Hang Seng Bank to Further Reduce Stake in China's Industrial Bank

   By Joanne Chiu 
 

Hang Seng Bank Ltd. (0011.HK) agreed to sell most of its stake in China's Industrial Bank Co. for as much as 16.81 billion yuan (US$2.7 billion).

The Hong Kong lender, which is controlled by HSBC Holdings PLC (0005.HK), said it signed an agreement with Goldman Sachs Gao Hua Securities Co. and UBS Securities Co. to sell a stake of up to 4.99% in the Shanghai-listed bank to a group of institutional investors, leaving its holding in the Chinese lender at around 0.88% after the share placement.

Hang Seng Bank said it would sell up to 950.7 million shares in the Chinese lender at an offer price of CNY17.68 apiece. The bank expects to book a net gains of HK$7.60 billion from the latest stake sale and plans to use the net proceeds to fund future expansion.

The stake sale is the second time that the Hong Kong lender has reduced its stake in the Chinese bank so far this year, as it seeks to capitalize on a recent rally in mainland stocks.

Hang Seng Bank in February sold a 5.00% stake in Industrial Bank for around CNY12.73 billion.

Write to Joanne Chiu at [e-mail]

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