HBSC Opens Its Doors in
Costa Rica
Yesterday the Banex
signs went down and by
HSBC signs as the
British financial giant
began operations in
Costa Rica. HSBC is one
of the largest banking
and financial services
organizations in the
world, calling itself
the world's local bank.
HSBC has over 10.000
offices and 125 million
customers in 82
countries and
territories in Europe,
Asia-Pacific, the
Americas, Middle East
and Africa.
HSBC bought out Grupo
Banistmo, owner of Banco
Banex in Costa Rica, for
us$1.7 billion dollars.
For months the
changeover was in the
process, as Banco Banex
temporary signs were
placed over the
permanent HSBC signs.
Yesterday, the Banex
logos were ripped off.
HSBC Costa Rica is being
headed by Sergio Ruiz,
who yesterday said that
the London based bank
came to Costa Rica to
stay as part of its long
term plans to attract
clients from all sectors
of the market with
diverse and new
products.
HSBC Costa Rica has
plans to expand to 100
branches from the
current 40 and add more
employees to the 1.200
it inherited from Banex,
who have been trained in
HSBC operations and high
standards of customer
service, according to
HSBC operations manager
David Duncan.
HSBC joins Scotiabank in
purchasing a local bank
to get a foothold in
Costa Rica.
Scotiabank Costa Rica,
part of the Canadian
Bank of Nova Scotia,
last year purchased the
largest private bank in
Costa Rica, Interfin,
and is in currently in
process of converting
the Interfin branches
under the Scotiabank
system. The changeover
is expected to be
completed by next month. |
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