03 May 2005
HSBC is China's largest foreign bank, after opening a new sub-branch in Beijing. The world’s second largest bank now has a 14-strong branch network in the country, and is the first foreign bank to open a sub-branch in the capital.
The world's local bank received regulatory approval to open a sub-branch in Beijing in December 2004. It offers a full range of banking services, including renminbi (RMB) and foreign currency services to local and international companies, foreign nationals and residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, and foreign currency services to mainland China residents. The sub-branch is equipped with a self-service centre, providing 24-hour automated banking services.
HSBC opened its first representative office Beijing in 1980, following mainland China's introduction of the 'open door' policy in the late 1970s. The office was upgraded to a full service branch in 1995. HSBC became the first foreign bank to offer RMB services at its Beijing branch in March 2005.
With its China head office based in Pudong, Shanghai, HSBC's network in mainland China currently comprises ten branches in Beijing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Tianjin, Wuhan and Xiamen, four sub-branches in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, and two representative offices in Chongqing and Chengdu. The Bank plans to open the Chongqing and Chengdu branches, which have both obtained approval to upgrade into full branch status, in the second half of 2005.
Dicky Yip, who was recently appointed Vice President of China's Bank of Communications, helped open the new sub-branch. He said: "We are delighted to be able to further expand our presence in Beijing, which offers important growth potential for us.
"We look forward to serving our local and international customers with our expanded network and service range."
