6.50% 12-Month CD at a HSBC New York Branch.

Anonymous - #1, Monday, July 3, 2006 - 9:23 PM

you are welcome!

Anonymous - #2, Monday, July 3, 2006 - 9:59 PM

Will they open this CD for HSBC customer's in other states?

Banking Guy (anonymous) - #3, Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 7:53 AM

Unfortunately, HSBC branches are not in too many states (refer to their branch locator). If there is one near where you live, it couldn't hurt to contact them. Please let us know if you find other branches offering the same or similar deal.

Anonymous - #4, Tuesday, July 4, 2006 - 3:57 PM

Can someone independently confirm this deal? Thanks.

Anonymous - #5, Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 8:20 AM

I live in NYC -- The deal as posted is correct!

Anonymous - #6, Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 3:56 PM

Rick in La Jolla Calif....I called HSBC call center. The representative denied that HSBC was offering a 6.5% 12 mo. CD.
I believe he said that they had a 4.8% 12 mo. CD. I asked for the direct phone number for the Penn Station Office, and he would not give it to me. He wasn't very helpful at all...he said the 6.5% was a misprint. I would appreciate anyone who has confirmation of the 6.5% 12 Mo. CD to post. Thank You.

procol (anonymous) - #7, Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 10:56 PM

afaik it's not a misprint. I called about it, (was able to get to the branch) and they said it was a deal, but I don't have direct deposit to use for the offer. Also , no go for IRA's

I think they lied when they said it was not a real offer.

Anonymous - #8, Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 4:02 PM

I just spoke with a CSR named Kristen after unsuccessfully trying to reach this branch (their yellow page number now forwards to the main 800 number). She put me on hold and checked with someone else about this CD and told me it was a in-branch promotion. She told me the hours and location of the closest branch to me (in Florida!!!) and told me to go in tomorrow to open it up. She said they cannot do it over the phone or by mail, but will do it inside the branch. We will see how it goes tomorrow.

Anonymous - #9, Friday, July 7, 2006 - 3:11 PM

This deal is for new customer.

Anonymous - #10, Monday, July 17, 2006 - 1:22 PM

I take the subway from Penn Station and saw the 6.50% rate posted all over the branch's windows...yes, it is real...I think the only catch is that you have to open a checking account with them as well.

Anonymous - #11, Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 3:15 AM

I just opened a 6.5% 1 year CD with them at the Penn Station branch. It has to be new money. They wouldn't accept the funds I transferred into my hsbc online savings account the day before for just this purpose. And you have to open a checking account with direct deposit OR pay 3 bills online from the checking account within 90 days. The latter is not an advertised condition. They offered it to me because I'm self-employed and couldn't do direct deposit (they don't accept you transferring funds on a regular basis from another external account). They gave me a certificate showing a lower rate (4.48 APY) with an attached addendum saying the 6.5% would be applied retroactively once you've opened checking with direct deposit. I wrote in by hand the other condition I was offered, in rep's presence. I didn't like that at all but it seemed legit, just another hoop to jump through. Take down the account reps' names.

Interest is paid at maturity (compounds daily).

Banking Guy (anonymous) - #12, Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 7:46 AM

Thanks for providing all of these details. Looks like a lot of hoops to jump through, but it's hard to beat 6.5%.

Anonymous - #13, Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 2:50 PM

I called the HSBC center and they clearly told me no that they are not offering this, this guy who put this post up is a scammer so be aware of him

Anonymous - #14, Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 2:56 PM

called hsbc call center, no one there had a clue about 6.5, i was told it must be a mistake, could not reach this pen branch, i went into my local HSBC branch, they too told me flat out NO WAY, dont waste your time like i did, someone is playing a cruel joke here

Banking Guy (anonymous) - #15, Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 6:41 PM

Don't see how it could be a scam. I confirmed that there is a HSBC Penn Station office. Since the claim was that it's only available at the branch, there's no chance that anyone could risk any loss of money. If you live in New York City, the worst that could happen is that you waste a little time visiting the branch. Based on the details provided from several commenters, it doesn't sound like a joke.

Unfortunately, HSBC branches don't have published phone numbers. You have to call through the national HSBC call center, and they don't seem well connected to the local branches.

Anonymous - #16, Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 9:11 PM

It's no joke. I opened a CD and a checking account there. They required that I move my pay direct deposit to my new checking account and I got 6.50%. The branch is open 7AM-7:30PM and the staff is very friendly. I commute through Penn Station every day so this was a great deal for me.