Based on itchy kitchin's post and my own personal experience it would be fair to say that the response you'll get whilst visiting HSBC will vary greatly depending on which branch you go to.
In my case I didn't wear a suit, in fact I'd just come straight out of a lecture from uni, and I certainly didn't have my own pad for security. My business plan was far from being a fancy report although it did include all the relevant facts and was well thought out as to what information they would require. However, what I did show them was my future letter of employment with the MoD indicating that I'd have the ability to pay back the loan. And that's what it comes down to-will you be able to repay? It's that simple. Few banks will lend you over £20000 without security regardless of what it's for. In my case I borrowed less than that and was able to have it unsecured; anything more and they asked for security from my parents.
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