Was I discriminated against?

[blacklabel868]

It seems like most would rather bash me rather than respond like professionals. I thought things were done differently here. I won’t take the time to respond to individual posts but a lot of it was uncalled for. Why I have accounts at certain banks and why I wanted to bank with Shacom is besides the point and irrelevant. The questioned I raised was whether or not I was discriminated against. I was not the stereotypical angry foreigner and did not scream and shout to get my way… quite the opposite. I spoke to the officer politely and they did give me the option to open a savings account before I had left the branch.

After further discussions with the branch manager, I stated I would like to know more about their policies should I decide to bank with them. I was told by the BM that the bank will open savings accounts for anyone whether you have a HKID or not (with the exception of those from a few countries). He stated that a savings account could simply be opened with a passport. I asked why I was refused to open a savings account initially when a current account was not an option and I was told that it was merely a misunderstanding and he would better train his staff to prevent a repeat of the incident. I asked more about the referral and other polices… I was told that internal guidelines are in place and decisions are made on a case by case basis. What those guidelines are however is not clear.

My best guess is that the officer initially might have thought I am a National of a country that the bank does not open an account for… although we will never really know. Obviously, no bank will admit to discrimination. They do however realize a mistake was made and they are rectifying it.

Yes, banks did require introductions in the 80s – but that was 30 years ago and AFAIK, today, no bank in Hong Kong requires a reference from an existing client in order to open a mere deposit (savings account). Bear in mind that I was not applying for a credit facility of any kind. Even BOC has retracted on their 6 month – no check rule. HSB has never imposed a restriction on my account from day 1.

I imagine that banks with such policies still in place still believe that Frank Abagnale can still kite checks and that Pan Am still flies planes. Lol.

[JaredHK]

This has always been the practice of banks here since the late 80's so I don't see why they should bend the rules for you. Perhaps you should move back to India as I can assure you that the US is even worse as far as discrimination towards Indians.

[blacklabel868]

This has always been the practice of banks here since the late 80's so I don't see why they should bend the rules for you. Perhaps you should move back to India as I can assure you that the US is n worse as far as discrimination towards Indians.

I was born and raised in the US and have lived there all my life up until several years ago. I have never lived in India. Discrimination is everywhere but your remarks are unwarranted.

I am done replying to this thread.

[MovingIn07]

Banks in HK are basically staffed by incompetant idiots. It's a wonder they do any business at all. I don't know why you'd want to have any more accounts here than you need to, given how hard they are to manage and how awful the customer service is! Don't worry about it - they treat pretty much everyone equally badly.

[JaredHK]

Discrimination is everywhere <<

Very true so why bother with something this minor? This is the way things are done here in HK....Just wait till you have to deal with cell phone, cable, credit card companies and landlords.

but your remarks are unwarranted.<<
I don't really care what you think. If its such a big deal and bothers you so much ....you do have a choice to get used to it or leave.

[Freetrader]

My two cents...blacklabel you had a bad experience (of a type that is very common in HK) and took it personally which is understandable -- but it almost certainly had nothing to do with your ethnicity. So, take it in stride and move on.

If you want to feel discriminated against in HK, try being a Filipino.

[UK/HKboy]

banks discriminate when you look like a tramp too.

i normally go in on saturday mornings when im not working and wear flip flops, shorts, vests etc. having jus woken up. The attitude of those helping customers and the bank teller is very passive, until they pull up your account details and if you have alot of money there, they normally give you tea, get their financial advisors out and try to sell you some crap you probably do not need.

so it's not just race... its status and wealth as well.

[aliendavid1]

banks discriminate when you look like a tramp too.

i normally go in on saturday mornings when im not working and wear flip flops, shorts, vests etc. having jus woken up. The attitude of those helping customers and the bank teller is very passive, until they pull up your account details and if you have alot of money there, they normally give you tea, get their financial advisors out and try to sell you some crap you probably do not need.

so it's not just race... its status and wealth as well.

sounds about right, almost everywhere in the world will treat you better if you have alot of money and status.

[ALAU]

Actually, I would say EVERYWHERE in the world would treat you better if you have a lot of money and status and they know about it. If not, if you dress (or behave) like a million dollars, it will still work.

I am not saying discrimination does not exist in Hong Kong. But even for the people within the largest ethnic group here, i.e. Han Chinese, if you walk into any service company (banks, shops, whatever) and you dress in a sharp suit or you carry a LV bag and wear Manolos, chances are you will get very good service. A billionaire wearing flip flops, a sweaty vest and shorts won't. However, if you speak fluent and loud Putonghua with a North-Eastern accent, you will get wonderful service whatever you are wearing, a ha.

[Claire ex-ax]

Perhaps the bank doesn't want to service Americans...

Toxic Citizens

American expatriates are fast becoming the world's financial refugees. Onerous legislation from the U.S. government is making it too difficult – and too expensive – for banks to service U.S. citizens that live abroad