Getting proof of address to open Hong Kong HSBC account

Posted by roder_mackenzie (20 days ago)

My wife and I live and work in Shanghai and have work permits. We wish to open an HSBC account in Hong Kong. We need to show Hong Kong HSBC a proof of address in Shanghai. Can you give any advicee on:
1) my landlord's utility bills in my name and another in my partner's name
2) and/ or get our lease agreement stamped by local municipality to get proof(s) of address
2) Or can we just get bank of China or one of our other local banks (Construction etc.) to issue us with a bank statement with our address

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by omaharrison (20 days ago)

All three are fine as far as I know. I used a mobile phone bill for that.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by roder_mackenzie (20 days ago)

Thanks, but I think I worded my query a bit badly. I am trying to get advice now on HOW to get these documents. Our chinese Landlady says it is impossible for me to get the utility bills into my name for reasons beyond my comprehension, heck, I pay them. She might not get the tax stamp done for my lease agreement because, - as I have subsequently discovered - she perhaps does not want to declare the rent as tax : ) . Now I am going to try either getting another phone line installed with our names on it and get the banks to issue us with statements (we dont get statements. Anyway I am told things are a lot more commonsensical in Hong Kong. But as for Shanghai...........but thanks anyway

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by omaharrison (20 days ago)

Ahhhh, LOL
OK, well basically as far as I know you can use any letter addressed to you and/or your wife which has your home address on it. It can be any type of bill like electricity, water etc or even if you have an insurance policy and they sent you a letter and so on.
Basically, I think any letter apart from friends and family ;-)
As you said about your landlady, maybe the easiest and cheapest thing to do is just to ask the bank to print you a statement with your names and address on it. I am sure they asked for one when you openend your account with them so now it's their turn to issue one as well. :-p
Good luck.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by roder_mackenzie (19 days ago)

Okay let's see....not always that easy in Shanghai and my last three accounts I opened I was not required to give a proof of address (astonishing) with the local banks (Bank of China, Bank of construction etc... before I go in with my lousy grasp of Chinese and wait in a long queue I want to make sure. HSBC is an international bank where you can use your card globally, mainland banks are only for use in China.....
I freelance and each company works with a different bank and they have not got to the level where you can have any bank account. if you want them toi deposit your salary into an account, and they are with Shanghai Pudong Development bank, then you have to open a Shanghai Pudong Development bank account. So my wife and I have about five accounts, and one we will have to change to another bank because that company is changing to that bank............. it is actually handy for saving, ie we use one account for monthly expenses and don't touch the others

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by omaharrison (19 days ago)

I'll tell you something. When we came to HK we came with a quite a bit of cash but also lived in the beginning with the in-laws so we had no bills for proof of address for my wife to open an account as a local. So, at start they refused to take our money and open one. It was rediculous as we didnt ask for any credit or even credit cards, just an account so we won't have to hold all the cash under the matress, LOL.
I think your best bet is to do what we did and it was resolved within less than 48 hours. Send the HSBC costumer service an e-mail https://www.hsbc.com.hk/1/2/hk/personal/contact-us/email-us
I think they will be able to help you much more than myself.
Good luck

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by roder_mackenzie (19 days ago)

Well, I did email HSBC and the response I got was that we have to provide a proof of address. What led to you successfully opening an HSBC account? Did they just say okay, go ahead and the problem was solved in 48 hours without a proof of address? I will try the above email as well that you have given.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by omaharrison (19 days ago)

We were very very very angry in our mail to them. When one wished to take a loan or credit card or any other commitment to the bank, then it's understandable that they wish to see a proof of address, eventhough if one wishes he can fake one as well. But when I just want money to go in and no overdraft facility than they shouldn't be so strict. This was our approach. It depends which clerk sees your mail. They are the biggest bank in the world, ask them to tell you how the heck are you suppose to get one LOL. It's hard when dealing with people who refuse to see things just a bit out of the box, but nothing is immposible.
on a different note, Can't the BOC give you a print out of your details with your home address on it?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by roder_mackenzie (19 days ago)

Thanks a lot for all your advice! Yes, i have now sent them a very firm, angry "stop being so ridiculous letter. I will get there! No need to reply but thanks for your time. I intend to go to BOC to do just that(but, ironically, in situation like this in China, I do adopt the HSBC philosophy they use as a slogan: "Assume nothing"! How the heck can they not send me bank statements to my address if I ask for them? But you .... have to.... assume nothing.). I have just finished a memoir of my three years living in China and there was no shortage of funny, frustrating and off the wall material. But I do love the place too. Easy work, nice lifestyle.

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by ppatio (19 days ago)

The "proof of address" requirement was imposed in 2006 by the HK Monetary Authority. The purpose is to limit international money laundering activities in HK (fat chance).

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by roder_mackenzie (18 days ago)

Oh yeah, I know! But getting a proof is surely not that difficult.... if I wanted to I could get a phone line installed in a friend's apartment and have the bills sent there in my name.... and off you go. So I will just get another phone line installed in our home and use that (our landlady refuses to change the utilities into our name for reasons best known to .... I dunno). But I am getting there.... we have official proofs of address issued by the Chinese police, required by Chinese law.... at first HSBC refused to accept this as a proof of address (!!??!!) but now they are changing their minds after I pointed out how ridiculous this is.... they just want me to scan it in and email them a copy to see if it is okay.... but thanks

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by mark_larsen2 (18 days ago)

Let me tell you why your landlady does not want to change the name in the utility bills. That will proof she is renting her place = she will need to pay taxes on that.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by ppatio (17 days ago)

Another reason may be that she can turn off the utilities if you don't pay your rent.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by roder_mackenzie (17 days ago)

To mark Larsen and Ppatio, OH AHA!! thanks, that all makes sense now..... but HSBC will look at my police proof of residence when I get a chance to scan in and send... and I will also apply for another personal phone line in my name which can be done and also get my local banks to send me statements (that does not happen automatically in China) and I hope they willl.... but I do adopt HSBC's approach "assume nothing".

(I am based in Shanghai)

Posted by gdbill (11 days ago)

China Telecom will not allow installation of a phone line in a residence unless the owner agrees.

All utilities in China operate the same: no matter who is supposed to pay the bill, if the bill is not paid the home owner is liable. That is why your landlord would be crazy to put them in your name -- even if she could.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by roder_mackenzie (10 days ago)

Thanks. its all crazy but we are just going to open mobile phone accounts instead of pay as you go cards. Have established they will send us bills to our address with our names in English on.
But we did also establish telecom would put in a line.. but the several hundred rmb deposit just for a proof of address was not worth it.....

(I am based in Shanghai)