Bank of East Asia Banking Guide

The Bank of East Asia, Limited (BEA) is the largest independent local bank in Hong Kong, founded by a group of local financiers in 1918 and headquartered in Central, Hong Kong.

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29 June 2026

Onur Gece

7 min read

The Bank of East Asia, Limited (BEA) is the largest independent local bank in Hong Kong, founded by a group of local financiers in 1918 and headquartered in Central, Hong Kong. BEA was incorporated on 14 November 1918 and officially opened on 4 January 1919, making it one of the oldest continuously operating banks in Hong Kong. Today BEA is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK: 23) and led by Sir David K.P. Li as Executive Chairman, with his sons Adrian M.K. Li and Brian M.B. Li serving as Co-Chief Executive Officers. The Li family represents the third and fourth generation of family leadership at the bank.

BEA reported total consolidated assets of HK$921.0 billion (US$118.3 billion) as of 31 December 2025. The bank serves customers across Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and major markets worldwide through approximately 120 outlets globally and approximately 8,000 employees. In Hong Kong, BEA operates one of the largest branch networks of any locally-owned bank with 47 branches, 41 SupremeGold Centres, and 3 i-Financial Centres per the bank's February 2026 Company Profile.

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Historical Milestones

Year	Milestone
1918	The Bank of East Asia, Limited incorporated in Hong Kong on 14 November.
1919	BEA officially opened for business on 4 January.
1920	Opened first branches outside Hong Kong in Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City.
1952	BEA opened its Singapore branch at Raffles Place, 60 Robinson Road.
1992	Re-entered mainland China after the country's reform and opening up.
2007	Established The Bank of East Asia (China) Limited as one of the first foreign banks approved to incorporate locally in mainland China.
2008	First foreign bank to launch Renminbi debit cards and credit cards in the Chinese Mainland.
2009	First foreign bank to issue Renminbi retail bonds in Hong Kong.
2010	BEA sold its North American operations to Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
2024	Continued expansion of Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect (Southbound) services for Greater Bay Area customers.
2025	Total consolidated assets reached HK$921.0 billion (US$118.3 billion) as of 31 December.

Products and Services

Personal Banking, Deposit Accounts

Editorial note: BEA does not publish minimum balances for savings or current accounts on its public site. Readers should consult BEA's latest tariff schedule or Key Facts Statement for current minimums and fees.

Account Type	Key Features	Minimum Balance / Notes
BEA SupremeGold Account	Premium wealth management, dedicated relationship manager, investment and insurance services	[VERIFY current relationship balance requirement]
BEA Supreme Account	Priority banking with preferential deposit, loan and FX rates	[VERIFY current minimum relationship balance]
i-Account	Digital savings account with online banking and mobile app access	HK$0
Integrated Savings Account	Multi-purpose savings account supporting deposits, payments and FPS	[VERIFY current opening requirement]
Multi-Currency Savings Account	Hold HKD, USD, RMB, EUR, GBP, JPY and other supported currencies in one account	[VERIFY current minimum balance]
RMB Savings Account	Offshore Renminbi savings with cross-boundary RMB banking support	[VERIFY]
Time Deposit	Fixed deposits available in HKD, USD, RMB and major foreign currencies with flexible tenures	Minimum HK$10,000 (VERIFY current requirement)

Business and Corporate Banking

Account Type	Target Segment	Key Features
BEA Business Integrated Account	SMEs and startups	Integrated HKD and foreign currency banking with online business banking, FPS and trade support
Corporate Account	Medium and large enterprises	Cash management, payroll, FX services and relationship-managed banking
Multi-Currency Business Account	International businesses	Hold and transact in multiple currencies with global payment capabilities
Trade Finance Account	Import and export companies	Letters of credit, documentary collections, bank guarantees and trade financing
Cross-Border Business Banking	Greater Bay Area and Mainland China businesses	Cross-border RMB services, regional banking support and international treasury solutions

Credit Cards

Editorial note: Annual fees and benefits at BEA change with promotions. Confirm card-specific figures against the current BEA credit cards page before publication.

