About HSBC
This profile has not been claimed by the company. See reviews below to learn more or submit your own review.
HSBC is a British banking and financial services company that services the United States, as well as many other countries. The bank provides retail banking services to individuals and investment banking services such as asset management and securities brokerage. Customers can open up a savings or checking account, invest in certificates of deposit (CDs) or choose HSBC for a credit card, mortgage or personal loan.
Overall Satisfaction Rating
- 5 stars
- 4 stars
- 3 stars
- 2 stars
- 1 stars
Pros
- No ATM withdrawal fees
- Overdraft protection
- New customer cash bonuses
Cons
- High account maintenance fees
Bottom Line
HSBC offers new customers cash bonuses. Some accounts come with high maintenance fees, but HSBC might be a good fit for consumers looking for an online savings account with a global bank.
Top HSBC Reviews
- 4,189,804 reviews on ConsumerAffairs are verified.
- We require contact information to ensure our reviewers are real.
- We use intelligent software that helps us maintain the integrity of reviews.
- Our moderators read all reviews to verify quality and helpfulness.
For more information about reviews on ConsumerAffairs.com please visit our FAQ.
What is HSBC Bank?
HSBC is a British investment banking company. HSBC offers four types of HSBC checking accounts, including basic and premier tiers. Entrepreneurs that choose HSBC business banking have access to a variety of business solutions, including bank accounts, lending and insurance. Account holders can also utilize HSBC online banking, which includes a mobile app to review statements, deposit checks, transfer funds and pay bills.
HSBC Bank products
HSBC offers a range of bank products and services, including savings, checking, certificates of deposit, debit cards and credit cards. Benefits, fees and eligibility vary depending on a variety of factors.
- HSBC savings account
- HSBC offers a three-tiered savings program that ranges from a basic account to a premier account. The HSBC premier savings is an FDIC-insured exclusive account that offers higher rates as the account grows. HSBC premier's benefits include complimentary bill pay, bank-to-bank transfers and comprehensive global banking and investment solutions.
- HSBC checking account
- Consumers can choose between four checking account types that provide international access to ATMs, optional overdraft protection and mobile banking. Eligible new customers can receive a cash welcome offer when they set up HSBC direct deposit and meet certain requirements.
- HSBC certificates of deposit
- HSBC Bank’s certificates of deposit (CD) are secure and convenient. Each account is backed by HSBC’s $0 Liability Online Guarantee and accessible through the bank’s easy-to-use online infrastructure. HSBC’s CD rates start around 0.75% annual percentage yield (APY) and are available in six-, twelve- and 24-month terms.
- HSBC debit cards
- HSBC’s debit card is a chip card with encryption technology that provides 24-hour ATM access, worldwide acceptance and personal internet banking. Currently, HSBC’s debit card withdrawal limit is around $17,000.
- HSBC credit cards
- HSBC offers more than seven card types for a variety of lifestyles. The cards feature rewards programs, cash back bonuses, travel benefits, low introductory APRs and contactless payment features. Consumers who have received HSBC credit card offers can apply online and determine their eligibility without impacting their credit score.
HSBC Bank fees
Depending on the type of account, HSBC monthly maintenance fees range from $3 to $50 per month. The bank waives the monthly fee for customers who maintain a specific balance, but its basic banking option incurs a $3 monthly fee regardless of the balance kept in the account.
Account holders who have a minimum balance of $75,000 or have recurrent direct deposits totaling at least $5,000 per month do not have to pay an account fee on a premier checking account. If an account requirement is not met, the bank charges a monthly maintenance fee of $50.00.
Overdraft fee amounts vary for HSBC account holders. Though its an uncommon practice, HSBC Bank offers an overdraft protection program using a line of credit to help its account holders avoid overdraft fees.
Additional fees are assessed for completing wire transfers ($10 to $50 per transaction) and closing an account ($25).
HSBC Bank FAQ
What does HSBC stand for?
What do you need to open an HSBC Bank account?
Where are HSBC Banks located?
Is HSBC a good bank?
HSBC has numerous branches across the globe, in-depth online banking services and a worldwide presence. It offers a variety of banking products, including traditional banking and investment services. The majority of account holders can benefit from HSBC’s range of financial offerings.
HSBC Reviews
A link has directed you to this review. Its location on this page may change next time you visit.
