HSBC introduces dedicated zones to China, Taiwan customers

Section will offer account opening, financial planning and other banking transaction facilities.

HSBC has set up exclusive sections in selected branches in Hong Kong to cater primarily for new and existing customers visiting from mainland China and Taiwan. Located within selected Premier Centres and banking halls, the sales and service zones will offer account opening, financial planning and other banking transaction facilities.

The new service will initially be established in selected HSBC locations such as Mongkok, Central, Causeway Bay and Hong Kong International Airport, according to HSBC in a release on Wednesday.

The dedicated zones within the Premier Centres and the main banking halls will feature signage in simplified Chinese and will offer information on Hong Kong tourism, the property market and the Capital Investment Entrants Scheme. The new areas will be manned by specially-trained sales and service teams who are Putonghua-speakers. In the Premier Centre, customers can use the lounge area, as well as private meeting rooms, for face-to-face financial consultations and internet banking.

According to a recent survey on Greater China customers, conducted by OracleAddedValue for HSBC, wealth diversification is a main financial goal among mainland Chinese respondents. Hong Kong is seen as a key destination where they are willing to allocate 20 to 30 percent of their assets for wealth management purposes and to capture opportunities in global stocks and mutual funds. Taiwanese respondents view the Mainland as a key hub for education and conducting business activities whilst Hong Kong is seen as instrumental to wealth management.

The recent HSBC Affluent Tracker characterised the affluent in mainland China and Taiwan as among the savviest investors in the region. The majority of mainland Chinese (70%) and Taiwanese (61%) affluent reported a rise in their net worth from April to September 2009. Mainland Chinese (31%) and Taiwanese (28%) affluent are also among the least risk-adverse in Asia with close to a third of respondents saying they are willing to accept greater risk in 2010. Six in ten affluent Mainlanders plan to live abroad in the next decade, with a fifth (21%) looking to live in Hong Kong.

HSBC Premier customers in mainland China and Taiwan are entitled to the same benefits enjoyed in their home countries when they come to Hong Kong or when they travel anywhere in the world. In addition to quick and efficient account opening in HKD and other currencies in Hong Kong, customers from mainland China and Taiwan can also access a range of tailored international banking services including RMB products and special offers.