At 8 p.m. on the same day, Octopus Finance Company and the Unified Organization held a press conference to announce that Octopus Finance Company would acquire all the shares of Hang Lung Bank at a symbolic price of HK$1.

At the same time, Octopus Finance announced that it would inject US$200 million into Hang Lung and continue to assume its responsibilities in the future.

The next day, the news was transmitted to Hong Kong citizens through large and small media, which aroused public opinion discussions.

"Lin Sheng is in another city, following the ship king, industrial tycoon, real estate tycoon, hotel tycoon, media tycoon, clothing tycoon, and now he wants to be a financial tycoon!"

"Nonsense! Lin Sheng was originally a financial tycoon, and he was invincible in stock and gold speculation, and he was very talented in the financial field! ”

"With Lin Sheng in Hang Lung Bank, this bank should be able to survive the danger safely, right?"

"Nonsense! You should say that with Lin Sheng joining Hang Lung Bank, will this bank become a big bank? ”

"It makes sense, Lin Sheng is the God of Wealth!"

No matter who takes over Hang Lung Bank, it certainly doesn't have as much impact as Lin Zhichao's ownership. In the morning, the run on Hang Lung Bank immediately disappeared without a trace, and although many people came to inquire about the news, they quickly went home and went to sleep.

After all, the Legislative Council has passed the second reading - the Hong Kong government will take over Hang Lung Bank, and now Lin Zhichao has suddenly taken over, and Peng Lizhi also wants to determine the reliability of the matter.

"Sir Lam, we are very happy that you suddenly intervened in Hang Lung Bank, which will contribute to Hong Kong's financial stability!" Peng Lizhi first said affirmatively.

Lin Zhichao nodded, and then said: "Yesterday, we also checked the information of Hang Lung Bank, and found that the bank's loss was not serious, mainly due to the general environment, so we were willing to accept it." Mr. Peng Lizhi, please rest assured that we will be able to handle the affairs of Hang Lung Bank well. ”

Peng Lizhi said seriously: "With Sir Lin joining Hang Lung Bank, we are naturally very happy to see it and very relieved. But did Sir Lam tell us what problems Hang Lung had that led to the crisis? ”

Lin Zhichao nodded and said briskly: "There is nothing to hide from this!" As such, my team's preliminary investigation found that Hang Lung's credit structure was unreasonable, with bad debts, serious losses, and a lack of liquidity."

Peng Lizhi became curious and said, "Why is Mr. Lin willing to buy such a bank?" According to my understanding, Mr. Lin is not like a loss-making business person in business. ”

Lin Zhichao smiled: "Of course you don't lose money!" Assuming that Hang Lung Bank is taken over by the Hong Kong government, I believe that in five years' time, the Hong Kong government will be able to make a profit and sell the bank, and there will be no shortage of buyers. I've always wanted to be a banker, but I never had the right time, and now I finally have the opportunity, so I won't let go of this opportunity. ”

Peng Lizhi nodded, and then said: "If this is the case, it is reasonable and right, we want to send financial experts to Hang Lung Bank to understand the details of the matter, as a reference for strengthening the management of financial laws in the future." I don't know what Mr. Lin's opinion is? ”

If it were someone else, the Hong Kong government didn't need to talk too much, just send someone to supervise it. After all, the situation of Hang Lung Bank almost caused turmoil in the entire financial world.

Lin Zhichao said: "No problem! We will cooperate with the Financial Services Department! ”

"Thank you"

Lin Zhichao was naturally frank in his heart, and his acquisition could be regarded as frank, and Zhuang Rongkun and Zhuang Qingquan were also grateful, offering Hang Lung Bank with both hands and persuading other shareholders to 'sell' their shares to Octopus Finance Company.

Of course, Lin Zhichao also reciprocated the favor and gave a three-year moratorium to the Philippine Union's loan from Hang Lung Bank in the hope that it would get out of the predicament.

When Lin Zhichao returned to Hang Lung Bank, Lin Benfeng reported the situation as soon as possible.

"Boss, we have sent seven senior executives to Hang Lung Bank to ensure the healthy operation of Hang Lung Bank."

Octopus Finance Company is not a simple finance company, as early as more than a year ago, it was ready to set up a bank. Therefore, during this period, many senior talents in the banking industry were dug up.

Lin Zhichao said: "After stabilizing Hang Lung Bank, I will deposit 500 million US dollars, and you will exchange it for Hong Kong dollars, and then lend money." Be bold, at this time, Hong Kong's real estate and finance are already at a low point, as long as there is a property mortgage, 100% can afford it. ”

At least one-third of his own wealth will be deposited in his own bank.

