Hang Seng Bank  
Frequently Asked Questions
Cash Management - Foreign Currency
   
Q: In which currencies should I indicate the transaction amount? Say, if I wish to debit my HKD account to buy USD100.
Q: Can I buy/sell foreign currency at any time of the day?
Q: Are the exchange rates updated?
Q: What is the minimum transaction amount for currency exchange?
Q: What is the maximum online transaction amount for real-time currency exchange, if exceeds, will the instruction be processed?
Q: What is the maximum online transaction amount for forward dated currency exchange, if exceeds, will the instruction be processed?
Q: What is a forward dated instruction?
Q: How far ahead can I make a forward dated instruction?
Q: Can I make any amendments to the pending transactions?
Q: Do I need to have sufficient fund in my account when I make a pending transaction? What will happen if there is insufficient fund in my account on the effective date?
Q: I have just opened an Business Integrated Account, but why I have always been rejected when I try to transfer foreign currency online?

Q: In which currencies should I indicate the transaction amount? Say, if I wish to debit my HKD account to buy USD100.
A: You may enter the currency of your "Pay By" or "Deposit To" account and we will calculate the equivalent amount for you. That means in your case, you may either enter USD100 or its equivalent in HKD as the amount. The exchange rate will be provided in the next screen for your confirmation before proceeding.
   
Q: Can I buy/sell foreign currency at any time of the day?
A: You may buy / sell foreign currency during our service hours as below:
Account Type Currency Business Hours (HKT 24 hour display)
Business Integrated Account, Foreign Currency Statement Savings Account, USD Current Account, CNY Current Account 1,2USD, AUD, CAD, CHF, 3CNY, EUR, JPY, GBP, NZD Mon 06:00 - Sat 03:30
Sat 08:00 - 12:55
4THB, ZAR Mon - Fri 08:00 - 21:00
Sat 08:00 - 12:55
Remarks:
Please note that same day foreign currency exchange cannot be processed in the following timeslots:
1. Full day of New Year's Day, Good Friday and its following day, Christmas Day
2. From 00:00 to 06:00 on the day following New Year's Day, Christmas Day and specific US holidays (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day)
3. CNY exchange is not supported by BERI
4. Full day of all Hong Kong public holidays
   
Q: Are the exchange rates updated?
A: The exchange rates are for reference only. The final exchange rate will be determined and fixed at the time the transaction is actually effected by the Bank.
   
Q: What is the minimum transaction amount for currency exchange?
A: The minimum transaction amount for currency exchange is HKD30 or its equivalent in other currencies.
   
Q: What is the maximum online transaction amount for real-time currency exchange, if exceeds, will the instruction be processed?
A: The instruction will be processed. We will process your instruction without further notice and the final exchange rate of the transaction will be determined by the Bank at the time when such transaction is actually effected.
Currency Max. Transaction Amount
Australian Dollar HKD 16,000,000
Canadian Dollar HKD 16,000,000
Swiss Franc HKD 16,000,000
Chinese Yuan/Renminbi HKD 16,000,000
Euro HKD 16,000,000
British Pound HKD 16,000,000
Japanese Yen HKD 16,000,000
New Zealand Dollar HKD 16,000,000
Thai Baht HKD 4,000,000
US Dollar HKD 16,000,000
South African Rand HKD 4,000,000
   
Q: What is the maximum online transaction amount for forward dated currency exchange, if exceeds, will the instruction be processed?
A: The instruction will be processed. We will process your instruction without further notice and the final exchange rate of the transaction will be determined by the Bank at the time when such transaction is actually effected.
Currency Max. Transaction Amount
Australian Dollar AUD 200,000
Canadian Dollar CAD 200,000
Swiss Franc CHF 200,000
Chinese Yuan/Renminbi CNY 2,000,000
Euro EUR 200,000
British Pound GBP 200,000
Japanese Yen JPY 20,000,000
New Zealand Dollar NZD 200,000
Thai Baht THB 2,000,000
US Dollar USD 500,000
South African Rand ZAR 500,000
   
Q: What is a forward dated instruction?
A: It is a service that enables you to make the transaction of a pre-defined amount to a pre-selected account on a pre-defined date.
   
Q: How far ahead can I make a forward dated instruction?
A: You may make your forward dated instructions 45 calendar days (excluding Sundays and Public Holidays) ahead of time.
   
Q: Can I make any amendments to the pending transactions?
A: Yes, you may make amendments to all your pending transactions online anytime before the effective date of the transactions.
   
Q: Do I need to have sufficient fund in my account when I make a pending transaction? What will happen if there is insufficient fund in my account on the effective date?
A: It is not necessary to have sufficient fund in your account when you make a pending transaction. However, your instruction will be rejected if there is insufficient fund in your account on the effective date of the transaction.
   
Q: I have just opened an Business Integrated Account, but why I have always been rejected when I try to transfer foreign currency online?
A: It will take one working day to activate the Foreign Currency Exchange service for a newly opened Business Integrated Account. Please retry on the next working day.