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HSBC Everyday Global Account (EGA) Review: Multiple Ways to Stack Rewards

Alevin Chan

Alevin Chan

Last updated 04 February, 2024

The HSBC Everyday Global Account stacks up rewards as you bank. Here’s how it works, and how it compares to similar accounts on the market.

We all work hard for our money, so wouldn’t it be nice if our bank accounts work equally hard to help stretch our money further? Or straight up give us cashback when we bank, pay bills and save – on top of providing S$0 ATM withdrawals in 10 currencies worldwide, low-fee international bank transfers, and access to favourable forex rates at our own convenience?

Well, if those are the features you’d love to have with your bank account, you’d want to hear about the HSBC Everyday Global Account (EGA).

In this article, we do a deep dive into the many features of the HSBC EGA, and give you three reasons why young professionals will likely find it a good fit for their banking needs.

Let’s dive right in.

HSBC Everyday Global Account Welcome Gift: Earn up to 4.60% p.a. interest when you sign up for the HSBC EGA Bonus Interest Promotion via SMS. Valid till 31 March 2024. T&Cs apply.


Unlocking Financial Growth: Why HSBC EGA?

Reason #1: HSBC EGA gives you more for your everyday transactions

HSBC EGA is one that is well worth your attention.

With the HSBC Everyday+ Rewards programme, you’ll be earning cashback and bonus interest on many (if not all) of your essential transactions.

Check out this video for an illustration of how it works.

All clear? Let’s break it down further.

Qualifying criteria

To start earning your bonus rewards, all you have to do is to credit your salary to your HSBC EGA or make a monthly deposit of at least S$2,000 (freelancers and self-employed can also make recurring deposits).

HSBC Jade or Premier banking customers who deposit at least S$5,000 a month will also qualify for a higher tier of rewards from the programme.

Then, you simply need to make at least five eligible transactions (exclusions apply) within the same month.

Some easy ways to achieve this is via transactions on your HSBC Everyday Global Debit Cards, HSBC credit cards, GIRO bill payments or fund transfers.

What’s better? There’s no minimum spend for such transactions (hint: food delivery!).

Once these two criteria are fulfilled, you’re locked in to receive your rewards! The table below sums it all up.

 
HSBC Personal Banking
HSBC Premier 
Salary / recurring deposit
Minimum S$2,000
Minimum S$5,000
Make 5 transactions (initiated by you, not system generated transactions)
✔️
✔️
Spend on debit / credit cards
1% cashback* 
1% cashback**
Make GIRO bill payments 
1% cashback*
1% cashback**
Increase your SGD balance from previous month
1% p.a. bonus interest* (capped at S$300 per month)
1% p.a. bonus interest* (capped at S$300 per month)
One-time bonus cash after 6 months
S$150 (average account balance must be at least S$100,000)
S$300 (average account balance must be at least S$200,000)

*Total cashback capped at S$600 per month, including bonus interest
**Total cashback capped at S$800 per month, including bonus interest

Credit and debit card spends – 1% cashback

The first is 1% cashback on your credit card or HSBC Everyday Global Debit Card spends. This is one of the easiest ways you can reach your maximum cashback cap, so you can enjoy optimal value.

GIRO bill payments 1% cashback

Chances are, your GIRO bill payments are for municipal services, subscriptions, utilities or insurance, which may be excluded from other credit card reward schemes, but if you’re an HSBC EGA customer, you get to benefit from even these transactions, helping you to squeeze out that extra bit of savings every month.

Increase your SGD savings 1% p.a. bonus interest

What’s more, you can also reap bonus rewards when you increase your SGD balance in HSBC EGA, which incentivises you to save money!

What’s worth noting is that this is not just pegged to salary crediting, but monthly incremental SGD balances in general. This means that yes, even freelancers and self-employed persons can make their own deposits to qualify,

One-time bonus cash reward

If you have substantial savings in the region of hundreds of thousands of dollars, here’s a one-time special bonus you shouldn’t miss.

Yes, you can get additional S$150 or S$300 (terms & conditions apply) in cash simply for parking your money and continue to meet the Qualifying Criteria for at least six months!

HSBC Everyday Global Account Welcome Gift: Earn up to 4.60% p.a. interest when you sign up for the HSBC EGA Bonus Interest Promotion via SMS. Valid till 31 March 2024. T&Cs apply.


Reason #2: Shop like a local

The HSBC EGA also comes with a number of nifty features and capabilities that should suit the needs of most young working professionals.

HSBC EGA allows you to conveniently hold 10 different currencies with one account.
You can access real-time FX rates, along with tools that help you lock in your preferred exchange rates when swapping currencies all under one account.

This means you can enjoy S$0 foreign exchange fees on 10 currencies when you make retail/online purchases.

What’s more, your HSBC Everyday Global Debit Card can be used not only at HSBC ATMs, but also any machines in the ATM and PLUS networks on the island and even overseas.

Not near any ATMs at all? No problem, you can withdraw cash at over 600 locations, including 7-Eleven, Cold Storage and Guardian stores. 

And perhaps best of all, ATM withdrawals are free no matter where you are, so no more having your holiday cash eaten away by bank fees!


Reason #3: Make faster international transfers to your loved ones

HSBC EGA also comes bundled with features that fit right in with the preferences of today’s digital natives - one of the most powerful features is the HSBC Global Money Transfers (GMT)  facility, which allows you to seamlessly send money to different countries and territories.

HSBC GMT lets you make faster and fee-free4 international transfers to your loved ones conveniently via the HSBC Singapore app.

