HSBC Verdict?

southantrim3

Hi all.
Currently with Halifax reward account but thinking of changing. Should I?
Thinking of HSBC, what's the verdict with them?
If not them, who else? Or stay where I am? (to be fair have had no probs with Halifax and always found the customer service very good - unless you have to go into a branch!!) and I like their mobile app.
Thanks:beer:

bravotango

I'm with HSBC, and I'd recommend them.

There has only been one exception a few years ago, and the Indian call centre customer service guy (Shiva) I was talking just wasn't interested in what I was telling him. I remember having to lodge a complaint, and as they record the conversations, someone based in the UK got back to me to apologise for the sheer attitude as he could hear how bad their customer representative was.

[Deleted User]

Keep Halifax Reward to get the £5 per month reward. Maintain a low balance (no interest) but pay in at least £750 per month (and back out straight away, leaving enough to meet 2 monthly DDs).

Open a sacrificial account (eg RBS Select) and set up 4 active DDs on it, then open a Cooperative current account and switch the sacrificial account to get £150 within 45 days of the switch.

Keep the Cooperative account with a low balance (no interest) but pay in at least £800 per month (and straight out again, leaving enough to meet 4 monthly DDs). You'll get £4 free money per month for that.

So that's £150 plus £9 per month (£108 per year) for a bit of administativr effort.

If you've got money for interest earning, open TSB Classic Plus, Nationwide Direct, Club Lloyds, 2 X Tesco current accounts, 3 X Bank of Scotland Vantage accounts (check pay in and DD requirements carefully) and you can look forward to some nice monthly interest (now paid gross). Oh, and if you've any more savings, consider Santander 123 up to £20K (but factor in £5 per month fee).

eskbanker

southantrim3 wrote: »

Currently with Halifax reward account but thinking of changing. Should I?
Thinking of HSBC, what's the verdict with them?
If not them, who else? Or stay where I am?

Although a couple of posters have taken a punt, how can anyone really answer vague questions like this without knowing about what you're looking for, how much money you have, what services are important to you, etc?!

For example, are you looking for maximising return on your money, as many are? Or specific aspects of customer service (which inevitably varies by individual experience)? Or local branches? UK call centres? 'Good' website/app (and what does that actually mean to you)? Presence in Northern Ireland perhaps?

Sorry if that seems a bit blunt or even ranty but with no clues given it's like asking for recommendations for what you should have for dinner tonight or where you should buy your clothes or what books might you like to read, etc, without any idea of your personal tastes!

southantrim3

Thanks Hattie

Unfortunately though, I live in Northern Ireland. This means I have no access to a TSB bank account or Tesco bank account as they are only available in England, Scotland and Wales. Also, whilst I could open a Co-op account they have no branches in Northern Ireland - yes, we are in the dark ages!!
Also, because of ths - I'm not sure - but I don't think I can opena Bank of Scotland account, however, will look into that one. My options are limited ... As far as I know I can't access RBS accounts either - a bit frustrating but what can you do???

[Deleted User]

southantrim3 wrote: »

Thanks Hattie

Unfortunately though, I live in Northern Ireland. This means I have no access to a TSB bank account or Tesco bank account as they are only available in England, Scotland and Wales. Also, whilst I could open a Co-op account they have no branches in Northern Ireland - yes, we are in the dark ages!!
Also, because of ths - I'm not sure - but I don't think I can opena Bank of Scotland account, however, will look into that one. My options are limited ... As far as I know I can't access RBS accounts either - a bit frustrating but what can you do???

Can you not access Nat West which offer the same range as RBS? Is Ulster Bank not part of RBS group?

Re Co-op, I'm in Scotland which has very limited Co-op Bank banches. I did the account opening online and then the switch by phone. I haven't darkened the door of a branch yet, and don':Dt intend to.:cool:

MARTYM8`

HSBC is good - but their call answering times for telephone banking can be frustrating.

I lost my wallet containing debit card last week - I had to wait nearly 25 minutes for them to answer on what is supposed to be an emergency line. The thought of stressed people who may have just been robbed or lost cards/oystercards/other ID etc being kept nearly half an hour to report a lost/stolen card is not on.

Maybe an isolated occurrence - but I was not impressed!

Tesco - who I have my credit card with - answered within 5 seconds.

ColdIron

southantrim3 wrote: »

As far as I know I can't access RBS accounts either - a bit frustrating but what can you do???

What about Ulster Bank, part of RBS

southantrim3

Ulster bank, sadly, has a bad reputation here. Plus zero interest and no perks. Thanks for the suggestion though.

[Deleted User]

southantrim3 wrote: »

Ulster bank, sadly, has a bad reputation here. Plus zero interest and no perks. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Why not open an Ulster Bank current account to use as a sacrificial account, not for perks or interest.