HSBC unveils 3 new business centres

The lender will invest HK$75mn to expand network in coming three years and additional 48,000 sq. ft floor space this year.

HSBC on Tuesday announced the opening of its 18th Business Centre in the highly concentrated industrial and business area of Kwai Chung. The Bank is scheduled to open a total of three new Business Centres in March, including two located in Wanchai and Tsimshatsui respectively.

In a major initiative to invest HKD75 million to expand the Business Centre network in Hong Kong in the coming three years, HSBC Commercial Banking is set to open six new Business Centres and expand six existing ones in 2011. An additional 48,000 square feet of floor space is also expected to be added to the total commercial customer service coverage this year, according to an HSBC report. 

At the Kwai Chung Business Centre opening ceremony, Albert Chan, Head of HSBC Commercial Banking Hong Kong, said: “When choosing a location for a Business Centre, HSBC has always placed high emphasis on following the footprints of our customers, and also servicing highly concentrated industrial and business areas. As the home of the principal commercial cargo handling area of Hong Kong, Kwai Chung has long been a place of strategic importance for industrial and commercial businesses as compared to other areas.” 

Mark McCombe, HSBC Chief Executive Officer Hong Kong, and Lena Chan, Managing Director and Head of Business Banking Hong Kong, also officiated at the opening ceremony. 

“In commercial banking business, we have delivered around 50 per cent year-on-year growth in lending and around 47 per cent growth in profit in tax in 2010. Going forward, we aim to further strengthen our relationship with customers and continue to focus on driving our lending, trade and RMB businesses,” Chan added. 

Covering a floor area of more than 6,700 square feet, the Kwai Chung HSBC Business Centre is dedicated to provide services including trade, cash management, financing, investments, insurance and company account. The Centre also processes registrations for HSBC’s Phonebanking and Business Internet Banking services, which are increasingly popular among business customers.