I’ve been with HSBC ever since I was 16, when someone from the local branch made a visit to my school. They were giving away a load of freebies, so even if I didn’t use the account much, I’d get a good deal. I did actually end up using it quite a lot. They gave me my first cheque book and also a proper SOLO credit (but not a credit) card, for use in cash machines and some shops. Solo cards are now much more popular. At the time there were not really that many places where I could use it. Its a bit like a young persons SWITCH card.
When I left school and started university last year, I had no need to find another bank, as the 3 years that I spent with them in my younger days, were not bad at all.
They offer a good student account. On application, I was given the choice of either a free £50 cash, or a 4 year young persons railcard. I chose the latter because I do spend a lot of time on trains (when they’re working!!). With a value of £76, and then the extra 30% saved on each rail journey, its saved me probably hundreds of pounds.
They also give you a SWITCH card, and extra credit cards if you want them, as well as a cheque book. They also start you off on a £750 interest free overdraft. This then increases to 1000 in the next year. I am yet uncertain on whether it continues to rise in the 3rd year.
I have always found the people working there very helpful. They have always solved any problems I’ve had, and never complained when I’ve handed them bundles of loose change. They always manage to do things very quickly and efficiently.
I’ve moved house 3 times now in the last 6 months, and they’ve always done a good job of keeping up with me. As long as you keep them informed of changes, they can do little wrong.
The only thing that once went wrong, was the wrong amount of money being transferred in to my account. This was my fault though as I stated the wrong value of a cheque on my paying-in slip. Within a month, they’d spotted the problem, and sorted my error.
They send your statements on a regular monthly basis, but you can visit the branch to get print-outs if you need them at any other time. With the statements they do often send some junk mail stuff, but you never know, one day it may come in useful.