I have been a customer at the Southport branch of HSBC UK since around 1970. and even worked for HSBC in Hong Kong head office for a senior manager for 30 years. I do not have a cheque account but I have had a savings account for all of that time and money is deposited to it regularly. However, now that I live in Australia I cannot access my own money and pay anyone because HSBC has removed my payees and my ability to set up payees again such as my family. The only way it appears that I can do that is to wait hours on the phone for someone in customer service, who I can usually barely understand, to take my call. The only other alternative is to travel half way round the world to the UK and call in at a branch. And they call this service. Who is the bank set up for? It certainly does not appear to be for the customer. I have given the bank one star, but even that is too generous.