Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Yes that's pretty much it. Are they the forms from the HSBC international centre in London? If so, then you fill them in, then take them and all the ID stuff to make up the 100 points score to a local HSBC branch, where they will verify them. You have to give them the interntional money order for AU$2000 (the account opening fee), and they send it all off to the international office. They then check everything through for you, and forward it on to the Direct banking centre in Sydney, where they will open the account.

A couple of weeks later you will receive all the gubbins in the post from Au - Account numbers, debit card, cheque book, Pin numbers, paying in book etc. It's all pretty painless, but make sure you know what has to be done at the local branch, as invariably the staff there won't and you will have to guide them through it. It's all very simple really - They just have to check and copy your forms of ID and sign the bottom of the forms. Job done.

Hope that helps,

S

Originally Posted by Swerv-o

Yes that's pretty much it. Are they the forms from the HSBC international centre in London? If so, then you fill them in, then take them and all the ID stuff to make up the 100 points score to a local HSBC branch, where they will verify them. You have to give them the interntional money order for AU$2000 (the account opening fee), and they send it all off to the international office. They then check everything through for you, and forward it on to the Direct banking centre in Sydney, where they will open the account.

A couple of weeks later you will receive all the gubbins in the post from Au - Account numbers, debit card, cheque book, Pin numbers, paying in book etc. It's all pretty painless, but make sure you know what has to be done at the local branch, as invariably the staff there won't and you will have to guide them through it. It's all very simple really - They just have to check and copy your forms of ID and sign the bottom of the forms. Job done.

Hope that helps,

S

Originally Posted by DunRoaminTheUK

That's not a fee is it...I'm sure it's just a minimum balance?

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond

There is a minimum of A$2,000 deposit required to open an Online Savings Account, but this does not need to be maintained after account opening.
http://www.hsbc.com.au/personal/accounts/osa.html


Funds can be accessed at over 20,000 ATMs, 430,000 EFTPOS and at 2,500 GiroPost® offices throughout Australia and worldwide more than 810,000 ATMs and 1 million Maestro and Cirrus outlets.

Unlike other Australian banks, you can make 5 withdrawals per month from OTHER banks ATM's with NO Charge. Other banks would charge about $1.50/$2 per similar transaction.

Being able to deposit and withdraw any any Post Office, free of charge, is also very useful, makes up for the lack of branches.

Originally Posted by lynnlovessun

I get round the lack of HSBC cash machines by just getting cash back every time i'm in the shops via eftpos for free!

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond

Must admit, it's still a bit funny to say "I'm just nipping up to the supermarket to get some cash".

And the till operators always say "Do you want some cash with your shopping" or words to that effect.

I haven't been into a bank branch for ages now. Who needs them ?