking, I now need to send off another form they have sent me with memorable details etc - once received by HSBC - only then will they issue my card, pin and internet banking details - which is "within 6 working days" from the time they receive this form. Taking this to over a month for me to open my account.

It is really suppose to be this long winded? I've opened several accounts online with other banks within minutes and all the paperwork and card arrive within a days.

Security is one thing, but with it now being the 21st Century - Surely they can do all these procedures online.

HSBC if your reading this - I'm not impressed!

Archi_Bald

You are not alone. There have been plenty of reports on this forum about HSBC account opening taking ages.

Katiehound

The last offer from HSBC took some folk an eternity.
If you can get an appointment at a local branch it will speed things up enormously as they can print off all the docs then and there- and don't need to allow extra time for snail mail.
Of course the Christmas & NY bank hols will have slowed things down somewhat.

Sharon87

I opened my HSBC account in branch (was originally a student account). They upgraded it to an Advance account, nothing took long. But when I applied for a credit card they took their time about it. Over a week to tell me they needed more information as I work freelance so they needed more info from me. I cancelled the application in the end as they were being too slow!

trix-a-belle

Only a month well done, I applied at the start of august last year & only eventually got it open in the back half of October in the end due to me kicking them along & that excluded getting set up for online banking which took a phone call & then waiting another week for a secure key before I could actually do anything
Left hand & right hand have absolutely no clue in that place, I also had the form to set my memorable data but after I'd done it over the phone with a helpful soul unfortunately not got the paperwork to hand to know who I called to get it done quicker.

castle96

Opened a current a/c 4 mths ago with the intention of getting a Regual Saver which was refused ! Have now received a letter saying that as I had paid in > £500 pm they will 'allow' a RS as from 3/16.
I feel SO privileged !

Katiehound

Honestly I was just so lucky.
On half hour phone call, approx plus 2 x 1 hour visits to local branch with utterly delightful, friendly member of staff (Who asked me to send in anyone else who was interested!) Resulted in all the perks! advance a/c open, a/c switch instigated. the ISA + deal, the regular saver and the credit card. I was thoroughly impressed as well as being well rewarded! £100 + £120+ £25... & the regular saver @ 6%- and all the time folk on this forum muttering about how long it took..... internet applications were inundated.