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DBS

Bank account opening

DBS account in Hong Kong — for international business with a presence in Asia

DBS Bank (Hong Kong) is a Hong Kong bank of Singapore’s DBS Group. In our experience, it opens accounts for companies with international operations and a presence in Asia, only with the director’s visit and a deposit from HKD 1 million. For non-resident owners, the bank’s tariff is also higher than standard.

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HKD 1 million
Minimum deposit — in our experience
from HK$10,000
Set-up fee if the beneficial owners are not Hong Kong permanent residents
from HK$5,000
Annual fee for such an account
In person
Director’s visit; the review usually takes several months

Other banks in Hong Kong

HSBCHang Seng BankOCBCCITIC Bank International
All banks in Hong Kong

In short

In our experience, DBS in Hong Kong opens accounts for companies with international operations and a presence in Asia — only with the director’s visit and a deposit from HKD 1 million. If the beneficial owners are not Hong Kong permanent residents, the set-up fee is from HK$10,000 and the annual fee from HK$5,000.

Checked 18 October 2026 · Elizaveta Germash

Cost of a mistake

HK$250 a month

The charge if the average balance across all the company’s accounts falls below HK$50,000 a month; under the bank’s rules, it can also mean closure.

How to avoid it

DBS — for international business with a presence in Asia and a large balance

DBS expects a real link to China or Asia and examines the business in detail: description, source of funds, group structure, contracts and expected turnover. For non-resident owners, the bank’s tariff is higher than standard.

  • Entry threshold

    In our experience — a deposit from HKD 1 million. Under the bank’s rules, the initial deposit starts at HK$10,000, and if the average balance falls below HK$50,000, the fee is HK$250 a month.

  • Non-resident owners — a “special” company

    If the beneficial owners are not Hong Kong permanent residents, DBS’s tariff treats the company as “special”: set-up from HK$10,000 and from HK$5,000 a year.

  • What the bank checks

    Business description, source of funds, group structure, contracts and expected turnover. Trading and logistics; other activities by agreement.

  • DBS IDEAL

    Online banking and the DBS IDEAL Mobile app, a free digital token, up to HKD 5 million per payment.

Expert tip

For non-resident owners, DBS costs more than HSBC and OCBC under the tariff, so applying makes sense with a large balance and stable turnover in Asia. Without them, start with a bank that has a lower threshold.
Elizaveta GermashElizaveta GermashLawyer · Bank accounts

Who it suits

Who it suits — and when to choose something else

A good fit if

  1. 01The company has international operations and a presence in Asia.
  2. 02You are ready to keep a deposit from HKD 1 million.
  3. 03You have contracts and expected turnover to show the bank.
  4. 04The business is trading or logistics.
  5. 05The owner also needs a personal account — in our experience, a VIP account is possible.

Consider something else if

  1. 01No HKD 1 million deposit — OCBC expects an average balance from HK$100,000.OCBC
  2. 02No link to Asia yet, but the Hong Kong company is operating — HSBC does not explicitly require a regional link.HSBC
  3. 03You need an account fast — DBS’s review usually takes several months.Payment platforms

Bank profile

DBS in Hong Kong — terms, fees and restrictions

Terms are based on our experience; fees follow the DBS Bank (Hong Kong) schedule of charges.

DBS Bank (Hong Kong)

DBS Bank (Hong Kong)

Hong Kong bank of Singapore’s DBS Group · 24 branches

  • Presence in Asia
  • Director’s visit
  • Deposit HKD 1 million
  • Several months
Account type
Corporate account of a Hong Kong company; personal, including VIP
Currencies
USD, EUR, HKD, CNY, others on request; up to 14 currencies on the savings account
Business activity
Trading, logistics; others by agreement
Opening
Director’s personal visit only
Timeline
Usually several months from a complete package
Deposit
From HKD 1 million

Terms reflect our team’s experience as of October 2026; fees follow the DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Bank Charges Schedule effective 11 May 2026, indicative as of October 2026. The bank has the final say.

Benefits

What you get

A profile built for DBS requirements

Business description, contracts, expected turnover and presence in Asia — in one file where the numbers add up.

Group structure on one chart

We map the ownership chain up to the ultimate beneficial owners and explain each company’s role — DBS reviews the whole group.

The tariff — before applying

We calculate your first year at DBS for your structure and compare it with HSBC and OCBC before the set-up fee is paid.

Source of funds

We prepare proof of where the money for the deposit and the company’s operations comes from — the bank asks for it separately.

Visit preparation

The director comes to the bank with answers about counterparties, turnover and the flow of funds.

Status in the client portal

Stages, bank requests and documents — in one portal. You can see whose move is next.

Let’s discuss the details

What will a year at DBS cost?

Describe your ownership structure and expected balances — we will calculate the DBS tariff for your company and tell you where it is cheaper.

Process

7 steps from the first conversation to the result

Every step is visible in the client portal: what’s happening now and whether we need anything from you.

Steps on your side: 3 of 7

We handle it · 3Needed from you · 3Bank · 1

  1. We check your presence in Asia, business activity, turnover and readiness to place the deposit.

Documents

What to gather for DBS — for a new and an operating company

The list follows DBS’s account opening document checklist, the bank’s application guide and our team’s experience. Tick what is ready: anything missing goes to your manager in one click.

