Don't waste your time trying to open a HSBC Advance account

bigadaj

martinsurrey wrote: »

As an HSBC customer (over 20 years) I am GLAD they have a wait for appointments and no staff just standing around in case someone decides to walk in to open an account. Less overheads mean a slimmer more efficient bank.

I've never had any issues with them.

Clearly a LOT of people bother with them, hence the queues, so they must be doing something right.

and I seem to remember they weathered the down turn on their own steam.

I think you slightly misunderstanding the capitalist system, as a custimer you should expect particular levels of service. If you were a shareholder, which you may well be, then reduction in overhead should be translated into the bottom line and lead to increased dividends and a healthier share price, a reduction in costs doesn't translate as higher rates for savers.

Of the accounts I operate they seem to be one of the least customer friendly, the interface is poor and it's very long winded to even do basic transactions.

HSBC weathered the gfc better than many other banks, but they've benefitted from the tacit backing and subsidy that all banks have gained from governments and central banks.

They also lost £10billion on the poorly planned and timed household finance purchase in the us, and their processes with the Mexican drug gang episodes suggests that saving a few quid or dollars from reducing staff is slightly more offset by multi billion dollar fines.

vouch0r

Wow.. 10 minutes to open an account and why can't they see me instantly when I walk into branch...

10 mins to verify ID? Provide good cs and make sure no fraud is occurring? Yeah that sounds likely.

Why didn't you apply online op? Just a warning though as others hav mentioned they are super fussy even if you meet all the requirements for the advance.

Ballard

vouch0r wrote: »

Why didn't you apply online op? Just a warning though as others hav mentioned they are super fussy even if you meet all the requirements for the advance.

I happened to have recently applied online but still had to go to a branch to verify my identity yesterday. It only took about 15 minutes but I now have to wait a week to get a decision. I was turned down at the online stage last year despite easily meeting their conditions so I’m not hugely hopeful.

wizzywig27

I wish to move away from my current bank and want to upgrade my account with them. Unfortunately as my salary does not go into the account they want me to take proof of imcome into branch. I suggested if I was a new customer I wouldnt be required to do that. Either way the only appointment they had that I still couldnt make was two weeks away

wizzywig27

Ok so it turns out it’s for new customers only so can’t upgrade, do a switch and get the cash.

Meh

veryintrigued

sacherlover wrote: »

HSBC directors - you should be ashamed of the whole performance.

They read this forum?

Wowzers.

tenchy

veryintrigued wrote: »

They read this forum?

Wowzers.

I doubt it, but they should.

meer53

tenchy wrote: »

I doubt it, but they should.

All banks these days have Social Media Teams who monitor forums/Twitter/Facebook etc for comments. I'm sure they're aware of any serious issues.

Just take a minute to think about all the happy customers/applicants they have compared to the ones who moan on forums.