Card Name	Annual Fee	Key Benefit
BEA World Mastercard	[VERIFY]	Premium travel card with airport lounge access and exclusive travel privileges
BEA Visa Platinum Card	[VERIFY]	Earn reward points on local and overseas spending with lifestyle privileges
BEA UnionPay Dual Currency Card	[VERIFY]	Ideal for HKD and RMB spending with seamless cross-border transactions in Mainland China
BEA Flyer World Mastercard	[VERIFY]	Travel rewards card offering air miles, travel insurance and airport-related benefits
BEA Corporate Card	[VERIFY]	Business expense management with detailed reporting and corporate payment solutions

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Loans and Lending

Loan Type	Interest Rate	Key Features
Personal Loan	[VERIFY current EIR per BEA Key Facts Statement]	Fast approval for qualifying customers with flexible repayment tenures
Home Loan (Mortgage)	HIBOR-linked or Prime-linked plans	Up to HKMA-permitted LTV with repayment periods of up to 30 years
SME Business Loan	Negotiated	Government-backed financing options under the SFGS Special Concessionary Measures where eligible
Trade Finance Loan	Negotiated rates	Import and export financing, bill discounting and letters of credit
Cross-boundary Lending	Negotiated	Lending facilities across BEA Hong Kong and BEA (China) for Greater Bay Area businesses

Wealth Management and Investments

Editorial note: BEA does not publicly disclose the asset thresholds for SupremeGold or SupremeGold Private tiers. Customers interested in wealth management should contact BEA directly for current eligibility criteria.

SupremeGold, BEA's premium banking proposition for affluent retail customers (asset threshold not publicly disclosed)
SupremeGold Private, the highest BEA retail tier offering finessed wealth management planning (asset threshold not publicly disclosed)
Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect (Southbound), allowing Greater Bay Area customers to invest in eligible Hong Kong investment products through BEA
Unit Trusts and Mutual Funds from global asset managers
Bonds and Structured Products, fixed income and yield-enhanced products
Securities Trading across Hong Kong, mainland China, and overseas markets
Insurance through Blue Cross (BEA is an appointed insurance agency of Blue Cross)
MPF (Mandatory Provident Fund), BEA MPF Master Trust Scheme

Fees and Charges (Hong Kong)

Source note: BEA publishes service fees and loan rates in its tariff schedule and Key Facts Statement. All figures in this section should be confirmed against current BEA published documents before publication.

Account Fees

Charge Type	BEA HK Rate
Monthly Service Fee (Savings)	[VERIFY current fee and waiver conditions]
Monthly Service Fee (Current)	[VERIFY current fee and waiver conditions]
Fall-Below Fee	[VERIFY current applicable fee]
Cheque Book	[VERIFY current pricing]
Banker's Cheque	[VERIFY current fee]
Stop Cheque Instruction	[VERIFY current fee]

Transfer and Remittance Fees

Transfer Type	BEA HK Fee
FPS (Faster Payment System) in HKD	Free
Local CHATS Transfer	[VERIFY current fee per BEA tariff]
Overseas Telegraphic Transfer (TT)	[VERIFY current outbound TT fee and agent charges]
Inward Remittance	[VERIFY current inward credit fee]
RMB Cross-border Transfer	Competitive rates through BEA (China) corridor [VERIFY current fee structure]

Foreign Exchange and Card Fees

Charge Type	BEA HK Rate
FX Conversion Markup	Standard BEA retail FX margin [VERIFY current band]
Overseas ATM Withdrawal	[VERIFY current fee plus FX surcharge]
Credit Card FX Surcharge	Industry standard around 1.95% [VERIFY current rate]
Credit Card Late Payment Fee	[VERIFY current late payment fee]

Loan and Trade Finance Fees

Charge Type	BEA HK Rate
Personal Loan Processing Fee	[VERIFY current processing fee per Key Facts Statement]
Home Loan Processing and Valuation	[VERIFY current legal and valuation cost range]
Early Repayment Penalty	[VERIFY current penalty structure]
SME Loan Processing Fee	[VERIFY current processing fee percentage]
Trade Finance Handling Fee	[VERIFY current handling fee per transaction]

