A week after a global announcement of a new personal banking system for HSBC's more affluent customers, Bank of Bermuda has given details of its Bermuda version which is part of the initial roll-out in 35 countries and two territories around the world.

It may not come as a total surprise to learn that joining the elite banking experience in a place as wealthy as Bermuda will require more money than signing up in most other countries.

To join HSBC Premier in Bermuda you will need investable income of $200,000 compared to the $100,000 threshold in the US.

Other than the opening balance requirement, most other things are the same as HSBC Premier elsewhere in the world.

The bank said the aim of the new tier of banking is to "break down international barriers" with HSBC Premier offering "seamless cross-border banking and the promise that customers can, for the first time, take their accounts, credit history and banking relationships with them wherever they choose to live and work."

HSBC Premier customers have access to 250 international Premier Centres located in major cities around the world and more than 6,000 branches with Premier service points. Each location will have access to all the information needed to serve customers and provide local advisory services.

The enhanced Global Premier service brings with it a host of services, which include a globally accessible number 1-908-PREMIER for emergency assistance which includes $1000 instant cash (more available on further verification), card cancellation with next day credit card replacement, assistance with medical repatriation, ability to pre-open overseas accounts overseas from Bermuda, or from other countries when coming to Bermuda and, as from mid-December, a single view of all accounts held with HSBC globally, via the Internet, which provides the ability to manage all accounts, whichever country they are in.

Other benefits include free fund transfers between HSBC accounts online, access to banking services and lounge facilities across 35 countries, and pre-approved mortgages (up to 60 per cent loan-to-value) on up to three properties, at home or abroad.

To support the global re-launch of Premier, Bank of Bermuda has launched a print ad campaign and will have booths in all branches to advise customers of the new and improved benefits of becoming a Premier member.

Head of Personal Financial Services, Richard Brown, said: "Our Premier proposition helps make the world a lot smaller and easier to navigate for our customers and whether here in Bermuda, or overseas, our aim is very much to ensure that we can provide a high level of service and attention in taking care of our customers' financial needs."

HSBC Premier is available to customers who have savings and investments of at least $200,000 or foreign currency equivalent with the Bank of Bermuda, or who are already HSBC Premier customers elsewhere in the world.