HSBC Bank and Samsung Launch Wearable Technology in HSBC's Flagship Branch

Business Wire 25-Oct-2018 9:00 AM

Collaboration leverages custom Samsung wearables technology for bank employees - showing the future of connected retail banking and best-in-class Customer Service

Against the backdrop of the Money20/20 in Las Vegas, HSBC Bank, USA N.A., part of HSBC Group, one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations, and Samsung Electronics America, Inc., revealed details of how HSBC is using Samsung wearable technology to enhance the customer and employee experiences at their flagship retail bank "branch of the future" at 452 Fifth Avenue in the heart of New York City. In a first-of-its-kind pilot, HSBC frontline staff are using customized Samsung Gear S3 smartwatches to enhance customer service by making in-branch communications more seamless and efficient between team members.

"Everything we do is centered on the customer and making it as easy as possible to bank with HSBC when, where and how they choose," said Pablo Sanchez, Regional Head of Retail Banking and Wealth Management for HSBC in the U.S. and Canada.

The Gear S3 smartwatches create more efficient communication channels between HSBC team members by allowing them to easily engage throughout the three floors of its flagship branch. Now, rather than be tethered to fixed locations like desks and offices with traditional communication channels, employees have more freedom to communicate with each other anywhere, anytime, in order to better serve customers.

"Our biggest asset are our people, and we believe the most innovative technology can help them free up time and be more efficient in how they communicate, which is a big win for our customers," said Jeremy Balkin, Head of Innovation, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, HSBC US.

Highlights of the Samsung smart watch solution for HSBC include the following:

• The custom, cloud-based Gear S3 application includes several preset text messages that allow employees to discretely and quickly communicate about customer needs they frequently encounter, such as "Your 10 a.m. appointment is here." Through Samsung Knox Configure, IT can automatically enroll new devices and re-configure the user interface and messages based on workflow needs.
• The HSBC-branded watch face features a simplified interface that allows employees to quickly send requests or notify colleagues of immediate service needs. The device will also discretely notify the sender when the request is fulfilled, allowing employees to pay more attention to meeting customer needs.
• Gear S3 is 4G LTE-enabled, so employees can stay connected without needing their Galaxy smartphones nearby. The built-in speaker and microphone allow them to make and answer calls among team members hands-free as needed.
• Gear S3, like all Samsung mobile devices, is protected by Samsung Knox mobile security. The defense-grade security platform is made up of overlapping defense and security mechanisms that protect against intrusion, malware and other malicious threats.

Initial results from the wearable technology pilot show improved customer waiting times, as well as more efficient communication and responsiveness between team members. HSBC will also use the insights to better understand monitor peak times and identify better ways of working, so they can continue to make appropriate staffing decisions.

"Research published by Celent in May found that 77% of consumers prefer to speak face-to-face with banking associates, indicating how important branch service remains," said John Curtis, Vice President, Enterprise Sales, Samsung Electronics America. "Innovative banks like HSBC recognize the importance of catering to their branch customer needs, and know how data-driven insights can help them further enhance how they deliver to those needs."

HSBC has been a leader in bank branch innovation in the United States, with a commitment to delivering a connected retail banking experience with firms like Samsung.

"We're always exploring cutting-edge innovations to help serve our customers in a more experiential way and this trial is another important step on that journey," said Balkin.

Note to editors

About HSBC Bank USA, National Association

HSBC Bank USA, National Association (HSBC Bank USA, N.A.) serves customers through retail banking and wealth management, commercial banking, private banking, and global banking and markets segments. It operates bank branches in: California; Connecticut; Delaware; Washington, D.C.; Florida; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Virginia; and Washington. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a Member of FDIC. Investment and brokerage services are provided through HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., (Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC) and insurance products are provided through HSBC Insurance Agency (USA) Inc.

About HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 3,800 offices in 66 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,607bn at 30 June 2018, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, N.J., Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA) is a recognized innovative leader in consumer electronics, mobile devices and enterprise solutions. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA is pushing beyond the limits of today's technology and providing consumers and organizations with a portfolio of

groundbreaking products in appliances, home entertainment, Internet of Things, mobile computing, smartphones, virtual reality, wireless infrastructure and wearables, in addition to offering leading content and services related to mobile payments, 360-degree VR video, customer support and more. Samsung is a pioneering leader in smartphones and HDTVs in the U.S. and one of America's fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more about Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com. For the latest Samsung news, please visit news.samsung.com/us and follow us @SamsungNewsUS.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181025005035/en/