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General terms and conditions

For the operation of customer bank accounts, bank deposits, electronic banking and other banking services (for individuals, including sole entrepreneurs)

Table of contents

1. General provisions

  1. The General Terms and Conditions for the operation of customer bank accounts, bank deposits, electronic banking and other banking services (General Terms and Conditions) set forth herein govern banking transactions between HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc (the bank, including it’s successors and assigns) and the person or persons, including sole entrepreneurs (the customer,"you”,"your” pronouns refer to the customer) signing the bank account opening form and such other sample documents as may be designed by the bank for a specific type of service rendered by the bank. Services set forth in this General Terms and Conditions are only provided to those sole entrepreneurs that have annual turnover, based on tax reports and/or other verifiable data for the last financial year, which satisfies criteria set forth by the bank in Tariff of Charges[1].
  2. Signature of the customer under the bank account opening form or other sample document designed by the Bank for specific services shall constitute an acceptance of these General Terms and Conditions herein and other rules and conditions set by the bank for services, as may be amended from time to time by the Bank by notifying the Customer in the manner stipulated by the law or in the manner agreed between the bank and the customer.
  3. The sample bank account opening form, transaction forms and other similar sample documents may be amended by the Bank from time to time. These General Terms and Conditions are deemed to be primary and all the sample forms, documents for dealings on the bank accounts, services, and other mandatory procedures and conditions approved (to be approved) by the Bank shall be applicable as far as they do not contradict these General Terms and Conditions unless such forms, documents, mandatory procedures and conditions provide otherwise.
  4. The bank is entitled to refuse acceptance of documents presented by the customer for conducting any transaction if the form of such documents (and also the content) differs from the one approved by the bank.
  5. Commission fee will be charged by the bank for the services rendered to the customer in accordance with the bank’s respective Tariff of Charges. The Tariff of Charges is available for the customers at the bank’s premises and the bank’s web-site www.hsbc.am. The Tariff of Charges may be amended unilaterally by the bank by notifying the customers thereon within the term and in accordance with the procedure stipulated by the law or in the manner agreed between the bank and the customer. All the charges defined under the Tariff of Charges will be levied in Armenian Drams (AMD).The fees defined under the Tariff of Charges are normally charged from the bank account of the respective transaction, and in case of foreign currency bank account the Bank shall be entitled to convert the respective amount of the foreign currency into AMD at the average rate published by the Central Bank for that currency or the Bank’s respective exchange rate and apply the respective charge.
  6. The bank reserves the right to charge from the customer the expenses of deliveries related to the services.
  7. The bank shall implement duly filed authentic instructions for implementation of transactions and operations presented by or on behalf of the customer. The customer shall be liable for any risk, possible losses and expenses resulting from implementation of instructions, and such loss and expenses shall not be subject to compensation by the Bank, nor any of its employees or agents. The Bank shall not be liable for requiring additional information by beneficiary or intermediary bank related to the amount to be transferred in accordance with respective instruction presented by the customer or for suspending the transfer, or the possible losses and expenses of the customer resulted thereof.
  8. All bank account balances and expected funds, deposits, accrued and future interest, banknotes denominated in any currency, securities, bills, gold and other valuables of the customer held with the bank shall be deemed to be a security against the liability of the customer to the bank which arose with respect to bank account maintenance by the Bank or for any other reason whatsoever (including with respect to interest, commission fees and other charges) and the bank shall have the right of pledge with respect to the latter. The Customer hereby gives his/her consent to the bank which entitles the bank to make a set off against liabilities which arose for any of the reasons described above without any acceptance by the customer and without compiling any additional document, and for that purpose to hold/block the customer’s account(s).
  9. The customer shall not be entitled without the prior written approval of the bank to assign to other persons any present or future right towards the bank with respect to any services rendered by the bank.
  10. The customer shall not be entitled, except with the prior written approval of the bank, to pledge any expected or current funds or any other valuables held with the Bank.
  11. The bank shall not be held liable for any loss, damage or delay resulting from any actions by state bodies or from force majeure circumstances, including equipment default, connection failures or any interruption of electricity supply.
  12. Any failure or delay by the bank in exercising protection of its interests in its relations with the customers may not be viewed as a waiver thereof. The rights stipulated hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights provided by the law.
  13. These General Terms and Conditions are made and construed in accordance with the legislation of RoA. Any relations with respect to the services stipulated herein and not regulated under these General Terms and Conditions will be subject to the legislation of RoA and where no respective provisions are stipulated under the legislation – to the business practice. Any disputes arising between the bank and the customer are subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of RoA. The customer in cases stipulated by the law has a right to submit the claims in connection with the services hereunder to the Financial System Mediator.
    The Bank has waived its right to appeal the decisions of Financial System Mediator if the property claim requested by the Cardholder does not exceed AMD250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) or its equivalent in other, which means that the Bank cannot appeal in the court the decisions of Financial System Mediator if the property claim requested by the Cardholder does not exceed AMD250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) or its equivalent in other currency.
    The informative form on dispute settlement arising between the bank and the customer is attached to General Terms and Conditions and makes inseparable part of thereof. In case of discrepancies between the Armenian and English versions, the Armenian version of the General Terms and Conditions should prevail.
