written by CrisA on 20/03/2024
if you're planning on opening a bank account do not open an account with HSBC let alone try to open a Premier bank account. they just make everything so hard. Considering most of my savings are with them having been banking with them for 17 years, I can safely say my money hardly earned any interest. Go somewhere else - to a bank that actually cares and tries to give their customers the best service.
written by rxBarrett346 on 26/12/2015
Only stay with them because its easy to run accounts in the UK and USA. Dont meet up with your RM, they are mostly disinterested.
written by HSBCSucks on 10/12/2014
My wife and I have been with HSBC for many years. A couple months ago we went in to talk about opening up a US account as we were planning to move from the UK. We were told this was a good idea as HSBC will carry over your credit rating. The people in the branch said that we should open a premier account first since more than qualified and so that we didn't have to pay for setting up the US account. We said sure and they said they would call to set up a meeting. After a while they reached out to us and we had our meeting in the "Premier" banking section in Canary Wharf which is in a different building and done up to look like an airport lounge. The first impress was dampened by really poor drinks. In the main branch they had juice, water, and a machine that could make a half decent coffee. In the premier section the coffee machine is long over due for a cleaning and the coffee was disgusting. I know, I went to set up a bank account, not have drinks, but that was the first impression. The person who helped us setup the account was alright but couldn't answer very many of our questions and kept telling us it was on the webpage. Near then end of the meeting we asked about the US account as that was the whole purpose of this process and he said that that would have to be booked separately, but that we would have to wait to be called by someone. A while later someone eventually called and they provided some times for when we could have a meeting. We ended up with a 9am meeting on a Friday, which we were fine with as it meant we could get done and out of the way. We showed up 15 minutes early as we left a bit early due to rush hour. 9am rolls around and the person we are meant to meet isn't there. A half hour later we are told she is in the building on another floor and will be right down. Another 30 minutes later and she is still not there and we were told she got caught up in something and would be down soon. After 15 more minutes my wife and I left. At this point I was ready to close all my account and not look back but figured that carrying over my credit rating was more important than being mad at someone for not showing up for a meeting they scheduled. I expected a phone call with an apology later that day, but I never got one. The following Monday I received a voice mail with an excuse about having an allergic reaction to something. I can have a bit of compassion, except that I have reason to doubt her excuse. There are only two people in her role at her branch. I used to work in Canary Wharf and have a lot of friends who still do, and who know her. Thursday night was a wild one for her, so my friends told me. She may of had an allergic reaction, but she was also likely really hung over too. But, whatever, I needed to get this account open. Instead of having us go back into the branch she said she would send me a form to fill out that would speed everything up. "only takes 15 minutes". It was an electronic form and every time you pressed a button or entered in some information the form would freeze for about a minute. Every so often the form would crash and I would lose everything and have to start over. Eventually, 3 hours later I have to form filled out and all I have to do is press a button to electronically sign the form. Unfortunately I apparently missed something on the form and a message said it has been highlighted in red. So I scanned through the 20 pages of the form and couldn't find the issue. I spent about 30 minutes trying things before I got too frustrated and just emailed the form back to her and told her the issue. She tried it for here self and apparently I was meant to check something, then uncheck it, then check it again as there was an issue with the form. When this is done right a few more fields show up that have to be filed in. I would of been fine with the whole checking process if there was any information stating that had to be done. Finally I filled everything in on the form and was ready for the next step. Now this whole process started about 2 months ago. I'm moving at the end of this month. After sending in the completed form she came back to me and said that there is only 10 business days left before I move, and it usually takes at least 10 business days to open a US account and that she was going away on holidays, as such we shouldn't open an account right now. Needless to say I was pretty mad about this as we allowed more than enough time for everything to be sorted out and due to HSBC upselling their Premier account and having really poor customer service when we got to that account our primary reason for even going into the bank 2 months could not be completed. I could wait till I get to the US and try and open an account from that end, but I've had it. I have an appointment with a different bank, that was recommended to me by my company, the day after I arrive. Once I transfer my funds over using XE.com, as there is no way I'm letting HSBC make any money off my currency exchange, I'll be closing all my accounts with HSBC and not looking back. If I return to the UK, I still wont use them as apparently I had been paying for an advance account for 5 years when I qualified for a free premier account and even though I had meetings at the bank a couple times a year, no one bothered to recommend upgrading to the premier account so I didn't have to spend money on the advance account. Maybe because they knew the Premier account is a joke.
