Just wanted to let people know that HSBC Expat are no longer accepting new clients in Thailand. I've been banking with them for 5 years and was in the process of applying for a UK buy-to-let mortgage when they suddenly withdrew the decision in principle last week saying that Thailand has been removed from the list of approved countries by their compliance department. Very frustrating as I am close to exchanging contracts on a property and now have a mad rush to find a new lender.

 

No suggestion at the moment that they will close existing accounts for residents of Thailand but worth having a plan B in mind just in case.

So for some reason people who live in Thailand are tarnished by the country.

What have Thailand done that has made the place so unimaginably hostile to this bank that the literal very same bank that laundered cartel money for decades will not do small and simple business with those of us who just happen to live in Thailand?

26 minutes ago, MRtommyR said:

Just wanted to let people know that HSBC Expat are no longer accepting new clients in Thailand. I've been banking with them for 5 years and was in the process of applying for a UK buy-to-let mortgage when they suddenly withdrew the decision in principle last week saying that Thailand has been removed from the list of approved countries by their compliance department. Very frustrating as I am close to exchanging contracts on a property and now have a mad rush to find a new lender.

 

No suggestion at the moment that they will close existing accounts for residents of Thailand but worth having a plan B in mind just in case.

Apparently they think the housing market is going to take a hit, especially the condo market, possibly because of the quake hysteria.

 

Along with an economic slowdown, if tariff issue isn't resolved.  Who knows how many mortgages they already have in default, and just cutting any future losses.  

 

Seems smart to me 

7 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Apparently they think the housing market is going to take a hit, especially the condo market, possibly because of the quake hysteria.

 

Along with an economic slowdown, if tariff issue isn't resolved.  Who knows how many mortgages they already have in default, and just cutting any future losses.  

 

Seems smart to me 

Except HSBC Expat does not tend to deal with those of limited means and the OP was referring to a UK buy to let mortgage - I was not aware of any quake activity there recently.........

1 hour ago, topt said:

Except HSBC Expat does not tend to deal with those of limited means and the OP was referring to a UK buy to let mortgage - I was not aware of any quake activity there recently.........

I was replying to OP's Thai part of the post ...

... "HSBC Expat are no longer accepting new clients in Thailand" 

 

Think the UK part is irrelevant to the 'heads up', just letting us know how he found out ... and thanks for that, as many might be interested.

 

Along with being in TH forum ... 

Can anybody recommend a similar service with a different bank  that is available to foreign citizens resident in Thailand ?