Barclays Bank UK PLC vs HSBC Bank plc
Barclays Bank UK has a blended long-term credit rating of A+ and HSBC Bank AA-, so HSBC Bank is rated 1 notch higher. Barclays Bank UK 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 Barclays Bank UK'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, Barclays Bank UK received 2.14 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and HSBC Bank 0.29.
Barclays Bank UK PLC
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
HSBC Bank plc
S&P, Moody's, Fitch
Rating History Comparison
Comparison Summary
| Metric | Barclays Bank UK PLC | HSBC Bank plc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Rating | A+ | AA- | HSBC Bank 1 notch higher |
| Normalized Score | 82 | 83 | -1 points |
| Agencies | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | S&P, Moody's, Fitch | Same |
| Outlook | Stable | Positive | Different |
| Trend | NEW |
Different | |
| Investment Grade | Yes | Yes | Same |
Service record and deposit protection
| Measure | Barclays Bank UK | 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 | 71% (rank 10 of 17) | not surveyed |
| Banking complaints per 1,000 accounts (FCA) | 2.14 (2026 H1) | 0.29 (2025 H1) |
| Complaints upheld by the bank | 57% | 52% |
| Major operational or security incidents reported to the FCA, last 12 months | 15 (to Jun 2026) | not collected |
| Banking licence (FCA reference) | 759676 | 114216 |
Barclays Bank UK 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 Barclays Bank UK or HSBC Bank financially stronger?
Barclays Bank UK has a blended long-term credit rating of A+ and HSBC Bank AA-, so HSBC Bank is rated 1 notch higher. 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 Barclays Bank UK and HSBC Bank share FSCS protection?
Barclays Bank UK 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, Barclays Bank UK or HSBC Bank?
In the CMA's August 2026 service quality survey, 61% of Barclays Bank UK'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, Barclays Bank UK received 2.14 banking complaints per 1,000 accounts and HSBC Bank 0.29. A service score reflects customers' experience, not the bank's financial strength.
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