Greater China: HSBC makes new play to grow HK loan sector

HONG KONG: HSBC plans to aggressively market its new personal instalment loan programme after last year's poor performance in the loan category.

The bank's push to target young consumers with low incomes is supported by a multimedia campaign developed by Bates Hong Kong.

The 15-second spot shows a man wearing a suit and washing his hair as a play on the Chinese metaphor of being trapped in a difficult situation.

The TV spot is supported by Chinese-language print and radio ads, outdoor posters and stickers around the bank's branches. Online banners have been posted on the web and a direct marketing campaign will aim to reach existing HSBC customers.

The campaign is targeted 25 to 34 age group, who earn between HK$10,000 (US$1,282) to $20,000 a month. The scheme aims to appeal to this demographic with its fixed borrowing amount and interest rates based on income. "With other lending institutions are offering complicated benefits - many through complicated promotions - consumers can easily be trapped into a financial situation with an unusually high repayment scheme," said Grace Loong, business director Bates Hong Kong.

The campaign follows a credit card promotion by the bank.