Canadians cannot trade stocks online?

Hello,


I am a Canadian resident, working in Hong Kong full time for over a year, and part-time for 8 years. I have a working visa valid for two years and I have a HK ID card.


I have started a limited company last month and just received all the documents from the government.


Yesterday, I went to open a commercial account at HSBC and I was told that Canadian and American citizens are not allowed to activate the online trading feature of HSBC's website. I looked at the FAQ section of HSBC's website and came accross the following:


In compliance with US/Canadian securities dealing restrictions, the Bank does not open accounts for securities and unit trust trading services to any customers who are US/Canadian nationals, and/or either working for the US/Canadian Embassy in Hong Kong, or who are in the US/Canadian military service.


So my question is, Since I am a HK resident, I pay taxes and adhere to an MPF here, does this rule still apply? I know a lot of Americans and Canadians trade stocks online, how do you guys do it?


Regards,


Pat

Try another bank or broker maybe its just HSBC that just wont do it , I'm sure Canadian and US citizens can trade stocks, that restriction sounds ridiculous to me and very dubious, besides for trading any financial asset, HSBC is not the best broker out there you should try others anyway