HSBC rolls out free 'financial health checks' across branches

Seems like a very worthwhile initiative

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Now if they just had branches everywhere :thinking: :rofl:

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It’s in the Express.

They will do the health check over the phone; you don’t need to go into a branch:

Are they just flogging their products? Not so much of a health check, more of a marketing exercise.

I remember Santander doing something similar BITD. I warned them in advance that I was not interested in bonds, stocks and shares, or anything with any element of risk, and that it may be a waste of their time. Time scheduled for the “consultation” - 90 minutes. Duration - 20 minutes, and that included 5 mins of security questions

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That was my thinking…

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You’re not the only one thinking it. Mr Cynic here completely believes there is nothing altruistic going on here…but that’s just me being cynical :rofl:

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I’ve done a few ‘financial health checks’ and yes, they are basically just sales pitches. Definitely nothing particularly useful advise-wise - things like “I see you’re renting, have you thought about a mortgage?”

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Why would someone need a mortgage to pay their rent?

I know rents are increasing, but really :hushed::rofl:

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Wouldn’t rule people needing serious cash to pay the rental deposit someday if rents go up by as much as they might need to to meet net zero requirements on landlords.

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If they were offering preferential rates or low interest, then maybe I’d be interested.

Eventually, one day, people will require a mortgage just to pay their monthly Council Tax bill, which sadly and rather depressingly, will never likely decrease. I suspect Council Tax for many will reach an average of ÂŁ350 a month for most households within the next 10 years. Let HSBC offer free financial health checks on that :roll_eyes:

Sadly, until we crack the elderly care conundrum and reverse the divestment from the state in the provision of a wide variety of services, this will never change

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Definitely need to sort out elder care for sure. Nationalising everything would just waste a whole lot of money that we don’t have.

Our water in NI was never privatised but doesn’t have enough money to do all it needs to do. Net effect is that more and more houses can’t be built as the sewage system can’t cope. It’s not just private water companies that underinvest.