written by on 24/02/2014
Where is the person who is supposedly intended to show me how to extend my wealth? I have been a client of HSBC for more than 10 years. I have never missed a payment in my entire life and I have always been a good customer. I have checked my credit score online and this looks outstanding. So why am I penalised? I understand and appreciate that HSBC is a responsible lender and in the current economic climate banks are under pressure. These being said I can never understand as to why human thinking has been completely replaced by computers. Computers are supposed to complement human brains, not take over. These days if the computer says “NO” a person is not allowed to use his brains and most sadly not allowed to think out of the box. This is completely ludicrous. I have been in business for many years (started my business in 2002) and since day 1 this business has been going forward not backwards. The business is cash rich and I do not have an overdraft facility on neither of my business accounts. Am I being penalised for this? And yet somehow the computer says NO to my wanting to upgrade my house. Why are people not allowed to think; to look past what the computer says; look into personal circumstances, help long existing customers?! In 2007 I took a mortgage for my current home and since then I paid most of it leaving my mortgage with just over £54000. Is there nobody who is allowed to look and think that I nearly paid off this house in just a few years? This in addition to getting 3 shops to grow my business? In addition to buying a property in France, etc? I want to sell my current house and buy a new house. I am willing to put £165000 deposit so I can buy a £500 000 property. This works out to 67 LTV. Where is your real risk? Naturally every shareholder, every business man is going to look into the most tax efficient ways of administering their business. Nobody in their right mind is going to pay themselves a salary high enough to pay 40% or 50% tax when one can pay themselves dividends. Nobody is going to draw funds out of shareholders funds when just so they can pay tax on it, when the money is not needed. Not all people in this country have all their businesses in the UK. And yet, you as a bank, if you were to look into my family finances can easily see affordability; but the computer says No. If I was allowed (which I am not) to have this mortgage my monthly would be in the region of £1400. We do not have dependants (nor intend to), we do not have expenses. Even with the min wage (which myself and my husband pay ourselves) we can cover this. What is the world makes you think we can not afford that? Can you please PLEASE allow somebody to use their brains and look past the computer; look at the actual real affordability?
written by on 13/01/2014
Been with HSBC for many years. The relationship manager we had until 2013 was brilliant and so we decided to use their PIMS wealth management service. This has been a disaster! Since Feb last year our investment in low risk portfolio is 1% less than what we put in. The income fund that HSBC recommended has produced income but this has been more than swallowed up by HSBC management charges. The Financial Advisers are poor and do not seem to be able to answer questions about the investment performance. It is also very difficult to track what is happening to your investment on a day by day basis. The sales pitch info they use is also misleading
written by on 19/12/2013
Ok so they want me to join, but it's impossible to actually call a branch and arrange whilst calling the premier new customers line just results on endless promises of "someone will call you back".
written by avissche on 04/09/2013
I've been a HSBC Premier customer for three years now and it one of the worst. Specific complaints are the ability to have accounts in different countries. They all do not work! I had an account in Singapore, Canada and Australia. All of them had very strange local restrictions. Canada has a policy that if you do not do any transaction for a while the account is dormant. NO TRANSACTIONS FOR YOU! Australia sends you another security device and a pass that both do not work so i sent them back. No apology not a sound! NO MONEY FOR YOU. For Singapore you need to enroll to enable to get $$$ out in other countries. Which expires... not with the date on your card but just a given day in a random year. Just about when you need money in Vietnam NO MONEY FOR YOU. I have close to 400k in that bank at 0 %. Its time to move this and put it somewhere else. Oh yeah in my three years I've not seen, heard or been introduced to the relationship manager. What a farce. HSBC Premier services and products are so bad!
