HSBC has created the first truly global personal banking service for the world mass affluent and internationally mobile consumers.

HSBC defines mass affluent as those consumers with liquid assets of between US$100,000 and US$2 million.

Rolled out simultaneously in Canada and 25 other countries and territories, the bank says HSBC Premier is the most comprehensive global banking and wealth management service ever devised.

The account offers seamless cross-border banking and the promise that “customers can, for the first time, take their accounts, credit history and banking relationships with them wherever they choose to live and work,” the bank says.

Premier customers have access to 250 international Premier Centres, located in major cities around the world, and more than 6,000 branches with Premier service points. Each location will have access to all the information needed to serve customers and provide local advisory services.

Michael Geoghegan, Group Chief Executive, HSBC stated: “We estimate there are around 200 million mass affluent consumers in the world today and that number is growing rapidly, by as much as 20%. These customers are highly mobile, sophisticated and knowledgeable. HSBC, with operations in 83 markets, is the only bank in the world that could provide them with the seamless international service they need.”

HSBC says it already has over 2 million customers signed up for the Premier offering.

The new global Premier service brings with it a host of enhanced services, including the ability to pre-open overseas accounts in home country and transfer credit history.

The service also provides a single view of all accounts held with HSBC globally, through a single Web site.