HSBC Bank Canada announces new President and CEO

VANCOUVER, Nov. 6, 2012 /CNW/ - HSBC Bank Canada announced today that Paulo Maia, currently Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Australia, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Canada effective 7 January 2013.

Lindsay Gordon will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Canada and Chair of HSBC Global Asset Management (Canada) Limited effective 5 January 2013. Mr. Gordon will be appointed to the Board of Directors of HSBC France, subject to required approvals.

Lindsay Gordon said:  "After nine years as CEO of HSBC Bank Canada, it's the right time for me to move on to a new chapter of life. I am very proud to have been associated with HSBC for 25 of its 31 years operating in Canada and I am delighted that Paulo Maia will be my successor."

Mr. Gordon joined HSBC Bank Canada in 1987 in Toronto and since then has served in a variety of senior positions in both Vancouver and Toronto.  He was appointed Chief Operating Officer in December 1999 and President and Chief Executive Officer in October 2003.

Samuel Minzberg, Chairman, HSBC Bank Canada, said: "Canada has been a top ten market for the HSBC Group for several years and under Lindsay's leadership, HSBC doubled its business in Canada. Lindsay leaves behind a bank that is well positioned for growth in our core business lines of Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Retail Banking and Wealth Management."

Mr. Minzberg continued: "Paulo Maia brings with him a wealth of international experience. Given the similarities between Australia and Canada, particularly resources, cultural diversity and a strong banking system, his experience as Country Head of our Australian business will be valuable as will his emerging market background."

Paulo Maia is currently Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Australia, a position he has held since July 2009. Previously, Mr. Maia held a variety of senior positions with HSBC Bank Brazil including Executive Director of each of the bank's main business lines, and then Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Maia joined HSBC in 1993 in São Paulo as Director Corporate Finance and subsequently moved to London as Senior Manager Emerging Markets.  Prior to joining HSBC, he held positions in corporate finance and corporate banking in New York, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo with Chase Manhattan Bank.

Paulo Maia said:  "I am honoured to succeed Lindsay Gordon.  HSBC Bank Canada has a great franchise and I am looking forward to continuing to build the business.  By virtue of its multicultural society and strong resources sector, Canada is well placed to capitalize on the rise of emerging economies.  We will be there to connect Canadians to the opportunities that this represents."

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in Canada.  No international bank has HSBC's domestic presence and no domestic bank has HSBC's international reach.  With around 6,900 offices in over 80 countries and territories and assets of US$2,652 billion at 30 June 2012, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

SOURCE: HSBC Bank Canada

Media enquiries:
Ernest Yee [phone]
Sharon Wilks  [phone]