Updated 05/18/2012 03:27 PM
HSBC Changes to First Niagara
Most HSBC customer accounts throughout the Northeastern United States will transition to First Niagara Friday. First Niagara says there will be a brief interruption in services this weekend as the financial system will be down temporarily for the switch-over. YNN reporter Wendy Mills has more on what you need to know about the changeover.
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
HSBC and
First Niagara have both been preparing, trying to notify and educate customers on what is ahead and mailing out new ATM cards and checks.
As with any major upgrade or switch to service, First Niagara says there will be interruptions beginning Friday afternoon.
First Niagara will begin to operate more than 430 HSBC locations with 6,000 employees. First Niagara says this acquisition nearly doubles the number of branches in New York alone, to more than 200.
To make that happen, all branches will close Friday afternoon for the weekend, along with online banking. All will reopen Monday.
"So what should happen here is that again, we’ll shut down Friday night. Online banking will shut down Friday night at 7:00, and then when it opens on Monday, everything is going to be there. The consumer’s account number is going to be the same. The only thing that changes is the routing number for the bank. All of your bill-pay information, ACH information, all of your normal online information will convert over. So everything really should be quite simple," said Suzanne Nasipak Chapman, First Niagara Market Executive.
Customers who use direct deposit will need to make sure their employers have the updated routing numbers. Any HSBC checks already out should clear for another 90 days. First Niagara checks can be used starting Saturday.
The First Niagara ATM cards mailed out will be able to be activated at 3:00 p.m. Friday for use.
First Niagara says anyone with questions or concerns should stop in at any First Niagara branch beginning Monday, or call 1-800-421-0004 anytime.
Adding another bank to the mix, Key Bank bought 37 HSBC branches from First Niagara. Those customers are not affected this weekend, but those branches will convert to Key Bank on July 16. Key Bank says customers will receive a conversion kit to help them understand the transition. Customers should continue using their current accounts and credit, ATM, and debit cards until then.