HSBC InvestDirect FAQs

1. What types of investments can I make?
2. What investments can I hold in my self-directed RSP/RIF?
3. What types of orders can I place?
4. How do I place a trade?
5. How are orders confirmed?
6. Can I access real-time quotes?
7. What mutual funds can I hold in my account?
8. Do you offer special accounts for active investors?
9. When is account information updated?
10. Do you offer Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPS)?

1. What types of investments can I make?

You can trade many types of securities in your HSBC InvestDirect account, including Canadian and U.S. equities and options, mutual funds, bonds, money market instruments and foreign equities. Learn more.

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2. What investments can I hold in my self-directed RSP/RIF?

Your self-directed RSP/RIF can include cash, eligible Canadian and U.S. equities, mutual funds, bonds, money market instruments, foreign investments and some options.

For a complete list of eligible investments visit the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)⁺.
⁺Some eligible investments may not be held through HSBC InvestDirect.

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3. What types of orders can I place?

You can place the following types of orders with HSBC InvestDirect:

• At the market order
• Limit order
• Day order
• Open order for a maximum of 30 days
• All or none order
• Short sell order
• On-Stop order (on participating markets)
• On-Stop limit order (on participating markets)

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4. How do I place a trade?

Online: Access your account and place trades online 24 hours a day by logging in to invest.hsbc.ca and entering your secure Access ID and password.

By phone: Place trade requests by calling an HSBC InvestDirect Client Service Centre toll-free. If it's your first trade, an Investment Representative can take you through the process.

Hours are: Monday-Thursday, 6 am-4: 30 am EST; Friday, 6 am-10 pm; Saturday, 10 am-6 pm; Sunday, 10 am-4: 30 pm. Please have your account number ready when you call. And when you call an HSBC InvestDirect client service centre, you can speak to a representative in English, French, Cantonese or Mandarin. French service is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. EST.

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5. How are orders confirmed?

Online: View the real-time status of your orders on our website.

By phone: Before your order is placed, an Investment Representative will read back your order for verification. Whether you place your trade online or by phone, we mail you a printed trade confirmation of your executed trades the following business day.

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6. Can I access real-time quotes?

Real-time quotes are available online for Canadian and U.S. exchanges, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Equity quotes for all other international markets are available by phone.

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7. What mutual funds can I hold in my account?

We offer more than 1,200 mutual funds, at no commission *. View a list of fund families available.

*Certain mutual fund fees may apply.

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8. Do you offer special accounts for active investors?

Yes. Click here to learn about our HSBC InvestDirect Prestige Program.
Active investors, as well as investors who hold substantial balances

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9. When is account information updated?

All account information is updated nightly between 4:00 AM – 6:30 AM EST. Changes to your account balance as a result of a trade, deposit or withdrawal can be viewed online the next morning.

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10. Do you offer Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPS)?

Yes. You can enroll eligible Canadian shares in a DRIP from any one of your trading accounts by sending a written request indicating your account number and the company you are interested in enrolling.

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