HSBC Generic Sort Codes

JGUK

Hi Guys,

Opened HSBC account in branch, got branch sort code.

Opened savings accounts through internet banking got what I presume is a generic sort code of 40-10-00.

Any way of them changing the accounts to branch based sort codes ? or changing the main current account to the generic sort code - or in reality, does it matter ?

Is it a bit strange that I like all my sort codes on my account listings to be the same ? Lol

Thanks
JGUK

Ballard

It makes no difference whatsoever so I doubt very much that HSBC will entertain changing your account to a different sort code purely for cosmetic reasons.

JGUK

Yeah understood, its just normally with other banks all the sort codes for accounts I have with them are the same, this is the first time I've had an account where one account is a branch sort code and the rest are all generic ones.

agrinnall

Many banks use generic sortcodes for everything, Nationwide for instance. It's really not something to get worked up about in any way.

dunstonh

Building societies used to use the banks for clearing. So, some of them have limited sort codes used for specific types of account.

Banks used to use sorts codes to indicate a branch. Although that is no longer the case. Some branches now have multiple sort codes and some reflect the central call centre rather than the individual branch.

The sort code cannot usually be changed without changing the account number. It is unlikely the bank would do it for the reasons you mention.

eskbanker

JGUK wrote: »

Is it a bit strange that I like all my sort codes on my account listings to be the same ?

In a word, yes. Coupled with your other thread about not having dedicated Premier-branded stationery, I think you're taking this all a bit too seriously!

JGUK

Yeah I guess so, just haven't encountered varying sort codes in online banking before. Just confused me why there were different sorting codes.

I was only curious because a friend has HSBC opened his current account in a branch and his savings accounts online and all his sort codes were the same, then again, he did this some time ago.

The cheque book issue isn't an issue anymore so thats done and dusted.

(Again on the cheque book front, something a friend had that I didn't have, hence the query).

But yeah fair enough, might be taking it a tad too seriously :-)

Chino

JGUK wrote: »

The cheque book issue is being sorted out for me though and I think that was a reasonably valid point to get fixed ?

As a matter of interest, what cheque book issue?

JGUK

No issue per se.

I was expecting a branded Cheque Book due to my account but apparently according to a poster on here they don't do them anymore, so I'm expecting thats the reply I'm going to get.

(Edited my post to reflect that :-))

JGUK

eskbanker wrote: »

In a word, yes. Coupled with your other thread about not having dedicated Premier-branded stationery, I think you're taking this all a bit too seriously!

Separately from the sort code thing which I admit is a bit much even though it irritates me seeing it - do you think its not right that if you have certain kind of account and that account is advertised as coming with something and it isn't delivered with the thing that they stated it would come with, would you not follow that up ?

eskbanker

JGUK wrote: »

Separately from the sort code thing which I admit is a bit much even though it irritates me seeing it - do you think its not right that if you have certain kind of account and that account is advertised as coming with something and it isn't delivered with the thing that they stated it would come with, would you not follow that up ?

I know what you mean in principle but it would depend on materiality. Personally I wouldn't get worked up about a specific design for a cheque book - is this an advertised feature of the account then (nothing jumps out from a very superficial look at their website)?