Originally Posted by
msb0b
Ditto in my experience three years ago. My HK employer prepared a letter of reference for the purpose of opening an account. They also mentioned a letter of introduction from an current HSBC bank account holder will work just as well.
It's quite a hassle just to open a current account. IIRC, they required this to stem money laundering activities. Most likely everything has to be done in person or by mail.
It is no problem without letter of recommendation if you only open a savings account.
A current account would need such letter.
But you will in any case need a prove of address, wherever that is. So bring an electricity or phone bill with your name and address.
A letter of introduction from a current HSBC account holder for the period of more than one year will work.
I strongly suggest that you go with HSBC and at any cost avoid Standard Chartered Bank. Their service is lousy.
If you don't want to come to HK it might not work. You could contact any HSBC branch overseas to find out if they can help you. Other than that I don't see a chance to do that offshore.