GOFIRM
Hang Seng Bank

Bank account opening

A company account with Hang Seng Bank: HSBC’s approach, its own tariff

Hang Seng is a Hong Kong bank wholly owned by the HSBC Group since January 2026. In our experience its client requirements are the same as HSBC’s: a clear structure, a call and a meeting with the bank, 6–8 weeks from application. What differs is the tariffs and account packages.

Message us on WhatsApp
6–8 weeks
From application to opening — in our experience
HK$1,300
Application with a meeting at the bank; remote — HK$1,000
HK$10,000
Overseas company search — on top of the application fee
HKD 20,000
Initial deposit per the bank’s document checklist

Other banks in Hong Kong

HSBCOCBCCITIC Bank InternationalDBS
All banks in Hong Kong

In short

Hang Seng has been wholly owned by HSBC since January 2026, and in our experience its requirements are the same: a clear structure, a call and a meeting with the bank, 6–8 weeks from application. An application with a meeting is HK$1,300, an overseas company search another HK$10,000 — neither refunded on refusal.

Checked 18 October 2026 · Elizaveta Germash

Cost of a mistake

HK$11,300

The application with a meeting plus the overseas company search for a UAE company, per the bank’s tariff. Neither is refunded if the bank declines.

How to avoid it

Hang Seng — HSBC’s approach, but its own bank, its own packages and its own tariff

Hang Seng checks clients as strictly as HSBC: structure, business model, a meeting with the director. The difference is price and packages: the application is cheaper, and the bank charges HK$10,000 to check an overseas company.

  • Two account packages

    Integrated Business Solutions is the main package, with remittances and trade services, and no monthly fee with a balance from HK$100,000. Biz Virtual+ is for start-ups with HKIDs and addresses only in Hong Kong.

  • An overseas company costs more

    In our experience an overseas company needs a meeting at the bank: an application fee of HK$1,300 plus a company search of HK$10,000 — HK$11,300 in total. Three or more ownership layers or a trust — another HK$8,000.

  • Proof of business

    The bank asks for orders, contracts or invoices, a website, information on counterparties, an audit or 3 months of bank statements, and proof of the directors’ experience.

  • Limits depend on your profile

    In our experience there are no special payment limits: they are set by the business activity and business model. As a rule, there is no personal manager.

Expert tip

When choosing between Hang Seng and HSBC, compare tariffs, not requirements: checks at banks of the same group are similar, while branch transfers and account closure are priced differently.
Elizaveta GermashElizaveta GermashLawyer · Bank accounts

Who it suits

Who it suits — and when to choose something else

A good fit if

  1. 01A Hong Kong company with real operations and transaction documents.
  2. 02You need a bank of HSBC’s calibre but with different tariffs — or a second account alongside one at HSBC.
  3. 03You pay mostly online: — HK$125, — HK$5 up to HK$100,000.
  4. 04You are ready to keep an average balance from HK$100,000 on the Integrated Business Solutions package.
  5. 05The director can travel to Hong Kong for a meeting with the bank.

Consider something else if

  1. 01The company is not from Hong Kong and has no link to it: an overseas company search costs HK$10,000 on top of the application and is not refunded if the bank declines.UAE
  2. 02The director cannot travel to Hong Kong: some banks in China open NRA accounts without a visit.China
  3. 03You need the account within a week — start with a payment platform.Payment platforms

Bank dossier

Hang Seng Bank — terms, tariffs and restrictions

Terms are based on our practice, tariffs on Hang Seng’s price list.

Hang Seng Bank

Hang Seng Bank

A Hong Kong bank since 1933 · HSBC Group

  • 12 currencies
  • Call and meeting
  • 6–8 weeks
  • HKD 20,000 deposit
Open to
Companies, including those with non-resident owners; overseas companies — with a HK$10,000 company search
Currencies
HKD and 11 foreign currencies; main ones — USD, CNY, HKD, EUR, GBP
Opening
A call, then a meeting at a Business Banking Centre
Timeline
6–8 weeks in our experience
Balance
Typically HKD 100,000; under the tariff, below that — HK$200 a month
Limits
Depend on the business model and business activity

Terms are based on our team’s practice as of October 2026; tariffs on Hang Seng’s price list effective 1 April 2026. The final decision rests with the bank.

Benefits

What you get

Hang Seng or HSBC — by the numbers

We compare the two banks’ tariffs against your payments and balances before you pay a non-refundable application fee.

Proof of business per the bank’s list

We gather orders, contracts, invoices, counterparty details and statements — exactly what Hang Seng lists in its requirements.

Source of funds and wealth

We prepare the explanation and supporting evidence in advance: where the initial deposit comes from and what money the company will run on.

Preparing for the call and meeting

Before the onboarding meeting the bank calls, and at the meeting it asks about the business in detail — we work through the questions in advance.

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

Where is it cheaper to keep an account — Hang Seng or HSBC?

