HSBC has rolled out HSBC Premier simultaneously across 35 countries and territories to create a global personal banking service targeting the world's 200 million mass affluent and internationally mobile consumers. Premier offers seamless cross-border banking and the promise that customers can, for the first time, take their accounts, credit history and banking relationships with them wherever they choose to live and work. Premier customers have access to 250 International Premier Centres in major cities around the world, and more than 6,000 branches with Premier Service points. Each location will have access to all the information needed to serve customers and provide local advisory services. Michael Geoghegan, HSBC group chief executive, said: "We estimate there are around 200 million mass affluent consumers in the world today and that number is growing rapidly, by as much as 20 per cent a year. These customers are highly mobile, sophisticated and knowledgeable. HSBC, with operations in 83 markets, is the only bank in the world that could provide them with the seamless international service they need." To support Premier customers, HSBC has built a Global Training Academy, providing over 5,000 HSBC Premier Relationship Managers around the world, plus another 3,000 support staff to provide the new services from day one. HSBC already has over two million customers signed up for the Premier offering. The new global Premier service includes one globally accessible number for emergency assistance, free fund transfers between accounts, pre-approved mortgages up to 60 per cent of loan-to-value on up to three properties, home or abroad, wealth management services, access to a choice of HSBC or multi-managed funds, and equal status across the Premier network with local minimum requirements waived.