I will now admit it. HSBC is NOT the most idiotic bank I have ever come across. That title has now been taken up by the Nationwide in the UK.
I recently sent them a letter with my change of address, giving them the full (residential) mailing address in Hong Kong.
Their response is as follows:
"Thank you for your recent change of address. In order to ensure the security of our members information and funds, the Society has taken the decision not to send any written correspondence to a PO Box Address. Additionally, as an organisation we have elected not to send any written correspondence to China for security reasons. If you would like to supply another address, we will be able to amend your details accordingly".
Huh? Firstly, the address I supplied was NOT a PO Box. Secondly, China?????? Do they know we need a visa to visit China in this place? And finally - where the hell do they think I'm going to come up with "another" address from (that is not a PO Box?).
Anyway, I rang them up and tried to get some sense. Nothing doing. Hong Kong is apparently on their "list of no mail areas". So I asked how to close my account.
"Well, you have to write to us and we will send you a cheque. Oh but we can't do that because we cannot send any post to China. You can do it when you come back to the UK".
I hung up at this point.
Any suggestions anyone? I have a few thousand quid with these jokers and am not minded to leave it in their 'safe' hands for any longer than I have to!!!! No plans to go to the UK even for a holiday for at least 12 months!