I am not an HSBC banking client. However, I have parked by this HSBC branch often that it merits a review.
HSBC. An acronym. I get thrown tons of acronyms at work.
Me: What does it stand for?
HSBC is short for The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. However, it spells Hongkong with a lower k and as a single word. I can't do it. Hong Kong is two characters in Chinese and two words in English.
It's much easier to rattle off the acronym. I'm simply happy that I know what it means. I once worked for a company whose official name is an acronym and it doesn't stand for anything.
I digress.
This bank is located in New World Plaza. It is steps away from ZeeV's Nutrition Studio. It is the main reason why I am in this area.
I can always tell whether there's a lockdown by the parking situation here. When the lone restaurant at this plaza, Crown Prince, is open for dining, the parking situation, particularly on weekends, is horrific. I have to park by HSBC.
There are specific spots for HSBC clients that face Victoria Park Avenue. I parked there once just so that I could pick up my beverage at Zeev's. So, I'm thankful for the spot and felt that I needed to write about this branch from this angle.
This HSBC branch is fairly large. There are steps to go up to enter the bank. One set of stairs to the right of the main entrance is blocked off due to the concrete giving out. For accessibility, you want to use the shallow little ramp on the right of the entrance to get to the main doors. It's decent. There is also accessibility parking steps away.
There are ATMs to do self-banking. Signage is in both English and Chinese (traditional).
I have always liked that HSBC in Canada caters to folks who have moved here from another country and need to set up accounts. I have heard so many positive things about getting bank accounts set up from folks trying to settle in a new country. I have a similar experience setting up accounts at Think Credit Union when I moved to Rochester, MN. Having someone guide you through the process helps, especially when you have moved to a new country and aren't familiar with how banking works in your new surroundings.
I was briefly inside this branch. It was clean and nice. Walkways were wide. The floors were shiny!
I do know that if you have an HSBC account and need to use an ATM stateside without incurring charges, you need find one on the Allpoint system. The reason I know this weird tidbit of information is that the Walgreens that I visit the most while in Eagan, MN has an ATM on the Allpoint system. Similarly, the CVS where I get my PCR test has an ATM on Allpoint, too.
Yes, I love drugstores. Someday, I'm sure this information on Allpoint will prove useful!
I am grateful for the parking available at HSBC when the rest of the plaza is full. If I wasn't already happy with my bank of choice, I'd consider opening an account with HSBC. This one had a steady stream of customers dropping by last Saturday, so I can assume that it's decent to do banking with.
(95) read more