HSBC Appoints New Head of Asian Market Banking and Chinese Business Strategy

New York HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (HSBC) today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Lee to the newly created position of Head of Asian Market Banking and Chinese Business Strategy. An experienced career banker, Lee has undertaken a number of roles since joining HSBC in 1995 and was most recently Senior Vice President and District Executive, New York City region.

In her new position, Lee has expanded responsibility for HSBC’s 13 Asian focused branches in New York City, as well as growing market-share among the Chinese population nationally, including the West Coast where the bank has a growing branch presence. A fluent Chinese speaker, Lee plays an active role in the New York City community and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the American Cancer Society, Chinatown YMCA and New York Dragon Boat Festival, as well as Trustee of the Queens Botanical Gardens.

The HSBC Group has a long history of serving America’s Asian community and first opened a branch in San Francisco in 1875 to better serve the City’s Chinese population. Across its Asian focused branches in New York City, banking assistance is currently offered in six dialects of Chinese (Mandarin, Cantonese, Fujianese, Taiwanese, Shanghaiese, and Toisanese) as well as Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean and English. With over 110 branches throughout the five boroughs, HSBC is one of New York’s leading banks by deposits. The HSBC Group can trace its history in the City back to 1880 when it became only the second foreign bank to open its doors.

Ashley Parker, New York City Regional President, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., said: “Increasing market share among the Asian population is a key focus for us and Elizabeth’s appointment confirms the strategic importance HSBC places on serving the banking and wealth management needs of this important client segment.”

Note to editors
HSBC Bank USA, N.A
With total assets of $181 billion as of 31 December 2010 (US GAAP), serves around 4 million customers through its personal financial services, commercial banking, private banking, asset management, and global banking and markets segments. It operates more than 470 bank branches throughout the United States. There are over 370 in New York State as well as branches in Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, California, Delaware, Illinois, Oregon and Washington State. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., one of the nation’s largest bank holding companies by assets. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a member of the FDIC.