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14/May/2006
Gulf Daily News
HSBC inaugurated its new $20 million headquarters in the Seef District yesterday.
The premises was opened by Bahrain Monetary Agency (BMA) Governor Rasheed Al Maraj in a ceremony held under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
The new main office replaces its previous headquarters in Manama, although that will still remain open as a branch.
It includes a full branch offering personal, commercial and corporate banking products and services, including financial planning, offshore, investment and wealth management services.
HSBC Bahrain chief executive officer Saleh Al Kowary said the bank plans to open three new branches in Bahrain, worth a combined investment of $10m, and is currently studying locations for it.
"We are looking at Saar, Sanad and Hamad Town at the moment, although we havent finished the study," he said.
Mr Al Kowary said the bank also plans to continue its investment in Bahrains economy.
"We already invest heavily in commercial projects. We also have a hand in almost every major industrial project in the country," he said.
HSBC Bank Middle East deputy chairman and chief executive officer David Hodgkinson said the new branch allows the bank to offer better facilities and improves the working environment for its staff.
"The emphasis is very much on improving the customer experience," he continued. The branch will be open seven days a week from 7.30am to 7.30pm.
It includes a car park, a 24-hour ATM machine, Internet banking and phone banking.
It will accommodate around 240 HSBC staff.
With the new branch, HSBC now has four branches, the others being in Adliya, Manama and Muharraq.
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