  14. The bank in accordance with the legislation of RoA shall be entitled to provide without prior notice to the customer information about the customer to other banks and credit organisations, credit bureaus, Deposit Insurance Fund at the latter's demand or at its own initiative.
  15. The customer shall be obliged to provide the information requested by the bank in the format required by the latter, if necessary with appropriate approval/certification, as well as immediately notify the bank on any changes in provided information by providing relevant documents to the bank in that respect. The customer authorises the bank to use and process his/her personal data including passport data for the purpose of rendering services. The bank shall be entitled to use the customer’s electronic mail address, mobile phone number and other communication details for the purpose of sending to the customer informative and advertising materials related to the services rendered by the bank. The customer hereby agrees, that for the purpose of processing the customer’s data the bank may use the services of HSBC Group member or other companies and shall be entitled to transfer to the latter's such data. The customer’s data shall be protected in accordance with privacy and security procedures of HSBC Group irrespective of whether such data is processed in or outside the territory of the Republic of Armenia and may be used only according to the instructions of the bank. The bank shall be liable for any losses incurred by the customer if such losses result from negligence/breach of data protection privacy and security standards by these companies. The customer hereby agrees, that the bank shall be entitled to collect the customer’s data and provide to HSBC Group member companies, to companies cooperating with the latter and foreign competent authorities for the purpose of ensuring financial crime risk management activity and tax compliance obligations. The procedure and terms of collection and usage of subject information is stipulated in a document 'Collection and use of customer information (Financial crime risk management and tax compliance) - terms and conditions', which is attached to these General Terms and Conditions as an Appendix 1 and makes inseparable part thereof.
  16. The Customer agrees that the Bank shall make inquiries to “ACRA Credit Reporting” CJSC and other licensed credit bureaus operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, receive information on the Customer’s current and former financial liabilities, the composition, type and servicing of those liabilities, as well as other data during the entire period of business relationship with the Bank. Subject consent is valid in case of availability of customer’s written (including electronic) consent for the Bank to perform requests to ACRA Credit Reporting CJSC and other licensed credit bureaus operating in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. The Customer is aware and agrees that the mentioned information shall be considered by the Bank upon making decisions on offering the Customer services implying credit, financial and other liabilities and will be used solely for offering personalized or special offers and further decision making on provision of lending services offered by the Bank, including unsecured facilities, mortgages, credit cards and personal lines of credit. The customer is aware that the provided information, depending on its content, may affect the relevant decision made by the Bank. The Customer reserves the right to cancel subject consent provided to the Bank in this clause at any time without justification.
  17. The customer authorises the bank without prior notice to the customer and at its sole discretion to provide his/her data to the companies cooperating with the bank for the purpose of offering services to the customers or improving the services rendered to the customers.
  18. According to bank’s principles, internal regulations and law of RoA “Combating money laundering and terrorism financing” the circulation of proceeds of criminal activity through banks is forbidden.  Based on the above provisions of the law and international legal norms on combatting money laundering  and pursuant to the bank’s internal legal acts for combating money laundering and terrorism financing, as well as internal legal acts approved in accordance with requirements of international sanctions, where any suspicions arise the bank reserves the right to make any inquiry at its sole discretion on the source of any funds credited to, being credited by/in the name of the customer, as well as on any amount being debited from the customer’s account or from the name of the customer. Respectively, the bank may request to submit sufficient evidences of the lawful origin of funds. The bank shall be entitled to block the questioned funds and/or suspend the use and/or disposal and/or possession of funds during such time until presentation of sufficient evidence proving the lawful origin of funds. The customer agrees to indemnify the bank against any losses and claims in connection with the above in accordance with the RoA legislation. The customer acknowledges and agrees that the bank is obliged to comply with the requirements of the laws and other legal acts, as well as those of law-enforcement bodies which refer to combatting money laundering and the prevention of terrorism financing. Neither the bank, nor any other company acting as a counterparty of the bank, is liable for any direct or indirect loss incurred by any person (including the loss of anticipated income or interest payment) if such loss resulted fully or partially from fulfillment by the bank of the requirements of its internal legal acts related to combating money laundering and terrorism financing as well as internal legal acts approved in accordance with requirements of international sanctions.
  19. Pursuant to RoA legislation and/or Bank’s internal legal acts (including, but not limited to laws/acts on customer due diligence, establishment of business relationship/customer selection, fraud, preventing money laundering and terrorism financing, as well as the Bank’s internal legal acts approved in accordance with requirements of international sanctions) the Bank shall be entitled to reject the processing of the transaction of the Customer or the establishment of business relationships or terminate the existing relationships with the Customer.
  20. The Bank performs customer information updates as per the Bank’s internal acts. The Customer is obliged to present the requested information for the above mentioned data update upon Bank’s request.
  21. Where any suspicions arise as to the authenticity of any documents, as well as Powers of Attorney (including certified by Notary Public) issued by the customers in favor of third parties presented to the Bank for transacting with the Bank and/or receiving other services rendered by the bank, the bank shall be entitled to carry out additional measures  for the purpose of  checking the  authenticity of these documents, and the customer agrees to indemnify the bank  against  liability for any incurred loss due to the delay caused by such actions.
  22. The procedure of communication and implementation of transactions through Internet, telephone is stipulated in separate documents/procedures agreed between the bank and the customer, which shall be applied in addition to these General Terms and Conditions.

