4 ms·
FirstDirect is better than HSBC, while still being part of the HSBC group. Their phone service is a lot better, with lower time-to-human, and Scottish accents i
by mietek 14y ago
FirstDirect is better than HSBC, while still being part of the HSBC group. Their phone service is a lot better, with lower time-to-human, and Scottish accents instead of Indian ones. Their web usability is still pretty bad, though.
There's no ridiculous calculator-shaped hardware token. To log in, FD requires 3 characters from your password, and a "secret answer" — effectively, another password. Infuriatingly, they disable the Enter key in the log in form, so a mouse click is necessary.
FD's web UI is stuck firmly in the 90s, with nested menus, cramped screens, and plentiful transitions. Even the log out button redirects to another screen, in order to ask for confirmation.
Finally, FD give you £100 as an incentive to switch, and an additional £100 if you switch back out.
- raverbashing 14y agoErm, I can login into my HSBC bank account (to check balance, etc) with 3 chars from my password I just need the token if I'm doing 'something' with money And no Indian accent on phone service Another bank I know uses your card as a token, requiring you to have your card + a card reader. Better in some aspects, worse in others.
- mietek 14y agoI still use my HSBC bank account from time to time, so I stand by what I said. In fact, I just checked this for you. Logging in to HSBC's web UI requires me to "Generate and enter the six digit security code", using my hardware token, which I never have when I need it.
- raverbashing 14y agoOh, I'm not saying you are wrong, it may be a difference of accounts/account type.
- robk 14y agoHSBC US allows login w/o dongle. HSBC UK requires it, at least for me.
- phaemon 14y ago> Infuriatingly, they disable the Enter key in the log in form, so a mouse click is necessary You can hit Tab (will select proceed) and then hit Enter. Much less annoying :)
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]