For Immediate Release

The Bank of East Asia Announces
the Opening of Guangzhou Huanshilu Sub-Branch

Hong Kong, 23 January 2003 ¡V The Bank of East Asia (BEA) strengthens its services in Guangzhou, China, with the opening today of a sub-branch in Guangzhou at Huan Shi Dong Road.

BEA¡¦s Guangzhou Huanshilu sub-branch is the first sub-branch established by a foreign bank in Guangzhou. The move follows the promulgation of new regulations in China last year covering bank branch operations. BEA opened its Guangzhou Main Branch in 1992.

BEA¡¦s Huanshilu sub-branch will provide clients with comprehensive foreign currency banking services, including deposits, loans, bills discount, remittances, guarantees, trade settlement, foreign currency and bills exchange, credit cards, safe deposit boxes, and consultancy services. Furthermore, customers will be able to register for and access BEA¡¦s newly launched China Cyberbanking Internet banking service at the sub-branch.

BEA intends to further expand its branch network in China by establishing new branches, sub-branches and self-service banking centres to best meet customer needs. BEA¡¦s substantial market presence in China makes the bank well placed to provide a wide range of modern banking services to its growing customer base on the Mainland.

For more information, please contact Mr. Richard Lee Kam Tim, General Manager of BEA¡¦s Guangzhou Huanshilu Sub-branch, at Room 101, Zhu Jiang Mansion, 360 Huan Shi Dong Road, Guangzhou. Tel: (86 20) 8386 0338. Fax: (86 20) 8386 1828. BEA Head Office Tel: (852) 2842 3130. Fax: (852) 2845 9747.

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For press enquiries, please contact:
Mr. Chan Kay-cheung Tel: (852) 2842 3203
Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive, BEA