FAQs

The deposit and credit card application requires the following personal information:

• Social Security Number
• Date of birth
• Telephone number
• E-mail address
• Employment information
• Current U.S. residential address 
• U.S. residential address for the past three years
• Current U.S. driver's license, U.S. non-driver identification card, U.S. learner permit, passport, or Permanent Resident Card / Green Card
• Bank account and routing number in order to electronically fund your new account (deposit only)
• Meet the requirements to complete a Form W-9 Tax Certification (deposit only)

Please note: The deposit application is an individual application only. Once your account is open, you can add a joint account holder to a checking or savings account. A joint account holder can't be added to a certificate of deposit (CD) once the account is open. To apply for a joint CD application, please visit your local HSBC branch.

Yes, you can apply for an account online as long as you are at least 18 years of age, have a Social Security Number, currently have a U.S. residential address, and have had U.S. residency for the past three years.  In addition to the required standard documentation you must meet the requirements to complete an IRS Form W-9 Tax (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification). 

If you don't meet these requirements you can call us at 800.975.4722 to speak with a specialist in the Customer Relationship Center or visit your local HSBC branch.

If you have information on hand, the application should take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. A joint application will take additional time. If you’re an existing Personal Internet Banking customer, you can take advantage of our shortened application for existing customers.

The security of your personal information and your online banking transactions are of utmost importance to HSBC. We maintain strict security standards and procedures to prevent unauthorized access to your information, including 128-Bit SSL Encryption, Internal Systems Encryption, and Firewalls. Visit HSBC's Security & Fraud Center for additional information.

After you’ve completed the application you will receive an ‘Application Status’ notice by email, which will give you directions on how to proceed. To make sure you get this email, check your spam filters and that emails from us.hsbc.com aren’t blocked. 

You may need to send:

• A check, if you decided to fund your account by mailing a check.
• Additional documentation, if needed.

Once we receive all necessary documents and are able to verify your information, we’ll contact you by email to let you know your account has been opened.

Existing HSBC customers can log on and view your new HSBC accounts online. If you’re new to HSBC, and requested Personal Internet Banking access within the application, your Welcome email will provide directions on how to complete registration. If you didn’t select Personal Internet Banking within the application, you can register now. 

Yes, you can apply for a joint checking, savings and certificate of deposit account online. Just select the product you’re interested in from the ‘Banking’ tab at the top of your screen. When you’re ready to apply, click the ‘Apply now’ button. Once you’re in the application, click the ‘Joint’ option located on the first page. 

Once your account is open, you can add a joint account holder to a checking or savings account by calling 800.975.4722 between 8:30am-5pm ET Monday through Friday. The following requirements must be met:

• Both you and the joint applicant need to call together
• The joint applicant must have a Social Security number
• The joint applicant must have a U.S. residential address
• The joint applicant must have a valid government issued ID

If the joint applicant doesn’t meet the above requirements, both of you can visit a local branch to complete the application.

Please note: A joint account holder can't be added to a certificate of deposit (CD) once the account is open. To apply for a joint CD, please visit your local HSBC branch.

Once your application has been submitted, we may reach out to you within 48 business hours if additional information is required. Upon review, you will receive an email with the status of your application.

When you apply for an account, government regulations require that we ask for identification such as address, date of birth and Social Security Number to verify your identity. This information is not used for any other purpose. 

If you don't have a Social Security Number, you can still open an account, but we won't be able to accept an application online. Instead, you can go to your local branch to open an account.

The minimum deposit is $1.00 for checking and savings accounts. When completing the application, you're given the option to send your initial deposit electronically. You can do this by using either Trial Deposit verification or providing your login credentials for your non-HSBC bank account and we'll verify you in real time. If we're unable to verify your account electronically through either of these methods, you can send us a check. 

You may use a personal check or a bank check. We can't accept cash or third party checks as an opening deposit. Third party checks include business checks, payroll checks, and checks written by any other party other than the applicant.  

Please make sure all checks are completely filled out, made payable to yourself, signed, dated, and your application ID is included in the memo field and send it to:

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. 

P.O. Box 4045 

Buffalo, NY 14240-4045

Do not forget to include a completed HSBC deposit slip.

Please know it takes about three business days to process an electronic opening deposit before it is credited to your account. However, checks are processed on the same business day they are received.

Depending on the method of funding, your approval status, and whether we have received all necessary information, your account will be opened within two business days.  We will update you by email on the process of your account opening.