HSBC Bank...
a name you know and trust

A stable and secure environment is an important factor when choosing your international banking institution. As members of the internationally renowned HSBC Group, we are proud of our reputation for security, integrity and quality of service.

About the HSBC Group

Headquartered in London, UK, HSBC Holdings plc is one of the world’s largest international banking and financial services organisations in the world. Our commercial global network comprises over 7,000 experts in 65 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa.

With listings on the London, Hong Kong, New York and Paris stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by around 200,000 shareholders in some 100 countries and territories.

Through an international network linked by advanced technology, including a rapidly growing e-commerce capability, HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services which include:

• Commercial banking
• Global banking and markets
• Personal financial services
• Private banking

Why Malta?

Malta has earned itself a firm reputation as a well-regulated centre for financial services and international trade. Its strategic geographical location at the centre of the Mediterranean makes it easily accessible from major destinations.

Malta became a member of the European Union and maintains high regulatory and anti-money laundering standards, making it a stable and respectable jurisdiction. In January 2008 Malta adopted the euro as its currency. Malta’s continued success is also due to its modern and advanced financial services, legislative and tax framework which is in line with international standards. These factors have enabled the Maltese financial services sector to develop strongly and the sector is set to expand further.

Malta boasts a high standard of education where one finds a wealth of highly-qualified, specialist professionals in all fields. Language skills are second nature to the Maltese and consequently, they are fluent in various internationally spoken languages. In addition, the workforce is reliable and highly motivated and staff costs are lower than in many other jurisdictions.

The Island’s wide network of double taxation agreements as well as other methods for relieving double taxation on cross border transactions also provide an excellent basis for establishing tax efficient structures including international trading and holding companies. The fact that Malta has one of Europe’s most advanced telecommunications infrastructures allows direct access to all countries around the world.

An impressive array of international banking and investment companies in Malta is already present in various forms. Businesses are attracted by competitive registration fees, annual duty and capital requirements when compared to those of other jurisdictions. In addition there is a well-established legal community together with representation of the major international audit firms.

Malta has been successful in promoting itself as a particularly suitable base for Professional or Institutional Funds and for funds targeted at certain Mediterranean rim countries. It has also managed to attract business from Captive Insurance Companies with the main insurance managers setting up an operational base on the Island. It also acts as a base to develop further business in neighbouring countries, especially in North Africa and Southern Europe, a role which has been strengthened with EU membership.

International Banking Centre

We can be of service to you wherever you are in the world.

The International Banking Centre is a unit of HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. providing a professional and high quality service to its corporate international clientele.

The International Banking Centre has a wealth of experience and expertise in providing the necessary banking services to our corporate clients whether registered in Malta or overseas, as well as the locally registered shipping and international trading/holding companies including trusts.

Our aim is to help you make the most of your money and support your personal and commercial financial objectives, which are always our priority. We believe that each individual’s banking and investment needs are unique. Therefore we have designed our services in such a way as to offer you a comprehensive range of short, medium and long-term banking products and services to suit both your personal and commercial requirements.

Whether you are a regular visitor, intend to work, retire in Malta or simply wish to relocate your investments while still living overseas, at the International Banking Centre you will always find the warm welcome the Maltese are so renowned for.

Banking with us offers the following benefits:

• Full range of banking products and services
• Investment and custody services
• Strict confidentiality
• A relationship based service proposition

Relationship Management

We are committed to providing you with a high standard of personalised customer service through our dedicated commercial relationship managers or account officers who can handle your requirements. We take time to listen to your comments and feedback in order to help us fully understand your needs to be able to recommend the appropriate services to meet your requirements. Your instructions will be executed efficiently and promptly.

We are continually monitoring international market trends enabling us to directly focus on offering you additional value.

When you require advice from specialists, such as tax advisors, accountants, lawyers, notaries and estate agents, we can arrange introductions for you.

Contact with HSBC Group Worldwide

The HSBC Group’s international network is spread across five continents. We are thus able to introduce customers to the global resources and expertise of the HSBC Group, and can also assist in establishing a relationship with one of our International Banking Centres or Group offices.

