Hosted by the Japan Printing Industry Association and the Japan Printing and Publishing Corporation, and supported by a variety of Government bodies including the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, JETRO (the Japan External Trade Organisation), METI (the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry) and JMA (Japan Marketing Association), the 46th Nationwide Japan Catalogue and Poster Fair took place in November 2004 in Tokyo, Japan.

HSBC Private Bank received an award in the 'special mention' category for its global capabilities brochure and its Japanese, country-specific brochure. The award was given for overall concept, design and printing quality.

Award winners were selected from over 600 catalogues and 300 posters submitted from various companies, including Shiseido, AXA, Mazda, Suntory and Nikon. In this highly competitive environment, HSBC Private Bank was among only 41 other competitors to win an award in the catalogue category; a major achievement.

Masashi Funayama, Head of HSBC Private Bank, Japan, commenting on the award, said: "While private banking institutions differ in terms of size and assets they have historically been relatively undifferentiated in terms of branding. To potential clients they can appear to offer the same products and services under the same uniform image. This homogeneous imagery is out of touch with the new generation of high net worth clients.

It is my belief that the judges recognised this fact. They also recognised that our new brand is dynamic, distinctive and truly different. In creating something visually arresting for non-tangible services business like private banking, we are getting noticed.

We hope now to leverage this award to raise more awareness of HSBC Private Bank and its service capabilities among many more key audiences in Japan as well as, of course, the most important audience of all, the HNWI community."

These two HSBC Private Bank brochures were showcased alongside the other winners in an exhibition at the Commerce and Trade Centre in Tokyo from 30 November to 11 December 2004.

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