The HSBC is screwed up and history is repeating itself. Shit has hit the fan since day 1. Here are the issues I encountered so far:
- The Hong Kong account has my mailing address wrong, they put first half of my hometown address but put Singapore at the end. Luckily miracle happened and the mails sent to my hometown.
- The security token is totally screwed up since it asks for a six-number code to unlock it. I must ask which idiot(s) thought of this stuff. Isn't two-factor authentication serve the purpose?!! Isn't the online password sufficient when going online? I never respect this kind of over-engineering as it shows no common-sense and this is a typical 'as-long-as-I-cover-my-own-ass-I-don't-care' attitude. Please don't try to tell me you have safety in mind. Other banks also do and they don't have a login password for their tokens!
- My account is still not set-up properly because it requires me to sign something and send it back 'for my own safety'
- The HSBC Advance account charges Below Balance Fee (BBF) while your account falls below certain amount, despite I maintain another HSBC Advance account.
- When I called to HSBC Singapore hotline, they don't seem to be willing to handle my call for help to deal with their colleagues in Hong Kong. They told me it would be faster if I emailed the HSBC HK people as internal emails receive lower priority. But I opened and paid my money in HSBC Suntec for god's sake! Why call yourself a global bank when all regions work in fucking silos?
- A call to HSBC Hong Kong did get some answers, but not helpful. In fact I was told there are separate security devices for each HSBC bank in different country. Good job global bank!!
I keep slapping myself because I have entered into a multi-year insurance scheme, got locked for a long time, and I am NOT getting what I want!!
Stay away from HSBC. You and your money will be happier. I have learned my lesson the hard way.
