Frequently Asked QuestionsIndexClose
Transferring Money

Can I make transfers to anyone I choose?
Yes, as long as you know the full bank account details of the person or company to whom you want to send money. You can transfer funds to HSBC accounts and to accounts held with other banks, both in Hong Kong and overseas. To make a Renminbi transfer to mainland China, please refer to the "Renminbi Service" section for the relevant restriction.

There are two fund transfer options available to you. If you wish to transfer larger amounts on a regular basis, you can register account details and set a transaction limit up to HKD3million for each Registered Account. For ad hoc transfers of smaller value, you can use the Non-registered transfer facility (please note that you are required to activate this service prior to use). The maximum amount of funds that you can transfer via the automated banking channels to non-registered third party accounts is HKD400,000 per day. You can also set sub-limit for each automated banking channel up to HKD400,000 for Personal Internet Banking and local ATM, and HKD50,000 for phone banking and overseas ATM to suit your needs. To check the limit you have requested or view instructions on how to activate this service, please go to 'Maintain My Details' and select 'View and Set Transaction Limits' option.

Can I make transfers in foreign currency?
Yes. You can make Foreign Currency Transfers to or from a Foreign Currency Account. To make a transfer either in a Foreign Currency or to a Foreign Currency account in Hong Kong, simply select the service you require from the options listed on the 'Transfers - Hong Kong' page and choose your required currency from the currency options shown. When transferring money to an overseas account, you can select the currency you wish to transfer funds in using the currency menu displayed on the transfer instructions page.

Can I make transfers to overseas accounts?
Yes. You have two options for sending money overseas.
If you wish to transfer larger amounts on a regular basis, you can register account details and set a transaction limit up to HKD3million for each Registered Account. For ad hoc transfers of smaller value, you can use the Non-registered transfer facility (please note that you are required to activate this service prior to use). The maximum amount of funds that you can transfer via the automated banking channels to non-registered third party accounts is HKD400,000 per day. You can also set sub-limit for each automated banking channel up to HKD400,000 for Personal Internet Banking and local ATM, and HKD50,000 for phone banking and overseas ATM to suit your needs. To check the limit you have requested or view instructions on how to activate this service, please go to 'Maintain My Details' and select 'View and Set Transaction Limits' option.

Is there any charge for making a transfer through HSBC Personal Internet Banking?
Making Hong Kong dollar or Renminbi transfers to most of the banks in Hong Kong is free*.

Making foreign currency or Renminbi transfers to some Hong Kong banks will be charged HKD50. The amount will be confirmed on the Instruction Acknowledgement, which you will see in the Personal Internet Banking message centre.

For overseas funds transfers, there is a service charge of HKD50. For Renminbi Telegraphic Transfer to HSBC Group / branches in mainland China through Personal Internet Banking, the service charge is waived. For overseas funds transfers via HSBC Global Transfers, the service is free for HSBC Premier Elite, HSBC Premier and HSBC One customers making online transfers to their own overseas HSBC accounts (including joint accounts).

Please note that receiving banks (both local and overseas) may impose additional charges, you can contact them directly about their fees.

* There is no charge from us if you pay money to, or receive money from accounts from other banks via FPS, but other banks may have different charging policies.

What is a Registered Account?
This is a useful feature if you often have to make transfers of a larger amount (for example, pay school fees) to the same third-party account. For your own protection you are required to register these transfer accounts by submitting a request form to any HSBC branch in Hong Kong. Once the Registered Account has been set up, simply choose the 'Registered Account' option when making your transfer request and select your required account you wish to transfer funds to.

How can I set up a Registered Account?
You may set up registered account via Internet banking with our new Security Device/Mobile Security Key. Alternatively, you may complete and sign a Registered Account Request Form. You can obtain a form from any branch of HSBC, or simply download a copy by going to the 'View and Maintain Registered Transfer Accounts' page under the 'Maintain My Details' option.
Remarks: If the account you are going to register is an integrated account (with the account suffix of 833, 838 or 888), please input the account number with suffix of 833, 838 or 888 to complete the registration. After successful registration, you can select all accounts in this integrated account (including Hong Kong Dollar and other 11 common foreign currencies) in each transfer.

