Today I got banned from opening my main bank account with HSBC. I say banned, the manager said I’m not banned; I just can’t open a bank account there. I can’t open one today, next week or in a month. She declined to say whether that extends to 6 months or a year or even a mortgage.
The reason apparently, is because of my personal reason for opening an account: I have a 19 year old Spanish aupair and I wish to sponsor/introduce her as a client of HSBC; she lives with me in my home and therefore has no proof of address. She is not on a utility bill and as she is not an employee — she does not receive payslips. According to gov.uk
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, an aupair is here on a cultural exchange and becomes a member of the family and receives pocket money from the host family.
From reading forums on aupair websites, it appeared that HSBC was a good bank to open an account for an EU aupair. I need to be able to send money weekly to her by S.O from my own bank account. Her parents need to send her money and she has a certain amount of cash in her possession. After initial enquiries at HSBC, we were told I either had to have an account with them, or to return with my council tax bill. I had on me, a notification of payment for the council tax but this was not permissible as it had to be the yellow letter. We returned home and I found my yellow council tax bill which was dated Nov 2017. A few days later we returned to HSBC and we spoke to a bank clerk. The council tax bill was rejected as it was out of date. So I told him that I could switch my main bank account over to them and open an account. I was surprised when he said no, I couldn’t bank with them. Naturally I asked, why? He said, it was because I was opening it to enable my aupair to have a bank account. I explained that I don’t see why that would be an issue. He flatly refused and said I could not bank with HSBC.
I was feeling baffled and maybe slightly amused, as it seemed ludicrous to me. Most things nowadays come with perks. Surely this is harmless? After we separated from Aiden, I backtracked and asked one of the members of staff to speak to the manager. It turned out the woman I was asking was and she informed me she was the manager. I explained the situation. In full support of her colleague, she said — no, I could not open an account with them now or in the future. (I will at this time make the point that no cross words were said and there were no raised voices. I was still in a position of bafflement.) I still couldn’t and still can’t, see the problem. What did it matter that my initial reason for banking at HSBC was so my Spanish aupair could have a bank account? They would get my custom, I have a good credit rating, I own my own home, It would be my main account and I have good earnings.
Not understanding why they were taking this stance, I did try to explain to the bank manager, that surely me banking there to enable the aupair to have a bank account, could just be seen as me being drawn by a perk: such as a travel card or a cinema ticket, it’s an added bonus? Her response was “We don’t do perks.” She said she could only let me open a bank account if I was unhappy with my current bank and wanted to bank with them regardless. So, I said okay yes, I did want to bank with them for other reasons. She said that no, I still couldn’t, as I would then open the aupair an account. I asked how long am I not allowed to bank there for? She said she couldn’t tell me, but she did commit to the fact, I wouldn’t be allowed to open a bank account in a months time. She declined to answer, if this would still be the case at 6 months or a year: her exact words were “I can’t say.”
After the hostile response we got from HSBC, I am glad to say the matter has been sorted. TSB were friendly and helpful. They rang whoever it was they needed to and they have booked an appointment for next week. From their point: I am a customer of theirs, I am a professional and they will also take a letter of introduction from the GP surgery — she is GP registered. (The latter though was not necessary in this case.)
I was prepared to use your bank as my main current account. I asked at least four times if I could open an account. All four times were in a respectful civil manner. It is entirely for my own reasons. Personally, it’s easier for me for the aupair to have a bank account, as I can set up a standing order from my bank to hers. There also isn’t the matter of cash laying around my house.
I went to HSBC on other host families recommendations. So other branches must I assume, be more helpful to prospective clients. Why at York HSBC, were we treated with such blatant hostility?