18 March 2014
HSBC among First Market-Makers for Direct Trading of CNY and NZD
HSBC has received approval from China’s central bank, the People’s Bank of China, to be one of the first market-makers
for direct trading of the renminbi (CNY) and New Zealand dollar (NZD) in China’s onshore interbank foreign exchange
market. The CNY/NZD currency conversion deal was formalised during an official visit to China this week by New Zealand
Prime Minister John Key.
Helen Wong, Deputy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, said: “HSBC is
honoured to be appointed as a market-maker for CNY/NZD direct trading. CNY/NZD direct convertibility marks another
milestone in the internationalisation of the renminbi. Coupled with China’s recent move to widen the daily trading band
of the renminbi, it further demonstrates the country’s determination to speed up its financial market reform. Standing
at the forefront of renminbi internationalisation, HSBC continues to leverage its global network and financial expertise
to help drive forward this process.”
Noel McNamara, CEO of HSBC New Zealand, said: “In 2008, New Zealand became the first country from the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to sign a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with China, which is now New
Zealand’s largest trading partner. CNY/NZD direct convertibility is another symbolic and significant step in the
China-New Zealand relationship, which will further facilitate trade and investment flows between the two countries by
simplifying foreign exchange transactions and ultimately reducing costs.”
“New Zealand corporates trading with China should incorporate renminbi into their plans to maximise their market
opportunities,” he added. “With its strong renminbi credentials, HSBC is ideally placed to help them take full advantage
of the benefits of continuing renminbi internationalisation.”
HSBC has championed renminbi internationalisation since this historic process began. The Bank is one of the most active
participants in China’s interbank foreign exchange market, where the CNY/NZD exchange rate has previously only been
calculated from the USD/CNY and NZD/USD rates. This “cross pair” rate will now be supplemented by direct trading between
the two currencies.
HSBC has renminbi trade capabilities in over 50 markets globally and has been active in providing renminbi solutions to
customers in New Zealand. In June 2011, HSBC New Zealand was sole arranger of Fonterra’s inaugural offshore renminbi
bond – the first so-called Dim Sum bond from an Australasian corporate – and recently followed this by managing
Fonterra’s RMB 1.25 billion Dim Sum bond in January 2014.
HSBC is also active in facilitating Chinese foreign direct investment into New Zealand. In early March, the Bank advised
Beijing Capital Group on its NZD 950 million acquisition of Transpacific New Zealand, the country’s biggest waste
management firm.
Around 12% of China’s total foreign trade is currently settled in RMB and HSBC expects this to rise to around 30% by
2015. Bilateral trade between New Zealand and China amounted to around NZD 19 billion in the 12 months to January 20141.
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the founding member of the HSBC Group, which serves around 54
million customers through four global businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global
Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking. The Group serves customers worldwide from over 6,300 offices in 75
countries and territories in Europe, Hong Kong, Rest of Asia-Pacific, North and Latin America, and the Middle East and
North Africa. With assets of US$2,671bn at 31 December 2013, the HSBC Group is one of the world’s largest banking and
financial services organisations.
ENDS