written by on 18/07/2013
It has been frustrating to open account. Get passed on from one to another several checks and no result!
written by on 01/07/2013
Arrogant and inefficient, unwilling to communicate by email or phone, even the manager was unhelpful and obstructive. Over 4 months to arrange a mortgage, which its still ongoing as they decide they want more paperwork sent in the post, which I could have sent weeks ago if they had asked. Seems they make it up as they go along and the customer is wrong or made to feel guilty when their inefficient, slow, mind googling uselessness comes to light. Unanswered phone calls, emails and complete lack of service are the norm. I believed I was going to be getting a world class service from th world's local bank. I believe it is the worlds worst service and it is far from local... A complete joke of a bank!
Written on: 23/09/2013
Hi, I am so totally in agreement with you. I have just had a terrible experience trying to get MY money from MY HSBC account in Paris to London. Shouldn't be a big challenge, but they have proved to be totally sloppy, incompetent and disinterested. This is Premier by the way. Still waiting for my own cash 5 days after sending an urgent transfer request, really upsetting, they know that and obviously don't care. What is the best way to pay them back/complain/ expose them?
Written on: 11/03/2014
I am another in 100% agreement ! I have premier accts in Canada, UK and (used to be) France. I tried to buy a property in France - HSBC did not adhere to contract contingencies for this process and were late on providing information. The seller is trying to sue for 100K and held our deposit. I have tried to go against HSBC legal as it is purely their fault - over a year in process. What did they do ? closed my account ! for no reason and they have kept funds that I am still trying to access.... complete joke. Has anyone found a central blog / area to raise these types of concerns ? (beside HSBC themselves).
written by Vulcun on 16/05/2013
The site does not allow 0 Star rating; the HSBC premier service so bad in UK & India that I have not words to describe it; I have been a premier account holder since last 5 years but they are just empty promises. 1. They save preferential rate: try getting a mortgage or loan and their Rates are the worst in the market 2. They say dedicated relationship managers: they are there only to sell you products and if you don’t buy they will ditch you before you know what’s happened and you are put on the phone support team’s plate. 3. Frankly apart from this they offer travel insurance, it cost £25-50 to get it separately why should I keep 100K with you. In short they have a high criteria to achieve premier but they offer Shaity service in return. And oh almost forgot, the so called relationship managers have a bloody arrogant attitude; worst offender I**ne C***tney Watford branch has a very arrogant attitude and just tries to sell.
written by on 10/04/2013
HSBC is totally incompetant. Customer service is in Malaysia. Phone line is incomprehensible. Catch 22 situation: In order to access internet banking on the telephone if you need help, you need a telephone PIN. Who remembers their telephone PIN? I don't bank over the phone but use online service, so couldn't get help for my online account because I couldn't give the telephone PIN. I can answer the other 10 security questions but to no avail. I have finally decided to give up and take my Premier account money elsewhere. Toronto Dominion has a good reputation. HSBC you just did it to me once too often. Oh yes, and where are all these "new bank charges coming from"
written by on 26/03/2013
No way to get zero stars on the rating??!!! I really wanted to trust HSBC, they seemed to offer a lot of good things and the Premier service offered what I needed, ie a good international service and access to good investments. The one thing that spoils this above all else for me is the banks incredible level of arrogance. On three separate occasions I have proven the bank wrong in a dispute, one ongoing, and they still tell me they will solve the problem 'in a few days' I truly advise anyone reading this not to fall for the empty promises, the misleading marketing and just stick to a basic service. Don't get sucked in to one bank, spread your risk and ignore there advice at all costs, its just selling you garbage.
