International Bank of Asia and The Federation of Medical Societies of Hong Kong Jointly Introduce "FMSHK VISA"

International Bank of Asia and
The Federation of Medical Societies of Hong Kong
Jointly Introduce "FMSHK VISA"

Hong Kong, January 12, 2005 - International Bank of Asia Limited ("IBA") and The Federation of Medical Societies of Hong Kong ("FMSHK") today proudly announced the launch of their affinity card °V "FMSHK VISA".

Ms. Shera Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Banking of IBA said, " We are honored to offer our credit card services to FMSHK's 50,000 members spanning across all of its 116 member medical societies. The financial profile of FMSHK's members provides a unique opportunity to match up IBA's comprehensive and distinctive range of banking and investment services with the needs of the FMSHK families. The FMSHK's members are valuable members of our community, and deserve the very best."

"There's an increasing need to deliver high quality services to the members of our member societies," said Dr. Dawson Fong, President of FMSHK. "Through the strategic partnership with IBA, a reputable bank which provides full range of financial services, we are confident to deliver outstanding quality services to meet the needs of our members. We hope that carrying a FMSHK VISA would become a sign of prestige."

Ms. Prudence Chan, Country Manager for Hong Kong/Macau of Visa International, said, "We are pleased to partner with IBA and The Federation of Medical Societies of Hong Kong to launch this affinity VISA card, offering local medical professionals a broad range of tailor-made benefits. Like all other VISA cards, the new card will bring a high level of convenience to cardholders and greatly enrich their shopping experience. I believe that the card will be well received by industry practitioners."

In celebration of the launch of FMSHK VISA, IBA will reward all new FMSHK VISA cardholders who submit their applications before April 30, 2005 and accumulate an annual retail spending of HK$80,000 or above with a 0.2% cash rebate on their annual retail spending amount. All new cardholders are also entitled to perpetual annual fee waiver and can choose one of the following as a welcome gift :

- Conair Professional Percussion Massager
- Conair Compact Garment Steamer
- VTech DECT Phone
- Panasonic Warm Jar Rice Cooker
- 18 Speed Foldable Bike
- BenQ Joybee 120 MP3 Player

In addition to the above, FMSHK VISA cardholders will enjoy the full spectrum of unparalleled credit card privileges and benefits offered by IBA. FMSHK VISA cardholders will receive double bonus points if they spend with their cards on Saturdays and Sundays locally or aboard throughout the year; i.e., for every HK$1 retail spending, cardholders can receive 2 bonus points. Platinum principal cardholders can even earn triple bonus points for every retail purchase of not less than HK$300 made on Saturdays and Sundays in the month of their birthday. Cardholders will also enjoy a personalized interest rate of as low as 8% p.a., compared to the standard interest rate of 24%-36% p.a. in the market.

Other benefits include "One Family" Octopus Automatic Add-Value service and "Any-can-do Purchase Installment Plan" which allows cardholders to enjoy up to 88 days interest free repayment period for the first installment.

Apart from the above privileges, FMSHK VISA cardholders can enjoy exclusive benefits and professional advice on financial planning and wealth management offered by IBA's personal banking service - "Ambassador Privileged Banking". FMSHK VISA cardholders are also entitled to IBA's special mortgage plans as well as an account overdraft service at preferential rates.

FMSHK's members can choose to apply for a VISA Classic card, a VISA Gold card or a VISA Platinum card to suit their own financial needs. Exclusive privileges will be extended to VISA Platinum cardholders including VISA Platinum concierge service, air-travel benefits and a 24-hour dedicated Platinum Customer Service Hotline.

About IBA

IBA is a full service-banking corporation in Hong Kong providing a wide range of financial services including consumer finance, retail and commercial banking, leasing and investment services. IBA services its customers through 37 offices including Superbranches, Ambassador Privileged Banking Centers and Securities Services Centers as well as ATMs, PhoneBanking, and an e-banking service at www.iba.com.hk. IBA is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and is rated A-3 short-term, BBB long-term by Standard & Poor's. Fubon Financial acquired a 75% shareholding in IBA in April 2004.

About FMSHK

Established in 1965, FMSHK is a medical professional non-profit making body comprising medical, dental and allied health professional societies. Its mission is to provide the leadership and mechanism to promote professional interests, achieve fraternity and to advance common ideals of the medical, dental and allied health professions of Hong Kong.

Since its inauguration, the FMSHK has had the honour of having the Governors of Hong Kong and now the Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government as its Patrons, providing the guidance for achieving its mission. The Patronage has also symbolized the continuing co-operation between the Government and the medical sector in building a better and healthier Hong Kong.

Today, FMSHK has its own premises and publications, and has developed into a well-established body for the promotion of a high standard of practice by medical and allied health professionals in Hong Kong, as well as for the welfare, cooperation and fraternity between all specialties it embodies. At the same time, FMSHK aims to avoid the overlapping of roles and functions with its own members, as well as with other medical bodies which may also oversee professional standards, quality assurance or rights of individual professionals in Hong Kong. In the future, FMSHK continues in striving to become the representative professional body dedicated to coordinate the activities of medical, dental and allied health organizations in Hong Kong and to liaise with related professional societies worldwide.

Visa International

VISA is the world's leading payment brand generating more than US$3 trillion in annual card sales volume. Visa has unsurpassed acceptance in more than 150 countries. The Visa organization plays a pivotal role in developing innovative payment products and technologies to benefit its 21,000 member financial institutions and their cardholders. Visa is a leader in Internet based payments and is pioneering the creation of u-commerce, or universal commerce--the ability to conduct commerce anywhere, anytime, and any way. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.

In Asia Pacific, Visa has a greater market share than all other payment card brands combined with 62 percent of all card purchases at the points of sale being made using VISA cards. There are currently more than 229 million VISA-branded cards in the region. Through September of this year, US$339 billion was spent at points of sale or withdrawn from ATMs in Asia Pacific using VISA cards. Visa Asia Pacific's Internet address is www.visa-asia.com.

In Hong Kong, there are currently about 7 million VISA cards in circulation, generating a retail sales volume of more than HK$92 billion from the points of sale for the nine months ended 30 September 2004. Visa Hong Kong's Internet address is www.visa.com.hk.