Filling out the application at HSBC was simple enough, just put in your information and you're done. It isn't that easy to open an account and begin earning interest though.

After joining, my application still wasn't complete because I needed to prove that the address I entered was my real address. So I had to mail in some form of proof. Any utility bill would do, so I mailed in a copy of my DSL bill which showed my current address. This just cost me some printer ink, paper, an envelope, a $0.39 stamp and of course my time to get the paperwork and get it off to the post office. I also had to confirm my bank account information by verifying a small deposit HSBC made to my account.
Within just 2 days of mailing my information, I received a notification that they received it and my application was approved. I thought it was over but it was only the beginning. Next I needed a customer ID number, a username and a password, an ATM card and a pin number. All of which needed to be mailed to me, in SEPARATE mailings! As you can imagine this took quite a while. I did get one mailing per day on average though.

After getting my information, I finally was able to log in to my account at HSBC. I wanted to transfer some money into my HSBC account, this is what they call a "Bank To Bank Transfer". I put in my bank information and I also needed to type in my ATM pin number. The problem was that I didn't have one. So I called HSBC to ask them for one, and they said they'd mail it to me, big surprise. A day later I had the mailing and was able to complete my bank to bank transfer request. When that was done, I transferred some funds into my HSBC account from my checking account and the process was finally over.