A world bank opens its branch in Brno

According to the prestigious American Forbes magazine, the British bank HSBC Holdings became the largest company in the world in 2008. HSBC has global representation not only in 86 countries around the world, but also in the Czech Republic.

Last year the Czech branch of HSBC Bank plc introduced an innovation to the financial services market – the globally connected, exclusive HSBC Premier services package. The more discerning clients from all over Moravia won’t have to travel too far to the bank now, says Jiří Zelinka, the Head of Personal Financial Services in this exclusive interview for finance.cz.

HSBC Premier brought a new dimension to financial services in the ČR and especially the global interconnection of banking for a private clientele. How do clients see this service now, a year after its introduction?

Their perception of it has certainly changed. Before its introduction to the Czech market, most clients did not know the advantages of the Premier service. We have made an enormous leap in one year, not only in raising the awareness of the bank and its products, but also in the number of new Premier clients, and in widening the range of products on offer in the Premier package for our market. We aren’t resting on our laurels and are not only raising the quality of the provided services, but are also widening the portfolio of our products. In autumn we are going to launch a new insurance product that fits in with our Premier concept. But I can only reveal who and what it will cover after the holidays.

What is the difference between the HSBC Premier service and other bank products provided on our domestic market?

First of all I would like to emphasize the global interconnectedness and the high standard of services available at the same quality almost all over the world. Integral to it are payment instruments like the current account, savings and investment products, including a number of exclusive advantages and current VIP offers. If you often travel to Europe or Asia and want to take your bank with you, the process is simple. Our personal banker will help the client open an account with HSBC Bank plc in England and then the client can make free transactions between Premier accounts as a matter of course. Simply said, your bank travels with you.

Help in an emergency is becoming an advertising cliché, so how does it work in practice?

It can happen quite easily that you travel to a major city of the world, find yourself in its centre and discover that you lack the most essential thing necessary for your stay abroad. Our client is recognised in all countries where HSBC has its branches. This is related to our help in an emergency.

I will give you a concrete example. If you are going on holiday to Bali, you will only be a stone’s throw away from the nearest branch. You will find a VIP lounge directly in the airport. When you have established your identity with an English-speaking banker, your credit cards will be immediately stoplisted and you will be issued with temporary cards, usually by the following day. The bank will also give you the cash equivalent of 2,000 American dollars in the local currency. Despite having to deal with all these unpleasant matters you will be cheered by the friendly atmosphere in all our bank’s branches, which provide the maximum of comfort and meet the highest of standards. You can enjoy good coffee, read the newspapers, watch the latest news or connect to the Internet. This all is a part of the Premier service.

In July you opened a new branch in Brno. Why have you chosen this Moravian metropolis?

Brno has its charm and a lot of lot of lovely places, which I like and visit regularly. But most importantly our target group is there. What’s more, it’s not limited to Brno only. Thanks to its location, the catchment area of the new branch will be the whole of Moravia.
We wouldn’t anyone to have to look for it in the side streets, so it boasts an exclusive location on Freedom Square. This prestigious site was absolutely essential for us when we decided to build the branch. Comfort and luxury is directly proportional to our services.

Is it true that you have to go through a side entrance to your private or personal banker?

Certainly not. You don’t have to go through a side entrance to any HSBC Premier branch. That’s because it is meant exclusively for Premier clients who meet the qualifying criteria. After initial identification the client is handed into the care of their personal banker who will be available for him or her anytime, and not only to help with basic transactions or ordering new products, but also for the financial planning of family savings.

The phrase banking for a more discerning clientele subconsciously implies a certain mystery. What would you say to that?

I would rather say that this word implies something extraordinary or different. Our segment is different and aimed at clients who require a professional and individual approach in taking care of their money. Moreover, we take not only a local, but especially a global approach to money, and that is unique in the ČR.