Chris Meares, Chief Executive of HSBC Private Bank has been awarded the prestigious ‘Outstanding Global Private Banker’ award at the Private Banker International Wealth Management Summit 2008 in Singapore.

The Private Banker International Wealth Management Summit, now in its 18th year, attracts investment specialists from over 24 countries and is seen as a must-attend event for CEOs, private banking heads and other senior executives. At the same event, HSBC Private Bank was also named Outstanding Private Bank in the Middle East and was a finalist in four other award categories including Best Global Private Bank.

Commenting on the Award, John Evans, Editor, Private Banker International said:

“Chris Meares succeeded a notable private banking talent, Clive Bannister, as head of the HSBC Private Bank late in 2006. Since then, Chris has built impressively upon Clive’s legacy, including tapping the whole of the awesome HSBC global network for client business. More than 20 percent of the private bank’s business now comes from intra-group sources compared with negligible levels in past years. As a result of this and other initiatives, HSBC Private Bank continues its steady rise into the top ranks of wealth management, expanding client assets by a market-leading 26 percent to amass a total of US$421 billion at end-2007."

Commenting on the awards, GPB CEO Chris Meares said:

“I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of everyone in HSBC Private Bank. It is a great testament to the strength of HSBC and the teamwork that exists across our business around the world. The recognition for our Middle East business is a huge credit to the local team and our people who serve that market.”