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HSBC WORST EXPERIENCE OF SWITCHING BANK TO AWFUL BANK
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skyanjel said:.......1) 14th July 2022 - It started with me applying for the switch account offer of £170.00. I saw this on Martins site as well so I filled out all the requested details online for HSBC. I met all the criteria so was looking forward to my new account. On this on the same day I received a text to advise that my application has received and they'll be in touch......
HSBC are renowned for arbitrary rejections of applications - there are numerous posts on the MSE forum about rejections for no obvious reason, leading to the conclusion that many applicants do not meet HSBC's (confidential) selection criteria.
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Is HSBC markedly worse than first direct? I applied for a first direct account though their app and it was accepted straight away and I had my debit card within a couple of days. As smooth as any other bank I've been with and smoother than most. No paperwork, no hassle.
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gsmh said:Is HSBC markedly worse than first direct?
https://www.ipsos.com/en-uk/personal-banking-service-quality-great-britain-august-2022
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gsmh said:Is HSBC markedly worse than first direct?
One of the requirements to open an advance account is:- qualify for an optional arranged overdraft of at least £1,000
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I just thought with first direct being an HSBC brand they might share some systems and processes. Is first direct run completely separately? I know smile is pretty much the same as the Co-operative Bank and cahoot is part of Santander and in both cases there is not a lot of difference. Although cahoot hasn't accepted new customers for some time, the current account is still actively maintained.
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gsmh said:I just thought with first direct being an HSBC brand they might share some systems and processes. Is first direct run completely separately? I know smile is pretty much the same as the Co-operative Bank and cahoot is part of Santander and in both cases there is not a lot of difference. Although cahoot hasn't accepted new customers for some time, the current account is still actively maintained.
HSBC though relies heavily on overseas call centres which was my bugbear when I was with them.
first direct operates a call centre in Leeds and Glasgow and place more emphasis on customer service and the staff are empowered to help in a way HSBC call centres overseas do not.
the products and account opening processes both banks offer are virtually identical and could do with much shaking up but other than that you would not think they are brands of the same bank .0 -
It's an organisation that is leaning ever eastwards in terms of focus, investment and leadership presence (whether those leaders like it or not!), and with a stated aim of keeping overall global costs flat (so basically a significant cut taking inflation into account).
So frankly, if (as a bog standard current account holder) you can get through to someone in Glasgow then I'd take that as a win, because there are people in many more exotic (ie cheaper) locations you could be talking to instead.0 -
Rich1976 said:first direct operates a call centre in Leeds and Glasgow and place more emphasis on customer service and the staff are empowered to help in a way HSBC call centres overseas do not.
Other than what the agents sounded like the only difference I could perceive as a previous customer of both was that HSBC used a phone menu and automated system to pass security whereas First Direct phones would connect you to a human who'd run you through security and then ask what your call was regarding and place you in the relevant queue unless your query was something an automated system would otherwise handle (i.e. they'd do the job of a robot).
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WillPS said:Rich1976 said:first direct operates a call centre in Leeds and Glasgow and place more emphasis on customer service and the staff are empowered to help in a way HSBC call centres overseas do not.
Other than what the agents sounded like the only difference I could perceive as a previous customer of both was that HSBC used a phone menu and automated system to pass security whereas First Direct phones would connect you to a human who'd run you through security and then ask what your call was regarding and place you in the relevant queue unless your query was something an automated system would otherwise handle (i.e. they'd do the job of a robot).
other people may have other opinions but thats always been my impression. they are not perfect by any means but certainly i have found them easy to deal with.1 -
phillw said:gsmh said:Is HSBC markedly worse than first direct?
One of the requirements to open an advance account is:- qualify for an optional arranged overdraft of at least £1,000
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