written by Anonymous20132013 on 24/03/2013
I appreciate that HSBC provides multiple security measures to re-gain access to online banking, but I do not appreciate the following: 1) They apparently outsource their jobs to foreign countries. I can't understand what any of their representatives are saying, which results in me asking the agent to repeat themselves. I find this aggravating. 2) They have bounced me around from person to person to gain access to my account. This is a waste of my time. 3) They tried to sell me a credit card and pushed when I said no. Not good business.
written by on 17/03/2013
I have been a customer of HSBC in Dubai since 1995. I decided to open an account back in the USA for the ease of global banking concept they had promised. I went to one of the branches in NYC and had a good experience with the relationship manager. Did all the paperwork, opened a checking account, an IRA and requested a credit card. Account was opened but I realized that it was interest bearing even though no one even asked me whether I wanted it. Never mind I thought. Not a big deal. My IRA account took 4 long months and many emails back and forth between me and their Financial Planning Manager to finally get set up. I had asked in my credit card application to settle my bills in full every month as I do not like to carry over any balances and I would not have to worry about bill payments. I had given my Dubai address which they sent the correspondence to but being overseas mail, it always took weeks to get to me. Anyway I charged a few transactions to the credit card over 2 months assuming that my instructions were carried out when to my surprise I got an email notifying me that my account was overdue!! To cut the long story short, they had not settled my bills as they were supposed to so when I made a query suddenly they settled the full amount and nonetheless charged my overdue interest charges and fees. When I asked for the reversal of these charges, not only they refused, they said I should have checked my statements on time to contest (apparently I should have expected them to fail carrying out my original instructions) and to top it all they closed my credit card and the relationsgip manager quite rudely wrote me that if I wanted to reactivate it, I should call the call center (long distance) and discuss it with them! Setting new standards in appalling customer service to any customer, let alone Premier.
Written on: 29/06/2013
you say in your letter that you were able to emailHSBC Bank i have had similar issues with them but have been unable to obtain an e aaress which would be more than helpfull as i live in australia.would it be possible to have there e mail address as my issues are now 4 years and still going as they appear to use snail mail only thankyou for considering my request
written by on 02/02/2013
Recently signed up for the so-called HSBC Premier service. Even getting the issuance of debit cards right seems to be a major amount of work that requires multiple emails, phone calls and weeks of waiting.
written by averagejoe1 on 01/02/2013
I strongly advise that you do not deposit even a $ with this bank. Their customer service is the worst I have ever come across. Every time, any query, any request, has never been fulfilled without my time being wasted due to really stupid and delayed work by the customer service. Mostly I don't get what I want. Even if it means getting a statement for last six months as it is happening currently, they are unable to provide me. Then I do not understand what the heck can they provide a premier customer?
Written on: 12/07/2013
I agree the HSBC Premier is the worst bank service I've ever seen. They urge you to deposit the minimum Cad$100,000.00 dollars to the account when you open an account with them. When you are desperate to deposit enough money to an account. The so call "Customer Review Team" send a letter saying that they regret to inform you that, as a result of the review, HSBC Bank Canada will be closing your Accounts. And they do not give any reason to close your accounts. Don't trust the HSBC Bank at all!!!
written by on 25/01/2013
HSBC Premier - is this a specially reduced service offering less than 1% of client help than a normal bank? I have made 7 requests for a Premier Manager to call me after a regular monthly payment was silently withheld because of 0.48pence, despite a 'Premier' figure in the linked account and an overdraft in place. The arrogance, pomposity and inflated sense of self-importance is staggering. Without Premier customers there would be no 'Premier Managers'. However, they clearly believe that their role has been awarded by some higher being and have no respect for long-term customers. I will be adding a name to this review when a Premier Manager eventually takes his/her head out of his/her nether regions and finally makes that telephone call.
written by BankingCustomerHSBC on 06/12/2012
I'm absolutely amazed that in the year 2012 HSBC in HK is unable to process requests for duplicate statements or new internet access without having to send them formally signed paper documents. Even if they could accommodate it, the bank does not allow you to access >2 months worth of bank statements online without forcing you to pay them HK$50 per statement. Unbelievable. I am counting the minutes until I switch to 21st century financial institution. Heck, I'll settle for one with services circa 1999 over these dinosaurs any day.
