HSBC Student Account Reviews

“HSBC gave me a student account with an overdraft....”

Written on: 26/08/2009

HSBC gave me a student account with an overdraft. Because my student loan and part-time job wages apparently did not sit intact in the account long enough (it's a current account, not a savings account, for goodness sake), I ran into difficulties.

They refused the much-advertised overdraft extension after the first year because of my "poor record". When I asked the HSBC employee for advice on how to improve my "record", she said the reasons for someone having a poor record are confidential... (read more)

“It hasn't been possible to change my billing address...”

Written on: 26/06/2009

It hasn't been possible to change my billing address after 6 attempts and the HSBC Student Account customer service is generally awfull (read more)

“my hsbc student account has a low overdraft - they...”

Written on: 01/04/2009

my hsbc student account has a low overdraft - they will only give me £250 if i need it in an emergecy. but good service and easy to talk to. (read more)

“Went into my HSBC local branch at Redcar, and they...”

Written on: 30/03/2009

Went into my HSBC local branch at Redcar, and they were unable to deal with my query and i had to use their phone which put me through to a call centre in india, as soon as i asked what I wanted, I was declined and got told goodbye!

HSBC have no customer skills whatsoever, and from my own experience they want to replave staff wiht machines, and when you want to speak to a banking assistant, you are told to use their phonje in which you could use at home and get put though to india.

Also you... (read more)

“Haven't had any problems so far with my HSBC Student...”

Written on: 24/02/2009

Haven't had any problems so far with my HSBC Student Account, get plenty of interest (more than in my ISA!) but only drawback is that this interest rate drops dramatically when you go over £1000. Overdraft is a little on the small side, but then what can you expect with the banking crisis? (read more)

“I'm a little shocked at all the bad reviews for HSBC...”

Written on: 30/01/2009

I'm a little shocked at all the bad reviews for HSBC because they have been amazing to me! Whilst I was a student I was continuously accidentally going over my overdraft limit (especially just before loan day!) but they never sent me threatening letters like Natwest. They've also set up a brilliant way for me to pay my overdraft back and were very friendly and supportive about what I had to say. I feel that I will be a HSBC customer for life, I recommend them to any student. (read more)

“When I signed up to the HSBC student account, I was...”

Written on: 11/07/2008

When I signed up to the HSBC student account, I was offered a £1000 overdraft - which was brilliant, and was exactly what I wanted. What I actually got, however, was £800. I had to go into my branch three times before they would increase it. If you're paying for your accommodation from your student loan, don't get an HSBC account - the overdraft isn't high enough to support you sensibly for a year. Try Halifax or Natwest. (read more)

“I messed up uni for two years, then went to college....”

Written on: 30/06/2008 by dave654678

I messed up uni for two years, then went to college. They had been notified and didnt charge me for my overdraft (as they don't for a year until after you leave). But then I went to university again, they refuse to make my overdraft interest free, I am coming into my second year at uni, now my charges have gone up, what am I supposed to do? How can they moan about me going 10 pound over my over overdraft limit when im paying them 10 quid a month, which will now go up as its coming to year... (read more)

“During my three years with a HSBC student account...”

Written on: 17/01/2008

During my three years with a HSBC student account (overdraft £1000) i am yet to encounter any problems with my banking. The service is excellent both at my branch and over the phone as well as internet banking being simple to use. It is my only active account and i have never gone over my overdraft (may explain why i have not had any run ins with HSBC). They recently asked me if i wanted to extend my overdraft and/or get a credit card with them , however i declined as i do no want to become... (read more)

“I have had my HSBC account for 3 years now, and barely...”

Written on: 29/12/2007

I have had my HSBC account for 3 years now, and barely use the account as it is not my main account (which is with Barclays). I did once take out £300 and had the Customer Service team calling me at 9pm a few days later saying that I need to pay money in....! I paid the money in very shortly after but am currently overdrawn by only £15 for a one off use of the card. Since then I have recieved 10 letters telling me I need to pay the amount back. Also I used my card to try and withdraw money... (read more)

“Earlier this year I needed to extend my HSBC Student...”

Written on: 06/12/2007 by dazman777 (1 review written)

Earlier this year I needed to extend my HSBC Student Account overdraft in order to get a train ticket home, no problem the nice lady in the branch said.

When my Internet banking broke, went to my local branch, helped me reset it and even helped me test it to make sure it worked. I needed to increase my overdraft again recently, went to a different branch thats close to where I was working, no problems again, they even asked how much I wanted to increase it by.

I've changed addresses loads...

“Endless list!!!! Every service a bank should provide...”

Written on: 02/11/2007 by Danny Gull

Endless list!!!! Every service a bank should provide was provided poorly by HSBC. Customer service was poor with long waiting times. Huge hassle to try and pay money in to my account and even more hassle to take money out. However, the worst sin they are guilty of is having NO flexibility in their overdraft facility despite promises in their promotional packs. I was not allowed an overdraft of more than £1000 at any point during my three years at university despite being as cautious as any... (read more)

“I have been with HSBC for years and had not...”

Written on: 20/08/2007 by millie07 (1 review written)

I have been with HSBC for years and had not encountered any problems, so I thought that it would be best to stay with them whilst I was at uni and open my student account with them. My course is 3 years long, during the second year I had a couple of very small financial issues. The bank were so unsupportive it was unbelievable. The staff only care about commission they will be earning and nothing more. Just before starting my third year I have changed student accounts and will never return... (read more)

“I too have just graduated and discovered that I have...”

