HSBC, Hang Seng ring changes

Customers of HSBC and Hang Seng Bank are now able to access their bank accounts with mobile telephones.

Subscribers to the mobile-banking service can avoid lengthy recorded messages by following instructions on their handset's screen and keying in instructions, the banks announced yesterday.

'Through the convenience of mobile phones, our customers now have greater flexibility in conducting their banking business and securities trading,' said Eric Tai, head of personal banking development at HSBC.

Customers with HSBC's Asset Vantage, Power Vantage or Business Vantage Accounts can check their Hong Kong dollar accounts, transfer money between accounts, trade securities and obtain securities-order confirmation.

Hang Seng's Bank Smart and Bank-In-One account customers can also subscribe to the service.

However, the service is available only through Cable & Wireless HKT and Hutchison Telecommunications on mobile telephones with SIM card technology.