SCB - Got a credit card, but can't open account?

Grinnie Jax · 09-08-2022, 12:10 PM

I have a weird situation. ~2 month ago I applied for credit card with Standard Chartered bank - Q-Credit card through AlipayHK. They called me, asked for the docs - I sent them and got quickly approved. I've been using this card as my main card since then - for shopping, grocery, transport throgh AlipayHK. So far was happy with all that coupon stuff.

Decided to check in details on my account - and found that I don't have any.. Anyway, I am not an expert in finance, but how may I have a credit card with SCB, but no account? How does it all settle?

Okay, went to closes SCB branch in Sai Kung. They confirmed that I don't have an account with their bank. I asked how may have a credit card but no account - but they had no clear answer (or I did not get them).

Anyway, I said I want to open an account. They took all my docs and I the lady went away for ~40 mins (no joking). Then she returned said sorry and went again for another ~20 mins. Then she came and asked whether I showed my passport (I am Belarusian) or HKID when applying for a credit card. I said HKID. She asked who was I am talking to - I said dealt over the phone. She took my passport and went again for ~30 mins. Then she came back and said sorry - need to discuss, consult, something about senior staff. I asked whether I will be contacted by phone - YES.

Ok, got their call today - sorry, we can't open an account. Mind you - I applied for simplest account, not gold or anything! I asked why - sorry can't tell. I ask how may I have a credit card w/o account - sorry sorry no explanation. I ask whether I can still use my credit card - sorry sorry no explanation. Seems like working by now.

What should I do in such situation? Using bank's card but not having account there seems weird to me..

shri · 09-08-2022, 12:16 PM

Just continue using the card ... you can pay however you want. I'd not worry about it.

FYI - SCB has been weird with us for years... (15 years ago) had a mortgage with them, when other banks were offering better rates we asked them if they'll match "computer says no". Once our mortgage got approved somewhere else and we asked them to transfer a senior manager called and asked what they could do to retain us... "fuck all... its too late!"

We still have a functional account which is used for lots of random expenses. Applied for a Asia Miles CC and made the mistake of saying "self employed" and they wanted my company P&L .. not happy with the salary I take from the company. The application has been in pending status for well over 3-4 months.

My opinion - use and abuse them for whatever you need. In the mean time, if you really do want to open an account go to a larger branch, preferably one where they are used to dealing with a range of expats (would have thought Sai Kung would know how to do it...)

drumbrake · 09-08-2022, 12:20 PM

Very common to have a credit card from a bank but not have a bank account with the bank. I have a HSBC credit card (useful for various offers in HK), but no bank account with HSBC.

I pay the balance of my HSBC credit card from another bank account (set up a direct debit).

Trebor · 09-08-2022, 12:22 PM

Could the account being declined be due to your Belarusian passport? Have they not put sanctions on Belarus as well as Russia?

Standard Chartered is a British bank.

For what it's worth i also have a Standard Chartered credit card but no account with them.

Grinnie Jax · 09-08-2022, 12:22 PM

Thanks - that makes me feel kinda better now. I was thinking is it only me having such weird experience with that bank. Anyway, I'll probably keep using the card if they don't block it. BTW - their main branch is 4-4A Des Voeux Road Central, right?

Grinnie Jax · 09-08-2022, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by drumbrake:

Very common to have a credit card from a bank but not have a bank account with the bank. I have a HSBC credit card (useful for various offers in HK), but no bank account with HSBC.

I pay the balance of my HSBC credit card from another bank account (set up a direct debit).

Highly likely. Anyway if that is the case - I will probably argue with them, because I don't agree with it. Belarus people have no guilt in this war - we never supported neither our occupation by Russia, nor Ukrainian occupation.

Trebor · 09-08-2022, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Grinnie Jax:

Highly likely. Anyway if that is the case - I will probably argue with them, because I don't agree with it. Belarus people have no guilt in this war - we never supported neither our occupation by Russia, nor Ukrainian occupation.

Appreciate that, and it's clear from your posts on here how you feel about the situation. However a large number of Russians also don't agree with it but the point of sanctions is to put pressure on the governments to stop whatever it is they are doing that has caused the sanctions in the first place. impacting the general populace is a method of getting them to put pressure on their own governments.

I know it's a shitty situation

Trebor · 09-08-2022, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Grinnie Jax:

Thanks - that makes me feel kinda better now. I was thinking is it only me having such weird experience with that bank. Anyway, I'll probably keep using the card if they don't block it. BTW - their main branch is 4-4A Des Voeux Road Central, right?

Yes that is their main building. Next to HSBC

Grinnie Jax · 09-08-2022, 12:40 PM

You can put a pressure on democratic government; not on an occupational government which is based on a terror of population. Instead of forcing sanctions on dictators, they remove instruments from the people who are really patriots of their countries and want them free from tyranny. So if they close all my accounts - I will be forced to go back, right? Otherwise - how to work and live? I just don't get it..

MABinPengChau · 09-08-2022, 02:25 PM

The weirdness of HK banks is well-documented on other threads (especially when trying to open business accounts, that's a whole other story). I had trouble opening with HSBC when I came, but Standard Chartered took me (although, over ten years later, would not open a business account). Now, since the US has so many compliance issues, no one wants to deal with Americans- in your case, could be they have your country down as being money launderers, any lame reason, true or not. Just move on...not worth fighting to open a bank account.