Hey Mike,
As per my review -> http://www.highinterestsavings.ca/hsbc-review-djino ,
A Few weeks after signing up for the Direct Savings account, I called up and ask if they could change the hold time (as initially they were holding any deposit over $100). They were able to change it to $1000 (If my memory serves me well, I believe they may have had to do a credit check to be able to get this increase). I also got ATM Cash back daily withdraw limit to $600, Interac debit purchases to $2000 (these are daily limits).
djino
"Hope this info helps"