Hong Kong

Lender intends to raise record setting $23bln before listing in mid-July.

The $660mln takeover failed to materialise as lender let the acquisition agreement to expire.

There has been a general buzz in the Hong Kong market recently mainly due to the strong equities and real estate markets. With most firms’ profit beating forecasts, profit announcements by the bulge bracket investment banks have been better than expected. Quarter-on-quarter hiring has also improved, although on an adjusted basis. Quarter two and three traditionally experienced stronger hiring irrespective of a bull or bear market. Hence, increased hiring activity should also be viewed conservatively as a seasonal trend rather than be attributed wholly to market growth.

Lender posted 42% increase in lending to SMEs and 22% growth in deposits.

The US food giant will invest $200mln alongside Qatar and Kuwait sovereign investment funds and Standard Chartered.

Middle East countries pledge $3.6bln investment in AgBank while Qatar Holding expands portfolio in China.

10-year bond released by lender is rated Baa3 by Moody's and BBB by Fitch.

Parties in early talks for joint bid for KEB even as ANZ showed interest.

Lender kicked off the pre-marketing process for the $10bln-$15bln from Hong Kong and $8.9bln-$13bln Shanghai IPO.

74% of Gen Ys have specific saving goals while only 27% have concrete saving plans.

British bank HSBC is in talks that could lead to five separate management buyouts of its private equity fund management businesses as banks go back to focusing on core operations.

Appointments of 4 RBS high calibre heads aimed to provide world class banking in region.

Accountancy & Finance, Banking, and Finance Technology are the skills in demand across Asia.

Lender to provide Premier Customers real-time financial advice and assistance from Relationship Managers.

JCB cardmembers enjoy wider card acceptance in Hong Kong, Macau while DBS provides merchant acquiring services.

FundMax enables unlimited transactions and switching between funds for a single monthly fee.