HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

[jmjj215]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

Thanks for the info Bluezy

[sweeps]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

I just opened an HSBC account... is it me, or does it seem as though, HSBC is a more long and drawn out process.... i felt like they made me jump thru hoops to open the accound and link my external checking account....

Yes, it is a lot of hoops to jump through, but I think the tight security is a good thing and something that all banks -- particularly online -- should do to protect both them and you.

also the customer ID for logging on is soooo long, you cant possibly memorize this number??????

Agreed. Between the 20-digit ID, the password, and the security key, it's almost impossible to memorize that stuff. *shrug*

does anyone have any positive or negative feedback on their HSBC acct?

I have nothing bad to say yet. When I called their customer service number I got to a live person very quickly and he was very helpful. That's a good sign. Also in scanning other web boards, I have not seen any complaints.

and do they charge you $3 every time you transfer money back to your external checking acct?

No, the bank-to-bank transfers should be free, at least from HSBC. Your other bank may charge you. My other bank does not, so the transaction is free.

[BTC]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

I appreciate that HSBC does not mail your Customer ID and Password at the same time or, rather, in the same envelope.

[Ima saver]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

Well I just read all the comments that were on the "fat wallet" site and it sounds like HSBC has terrrible service and is slow. I have ING, but have not transferred any more money because my local bank, Seasons, has been paying 4.14 interest for 6 months now. (You need $50,000 to get this rate.Heck, I can walk inside and "visit" my money any time I want too. I made about $1800 plus in interest the past little over 5 months.

[fratkid21]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

thanks for your detailed reply that helps...

I bank locally with Bank of America, and they have never charged me a transaction fee when transferreing to/from ING or ED, so I guess it will be fine with HSBC also....

Also, I did not use the "start" for the $25 bonus when I signed up... can I still get my $25, or is it too late?

thanks

[ender513]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

also the customer ID for logging on is soooo long, you cant possibly memorize this number??????

You can change your customer ID and password. Click on the "change profile" (on the left hand side, in the grey boxes). It will automatically jump to change your password. You can also change you customer ID by clicking on the "change customer ID" on the left (now in white, around the grey boxes )

[weiwentg]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

I signed up in december, and my $25 bonus was deposited around 12/30. my only complaint is that their ACH transfers are slow.

[BTC]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

I opened my account the last week of December and just logged in for the first time. My $25.00 "start" bonus hasn't posted yet. I'm not sure how long that promotional code was good. I hope I get the bonus.

It sucks to hear that transactions take a long time to post. How slow is slow? I thought I read somewhere that the ACH transactions were supposed to clear pretty quickly. My Emigrant Direct transactions are wham bam.

[sweeps]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

The ACH transactions take 3-4 business days. I agree with weiwentg -- could be faster, but for the extra .25% over ED, I'll take it.

If you used the start promotion code, your bonus should be deposited soon. If not, you might want to give them a call and ask where it is.

[Ima saver]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

How are you all doing with your accounts?

[jmjj215]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

Wanted to give an FYI that paypal is now giving 4.3% for their money market accounts.

[ender513]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

Has anyone else had problems setting up external transfers (or funding accounts) with HSBC? I opened an account, but when I finally received my user id and password I wasn't able to set up an external account because I don't have an atm/debit card. I think I have to call the customer service number, but this seems like an unnecessary extra step for an online savings account.

Just for the record, I also have an Emigrant Direct account, and while the user interface isn't very fancy, I've never had any problems with Emigrant. Overall I'm happy with my account there. I did have to wait for mail, but I had to wait for HSBC to mail me the user id and password so the set up process took a similar amount of time.

[sweeps]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

Has anyone else had problems setting up external transfers (or funding accounts) with HSBC? I opened an account, but when I finally received my user id and password I wasn't able to set up an external account because I don't have an atm/debit card. I think I have to call the customer service number, but this seems like an unnecessary extra step for an online savings account.

The same thing happened to me. Who would've thought you needed an ATM or debit card to set up bank-to-bank transfers. But if you call the customer service number, after a long verification process they will reset the screen while you're on the phone. The rep suggested I order the ATM or debit card so I'll have it in case I need it in the future. I think they should make this suggestion to you at registration time.

Lesson for those opening an HSBC account: Request an ATM/debit card when you register! Even if you don't plan to use it, it'll make things easier.

[Ima saver]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

I have never had an ATM or debit card and I don't want one. I Guess I will not open a HSBC account.

[BTC]

Re: HSBC Direct $25 Bonus vs Emigrant Direct Bank (Is ING even in the competition?)

I had to have my userid & password reset when I was first attempting to access my account. At that time, they mentioned that having an ATM card would facilitate the transfer process. It didn't make sense to me at the time and, considering that I have yet to set up a transfer to HSBC, it still doesn't make sense. However, I did go ahead and request the card.

Just out of curiosity, do you not simply link your checking account to your HSBC account via routing number & account number as with ING & Emigrant? What benefit is the ATM card to the transfer process.