Bank of Butterfield has lured some new customers through its doors with millions of dollars ready to invest following the buy out of Bank of Bermuda by HSBC earlier this month, according to one of its investment professionals.

And the new customers have been looking for a Bermudian company to hold their money ? as well as high level of personal service, according to Dianne Brewer, vice president, head of relationship management and sales at Bank of Butterfield.

Following the announcement of the sale of Bank of Bermuda to HSBC, Bank of Butterfield decided to host a series of lunchtime investment advice sessions this month.

Bermudians are expected to get a windfall of $900 million out of the $1.3 billion total for the sale of the bank ? and investors will have to look for a new stable home for their money.

So far the seminars have attracted a large number of new customers, both high net worth individuals and average retail customers looking for advice.

"We have had a lot of people just walk in, some have a few thousand dollars, others have millions," said Mrs. Brewer.

She said that while the investment sessions were not specifically targeted at the cash generated by the sale, they were responding to a demand out there for their advice.

"There are more people than ever in Bermuda looking for investment advice at the moment," said Mrs. Brewer. "So we put together these lunchtime sessions and are showing our appreciation by providing luncheon."

The sessions started on February 9, and will run three times a week "until there is no more need", said Mrs. Brewer.

So far between 60 and 70 people have come through the bank's doors with anything from $1,000 to millions of dollars in their pockets looking for a home for their money.

Mrs. Brewer said that the sessions were aimed at giving information about what kinds of investment opportunities ? and the risks associated with them ? were offered by the bank. Then, if interested, the investor will meet with an advisor to make sure they have the right product to suit their age and needs.

And she said the bank was not afraid of pitting itself against HSBC and the kind of products that could be offered by the second largest financial service provider in the world.

"The biggest challenge right now is for investors who have been relying on the Bank of Bermuda dividend to live off," said Mrs. Brewer. "You can get that kind of return, but it is a more challenging environment and it is riskier."

Mrs. Brewer said that the sale was a good opportunity for investors to move some of their assets out of the Bermuda dollar.

"Many people have a house, stock and pension all in Bermuda dollars," she said. "People are very heavily invested in their Bermuda assets, and this sale can open up the choices to them."