1. Application
2. Online Aptitude Assessment
3. Video Interview
4. ???
First is just applying. The basic business, filling out forms, etc. Actually better than most other banks.
The second too is pretty standard. Just questions like any other banks: what would you do in work scenarios, etc. Rank these responses in order of how likely you'd do them. Mostly fine.
The third however is where this gets ugly. I don't personally have a computer or laptop with a webcam, but the email they send you is implicit in that it needs to be a computer/laptop, not listing any other devices as acceptable.
I messaged the graduate recruitment team (if you can call it that) if I could use my mobile instead, or if there was an alternate option for someone without a webcam. The responder, who I'll call "G" for anonymity, instead ignores my question, only restating a webcam is needed. This went on for another couple of emails, with "G" ignoring the question each and every time, restating the fact that yes, a computer or laptop is needed.
Keep in mind that there was a 7-day deadline for doing said video interview, and I had messaged "G"'s team before the deadline. With her dilly-dallying, the deadline had long passed, and I had to withdraw my application.
To be frank, this seems like a case of blatant discrimination because I couldn't drop however many pounds on short notice on webcam or laptop. The graduate team should be ashamed; despite claiming to be flexible on support to applicants, the exact opposite was shown by their team member with questionable English abilities.
I've been an HSBC customer for perhaps more than a decade now. I can confirm that after this I am looking to change banks given the appalling behaviour of their employee(s).