LONDON-BASED Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) has relocated its Cebu operations to the Taft Ayala Building in the Cebu Business Park.

            HSBC chief executive officer Warner Manning said the bank's move allows HSBC to extend a wider range of trade services and business banking capabilities to businesses in Cebu. 

            "We want to serve the Cebuanos, who have always been an entrepreneurial group of people. Cebu is a natural hub for shipping and other industries. HSBC wants businesses in Cebu to benefit from its local expertise and global network," he said on the sidelines of the bank's inauguration last Friday.

            Some of the trade services HSBC is offering its clients are the regionally driven SupplyChainSolu-tions, which provides faster end-to-end servicing of cross-border transactions of exporters with large multinational buyers, electronic banking and customized trade solutions.

            HSBC will also feature a 24-hour banking kiosk for withdrawals, deposits and credit card payments seven days a week.

            The new branch will also have a Premier Centre, an exclusive banking area for HSBC's most valued customers in Cebu.

            The Premier is a total wealth management package designed to bring customers personalized service, an extensive range of investment instruments, recognition in other HSBC offices worldwide and a suite of rewards.

            HSBC has 21 branches nationwide, including for its savings bank. Only one is located in Cebu. JBN