I'm not too sure of the ins and outs of this but i bet somewhere down the line hsbc are profiting from this by using there selected solicitors! Big companies like to dictate things to there customers and this is just another example of that!! totally disgraceful

Iain, I get your point about their mortgages and I don't know much about it so couldn't comment, but it's a bit harsh saying it would be better if they didn't do business here at all. I would like to point out that (as another reader already has done) HSBC were on of the banks that came out of the credit crunch intact. The very fact that it is not purely based in the UK and Europe means it is a safer bet with regards to savings.

There are reports on forums such as Moneysavingexpert.com that some of the solicitors have missed Exchange and Completion dates which have caused house sales chains to collapse.

A WARNING TO EVERYONE: DO NOT GET A MORTGAGE FROM HSBC!

HSBC really need to reconsider this decision, or better still, stop doing business in the UK altogether.

If you feel that HSBC has unfairly restricted consumer choice, sign the H M Government e petition http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/29948

Use your common sense and move to another bank and do not pursue a mortgage with a bank who carry on like this! They do not deserve the business......go where you will be valued and treated as an individual and not just a number!!!

Reply to anon re: This isn't uncommon. The Cumberland force you to use a firm in the north east or pay more.

I don't know if that is correct, I recently used the CBS for a mortgage and was free to use whoever I liked, as long as they were on their preferred list. I was happy to find numerous local companies on there, including my own solicitor in Maryport.

My family solicitors (former Mounsey's) Carlisle office was taken over by the Crutes group a decade ago. I'm aware that they undertake business from Newcastle and was told sometime ago that the office is only staffed by a solicitor some two days, or more a week.

Obviously if HSBC wants a solicitor to undertake the purchase of a home then many with now such practices being in a national/regional group will be still be available locally surely for business .... It may be a revelation but even my house deeds (to even read etc) are now stored not in Cumbria but in a what I was informed amore fire proof (and building?) vault in Northumbria. I won't be wanting our Beck ham Dog Kennel deeds drawn up just yet at over £100 a hour for professional services.

Do not take out a mortgage with them or move your existing one plus any savings and current accounts I bet they will change their mind then when enough cumbrians bank elsewhere.

There's a very simple solution to this. Get your mortgage with the Cumberland BS.

O.F.T totally toothless once again!!