Bank of Scotland plc vs HSBC Bank plc
Bank of Scotland has a blended long-term credit rating of AA- and HSBC Bank AA-, the same grade. Bank of Scotland and HSBC Bank hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately. In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 61% of Bank of Scotland's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; HSBC Bank is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, Bank of Scotland received 2.31 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and HSBC Bank 0.29.
Bank of Scotland plc
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
—
HSBC Bank plc
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
Rating History Comparison
Comparison Summary
| Metric | Bank of Scotland plc | HSBC Bank plc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Rating | AA- | AA- | Same grade |
| Normalized Score | 83 | 83 | Equal |
| Agencies | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | Same |
| Outlook | N/A | Positive | Different |
| Trend | NEW |
Different | |
| Investment Grade | Yes | Yes | Same |
Service record and deposit protection
| Measure | Bank of Scotland | HSBC Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Would recommend for overall service (CMA survey, Aug 2026, personal, GB) | 61% (rank 8= of 17) | not surveyed |
| Would recommend for online and mobile banking | 72% (rank 9 of 17) | not surveyed |
| Banking complaints per 1,000 accounts (FCA) | 2.31 (2026 H1) | 0.29 (2025 H1) |
| Complaints upheld by the bank | 65% | 52% |
| Major operational or security incidents reported to the FCA, last 12 months | 22 (to Jun 2026) | not collected |
| Banking licence (FCA reference) | 169628 | 114216 |
Bank of Scotland and HSBC Bank hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Survey: CMA / Ipsos, share of each brand's own customers who would recommend it (full rankings). Complaints: FCA firm-level data for the licence holder (all banks). Incidents: figures each bank must publish under the FCA's BCOBS 7 rules (all banks). A service score is about experience, not financial strength.Frequently asked questions
Is Bank of Scotland or HSBC Bank financially stronger?
Bank of Scotland has a blended long-term credit rating of AA- and HSBC Bank AA-, the same grade. A credit rating is an agency's opinion of a bank's ability to repay its debts, not a guarantee, and it says nothing about service.
Do Bank of Scotland and HSBC Bank share FSCS protection?
Bank of Scotland and HSBC Bank hold separate banking licences, so eligible savings with each are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000 per person separately.
Which has better customer service, Bank of Scotland or HSBC Bank?
In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 61% of Bank of Scotland's personal customers would recommend it for overall service; HSBC Bank is not one of the brands surveyed. In the FCA's latest complaints figures, Bank of Scotland received 2.31 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and HSBC Bank 0.29. A service score reflects customers' experience, not the bank's financial strength.
Compare with Other Banks
Select another bank to compare: