Pros
Competitive pay, satisfactory benefits package
Attainable and reasonable sales goals
"Laissez Faire" sales environment
Universally recognized banking brand
International focus
The salary for an HSBC BRB is higher (on average) than the same position at a competing bank, but the incentive pay is lower.
Sales goals are appropriate and achievable for talented BRB's: HSBC is not a widget-based bank; they are focused on quality, not quantity. Instead of 5 checking accounts per day like some of the competing domestic banks require of their salespeople, HSBC wants its sales force focusing on cross-selling insurance, investments and credit products to its existing affluent client base and prospecting for commercial accounts.
Management is not constantly breathing down your neck nor are they micromanaging (as long as you are proactive and are hitting your monthly numbers). They also encourage (and technically, mandate) self-written insurance and investments where other banks are stripping their employees of this responsibility and placing the burden entirely on the Financial Advisor. An unlicensed personal banker is a mere order taker, and serves little purpose to their branch, short of account opening, service and maintenance. An HSBC BRB truly has the opportunity to present his or her clients with a holistic banking proposition: checking, savings, credit, insurance and investments all with a global banking platform.
Cons
Ridiculously stifling compliance culture
"Not my job" attitude across many departments
Constantly changing procedures
Laughably overpaid managers
Too many "Vice-Presidents"
Outdated computer systems
Conflicting answers/directives from the same departments
No good deed goes unpunished
It's all right there.
