HSBC Advance Accepted - What Next?

drlabman

I applied for an HSBC Advance account and have received a letter today saying that my application has been accepted. I have to just send them a copy of my signature. I assume that because I've been accepted before the midnight deadline tonight, that I'll be entitled to the switching bonus when I get around to doing it (even though I don't suppose my account is formally open yet). Does anyone know what happens next? I thought I could register for internet banking immediately but you need your telephone banking security number. How does one get that? I don't suppose I can call to start my switch yet either, seeing as I don't have my telephone banking security number.

WillPS

You can't set up telephone banking or arrange a switch until your account is open. Return the form, wait a few days and then ring up - if the account's open they'll be able to set up telephone banking then for you.

Your acceptance letter will have a copy of your provisional sort code and account number as its reference - might be worth making a note of these.

My experience is that you'll be offered the switching bonus that was advertised at the time you initially applied, but they'll be able to confirm this when you call to set up telephone banking.

Make sure you switch promptly as the switch has to be COMPLETED within 30 days of the account being opened!

drlabman

OK, will do. Thanks.

Snakey

Ah, so the acceptance letter isn't your account being opened? That's good. I got that on 14 March (asking for signature sample, same as the OP) and today I got my debit card. I suppose there'll be no such thing as a formal letter saying "your account was opened on X date" so I won't know exactly how long I've got.

Should I wait for the first standing orders to pay out before I start the switch? They are set up to go out on the 1st, which I suppose will actually be the 3rd since the first is a Saturday. Phoning to start the switch on the 4th might be cutting it a bit fine if the opening date is actually the 14th (or anything up to the 18th, given the timing of Easter). I seem to recall the last switch I did (M&S?) they couldn't actually start it on the day I phoned them.

2357

I applied and got approval on 4th March. I received the signature letter the following week. I received a debit card last Friday (24th). They've sent about 10 letters so far but nothing that helps me be able to use the account.
I tried calling to initiate the switch but discovered I need a security code. On Saturday a letter arrived asking for information in order to set up the security code, this can take 6 working days it said once they received the form back.
At this point I thought it was all some scam and they deliberately drag out the process so nobody ever qualified because it's not possible to switch in 30 days.
I went into branch to find out what actual date the account was opened and ask what the heck I do to speed up the process and they said it showed 22nd as the opening date and booked me in next week for an appointment to sort the switch.
Hopefully that will mean I do qualify for the incentive as it should complete in time but I have never had a current account take so long to become operational before. Most are set up and good to go in under a week.

Snakey

Yeah I got as far as trying to register for online banking and saw that I needed a security number - which no doubt is (or some preliminary questions are) being attached to a pigeon even as I type. Let's hope it comes through soon enough to get everything done in time. At this time of year I can do without having to "simply" take time off work to go into a branch.

I am sure the account will run like a dream once it's finally done. It's likely just part of a cunning plan to make sure you never have the energy to switch away again.

PaulC5

I applied on Monday, hoping to catch the switching bonus. On the screen it said I’d been accepted but they needed to do some further checks and they would contact me with the details I provided, I’ve not heard anything since or had any emails, I’m thinking I may have missed the boat for the £150 switching bonus.
I’ve not had anything in the post from them yet although we haven’t had any post since Monday from anyone which I find hard to believe.

Anyone else in the same boat as me?

bigadaj

PaulC5 wrote: »

I applied on Monday, hoping to catch the switching bonus. On the screen it said I’d been accepted but they needed to do some further checks and they would contact me with the details I provided, I’ve not heard anything since or had any emails, I’m thinking I may have missed the boat for the £150 switching bonus.
I’ve not had anything in the post from them yet although we haven’t had any post since Monday from anyone which I find hard to believe.

Anyone else in the same boat as me?

Took about six weeks to open my account, can't think of another account where it hasn't been near instantaneous. Then due to the drip feed of information, card, pin, log in etc etc didn't realise it had been opened and clock was ticking for the switch, they ended up crediting my switching bonus as a complaint.

It's been open a few months now access to regular saver is fine and everything operates ok on line, just tortuous process to open though the csr for the switch was helpful.

Snakey

If anybody cares I got the security questions letter through today, so in theory I could be ready to start the switch before Easter... no idea whether that would be in time, since I can't phone to ask yet!

soulsaver

If you've received the debit card you can phone & set the up the telephone security number (they don't issue it, you choose it in a secure section of the call, so be ready with one with 6-10 numbers).

Think you can stay on the same call (memory) and set up internet banking same time... albeit set aside at least half hour for the phone call. And they can put you though to the switch team, too.

drlabman

Not impressed so far. Returned the signature letter a week last Thursday. Called last Tuesday to see if account was open. Apparently not - although the lady on the phone was very difficult to understand. She asked me a couple of questions (when did I apply, my postcode, etc) and said my answers didn't match. Clearly nonsense. She said I'd have to take id to a branch, I said no I don't, then she said she'd send a telephone banking pack (I think that's what she said), and it would take 4-5 days. Hasn't arrived yet (Tuesday), but today my debit card arrived. Other than call up to activate my card, is there anything else I can do at this point? Can I even activate the card over the phone without telephone banking? Frustrating!