China's CITIC Bank seeking to list in HK (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-06-16 13:54
China CITIC Bank is planning a share listing in Hong Kong by the end of this
year, followed by another share offering in China's inland market, its president
said on Friday.
CITIC is joining a Chinese bank listing parade ahead of
the full opening of China's financial market to foreign rivals. China hopes its
banks will improve corporate governance and business through public listings.
CITIC Bank president Chen Xiaoxian told Xinhua the bank is targeting an
initial public offering of over 15 billion Hong Kong dollars to shore up its
balance sheets.
CITIC is also projected to sell a 5-10 percent stake to
strategic investors, Chen said. "A slew of world renowned financial
institutions, including private funds, commercial banks and investment banks,
are eyeing CITIC, as a piece of fat meat in terms of profits," he added.
CITIC is one of China's 13 national shareholding banks, smaller than the
"big four" state banks, who have either gone public or are seeking to do
so. (For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
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