 

1The criteria set out in this point shall be applied during on-boarding against the sole entrepreneurs establishing business relations with the Bank after 01/12/2015.

2. Bank account

  1. These conditions apply to all bank accounts of the customer with the bank irrespective of the currency and type of the bank account (including savings or current accounts). The list of documents required for opening a bank account by the customer is defined by the bank and may be amended from time to time. Time periods for implementation of transactions are defined by the bank unless otherwise provided under these General Terms and Conditions, other documents approved by the bank or legal acts.
  2. For specific types of bank accounts, the bank may at its discretion provide to the customer a cheque book. The Customer shall exercise due care when drawing any cheque and shall be bound by the defined conditions which may be amended by the Bank.
  3. The bank may issue a savings passbook for specific types of bank accounts and such bank accounts shall be governed by "Rules for Passbook Savings Bank Accounts" printed in the passbook. Those rules apply in addition to these General Terms and Conditions. The bank recommends that the customer presents the passbook regularly to the bank for making updates. The data reflected in the passbook shall be deemed to be a valid notice of transactions conducted on the bank account. It is the responsibility of the customer to check the accuracy of entries in the savings passbook and notify the bank of any errors therein within 30 days of the date of such statement. The bank shall not be held liable for any losses due to unawareness of the transactions by the customer resulting from the failure by the latter to update his/her passbook.
  4. The bank will provide to the customer a monthly statement for bank accounts in the manner stipulated by the Law or agreed with the customer. The bank is not obliged to provide a monthly statement to the customer if no debit/credit has been made from/to the respective bank account during the given month. Information reflected in the statement shall be deemed to be a valid notice of transactions conducted on the bank account. It is the responsibility of the customer to check the accuracy of the statement and notify the bank of any errors therein within 30 days of the date of such statement. The bank shall not be held liable for any losses incurred by the customer due to errors, theft, loss or for disclosure of information which may arise in connection with the postal delivery of the statements.
  5. The bank shall be entitled without further authorisation of the customer or prior notification to the Customer to debit from the bank account all taxes subject to levy by the bank in accordance with the legislation of RoA.
  6. Bank accounts with zero balances may be closed by the bank after six months. In addition to cases stipulated in first part of the present clause sole entrepreneurs’ account(s) with the Bank which are held with less than average quarterly balance amount stipulated in the bank’s Tariff of Charges in aggregate at any given time within 3 uninterrupted months may be closed at unilateral decision of the Bank if such account(s) with the bank have zero balance at the moment of decision making.
  7. If the customer has not performed any transaction by his/her bank account within uninterrupted twenty four months, for the purpose of ensuring the security of the customer’s bank account service, the bank shall be entitled to block the customer’s bank account and suspend performance of transactions by that account until the customer provides to the bank the information required by the latter. The customer agrees, that the required information must be provided to the bank personally by himself/herself (without participation of any authorised person), otherwise the bank shall reject to accept the above-mentioned information. Deposits and withdrawals may be made at the bank subject to availability of satisfactory evidence of identity or via the bank’s ATM Card, including by the use of any on-site or off-site Automated Teller Machine (ATM) of the bank.
  8. Conversion from one currency to another shall be made at the bank’s respective exchange rate as regularly defined by the bank. By giving a respective instruction to the Bank for effecting a transfer from a bank account in one currency to a bank account in another currency (including through ATM), the customer undertakes and confirms that he/she agrees to the conversion of currency at the exchange rate defined by the bank.
  9. The customer agrees that the bank is entitled to make a currency conversion transaction at the exchange rate defined by itself in order to credit the customer’s respective bank account with amounts transferred/paid in favor of the customer in other currency.
  10. The bank is authorised to debit the bank account of the customer for all cheques, payment instructions duly signed in accordance with the current signing authority provided to the bank on signature card or other forms accepted by bank.
  11. The customer agrees to indemnify the bank against any expenses and losses incurred by the bank with respect to implementation of customer’s instructions and the bank shall be entitled to debit the customer’s bank accounts with any such amounts.
  12. The bank shall accept the payment instructions on the days and at the time defined by itself. The payment instructions received outside the above mentioned day and time period shall be deemed to be received on the next working day of the receipt. For processing the payment instructions, the bank shall be entitled to request from the customer additional information/approval related to the instruction and shall process the customer instruction only upon receipt of such information/approval. If it is not possible to receive the additional information/approval from the customer the bank reserves the right to decline to process the customer instruction. The customer shall be advised on non-acceptance of the payment instruction verbally and/or in writing. The bank is not obliged to notify the customer on receipt of payment instruction on payment of funds to the customer.
  13. Acting only as the customer’s collection agent, the bank may agree to accept, but without assuming any responsibility for their payment, cheques, bank drafts, and similar payment instruments drawn or endorsed in favour of the customer for deposit to bank account. For this purpose, the bank’s offices, correspondents or other agents appointed by the bank shall be deemed to be the customer’s agents.
  14. The bank or its agents shall not be held liable for the loss, damage or dishonour of a cheque or other instrument or for the failure to credit, late payment or presentation, validity, any delay in crediting the bank account or non-payment and return of cheques, payment instructions, bank drafts or other instruments if not caused by the Bank/it’s agent’s fault. The bank or its agents shall not be held liable for any loss of the customer due to suspending the transfer of funds or freezing the funds transferred based on the customer’s payment instructions in accordance with the legislation of foreign states. The bank or its agents shall process all transactions on best effort basis in compliance with local regulations.
  15. Proceeds of cheques or other instruments shall be available for withdrawal by the customer the next working day after the clearing amount of the sent check is recieved.  
  16. The rate of interest payable on respective bank account shall be displayed at the bank’s branches, the bank’s web-site and/or publicised in any other way (term deposit accounts are regulated  based on respective agreements between the Customer and the Bank).
  17. Bank accounts maintained for minors shall be operated by the parents or legally appointed guardian until the minor attains the age of 18. The minors between the age of 14-18 are entitled to open bank accounts and dispose the funds available on such bank accounts in accordance with the law without the consent of parents or guardians.
  18. The bank shall have the right at any time to use the funds available on the bank accounts of the customer with the bank (irrespective of the currency) for the satisfaction of any indebtedness of the customer to the bank irrespective of currency and its legal ground, as well as charge/record the amount of customer’s indebtedness from/on respective bank account of the customer. For the purposes of effecting such charge, the bank is authorised, if necessary, to exchange various currencies available on different bank accounts of the customer at the exchange rate defined by the bank for the respective currency and charge the respective amount. The customer hereby agrees, that for the purpose of satisfaction of any indebtedness of the customer to the bank (irrespective of the currency and its legal ground) the bank may request other banks operating in territory of the Republic of Armenia to debit the amounts of customer indebtedness from the customer bank accounts with those banks and transfer these amounts to the bank.
  19. In the event of death, incapacity, insolvency or bankruptcy (or other analogous, event or proceedings) of the customer the bank shall not be liable for any dealings on the bank account unless and until the bank has received written notice of the same together with other satisfactory documentary evidence as determined by the bank. In case of receiving a valid notice, the bank shall suspend all dealings on the bank account until a duly appointed successor or court appointed officer has been suitably empowered to deal with the bank account.
  20. The customer may close the bank account by giving prior written notice at any time to the bank after payment of all moneys due to the bank at the time of such closing of the bank account. The bank may on the bases of competent authorities orders terminate or suspend dealings on the bank account in the manner and in cases stipulated in the RoA legal acts without filing a prior notice to the customer or presenting a justification. The bank shall have the right to close the bank account of the customer at its discretion, if the legal acts or conditions set forth herein have been breached by the latter with a further notification to the customer.
  21. Any written demand or communication of the bank shall be made in the manner and based on contact details agreed with the customer.In case of sending notifications via post, electronic channels or document delivery service to the Customer’s provided address, the Customer notification delivery is considered properly performed. The customer’s failure to receive the bank’s notification shall not be qualified as non-performance or improper performance of notification obligations of the bank. If the customer is not available at the address mentioned by himself/herself, the customer herewith agrees and instructs the bank to pass the information sent to that address via post mail to third parties at that address and also undertakes not to make claims against the bank in this regard.
  22. The customer shall advise the bank without delay of any change in address, residency status, and/or in the information and documents submitted to the bank. If the customer fails to advise the bank on any such change the bank shall not be liable for any loss incurred by the customer as a result of making transactions with bank account based on the documents/information available at the bank.
    The bank has the right to close the customer’s account/accounts if, in accordance with the bank’s internal criteria, the customer account/accounts is/are mainly used for transactions with crypto currencies.

