You get the peace of mind of a big bank with branch access
Fees for card spending and cash withdrawals abroad
HSBC current accounts for December 2024
HSBC offers a full range of current accounts, with the benefits that come with a big bank.
With HSBC you get all the benefits of banking with a global financial institution. Security, 24/7 customer service, fraud detection, and global acceptance are all a given with a big bank.
Like other big banks, HSBC offers some decent switching perks from time to time. It has been known to offer a tempting bonus to new customers who open an Advance Bank Account, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for when you decide to switch accounts.
Compare HSBC’s current accounts
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Finder Score for bank accounts
To make comparing even easier we came up with the Finder Score. Fees, features and customer service across 20+ of the most popular banks are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the account – simple.
Read the full methodologyTypes of current account from HSBC
HSBC has a range of current accounts to suit different needs. Whether you want premium benefits, a no-frills basic account, or a student overdraft, HSBC has you covered.
Reward and incentive accounts
HSBC offers switching incentives on its Advance Bank Account from time to time. A lot of high-street banks are doing this, so make sure you compare the lot to get the best deal.
Learn more about reward and incentive accountsPremium accounts
HSBC’s Premier Bank Account gives customers access to a range of benefits. Premium accounts like this often involve paying in higher amounts, with some even charging a monthly fee. See how HSBC stacks up against the rest of the market by comparing them.
Learn more about premium current accountsStudent accounts
Most students need an overdraft to dip into. HSBC offers this, with an interest-free arranged overdraft of £1,000 when you open the account. This can increase to a maximum limit of £2,000 in your second year and £3,000 in your final year. Check out the competition to see if there are any better deals for student bank accounts, such as railcards, tastecards, and other discounts.
Learn more about student accountsGraduate accounts
HSBC offers a graduate account with an interest-free arranged overdraft. Graduates often need an overdraft to manage their transition into work, so check out the full market to find the best product for you.
Learn more about graduate accountsChildren’s accounts
HSBC’s MyMoney Children’s Bank Account is designed to help children aged 11-17 to manage their money.
Learn more about children’s accountsBusiness accounts
HSBC offers two business accounts for small businesses, including start-ups, as well as a business bank account for larger businesses with specialist banking requirements. You can also choose from a foreign currency business account if you trade overseas, a client currency account to protect your client’s money, a charitable bank account with reduced cost for charities and not-for-profit organisations, and a corporate account for corporate banking customers with a turnover greater than £10m.
Learn more about business accounts
Case study: Marc likes having everything in one account
"I have a basic account (with HSBC) but I find it suitable as I can do everything with it. From shopping to making payments and transferring money.
If there’s one thing you’d tell a friend who’s thinking of getting this, what would it be?
That HSBC has everything you need in just one account."
Does HSBC offer any promotions, discounts or refer-a-friend offers?
HSBC sometimes has switching deals, but it doesn’t offer any switching deals at the time of writing. You can compare other switching deals in our guide if you’re looking for a cash incentive to switch. If you’re still interested in HSBC, it has offers for cardholders through its home&Away scheme.
Does HSBC offer joint accounts?
HSBC offers joint accounts for 2 people. You can open it online if it’s your first HSBC account, otherwise you’ll need to go into a branch.
Does HSBC offer premium/packaged or premier accounts?
Yes, HSBC has a premier account. You can also compare premium accounts from other banks in our guide.
HSBC customer reviews
In our independent 2024 customer satisfaction survey, 84% of HSBC’s users said they’d recommend the brand to a friend. Customers highlighted the bank’s customer rewards offers and simple online banking. However, some cited very poor customer service. Here’s what some of those HSBC customers had to say:
“I like how easy it is to use their app – all the information is at my fingertips”
“HSBC have branches available everywhere and their telephone banking is available 24/7. You never feel disconnected from your finances”
On Trustpilot, HSBC scores 2 out of 5 from over 9,000 reviews. On the Apple App Store, HSBC’s mobile banking app scored 4.8 out of 5, based on almost 1.5 million user reviews. On the Google Play Store, it scores 4.7 out of 5, based on over 319,000 reviews. These were updated in November 2024.
Pros and cons of banking with HSBC
- Rewards. HSBC has a large reward scheme which provides access to benefits across the globe. You build up points from everyday spending on your card and once you have enough points these can be redeemed for everything from travel and holidays, dining out at restaurants, fun experiences and shopping, to health and fitness. You can also get frequent flyer points on select cards which can be converted to flights or upgrades.
- Online management. With HSBC’s online management service you can get constant, secure access to your account so you can see your balance and latest transactions, make payments and easily oversee your finances from any internet-connected device.
- Additional cards. If you need more than one card, HSBC can provide this so that you can easily add a partner or family members aged over 18 on your account.
- Mobile Banking App. The mobile banking app is one more way you can stay on top of your finances. The app is a simple and secure way to see your latest transactions, make payments check you balance.
- Global acceptance. HSBC’s cards are all provided with Visa or Mastercard so you can pay for items and take cash out in a huge number of countries throughout the world.
- Round the clock assistance. With HSBC, you get 24/7 service from the customer service team, should you need it. You can call them at any time, day or night, from anywhere in the world and they will be able to help.
- Poor overdraft score. An independent survey of service quality commissioned by the Competition and Markets Authority showed that only 55% of HSBC customers would recommend the bank based on its overdraft services (Last updated: February 2023).
- Limited digital features. There is a limited set of things you can do via online banking and mobile app to manage your account.
Customer service information for HSBC
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| Telephone support | |
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Opening an account with HSBC
To open an account with HSBC, you’ll have to provide the following information:
- How much you expect to pay in each month
- Your salary details and any assets you have
- Your employer’s address and phone number
- Your business account details if you’re self-employed
- Your nationality/citizenship
- Your residence status/tax residence status
- Your National Insurance number
- Proof of identity (passport, driving licence, EEA or Swiss national identity card)
You can open an HSBC account online or by visiting a branch.
Our verdict: Is HSBC a good bank?
HSBC has an eye-catching switching bonus and customers in our survey gave it a pretty good 4-star rating for overall satisfaction. If you’re after a basic, solid account, this is a good choice. But if you want more advanced digital features, the challengers are worth considering. If HSBC’s current accounts are not for you, you can also compare other current accounts here.
Frequently asked questions
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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