Doha - HSBC has created the first truly global personal banking service for the world's 200 million affluent1 and internationally mobile consumers, a press release issued by HSBC said yesterday.
Rolled out simultaneously across 35 countries and territories, HSBC Premier is the most comprehensive global banking and wealth management service ever devised. Breaking down international barriers, Premier offers seamless cross-border banking and the promise that customers can, for the first time, take their accounts, credit history and banking relationships with them wherever they choose to live and work.
Premier customers have access to 250 international Premier Centres, cited in major cities around the world, and more than 6,000 branches with Premier service points. Each location will have access to all the information needed to serve customers and provide local advisory services.
Michael Geoghegan, Group Chief Executive, HSBC said: "We estimate there are around 200 million mass affluent consumers in the world today and that number is growing rapidly, by as much as 20 per cent a year."
Lucy Havard-Williams, Area Manager of Personal Financial Services, at HSBC Qatar, said: "With a heritage of over a century in the Middle East, and over 50 years in Qatar, backed with an unrivalled global presence, HSBC is perfectly positioned to play a leading part in the further development of our services and enhancement of our offerings all across the Middle East."
HSBC Premier is targeted towards international customers, which means for example that a Premier customer from Doha can walk into an HSBC branch in Dubai, London, Mumbai or Beirut and be recognised as a Premier customer immediately and given full priority assistance. This includes connecting to their home Relationship Manager, or call centre, use of the Premier lounge, advice on the local area by a local manager, and emergency services such as cash encashment and next day credit card replacement. Premier customers will have a single global view of their bank accounts with HSBC on Internet banking and free fund transfers between accounts and they will have the ability to open overseas bank accounts from their home country with the transfer of credit history.
"HSBC Premier turns our global reach into practical use for our customers, and truly reflects our position as the "World's Local Bank". Our Premier customers will be able to enjoy recognition across the HSBC global network and receive the same level of superb service that they are used to receiving at home", added Gita Menon, Senior Manager Premier, Qatar.
© The Peninsula 2007