3. Bank deposit

  1. The conditions set forth herein govern the relations between the bank and the person (the customer) signing any sample bank deposit opening form approved by the bank in addition to the provisions related to bank accounts.
  2. The rate of interest payable on bank deposit shall be displayed at the bank’s branches, at the bank’s public website and/or in any other way. The published interest rates are applicable for up to AMD 250 million, and in case of foreign currency up to 500,000 units of the relevant currency, including Term Deposits and Cumulative Term Deposits.
  3. The interest rate on the amount exceeding AMD 250 million or in case of foreign currency exceeding 500,000 units of the relevant currency at the stage of initial opening or renewing bank deposits, is set on contractual basis and may differ from the public interest rate offered by the bank applicable at the moment.
  4. While replenishing bank deposits, including Cumulative Term Deposits, which results in exceeding AMD 250 million and in case of foreign currency 500,000 units of the relevant currency, the interest rate on the newly replenished deposit amount shall be set on contractual basis and may differ from the public interest rate offered by the bank applicable at the moment.
  5. The bank has the right to reject acceptance, renewal or replenishment of the customer’s deposit, in case the total amount of all deposits of the customer exceeds AMD 2.5 billion, or the acceptance, renewal or replenishment of the deposit will result in exceeding the above mentioned amounts or will result in a breach of CBA regulations, including normatives stipulated thereof, or will result in additional costs for the bank.
  6. The interest rate defined by the bank at the moment of opening of a term deposit shall remain unchanged during the entire period of the deposit agreement, unless provided otherwise as per the deposit agreement or set for particular types of deposits. The interest on each deposit is payable upon maturity of the deposit or as otherwise agreed by the parties. Interest payable on the deposit shall be paid in Armenian Drams or in foreign currency by which the deposit is attracted based on respective instruction provided by customer.
  7. The term deposits of the customers shall be paid at the first demand of the customer.
  8. In case of early termination of the term deposit agreement at the request of the customer or due to other reason beyond the control of the bank the payable interest shall be calculated at the rate agreed between the bank and the customer.

