Bangkok--24 Jul--HSBC HSBC in Thailand is aiming to double the size of its Premier Customer base through a new and exciting promotion scheme: ‘Grow My Wealth’. A series of rewards offer new customers a raft of benefits and privileges when opening either a Bill of Exchange or Premier Time Deposit account. The ‘Cr?me de la cr?me’ reward is an enjoyable 12% extra cash back on interest income on these accounts. To qualify, new customers are required to deposit at least 4 million baht - for a minimum of four months. Wichit Phayuhanaveechai, Head of Personal Financial Services, HSBC in Thailand, said: “To thank our new Premium Customers for choosing to trust in HSBC, we will offer them a world of rewards via a comprehensive ‘Grow My Wealth’ promotion scheme.” He continued … “Let’s start with a cash credit, or voucher equivalent, to 12% of total interest at maturity date when they open a Bill of Exchange or an HSBC Premier Time Deposit account.” The promotion is valid from now until 31 October 2008. Moreover, new HSBC Premier Customers will be entitled to earn additional privileges as follows: - A valuable gift for every new customer opening an HSBC Premier account with a minimum deposit of 3 million baht - A cash credit, or gift voucher, worth 1,200 baht for every additional HSBC product (excluding Time Deposit Account and/or Bill of Exchange) with a 4 million baht investment for at least four months - A cash credit, or gift voucher, worth 2,000 baht for a minimum total investment of 3 million baht in six HSBC products (excluding ATM, Personal Telephone Banking, and Personal Internet Banking) within the first month - A cash credit, or gift voucher, worth 1,200 baht for a current Premier customer who successfully refers a friend or relative to open an HSBC Premier account. Additionally, for every 3 successful referrals, a 1.9 gram gold necklace valued 1,800 baht will be given “The campaign is aimed at attracting new customers, and has a target of doubling our premier client base by year end. At present, the domestic premium banking business in Thailand has more room to grow as the number of High Net-Worth individuals in our country has expanded to 160,000. This group of people is growing 20% year-on-year and, on a worldwide basis, now accounts for a total of 200 million people. These affluent people have international and mobile lifestyles, and are looking for support in international financial services and wealth management. Thus, they need a range of comprehensive services from banks having a large international network, such as HSBC can offer,” said Mr. Wichit. Mr. Wichit added that competition within the wealth management market is fierce — and intensifying - with competitive offers across a broad range of products which are combined with high returns. During rising interest cycles — such as that we are now facing - short-term fixed income investments are likely to become more popular among customers. HSBC is thus offering its customers investment options tailored to meet their individual risk/reward profile. He also viewed that, in the near future, customers depositing large sums of money in fixed accounts, may be allowed the option to adjust their portfolio by diversifying into other financial products; this is in light of the impending Deposit Insurance Act, whereby their cash deposit may be above the level that will be mandatory insured. HSBC Premier, the first truly global personal banking service, offers a seamless international banking service to mass affluent customers. For a minimum investment of 3 million baht, HSBC Premier customers will experience a truly international banking service, offering such products as opening overseas accounts, foreign exchange discounts, international funds transfer and wealth management. HSBC Premier serves over 2 million customers worldwide, through over 290 international Premier Centers in 39 countries and territories - plus five HSBC Premier Offshore centers in Jersey, Hong Kong, Singapore, Miami, and Dubai. Premier customers in Thailand are automatically granted the same Premier status wherever they go. For more information, please contact HSBC Premier Centre at 02 614 4747