Last week, I wrote about a "bad profit" experience (for the full note: I went to the Lobby)...Guess what I was rewarded with a better experience, the same day! Not yet a "good profit" experience, but who knows, soon maybe (some of you may actually contribute to this, if you are a customer of HSBC, the bank).
Here is the story.
As I was walking towards the train station, my attention got caught by the new HSBC advertising campaign (below is a shot I took showing one of the posters they use).
The tag line says something like:
"to be open to the world is to understand people's different point of views"
The reasons the ad did get my attention:
1) it really tries to be people oriented through the words and the visual combination, implying that we are all different,
2) I fully relate to the "half empty/half full glass" visual, as I use this metaphor a lot when I explain how words are so important to truly get the message across: the same idea or message may be expressed differently and still mean the same thing, only the words used will make a message more or less impactful and persuasive (this is specifically important for WOM messaging and for advertising and communication in general although in my experience, the advertising testing industry does a pretty bad job at highlighting and measuring this).
The visual (for me), really speaks to HSBC point: "understanding people's different point of views" .
I then checked online to find out more, and I was really nicely surpised to see that HSBC was trying to expand the experience I got offline with a mini site:
The site provides an ability to start the dialogue through a first set of questions about my point of views, and others' point of views on many topics (sports, food, etc.) . Upon registration, and after answering very short questions, you are then invited to freely comment further on a blog about the topic of interest (they state that they will not use my personal info for business purposes, I will let you know if they do, trust me!).
So, I am not a customer of HSBC, but:
- am positively inclined towards the brand thanks to its willingness to connect with me: they really made a difference in my mind!
- now, I am looking to get more info about HSBC and the way they treat customers, but guess what, not from HSBC itself, but from customers of HSBC, evangelists of HSBC.
- I will ask these HSBC customers two simple questions: 1) "How likely would you recommend me banking with HSBC?" (sounds like Net Promoter Score no?), and 2) "how true and real is HSBC campaign about making a difference with its customers (vs other branks you know)?"
I welcome any answers/insights to the above questions to either positively "close the loop" with my first initial impressions, and push me to try HSBC, or simply confirm indeed that, as Seth Godin states, "All Marketers Are Liars".
Please help me....:)
I have both Personal & Commercial account with HSBC both in USA San Francisco and Hong Kong, I do have very bad experiences with HSBC in Hong Kong, I came across a banner at the on-line banking promotion, with .089% interest, since I have no loan nor any credit line with HSBC, so I thought may be its good time to start a track record with HSBC, so I apply on-line but after filling out all the info and click submit its just can not go thru????, so I write a email to inquire about the loan, so a bank rep., call the next day, manually finish all my application via email and mail.
For some reason that the loan was rejected based on no reason, HSBC blame it on D&B credit report and my account track record, my acct always maintenance a balance exceeds the loan amount and never have any non- sufficient fund record, no law suit, no past due. so I file compliant with HSBC they got back to me and explain that my loan got rejected based on their computer system analysis, so I ask them to put that in writing and I got more excuses, so I think the bottom line is they are one of the global banking giant, and my loan amount was too small for them to waste time on paper work so its rejected, and screw up my credit record, nice going HSBC. SO FOLKS THINK VERY CAREFGULLY BEFORE YOU WOULD BANK WITH HSBC
Posted by: Larry | 11/24/2011 at 12:11 PM
I have a mis selling problem with HSBC Jersey international and the stalling tactics and misinformation given over the last two years is almost unbelievable so i sympathise with those who have had bad experiences
My accounts at HSBC bangkok and coventry run without a problem
Jersey have now blocked my communications with them but fortunately I took copies of all relevant emails and i have transcripts of two recorded conversations from their customer services manager
my lawyer advises to be patient and that their tactics are just that of a big bully; but will backfire on them given the evidence he has now in his files. i'll keep you posted
Posted by: David James | 05/08/2011 at 09:50 AM
HSBC is the worse in home loans. They limit the time line on your interest rate and your commitment letter. And when you are about near to closing they stall with asking for more info which they already have and next thing you are looking at is either your commitment letter is about to expire or your interest rate. And to top everything off they change your processor who knows everything from the begining.
Posted by: Jose Rivera | 03/17/2011 at 01:25 AM
I am going crazy just trying to get new signature cards signed by the newly appointed directors. We have 2 new, 2 remaining and of course, 2 to come off. It is a community account for a non-profit and I keep getting bounced between the branch and the call center. This has been going on for 3 weeks and nobody seems able to provide that service to us. As you can imagine, it is not easy for these people to get to the branch and sign, yet the 2 new have been to the branch to no avail.
