HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards Established at Eight Canadian Universities

VANCOUVER, March 1, 2012 /CNW/ - HSBC Bank Canada has established the HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards at eight top universities across Canada: Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Alberta, Queen's University, the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario, York University and McGill University. Each school will receive an $80,000 donation from HSBC Bank Canada to fund the Awards over a five year period.

In 2010, women made up 47.3% of the Canadian workforce, but held only 17.7% of senior officer positions at Financial Post 500 companies; and more than 30% of companies in the study had no women senior officers.¹ At HSBC Bank Canada, women hold 30% of board member positions, 37.5% of executive committee roles, and represent 22.5% of the company's senior management.

Lindsay Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Canada said: "The strongest leaders are developed over the long-term. The HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards seek to recognize emerging leaders at the beginning of their careers, encouraging them to achieve their full potential and forge a path towards becoming some of Canada's top executives."

The Awards will be granted to four female students from each university over a five year period beginning in the 2011-2012 academic year. Selection is based on academic achievement and leadership potential, and each recipient will receive $10,000 per year for the final two years of their degree. A total of 32 women will receive funds over the course of the program.

Students can also apply to be considered for HSBC Bank Canada summer internship positions, as well as management trainee programs upon graduation.

Jenny Chan, a third-year UBC Sauder School of Business student and HSBC Award recipient, said: "As a business student I strive to do my best and be an innovator in my community, and receiving the HSBC Women in Business Leadership Award has bolstered my ambition to grow as a leader. I will be the first member of my family to graduate from university, and that makes this award even more significant."

Mia Morisset, a third-year McGill Desautels School of Management student and HSBC Award recipient, said: "As a full-tuition scholarship, the HSBC Women in Business Leadership Award gives me the opportunity to focus more on my school work and volunteer projects. It's given me a great sense of accomplishment, and has fuelled my ambition to one day be one of corporate Canada's top leaders."

HSBC Bank Canada's success is built on its ability to attract, develop and retain a diverse range of talent.  In addition to the HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards, HSBC Bank Canada supports a range of initiatives that promote the leadership of women in business, including an internal Women's Network that leads activities targeted at advancing the development of women within the company.

Gordon added: "HSBC believes that education is a fundamental building block for communities, and funds a wide range of awards at post-secondary institutions across Canada. More than 100 Canadian post-secondary students will receive scholarships and bursaries funded by HSBC Bank Canada this year."

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 7,200 offices in over 80 countries and territories and assets of US$2,556 billion at 31 December 2011, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

Notes to editors:

1. 2010 Catalyst Census: Financial Post 500 Women Senior Officers and Top Earners. www.catalyst.org/file/420/2010_financial_post_500_women_senior_officers_and_top_earners_final.pdf
2. Photo caption A: Sandra Stuart, Chief Operating Officer, HSBC Bank Canada (left) and Frieda Granot, Professor at the UBC Sauder School of Business (right), congratulate Jenny Chan, third-year UBC Sauder School of Business student and HSBC Women in Business Leadership Award recipient, at a recognition event in Vancouver.
   
3. Photo caption B: Mia Morisset, a third-year McGill Desautels School of Management student and HSBC Women in Business Leadership Award recipient stands outside the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology where she is completing an exchange program this winter.
   
4. Additional photos, including award recipients and/or university representatives available.
   
5. Additional quotes from award recipients and university spokespeople available.
   

Image with caption: "Sandra Stuart, Chief Operating Officer, HSBC Bank Canada (left) and Frieda Granot, Professor at the UBC Sauder School of Business (right), congratulate Jenny Chan, third-year UBC Sauder School of Business student and HSBC Women in Business Leadership Award recipient, at a recognition event in Vancouver. (CNW Group/HSBC Bank Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120301_C8846_PHOTO_EN_10639.jpg

Image with caption: "Mia Morisset, a third-year McGill Desautels School of Management student and HSBC Women in Business Leadership Award recipient stands outside the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology where she is completing an exchange program this winter. (CNW Group/HSBC Bank Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120301_C8846_PHOTO_EN_10641.jpg

Media enquiries:

Ernest Yee
Vice President, Corporate Affairs
HSBC Bank Canada
[phone]

Sharon Wilks
Assistant Vice President, Public Affairs
HSBC Bank Canada
[phone]