Frequently Asked Questions

Effective May 2016, our SWIFT Bank Identifier Code (BIC) has been changed to HSBCSGS2. To avoid incoming fund transfers to your personal bank account from being rejected, please remind the party who transfer funds to your account to select the correct BIC.

For security purposes, you'll need to activate your cards in order to use it. This can be done using either of the following:

• Logging on to HSBC Singapore app 

For credit cards - log on to the app and select the credit card account, followed by 'View more' and 'Manage cards'.

For debit cards - log on to the app and select the bank account, followed by 'Manage cards' and 'Activate physical card'. 

If you're new to the HSBC Singapore app, download the app and register with the Singpass app - here's how to register using Singpass.

Once you've successfully logged on to the HSBC Singapore app, you can activate your credit/debit card following the steps above.

• Calling our hotline

Call in to 1800-HSBC NOW (1800-4722 669) or (65) 64722 669 if you are overseas. Select '*', then select '4' for card activation and follow the instructions.

For your security, the HSBC Singapore app can only be set up on one mobile phone or device at a time. Before you switch over to a new device, please follow these simple instructions on your old device (PDF).

Don't have your old phone or encountered an issue despite following these steps to install the HSBC Singapore app on your new device? Please give us a call or visit your nearest HSBC branch for assistance.

The magnetic strip of your credit card is not activated for overseas use, but you can still make transactions with your credit card using other modes of payment. For example, online or chip-enabled transactions.

If you need to enable your credit card for overseas magnetic strip usage, call in to 1800-HSBC NOW (1800-4722 669) or (65) 64722 669 if you are overseas. Select '*', then select '5' for Overseas Enrolment and follow the guided instructions.

We’re sorry your loan or credit card application was unsuccessful. We have processes to review all applications for unsecured/secured credit facilities objectively. We evaluate applications based on a thorough assessment of creditworthiness and affordability as well as the factors set out below:

• Minimum requirements set by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)
• Our proprietary criteria and standards
• From the information you’ve provided in your application form, our internal data (if you have a banking relationship with us); and external information such as those gathered from credit reference agencies (i.e. Credit Bureau Singapore)

There are several reasons why your application may have been declined:

• You may not fit the eligibility criteria
• You may have limited credit history or your credit history is insufficient for the product
• You may have missed payments on current or previous credit commitments/or have history of poor credit management
• You may have provided insufficient documents
• You may not have passed the minimum internal credit score that we require (using credit scoring)
• You may not have passed the affordability assessment (you may not have regular income or your disposable income is low)
• You may have applied for several unsecured/secured credit facilities simultaneously at different financial institutions

If you wish to have a free credit report, you may obtain it within 30 calendar days from the date of receiving the decline notification, via the credit bureau’s website at www.creditbureau.com.sg. You may also bring the decline notification and your NRIC to the credit bureau's office.

Address:

Credit Bureau (Singapore) Pte Ltd
Tel: (65) 6565 6363 
2 Shenton Way, #20-02 SGX Centre 1, Singapore 068804

We’re sorry your application to open an account was declined. To comply with regulations, we’re required to develop a set of criteria and standards for account opening.

There are several reasons why your bank account application may have been declined:

• You may not have met the eligibility criteria for a banking relationship e.g. minimum age requirement, initial deposit threshold
• You may not have provided sufficient documents – for example, you may have provided insufficient identification documents, proof of address, source of fund/wealth documents, official assignee letter (in the case of undischarged bankrupt), etc.
• You may have a history of poor account conduct
• We were required to decline to comply with the requirements of the Singapore or foreign governments, or financial regulators

We’ll only send you an alert, either by email, SMS, push notifications on HSBC Singapore app, and/or other means that we may specify from time to time, each time a transaction exceeds a pre-determined amount set by you.

If you’ve opted to receive transaction alerts from us by email or SMS, you’ll give us a complete and accurate mobile phone number or email address. The delivery of transaction alerts by SMS is subject to the terms and services of your telecommunication service provider.

We recommend turning on push notifications on HSBC Singapore app so that you may receive transaction alerts via push notifications.