HSBC Bank Canada launches two Asian Tigers Stock Market GICs

VANCOUVER, June 2 /CNW/ - HSBC Bank Canada has launched the HSBC Asian Tigers Stock Market Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) and the HSBC 50/50 Asian Tigers GIC bundle. The two products are based on the following indices: the Hang Seng Index(R) (Hong Kong), the KOSPI 200 Index (South Korea), the MSCI Singapore Index(SM) (Singapore), and the MSCI Taiwan Index(SM) (Taiwan).

Euan Campbell, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Products, HSBC Bank Canada said: "In the Year of the Tiger, the Asian Tigers Stock Market GIC products provide our clients with an opportunity to tap into growing, dynamic economies, while offering them the safety and security of a leading rate and guaranteed protection of their savings dollars. Over the past year, each of the Asian Tiger indices has experienced strong gains, and these GICs are designed to capitalize on this strength."

The Asian Tigers Stock Market GIC allows holders to receive a variable rate of return, linked to the performance of the Asian Tigers indices, while fully protecting their principal. The 50/50 Asian Tigers GIC bundle offers investors a very competitive guaranteed interest rate for half the investment, while providing them with exposure to these dynamic Asian markets for the other half. Each country will be given equal weighting within the GICs, and both are tailored to a broad range of investors.

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, has more than 260 offices, including over 140 bank branches, and is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories and assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

For further information: Media enquiries: Ernest Yee, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, HSBC Bank Canada, Tel: [phone]; Fabrice de Dongo, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, HSBC Bank Canada, Tel: [phone]