4. Electronic banking services

  1. The conditions set forth herein govern all transactions effected by the ATM card (the card) issued by the bank to the customer.
  2. The card shall be provided to the customer (hereinafter also referred as the cardholder) after acceptance of the terms specified herein and submission of the ATM card order form by the customer. The customer shall dispose the funds available on his/her bank account(s) opened in the name of the cardholder by the card in accordance with these General Terms and Conditions, as well as the overdraft funds provided by the bank (if applicable).
  3. The transactions made by the card shall only be carried out by use of Personal Identity Number (PIN), which is considered as proper authorisation of ATM card transactions.
  4. The transactions processed by the use of the card shall be reflected in the bank account statement provided by the bank to the cardholder, which shall be provided to the cardholder/customer in accordance with the application –instruction on communication order between the bank and the customer. The transactions made by the card through the bank account shall be carried out in accordance with the 'Bank Account' section of these General Terms and Conditions. The card shall remain the property of the bank, and the customer shall surrender the card to the immediately upon request. The bank may withdraw at any time all rights and privileges of the customer pertaining to the card. The bank’s record of transactions processed by the use of the card shall be deemed to be a documentary evidence of the transactions.
  5. The Cardholder may perform the following transactions by the use of his/her Card- encashment, cash deposit, transfers to the accounts maintained by the Bank, as well as the following activities- checking the account balance, PIN changes, printing of account and pension account statements on preceding several transactions, change of the preferred language.
  6. The bank shall debit the customer’s/cardholder’s bank account with the amount of any encashment or transfer effected by use of the card. Transactions in foreign currencies shall be effected at the exchange rate as determined by the banks involved in the transaction (including intermediary banks) on the day of such transaction.
  7. The bank shall debit the customer’s/cardholder’s bank account with all expenses related to the issuance, maintenance of the card, as well as fees related to additional card and, if necessary, any replacement thereof.
  8. The bank may charge commission for encashment through ATMs, the amount of which shall be defined by the bank in its Tariff of Charges.
  9. The ownership of the card belongs to the bank and shall be returned to the bank at the latter’s request. The customer agrees that the bank shall have a right to cancel the card at any time with a further notification to the customer. In such cases the cardholder shall return the card to the bank for destruction or destroy the card himself/herself following the bank’s instructions.
  10. The customer shall bear all risks related to the card and PIN, and the bank shall bear no liability whatsoever for any loss/damage arising from the use of the card and PIN however caused unless the cause is the result of an act or error of the bank.
  11. The Customer shall at all times remain liable for any transactions made by use of the Card and shall indemnify for the loss/damage caused to the Bank as a result of the unauthorized use of the Card or PIN.
  12. The Customer/Cardholder shall have a right to order an Additional Card for the purpose of disposal of the funds available on his/her bank account(s) attached to his/her Card by filling a respective form defined by the Bank. The Customer’s/Cardholder’s authorized person (Authorized Cardholder) shall be obliged to adhere to the terms specified herein as well after submission of required documents to the Bank and approval by the latter.  The Customer shall promptly advise the Bank on termination of authorities of the Authorized Cardholder (Cardholders) and return the Additional Card(s) to the Bank or advise any other circumstance which may restrict the implementation of transactions through the Card/Additional Card by the Authorized Cardholder/Cardholders. The Bank shall bear no liability whatsoever for any loss/damage arising from the use of the Card or Additional Card in cases when the Customer/Cardholder fails to provide the above-mentioned information to the Bank.
  13. The card shall be provided to the cardholder for indefinite term and to the additional cardholder – for three year term. The card shall be reissued after making the payments stipulated in the bank’s Tariff of Charges.
  14. The customer shall exercise due care to prevent the card and details of the PIN being lost or stolen and shall notify the bank immediately and confirm any loss or theft. The bank cannot be held responsible in case of a lost or stolen card/PIN is used prior to receipt of notice of loss. The bank’s ATM or PIN use security rules are available on the bank’s web-site at the following link: https://www.hsbc.am/en-am/credit-cards/security-rules/ and the bank’s branches.
  15. In case of detecting unauthorised transactions by the card or additional card the cardholder shall be obliged to immediately notify the bank thereon.
  16. The disputes and investigations related to ATM Card transactions shall be handled in accordance with the bank’s security rules on ATM or credit card use.
  17. The Cardholder/Authorized Cardholder shall not provide the Card/Additional Card and the PIN to any other persons and shall always follow the Cards Security Rules defined by the Bank.
  18. The Bank shall not be liable for any loss or damage of the Customer/Cardholder/Authorized cardholder arising directly or indirectly from any malfunction/failure of the Card or ATM, temporary insufficiency of funds in such machines or other similar reason (irrespective of the fact which bank appears to be the owner or lessee of the subject ATM).
  19. Any cash deposited by use of the card shall only be credited to the customer’s bank account after verification by the bank, after which such deposits shall be regarded as having been received by the bank and credited to the customer’s bank account.
  20. The customer shall be jointly and severally responsible for all transactions processed by the use of the card issued to one or more of the holders of joint bank account.
  21. The card/additional card shall be immediately returned to the bank in the event of the customer’s death, closure of the bank account, termination of activities, insolvency or bankruptcy (or other analogous event or proceedings) of the Individual Entrepreneur customer, as well as in the event of authorised cardholder’s death.
  22. Use of the card in cases of making any change to these General Terms and Conditions will constitute acceptance without reservation by the customer/cardholder of such change. 

5. Guarantee of deposit compensation

NOTICE on procedure and terms of the guarantee of deposit compensation

Dear Depositor,

ATTENTION: Before signing the Deposit Agreement please get acquainted with the provisions of this document.

The Guarantor of your deposit is the Deposit Guarantee Fund (hereinafter the Fund). The location of the fund:
 

15 M. Khorenatsi str., Yerevan, 0010, Republic of Armenia, Elite Plaza business complex, office 2-A5, telephone: + (37410) 58 35 14, Website: www.adgf.am


All the definitions within this Notice are in compliance with the definitions of the Law of Republic of Armenia "On Guarantee of Compensation for the Banking Deposits of Physical Persons" (hereinafter the Law).

Compensation event

Your guaranteed deposit is subject to compensation in the following events:

  1. In accordance with the legislation of Republic of Armenia, the bank is recognised as insolvent and incapable of repaying the deposits, within the terms defined by the agreement and the law, is approved by the Board resolution of the Central Bank of Republic of Armenia (hereinafter the Central Bank); or
  2. In accordance with the procedure defined by the legislation of Republic of Armenia, the bank is recognised as bankrupt (hereinafter the Insolvent Bank). 

The maximum amount and the calculation method of the guaranteed deposit

The calculation method of the guaranteed deposits is defined by the Board Resolution of the Central Bank no. 261-N dated 26 August, 2008.

ATTENTION: All your deposits in Armenian drams within the same bank are deemed to be a single deposit in Armenian drams, except for the unguaranteed banking deposits, and all your deposits in foreign currency within the same bank are deemed to be a single deposit in foreign currency, except for the unguaranteed banking deposits.

In cases when your deposit with the bank is formed as a result of one or more bank mergers with the bank, then each deposit you have in each of the merged bank will be treated as a separate deposit in the manner stipulated in the law.

The guaranteed limits of the deposits are the following:
The currency structure of the deposit If you have a deposit only in Armenian drams within the same bank If you have a deposit only in foreign currency within the same bank

If you have deposits both in Armenian drams and in foreign currency within the same bank and the deposit is more than 7 (seven) mln drams If you have deposits both in Armenian drams and in foreign currency within the same bank and the deposit is less than 7 (seven) mln drams
The maximum amount of the deposit guarantee 16 (sixteen) million Armenian drams 7 (seven) million Armenian drams

16 (sixteen) million Armenian drams

(only the deposit in Armenian drams is guaranteed)

7 (seven) million Armenian drams 
(the deposit in Armenian drams is fully guaranteed and the deposit in foreign currency is guaranteed in the amount of the difference between 7 million Armenian drams and the guaranteed deposit in Armenian drams)
The guaranteed limits of the deposits are the following:
The currency structure of the deposit The maximum amount of the deposit guarantee
If you have a deposit only in Armenian drams within the same bank 16 (sixteen) million Armenian drams
If you have a deposit only in foreign currency within the same bank

7 (seven) million Armenian drams

If you have deposits both in Armenian drams and in foreign currency within the same bank and the deposit is more than 7 (seven) mln drams

16 (sixteen) million Armenian drams

(only the deposit in Armenian drams is guaranteed)

If you have deposits both in Armenian drams and in foreign currency within the same bank and the deposit is less than 7 (seven) mln drams
7 (seven) million Armenian drams 
(the deposit in Armenian drams is fully guaranteed and the deposit in foreign currency is guaranteed in the amount of the difference between 7 million Armenian drams and the guaranteed deposit in Armenian drams)

If you have separate banking deposit in the insolvent bank and at the same time you are an owner of joint banking deposit within the same bank, you are guaranteed for the sum of your separate banking deposit and your portion of the joint banking deposit - in accordance to the procedure and the amount stipulated in the Law.

