We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
HSBC WORST EXPERIENCE OF SWITCHING BANK TO AWFUL BANK
Comments
-
Rich1976 said: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 -
Rich1976 said: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 -
Saver101101 said:Rich1976 said: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 -
Rich1976 said:Saver101101 said:Rich1976 said: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 -
I have certainly had calls with HSBC Advance that was an overseascall centre- New Delhi- I think,maybe things have changed in the 6 months since I switched away. I really struggled sometimes to understand their intonation / pronunciation.Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
-Stash bust:in 2022:337
Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82
2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £158.55profit!!!
2025 3dduvets0 -
Saver101101 said:Rich1976 said:Saver101101 said:Rich1976 said: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 .1 -
I don't have much experience with their customer service, although I had to call HSBC after opening my account last year after nothing was happening for over a week or so. My main problem was their online banking and its functionality. It was the worst of all banks I've ever been with. The only other bank that seems to be just as bad (in terms of online banking) is The Coop.
EPICA - the best symphonic metal band in the world !0 -
My only real complaint with HSBC/FD is their absolutely ridiculous "Secure Key" system.
Buy a new phone and forget to de-register? Enjoy a lengthy phone call to CS where they take everything up to your inside leg measurement to reissue it.
Reinstall your phone OS without de-registering? The same rigmarole.
Every other bank seems to be able to handle this gracefully, and it's ironic that FD was the initial "remote-only bank." Wow, have they fallen behind the times.1 -
HumberFlyer said:
[Advance Account] I was way off qualifying for a £1000 overdraft, not that I wanted one.I was accepted, no'prob. £170 cashback within a week.
0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 258.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards