Is there any worse online banking than HSBC?

Alex9384

When I switched to HSBC in March 2021 after NatWest closed my accounts, I thought I just got rid of the worst of my accounts with several banks.
After 6 months with HSBC  I think they are even worse than NatWest and that's something! I must admit though, I never had a credit card with NatWest, so I can't compare how their credit cards work (or don't work).

Here's why I think HSBC are so bad:

1. The account opening process was the slowest of any bank I've ever been with.
At one point I decided to call them because it looked like nothing was happening for several days.

2. Logging into your account with laptop/PC cannot be done without your mobile phone as it requires a code generated by the app. The account loading is also very slow compared to my other banks.

3. Making a simple payment on my laptop from HSBC account is a real pain.
It involves the mobile app code (again), then typing in the payment amount and the last 4 digits of the account you are paying to. For me it doesn't even work. Whenever I type in the 6 digit code, it says the code is incorrect, so I just can't get past this point. Thus, I can only send payments from my mobile.

4. Setting up a simple direct debit (HSBC CC from Monzo) was ridiculous, involving some Adobe app, sending my sign and having to google the address of Monzo HQ to put it into the Adobe form!

5. The amount for the direct debit cannot be changed like with other banks. With HSBC I had to contact their technical support to do it for me.

6. Date for standing orders cannot be amended either, only amount. Of course, this again involves the mobile generated code which doesn't work for me anyway.

7. HSBC credit card cannot be paid off by debit cards from other banks!
I accumulated some debt on the new CC while it was on 6 month introductory 0% period, then wanted to pay it off with my Halifax debit card. Surprise! Not possible to pay off HSBC CC with any debit card. This is the only of my 8 credit cards that doesn't allow this. Not sure about NatWest. Does anyone know?

8. Since HSBC gave me a lousy 1900 limit on the card, today I decided to increase it (after 6 months).
It turned out this would involve another hard search! Again, this is the only of my 8 credit cards that requires a hard search for credit limit increase. Not sure about NatWest.

9. There is the option to request a higher limit in the online banking but when you click on it, it will only tell you to call HSBC. You can do it yourself in the mobile app though. Why in the world would this only by allowed in the app but not in the online banking?

10. No pending credit card payments shown in either online banking or mobile banking.
I paid for petrol with my HSBC credit card yesterday and there is no pending transaction shown anywhere. The only way to know there is a pending payment or to know your total balance while the payment is pending is checking your available credit limit and subtract it from your total credit limit.

11. No icons or logos like Lloyds, TSB or Nationwide (though only in the app for now) and I don't think they're going to introduce new features any time soon.

I originally intended to keep my HSBC for years, but it's really horrible and
I've just decided I'm going to switch it to Santander and pack the bonus.

Anyone else shares the same opinion about HSBC?

tacpot12

I would agree that HSBC's online banking and apps are generally difficult to use; more so than most other banks. I have current accounts with Smile, NatWest and Santander, savings accounts with Barclays, and Credit Cards with Lloyds, Virgin Money and Jaja. Only Smile gets close to the poor experience I've had with HSBC. That said, I only use HSBC Business Banking, so my experience of HSBC is perhaps not relevant, but I also have a business bank account with Santander and find the online banking experience to be good. 

tdbradley

HSBC are in the process of redesigning their website and app- a trial version of the app is being released this week for those signed up to the trial. 

Lightning360

Whilst my 2 banks, Santander and Nationwide, have online banking websites that look quite outdated, they do function very well. Everything is very well laid out and I've always been able to do what I set out to do easily.

veryintrigued

The answer to your question is 'Yes - the Post Office and Punjab International Bank' in my experience

pafpcg

Alex9384 said:

When I switched to HSBC in March 2021 after NatWest closed my accounts, I thought I just got rid of the worst of my accounts with several banks.
After 6 months with HSBC  I think they are even worse than NatWest and that's something! I must admit though, I never had a credit card with NatWest, so I can't compare how their credit cards work (or don't work).

Here's why I think HSBC are so bad:
........
2. Logging into your account with laptop/PC cannot be done without your mobile phone as it requires a code generated by the app. The account loading is also very slow compared to my other banks.

.......
.......

I originally intended to keep my HSBC for years, but it's really horrible and
I've just decided I'm going to switch it to Santander and pack the bonus.

Anyone else shares the same opinion about HSBC?

Sorry, but that's not correct.  For years, I've been able to access my HSBC (and FirstDirect) accounts via a PC-based browser without recourse to a mobilephone.  I have a code generator device which, after I've entered a PIN, gives me a six-digit number to enter at the web-page prompt.  Nor do I find HSBC noticeably slower than other banks (and I've accounts with all high-street banks other than Barclays).  I'm not saying HSBC is my favourite, but it works for me....

Without actually testing some of your other claims such as the inability to change standing order dates* which surprises me, I'm not going to comment further, other than to support your plan to find a different bank - voting with your feet is probably the best policy.  But I'd suggest you don't put Clydesdale/VirginMoney high on your list - "idiosyncratic" is the best description of their user interface!


* Footnote:  I do know it's not possible to change the date of the standing order to transfer funds to the HSBC regular saver, but I've always assumed that's a special case.

[Deleted User]

I don't find their website particularly slow or particularly problematic plus certainly don't rate the functionality of RBS as noticeably better.

Their onboarding was slightly slower than other banks in my experience but that was a few extra days than average.

I use Faster Payment or Direct Debit to pay all my bills. Paying via debit card just seems extra work to me.

As for lending, no issue with overdraft or credit limits provided. 

gt94sss2

As has been said, HSBC are currently in the process of rolling out improvements to their app and online banking. They are also making it easier to login and looking at showing pending credit card transactions as well - they already do transaction notifications.

I agree their onboarding is usually on the slow side but the speed of their website is fine.

You can't pay a NatWest credit card with a debit card and I would expect virtually all credit cards to do a hard search if you apply for a limit increase these days.

If they don't suit you, move but I have indeed seen other banks with worse online banking!

eastcorkram

@Alex9384

As you say, you need mobile to set up a payee or whatever. So why don't you just do it using the mobile? I never use a pc for banking . Mainly because I haven't owned one for the past six years .
 
It takes seconds to create a new payee or make a payment to an existing one on a mobile. You're trying to use two devices , when you could do it on one. 

IvanOpinion

In answer t the original question - yes!

[Deleted User]

1. HSBC have been very slow with account openings since they were caught with dodgy money some years back. Now they are super strict. 

2.You can log into HSBC without a mobile phone, you would be required to obtain a secure key.

https://www.hsbc.co.uk/help/security-centre/secure-key/

3.I agree making a payment is a bit around the houses and a maths exam, but at least it is secure!.

4.I have used the said form, I agree very old school. 

5. A system limitation that will hopefully change with the coming updates.

6. As above, but I believe similar at other banks

7. You have to transfer money into your HSBC current account and then pay off the credit card if you don't use DD

8. I think it is common for a search when you request a limit increase with a lot of places, certainly happened to me at AMEX I believe. As I said before HSBC are very strict. 

9.The website is older than the app, new updates are coming. 

10. The credit card balance is very slow to update and not in real time, I agree a real pain.

11. I don't care about logos, I like simple design, I just want to see the money.

I am leaving HSBC to go to Chase when you can get an account at the new bank. Mainly due to the China connection with HSBC, I had hoped HSBC would sell off the UK arm but alas.