The Bank of East Asia

BEA is the largest independent local bank in Hong Kong, with total consolidated assets of HKD 294.2 billion (USD 37.83 billion) as of 31st December, 2006. BEA is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and is one of the constituent stocks of the Hang Seng Index. At present, BEA operates more than 180 outlets worldwide, including over 120 branches and SupremeGold Centres in Hong Kong, 36 outlets in the rest of Greater China, plus an extensive international network covering the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the British Virgin Islands, and Southeast Asia. The Group employs over 7,900 personnel worldwide. BEA continues to be a market leader on the mainland. BEA was one of the first foreign banks granted Qualified Domestic Investment Institution («QDII») status by the China Banking Regulatory Commission («CBRC»); the first to obtain a foreign exchange quota to conduct QDII business; and one of the first accredited to provide Renminbi («Rmb») fixed deposit services to local residents (minimum deposit of Rmb 1 million). BEA has also received approval from the CBRC to establish a locally incorporated bank in China - one of the first foreign banks to receive such approval. The new bank, named The Bank of East Asia (China) Limited («BEA (China)») offers a full range of Rmb services to local residents, in addition to all existing business activities. On the international front, BEA expanded its West Coast presence with the acquisition of Grand National Bank in the United States in 2001. The banking subsidiary was then renamed The Bank of East Asia (U.S.A.) N.A. («BEA-USA») in 2002. In 2003, BEA-USA moved its headquarters from California to New York, with the opening of the banking subsidiary’s first branch in New York City. In addition to the branches operated by BEA-USA, BEA serves its North American customers through the Bank’s other branches in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, plus the branches in Canada operated by The Bank of East Asia (Canada). Further branches in the United Kingdom, the British Virgin Islands, and Southeast Asia enable BEA to support its customers around the world. BEA has long been known for the comprehensive range of retail and commercial banking services that it provides to a wide array of customers. Retail and wholesale banking services are delivered through the Bank’s Personal Banking, Corporate Banking, Wealth Management, Investment Banking, and China divisions. Products and services include deposit-taking, foreign currency savings, retail investment and wealth management services, mortgage loans, consumer loans, credit cards, Cyberbanking, bancassurance, Mandatory Provident Fund services, trade finance, syndication loans, remittances, and foreign exchange margin trading. BEA’s strength in service innovation was recognised in 2003, when the Bank received The Asian Banker, Excellence in Retail Financial Services Award for Product / Service Excellence in Retail Financial Services for its «CyberWealth» Internet banking service. In addition to the Bank’s core products and services, other members of the BEA Group provide solutions that complete the Group’s comprehensive offering to both individuals and companies. Through its subsidiary, Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited, the Group provides full insurance coverage. Following its acquisition of several practices from three major international accounting firms and the formation of Tricor Services Limited in 2002, the Group has also become a leading professional provider of integrated business, corporate, and investor services in Hong Kong and Greater China. BEA will keep abreast of the latest market trends and strive to leverage developments in the marketplace to offer greater or enhanced products and services that suit customers’ needs. For more information on BEA, please visit any BEA branch or the Bank’s homepage at www.hkbea.com.