[pyotr]

Finally, 33 days after I embarked on my path toward opening the HSBC online savings account it is finally fully functional and ready for action. I was getting discouraged waiting for the crazy-long passwords and ID#s (was joint account with my wife) to be mailed to me, but everytime I called HSBC I was greeted by cheerful and very helpful representatives with solid information to encourage me to wait longer. I believe the telephone customer service from HSBC is just as good if not better than INGdirect. They have a system on the application status website where if you click on the "Call Me" logo my home phone rings almost instantly and I'm on with an HSBC rep (a free call). What I don't like about HSBC is that they don't give you the daily interest accumulating tally the way INGdirect's website has it.

In approximately another 2-3 weeks, I am told I will receive my $25 sign-up bonus into this account. Setting up bank-to-bank transfer with my base checking account at Wachovia was a breeze: instead of waiting for the HSBC ATM card to arrive, I simply called up HSBC and a pleasant young lady internet specialist went through the process with me step-by-step bypassing the ATM/pin code requirements. It takes about a week to transfer money into this account. I am told it typically takes 3-4 business days to transfer money from my checking account to HSBC online savings. I am hearing from others that it typically takes longer to transfer money out of HSBC to another account. ?True or Not?