Written on: 19/12/2012
HSBC manipulating customer service reps try to persuade you into thinking everything is okay, when in-fact they can care less for you, or you're concerns! They will say and do anything to debunk the issue at hand from themselves, when they are clearly at fault! Guilty I tell you, Guilty as charge! For instance; I had a problem with my credit card being charged by a company by the name of "Great Funds," this company charge me $79.99 for a transaction that supposedly took place in May; however, my credit card was billed by this company 6months later. Now it's clear that this was an unauthorized charge because here in the "USA" our credit systems is set up on a 30 day cycle. I called HSBC three times to get this problem resolved and they said since the merchant agreed to provide me with a refund that they would give them a chance to do so. Now the problem with this is, the merchant didn't refund me, it's 60 days later I called HSBC and spoke to a representative. I explained to her that this problem has been on going and I express my need to get it resolved; however, as I spoke with her I quickly realize I might as well be having a conversation with my gold fish because she was absolutely no help, things quickly broke down in our communication so I took a neutral route and asked the representative of HSBC to connect me with her manager. She replied by saying she would but I would have to hold on, you wouldn't guess what happen next's, instead of her connecting me to her supervisor she connects me to "Great Funds" I said to myself that HSBC representatives has lost their minds. So I talked to the rep at "Great Funds" got the run around some more, then ended the conversation and called HSBC back and complained about her. I spoke to a manager finally and he said within 2 to 4 weeks I should be seeing a credit in the amount of $79.99 on my statement, and to notify him of any other concerns and he did apologize for any inconvenience I had with the transaction. I think I got a raw deal which some people do when using a credit card; however, I don't hold it against the company as a whole. HSBC rep should be looked at closely because her incompetence can show a lack of concern for her job and the needs of the customer. Customer service is the forefront of any company, or corporation and should remain in tact under all circumstances, or will be doom to fail no matter how large they appear to be.
written by f_them on 27/11/2012
learned that HSBC transferred all my bank money to the state based on abandoned property law. all without contacting me. These guys SUCK ASS!
written by on 24/11/2012
As an HSBC account holder for over 15 years in the USA, my wife and I approached them about establishing an account for us in Mexico, since there is an office nearby our retirement home in Puerto Vallarta. The "Personal Banking Representative" was genuine in offering to help, but demanded we first become a Premier account holder ($100,000 minimum balance) before he could start the process. What was supposed to take 3-4 weeks turned into ten before we finally pulled the plug on the entire account. We were patient for the first month, hoping for the best. In the second month, the rep. would not answer or return our calls. Eventually his manager got involved and delivered more of the same. That is to say...nada. At one point they had the nerve to ask for details of PayPal transactions, saying that their Mexico counterparts needed proof there was no suspicious activity in our account. Like a dummy, I always gave them what they asked for. In hindsight, I now know it was all a tactic to delay, delay, delay. They knew we would eventually move and could wait us out. In summary, their treatment was a classic case of OVER-PROMISE and UNDER-DELIVER. I honestly can't imagine they have any customers. In the end our story ended well. WIthin three days of our arrival here in Mexico, we had not one, but two bank accounts open with two different banks. Each office was thorough in their evaluation of us as new clients, and professional and courteous with us in the process. Perhaps HSBC should send some of their employees across the border to learn how to do it right. But then again, I don't think I want them here.
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Radber's Comment
Written on: 30/01/2014
Totally agree - they are useless. Could do better myself at no fee. Will soon be out hopefully. Have you noticed how investments in low risk portfolios drop like a stone if the FTSE goes down a bit and take forever to recover, even if the FTSE goes back up again quickly.
Charges are astronomical compared to other investments. They should do better.