It is important to keep us informed so that we can ensure that the related accounts of the deceased are frozen. As a first step, we will need the death certificate to update the account status.  Rest assured that once you have submitted the death certificate to us, transaction in sole name and both to sign joint accounts will be restricted and credit cards cannot be used further.

If you would like to enquire about balance of your lending facility, please present us with the following documents to one of our branches in Hong Kong:

1. Identification proof of the deceased (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card / Passport)
2. Identification proof of the relative enquiring about balance of lending facility (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card / Passport)
3. Relationship identification documents of the relatives
   a. Spouse of the deceased – marriage certificate
   b. Parents of the deceased – birth certificate of the deceased
   c. Children of the deceased (must be at least 18 years of age) – birth certificate of the child
   d. Siblings of the deceased – birth certificate of both the deceased and the sibling
4. Contact details of the relative

If you would like to obtain a comprehensive picture of the deceased’s accounts or for the purpose of applying for Probate or Letters of Administration, you can apply for a Certificate of Balance.

To protect our clients’ interest, please submit the following documents to one of our branches in Hong Kong.

1. Certified true copy identification proof of the deceased by a qualified solicitor or Notary Public or staff at our Hong Kong branches (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card/Passport)
2. Certified true copy identification proof of the relative by a qualified solicitor or Notary Public or staff at our Hong Kong branches. (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card/Passport)
3. Certified true copy of the relationship identification documents of the relatives or the last Will of the deceased by a qualified solicitor or Notary Public or staff in our Hong Kong branches according to the below relationship with the deceased:
   a. Spouse of the deceased – marriage certificate
   b. Parents of the deceased – birth certificate of the deceased
   c. Children of the deceased (must be at least 18 years of age) – birth certificate of the child
   d. Siblings of the deceased – birth certificate of both the deceased and the sibling
4. Contact details of the relative

Note: applying for Certificate of Balance is subject to fees and charges. Please refer to the latest Service Charges Booklet.

The personal representative of the deceased has the right to administer the estate. In general, a personal representative is either an executor (with will) or administrator (without will). To settle the outstanding balance in the deceased’s accounts, please contact our Bereavement Team at (852)2267-2299 (Monday to Friday, 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m., public holidays excluded) to discuss feasible options.

Fund transfers to the executor(s)/administrator(s) can be arranged once it has been confirmed that there is credit balance in the deceased’s account(s) and that the liabilities with us have been settled.

Please prepare the following required documents and submit them to one of our branches or mail to Kowloon East P.O. Box 68383 Hong Kong :

1. Certified true identification documents of the deceased by a qualified solicitor or Notary Public or staff of our Hong Kong branches (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card / Passport)
2. Certified true identification documents of the executor(s)/administrator(s) by a qualified solicitor or Notary Public or staff of our Hong Kong branches (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card / Passport)
3. Original or certified true copy of Probate or Letters of Administration registered with the Probate Registry granted by Hong Kong High Court OR granted by overseas Court resealed by the Hong Kong High Court (Note #2)
4. (for saving accounts) Written refund instruction letter signed by the executor(s) / administrator(s) and witnessed by a qualified solicitor or Notary Public or staff of our Hong Kong branches
5. (for credit card accounts) Written refund instruction letter signed by the executor(s) / administrator(s)

Please note the written refund instruction letter must cover all of the followings:

1. Name and identity number of deceased (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card / Passport)
2. Name and identity number of all executor(s)/administrator(s) (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card / Passport)
3. Purpose of the letter: request for full release of the credit card account balances
4. Refund channel (Note #3 and #4):

• • Deposit in the executor/administrator’s account in Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong)
  • Cashier order

Notes:

1. We must receive the Probate or Letters of Administration before we can handle the refund.
2. The refundable balance is limited to what is listed in the Probate or Letters of Administration. If the account number, listed category or amount as of the date of death does not match our record, we cannot process the refund. We can only process the releasing for accounts that are clearly listed in the documents’ relevant section. Please note that if there is balance in credit card, investment account and safe deposit locker, all relevant details must be listed out in the relevant section, e.g. name of the funds or shares and the number of units  / shares of the holdings. The form “Direction to Liquidate/Transfer Wealth Management Assets of Deceased Accounts” is required. For investment account and safe deposit locker inquiries, please visit one of our branches.
   Pursuant to section 60J of the Probate and Administration Ordinance (Cap.10) as listed in Warning session of the Probate or Letters of Administration, all companies, banks, firms and shops and other persons to whom a copy of this schedule may be presented should not deal with any property of the Deceased not set out therein. A person who fails to comply with section 60J commits a criminal offence and is liable to a fine and an additional penalty. If there is any mistake in the schedule in your Probate/Letter of Administration, you may consider revising the same and resubmitting to us. Please understand our limitations. For more details, please click here.
3. Fees will be charged for the issuance of cashier order according to the latest Service Charges Booklet. Please list clearly the currency (HKD/CNY) and latest mailing address. The payee’s name must be in name of the executor(s)/administrator(s) / solicitor firm. The transferal method can only be used if the executor/administrator has accounts under Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited.
4. Funds can only be moved from the deceased’s account(s) to the executor(s)/administrator(s) listed in the Probate or Letters of Administration. If there are two or more executor(s)/administrator(s) listed in the Probate or Letters of Administration, then a joint name account would be required.