passport vs ID for bank accounts

[emptystring]

Hi all,

Just have a question about bank accounts - am thinking about opening one at HSBC. Should I

a) wait for my employment visa to go through, apply for an HKID, then open an account with my ID card,

or

b) just open one with my US passport?

Does it make any difference?

Thanks,
Bernard

[PDLM]

It doesn't make any difference except that without a HKID HSBC might ask to see a copy of your contract of employment.

[jimbo]

It doesn't make any difference except that without a HKID HSBC might ask to see a copy of your contract of employment.

Shouldn't be a problem with a passport.

I opened accounts with HSBC and BOC here in HK using my U.K passport and just a utility bill and they were happy with that.

[emptystring]

hmmm, do i _need_ to give them a reason for opening one? like, if i am using a passport, is it required that i have some sort of employment contract?

i guess i'm also confused as to where the contract comes in when i apply for employment visa...the company has no clue because they have never hired anyone from overseas. my guess is that they draw up the contract saying they want to hire me, blah blah, then i use that information (company specs, salary, etc) to apply for a visa, and then once that gets approved, then i start working?

thanks,
bernard

ps. that reply was WAY too quick, PDLM =P

[vmlinuz]

I opened one with my passport, then changed it to be associated with my ID card once I got one. The only problem I had was that I opened a GBP savings account with my ID card at the same bank before I got around to switching my current account, so their computers thought I was two people for a while...

For what it's worth, was introduced at the branch by the company accountant, who is known there, because the company banks there - I don't know how much it helped smooth things along, but they know me well enough now

[KnowItAll]

A letter of introduction from the company accountant / HR person should work just fine.

The banks generally have to operate under a slightly tougher set of guidelines for US citizens, without introductions, under the Know your customer guidelines.

http://www.cato.org/dailys/02-04-99.html

[Nudle]

Justdoit was able to open an acct at HSBC with just a US passport + US driver license. $500 opening deposit.

[discobay]

You can open a HSBC account with just a HKID card and proof of address. No job contract, reference letter or queer handshake is required.

[KnowItAll]

Discobay : Powervantage with checking or just a passbook acct?

[discobay]

From experience a passbook account.