Singapore Expats

I opened an account at HSBC 2 months ago, and i regret it since 1 month and a half...

Those guys refused a first time my application for a VISA card, without any reason. After asking the guy who open my account, he ask me few more information, then... HE took 3 weeks vacation, and didn't give instruction to anybody about my problem.
So i went to the branmch by myself, and talk to someone else who give a call to the credit card departement: it looks like they couldn't join my HR dep, to check i was really working where i said i was. Ok, i gave them a number, and warn the HR they will receive a call.

They never received a call, but I received a call to ask me the name i wanted on the card. Then 2 weeks without any feedback.

My patience was reaching it's limit so i contacted again the guy who open my account (senior something manager according to his business card), and reading between the line of his answer i understood he didn't care at all, and i should wait and see. I could come to the branch if i want to complain, but whatever, he won't give me a appointment. Nice...

Pretty pissed off i go to the branch this afternoon to finally learn that it was rejected again, without giving any reason, without calling the HR dep, and without letting me know. They sent a letter one time, and didn't feel it was necessary to send me another one or give me a call. And that was all.

This is really a scandalous way to take care of customer. I'm closing my account, taking the cash back and will try somewhere else. I can't believe in this difficult time a bank will look down to a professional with a correct income who totally can qualify for a credit card. All i want is a VISA to buy flight tickets and pay on the net for crying out loud!

try going to the credit bureau and get ur report. if HSBC made a recent request for ur report, u'll get it free..
see that for any pointers..

if nothing:

1) shun the bank and get it somewhere else
2) if in a real rush, get a visa debit..

I would need to have burning bamboo skewers thrust into my eyeballs before I would open an account at HSBC.

I would need to have burning bamboo skewers thrust into my eyeballs before I would open an account at HSBC.

Good to know.. I've had a tough time with CitiBank and am looking to move somewhere.

pakjohn wrote:

I would need to have burning bamboo skewers thrust into my eyeballs before I would open an account at HSBC.

Good to know.. I've had a tough time with CitiBank and am looking to move somewhere.

aren't they all the same?

We're HSBC Premier and they are painful but probably the best of a bad bunch. That being said we haven't tried the local banks. This subject has been done to death before, so I'd suggest you use the search function contained in the forum to read other people's experiences.

I've heard some good reports of ANZ, and given their current Asian expansion strategy then you might want to try them?

HTH, Mr. P

@akhild: which credit bureau are you talking about? HSBC's one? Or some central Singapore bureau? How can i contact such a place?

I was thinking of citi too, but some colleagues move everything from citi to HSBC few month ago, when citi was on the grill, so I gave a try to HSBC. I really made a huge mistake...

So i went to UOB to apply for VISA there as i already have a account there. They said 2 weeks delay.... we'll see. I'm considering Standard Chartered as well, but i'll look in the forum and on the net to find reviews before.

Problem, you'll hardly find someone very happy of his bank, the net is full of people screwed by in every single bank.

There's no good bank, just less bad bank than the other.

Ooogie - ain't that the truth! Good luck! If you really want to pursue HSBC PM me and I'll put you in contact with my relationship manager there.

I'm with Citibank and never had a problem, applied for a credit card one lunch time, after faxing over a couple of docs, approved that afternoon, collected credit cards that evening!

@OogieBoogie: http://www.creditbureau.com.sg/

CB is set up by ABS and is a centralized repository of credit information.

@Saint:: If i start counting my citi horrors, really the cows would need to come home..

@akhild - you know that's one thing that surpises me constantly. Having had banks as Clients before, I would have thought that they would be in a position to offer a "standard Customer experience" across the board, especially given the number of "Clients" they have! Yet we see Saint with a good Citi experience, PakJohn with a questionable one, yourself with a bad one (I assume!); me with an ok-ish but nightmarish in the beginning with HSBC Premier, and the OP with what would appear to be a shocker with HSBC!

Cheers, Mr. P

sierra2469alpha wrote:@akhild - you know that's one thing that surpises me constantly. Having had banks as Clients before, I would have thought that they would be in a position to offer a "standard Customer experience" across the board, especially given the number of "Clients" they have! Yet we see Saint with a good Citi experience, PakJohn with a questionable one, yourself with a bad one (I assume!); me with an ok-ish but nightmarish in the beginning with HSBC Premier, and the OP with what would appear to be a shocker with HSBC!

Cheers, Mr. P

diverse customer expectations i guess.. and when u r in the business of handling money everything that goes well is taken for granted and anything that goes bad will be repeated over n over again in forums.. hehe

akhild - kind of. I often go out of my way to compliment good service, good posts on forums, and usually don't criticise unless it's in the best interests of all parties concerned.

Even when the banks are looking after my money, I keep a sharp eye on them!

I think a lot of people experience with the various banks it what their expectations were going in. Often we get preconceived notions and frankly once that happens, almost nothing any service personnel could will satisfy that person. On the other hand, The banking personnel may have hired a real dunce and you just happen to get assigned to that dunce. You buys your ticket and you takes your chances.

My experience with HSBC has been a disaster after a horror after a catastrophe.

That is only with HSBC Singapore.

I have a HSBC International account that I am actually quite pleased with. I am waiting out the 6 months that we committed to in order to switch.

Scratch that - after today's disaster I would gladly pay the fee to close the account early.