International Authoritative Capital Market Media, FinanceAsia, interviews Calvin Choi, Chairman & CEO of AMTD Group and publishes an article about the Group

The international authoritative capital market media, FinanceAsia, has recently published an article about ATMD Group. Mr. Calvin Choi, Chairman & CEO of AMTD Group, shared his view in the interview on the Group’s overall development strategies and visions.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, AMTD is an integrated, licensed, non-bank financial services group that forges linkage of capital and resources between Chinese and overseas markets. It offers a wide range of financial services and solutions including capital markets & advisory, insurance brokerage and asset management. In April 2016, AMTD initiated the establishment of the first Guangdong-Hong Kong full-licensed joint venture securities company in Guangdong Province under CEPA and signed the strategic cooperation agreement with China (Guangdong) Pilot Free Trade Zone Nansha Area of Guangzhou. The joint venture with Nansha Area is a radical strategy for the Group to further expand the business in Greater China and promote the interconnection between Hong Kong and China’s capital market.

A Rising Star in International Capital Market Business

In March 2016, AMTD Group successfully completed its debut US$110mm 3-year HKSE-listed bond offering representing the first ever international USD bond offering from an unrated and unlisted financial services company from Asia. Mr. Calvin Choi mentioned in the interview with FinanceAsia that the transaction marked an important milestone for AMTD in the capital markets in terms of capital strength, brand influence and awareness of investors. FinanceAsia also quoted the comment of a Nomura credit analyst in the article “AMTD will keep tapping the US dollar wholesale funding market, which benefits the Group’s future growth."

Furthermore, AMTD has been very active in the international capital market. Within the past 6 months, it has won important roles in some flagship transactions. On Bank of Qingdao (3866.HK)’s US$640mm H-share IPO, AMTD was the Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner and led the completion of the deal jointly with Goldman Sachs. On Xinte Energy (1799.HK)’s US$190mm Hong Kong IPO, AMTD played the role of Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner with UBS. On Bank of Tianjin (1578.HK)'s US$948mm H-share IPO, AMTD acted as the Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner, together with ABC International, BOC International and CCB International. AMTD was appointed as the Joint Global Coordinator and Joint Bookrunner on AMTD Group’s debut US$110mm 3-year HKSE-listed bond offering representing the first ever international USD bond offering from an unrated and unlisted financial services company from Asia. AMTD also won the title of Joint Bookrunner on Yunnan Provincial Investment’s US$300mm senior bond offering and Emperor International Holdings Limited (163.HK)’s HK$500mm international bond issuance. AMTD assisted in UCAR’s US$35mm B+ round financing & Dianrong’s US$207mm C round financing, etc. AMTD’s abounding performance and rapid growth in capital markets & advisory business has attracted the attention of issuers and investors in the capital markets.

Mulling the IPO of Insurance Unit

FinanceAsia indicated that "Having set up for 13 years, AMTD has established a good brand and reputation in the Hong Kong market. The insurance unit provides advice on property damage insurance, motor vehicle insurance, and employee insurance to large corporations, including Li Ka-shing’s CK Hutchison."

In the interview with FinanceAsia, Mr. Calvin Choi said, AMTD Group is planning to list its corporate insurance brokerage arm to help fund acquisitions and pave the way for a possible group listing. FinanceAsia commented, AMTD insurance brokerage business has fostered in Hong Kong market for many years. If it successfully lists, it would be the first of its kind in Hong Kong.

Polymerizing Hong Kong's Financial Elites to Achieve the Grand Vision

FinanceAsia pointed out in the article, in order to strengthen its deal-sourcing capabilities, AMTD has hired numerous financial elites in Hong Kong to realize an even more magnificent vision.

FinanceAsia had an in-depth interview with Mr. Calvin Choi and said, “Mr. Choi had been a Managing Director of UBS Investment Bank, and a member of the Global Family Office Committee for many years. He secured US$1bn-worth of orders for China Everbright Bank (6818.HK)’s US$3bn 2013 listing in Hong Kong, making him one of the top bankers at the Swiss bank. Before that he was an Executive Director at Citi’s investment banking division.” In addition to this, AMTD hired Mr. Cliff Ip from JP Morgan and Ms. Emily Shi from UBS to help run its investment banking business; and Mr. William Fung, a former UBS debt syndicate banker, and Mr. Mark Lo, a former fund manager at PineBridge Investment, to help run its investment arm.

Hong Kong Holdings, and managed by the Hong Kong elite professional, AMTD has vigorous potential to grow. Mr. Calvin Choi told FinanceAsia that, AMTD is committed to providing customers with one-stop solution services including fundraising, M & A advisory, brokerage and asset management business of insurance and other professional services, to create a specialized platform for Chinese enterprises to expand their overseas business.

Source: “AMTD mulls IPO of Insurance unit” FinanceAsia, 30 March 2016 by Ray Chan