Products and Services

Foreign Currency Accounts

You may open an account in the currency of your choice depending on how freely accessible you wish to keep your funds. The principal features of holding foreign currency accounts include:

• Deposits accepted in all major international currencies
• Competitive interest rates
• Complete confidentiality and security
• No exchange control restrictions on funds held by non-resident account holders

Call Accounts

• An interest bearing account with instant access
• No prior notice is required to withdraw part or all of the available balance from the account
• Interest is calculated on a daily basis and credited to the account on a quarterly basis
• Interest rates are variable and are subject to change according to prevailing international money market rates
• Funds may be switched into another currency denomination upon request
• International standing instructions payable in any major currency may also be arranged
• Quarterly bank statements are provided

Term Deposit Accounts

• Maturities can range from 7 day to 5 year terms
• Interest rates are fixed for the term of the deposit and are tiered according to amount and term
• Interest is paid on maturity or annually for maturities longer than one year
• Minimum deposit amount applies

Foreign exchange services

We deal in all major currencies and in virtually any other convertible currency. Through our sophisticated and efficient dealing system, our dealers can quote spot and/or forward currency rates.

Trade related services

Through our dedicated Trade and Supply Chain Centre we offer a full range of banking products to support your trading needs, which include:

• Import and Export Documentary Credits
• Import and Export bills for collection
• A range of guarantee and performance bond products
• Receivables Finance and credit protection

Funds related services

HSBC Securities Services (Malta) Ltd provides administration services to investment funds, including but not limited to:

• Fund structuring and establishment
• Fund accountancy and unit pricing
• Transfer agency
• Corporate secretarial

International funds transmission

Upon your instructions we will transfer funds in any major currency to any international destination of your choice through:

• The use of SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications SC) transfer system to provide the fastest and most efficient way of making direct payments abroad
• The issue of banker’s drafts which can be airmailed or sent by courier in accordance with your instructions

Business Internet Banking

HSBC also offers Business Internet Banking service. This service puts you in control of your finances. It is convenient, quick, simple and highly secure, giving you the freedom to conduct your banking any time, day or night. You can now do your everyday banking from home or the office. Benefits of business internet banking:

• Accessible from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• View real time data on account balances and transaction history
• Transfer funds to any of your own bank accounts with HSBC or other banks in Malta
• Open a new term deposit and update maturity instructions
• Order cheque books and effect stop-payments
• Transfer funds in any currency to other HSBC customers or other banks in Malta
• Transfer funds overseas in foreign* and local currency
• View credit card balances and transaction history
• Pay your bills such as mobile, water and electricity, telephone, etc** Create, view, amend or cancel transfer or payment instructions
• Receive e-statements and e-advices directly via Internet Banking
• Send messages to the bank through the secure infrastructure of HSBC Internet Banking
• Create, amend and delete additional users directly on the system at will

Personal Internet Banking is also available for personal banking needs.

HSBCnet

Using state of the art encryption and security systems, HSBCnet provides online access through a single log on, to an entire suite of global banking and other financial services tools. This internet-based banking system is ideal for larger businesses and allows multiple users from many locations.

Home loan scheme for non-residents and permanent foreign residents

We can provide you with the necessary finance to purchase and complete your residence in Malta.

• Loan may be drawn in both local and major foreign currencies
• Maximum loan to value of 80% of cost and subject to applicant’s income

Standing instructions

We can facilitate payment of bills by standing instructions, regular payments to third parties locally and overseas, and effect inter-account transfers.

Credit cards

A choice of Visa and MasterCard services are offered to selected customers. We also offer the HSBC Advance Card and Premier Mastercard depending on your annual income. Our cards are internationally recognised and can be used throughout the world. The amount you spend or encash abroad will be converted into our national currency on the day we receive the transaction. Cash security is normally required for this facility. We may effect settlement directly by the debit of your account according to your instructions.

Debit cards

If you are a permanent or temporary foreign resident in Malta or visit the Island frequently, the Quikcash Card is the most convenient way to obtain cash from your account 2hours a day, 7 days a week. You may use it at local Automated Teller Machines and also when effecting payment in retail outlets throughout the Maltese Islands, and HSBC ATMs worldwide.***

PhoneBanking

Time is precious! What you really need is the right tool to work smarter rather than harder. You may find yourself requiring immediate financial information at all hours of the day. Through our PhoneBanking service we offer you another channel to handle your banking needs whenever convenient to you.

PhoneBanking service is available 24 hours a day, all year round. It offers great flexibility and freedom. You can carry out many of your routine instructions, balance enquires and information requests just by using the keypad on your telephone. It is simple and secure. You don’t even have to speak to one of our customer service representatives. For more complex enquiries there will, of course, be a fully trained representative available between 8.00am and 8.00pm, Mondays to Saturdays excluding Public Holidays.

