HSBC opens new "green" building in Burnaby for global software development

VANCOUVER , Jan. 12 /CNW/ - HSBC Technology and Services has officially opened Discovery Green, a new state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable, global software development centre at 3383 Gilmore Way in Burnaby, British Columbia. The five-storey, campus-style building will include 146,000 square feet of office space and will accommodate over 850 employees that develop software solutions for HSBC operations around the world.

Lindsay Gordon , President and Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Canada said: "We are delighted that the HSBC Group has chosen Burnaby, British Columbia for the location of a new global software development centre. I am especially pleased to be able to announce that the building has achieved the LEED Platinum environmental standard for the core and shell. These high tech jobs in an environmentally sustainable building highlight the HSBC Group's commitment to growing in Canada and our commitment to corporate sustainability."

Ken Harvey , Chief Technology and Services Officer, HSBC Group said: "The new Discovery Green office centre is the primary design site for all software development for HSBC globally and plays a key role in One HSBC - the HSBC Group program to enhance customer experience and improve cost efficiency through standardizing products, processes and technology around the world."

Mr. Gordon and Mr. Harvey were speaking at the official opening of Discovery Green, which was also attended by Richard Lee , Member of the Legislative Assembly, Burnaby North, Councillor Dan Johnston , Acting Mayor, City of Burnaby and approximately 290 HSBC Technology and Services World Forum delegates from around the world. This is the 6th annual World Forum which is held each year in a different location to allow the leadership teams from the technology and operations areas of HSBC to work together in the creation of an efficient and integrated system within the HSBC Group.

The HSBC Group has a long standing commitment to corporate sustainability. As the first major bank in the world to become carbon neutral, HSBC manages the direct environmental impacts of business operations in order to reduce energy and water use, waste produced, and carbon dioxide emissions.

The new Discovery Green building has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Core and Shell Platinum by the US Green Building Council.

The design is open plan to facilitate collaboration and innovation and contains many amenities for staff such as a restaurant, staff bank branch, ball court, roof top terrace, games room and a fitness room.

About HSBC

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 8,500 offices in 86 countries and territories and assets of US$2,422 billion at 30 June 2009 , the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

HSBC Technology and Service (HTS) is a pivotal part of the HSBC Group, which seamlessly integrates technology platforms and operations with an aim to re-define customer experience and drive down unit cost of production. Its solutions connect people, devices and networks across the globe and combine domain expertise, process skills and technology to deliver unparalleled business value, thereby enabling HSBC to stay ahead of competition by addressing market changes quickly and developing profitable customer relationships.

For further information: Media enquiries: Ernest Yee, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, HSBC Bank Canada, [phone]; Sharon Wilks, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, HSBC Bank Canada, [phone]