French bank broadens its base from regional hub (hktdc.com)


	Pierre-Louis Auzel, Managing Director of Société Générale's new Asia-Pacific Leveraged Acquisition Finance arm, looks forward to his new life in Hong Kong

Leading French bank Société Générale Corporate and Investment Banking (SG-CIB) is expanding its Hong Kong regional headquarters to offer acquisition finance in Asia-Pacific.

Strong M&A activity by corporates and financial sponsors in the region makes Hong Kong an ideal hub for this new business, the bank says.

SG-CIB, established in 1864, is one of France's oldest banks and has a worldwide network covering 76 countries with more than 500 offices abroad. Its Corporate and Investment Banking arm is the third largest corporate and investment bank in the Euro zone by net banking income.

The decision to offer acquisition finance from Hong Kong leverages the bank's established acquisition business in Europe and its growing American expertise.

Global platform

Managing Director Pierre-Louis Auzel, who moved form Paris to head up the Hong Kong team, said the new entity would enable the bank to provide global services to its corporate and private equity clients active in Asia-Pacific, complementing its existing corporate and investment banking capabilities in the region.

It will provide debt arranging, underwriting and book running services to private entity firms and corporate clients, targeting Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, the Chinese Mainland, Singapore, Korea, Taiwan and Japan.

Hong Kong's central position as a geographical hub makes it an ideal base for servicing the region, Mr Auzel said. It's also the hot-spot of many decision makers, including those of SG-CIB itself.

"Our bank made the decision to come to Hong Kong a long time ago, so we have most of our key support functions and top management for the region based here, in our regional headquarters."

Enhanced client service

Hong Kong has strong business infrastructure, advanced telecommunications and transport connectivity which make it easy to service clients throughout the region, Mr Auzel added.

Having recently arrived from Paris with his family, Mr Auzel is also impressed by the lifestyle Hong Kong offers. "I am very positively impressed by my first month here. With its vibrant lifestyle, business supports and efficient services, my family and I look forward to our new life in Hong Kong."