“International ATMs”

HSBC on-line service is acceptable, but there are issues with using their ATM card in other countries. Was in Buenos Aires in Feb 09 and went to two of their branches and the card just wouldn't work. A Brit was also trying to access money and he told me the HSBC network has a reputation for breaking down, making it difficult for travelers to access their money. The system was up again after a couple of days, but it was a terrible inconvenience. Also, HSBC is getting beat to death on their interest rates--am trying Ally now.

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“A great bank”

I am a Premier HSBC customer with accounts in 4 different countries. Imagine having your own private banking network where money moves seamlessly between countries. Where international transfers are free and in some cases instantaneous. Where you can do you own Wire Transfers when necessary online at half the cost of almost every other bank. And where Customer Service is just great. I have to say the negative reviews are a mystery to me.

“Not willing to negotiate”

I had a few credit cards through this bank. I ran into financial trouble in
2006, so like a responsible adult I stopped using all my credit cards.
This bank maxed out my interest rate after a few missed payments
and my account balance doubled in six months. I ended up going
bankrupt.

“appalling customer service from outsources call center”

HSBC Online savings' interest rate is fairly good and their online system works ok but if you have any problems at all (as I did when they suspended all my linked accounts for no reason), that require you call Customer Service⦠then I feel sorry for you.

You will spend hours on the the phone with a completely undertrained Indian from a call center on the the other side of the world, that just talks you in circles and puts you on hold every 2 minutes. They refuse or do not have the ability to transfer you to a supervisor or english speaking operator. I was given at least 8 different reasons for the problem but no solution. A problem that could have been resolves in 30 seconds if I was dealing with a real banker.

I closed by account because of their appalling Customer Service and my $100 000 in savings did not mean anything to them. I also simply do not like the idea of this call center on the other side of the world, that turns over staff daily, to access to my sensitive information including Social Security, driver license, secret questions and answers etc. etc.

My email complaints and follow up questions were answered with impersonal auto generated emails.

I expect that if I am giving a bank business and trusting them with my life savings, I expect them to repay me by investing back into my country and at least hiring local people. I also expect to be dealt with like a person, not an account number in their system.

I moved my saving to GMAC, after calling customer service first, to make sure who I am dealing with.

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“Poor customer service and client appreciation”

I am a small business owner and have banked with the bank on the ground level of my building since I began business in 1991. In that time the bank has changed hands several times. HSBC has owned and operated this bank for approximately 8 years now.

I remained with HSBC simply because it was convient. I also had some distorted sense of loyality because I had been with this bank for so long. When the HSBC management and staff came into this bank, out went the customer service and client appreciation. This was obvious from the start and has only worsened in this economic turmoil of recent date. The bank charges are outrageous; the management staff out of touch with their client base; the employees so worried about doing something wrong that the follow through is terrible. The majority of the clients and staff are now Middle Eastern. That would not be an issue if you were made to feel welcome even if you were not from that ethnic background. The rudeness and abrupt nature with which they conduct business is unnerving at best. Needless to say I have been made to feel unwanted and unnecessary in the long term success of this institution.

I realize that times have changed in the banking business for years to come. Times have also changed for me, a small business owner who appreciates how important customer service is. If you are looking for a good relationship with your bank and do not have several million dollars to deposit, I suggest looking elsewhere.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

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“on-line bank account”

I've had my savings account with HSBC on-line banking for over 3 years now, All has been very good until I needed customer service, I recently got married and have been trying to update my last name for over a month now. It took them 3 weeks just to get me the forms to mail back. Everytime I tried to call and speak with someone I was told that they couldn't help me because my account is an On-Line account and I have to use the bankmail link once signed on to my account, I typed my message hit send the next day you'll get a lovely general response back: Your request has been forwarded to our processing center and it will take 24 hours for them to respond. so 2 days go by before they'll address your question, and this was a simple queston I hate to have a major problem. well, now I finally got my message that they updated my new last name, Let's see how long it takes to find out if a new card will get mailed out. So it took more than a month here and the social security office only took 6 minutes.

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“feels secure”

Since HSBC has no physical building anywhere near my house, it felt odd at first putting money in here. However, now that I'm more comfortable with it, I am able to appreciate how easy it is to transfer money on-line to and from this account. The interest is always better than the interest offered at the savings account offered at my bank.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

“Online savings account”

Good accessability