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.
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.
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 accounts
Premium 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 accounts
Student accounts
Most students need an overdraft to dip into. HSBC offers a competitive overdraft deal on its student account, 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. However, it’s worth comparing this against other student bank accounts, as some offer perks such as railcards, tastecards, and other discounts. Learn more about student accounts
Graduate 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 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 £15m. 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."
Marc Saidi
London
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 or more people. You can open a joint account 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?
In our independent 2025 customer satisfaction survey, 86% of HSBC’s users said they’d recommend the brand to a friend. Customers highlighted the bank’s responsive customer support and easy to use app. However, some cited low interest rates. Here’s what some of those HSBC customers had to say:
“A good bank that is easy to use on an app.”
“Solid banking but not the best interest rates.”
On Trustpilot, HSBC scores 3.7 out of 5 from over 11,000 reviews. On the Apple App Store, HSBC’s mobile banking app scored 4.8 out of 5, based on over 1.5 million user reviews. On the Google Play Store, it scores 4.7 out of 5, based on over 352,000 reviews (April 2025).
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 18 or over 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 and check your 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 the mobile app to manage your account.
Customer service information for HSBC
Email support
Telephone support
In-app or live chat
Contact form
Branch support
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 offers a variety of current accounts 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
Yes! There isn’t a limit to the number of accounts you can open. However, remember to check out the competition, and be wary of opening multiple accounts just to use features like overdrafts. It’s also worth bearing in mind that switching bank accounts too often may have a minor impact on your credit record as each time a credit check is carried out, your credit score drops slightly.
Currently, none of HSBC’s current accounts offer interest.
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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Kate Steere is an editor at Finder, specialising in fintech, banking and cryptocurrency. She has previously written for The Motley Fool UK and Fitch Solutions, where she covered a wide range of personal finance topics and kept a close eye on market trends. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of East Anglia. When not working, she can usually be found curled up with a good book or heading out for a run. See full bio
Kate's expertise
Kate has written 126 Finder guides across topics including:
Jason is a writer and editor. He worked as a senior subeditor for Finder for 5 years and in that time became familiar with a wide range of financial products and services. Before that, he worked for Australian Associated Press. He has a BA from Macquarie University in Australia. Jason loves to help other people find new ways to save money. See full bio
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