Pros and Cons

Advantages

The largest independent local bank in Hong Kong with over a century of operational history
Total consolidated assets of HK$921.0 billion (US$118.3 billion) as of 31 December 2025
Extensive Hong Kong branch network: 47 branches, 41 SupremeGold Centres, 3 i-Financial Centres
Strong Greater China corridor through BEA (China) Limited, established 2007
Pioneer in RMB banking: first foreign bank for RMB cards (2008) and RMB retail bonds in HK (2009)
Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect (Southbound) capability for Greater Bay Area customers
Stable family-led governance with the Li family providing 3rd and 4th generation continuity

Disadvantages

Smaller global network than HSBC, Standard Chartered, or Citi for non-Greater China international banking
Smaller wealth franchise than DBS Treasures or HSBC Premier Elite at premium tier
Lower brand recognition outside Greater China than international banks
BEA does not publicly disclose minimum balances for personal accounts or asset thresholds for SupremeGold tiers, which can extend pre-application research
Family-controlled governance has historically attracted activist investor attention

Conclusion

The Bank of East Asia (BEA) is a trusted Hong Kong bank offering personal banking, business accounts, trade finance, lending, and wealth management solutions. If you're looking to open a bank account or set up a company in Hong Kong, Lion Business Co. can assist with company formation, banking support, accounting, and compliance, making the process simple and hassle-free.

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Frequently Asked Questions

You can open a BEA account through the BEA Mobile app for qualifying customers, online via Cyberbanking, or in person at any of the 47 BEA branches or 41 SupremeGold Centres in Hong Kong. Required documents include a valid HKID (or passport for non-residents), proof of residential address, and source of funds declaration. Non-residents typically need additional documents including overseas address proof, visa, and source of wealth statements. A branch visit may be required for non-resident applicants.

Bank of East Asia does not publish minimum balances for savings or current accounts on its public site. Specific minimum balance figures, fall-below fees, and waiver conditions should be confirmed against the current BEA tariff schedule and Key Facts Statement before opening an account. As a general principle, business and multi-currency accounts typically carry higher minimums than basic personal savings accounts. Contact BEA directly or visit a branch to confirm current minimums.

SupremeGold is Bank of East Asia's premium banking proposition for affluent customers, offering dedicated relationship management, preferential rates, and enhanced wealth management services. SupremeGold Private is the higher tier offering finessed wealth management planning. BEA does not publicly disclose asset thresholds for either SupremeGold or SupremeGold Private. Customers interested in either tier should contact BEA directly to discuss current eligibility criteria and onboarding requirements.

Yes, non-residents can open a BEA account subject to enhanced KYC requirements. You need a valid passport, proof of overseas residential address, and supporting documents for source of funds and source of wealth. BEA typically requires non-resident applicants to attend a branch visit for verification. BEA's strong Greater China corridor is particularly useful for mainland Chinese customers and businesses establishing operations across Hong Kong and mainland China.

Yes. The Bank of East Asia, Limited is a scheme member of the Hong Kong Deposit Protection Scheme (DPS). With effect from 1 October 2024, eligible deposits are protected up to HK$800,000 per depositor per scheme member (raised from the previous HK$500,000 limit). Protection covers Hong Kong dollar, renminbi, and other currency deposits held at the bank's Hong Kong offices. Offshore deposits and time deposits with maturity longer than five years are excluded under the DPS rules.

Onur Gece

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Company Formation Cross-Border Banking Digital Banking Compliance (KYC/AML/EDD) Offshore Structuring Global Expansion Dual-Rail Banking Strategies Fintech & EMIs

I am the Managing Director of Lion Business Co., a global corporate services and banking advisory firm specializing in cross-border company formation, multi-jurisdictional banking, and compliance-driven expansion strategies. With extensive experience across Hong Kong, Singapore, the EU, UAE, and offshore jurisdictions, I have guided hundreds of entrepreneurs, SMEs, and high-growth companies through complex KYC/AML processes, tax structuring, and bank account approvals. Known for my deep understanding of high-risk sectors—including logistics, trading, e-commerce, shipping, and fintech—I simplify global expansion through bank-ready documentation, dual-rail banking strategies, and expert compliance insights. I currently lead Lion Business Co.’s international operations and advisory programs.

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