If you have a problematic obligation towards the insolvent bank, the compensated amount is calculated based on the positive difference between your banking deposit and the problematic obligation. The obligation is considered as problematic in case if you have delayed the repayment of its principal amount (or any part of it) or interest amount for more than 90 days after the repayment date stipulated in the agreement.

The joint banking deposit of two or more depositors is considered separate deposit of each depositor in the portion defined by the agreement. If the portions of the depositors of the joint banking deposit are not defined in the agreement, the joint deposit is equally divided between the depositors.

The banking deposit is compensated only in Armenian drams. The dram equivalence of banking deposit in foreign currency is determined by the currency market average exchange rate published by the Central Bank on the day the compensation event has occurred.

Your banking deposit is not compensated if on the date of compensation occurrence the deposit is less than 1,000 Armenian drams.

Unguaranteed banking deposit

Your banking deposit is unguaranteed if:

  • you are a manager of the respective bank and(or) a family member of the latter
  • you have a significant shareholding in the respective bank and (or) its family member
  • you, as an owner (co-owner) of the deposit waive your right to the respective portion of the deposit
  • your deposit has been qualified as proceeds generated from criminal activity unless you prove to the contrary
  • your deposit has been placed with the respective bank at an interest rate exceeding 1.5 times the interest rate stipulated by the public agreement of the bank for similar deposits
  • your deposit is placed with a branch of the respective bank established outside the Republic of Armenia

The procedure and the terms on compensation of the guaranteed deposits

Within three days following the day of compensation event the Fund publishes the announcement on the compensation event. Starting from 20th business day following the day of compensation event the Fund through the insolvent bank or any other bank starts the process of compensation of your deposits. You may file a written or electronic claim no later than within three year period following the day of compensation event. If you don't file a written claim within the mentioned period, the Fund will not compensate your guaranteed deposit. The Fund must pay the compensations claimed by the depositors within three business days following the filing the written or electronic claim except in the cases stipulated by the law.

After the compensation of the guaranteed deposit your monetary claim against the insolvent bank is deemed to be satisfied in proportion of the repaid amount. Any outstanding amount in excess of the maximum repayment limit is deemed to be the liability of the insolvent bank to you.

ATTENTION: For smooth processing of the compensation of your deposit it is recommended to immediately inform the bank about any changes in the data (ID/passport details, details of Social Card, address, telephone number, etc.) provided to the bank.

6. What to do if you have a complaint

Step 1: Get informed about your rights

Each employee of the company should:

  • Direct you to the member of staff responsible for complaint handling.
  • Provide you the necessary communication details of the Company (telephone number, e-mail address).

 

The responsible employee of the Company should:

  • Inform you about your rights and the process of complaint handling.
  • Provide you the rules of the Company, as well as the Complaint presentment form.

Step 2: Submit your complaint

HSBC Armenia cjsc

Present written complaint to the responsible staff member or send it to below mentioned addresses:

E-mail: hsbc.armenia@hsbc.com

Address: 42 Paronyan Street, Yerevan 0015, RA

You can present your complaint with the help of Financial System Mediator as well.

  • Provide your details to receive the response.
  • Ensure your complaint is received and keep the receipt until the issue is completely resolved.

10 days later

Step 3: Familiarize yourself with the response

The Company makes the appropriate decision on the complaint (to satisfy, to partially satisfy or to reject) within 10 business days.

In case of questions, please contact the Company’s responsible person at:

+374 60 655 000

Not satisfied?

Step 4: Submit your complaint to:

Financial system mediator, if

  • you are an individual customer, an individual entrepreneur (micro-entrepreneur) or a legal entity, including a guarantor, a pledger or a person who has a claim with regards to security measures (e.g. pledge)
  • the complaint is concerning a service provided by the Organization or you have a monetary claim (not exceeding AMD 10 million), or the complaint is related to credit history
  • you have not received a response within 10 business days or the complaint resolution does not satisfy you
  • the complaint is not currently being examined by the Court or by the Arbitration tribunal or by Financial System Mediator
  • less than 6 months have passed since the receipt of the response from the Company
  • the action or the inaction claimed by you has taken place after 02 August, 2008

Financial system mediator services are free of charge:

(15 M. Khorenatsi street, “Elite Plaza” Business Center, 7th floor, Yerevan 0010, +374 60 701 111, info@fsm.am)

Arbitration Tribunal

  • if you have signed an arbitration agreement with the Company, the disputes arising between you and the Company are subject to settlement by arbitration tribunal
  • when signing a contract, you have the right to refuse signing arbitration agreement and the Company must provide services to you
  • remember, even in case of arbitration agreement existence, you can still refer to Financial System Mediator, unless your claim is already being examined at Arbitration tribunal
  • financial System Mediator is not authorized to accept the claim, if it is already being examined by the Arbitration tribunal

Court

  • you can always apply to the court
  • the decision made by the court cannot be reviewed by Financial System Mediator

Central Bank

  • you can also refer to the Central Bank of Armenia and receive a response to your complaint within 15 business days (6 V. Sargsyan street, Yerevan 0010, +374 592 697, consumerinfo@cba.am)
  • in case your complaint is within jurisdiction of other institutions, the Central Bank will direct your claim to them
  • the Central Bank advises to apply to the Company with your complaint first (Step 2)

 

You can also get acquainted with “What to do if you have a complaint” form.

