Opening a business account

[lamak]

Can someone please help me with my problem in opening a business account in HK?

I have made an appointment with HSBC but the earliest date they have given me for an appointment is 25th May 2010, which is a day before I fly out of HKG.

I have enquired with other banks but they all have an array of requirements some of which I cannot meet.

Based on your experiences can anyone recommend an esay bank to open a business account with?

We are a small startup trying to build an ecommerce business. Would appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

[charcoal]

forget about hsbc, it will be a pain in the ass afterwards in any case.
just walk into any local banks, NOT the international ones like scb or citi, bring the green box with you which they needed some docs in there, company chop, br, your id, company registration address, rental contract, plus something that may verify your home address, like an electricity bill with your name on it, that should be it. and will be done within 30 minutes. hope it helps.

[lamak]

Thank you very much for your post. I took your advice and visited a number of local banks but none of them accepted my proof of address. I have a passport and a drivers license. Unfortunately my license is not considered a form of address proof because it is not from Canada, USA, UK or Australia.

How do I overcome this? I am in HKG staying with my brother and he is a partner in my business. But the bank requires each of us to have our own proof of address.

He obviously has his. But I am having trouble. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thank you.

[PDLM]

Er, go home, get proof of address, come back, give it to them?

[lamak]

Thank you for your comments PDLM. I am getting my bank statements couriered from home, but some banks want an international bank's statement and I only have accounts with local banks. I live in a rental back home and do not have a utility bill in my name.

Lets see will try again next week. But if you have any other ideas, would appreciate the insight. Thank you.

[PDLM]

A copy of your rental agreement? (Especially if it is stamped by a government agency as it would be in many countries)

If you happened to have a polling card for an election that would work...

[Slavic]

My experience with HSBC was great, it was in MongKok branch, i bring them 80% of documents, and then they ask some more proofs, which i just fax them and one week later they open account for a overseas company.
so my suggestion is call them now and ask if that's would be ok if you just fax them rest when you back to your country.

another thing i already have my personal account in HSBC, but company is new registered in Belize.