HSBC direct debits

jamie_02

Wonder if any HSBC customers/switchers could help.

My other half has two HSBC current accounts: one standard Bank Account and one Advance Account. The Advance has a number of DDs coming from it.

The standard account will shortly be used for a switch to Nationwide for the £100 bonus for both of us, one condition of which is to transfer two DDs. Other half is therefore moving two DDs over to the standard account.

I thought that to change a DD, the originating company had to be contacted and given new bank details, however the HSBC internet banking has an option to transfer a DD from one account to another. Doing this shows the DD attached to the new account immediately.

Question is, will Nationwide see these DDs attached to the standard account straight away in a switch, or would it be prudent to wait for at least one debit for each DD, scheduled for 10th and 11th Dec?

Secondly, as I have never seen this DD transfer option before, are HSBC the only bank which provides this, and do companies just request payment for a DD to HSBC and they forward to the relevant account?

Thanks in advance.