If I could give them zero stars I would. I had an issue logging into my account two weeks ago because the battery in my security device has died. After going through all the security questions with customer support they would still not answer questions I had on my account stating that they couldn't verify me even though I had answered multiple questions which no-one else would have the answers to. They had to get someone else to call me back and after going through the whole ridiculous procedure of taking pictures of my driver's license and a selfie I got the answers I was looking for. However, the agent I was speaking with then asked me if I wanted to update my email address and mobile phone number to my account which I did.
I tried to log in again today and I am getting a message telling me that there is no email account or phone number linked to my account! Called customer support again and spent over 20 minutes trying to get answers to my questions and was advised that although the agent I spoke to previously had taken my email address and phone number it was not passed on to the online banking team. So I had to spend another 45 minutes on hold and still did not get through to them. After another more than 10 minutes on hold I hung up and dialed the online banking number directly and was told my wait time was more than 4 mins! I eventually gave up yet again so I still do not have my personal details updated too. my account and will have to go through all of this again next time I have questions on my account. Just ridiculous.
I would give them zero stars if I could. Despite me asking repeatedly for no statements, they continued to send them, and apparently one was returned. They froze my account while the joint account holder was away, and told me that there was absolutely no way to access my money. Subsequently when he went into a branch to give them documentation they already had, they refused to see him whatsoever without me there. When he went to another teller, they said there was no problem and refused to take identification. The account has now been frozen for two weeks with no resolution in sight.
Thank you, you have successfully subscribed to our newsletter! Enjoy reading our tips and recommendations.
Liars and thieves in the Philippines: "Sir you set up account you will receive *** dollars." I deposited over 30 mil pesos and got nothing. I wanted to change my pesos to dollars. "Sir you MUST put your dollars into a 3 month time deposit with ZERO interest for 3 months before you can have your money." OMG. Now I'm in the US. For the last 30 mins I have been trying to change my password. TOO DAMN many codes, too damn many steps.. Before I can change it on my laptop they are requiring me to download their APP and log in to change a simple ** password.. Couldn't figure it out. Got on chat, she was worthless. Now I'm on hold 20 mins and I am a "PREMIER CUSTOMER". 1 hour to change a password..

To whom it may concern: I moved to Abu Dhabi from the USA, and I needed a bank. So I selected HSBC, which a friend recommended. Since then, I have gone from one disappointment to another. It took them seven business days to send me some means to access my bank accounts, such as a credit card or checks. Now here is the exciting part: When I signed off, they said they would do it if I needed a loan for a car or anything else. And when I subscribed for a car loan after 30 days, I was denied. Their policy requires 12 month's history. I was asking for a fast car loan. Even though the car belonged to them, they did not process it. Even though the car is under warranty, they did not process it. Bottom line, do not trust HSBC: What they say is not what they do. They are not different from other banks (even worst). I do not recommend HSBC. The service is null and they are not transparent with their policy. Regards, Franck
Absolutely worst experience of opening a bank account I have ever had. It took 1 hr and 50 min to open 2 simple saving accounts! Even though filed an online application and got a reference code, it could not be found in the system, so had to start from scratch. Then bank cards did not work and new ones had to be reissued. The creation of a customer profile takes forever for no apparent reason: the bank associate just endlessly fills out something on the computer without really asking any questions, except the basics of name, IDs, address and employment. Inconceivable why it needs to take so long!
Living abroad it isn’t easy to open a bank account as an American citizen due to US taxing laws; this was the bank my university suggested/practically insisted we use to “facilitate” our transition to living in France as they told us horror stories about how we couldn’t do xyz without a French bank. I have later learned that this is not true and there are alternatives. Honestly, it has been the biggest regret of my life and I will never step foot in an HSBC branch again. The tellers at my particular branch on Saint Dominique are lovely but this bank has some very strange practices and has no issues locking, restricting, or cancelling your account for anything you do, all without telling you.
First, they make you sign up for all these codes which take aeons to get to you by mail. The only thing they send you electronically is your account number. There’s a code for buying things online and a code for actually using your card, then a Secure Key for logging into your account on mobile, as if those aren’t enough codes for you to remember lol. Then some other codes to actually change things or look into transactions which last about 31 seconds so god forbid your carrier is slow that day or else you won’t be able to log into areas of your account they consider sensitive. Apparently this is a bank wide policy so no matter where you go in the world, they will do this to you. I guess they have never heard of encryption???
