Refused HSBC Advance account

Legacy_user

I got refused for a HSBC Advance account. The salesperson said it was because I had a current account with another bank.

There was no credit check or anything like that. It took less than thirty seconds for the salesperson to refuse to open an account for me.

I complained online and the relevant part of the response was "[the salesperson] established that the account may not be appropriate for your needs".

The crux of my question is this: did HSBC have a legal right to refuse me service for having an account with another bank or are there consumer protection laws in this instance? I haven't been able to find any relevant eligibility criteria online or in their terms and conditions but this doesn't necessarily mean that they can't do this.

Is it worth applying again at a different branch and just refusing to answer any questions that they might take offense to the answer to?

tempus_fugit

I don't think they have any legal obligation to give you an account. And not answering their questions would tend to make them more likely to refuse you one, I would think.

Zanderman

You have no 'legal right' to a bank account with anyone. You're just a customer. So, yes, they can refuse to give you an account.

And no, it's not worth trying again and refusing to answer questions! That will definitely result in another No.

dj1471

HSBC are notoriously picky when it comes to the Advance account. They seem to be looking for people who are going to use it as their main account, pay a decent amount in and are prime customers for other products (e.g. mortgages).

I agree it would be nice if they would be upfront and put it in the eligibility criteria, but as others have said they're free to pick and choose their customers as they wish.

mije1983

Verschil wrote: »

Is it worth applying again at a different branch and just refusing to answer any questions that they might take offense to the answer to?

Do you not think that by refusing to answer questions you may set more alarm bells ringing, and lead to another no?

As said by the above posters, you are a customer and they are within their rights to choose which ones they accept and reject (within certain boundaries), just as any other company are. Banking, retail or otherwise.

maxximus75

I'm surprised they didn't credit search you for an account?


How did the know you had another account, elsewhere?


Having an account with another bank doesn't disqualify you.


In fact, to get the account opening bonus you would need one to switch from.

WillPS

maxximus75 wrote: »

I'm surprised they didn't credit search you for an account?


How did the know you had another account, elsewhere?


Having an account with another bank doesn't disqualify you.


In fact, to get the account opening bonus you would need one to switch from.

I think the OP was asked if they would use the account as their main account, and answered 'no'.

Of course, there's no definition of "main account". Does it mean the current account with the highest balance? The current account with the most direct debits? The current account with the most payees? The current account with the most going in each month - etc. etc.

18cc

It is definitely nothing to do with you having another account as I have about 7 other accounts and got accepted for the advance account

FrugalShaz

We were refused an Advance Account, there was nothing wrong with our account....they made a mistake by doing two hard searches on us so we raised a complaint. They quickly removed the one hard search for each of us but after speaking to someone senior it actually transpired that as we already had a mortgage with them that there was no incentive for them to offer us an advance account. After everything was switched to HSBC we changed banks. They are very picky and as soon as our fixed rate expires in two years we will be moving that too!

ryno1

Legacy_user said:

I got refused for a HSBC Advance account. The salesperson said it was because I had a current account with another bank.

There was no credit check or anything like that. It took less than thirty seconds for the salesperson to refuse to open an account for me.

I complained online and the relevant part of the response was "[the salesperson] established that the account may not be appropriate for your needs".

The crux of my question is this: did HSBC have a legal right to refuse me service for having an account with another bank or are there consumer protection laws in this instance? I haven't been able to find any relevant eligibility criteria online or in their terms and conditions but this doesn't necessarily mean that they can't do this.

Is it worth applying again at a different branch and just refusing to answer any questions that they might take offense to the answer to?

It's ridiculous. I applied for an advance account last week, just called them, waited 30 minutes on hold to be told it was declined but to my credit rating.

I checked with Experian and have the maximum score of 999.
I'm switching from Santander, who I've been with for 20 years and would be putting all of my income into the Advance account

I suspect they just don't want to open any more accounts as they don't want to fork out for any more £125 rewards for new customers. That was the main reason for my switch 

colsten

HSBC are notoriously picky about who they accept for the Advance account. They, like other banks, don't care about the Experian or other credit scores, as they are making their own assessments, Put it down to experience and try elsewhere. HSBC aren't the only bank offering a switch bonus.