We are customers of HSBC and in today ' s economic climate we are moving some savings to ISA as savings rates have plummeted. We wanted stability and reasonable if not the best rate from a reliable, stable bank. Hopefully the market will improve and rates may well also improve. We have only dealt with the online service and have found it to be easy to use if an existing customer as we are. Not sure how easy if having to join etc. Also like ability to take out money without penalty at no notice at all. I would recommend it to other people looking for a stable product who can then shop around when the climate improves in the coming year or so. Obviously better rates available with other products like fixed rate bonds we decided they were not for us.

My wife and I went into the York Branch of HSBC at 11.00am (04/09/2008) in the hope of discussing our ISA accounts, having given up trying to contact the bank by telephone. We were greeted by at least six members of staff all clutching clipboards and doing very little else, and were told that we could see an adviser if we were prepared to wait at least 50 minutes. I asked if we could book an appointment, and were told that we could, but were advised to stay in the branch and wait as there was the possibilty that we could miss the appointment as appointments are not given for specified times (What!?). We decided to leave and returned an hour later and try again. Guess what! We were informed that there was a waiting time of at least 45 mintes etc. just as before. At this point we left, went to another Building Society, where customer service is better and promptly transferred our ISA accounts to one of their products with no fuss or delay.

HSBC knows it can offer great customer service and an old familiar name that people recognize as a symbol of security. This may sound like a good thing, but it also means they can take advantage of peoples mistrust of other banks and building societies by giving customers like myself a low 4.75% interest rate (variable) on our ISA's. Now, you may not go for that top of the line ISA but still, most other companies can do better than that. The only one I've seen that's worse is Virgin at 4.5%. Most offer anywhere from 5.15% to 6%. The fact that the best HSBC has to offer is 5.75% even for it's valued customers is rather disappointing. I just wish I had known more about ISA's before choosing them as my first to save with, now I've lost the potential to start with another bank that offers fantastic first time rates.

I know the interest has dropped and know it is poor compared to other ISAs but what exactly is the rate - I can't seem to find it anywhere. In internet lists of top ISAs it never figures - what is it?

It was a good interest rate last year, but when HSBC dropped their rates, they also dropped a cover over their rate charts in their branches, so that customers would not see the drop and move their money. The rate of the HSBC Mini Cash ISA dropped by .25%, while the BOE rate went UP .25%. A loss of .5% to the investors. HSBC shares have now soared through the £10 barrier. I think we now know where HSBC loyalties are. My wife and I transferred all our tax-free savings in 2 years ago (£60k plus). Now looking to move it all.

This is a great account, and it is really handy for savings, and got easy to access money. It offers fairly good interest rates, and you can be 16 to get one, so the HSBC Mini Cash ISA is great for a teenagers savings.

If you have an HSBC Current account then having a Mini Cash ISA is common sense. I use mine as a savings account. Just remember if you make a withdrawal, your allowance for that tax year decreases by that amount.

The Interest Rate is not very competitve. You only get the best rate if you have over £15,000 pounds invested in it. With the Mini Cash ISA allowance reducing next year, it could be a while before I have that much in it!

Come on HSBC, be the first high street bank with competitve rates!