For the younger generation who are only familiar with online banking with FULL access where they can transfer funds, open accounts, etc, and don't wish to deviate from this, then avoid banking with HSBC - they don't allow the account holder to close their own account(s) online (Yes, I know, what a shock in the 21st century!!). Unfortunately, with their online chat being as useful as a chocolate teapot, you have to travel back to the 20th century to close an account where you call customer service, be on hold for 45mins (this was the case for me), jump through hurdles of security questions and then to top it off, wait further for the customer assistant to close the account for you! - what next, emails via carrier pigeons! In all, the whole experience took 59mins.

My wife who also wishes to close an account and will most likely have to endure the above, so to avoid the same waiting time, I arranged with the customer service assistant for someone to call my wife at an agreed time - true to form, no one called!

How HSBC survives as a bank is beyond me - all customers of this bank, do yourself a favour, if you want decent banking experience, leave HSBC and move to another bank.