HSBC InvestDirect
International
Account Opening Guidance
2
What forms do I need to complete?
In order to process your application, the required forms
detailed in Appendix 1 must be completed and returned to us
along with the supporting documentation.
How do I return my application to you?
You can send your application and accompanying
documentation via post to the following address:
HSBC House
Esplanade
St Helier
Jersey
JE1 1HS
What if I want to trade in US equities?
If you’d like to trade on US Markets, you’ll need to complete:
• The NYSE and AMEX Agreement for Market Data Display
Services (Form A) which can be found on page 14;
• The ‘Standalone NASDAQ Subscriber Agreement’ (Form
B) which can be found on page 16; and
• A W-8BEN or W-9 form (whichever is appropriate
for you), which are provided by the US Inland
Revenue Services (IRS) and can be found on their
website: irs.gov/forms-instructions
Please download the relevant forms from the IRS website,
complete and send it in the application pack.
Are there any tax implications?
It is possible that the country you live in will want to tax your
worldwide income and gains, so we recommend that you
take tax advice in your country of residence to ensure that
you are aware of all the consequences of opening an HSBC
InvestDirect International Portfolio before you proceed.
Your liability to tax will depend on the rules in your country
of residence and your individual circumstances. If you are in
doubt as to the tax treatment, we recommend you should
obtain tax advice. The information in these pages is based on
our understanding of the current law and practice at the time
of publication. Future changes in legislation, tax levels and
practice could aect the information on the website.
If you are UK resident and non domiciled for UK tax purposes,
using money from your settlement account (or any money
held oshore) to settle trades via InvestDirect may create a UK
taxable remittance. If you are unsure if this service is right for
you we recommend that you seek independent tax advice.
For details of the tax implications of dealing through a UK
based nominee service, click here to read our Sharedealing
Tax FAQs and the HSBC InvestDirect International Terms
and Conditions.
Is HSBC InvestDirect International an
oshore service?
No. HSBC InvestDirect International is a UK based service –
so it’s subject to UK law and UK tax regulations.
For more Sharedealing Tax FAQs click here.
What else do I need to consider?
You’ll need a Bank Account with HSBC Expat before you can
open an HSBC InvestDirect International account.
HSBC Expat is a division of HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch.
Your shares will be held electronically in a separate nominee
account, but you’ll be the beneficial owner.
Your HSBC InvestDirect International portfolio will be governed
by the terms and conditions of HSBC InvestDirect International
click here.
Who do I contact if I need help?
If you have any questions please call our 24/7 Contact Centre
on +44 1534 616 313*. Alternatively, send us a secure
message from your Online Banking.
To help us to continually improve our service and in the interest
of security, we may monitor and record your communications
with us.
You can also find further information about our InvestDirect
International share dealing service at:
www.expat.hsbc.com/wealth/investments/products/
shares/
*Please have your 10-digit Personal Banking Number (PBN) and your 6-digit
Personal Identification Number (PIN) to hand when calling us.
Frequently Asked Questions
3
Check list for submitting an application form
nn InvestDirect International Application Pack
nn Certified copy of your passport which has been certified in the last 3 months
nn The following forms will ONLY need to be completed if you want to trade in US equities:
• Sharedealing Form A (NYSE)
• Sharedealing Form B (NASDAQ)
• W9 (for US persons) OR W-8BEN
(for non-US persons)
NYSE (A) & NASDAQ (B) agreement forms
A Form – only the customer information is to be completed.
B Form – only section A to be signed.
Please select the correct W form by visiting:
https://apps.irs.gov/app/picklist/list/formsPublications.html
Please note ALL pages of the forms completed need to be returned.
Digitally Signed Applications
For the electronic signature to be acceptable by IDI, it needs to meet the following requirements:
• The signature needs to be in a signature block that includes a time and date stamp and;
• A statement that the certificate has been electronically / digitally signed and;
• The name of the person authorised to sign the form
• IDI will not accept a signature if it is signed with a mouse / e-pen
Please see the below example:
Signature (sole applications only) Date
7
HSBC Expat is a division of HSBC Bank plc, Jersey Branch: HSBC House, Esplanade, St. Helier, Jersey, JE1 1HS. HSBC
Bank plc, Jersey Branch is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for Banking, General Insurance
Mediation, Investment and Fund Services Business. HSBC Bank plc is registered and incorporated in England and Wales
with limited liability, number 14259. Registered oce 8 Canada Square, London, E14 5HQ 181002CVM/181017/JH/488.
Appendix 1
CUSTOMER NAME
0 4 1 7 2 0 2 0
Digitally signed by: CUSTOMER NAME
Date: 2020.04.17 22:02:24 +08’00’