Give us your turnover, balances and number of transfers a month — we’ll calculate what a year at each bank will cost.

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 · 2Needed from you · 3Bank · 2

  1. We determine which package and tariff suit the company, and whether anything in the structure would make the application more expensive.

Documents

What to prepare for Hang Seng — for your company

The list follows the bank’s requirements for Hong Kong and overseas companies. Tick what’s ready: anything missing goes to your manager in one click.

Information

Documents

Ready

0 / 15

Copies are certified by a suitable certifier — a solicitor, a CPA and the like; IDs and nationality proof — from a quorum of directors, signatories, shareholders and beneficial owners from 10%, and key controllers.

Timing and budget

What makes up the budget

Tariffs follow Hang Seng’s Commercial Banking Services Fees and Charges (effective 1 April 2026), indicative as of October 2026; the final decision rests with the bank.

  • Application feeDepends onHK$1,000 remotely, HK$1,300 via a Business Banking Centre or with a meeting. Not refunded if the bank declines.WhenOn application
  • Company searchDepends onHong Kong company — HK$150, overseas — HK$10,000. Also non-refundable.WhenOn application
  • Complex structureDepends onThree or more ownership layers, a company in liquidation or a trust — another HK$8,000, HK$9,300 in total with the application fee.WhenOn application
  • Initial depositDepends onHKD 20,000 — per the bank’s document checklist.WhenOn opening
  • Package maintenanceDepends onIntegrated Business Solutions — HK$200 a month if the Total Relationship Balance is below HK$100,000. Biz Virtual+ — free for the first 12 months, then a HK$50,000 threshold.WhenMonthly
  • TransfersDepends onTT via online banking — HK$125, to Hang Seng accounts in Mainland China and Macau — HK$85; via a branch — HK$260–340. Incoming TT — HK$65. FPS: outgoing — HK$5 up to HK$100,000, incoming — free.WhenPer transaction
  • Closure and inactivityDepends onClosure within the first 3 months — HK$200. An HKD account with no transactions for 2 years and a balance below HK$2,000 — HK$100 every six months.WhenOn closure or inactivity
  • Travel and our supportDepends onThe director’s flights and accommodation for the meeting in Hong Kong. Our fee depends on the structure and risk level — we fix it in the proposal.WhenFor the meeting and at the start

Banks of one group

Hang Seng or HSBC — how the tariffs differ

In our experience the client requirements are the same, with 6–8 weeks at both banks. The difference is fees and packages. Tariffs are indicative as of October 2026; the final decision rests with the bank.

Application fee

HK$1,000 remotely

HK$1,300 — via a Business Banking Centre

Overseas company

+ HK$10,000

company search on top of the application

No maintenance fee

From HK$100,000

below — HK$200 a month

Getting it right

Common mistakes — and how to avoid them

Click a card to see how to do it right · 0 of 6 open

  1. 01 What people often do

    Choosing between Hang Seng and HSBC by requirements — “whichever is easier”.

  2. 02 What people often do

    Applying with an overseas company without counting the costs.

  3. 03 What people often do

    Attaching only the articles and passports to the application.

  4. 04 What people often do

    Counting on Biz Virtual+ without an HKID.

  5. 05 What people often do

    Not explaining where the money for the initial deposit comes from.

  6. 06 What people often do

    Opening the account and leaving it dormant for a long time.

FAQ

Expert answers

Elizaveta Germash — Bank accounts

In our experience the client requirements are the same: structure, business model, a call and a meeting. The tariffs differ: the application is HK$1,000–1,300 versus HK$1,300–1,600, a TT via a branch HK$260–340 versus HK$480, and closure HK$200 only in the first 3 months versus HK$650 at HSBC.

Elizaveta Germash · Bank accounts

Sources

  1. Hang Seng Bank — Commercial Banking Services Fees and Charges (from 1 April 2026)
  2. Hang Seng Bank — Integrated Business Account
  3. Hang Seng Bank — business account FAQ
  4. Hang Seng Bank — documents for a Hong Kong company
  5. Hang Seng Bank — documents for an overseas company
  6. Hang Seng Bank — bank profile
  7. HSBC — proposal to privatise Hang Seng 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

HSBC

Hang Seng’s parent bank: similar checks, different packages and tariffs

Bank Accounts

OCBC

If the business is linked to China or Asia and can keep a balance from HK$100,000

Company Registration

Hong Kong

A Hong Kong company is the basis of a strong bank application

Next step

Hang Seng or HSBC — where should you apply?

Tell us about the company, its owners and payments. We’ll compare the group’s two banks using your numbers and prepare the application where your profile is stronger.

Elizaveta GermashElizaveta GermashLawyer · Bank accounts
Preferred way to reach you

By sending a request, you agree to the processing of your data under our privacy policy.

Or reach us directly: WhatsApp · +971 58 520 7952