How many Registered Accounts can I set up?
You can set up as many Registered Accounts as you wish.

Can I vary the amount I send to a Registered Account?
Yes. The amount you send to a Registered Account can vary each time you make a transfer, up to the maximum limit you have requested for that Registered Account.

What do I have to do to add or delete a Registered Account?
You can view the details of your Registered Accounts and also add or delete accounts online via Internet banking service with our new Security Device/Mobile Security Key. Alternatively, to add accounts to your portfolio, you may complete the 'Internet Banking Registered Transfer Account - Limit Increase and Maintenance Request Form' and submit to any HSBC branch for processing. Full details are available from the 'View and Maintain Registered Transfer Accounts' page under 'Maintain My Details' option.

What do I need to do if I want to change my Registered account transfer limit?
If you want to lower your registered account transfer limit, you can do so via 'View and Maintain Registered Transfer Accounts' under 'Maintain My Details' after logging on to Personal Internet Banking.
If you want to raise your registered account transfer limit, you can do so via 'View and Maintain Registered Transfer Accounts' after successful transaction signing with your PIN-protected Security Device/Mobile Security Key; or you can submit a completed 'Internet Banking Transaction Limit Increase Request Form' to any HSBC branch in Hong Kong.

Can I set up a transfer for a particular date in the future?
Yes, up to 45 days in advance. This is a useful feature if, for example, you need to make a transfer at some point in the future, but are worried you may forget to do so if you leave it until the due date. Or perhaps you are going on holiday and wish to sort out all your transfers and payments before you leave. Simply select the appropriate date from the 'Transfer on' pull-down menu, and we will automatically make the transfer for you on that date.

What happens if I have set up a transfer for a future date, but on that date I don't have enough funds in my account to cover the transfer?
In this case, the transfer will not be made. We will inform you by email that we have been unable to make the transfer for you. We strongly recommend that customers check their HSBC Internet Banking email on the actual transfer day to confirm the status of the transfer request.

Why do I receive a different format of Payment Reference Number for Telegraphic Transfer and Real-time Interbank Payment (RTGS)?
Outward Payment
We have enhanced our payments process system to improve our remittance services. Starting from 11 January 2009, there are new reference numbers for Telegraphic Transfer and Real-time Interbank Payment processing.
The format of the reference number is changed as follows:

Before 11 January 2009 From 11 January 2009
Outward payments by Telegraphic Transfer
Format: TT HKHnnnnnn
( nnnnnn = 6-digit reference number )
Outward payments by Telegraphic Transfer
and
Outward payments via Real-time Interbank Payment


Format: HK1ddmmyxxxxxxxx
<ddmmy = Process date>
<xxxxxxxx = 8-character reference>

Example (1): a payment submitted on 22 January 2009 via a Branch in Hong Kong may have a reference number HK122019HKH10070

Example (2): a payment submitted on 22 August 2009 via HSBC Internet Banking may have a reference number HK122089PI001900
Outward payments via Real-time Interbank Payment
Format: CHATSnnnnnn
( nnnnnn = 6-digit reference number )

Please refer to Enhancement to Telegraphic Transfer and Real-time Interbank Payment for more details.

Inward Payment
The new set of payment reference for Inward real-time interbank payment and Inward telegraphic transfer payment crediting your Hong Kong domiciled account is introduced in phases starting from 18 Jan and 12 Jul 2010 respectively.
The format of the reference number is changed as follows:

Existing payment reference number format New Payment reference number format
Inward payments by Telegraphic Transfer
Format: TT nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
(nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn - 20 alphanumeric reference number including space)
Inward payments by Telegraphic Transfer and Inward payments via Real-time Interbank Payment

Format: HK1ddmmynnnnnnnn
<ddmmy = Process date>
<nnnnnnnn = 8 alphanumeric reference number>

Example (1): A reference number HK12501012345678 is denoted a payment received on 25 January 2010

Example (2): A reference number HK1250706E3SDXFK is denoted a payment received on 25 July 2010
Inward payments via Real-time Interbank Payment
Format: nnnnnnn
(nnnnnnn = 7-digit reference number)

Top

IndexClose