Ordinary Gweilo

I see that HSBC are going to stop sending paper statements (unless you are either old or willing to pay).  I subscribed to this service a year or so ago, and I have probably only downloaded a handful of statements since then. 

Why?  Because it’s a complete nightmare to use, that’s why.  I have no idea why they couldn’t simply put the statements on the Internet Banking service for customers to view or download, but instead they came up with a bizarre system where they send you an email with a link, you click on it, enter a password, click on another link, and (if all goes well) you can view your statement.  Did I mention that you have to set up a different password to the one for Internet Banking?  Well, you do.

In an all-Microsoft world, where you use Outlook and Internet Explorer, it’s possible that this all works seamlessly.  Possible, but unlikely, I feel.  However, if you are reckless enough to use other email clients and other browsers, then it certainly doesn’t work very well.  Windows pop up, curious messages appear, and no statement is available to download.

I was rather looking forward to the squeals from anguish from Mrs Wong in Tuen Mun and Mr Chan in Fanling when they discovered hoops through they which they would have to jump in order to get the statement that used to arrive in the post.  But someone in HSBC has come to their senses, and in future they will indeed put downloadable statements on to their existing Internet Banking site.

Better late than never (oh, and HSBC are still sending me paper statements for my bank account).