HSBC Watch News Release Forum Index
Forum Name: - U.K. Public Opinion
Topic Title: HSBC Lacks Understanding, Compassion
Wed Oct 19, 2005 8:37 am
As someone who has banked with HSBC for over forty years, I am writing to express my total disgust with the treatment that I received from them during the past few very difficult months.
Since June we have been in the situation of selling one property and buying another. During the same period we have had to find long time care accommodation for my Wife's mother who we have supported at our expense for the past 14 years.
Delays in the completion of the sale of our property led to severe cash flow problems even though the downsizing of our property has now released equity in excess of £60,000. Unfortunately this led to my exceeding my overdraft limits on my accounts.
I tried to explain my situation prior to the incurrence of the additional overdrafts, and on several occasions, both at my local branch ( who were in fact sympathetic) and over the telephone ( where I was met with total indifference !)
Interestingly the staff at my local branch had the same response from the "powers that be" when they endeavored to help me .I can only express my sympathy to them in working for such an institution.
Whilst merely giving me a temporary increase in overdraft limit, or increasing my personal loan (I have had more than enough offers from you to do this prior to this situation) would have solved the problem, I have now been forced to sell an endowment policy which was due to mature in 2011 at a predicted £35000, for it's surrender value of £22000 - a loss of £13000 - It's good to see a bank that looks after it's customers finances so well.
It is obvious to me that given the size of their "Empire" and the vast profits which it is now generating it can now forget the individual and operate a totally computer directed formulaic approach to real people's problems. I am sorry to say that I can no longer associate myself with a company that operates in this manner.
I realize that as a mere "number" - one of the "little people", my actions will have no effect upon the company whatsoever, but it is not my intention to do so. "conscience" - a word without meaning to the worshippers of profit- precludes my continuing with my long , but unappreciated, association with HSBC.
I have as a result moved my business elsewhere.
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