Bangkok--17 Dec--HSBC HSBC in Thailand finished 2007 on a strong note by winning a number of prestigious business and community service awards. Strong business performance and outstanding employment practices have made HSBC the Best Place to Bank and the Best Place to Work. HSBC was again named the Best Bank in Thailand by The Asset Magazine in its Triple A Country Awards 2007 for the 5th year in a row. The regional publication highlighted the Bank’s outstanding performance in the debt capital markets, in particular the JPY36 billion 10-year Samurai bond for PTT which was the first offshore loan and the THB3.5 billion (US$111 million) bond issue for Toyota Leasing (Thailand) as well as the landmark THB5.5 billion Dhanarak securitisation deal. In addition, HSBC Securities Services is the top-rated custody clearing service provider in Global Custodian’s Agent Bank Review every year since 1995. HSBC Corporate Banking is also ranked no. 1 in Large Corporate Banking Survey (Thailand) 2007 by Greenwich Associates. HSBC continued to strengthen its retail franchise by introducing innovative products and services to serve the needs of local customers. The successful launch of the HSBC Visa Platinum Card and the revamping of the HSBC Premier service as part of a worldwide initiative were key accomplishments in 2007. HSBC Group plans to grow its Premier customer base from 2 million to 6 million customers by 2011. In Thailand, we hope to grow this segment by 250 per cent over the same period. In addition to its successful business operations, HSBC has also been recognised as the Best Company with Outstanding Support to Disabled Persons in 2007 by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security. As part of HSBC’s commitment to diversity, the bank has continued to provide support to disabled persons, through donations and staff volunteer activities, as well as offering career opportunities to qualified disabled persons as permanent employees. Mr Willie Tham, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC in Thailand said “Winning these awards is testimony to our strong financial service capability and good business practices. They also demonstrate HSBC’s commitment to provide unrivalled services to our customers and career opportunities to qualifying people.” “In 2008, based on our international expertise and local market knowledge, I am confident that HSBC will continue to maintain our leadership position in corporate and institutional banking as well as in the capital markets in Thailand. We will continue to be a major provider of securities services, global payments and cash management services as well as trade services. In personal financial services, HSBC aims for strong growth with our range of high performance retail products, including wealth management, credit card and personal loans.” Mr Tham added. Media enquiries to Varanandha Sutthapreeda on 0-2614-4609 or Savittree Muadmuang on 0-2614-4606.