We are changing banks. This is not something we can do quickly, but it is our only option in doing business since the branch will not provide the most basic customer service.
Posted by: Mary Hoag | 02/04/2011 at 06:22 PM
As of today, I cancelled all of my HSBC accounts due to lowering my credit limit every 6 months! I have been a loyal card holder for 5 years and have never been late on any payments, but was told that my credit limit was lowered each and every time due to inactivity!!!!!!!
As I grew frustrated with "a lack of concern from each employee," I've decided to end my business with them for good!!!!!! Therefore, I have cancelled all of my accounts with a bank that's clearly failing as a business!!!! Oh and did I fail to mention, "what comes around goes around!!!!!"
Posted by: Pissed Off | 01/21/2011 at 05:37 AM
As of today, I cancelled all of my HSBC accounts due to lowering my credit limit every 6 months! I have been a loyal card holder for 5 years and have never been late on any payments, but was told that my credit limit was lowered each and every time due to inactivity!!!!!!!
As I grew frustrated with "a lack of concern from each employee," I've decided to end my business with them for good!!!!!! Therefore, I have cancelled all of my accounts with a bank that's clearly failing as a business!!!! Oh and did I fail to mention, "what comes around goes around!!!!!"
Posted by: Doesn't Matter!!!! | 01/21/2011 at 05:21 AM
To my fellow peoples whom dislike HSBC word to the wise Credit Unions are made up by the people and for the people. Don't think twice check out your nearest credit union or federal savings bank TODAY!!
Posted by: Jack | 12/28/2010 at 04:15 PM
I'll tell you this for the people who recommend HSBC Great! for you P.S you must be living in B.C. times. But in my yrs. of being a business and mortgage banker HSBC is by far the worse bank to bank with in every way. First their 24hr customer service reps are useless along with their floor managers. Online banking and bank products are useless. They call themselves the worlds local bank, well looks like they need to correct that. How do you call yourself the worlds local bank if I constantly travel around the world and have to do my banking around the Eastern 8-5 hrs on a big time difference. Then let me say this again their 24hr customer service reps useless and lack of knowledge. And their online banking ridiculous, how is it that half of the time they do not see what I see online thats were I get thrown off and misguided. How is it that half of the time they do not follow the banking laws. How is it that they over charge for every little thing. How is it that they still stand strong with poor service in every aspect(bank). I'll tell you why. They survive on misinformation they provide to us consumers. Do I still bank with them no. For two yrs I've given them loyal service and in return (with attitude) thank you for your business have a nice day!
Posted by: Jack | 12/28/2010 at 04:06 PM
After doing business with HSBC for Twienty two years our firm is getting kicked out. we have our mortgage and a line of credit with HSBC. We have never missed a payment,or paid the payments late. It all started with our sister company who they made our garantor as of a year ago. HSBC decided to kick us out because the garantor had twienty NSF cheques in one year. We have made profit every year, we have never missed a payment. HSBC with out a warrning went us a letter letting us know we had five business day to pay back our morgate and our line of credit. I was shocked, when I called them to ask them why, they were rude, un help full and snobish in attitude.We spent alot of money got a lawyer and extended that five business day to 30 day. then I had to pay for a mortgage broker get an appriasal and etc. I went to the HSBC complain line on line and sent them a message letting them know what hadd happened to us, and several calls latter they turned me to the same guy who had put us in the same situation in the first place. Shame on them. After twienty two years of business, this is the treatment we recieve!!! HSBC is a horrible company, with horrible customer service, and I will let everyone know what they have done to us and how they treated us after. I will try to take them to court, not to stay with them but to make sure they don't do what they did to us to anyone else.
Best Regards Sepi
Posted by: sepi | 12/23/2010 at 02:54 AM
HSBC,
Well here's another moan.
Do you subscribe to "HSBC paperless statements", suggest then that you check your online statement, make sure they havnt slipped in that 1.50 GBP eachh and every month for the last 7 months. Oh its a computer error Sir. Yes right,month after month.....
Have you got a strange 25 GBP charge this month, another error, well no just opportunistic HSBC again. On 1st December they invoke the banks new terms and conditions, keep 25 K GBP in the bank, and your banking is free....But they may have already charged you.....but its still only November......another computer bust....i dont think so.
So bye bye HSBC hello Lloyds....
Posted by: Ray McClenaghan | 11/16/2010 at 07:39 PM