9 October 2008

HANG SENG STRENGTHENS FOOTHOLD IN BOHAI ECONOMIC RIM REGION

Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited (‘Hang Seng China’) today celebrated the official opening of its Branch with a ceremony attended by government officials, clients and senior management.

The Tianjin Branch will join forces with the Bank’s outlets to strengthen Hang Seng China’s service network in the Bohai Economic Rim region. Hang Seng China now operates a total of 10 branches and 22 sub-branches in mainland China.

Officiating at the opening ceremony today were Mr Joseph Poon, Managing Director and Deputy Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank and Mr Johnson Fu, Chief Executive of Hang Seng China.

Mr Cui Jindu, Member of CPC Tianjin Standing Committee and Deputy Mayor of Tianjin City; Mr Lan Aiyong, Deputy Governor of the Tianjin Branch of the People’s Bank of China; Mr Zhao Feng, Deputy Director of the Tianjin Branch of the China Banking Regulatory Commission; and other senior government officials attended the ceremony as honourable guests.

Speaking at today’s opening ceremony, Mr Joseph Poon said: “With its unique position in northern China, Tianjin is playing a significant role in the economic development of the Bohai Economic Rim region. Hang Seng China’s Tianjin Branch will further enhance Hang Seng China’s service network for its corporate clients in the region.”

Mr Poon added that through the Tianjin Branch, Hang Seng China will also provide a full range of wealth management products and services to residents in Tianjin and the surrounding area.

The Bohai Economic Rim region is one of Hang Seng China’s key business development regions. The Bank plans to expand its network to about 50 outlets by 2010. Currently, the Bank has four outlets in the Bohai Economic Rim region – three outlets in Beijing and the new Tianjin Branch.

Hang Seng China’s Tianjin Branch is located at Units 01-11, G/F, The Exchange Tower, 189 Road, Heping District, Tianjin. The branch provides foreign currency and services, including savings accounts, mortgage loans, acceptance of and discounts on negotiable instruments, letter of credit services and guaranties, domestic and overseas settlements, foreign exchange trading, credit references and consultation services.

more… Hang Seng China Strengthens Foothold in Bohai Economic Rim Region/ 2

Tianjin Branch of Hang Seng China Tel: (022) 2318 5888; Fax: (022) 8319 5388.

About Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited Established as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hang Seng Bank in May 2007, Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited operates 10 branches (in Beijing, , , , , Fuzhou, Nanjing, , and Tianjin) and 22 sub-branches (two in Beijing, nine in Shanghai, five in Guangzhou, four in Shenzhen, one in Nanjing and one in Dongguan) in mainland China. For further information on Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited, please visit the Bank's website at www.hangseng.com.cn.

About Hang Seng Bank Founded in 1933, Hang Seng Bank operates over 210 service outlets, of which 107 are branches serving both personal and business customers. The Bank also maintains a branch in Shenzhen for foreign currency wholesale business, branches in and Singapore, and representative offices in Xiamen and Taipei.

With consolidated assets of HK$747.9 billion as at 30 June 2008, Hang Seng Bank reported a profit attributable to shareholders of HK$9,064 million for the first six months of 2008 and HK$18.24 billion in 2007. Hang Seng Bank is a principal member of the HSBC Group, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. For further information on Hang Seng Bank, please visit the bank's website at www.hangseng.com.

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