HSBC Premier to roll out simultaneously across 35 countries and territories
The most comprehensive global banking and wealth management service ever devised
HSBC has created the first truly global personal banking service for the world's 200 million mass affluent1 and internationally mobile consumers.
Rolled out simultaneously across 35 countries and territories2, 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. These customers are highly mobile, sophisticated and knowledgeable. HSBC, with operations in 83 markets, is the only bank in the world that could provide them with the seamless international service they need."
Lester Wynne-Jones, Regional Head of Personal Financial Services, at HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, commented: "With a heritage of over a century in the Middle East, and six decades in the UAE, 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. Premier re-launch indicates the high level of commitment that HSBC has dedicated to this core business area and our customers. We expect to continue to deliver more advanced and tailor-made solutions."
HSBC Premier is targeted towards international customers, which means for example that our Premier customer from Dubai can walk into an HSBC branch in Doha, 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 Gul Khan, Regional Head of Premier, Home Finance & PFS Insurance, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited.
To support Premier customers, HSBC has built a Global Training Academy, providing over 5,000 HSBC Premier Relationship Managers around the world, plus another 3,000 support staff with the necessary training and accreditation so that they are fully ready to provide the new services from day one.
HSBC already has over two million customer signed up for the Premier offering, but with an estimated 200 million mass affluent consumers globally and an annual growth rate of over 20 per cent, there are significant opportunities to capture further market share in this sector.
The new global Premier service brings with it a host of enhanced services, which include:
One globally accessible number 1-908-PREMIER for emergency assistance.
Ability to pre-open overseas accounts in home country and transfer credit history.
A single view of all accounts held with HSBC globally via Internet that provides the ability to manage all accounts, whichever country they are in, through a single website (in leading countries, including UAE).
Free fund transfers between accounts via online service made easier, wherever they are based, from November.
A credit card offering exclusive deals from 6,000 merchant in 40 countries.
Access to banking services and lounge facilities across 35 countries and territories.
Pre-approved mortgages (up to 60 per cent Loan-To-Value) on up to three properties, home or abroad.
Wealth Management services with consistent market information for retail investors, access to choice of HSBC /Multi-managed funds, local expertise and markets and a quarterly Best House Premier Fund.
Equal status across the Premier network with local minimum requirements waived
Access to a relationship manager who provides dedicated 1-on-1 service
-Ends-
Note to Editors:
(1) HSBC defines mass affluent as those consumers with liquid assets of between US$100,000 and US$2million
(2) Countries included in the roll-out of HSBC Premier are: UK, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Hong Kong, UAE, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Bermuda, Brunei, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jersey, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Malta, Oman, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.
HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc serves over 125 million customers worldwide through around 10,000 offices in 83 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of some US$2,150 billion at 30 June 2007, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
HSBC is the largest and most widely represented international bank in the Middle East. HSBC Bank Middle East Limited has 34 branches throughout the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Autonomous Area, including an offshore banking unit in Bahrain. This extensive regional coverage is strengthened by another member of the HSBC Group HSBC Bank Egypt SAE, and by its associated companies, The Saudi British Bank and British Arab Commercial Bank Limited. In addition to its Middle Eastern network, the Bank has a representative office in Tehran, Iran.
For further information, please contact:
Suzanne Samaan
Manager - Communications
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Dubai Internet City
Tel: +9714 3906639
Fax: +9714 3906640
Cell: +97150 6284018
Email: suzanne.samaan@hsbc.com
© Press Release 2007
