Standard Chartered Bank (渣打銀行) said yesterday its number of affluent Taiwanese customers rose 50 percent at the end of June compared with December last year, and that it was on track to double its client base by 2013 by providing more premium service packages.
The London-based financial services provider has sought to attract more high net worth customers with a minimum of NT$3 million in savings, lending and investment with the bank.
The move comes in the wake of Taiwan’s lowering of the inheritance tax from a progressive rate of up to 50 percent, to a flat 10 percent, to facilitate the return of overseas capital and boost economic growth.
“We see great growth potential in this business area,” said Annie Tan (陳薈賓), head of premium banking, at a news conference in Taipei.
The number of people with savings of US$100,000 in the country reached 1.7 million last year, higher than Hong Kong’s 1 million, Tan said, citing an unspecified international survey.
To attract this market, the bank yesterday launched a total-solution service package for wealthy customers, including four free airport pickups a year in the Greater China area, up to one month’s free airport parking and other privileges, Tan said.
These customers will also receive more bonus credit card points at select hotels, restaurants and department stores, the bank said.
Tseng Kuan (曾寬揚), head of consumer banking, said the new service package was designed to meet the need for professional and customized wealth management services and lower management fees.
Tseng declined to comment on the bank’s target market share and value, saying the new campaign was only part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its premium banking services.
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