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:
Funds |
Ready-made portfolios |
Shares |
Funds |
Ready-made portfolios |
Shares |
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 |
✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ |
Customers can open a Stocks & Shares ISA, and invest up to £20,000 each year completely tax-free. You can choose to invest in one of their regular or sustainable portfolios, starting at £50 a month.
For less confident investors looking for the security of a big brand bank and some handholding along the way, HSBC’s Stocks and Shares ISA is a good start.
For more confident investors, HSBC offers a Global Investment Centre (GIC), which is the name for their General Investment Account (GIA). We explain more about this below.
For those who have already used up their annual ISA allowance (£20,000), HSBC’s Global Investment Centre account could be a good alternative.
This is a decent option for people who prefer to make their own investment decisions without advice. You can use this account to research, buy, sell and switch investments online – although, crucially, any gains or dividends earned from investments are not shielded from tax.
If you’re yet to use up your £20,000 annual ISA allowance, it’s generally a good idea to go ahead and open a Stocks & Shares ISA instead. However, if you’ve exceeded your annual allowance - or already contributed to a different Stocks & Shares ISA in the current tax year – HSBC's Global Investment Centre account allows you to do so.
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 |
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.
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
I get a reasonable interest on my investment and their services are reliable. However they could improve on their app
Read More >They are very reliable and fast, the customer service is top notch. It's great for me.
Read More >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.
Visit the HSBC website for more information
Glossary
Not 100% sure you understand something we’ve written in this review?
Discover jargon-free definitions of the most common words and technical terms used in the world of investing.
Historically, money invested for more than five years grows more than cash savings. Remember that investments can also fall, so you might not get all of your money back. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.