7. Appendix

Collection and use of customer information (Financial Crime Risk Management Activity and Tax Compliance) - terms and conditions

Definitions

Capitalised terms used in these Terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise requires:

Authorities” means any judicial, administrative or regulatory body, any government, or public or government agency, instrumentality or authority, any Tax Authority, securities or futures exchange, court, central bank or law enforcement body, or any agents thereof, having jurisdiction over any part of HSBC Group.

Compliance Obligations” means obligations of any member of the HSBC Group to comply with:

  • any applicable local or foreign statute, law, regulation, ordinance, rule, judgment, decree, voluntary code, directive, sanctions regime, court order, agreement between any member of the HSBC Group and an Authority, or agreement or treaty between Authorities and applicable to HSBC or a member of the HSBC Group (“Laws”), or international guidance and internal policies or procedures
  • any valid demand from Authorities or reporting, regulatory trade reporting, disclosure or other obligations under Laws, and
  • laws requiring HSBC to verify the identity of our Customers

Connected Person” means a person or entity whose information (including Personal Data or Tax Information) is provided by, or on behalf of, the Customer to any member of the HSBC Group or otherwise received by any member of the HSBC Group in connection with the provision of the Services. In relation to the Customer, a Connected Person may include, but is not limited to, any guarantor of the Customer, a director or officer of a company, partners or members of a partnership, any “substantial owner”, “controlling person”, or beneficial owner, trustee, settler or protector of a trust, account holder of a designated account, payee of a designated payment, representative, agent or nominee of the Customer, or any other persons or entities having a relationship to the Customer that is relevant to its banking relationship with the HSBC Group.

Controlling Persons” generally means individuals who exercise control over an entity (for a trust, these are the settlor, the trustees, the protector, the beneficiaries or class of beneficiaries, and any other individual who exercises ultimate effective control over the trust, and in the case of a legal entity other than a trust, such term means persons in equivalent or similar positions of control).

Customer Information” means Personal Data, confidential information, and/or Tax Information of either the Customer or a Connected Person (including accompanying statements, waivers and consents).

Financial Crime” means money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery, corruption, tax evasion, fraud, evasion of economic or trade sanctions, and/or violations, or attempts to circumvent or violate any Laws or regulations relating to these matters.

HSBC” means HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc.

HSBC Group” means HSBC Holdings plc, and/or any of, its affiliates, subsidiaries, associated entities and any of their branches and offices, and “any member of the HSBC Group” has the same meaning.

Loss” means any claim, charge, cost (including, but not limited to, any legal or other professional cost), damages, debt, expense, tax, liability, obligation, allegation, suit, action, demand, cause of action, proceeding or judgment, however calculated or caused, and whether direct or indirect, consequential, punitive or incidental.

Personal Data” means any data relating to an individual (and corporate entities, in those countries and regions where data privacy law applies to corporates), from which the individual can be identified, including, without limitation, sensitive personal data, name(s), residential address(es), contact information, age, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, citizenship, personal and marital status.

Services” means, without limitation,

  • the opening, maintaining and closing of the Customer’s bank accounts
  • the provision of credit facilities and other banking products and services to the Customer (including, for example, securities dealing, investment advisory, broker, agency, custodian, clearing or technology procuring services), processing applications, ancillary credit assessment and product eligibility assessment, and
  • the maintenance of HSBC’s overall relationship with the Customer, including marketing or promoting  financial services or related products to the Customer, market research, insurance, audit and administrative purposes

Substantial Owners” means any individuals entitled to more than 10% of the profits of or with an interest of more than 10% in an entity either directly or indirectly.

Tax Authorities” means foreign tax, revenue, fiscal or monetary authorities.

Tax Information” means any documentation or information (and accompanying statements, waivers and consents) relating, directly or indirectly, to the tax status of a Customer (regardless of whether that Customer is an individual or a business, non-profit or other corporate entity) and any owner, “controlling person”, “substantial owner” or beneficial owner of a Customer, that HSBC considers, acting reasonably, is needed to comply (or demonstrate compliance, or avoid non-compliance) with any HSBC Group member’s obligations to any Tax Authority. “Tax Information” includes, but is not limited to, information about: tax residence and/or place of organisation (as applicable), tax domicile, tax identification number, Tax Certification Forms, certain Personal Data (including name(s), residential address(es), age, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, citizenship).

Tax Certification Forms” means any forms or other documentation as may be issued or required by a Tax Authority or by HSBC from time to time to confirm the tax status of an account holder or the Connected Person of an entity.

Reference to the singular includes the plural (and vice versa).

Collection, Processing and Sharing of Customer Information

These Terms explain how HSBC will use information about the Customer and Connected Persons. By using the Services, the Customer agrees that HSBC and members of the HSBC Group shall use Customer Information in accordance with these Terms.

Customer Information will not be disclosed to anyone (including other members of the HSBC Group), other than where:

  • HSBC is legally required to disclose
  • HSBC has a public duty to disclose
  • HSBC’s or a third party’s legitimate business purposes require disclosure
  • the disclosure is made with Customer consent or
  • it is disclosed as set out in the following Terms

In accordance with Customer consent set out herein Customer information may be provided only to foreign Authorities in the manner specified In these Terms. Notwithstanding the provisions of these Terms, Customer information may be provided to the Authorities of the Republic of Armenia only in cases and in accordance with procedure stipulated in the legislation of the Republic of Armenia.

Collection

HSBC and other members of the HSBC Group may collect, use and share Customer Information (including relevant information about the Customer, the Customer’s transactions, the Customer’s use of HSBC’s products and services, and the Customer’s relationships with the HSBC Group).  Customer Information may be requested from the Customer (or a person acting on the Customer’s behalf), or may also be collected by or on behalf of HSBC, or members of the HSBC Group, from other sources (including from publically available information), generated or combined with other information available to HSBC or any member of the HSBC Group.

