I´m not sure what HSBC´s position is supposed to mean, other than the fact that they are all over the world. However, I´ve just found out that this position doesn´t benefit me in the slightest. It costs me more to use my HSBC card in an HSBC bank abroad than it does to use my Nationwide card in exactly the same HSBC cash point. On every withdrawal it is about 5 quid more. Work that one out.