Information

Documents

Ready

0 / 15

Copies must be certified by a lawyer, notary, auditor or bank. The bank may request other documents too — we confirm the list for your company before applying.

Timing and budget

What makes up the budget

Fees follow the DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Bank Charges Schedule for corporate customers (effective 11 May 2026), indicative as of October 2026; the bank makes the final decision.

  • Account set-upDepends onHong Kong company — from HK$1,200; an overseas or “special” company, including one whose beneficial owners are not Hong Kong permanent residents — from HK$10,000.WhenAt opening
  • Annual feeDepends onFrom HK$5,000 for an overseas or “special” company; the amount depends on the country of incorporation, structure and business model.WhenAnnually
  • DepositDepends onIn our experience — from HKD 1 million. Under the bank’s rules, the initial deposit is HK$10,000 in SME Banking, HK$20,000 in Corporate Banking and HK$100,000 for an offshore company.WhenAt opening
  • MaintenanceDepends onHK$250 a month if the average balance across current, savings and fixed deposit accounts falls below HKD 50,000. Branch transactions — the first 10 a month are free, then HK$40 each.WhenMonthly
  • IDEAL online bankingDepends onWith payments — HK$150 a month per company; view-only — free. Physical token — HK$250, digital — free. No logins for 6 months — HK$250 every six months.WhenMonthly
  • TransfersDepends on via IDEAL — HK$120, at a branch — HK$250 plus HK$100 for the message; incoming TT — HK$65. Correspondent fees borne by you, under the option — an extra HK$250 for USD and HKD, HK$400 for EUR and GBP. FPS — the first 50 a month are free, then HK$5.WhenPer transaction
  • Checks, changes and dormancyDepends onCompany search — HK$150 for a Hong Kong company, HK$2,000 for an overseas one: at opening, at reviews and when a director or signatory changes. The change of a director, signatory or shareholders itself — HK$300 per request. 12 months without transactions and a balance below HKD 5,000 — HKD 150 every six months. Closing within the first 3 months — HK$200.WhenPer event
  • Trip to Hong KongDepends onThe director’s visit is mandatory — budget for flights and accommodation.WhenFor the bank visit
  • Our supportDepends onProfile assessment, tariff calculation, the file and visit preparation. The fee depends on the structure and risk level — we fix it in our proposal.WhenWhen we start work

Budget

What a DBS account costs a company with non-resident owners

A Hong Kong company whose beneficial owners are not Hong Kong permanent residents is “special” for DBS. Below are the minimum amounts under the bank’s tariff as of October 2026.

Total

16,950 HKD

Minimum amounts under the DBS tariff — the bank may charge more. Not included: transfers, the deposit, the HK$250 monthly fee for a balance below HKD 50,000 and repeat company searches at reviews. The tariff does not specify when the first annual fee is charged.

  • Account set-upOne-off · minimum for a “special” company10,000 HKD
  • Company search at openingOne-off · Hong Kong company150 HKD
  • Annual feeEvery year · minimum for a “special” company5,000 HKD
  • IDEAL online bankingEvery year · HK$150 a month, with payments1,800 HKD

Getting it right

Common mistakes — and how to avoid them

Click a card to see how to do it right · 0 of 5 open

  1. 01 What people often do

    Expecting the standard tariff for a Hong Kong company with non-resident owners.

  2. 02 What people often do

    Applying to DBS with a small balance.

  3. 03 What people often do

    Describing the business in one sentence.

  4. 04 What people often do

    Taking a physical token “out of habit”.

  5. 05 What people often do

    Opening the account and forgetting about it for a long time.

FAQ

Expert answers

Elizaveta Germash — Bank accounts

In our experience — from HKD 1 million. Under the bank’s rules, the initial deposit is lower — from HK$10,000 to HK$100,000 depending on the segment, and the average balance across all accounts must be at least HK$50,000 a month: otherwise HK$250 a month or account closure. The bank makes the final decision.

Elizaveta Germash · Bank accounts

Sources

  1. DBS Bank (Hong Kong) — Bank Charges Schedule for corporate customers (from 11 May 2026)
  2. DBS Hong Kong — rates and fees
  3. DBS Hong Kong — Business Account
  4. DBS Hong Kong — business account document preparation
  5. DBS Hong Kong — business account opening documents
  6. DBS Hong Kong — IDEAL digital token
  7. DBS Hong Kong — about the bank
  8. Hong Kong Deposit Protection Board — deposit protection

Deadlines, amounts and rules are based on these sources as of the check date. Rules change: check with us before deciding.

Often goes with this

What else you may need

Bank Accounts

OCBC

Another Singapore bank: a link to Asia is required, but the threshold is lower — a balance from HK$100,000

Bank Accounts

HSBC

If your link to Asia is still weak but the company is in Hong Kong

Company Registration

Hong Kong

A Hong Kong company with a transparent structure — built for DBS requirements

Next step

DBS — is the threshold worth it for your business?

Tell us about your turnover, balances and presence in Asia. We will calculate your first year at DBS, compare it with HSBC and OCBC, and prepare the application if DBS is worth it.

Elizaveta GermashElizaveta GermashLawyer · Bank accounts
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