Oh, and transferring money online will likely get you flagged for “fraud” even if you are moving money between accounts with your name. This happened to me; my account was locked without my knowledge, and they claimed they called me but I never got a call. I thought that was all cleared up but now my card is restricted so I can’t make any purchases or withdrawals over 100 euros for who knows what reason and at this point, I am tired of arguing with them about it as they let me go a month using the card freely before suddenly wanting to refuse transactions.
Then they limit how much you can spend a month because they sneakily sign you up for some special card that is really designed for teens and you have to wait and beg for them to increase your monthly spending limit since they want to monitor your transactions. And of course when you try to close the account, suddenly they go from ignoring all your emails to begging you to stay and promising things will get better, how sorry they are, the whole nine. There’s also a wire transfer I have to keep an eye on as it was entered incorrectly.
HSBC is truly the worst inefficient and crooked bank. HSBC should be sued. They will charge fees for everything and freeze your account if you do not use it within 9 months. The way to unfreeze your account is to make fund transfer transaction that will cost money. HSBC does everything to try to steal money from the customer. The online chat representatives cannot resolve anything and will drag the chat on for unnecessary time. Normally takes 1-2 hours on chat to get someone to try to help but in the end they do not help and they will tell you to call or visit the bank.
I WAS a client of HSBC for about eleven years. As an expat this was a great fit. HSBC being an international enterprise made life easy. (Wire transfers, cash machine, in-country branches, etc.) Smooth sailing with these guys, monthly wire transfers were flawless, customer service was professional....no complaints at all. Everything was rolling along fine until they decided to cut US operations and concentrate on higher-end clients. I qualified as one of these clients (75,000 min. balance) when I relocated, but real estate, vehicle, etc... purchases took care of that status. I don't blame them AT ALL. Much more profit to be had in Hong Kong and Mainland China than my minuscule deposits. Anyway.....my only regret is that my account got dumped to CITIZENS BANK. How did that go? Well I wrote a little piece about them last night, check it out if you will. Calling that bank a dumpster fire would be disrespectful to dumpster fires. (my opinion)
I would give HSBC a full SIX stars, maybe seven if not for that hell month with Citizens. I parted ways with Citizens ASAP and after setting things up with BofA, I am sleeping well again. If you live in Hong Kong or can adhere to their minimum balance requirements, I don't think you can go wrong. I miss good old HSBC, and I wish them luck.... No hard feelings. (Well perhaps a few grrrrrs, but nothing that won't pass.)
Don't Trust HSBC's Promotion! I've been their premier account customer for 20+ years and mostly in Asia. I moved back to BC Canada 8 years ago and the nightmare started. Most of their staff have an attitude that customers are there to serve them so they can have their salaries and job promotions. I thought things were improving last year when I was assigned a new account manager. She was very helpful and I started to move my cash to HSBC from another bank. After deposited a chunk of my saving there, they have a promotion to attract more deposit because people are moving money away due to some stupid act they did in Asia (freezing legit a/c because of political reason (sounds familiar?).
I talked to my account manager to see if I still qualify. She said it has to be new deposit from another bank and recommend that I use those cash to purchase 1 year GIC. After purchasing the non-redeemable 1 year GIC, I deposited another chunk of my cash from another bank to enjoy the 1.7% rate for 3 months. After 4 months, found out that they are not honoring that rate because they said I bought the GIC which in their terms are considered as withdrawals. Took me many calls and trips to their branch to conclude that they are not honoring it ($1,700) even I haven't done any withdrawal before adding deposits and they didn't even care to ask their staff to inform me.
They simply ignore my request and it has been 2 months now. I guess under the guidance of Larry Tomei and Andrew Maclellan, customers are only their tools to get raises and promotions. I guess Hong Kong Shanghai Bank has once again becomes a genuine China bank (largest shareholder) if you know what I mean From a retired banker.
I opened an HSBC expat account due to relocating abroad, thinking that I was upgrading my bank and helping with my new international position. I can't tell you the time wasted and stress caused since we opened the account in July 2021 to now, Feb 2022. From start to finish, they have failed at even the most basic of banking services and my free, UK Co-operative bank was significantly better. I don't even want to waste more of my life detailing the issues, just take my advice, never open an HSBC account for anything. (I'm even on the chat function now as a $6k payment has gone missing and they don't know what's happened to it).
HSBC Company Information
- Company Name:
- HSBC
- Website:
- www.us.hsbc.com
You’re signed up
We’ll start sending you the news you need delivered straight to you. We value your privacy. Unsubscribe easily.