HSBC specific questions
Dec 12th 2010, 6:11 pm
#16
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,986
Re: HSBC specific questions
I've just got my Advance account card and cheque books through the post in the UK, they said they wouldn't do a credit card until i had a fixed address in Canada which we wont have until March. Has anyone managed to get the cc sorted out without an address?
Also, my main account in the UK is First Direct, i have an HSBC current account but dont really use it. Either way the First Direct account seemed ok for them to open me up the advance in Canada however i dont see my UK HSBC account on Global view.... I assume to get the "free" transfer option (up to christmas they say) i need to transfer from HSBC UK to HSBC Canada not First Direct UK to HSBC Canada? Does my UK HSBC need to be anything other than an normal current account to show up in Global view?
Also, my main account in the UK is First Direct, i have an HSBC current account but dont really use it. Either way the First Direct account seemed ok for them to open me up the advance in Canada however i dont see my UK HSBC account on Global view.... I assume to get the "free" transfer option (up to christmas they say) i need to transfer from HSBC UK to HSBC Canada not First Direct UK to HSBC Canada? Does my UK HSBC need to be anything other than an normal current account to show up in Global view?
Dec 12th 2010, 10:09 pm
#17
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Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Flat Oxfordshire
Posts: 1,709
Re: HSBC specific questions
They won't do anything until I land, which is the downside. Lodging a security is a new one for me though - in the UK, you either get a card or you don't; as a new immigrant with zero credit score, am I likely to be requested to lodge a security to get ANY card? What are the collective experiences here?
I think that a lot depends upon whether or not you have a job when you land, although arriving on a TWP and have a SIN card starting with a 9 certainly does not endear you to lenders.
Dec 13th 2010, 10:24 am
#18
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: virgil ,niagara on the lake
Posts: 249
Re: HSBC specific questions
Please can you tell me what a sin. card starting with a nine means.
Dec 13th 2010, 10:27 am
#19
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Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Nanoose Bay, BC
Posts: 94
Re: HSBC specific questions
A SIN is a Social Insurance Number which entitles you you certain benefits in Canada. Numbers starting with 9 denote temporary residents, I believe; i.e. those without citizenship or PR status. Could be wrong, I'm far from an expert and I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along shortly.
Dec 13th 2010, 10:34 am
#20
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Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Nanoose Bay, BC
Posts: 94
Re: HSBC specific questions
Well, I've been to HSBC and it seems fate has dealt it's hand. While both HSBC UK and HSBC Canada are willing to open accounts, HSBC Canada will not grant credit card facilities in advance to non-Premier customers unless they have been a group banking customer for 12 months or longer. Which I haven't.
The guy I spoke to in International Banking did say that the local branch manager may have more leeway to grant the facility when I'm in-country but it's not do-able before I go.
The credit score is what was identified by tuppence in post #12; HSBC Canada will apply for your score from HSBC UK and it is an internal thing. Seemingly, even if you have a good score, there are other hurdles that this will not overcome so I do wonder what use it would be. They won't even look at it as I don't meet the initial criteria of 12 months as a group customer.
Looks like it is Coast Capital for me then!
The guy I spoke to in International Banking did say that the local branch manager may have more leeway to grant the facility when I'm in-country but it's not do-able before I go.
The credit score is what was identified by tuppence in post #12; HSBC Canada will apply for your score from HSBC UK and it is an internal thing. Seemingly, even if you have a good score, there are other hurdles that this will not overcome so I do wonder what use it would be. They won't even look at it as I don't meet the initial criteria of 12 months as a group customer.
Looks like it is Coast Capital for me then!
Last edited by Tripitaka; Dec 13th 2010 at 10:38 am.
Dec 13th 2010, 3:23 pm
#21
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Joined: Jul 2007
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 11,683
Re: HSBC specific questions
A SIN is a Social Insurance Number which entitles you you certain benefits in Canada. Numbers starting with 9 denote temporary residents, I believe; i.e. those without citizenship or PR status. Could be wrong, I'm far from an expert and I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along shortly.
The first digit is the region or province of issue. E.g. 6 = Alberta, 7 = BC. As you say, 9 is for temporary residents and non=resident taxpayer IDs follow the same format but begin with 0.
For big ron: getting a SIN is one of the first things you will do once you get to Canada. Go to any Service Canada office.
