Banking in HK - a very narrow view

I wanted to do a bit more than what the bog-standard savings account was letting me do.
My main concern was that if I made a telegraphic transfer, I would be converting AUD into HKD at a certain rate at a random time of the day. HSBC updates its rates virtually every minute inside internet banking and every fifteen minutes on the noticeboard webpage.

Things turned out to be favourable for me...

 

Well, I'm not expecting to be a professor but I'll take the 12 months fee exemption anyway.

Yeah, Hong Kong Banks don't have student fee exemptions. Instead you need to maintain a minimum balance. I'll get to savings in a moment.

So with this Advance integrated account, it can take values in a whole bunch of different currencies, including AUD. Now I can wait a while and click when the exchange rate is right instead of leaving it up to chance (that includes the change between being at a computer lab and getting to the branch to change notes).

I even get a chequebook. I asked the teller about the difference between current accounts and savings accounts. 

Me: So cheques use the current account right?

Teller: Yes.

Me: Are there any other differences?

Teller: You can earn interest on your savings account balance.

Me: What's the current interest rate?

Teller: *stupid grin* Zero point zero zero one percent.

Another perk is access to express lines at some branches.

Upon receiving the welcome pack in my email, (yes, they don't give out much paper/rubbish/recycling material) I decided to do the questionnaire about values and what drives my financial decisions.

I actually bothered to put the link in that picture so you may click on it.

There were questions like this (kind of getting to what you've been wanting me to post about Sam):

I think 4 or 5 can be appropriate for Q27 if one works for a dodgy boss. Hmm Phonetec.

Anyway, I got a whole bunch of things that don't all seem to agree with each other and me. Oh well. Funny enough seeing those two questions from a bank website.

Your values, beliefs and interests
This section outlines how your values impact on your general approach to life, what motivates you, and how others see you.
You place great importance on making full use of your talents, and on generally getting on and succeeding in life. You like to feel intelligent and capable – and want others to see you that way too. You are driven and keep pushing yourself to reach your own challenging goals, with people likely to respect you for your motivation and energy. At the same time you want to have some fun. Your ‘joie de vivre’ and an active social life keep you from turning into a workaholic and being perceived as someone who is all work and no play.
You like to be spontaneous. Stability and security are things that other people strive for and you fight against. Well, where’s the fun in knowing what’s around the next corner? Let’s be honest, you’d feel stifled by a predictable or sheltered way of life. After all, life is for living and you’d hate to let it pass you by. You don’t want to miss a moment of it!
You are probably someone who is content with familiar things. You’re comfortable with people you know and may be less keen on meeting new people. You may prefer to spend time in familiar surroundings, rather than exploring new places. If you’ve had a good holiday somewhere, you might prefer to return to the same destination instead of experimenting with somewhere new. Stability, familiarity and routine are important to you and when others suggest trying something risky or unknown, you may feel a little dubious. You might be the sort of person who worries that trying out new things could be a waste of time, money, or worse!

Your career
Whether you are currently in work or not, this section outlines the career and work environment likely to be best suited to your values, where you will be happiest and able to perform at your best.
You’re probably good at what you do and you feel it’s important that this is recognised. Your ambition will probably help you to climb the career ladder a little quicker than others. You like to work somewhere where you are surrounded by people who are as ambitious and capable as you are. There’s also a good chance that you’re not one to suffer fools gladly and could be frustrated by what you see as ‘sloppy standards’.
The entertainment industry is right up your street. If not, then leisure, communications, advertising, publishing or publicity would suit you too. Even if you don’t work in these areas, you’ll fit in as long as you don’t work for a staid organisation, with a manager who believes in all work and no play.
You’ve probably gone for a role that changes by the day and doesn’t restrict you with routine. You may have even selected a job that has an element of risk, or even danger. Jobs in compliance, security, or health and safety are for other people to apply for, as far as you are concerned. You may find that you’re also suited to an entrepreneurial role or to working for yourself.
Your personal life is important to you, and why shouldn’t it be? It just means that you prefer a job that has an element of routine and a little predictability, so it can fit around your lifestyle. You’re probably a reliable, reassuring and stable influence at work. You probably don’t fancy a job that involves too much travel, change and ambiguity, or you’d have applied for one like that, wouldn’t you?