HSBC launches World Selection in Canada

VANCOUVER , Dec. 7 /CNW/ - HSBC Global Asset Management in Canada has launched World Selection, an innovative range of multi-asset portfolios that provide access to what HSBC considers to be some of the best managers throughout the world.

World Selection is a portfolio management service giving clients access to some of the world's leading investment managers. It will be offered to HSBC customers across Europe , Asia Pacific, the Middle East , and the Americas taking advantage of HSBC's worldwide reach. In Canada , the Portfolio Advantage service will be renamed World Selection.

Marc Cevey, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Global Asset Management in Canada said: "HSBC is uniquely positioned to deliver a global investment solution such as World Selection to our customers, drawing on significant resources and expertise within HSBC, and combining these with the skills of the best investment managers in their areas of expertise. This delivers a world-class wealth management service to the Canadian marketplace."

Each of the World Selection portfolios are expertly constructed for a particular customer risk profile, ranging from a conservative investor to one willing to take a comparatively high level of risk in exchange for potentially higher growth. Within World Selection, customers are offered a globally diversified mix of asset classes, with HSBC Global Asset Management taking care of overall portfolio strategy, day-to-day active management of the portfolios' asset mix and due diligence of participating investment managers and underlying investments.

    
    Notes to Editors:
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    1.  Issued by HSBC Global Asset Management (Canada) Limited, a wholly-
        owned subsidiary of, but separate entity from, HSBC Bank Canada.
    2.  HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, has more than
        260 offices including over 140 bank branches and is the leading
        international bank in Canada. With around 8,500 offices in 86
        countries and territories and assets of US$2,422 billion at 30 June
        2009, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and
        financial services organizations.
    3.  Globally, HSBC Global Asset Management, the core investment business
        of the HSBC Group, has approximately US$416 billion under management
        at 30 September 2009.
    4.  HSBC Global Asset Management (Canada) Limited is the Canadian
        business of HSBC Global Asset Management. HSBC Global Asset
        Management has strong capabilities that are delivered to clients
        locally. With investment teams based in 20 locations throughout
        Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, HSBC Global Asset Management
        is able to deliver global capabilities with the benefit of local
        market perspectives.
    5.  HSBC World Selection is a discretionary portfolio management service
        offered by HSBC Global Asset Management (Canada) Limited, and through
        authorized agents. Under this discretionary service, assets of
        participating clients are invested in HSBC Pooled Funds, which are
        mutual funds managed by HSBC Global Asset Management and distributed
        by HSBC Investment Funds (Canada) Inc. and other authorized dealers.
        Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, investment
        management fees and expenses may be associated with investments in
        the HSBC Pooled Funds and the HSBC World Selection service. Please
        consult a financial advisor and read the applicable account opening
        documentation and prospectus before applying for the HSBC World
        Selection service. Neither the HSBC World Selection service nor the
        HSBC Pooled Funds are guaranteed or covered by the Canada Deposit
        Insurance Corporation, HSBC Bank Canada or any other deposit insurer.
        The value of mutual fund investments changes frequently and past
        performance may not be repeated. The unit value of money market funds
        may not remain constant. Issued by HSBC Global Asset Management
        (Canada) Limited.
    

For further information: Media enquiries: Ernest Yee, Vice President, Corporate Affairs, HSBC Bank Canada, Tel: [phone]; Sharon Wilks, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, HSBC Bank Canada, Tel: [phone]