Wol

FWIW we opened an HSBC Online a/c while on our validation visit with absolutely no trouble. The guy was clued up, helpful and the whole thing could have been done in ten minutes apart from the fact we were having a good laugh while he was doing it!

We've now got all the cards etc, have done a couple of online small transactions (just checking, you understand) and are happy we've done the right thing.

midge04

Did u have go pay them the $2000 when you got your docs validated at your local branch, or did u do it once you got your info from the Oz branch

ABCDiamond

Try emailing Sydney. It doesn't matter where you open the account. I opened mine in Sydney, and it's still based there, even though I live in Brisbane area.

Wol

We opened the account directly while in SYD. We had the application forms which HSBC Oz had sent us in the UK but we didn't fill them in until we arrived. We drew the $2000 from another Oz bank a/c which we've had for some time - in cash! - and just dumped it in the Bridge St branch when we opened the account.

PM me if you want the email of the chap who set up the account - he was very good and on the ball.