Hang Seng targets armchair investors

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Bank has extended its relationship with PCCW, launching an interactive investment service through PCCW's now TV, in a bid to drive the bank's customer base.

The Hang Seng TV Securities Trading Service will be offered as an interactive feature through now TV's Business News Channel and its now shop channel and will be linked to Hang Seng's Personal e-Banking division.

By using now TV's remote control, customers will be able to place, amend and cancel trading orders, as well as check their order status and securities account balances 24 hours a day.

A PCCW spokesperson could not disclose any financial terms between PCCW and Hang Seng, but said they were "partners" in the new service.

"Hang Seng is a client of PCCW, we have a good relationship," she said.

Lindsay Servian, PCCW's executive vice president of Advertising & Interactive Services, said the service adds to now TV suite which includes financial services and stock quotes, gourmet food to cinema tickets and the purchasing of consumer products like books, DVDs and console games.

To promote the Hang Seng TV Securities Trading Service the bank is offering free access to its local securities trading by Hang Seng Bank and one month's free trial to real-time stock quotes from now TV's Stock Market Express.