Granting of banking licence to BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES SERVICES

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced today (Monday) that the Monetary Authority has granted a banking licence to BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES SERVICES (BPSS) under the Banking Ordinance.  The granting of this banking licence took effect on 8 May 2009.

BPSS is incorporated in France and a subsidiary of BNP PARIBAS (BP).  According to the July 2008 issue of The Banker, BP is the 2^nd largest bank in France and the 11^th largest bank in the world in terms of tier-1 capital.

After the granting of a banking licence to BPSS, the number of licensed banks in Hong Kong has increased to 143.

For further enquiries, please contact:
Thomas Chan, Communications Chief, at 2878 1480 or
Peggy Lo, Manager (Communications), at 2878 1687

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
11 May 2009