HSBC launches world's local bank account in Poland

25 June 2008

* Three Premier branches in Warsaw already open *
* Over two million HSBC Premier account holders around the world *
* Half a million potential customers in Poland *

HSBC officially enters the Polish retail banking market today with the launch of its global personal banking service, HSBC Premier, which has now been rolled out in a total of 39 countries and territories.

HSBC Premier offers seamless cross-border banking with 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 may also open accounts in different countries and have synchronised access to them. They can transfer funds between the accounts for free, make payments or invest.

To date, HSBC has opened over 290 international Premier Centres, situated in major cities around the world, and more than 8,500 branches with Premier service points.

The new service will be available to all customers who place savings or investments worth at least PLN150,000 (circa US$70,000) with the bank. Premier customers in Poland are automatically granted the same Premier status everywhere they go.

Guy Hamilton, Head of Central and Eastern Europe, HSBC Bank plc, said: "We estimate there are more than 200 million mass affluent consumers in the world, of which around 500,000 ⁽¹⁾ live and work in Poland. These customers are highly mobile, sophisticated and knowledgeable. HSBC, with a presence in 83 countries and territories, is the only bank in the world that can provide them with the seamless international service they need."

To support Premier customers, HSBC has built a Global Training Academy, providing almost 6,000 HSBC Premier Relationship Managers around the world with the necessary training and accreditation so that they are fully ready to provide the new services on offer from day one. 

HSBC Premier at a glance:

Ability to pre-open overseas accounts in the home country and transfer credit history

• HSBC Premier Current account:
  - Accounts in local and foreign currencies: EUR, USD; (GBP to follow soon)
  - No monthly fee on any of the current accounts
  - Access to cash worldwide at any Cirrus, Maestro or MasterCard ATM machines worldwide, free from any HSBC fees, when using the Premier International Debit Card
  - An overdraft limit of PLN10,000 when opening an HSBC Premier Account, with no arrangement fees
  - 24-hour Premier Telephone and Internet Banking
  - SMS Alert service
  - Global emergency assistance
  - Free HSBC Premier debit card (MasterCard)
• HSBC Premier credit card (no annual fees included, gives access to emergency assistance). It also gives free membership to the HSBC Rewards Programme, whilst the Home&Away Programme encourages customers to visit almost 40 countries and to enjoy exclusive offers and privileges at over 3600 restaurants, hotels, stores and spas worldwide
• A single view of all accounts held with HSBC globally via the Internet that allows the customer to manage all their accounts, whichever country they are in, through a single website
• Transfer of funds between the HSBC Premier accounts free of charge through online banking
• Emergency assistance- in case of the loss of cash or cards, the bank will provide an emergency replacement credit card within the next day. Also local currency to the equivalent of US$1,000 in cash will be provided at the nearest HSBC branch
• Wealth Management services with regular market information for retail investors, access to HSBC International Select Fund offering different risk levels as well as to HSBC Global Investment Funds, with a variety of global investment funds including BRIC, Global Emerging Markets, and major economies and asset classes around the world
• One globally accessible number 1-908-PREMIER for emergency assistance
• Access to a relationship manager who provides dedicated 1-on-1 service
• A high interest rate saving account
• Term deposit (PLN, USD or EUR) with no monthly fees

Mariusz Kostera, Head of Personal Finance Services, HSBC Bank Polska, said:  "Globalization changes both business and social habits. More and more people, including Poles, lead an international, mobile lifestyle. It has an impact both on their professional behaviour as well as on the way they spend their leisure time. Polish business people and citizens travelling abroad are looking for far more support and help from their bank in international financial services and wealth management."

He continued: "HSBC Premier responds to these needs by offering the first truly global personal banking and wealth management service, including investment opportunities. The global presence of HSBC is its huge competitive advantage." 

Media inquires:

Neil Brazil
HSBC Holdings plc
+44 20 7992 1572
neilbrazil@hsbc.com

Małgorzata Kowalska
HSBC Bank Polska S.A.
+22 314 02 18  małgorzata.kowalska@hsbc.com

⁽¹⁾ Source: Datamonitor

HSBC Bank Polska S.A.
HSBC Bank Polska S.A. is part of HSBC Group, one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations with more than 10,000 offices in 84 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. HSBC Bank Polska focuses on corporate banking, treasury services, investment and retail banking.

HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc serves over 128 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$2,354 billion at 31 December 2007, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.