Better tell us how to open accounts in another currencies in HSBC to protect from the falling Dollar. Only in their offshore branch? I am still hesitant although almost sure my hesitancy is for no reasons. HSBC may fall just together with Great Britain or US. Right?

xoneinax said:Are you comparing the pound to the dollar?
No, I compared trustworthiness of HSBC on the whole to Great Britain or US. Although I am 98% sure, not 100%

Alcibiades said:I havent read of any way to for US residents to easily open an HSBC account abroad (even if you walk into a London branch, w/o local residence information you cannot do it).
Well, I've done that with ease in Hong Kong and Singapore. No residency required. Brokerage accounts could be a bit tougher, though.

The UK is probably more of an anomaly being 1984-country and all.

xoneinax said:EugeneV said:OnlineSavings Account must be opened no later than 11:59:59 PM ET May 2, 2005 to be eligible to participate in the $25 bonus offer.To ensure easy and automatic credit for the HSBC bonus, its better to try to find and type in a promotional/offer code during the application process.

I spoke to a CSR tonight to find out about receiving a promotional code. She said that a code is not necessary; as long as the account is opened by the deadline date, the $25 bonus will be applied. She also said that having a code would not cause the bonus to be applied any more quickly or easily.

I also asked what would be the best course of action to get the $25 for my wife -- a separate individual account, or a joint account with wife as the primary owner. I was told that NEITHER would work because the $25 bonus is limited to one per HOUSEHOLD. Does anyone have an experience to support or refute that claim?

Alcibiades said:2.88% APY now

Hmm. It was at 3.00% a week ago, now the Fed raises interest rates and HSBC lowers their's? Weird.

thanks!

AverageGuy,
For non-FCRA (those without sufficient credit history) applicants, how can they even get their account opened ?

Branches cannot open this account at all; they dont have access to the screens or systems.

Well the only thing that should hold you back is if your on chex systems. My credit isnt too great but i opened one up right online and was approved immediately.

Atm cards should take 7-10 days from when you open the account online and first get approved

averageguy said:Well the only thing that should hold you back is if your on chex systems. My credit isnt too great but i opened one up right online and was approved immediatelyBut the online application and verification system wants to be able to ask a series of questions about your credit history. If you have absolutely no credit history, it throws up a "non-FCRA" error screen and says to go in the branch or call the 800 number. Went in the branch and they cannot open this account, even if they wanted to. Called the 800 number and they say to go in a branch. Anyway, will just keep calling the 800 till they figure it out.

I got something in the mail about this and they provide a code for the $25 credit:

The code is 'PCDFH'.

** Limit one $25 bonus per customer. Online Savings account must remain open until bonus is credited or bonus will be forfeited. The $25 bonus will be deposited to the Online Savings Account within the first five business days of the month following account opening. Offer expires May 2, 2005, is subject to change and cannot be combined with any other promotional offers. $25 bonus is considered taxable income and will be reported on IRS form 1099.