HSBC to increase stake in Bao

RNS Number : 2133B

HSBC Holdings PLC

22 October 2009

 



22 October 2009

HSBC TO INCREASE STAKE IN VIETNAM'S LARGEST INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP

*** Extends HSBC's position in key Asian market ***

*** Strengthens strategic relationship with Bao Viet ***

*** Furthers HSBC ambition to be a leading insurance player globally ***

HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings Limited (HSBC) has signed an agreement to increase its shareholding in Bao Viet Holdings, Vietnam's leading insurance and financial services group to 18 per cent from 10 per cent currently for VND1.88 trillion (approximately US$105.3 million). 

HSBC acquired a 10 per cent interest in Bao Viet in September 2007. Under the terms of the original agreement, HSBC had an option to purchase a further 8 per cent of Bao Viet shares from the Ministry of Finance (MoF). The MoF has now given formal consent for this option to be exercised through the issue of new Bao Viet shares to HSBC.

Michael Geoghegan, HSBC's Group Chief Executive, said: "Our additional investment in Bao Viet reflects the successful partnership we have enjoyed over the last two years and the confidence we have in the long-term growth prospects of Bao Viet and of Vietnam. This is also entirely consistent with our stated strategic focus on the world's faster growing markets and our intention to meet the insurance and wealth protection needs of our customers in these rapidly developing markets."

Mr Le Quang Binh, Chairman of Bao Viet Holdings, said: "After two years of successful co-operation, we are pleased HSBC is able to increase its shareholding to 18 per cent. The Ministry of Finance has supported the private placement as an alternative approach to acquiring shares from the Ministry. The increased shareholding by HSBC adds to the financial position of Bao Viet and its capacity to finance its growth and development. It also reflects HSBC's commitment as the most important strategic shareholder in Bao Viet."

A total of 53,682,474 new shares will be issued to HSBC through a private placement to increase HSBC's stake in Bao Viet to 18 per cent. Completion of the private placement is subject to shareholder approvals and other conditions as well as approval from the State Securities Commission.

As part of the original agreement, HSBC continues to hold certain pre-emptive rights to acquire shares currently owned by the MoF with a maximum HSBC shareholding of 25 per cent within the first five years of the agreement and prevailing foreign ownership limits thereafter. 

With a population of 87 million, a quarter of which is under the age of 15, Vietnam is one of the few economies that has continued to see resilient GDP growth throughout the financial crisis. Over the past few years, the government has introduced supportive measures to liberalise Vietnam's financial markets and HSBC has correspondingly strengthened its presence and investments in the country. In addition to its strategic investment in Bao Viet, HSBC also holds a 20 per cent stake in Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank). HSBC also locally incorporated its Vietnam operations in January this year, and subsequently expanded its distribution network from two branches and one representative office to 10 outlets currently. It has also partnered with Vietnam Posts Corporation to provide access to some of HSBC's banking services for customers at over 1,600 post offices across the country. 

Media enquiries to Patrick McGuinness on [phone] or at [e-mail]

Notes to editors

1. Bao Viet Holdings 

Established in 1965, BaoViet is now the leading financial and insurance services group in Vietnam. In addition to a network of over 400 outlets spread across 63 provinces nationwide, Bao Viet is a well-regarded trademark in the finance and insurance industries. Bao Viet Holdings currently controls some of Vietnam's leading companies in life and non-life insurance, securities and fund management. In 2009, it became a listed company on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange and established Bao Viet Bank. Its largest strategic investor, HSBC, currently holds a stake of 10.3 per cent# in the group.  

2. HSBC in Vietnam

HSBC has been in Vietnam for 139 years - the bank first opened an office in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) in 1870. HSBC currently holds 20 per cent of the share capital of Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank), one of the largest joint stock commercial banks in Vietnam, and 10.3 per cent# of the share capital of BaoViet Holdings, the leading financial insurance group in Vietnam. These investments strengthen HSBC's position as the largest foreign bank in the country in terms of investment capital, network, product range, staff and customer base. The bank officially started to operate as HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd. on 1 January 2009 and is headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City.

3. HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings Limited

HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific) Holdings Limited is the parent company of four underwriting companies: HSBC Insurance (Asia), HSBC Life (International), HSBC Insurance (Singapore) and HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) (49 per cent held). Its shareholdings also include 50 per cent less one share of Hana HSBC Life Insurance in Korea, 26 per cent of Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance in India, 10 per cent of Bao Viet Holdings in Vietnam and 50 per cent of HSBC Life Insurance Company Limited, a jointly-held insurance company in mainland China with The National Trust Ltd. In Asia, the HSBC Group also holds a 16.78 per cent stake in Ping An Insurance of mainland China and has representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

4. HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,500 offices in 86 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,422 billion at 30 June 2009, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.

#     HSBC acquired a further 0.3 per cent in the over-the-counter market since the original acquisition of 10 per cent.

 

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