XN000022-1995-04-21 — Page 19

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Japanese bank granted licence

A Government spokesman said today (Friday) that the Hokkoku Bank, Ltd (HB) had been granted a banking licence to conduct business in Hong Kong.

HB is a Japanese regional bank founded in 1943 by the merger of three local banks. It operates 148 offices in the Hokuriku region and has representative offices in London, New York and Hong Kong. It is the 45th largest bank in Japan and ranks 209th in the world in terms of capital.

In Hong Kong, HB has been operating a representative office since November 1989. The bank wishes to upgrade to a branch to provide a wider range of banking services to its customers in Hong Kong, China and Southeast Asian countries. The principal business of the proposed branch includes lending, trade financing and securities investment.

The spokesman said that the continuing interest of foreign banks in entering the local market reflected Hong Kong's continued importance and attractiveness as a major international financial centre. The licence for HB is the second banking licence granted in 1995.

There are now 181 licensed banks in Hong Kong, of which 150 are incorporated outside the territory. Of these, 44 are from Japan.

End/Friday, April 21, 1995

Voter registration campaign

A territory-wide voter registration campaign will be launched this Sunday (April 23) to help eligible residents become electors.

Promotional activities will be organised by each of the 18 district offices, including bus parades in 13 districts, to encourage members of the public to participate in the September Legislative Council elections.

Variety shows and singing performances will be staged in North District, Wong Tai Sin, Tsuen Wan, Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po, while a carnival will be organised in Tuen Mun.