HSBC offers overseas study support

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Bangladesh has recently launched “HSBC SmartStudy”, a new comprehensive proposition to support students in their overseas education journey from start till the end.

“HSBC Select” customers will now be able to open a “Student File” account and facilitate payments through HSBC Bangladesh to top education destinations.

Francois de Maricourt, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, attended the launch at Westin Dhaka.

HSBC Bangladesh will also assist students in opening an overseas account prior to their departure to their education destination for the first time, the bank said in a statement yesterday.  The “HSBC SmartStudy” services include local account opening with “HSBC Select” for new  customers, access to in-depth fact files on prime overseas education markets and ATM/debit card for overseas account prior to departure.

It also has priority consultancy services through selective overseas education consultants and hassle-free loans secured by existing HSBC relationships.

“At HSBC, we recognise that education is key to human development and prosperity. In today’s globalised world, an international university education helps provide greater exposure to newer experiences, ideas and cultures,” said Maricourt.

“With the support of our international network, we want to help our clients ease their overseas education process in their journey to fulfil their hopes and realise their ambitions,” he said.

Ahmed Saiful Islam, country head of retail banking and wealth management at HSBC Bangladesh, said, “Every year approximately 60,000 students go overseas from Bangladesh for higher studies.”

“With SmartStudy, we want to support parents and students with end-to-end professional assistance to help them better prepare themselves by leveraging on HSBC’s unparalleled international connectivity,” he said.

Anindya Chowdhury, director and CEO of Mentors Study Abroad; Rouham Manzoor, managing partner of MACES; Ahmed Saiful Islam, country head of retail banking and wealth management at HSBC Bangladesh; Syed Mohammad Ismail, country manager at ArchRoma, and Ali Reza, head of customer value management at HSBC Bangladesh, were present.