INTERVIEW

InterviewVIEW INTER A Pioneer in Banking

An Interview with Dr. the Honorable Sir David K.P. Li, Chairman & Chief Executive, The Bank of

prudent partner that could facilitate business while global professional services provider, both at home and abroad. Today, BEA is the Tricor Group, offers integrated business, cor- largest independent local bank in porate, and investor services. and the operator of an extensive network cov- Local corporate customers are central to ering Greater China, Southeast Asia, the United BEA’s business and the bank serves companies Kingdom, and the United States. both large and small, from Hong Kong-based Over the years, we have established a multinationals to small and medium-sized enter- strong reputation for supporting the growth of prises that form the backbone of Hong Kong’s Dr. the Honorable Sir David K.P. Li local business. We are also known as a pioneer economy. in the banking fi eld in Hong Kong. We were the BEA’s growth in recent years has largely EDITORS’ NOTE Sir David K.P. Li is Chairman fi rst bank in Hong Kong to link all branches been attributable to the success of the bank in and Chief Executive of The , by a state-of-the-art computer system, the fi rst developing new business links between custom- Limited. In addition to serving on the Boards of to offer safe deposit box services, and the fi rst ers in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and over- several major listed companies, Sir David takes to provide comprehensive electronic banking seas. Going forward, we will further build on a very active role in public life. He is the Pro- services. In 2007, we became one of the fi rst our advantage in facilitating cross-border busi- Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong and foreign banks to establish a locally incorpo- ness fl ows by introducing and selling a wider Chairman of the INSEAD East Asia Council. He rated subsidiary in Mainland China, The Bank range of products and services geared toward sits on the Advisory Board of the Cambridge of East Asia (China) Limited (BEA China). In the meeting the specifi c needs of Mainland corpo- Judge Business School. He is also Chairman of the following year, we were the fi rst foreign bank rations as they become more active in overseas Executive Committee of the St. James’ Settlement, in China to launch Renminbi (RMB) debit cards markets. and Chairman of The Salvation Army Hong and credit cards. How do you defi ne the target market for Kong and Macau Command. He was a member Customer focus is one of our core values. BEA and what is your client profi le? of Hong Kong’s Legislative Council from 1985 We have always put our customers fi rst, know- In addition to our home market of Hong to 2012. Sir David holds an M.A. in Economics ing that our success depends on how well we Kong, our bank serves a large customer base and Law from the University of Cambridge, and anticipate, appreciate, understand, and satisfy throughout Greater China, which includes the was conferred an honorary doctorate by the their needs. It is our loyal customers, sharehold- Mainland as well as Macau and Taiwan. Beyond University in 1993.. ers, and business partners together with our Greater China, BEA serves customers with ties dedicated team of banking professionals that to Hong Kong and the rest of Greater China. COMPANY BRIEF The Bank of East Asia have made the bank what it is today. These overseas markets include Singapore, (www.hkbea.com; BEA) was incorporated in Would you provide an overview of the Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, the 1918, and provides corporate and personal services offered by BEA and your out- United Kingdom, and the United States. banking services to customers in Hong Kong look for growth? We are continuously expanding our cus- and the rest of greater China and overseas. BEA offers a comprehensive range of com- tomer base, enha