Some of the services offered through PhoneBanking are as follows:

• Account information and history (last 5 transactions)
• Inter-account transfers, including credit card payments
• Pay bills
• Stop a cheque or report a lost card
• Exchange rate enquiry

Liquidity funds

Through such instruments, we can provide you with solutions aimed at optimising your cash returns to help you achieve a competitive investment return while maintaining an appropriate level of access and capital security. This is possible through HSBC Global Liquidity and Global Reserve range of investment funds which are money market funds providing investors with:

• Exceptional security
• High level of liquidity
• Competitive yield

These AAA rated money market funds are denominated in US Dollars, Euro and Sterling.

Trust services

We offer a number of straight-forward and bespoke trusts that will suit your requirements. Our services include the formation and administration of trusts with a wide range of uses, such as:

• Asset portfolio management
• Inheritance planning
• Buying property in Malta
• Charities and special purposes (including foundations)
• Commercial uses

*The value of foreign currency and the date when the transfer is effected are subject to the market cut-off time of the currency concerned.

**Refer to the Internet Banking – Frequently Asked Questions webpage in the HSBC website for more useful information related to this service. This webpage also contains an updated list of bills you can pay using the pay bills facility.

***some restrictions may apply.

Managing your investments

We can help you choose where to invest your money and for how long. Depending on your risk attitude and through our constant monitoring of the financial markets we can assist you to maximise your investment returns. Our international private clients managers constantly monitor the financial markets in order to ensure that your hard-earned investments are given the due attention they deserve. They will analyse your existing portfolio and ensure that the products offered suit your needs.

To meet your every requirement for flexibility, a choice of investment services are available including:

• Share dealing service
  We can provide you with a share dealing service for all equities and bonds quoted on the Malta Stock exchange and on all international courses.
  
  The bank can also act as broker in most types of securities, Eurobonds, Floating Rate Notes, short-term Commercial Paper, equities (shares) and investment or unit trusts. Clients’ buy/sell orders will be executed by us upon receipt of your instructions.
  
• Investment services
  The HSBC Group also has a wide range of funds. These include products with capital security and a range of international investment funds are available. Specific product brochures and prospectuses are available which describe these products and others in more detail and include detailed information on fee structure and charges where these are payable.
  
• Investment products – Malta
  We also work closely with HSBC Global Asset Management (Malta) Limited and HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Ltd. to provide you with a comprehensive range of successful, dynamic investment funds and retirement planning products.
  
  HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Ltd. also provides a mix of life assurance protection products for you and your family.
  
• Investment products
  Your international private clients manager can provide you with information on a wide selection of investment products. These are mainly denominated in GBP, USD and EUR.
  
• Portfolio management
  You may wish to have your overseas investment portfolio managed for you. To assist you in this specialist area we can offer a range of long-term, performance-oriented investment management services.
  
  Should you require any further information on any of our services, we will be pleased to assist you in a confidential and professional manner.

What to do next

Establishing a relationship with the International Banking Centre

Whether you wish to open an account or simply to discuss your financial requirements, we will be very pleased to assist you. Our team of Relationship Managers and Account Officers will help you find the most appropriate solutions for your financial needs.

You may choose where to meet us at your own convenience. We will be pleased to visit you at your home or office in Malta. Alternatively, you may wish to visit our premises which are equipped with private meeting room facilities. We are centrally located within HSBC Malta's Business Banking Centre at Mill Street, Qormi, Malta, but never further away than your nearest telephone. You may also contact us by e-mail.

Opening an account

For information about what is required to open a corporate account, visit the International Banking Centre in Qormi or contact our Business Customer Service on (00356) 2380 8000. Alternatively you may contact us by e-mail via our website hsbc.com.mt or by post addressed to:

Senior International Banking Manager
HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c.
International Banking Team
Business Banking Centre
Mill Street,
Qormi QRM 3101
Malta
Tel: 00356 2380 2605
Tel: 00356 2380 2633
E-mail: cmb.ibc.malta@hsbc.com

Should you wish to open a personal account, please contact our Personal Customer Service on (003 56) 23 80 23 80 or by sending an e-mail via our website.

Important information

The International Banking Centre is a unit of HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c.

HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. is licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority to conduct investment services business and is enrolled as a tied insurance intermediary for HSBC Life Assurance (Malta) Ltd. under the Insurance Intermediaries Act 2006.

As with any investments in stocks and shares the process of the constituent elements of a portfolio and the income from it can go down as well as up and it is possible that a portfolio value may fall below the original investment. This may also happen as a result of changes in rates of exchange, where overseas securities are held.

Please note that past performance is not a guarantee for future performance.