HSBC

Horrible customer service. Tried to open an account so I could use ATMs in London,UK. Went to Arcadia branch that's closed but moved down the street next to IHOP. Waited patiently but receptionist was busy taking care of senior with cash issues. There are no tellers nor sign-in system to queue up. People walk in and if you speak Mandarin, you get priority. I find out BofA partners with Barclays and their ATMs are in London too. Apparently they don't need my business.

Surprising how many bad reviews there are about HSBC but this location was one of the best service i have recently have with different banks.

Came in without an appointment and this place was a little busy but William said he was able to help us out and started with us answering a few questions. Overall yes the process might take longer than a few minutes but he kept us busy and also entertained with so much information about opening accounts.

I never realized I actually don't know that much about banks and what they entirely do. With plenty of options I even was able to hear about life insurance.

The biggest reason though for opening a HSBC account is that this bank if worldwide in so many different countries. So if you actually love to travel and want to take out currency in another country it is easy to do with this card. A friend had recommended me to open an account and I'm glad we stopped by and got everything settled with William.

6/2018: After a few months, HSBC has proved to be the worst bank ever. They couldn't get anything straight. They automatically signed me up for online statements before I even created an account, so I couldn't view it. After calling to ask for paper stmts, they mailed it to be but someone doesn't know Hot to use the printer, because the print needed a magnifying glass. Their online system is almost always down. I foresee closing all accounts very soon.

3/28/18: Update-down to 2 stars. After having the accounts set up at the branch, which went fairly smoothly, things began to fall apart quickly. In order to set up online banking, they need to issue a temporary code. Unlike other institutions that send it in one minute, HSBC says they will take 24 to 48 hrs. And once you get it, there's a time limit that you need to log in or the code will expire. So if you're stuck at work or at the movies, tough luck! Call them back and get another code. (the most idiotic system ever)

Also, a credit card application was submitted weeks ago. Again, other institutions will have one in my mailbox in a week. It's been over 3 weeks, so I called the 800 #, only for them to say they don't see it in their system. No one seems to know what happened and they even asked if "I was sure I applied for one" ... No, I just like calling customer service and make them look for a phantom application, you know ... as a joke.

Will update as time goes on. Don't be surprised if it drops down to a 1 star.

3/12/18: Located in a tiny plaza, this HSBC branch shares the small lot with an Asian Spa and a convenience store, or as the plaza calls it 'Convenient' store.

I haven't walked into a new bank for a while because I prefer to simplify life and not hold many accounts, but they made me an offer I can't refuse (using Marlon Brando's Godfather voice) I won't explain what the offer is because it's only for ones who receive it in the mail, according to the banker.

Being in an Asian community, and staffed with primarily Asians employees, I expected the staff to be stiff and lack personality (from experience, not stereotyping) but the team here is very friendly and responsive. As soon as I walked in, and even before my eyes can spot the new accounts desk, someone already asked, "Hi, anything I can help you with sir?"

The new accounts rep was thorough in explaining the products, and even informed me of their credit card promo. The whole process was not as quick as I had hoped, but it went by smoothly.

Just like other banks, HSBC offers banking products, has a business banker in-branch, offers investments and mortgage loans. But their interest rates on bank products are definitely higher than large banks like B of A, Citi or Chase.

Good rates, enticing promotions and convenient location make this a bank I would consider moving my funds to. My issue is that it's a headache linking up all my online banking.

** No photos are taken because being an ex-banker myself, i know they tend to get nervous when someone takes pictures inside a bank, and highly frown upon it.

I opened a Promo account since May 2018, the Representative check everything, saying that everything looks good. I qualified for this promotion and will automatically received the promo reward, 6 months after opening the account.

However, 9 months later, I still don't see the promo reward in my account. I contact the representative, a week later he contact me saying that I wasn't qualified. What a BS, when you opened the account you qualified, but when the time the bank need to pay customer the promo reward, I wasn't qualified. This bank just scammed you, they only want your money to be in their bank.
I will definitely not suggest this bank and I will invest somewhere else that is legit. It's a really disappointment.

I drove home from this branch yesterday fuming and the only thing that made me feel better was thinking about the ranting, raging review I was going to write about them on yelp. I nearly died laughing today when I looked them up and found their 1-star rating with story after story describing inefficiency, discourtesy, and absolute ridiculousness!

I have never been in and out of this branch in less than half an hour. I do simple things here like make a deposit or a withdrawal. God knows how they manage to make that take so long. There is usually one person, or no one, in front of me in line, however they seem to have only ONE teller. Her name is Vivian and she is a complete nightmare! She doesn't seem to know the first thing about banking, typing, or the HSBC computer system! EVERY time she has to make a decision, she leaves her desk to go check with her manager.

Yesterday, I literally spent 1 hour 20 minutes there in an effort to make a simple withdrawal! Vivian was there, of course. I was helped by two others as well, who were much kinder but just as clueless. In that span of time they walked me to they ATM, which they could not make work, then to a private office to fill out some paper work *3 TIMES*, then I was held up again because Vivian needed to make a copy of my ID. ???!!!?!?!?!?!

Vivian also told me to close one of my accounts because it had "high interest." Hello, that is a GOOD thing with bank accounts!

At least now I know NEVER to go to this branch again! I now go to the Colorado branch in Pasadena, which is efficient, friendly, and wonderful. I recommend you do the same.

This HSBC branch operates at the pace of an arthritic snail. Came here to open an account at 1:50 PM -- by the grace of god I was able to leave the branch at 3:45 PM. 2 hours for one account, jeez.

Tried to register for my account online the following day. Unable to set it up without going on Live Chat from 5:19 PM to 6:24 PM. Another 2 hours just to set up my account that should have already been set up when I was at the physical branch.

The bright side, however, is that if you visit this branch with low expectations and a whole lot of time, you won't leave disappointed.

This is by far the most cooperative HSBC I've ever been to. I can only speak on my experience with Jonathan - who has been super helpful. I am not a client of HSBC anymore but I needed bank statements from previous years and all the other branches didn't show much interest in wanting to help me. I still haven't received all the bank statements and so I will post an updated review and a new rating when I do but the overall initiative to help out has been really present at the Arcadia branch and from Jonathan. He has also been super patient and kind.

Thanks Jonathan!

Very slow and inefficient bank branch. They consistently tell me that they need to approve the cash withdrawal or ask me what I want to do with the money. I never get that question from any bank that I make a withdrawal from.

Most of the time there is only one teller available and when there are more tellers available they can't do withdrawals so I have to wait for the one teller. At the same time people. Behind me get to go before me because they have only a deposit or payment. How hard is it to just withdraw money?

It seems like they have not changed and do not care to change. If possible stay away from this bank especially this branch. At least the Las Tunas Branch is more helpful.

If you want to wait and like inefficiency, this bank is it.

I dealt with William Chou today. He was efficient and knowledgeable. Transaction took double the time it was supposed to take due to slow operating system that kept on freezing. That is not his fault and probably the reason for the inefficient service.

This location is probably by far the worst bank with the worst customer service. Basically, if you spoke broken English, and/or Mandarin, they would find all ways possible in order to avoid servicing you. Stay away!!!!