Overseas education process made easier

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) Bangladesh on June 20 launched HSBC SmartStudy 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. HSBC Bangladesh will also assist students in opening an overseas account prior to their departure to their education destination, says a press release.

The HSBC SmartStudy includes such services as local account opening with HSBC Select for new-to-bank customers,  access to in-depth fact files on prime overseas education markets, setting up the student file, free overseas account opening with HSBC at desired education destination before the student travels, ATM/debit card for overseas account prior to departure, priority consultancy services through selective overseas education consultants, hassle-free loan secured by their existing HSBC relationship balances to support children's education payment.

Commenting on the new proposition, Francois de Maricourt, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, said, "At HSBC, we recognise that education is the 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. 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."

Ahmed Saiful Islam, country head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC Bangladesh, also spoke on the occasion and 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."

The new services and offers were announced by the bank at an event on June 20, where retail banking customers along with HSBC representatives and overseas education consultants were present.