Is HSBC good for investing?
Independent review by Boring Money
Written by Boring Money
24 Feb, 2026
Investment expert's opinion
HSBC is an OK option if you bank here and want some easy investment options which have been assembled for you, offering an easy way to invest in an ISA whilst knowing that it's being well looked after. Those who want to pick and choose, build up a portfolio, and maybe also sort a DIY pension should look elsewhere.
*This is the view of investment expert Holly Mackay based on her first-hand customer experience as a test account holder. This does not constitute regulated advice. You can read more about Holly's investments here.
Who is HSBC?
HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations and serves around 39 million customers through its global businesses. HSBC UK was created on 1 July 2018 in response to the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013. HSBC UK serves personal and business customers in the UK, and they have an extensive network of branches throughout the country to support customers. They offer a range of investment options that include funds and a Stocks & Shares ISA, which can help you grow your money without worrying about tax.
Who is HSBC good for?
To open a Stocks & Shares ISA account, you need to have an HSBC current account. It’s a good choice for less confident investors who are looking for the security of a big brand bank, and some handholding along the way. This service is a decent start. They offer good starter investment options for those who already bank with HSBC and want a simple life when it comes to investing, one where they’re not overwhelmed by choice and confronted with different websites and passwords to remember.
Pros and cons
Investments
HSBC customers have access to a small number of investment options that include:
Ready-made portfolios are funds made up of a mix of investments, including shares and bonds, in different proportions. They’re managed for you and can be a good choice for people new to investing who don’t feel comfortable making all the decisions by themselves.
There are five different portfolios to choose from, spread across different risk levels. The higher risk portfolios typically have a greater proportion invested in shares, while the lower risk ones tend to have more in bonds. HSBC’s portfolios are called: Cautious, Conservative, Balanced, Dynamic, and Adventurous. Cautious is described as the lowest risk while Adventurous is described as the highest.
HSBC’s InvestDirect is the name of its online sharedealing service which can be used to view your account balances, access market data, and buy and sell shares directly.
Accounts
Stocks & Shares ISA | Pension (SIPP) | General Investment Account (GIA) | Lifetime ISA | Junior ISA |
✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Fees and charges
The cost of investing with HSBC depends on what you invest in and how frequently you trade. The table below illustrates how the charges work.
Investment Type | Charge | Trading Fee |
Funds | 0.25% | Free |
Shares & ETFs | £10.50 per quarter | £10.50 for UK Shares |
One thing to be aware of is the £7.95 frequent trader fee that applies after placing 9 UK deals in a given calendar quarter.
See how much it would cost you
Use the handy calculator below to calculate the cost of an account. Just select which type of account you want to use, type in the amount you want to invest and - hey presto! - our calculator will give you an estimate of how much it costs. Please note estimated fees are calculated excluding promotional offers.
Step 1. Select account type.
Step 2. Enter the amount you are looking to invest.
Estimated fees:
£2.50
All Inclusive
This cost represents the total amount you will pay. It is based on a typical account and will be a very good guide, but may differ depending on the investment option you pick.
The boring disclaimer bit
This is a free resource for our readers. We’ve tried really hard to ensure that these calculations are correct and can promise you there’s no monkey business or favouritism going on. But please don’t rely on these calculations without double checking yourself. If you do think you have seen an error please contact community@boringmoney.co.uk and help us to make this better. More information on the assumptions we've used to calculate these investment fees can be found here.
Customer reviews
HSBC customer reviews highlight a wide range of products, good access to information, and helpful customer service. Customers appreciate the easy-to-use platforms and regular updates. However, some mention a slight decline in service quality due to economic factors, not HSBC itself.
Communication is generally good, but there's a desire for better market variance updates, improved interest rates, and more environmental products. The online trading experience is positive, though improvements in the mobile app and online chat support are suggested.
Overall, HSBC is viewed as reliable and trustworthy with a strong global presence. Customers are satisfied with the comprehensive product range and good customer service, though they suggest more proactive communication and better transparency on digital platforms.
Your opinion matters!
Leave a review for HSBC
05 December 2025
The service overall is great.
05 December 2025
I get a reasonable interest on my investment and their services are reliable. However they could improve on their app
05 December 2025
They are very reliable and fast, the customer service is top notch. It's great for me.
Most asked questions
Is HSBC safe?
HSBC is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If a fund fails due to fraud or mismanagement, you may be eligible for compensation from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). The FSCS protection is capped at £85,000 per person, per fund manager (not per individual fund). However, if your investments lose value due to normal market conditions or your investment choices, this is part of the normal risk of investing and is not covered by FSCS compensation.
Is investing with HSBC a good idea?
HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations and serves around 39 million customers through their global businesses. Investing with HSBC is a good choice for anyone looking for the security of a big brand bank which offers simple, straightforward investment products.
What does HSBC invest in?
The HSBC Global Strategy Portfolios contain a mix of investments which you can choose depending on your own investment goals and individual risk profile. You can invest in one of HSBC’s sustainable or regular portfolios or choose your own investments. HSBC’s Global Strategy Sustainable Portfolios aim to include investments that have a higher environmental, social and governance (ESG) score and lower carbon intensity than their market average, and produce less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases per unit of activity.
Who owns HSBC UK?
HSBC is directly owned by HSBC Holdings plc.
Do I pay tax on money invested with HSBC?
Tax is normally payable on income earned from investments. If you invest and use a Stocks & Shares ISA as your investment account, you can invest up to £20,000 each tax year without paying tax on any income or growth earned from your investments. For more information about how investments are taxed in the UK, read our article Three taxes to know about if you’re an investor.
Glossary
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Discover jargon-free definitions of the most common words and technical terms used in the world of investing.
