Fubon Launches Bank In Hong Kong

Fubon Financial Holding Company Limited is pleased to announce the establishment of Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited on April 6, 2005. The official launch ceremony was simultaneously held between 10am and 11am at the Conrad Hotel in Admiralty and the newly named Fubon Bank Building in Central. The celebrations were presided over by Mr. Tsai Wan-Tsai, Fubon Group Founder and Chairman, Mr. Richard Tsai, Chairman of Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, Mr. Daniel Tsai, Vice Chairman of Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, and Mr. Jin-Yi Lee, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, as well as the guest of honor, Mr. William Ryback, Deputy Chief Executive, Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

At the ceremony, Mr. Tsai Wan-Tsai said, “This is a very special moment because this is Fubon’s first overseas acquisition.” He added that: ”the Fubon Group is fully committed to Hong Kong and is here for the long term.” Mr. Tsai went on to express his thanks to all parties involved in the purchase of Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited by Fubon Financial Holding Company Limited. Mr. Tsai concluded by saying that “Fubon Group will continue to strive for new business opportunities in the banking arena, in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, so that the group can continue in its quest to be a leading international financial institution.”

Mr. Richard Tsai, Chairman of Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited said at the ceremony: “I believe that it is a natural first step in the internationalization of the Fubon Group that we began by looking at Hong Kong.” He went on to say that, “linkages, products and greater scale will provide positive results for Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited. With these three essential elements in place, we are confident that, in the medium term, the bank in Hong Kong can generate returns on shareholders’ funds in the mid-teens.”

After the opening comments there was a live broadcast of the unveiling of Fubon Bank’s new logo at its headquarters building in Central, followed by a celebratory lion dance.

About Fubon Financial

Fubon Financial is a leading financial services group in Taiwan and is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange with its shares traded under the symbol “2881”. Fubon Financial provides a comprehensive range of financial products and services, including commercial banking, non-life and life insurance, securities brokerage, asset management and investment banking services, with more than 6 million customers served through a network of more than 330 branches and 9,000 sales and marketing representatives. It holds an A-3 short-term, BBB long-term rating from Standard & Poor’s. Fubon Financial recently reported profits after tax of NT$15 billion for the year ended 31 December 2004, representing a 7.8% growth compared with 2003.

About Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited was formerly known as International Bank of Asia Limited. The bank is 75% owned by Fubon Financial Holding Co Limited after it officially purchased the stake from Arab Banking Corporation and China Everbright in early 2004. Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited is listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (stock code: 636) and holds an A-3 short-term, BBB long-term rating from Standard & Poor’s, first awarded in 1996. The rating reflects Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited’s strong capitalization, good liquidity, and sound asset quality.