Investments FAQs
Table of contents
Foreign Currency
What HSBC Foreign Currency accounts are available?
HSBC offers:
- Everyday Global Account - you can hold up to 10 currencies in the one account.
- HSBC Bonus Savings Account - build your savings in a single foreign currency.
- Term Deposits - available in major currencies from a range of terms from 1, 2, 3, 6 or 12 months.
How can I get a currency exchange quote?
You can:
- Simply log into HSBC internet banking and select transfers to obtain a real time foreign currency exchange rate quotation (available 24x5 between 8:00am Monday to 11:59pm Friday (excludes public holidays).
- Visit your local HSBC branch or contact your relationship manager.
- Contact HSBC Markets Desk for a competitive quotation for transactions of A$50,000 or above.
- View HSBC's current foreign exchange rates. Note, these publicly available exchange rates are usually fixed for the day and indicative only.
What are the currency transfer fees?
There are no transfer fees if you transfer between your HSBC Australia accounts or, if you are a Premier Customer, between your globally linked HSBC accounts. Fees and charges relating to personal accounts is available from HSBC website.
What currencies can I exchange with HSBC?
HSBC offers online access to 19 foreign currencies, including all major currencies - Australian dollars, US dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Great British Pound Sterling, Chinese Renimbi (CNY), New Zealand dollars, Singapore dollars, Japanese Yen, Canadian dollars and Euro. Additional currencies are available from HSBC branches.
How can I track my foreign currency transfers?
Transfers between your HSBC Australia accounts and globally linked HSBC accounts are real-time. You can check your account transactions immediately after transfers for confirmation of movement of funds. You may contact your local HSBC branch or Relationship Manager or call 1300 308 008 for all other overseas or local bank transfers.
How long will my currency transfer take?
Transfers between your HSBC Australia accounts and globally linked HSBC accounts are real-time. Other overseas and local bank transfers may take from 2 to 5 business days.
How do I set up a regular currency transfers?
Simply log into HSBC internet banking and select 'Transfers' to set up the schedule for your regular currency transfers.
How do I cancel a recurring currency transfer?
Simply log into HSBC internet banking and select 'Transfers' to cancel your regular currency transfers.
Why should I choose HSBC for my foreign currency exchanges?
HSBC offers:
- Competitive exchange rates wherever and whenever you transact.
- Online banking with real-time foreign currency quotation and exchanges 24x5 between 8:00am Monday to 11:59pm Friday (excludes US, currency and public holidays).
- Preferential pricing for large transactions and Premier Customers.
- Instant fund transfers between your globally linked HSBC accounts or HSBC Australia accounts
- Team of specialists to support your foreign currency needs.
Can I use the HSBC mobile app for currency exchanges?
Yes. Switching between currencies and transferring funds at real-time exchange rates is easy using HSBC mobile app.
HSBC Invest
How do I change my details?
You can change the following personal details in the 'My Account' section:
- Contact details - email, mobile/phone/work/fax numbers and preferred method of contact.
- Residential and postal address.
- Information service subscription.
- Password and PIN.
For changes not listed above, go to 'Forms & brochures'
How long may an order remain on the market?
An order will remain on the market until it trades, expires or is cancelled by either you or the ASX.
The ASX may cancel orders from the market where:
- Stock is trading on a different basis of quotation (eg ex-dividend, ex-rights, ex-bonus etc).
- Price for the order is too far from current buy-sell spread for the stock.
- The order expires.
- Stock has been suspended from official quotation.
When and how can I place an order?
With HSBC Invest CHESS approved equities, interest rate securities and warrants listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. You can also buy, hold and sell units in unlisted managed funds using ASX mFund Settlement Service.
You can place an order at any time over the internet or over the phone from 8am to 7pm AEST on any trading day.
We do not accept orders via fax or email.
How do I access and place a conditional order?
Conditional Orders are available to all clients regardless of whether you are on Silver, gold or WebIRESS information service level.
To access Conditional Orders, you need to Activate Conditional Orders trading and agree to the Conditional Orders Terms and Conditions. Once activated, you can click on the Conditional Order icon in the left-hand toolbar which will take you to the conditional orders placement pad.
HSBC WorldTrader
Which HSBC accounts can I use to fund my HSBC WorldTrader account?
We suggest using an HSBC Everyday Global Account but you could also use an HSBC Day to Day Account, HSBC Bonus Savings Account or HSBC Premier Cash Management Account.
How do I send money to my HSBC WorldTrader account?
You can only fund your WorldTrader account with Australian dollars (AUD) from an individual eligible account, using the HSBC Australia mobile app or online banking.
- Log on to the WorldTrader app and note down your unique U number (for example, U12345678) from your profile details.
- In the HSBC Australia app or HSBC Online Banking go to 'Move money' > 'Pay someone' and select the account you want to pay from.
- Select 'Add new payee' and choose 'HSBC Australia account' as the payee type.
- Enter your WorldTrader investment account details. You can find these in the HSBC Australia app or online banking under 'Investments'.
- Enter the transfer amount. In the 'Description' field, you must enter your U number (including the 'U') every time you fund your investment account.
For more details you can see our step-by-step guide (PDF).
Are Australian shares held in HSBC WorldTrader CHESS sponsored?
No. WorldTrader uses a custodian model for all Australian shares. Interactive Brokers Australia (IBA) provides custodial services and has arranged for a third-party sub-custodian, BNP Paribas, to hold securities for HSBC WorldTrader customers.
Most of the world’s largest share markets, including the US, operate via a custodial model. If you hold shares on global exchanges, via an Australian broker, you're already trading under a custodial arrangement.
How do Interactive Brokers Australia make sure my account is protected?
Interactive Brokers has global experts in brokerage and online trading and is trusted by millions of customers worldwide.
Interactive Brokers Australia (IBA) holds an Australia Financial Services License and is fully compliant with the requirements set out by Australian regulators. This means IBA gives you the same protection as any other regulated broker in Australia.
When can I see my orders and trades?
Not yet. You can see your investment account balances by logging on to your WorldTrader investment account in a web browser or by using the HSBC WorldTrader mobile app.
What tax management and reporting tools are available on WorldTrader?
You can log on to WorldTrader through your browser to access a comprehensive range of reports including:
- Portfolio summary
- Cash transaction report
- Trade history
- Transaction fee and dividend summaries
- Trade confirmation reports
These reports are available on a daily, monthly, year-to-date and fiscal year basis. They're currently not available in the HSBC WorldTrader mobile app.
Will I earn interest on the funds in my WorldTrader Investment Account?
No. There will be no interest on cash balances held in your HSBC WorldTrader Investment Account.
How can I buy shares in international companies from Australia?
To buy international shares from Australia, you'll need a trading platform that supports international share trading, such as HSBC WorldTrader. A WorldTrader account gives you easy access to over 30 markets and 80 exchanges, through the HSBC Australia WorldTrader app.
Where can I see my cash dividend payments?
You can only view your cash balance, including dividends, in a web browser. You can see all corporate actions, debits and credits in your cash balance.
What type of equities and investment products can I buy through HSBC WorldTrader?
HSBC WorldTrader gives you access to thousands of equities including shares in Australian companies, international shares, exchange traded funds (ETFs), bonds and exchange traded options (ETOs).