How seperated are HSBC / FirstDirect Computer Systems Really?

Roger.Wilco

After the banking systems meltdowns over the last few years - it is best practice to have funds in different banks.


I already have accounts with HSBC which I will keep but am looking to open another account which will either be FirstDirect, Llyods or Nationwide.


I will not have anything close to the FCS limit - so in that aspect HSBC-FirstDirect won't be a problem.


But I'm interested in how separated HSBC and FirstDirect computer systems are really?


I have spoken to a HSBC representative in branch as well as spoken to a telephone operator for FirstDirect. Both - repeat the mantra that they are different banks and have different systems.


But - do they really? Does anyone know?

Rich1976

My understanding is that HSBC, First Direct and M&S use the same back office systems as evidenced before Christmas when First Direct's app as well as HSBC's had gone down for much of the morning.

MDMD

I was in a HSBC branch once and they could access my FD account and when I switched from HSBC to FD they said they could see my HSBC account.

Whether they are on different systems is a different question. Personally I’d like to be able to see and transact with my HSBC/FD/M&S accounts all on one app without faffing through open banking.

Fingerbobs

When I opened an HSBC account, I found I couldn't use the same username as I used for my First Direct account, because it was "already taken". Same thing happened with I opened an M&S account. I had to use a different username for each bank.

born_again

FD & M&S use core HSBC systems and have access to HSBC's main customer acc system (hence they know if you have any associated accounts). But they both also use their own systems as well.

So a HSBC system issue will effect both FB & M&S in some way.
But a FD or M&S issue won't effect HSBC.

So while it is true they use their own systems. It is not as Black & White as FD would like you to believe.

boo_star

born_again wrote: »

FD & M&S use core HSBC systems and have access to HSBC's main customer acc system (hence they know if you have any associated accounts). But they both also use their own systems as well.

So a HSBC system issue will effect both FB & M&S in some way.
But a FD or M&S issue won't effect HSBC.

So while it is true they use their own systems. It is not as Black & White as FD would like you to believe.

If their core system is affected, how on earth do FD and M&S get away unscathed?

robatwork

I believe they are intrinsically linked.

I have an FD mortgage and whenever there is any associated activity on my credit report, it always states HSBC not FD.

Also not sure if the FD app has improved of late but its online offering was always miles behind the other banks.

JuicyJesus

The systems are almost all interlinked however they are treated as separate banks for most purposes, including security procedures, which is why FD won't service your HSBC accounts over the phone and HSBC won't do any more than small cash/cheque deposits and withdrawals in branch without FD's authorisation.

born_again

boo_star wrote: »

If their core system is affected, how on earth do FD and M&S get away unscathed?

I did not say unscathed.
"So a HSBC system issue will effect both FB & M&S in some way."

Because some of their systems, such as getting through security are their own and not tied to HSBC systems.

Remember FD was a Midland bank offshoot. Before HSBC bought Midland.

TheBanker

Hi

I don't work for HSBC but I work for another group with several banks. Our systems are separate in the sense that you won't find one bank's customer by searching the other bank's system. But, all the systems live in the same data centre and rely on the same communications infrastructure. There are some types of payment that go through a shared link to the external payment schemes. So it is possible for problems to affect both banks.

If you want two accounts to mitigate system failures, I would choose two completely separate banks

starM

A while back I tried to increase Overdraft on my HSBC account. During the scoring process the system automatically displayed my FD sort code and account number. The adviser asked me which account this relates. I told her it was my FD account. The adviser said this account will also be taken into account when making decision.

Its been a while not been using my HSBC account but its still live and I get loan offers from them. Likely its happening becuse I use my FD account as my main account and score goes across the group computer system.