Written on: 13/08/2007 by Toggi (1 review written)

I too have just graduated and discovered that I have to pay 9.9%AER as they have changed their graduate account policy...a month before the entire nation graduates (as of 31 May 07) convenient! This is proof in itself of their bad practices. If they are to change policies it should apply to new student accounts only not to ones that have existed for over 4 years! Glad the student loans company didn't follow HSBC's strategy, we'd all be jumping off bridges! (read more)

“I graduated this month and got a leaflet for HSBC...”

Written on: 20/07/2007 by loula2203 (1 review written)

I graduated this month and got a leaflet for HSBC saying once my account changed to Graduate they would impose an interest charge of 9.9% overdrafts (very sly of them to give you one for £1750) I asked a branch when this would take affect - NO IDEA was the answer - I should have received a letter (No letter) They then tried to push the graduate plus account. They charge £10/month for the privilege of an interest free O/draft and some other minor bits like free travel insurance - wonderful... (read more)

“If you don't want your time wasted go elsewhere.”

Written on: 03/07/2007 by libraLEDX (1 review written)

If you don't want your time wasted go elsewhere. (read more)

“DON'T SIGN UP TO HSBC! I found them unhelpful, they...”

Written on: 29/06/2007 by emloulou

DON'T SIGN UP TO HSBC! I found them unhelpful, they don't cater for people whose loans are spent on accommodation. Their overdrafts are low and you should expect a lot of cold calls from their office advising you to put more money into your account! (read more)

“Really wish I had read the other reviews before I...”

Written on: 29/06/2007 by chronicsweetness (1 review written)

Really wish I had read the other reviews before I signed up with HSBC! Don't do it! (read more)

“HSBC is totally horrible! I applied literally 5 times...”

Written on: 25/06/2007 by happy2004ever (1 review written)

HSBC is totally horrible! I applied literally 5 times for student account in HSBC but I received no replies at all! I applied through branch with my documents, sent them by mail and applied online but none of them gave me any response! When I finally called them up they told me if you did not receive anything for us within 1 month that means we lost your documents! I am devastated by their poor quality service and not even a drop of care for customers, who are actually the people helping the... (read more)

“I managed to get the whole £1000 overdraft with them,...”

Written on: 20/04/2007 by lomas8 (1 review written)

I managed to get the whole £1000 overdraft with them, which was great, but last term I got into some financial difficulties. I went into a branch to ask if I could have a temporary overdraft extension.

HSBC told me that as I hold a student account they cannot extend my overdraft until the next year. They also said that when I get my loan into my account it does not stay in there long enough for me to build a good credit rating. They did not seem to understand that my loan only covers my... (read more)

“My HSBC Student Account account has been overdrawn at...”

Written on: 24/01/2007 by demeta (1 review written)

My HSBC Student Account account has been overdrawn at £1480 as I am a graduate, still at university. HSBC have been sending me threatening letters asking me to pay the full amount within a week, although I have this account overdraft facility until august 2008. I cannot believe they are threatening me with Bailiffs. It's ridiculous. (read more)

“Having had an account open with them for a little...”

Written on: 25/11/2006 by teej5536 (1 review written)

Having had an account open with them for a little under a month, I had already been provided with my debit card and credit card, and had been making use of my account. I was informed, after a few weeks use of the account, that the HSBC had decided against further providing me banking facilities, and would be closing my account within 30 (as per my T&C's). I cannot rightfully complain about this, as the HSBC are well within their right to do so. But it turns out that they were unhappy with an... (read more)

“HSBC are great for money value, and they are very...”

Written on: 10/10/2006 by svarovski

HSBC are great for money value, and they are very quick to respond to enquiries, but they are not very efficient at dealing with individual customers. I didn't get my HSBC Student account card until 1 month later, and I still haven't received my online banking details. Also, the MP4 player I got broke! (read more)

“HSBC advertise a £1000 overdraft in your first year....”

Written on: 22/08/2006 by bryonysym (1 review written)

HSBC advertise a £1000 overdraft in your first year. In reality I only received £700, and was told to reapply for an increase in a month or so. Furthermore, staff in high street branches seemed to have different information to those you speak to on the enquires line, and the website is difficult to use. (read more)

“All in all, I am quite pleased with the service at...”

Written on: 09/08/2006 by Emily C (61 reviews written)

All in all, I am quite pleased with the service at HSBC. Every time I have been into the branch they have been more than accommodating and extremely helpful (I go to the store in Manchester, opposite boots).

It was suggested that I use their Internet banking as an easier way to check my money, and I've found this very helpful, apart from the one incident. I like HSBC, and I have no intention of switching my bank. (read more)

“Opening an HSBS Student Account account seems to be a...”

Written on: 19/07/2006 by JayB124

Opening an HSBS Student Account account seems to be a difficult task. The checklist they give you of Proof of address, identification and acceptance letter seems simple, bit it's not. I took my acceptance letter, two forms of ID and letters from the student finance department and council etc. All letters had my address, as well as their letterheads. However, it appears that I need more proof of address.

However, they do have some great services. But paying in a check can take weeks. (read more)

“I have found no complaints with HSBC. You dont have to...”

Written on: 11/05/2004 by lucycampbell (1 review written)

I have found no complaints with HSBC. You dont have to apply for the interest free over draft, everyone gets it, which is great.
The online banking is excellent, you can do everything online, so is very useful for keeping an eye on your tight budget.
The 5 year railcard is well worth taking rather than the £50, you get to keep it for 5 years, so even when you've finished your degree, you still get rail discount. I have only had it 6 months and already saved well over the £50 alternative.
... (read more)