You can send money internationally like a local to over 20 countries/territories, transfer money to China via UnionPay cards issued in Mainland China, send money globally to third-party HSBC accounts instantly5 and perform wire transfers to over 200 countries/territories via SWIFT.

Read also: HSBC TravelOne Credit Card Review: Travel and Earn Rewards All on One App


HSBC EGA, pros and cons for the young professionals

Pros of HSBC EGA

  • Getting cashback and bonus interest is basically earning “extra money” (so long as you meet the conditions). A couple of bucks saved here and there may not seem like much at the time, but trust us, they’ll add up to a small fortune over time. Just transact as per normal, and watch the extra money start rolling in.
  • Being able to bank like a local across borders is increasingly essential, given how online shopping will only become more borderless and widespread. Thus, being able to save on foreign transaction fees via HSBC Everyday Global Debit Card will help you stretch your money further.
  • For those with family and friends overseas, don’t forget that with HSBC GMT, you can make faster and fee-free international transfers with real-time and competitive foreign exchange rates6. Additionally, you can convert foreign currency when the forex rates are in your favour, and hold them in your HSBC EGA until ready for use. 

Cons of HSBC EGA

  • Low base interest rate of only 0.05% per annum. Granted, HSBC is hardly the only offender in this regard, but this is still a con for those who are not the most active users. 
  • While the HSBC EGA supports 10 foreign currencies, there's no interest on most balances. Furthemore, the supported currencies are lower that some of its competitors. To be fair, the currencies provided will likely suit most users, but the lack of interest paid on most of them makes it disadvantageous for users to hold high amounts of foreign currency.
  • HSBC EGA comes with a fall-below fee of S$5, which is levied for every month your average account balance falls below S$2,000. This makes it important to maintain a larger balance.

Read also: Building A Credit Score Early Is Important, Especially If You’re A Young Working Adult. Here’s Why And How.

HSBC Everyday Global Account Welcome Gift: Earn up to 4.60% p.a. interest when you sign up for the HSBC EGA Bonus Interest Promotion via SMS. Valid till 31 March 2024. T&Cs apply.


 

HSBC Everyday Global Savings vs. Other Savings Accounts

HSBC EGA vs Standard Chartered Bonus$aver Account

The Standard Chartered Bonus$aver Account offers up to 7.88% p.a. interest on your first S$100,000 account balance should you fulfil all the required banking transactions. Given that you can earn at least 4.88% p.a. just with salary credit, credit card spend of at least S$2,000, and make at least three bill payments of S$50 each, earning the maximum bonus interest may not be a tall order after all. 

Also, this account offers access to 10 foreign currencies. You can also enjoy S$0 overseas transaction fees and no mark-ups when you spend with the Standard Chartered Bonus$aver debit card.

HSBC EGA vs UOB One Account

The UOB One Account lets you earn up to 7.80% p.a. interest on your savings, and makes it easy to do too. You simply need to spend at least S$500 on your credit card, and either credit your salary of at least S$1,600, or make three GIRO transactions. The catch is that the 7.80% p.a. interest is capped at your first S$100,000. 

The UOB One Account also has multi-currency capabilities to help you save with better rates and lower fees. You can also use the bank’s mobile app to keep track of all your banking and money needs at all times.

HSBC EGA vs Citi Wealth First Account (Citigold Status)

Citi Wealth First Account is a premier banking service that offers up to 7.51% p.a. Interest. This comprises the base interest of 0.1%, and then 1.5% interest each when you spend, insure, borrow, invest or save. 

You’ll also be granted access to several perks, such as the CitiBank Debit MasterCard that offers zero conversion and foreign transaction  fees on over 150 currencies worldwide, perpetual waivers for all Citi credit cards, and professional wealth management services with personalised advisory. 

However, to qualify, you’ll need to make an initial deposit of S$250,000.

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Citigold_Tactical_45_BLOGARTICLE_800x250

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Applicable to new-to-bank only (i.e. users with no Citigold or Current and Savings Accounts). If a user has applied for Citi Credit Card or Personal Loan, they will still be eligible.

Plus, score over S$2,460 bonus cash when you maintain your Citigold relationship and fulfil the following qualifying criteria (T&Cs apply):

  • Complete an Investment Risk Profile and Fact Find Report and get S$100 cash (T&Cs apply).
  • Hold a valid primary/main Citi Credit Card and get a S$300 bonus cash reward.
  • Take up a Citi Home Loan and get a S$500 bonus cash reward.
  • Make S$100,000 worth of investments and/or insurance purchases with Citi to enjoy a S$600 bonus cash reward or more.
  • Maintain a Citigold relationship for 12 months from date of approval and get a S$960 cash reward.

Conclusion: HSBC EGA for rewards every day

The HSBC EGA is not the flashiest nor the most fancy. Some might even find its reward structure to be a little too convoluted for their taste.

Yet, those whose spending habits and budget naturally fit into the requirements will likely find it quite a seamless experience enjoying all that the account has to offer. 

The main draw here is the extra interest and cashback that accumulates as you spend, save and bank. 

Furthermore, it offers low-fee cross-border features and multi-currency capabilities that cover most popular currencies, making the HSBC EGA a competent companion for young professionals with globe-trotting aspirations.

 

This article was written in partnership with HSBC.


Disclaimer
This article is meant for information only and should not be relied upon as financial advice. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.


An ex-Financial Planner with a curiosity about what makes people tick, Alevin’s mission is to help readers understand the psychology of money. He’s also on an ongoing quest to optimise happiness and enjoyment in his life.

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