Processing

HSBC and/or members of the HSBC Group will process, transfer and disclose Customer Information in connection with the following purposes:

  • providing services and for any transactions requested or authorised by the customer
  • meeting compliance obligations
  • conducting financial crime risk management activity
  • collecting any amounts due from the customer
  • conducting credit checks and obtaining or providing credit references
  • enforcing or defending HSBC’s, or a member of the HSBC Group’s, rights
  • for internal operational requirements of HSBC or the HSBC Group (including, without limitation, credit and risk management, system or product development and planning, insurance, audit and administrative purposes)
  • maintaining HSBC’s overall relationship with the Customer (including marketing or promoting financial services or related products to the Customer and market research), (the “Purposes”)

Sharing

By using the Services, the Customer agrees that HSBC may (as necessary and appropriate for the Purposes) transfer and disclose any Customer Information to the following recipients (who may also process, transfer and disclose such Customer Information for the Purposes):

  • any member of the HSBC Group
  • any sub-contractors, agents, service providers, or associates of the HSBC Group (including their  employees, directors and officers)
  • in response to any requests from any  foreign Authorities
  • anyone acting on behalf of the Customer, payment recipients, beneficiaries, account nominees, intermediary, correspondent and agent banks, clearing houses, clearing or settlement systems, market counterparties, upstream withholding agents, swap or trade repositories, stock exchanges, companies in which the Customer has an interest in securities (where such securities are held by HSBC for the Customer)
  • any party acquiring  an interest in or assuming risk in or in connection with the Services
  • other financial institutions, credit reference agencies or credit bureaus, for obtaining or providing credit references
  • any party fund manager who provides asset management services to the Customer
  • any introducing broker to whom HSBC provides introductions or referrals
  • in connection with any HSBC business transfer, disposal, merger or acquisition, wherever located, including in jurisdictions which do not have data protection laws that provide the same level of protection as the jurisdiction in which the Services are supplied

Customer obligations

The customer agrees to inform HSBC promptly, and in any event, within 30 days in writing if there are any changes to customer Information supplied to HSBC or a member of the HSBC Group from time to time, and to respond to any request from, HSBC, or a member of the HSBC Group.

The customer confirms that every connected person/person whose information (including personal data or tax information) they have provided to HSBC or a member of the HSBC Group has been notified of and agreed to the processing, disclosure and transfer of their information as set out in these Terms. The customer shall advise connected persons/such persons that they may have rights of access to, and correction of, their personal data.

Where:

  • customer fails to provide customer Information that HSBC reasonably requests, or
  • customer withholds or withdraws any consents which HSBC may need to process, transfer or disclose customer information for the Purposes, or
  • HSBC or a member of the HSBC Group has suspicions regarding the possible commission of financial crime or a customer presents a potential financial crime risk to a member of the HSBC Group

 

HSBC may:

  • be unable to provide new, or continue to provide all or part of the, services to the customer and reserves the right to terminate its business relationship with the customer
  • take actions necessary for HSBC or a member of the HSBC Group to meet the compliance obligations; and/or
  • block, transfer or close customer account(s)

In addition, the failure of a customer to supply their, or their connected person’s, tax Information and accompanying statements, waivers and consents, may result in HSBC making its own decision with respect to the customer’s status, including whether to report such Customer to a Tax Authority, and may require HSBC or other persons to withhold amounts as may be legally required by any tax authority and paying such amounts to any tax authority.

Data protection

Whether it is processed in a home jurisdiction or overseas, in accordance with data protection legislation, customer Information will be protected by a strict code of secrecy and security which all members of the HSBC Group, their staff and third parties are subject to.

Under relevant data protection legislation, an individual has the right to request copies of certain categories of personal data which may be held and to request that any errors in such data are corrected.

Financial crime risk management activity

HSBC, and members of the HSBC Group, are required, and may take any action they consider appropriate in their sole and absolute discretion, to meet compliance obligations in connection with the detection, investigation and prevention of financial crime ('financial crime risk management activity').

Such action may include, but is not limited to:

  • screening, intercepting and investigating any instruction, communication, drawdown request, application for Services, or any payment sent to or by the Customer, or on its behalf
  • investigating the source of or intended recipient of funds
  • combining customer Information with other related information in the possession of the HSBC Group, and/or
  • making further enquiries as to the status of a person or entity, whether they are subject to a sanctions regime, or confirming a customer’s identity and status

To the extent permissible by law, neither HSBC nor any other member of HSBC Group shall be liable to the customer or any third party in respect of any loss/loss whether incurred by the customer or a third party in connection with the delaying, blocking or refusing of any payment or the provision of all or part of the services or otherwise as a result of financial crime risk management activity.

Tax compliance

The customer acknowledges they are solely responsible for understanding and complying with their tax obligations (including but not limited to, tax payment or filing of returns or other required documentation relating to the payment of all relevant taxes) in all jurisdictions in which those obligations arise and relating to the opening and use of account(s) and/or Services provided by HSBC and/or members of the HSBC Group. Certain countries and regions may have tax legislation with extra-territorial effect regardless of the customer’s or connected person’s place of domicile, residence, citizenship or incorporation. HSBC and/or any member of the HSBC Group does not provide tax advice. The customer is advised to seek independent legal and/or tax advice. HSBC and/or any member of the HSBC Group has no responsibility in respect of a customer’s tax obligations in any jurisdiction which they may arise including, without limitation, any that may relate specifically to the opening and use of account(s) and/or services provided by HSBC and/or members of the HSBC Group.

Miscellaneous

In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between any of these Terms and those in any other service, product, business relationship, account or agreement between the Customer and HSBC, these Terms shall prevail. Any consents, authorisations, HSBC requested waivers and permissions that already exist from the Customer in relation to Customer Information shall continue to apply in full force and effect, to the extent permissible by applicable local law.

If all or any part of the provisions of these Terms become illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the law of any jurisdiction, that shall not affect or impair the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdictions or the remainder of these Terms in that jurisdiction.

Survival upon termination

These Terms shall continue to apply notwithstanding their termination, any termination by HSBC or a member of the HSBC Group of the provision of any Services to the Customer or the closure of any Customer account.

Last updated on: 31.10.23, 16:00

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