In this way, it is equivalent to a disguised increase in the deposit-loan ratio, for example, the industry's good deposit-loan ratio is 43% (10 billion deposits, 4.3 billion loans). But if Lin Zhichao, as the boss, deposits another 10 billion into it, then it is a loan of 14.3 billion Hong Kong dollars, and there is no need to worry.

In this way, the bank's income is greatly improved, and there is also credibility - deep pockets.

Lin Benfeng said: "Then what ratio will we set for reference in the future? ”

Although the association of banks has a fixed loan-to-deposit ratio, it does not have the effect of law in practice, otherwise there would not be so many bank failures.

Lin Zhichao said: "Remove my deposit, operate in accordance with industry standards, and you're done!" Since I have deposited it in our bank, I hope you will use it to lend. Of course, loans are subject to compliance, such as the collapse of Hang Lung Bank, which means that the loan is not qualified. ”

Lin Benfeng nodded and said, "I understand!" ”

He is the General Manager of Hang Lung Bank and the General Manager of Octopus Finance Company, which is highly regarded by Lin Zhichao.

And the reason why Lin Zhichao attaches importance to Lin Benfeng is not because he is his brother-in-law, but because of Lin Benfeng's ability. Although he was a middle-level manager at HSBC, he started his senior management career at Victoria Harbour Investment and took time to pursue further studies.

Of course, Lin Zhichao was also worried that Lin Benfeng still lacked specific business in the bank, such as the work of the credit department, so he dug up a Chinese senior staff member in the credit department of HSBC.

In short, Lin Zhichao will gradually make Hang Lung Bank a standardized and professional bank, which is the best way to become bigger.

Lin Zhichao came to the office of Shen Bi of HSBC and explained his intentions.

"This time, I am planning to resign from the position of Deputy Chairman (Non-Executive) of HSBC, and I am very grateful that I have learned some experience in running a bank from HSBC."

Shen Bi smiled: "Sir Lin has had many opportunities to enter the banking industry, but I didn't expect to choose this time." However, I believe that with Sir Lam's credibility and strength, your bank will soon develop into a big bank. ”

He knows that Lin Zhichao has always been eager to enter the banking industry, and the biggest reason why he has not taken action is 'lack of strength'; of course, this so-called 'lack of strength' is the potential to develop into a big bank.

But now it is different, Lin Zhichao's companies have sufficient cash flow, have always implemented a low debt ratio, and are the largest financial speculator in Hong Kong, and entering the banking industry can be described as a tiger.

Lin Zhichao said: "The prospects of banks that are mainly individuals or families are bound to be visible. Unlike HSBC, which is developing towards a world-class bank, I believe that HSBC will become one of the top 10 banks in the world in the future. ”

Seeing Lin Zhichao's high evaluation, Shen Bi was a little shocked. He knew that Lin Zhichao would not say flattering words, and the opinions he expressed were all from the heart.

"It's an honor for HSBC to have Mr. Lin commenting like this!"

"You're welcome"

Subsequently, the two chatted for a while, and Lin Zhichao got up to say goodbye.

Today's Lin Zhichao and his subsidiaries no longer need to look at the bank's face to act.

In the past, he was worried about entering the banking industry and not being able to take out loans (which were his peers), but now it is completely unnecessary, and his companies generally have very few loans. And even if it is inconvenient for local banks to lend a large amount to his company, Lin Zhichao maintains a good relationship with the big overseas banks.

So, no more worries!

Early October.

Although the Hong Kong government has not yet promulgated the 'linked exchange rate', the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Hong Kong dollar has been running at 8.1~8.4, but there is no trace of speculation and speculation, which can be regarded as stable.

Lin Zhichao, who had his hands free, began to play with the idea of land.

In order to maintain his 'gentlemanly demeanor', he sent a special envoy, Li Yeguang, to the office of Simon Keswick, the headquarters of Jardine Mason, to lobby.

At the end of September, the Keswicks and Newbik were decided, with Newbik stepping down and receiving a £1 million subsidy, with Simon Keswick of the Keswicks taking over Newbijian's place. At the same time, Bao Fuda, the culprit of the land's 'debt king', also resigned.

Born in Winchester, England in 1942, Simon, like his father John, who was a Jardine Matheson Nurse, entered the famous Eton College in England as a teenager, and after graduation, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, a world-renowned university. Simon did not want to study, and he only studied for a year before he had a special funeral. He lay in a coffin and was carried out of the school gate by his classmates – never before the University of Cambridge, to which students from all over the world aspired.

Simon's cynicism provoked his father to be furious, thinking that he was "unteachable".

Simon's elder brother Henry Keswick was in the early 70s of the 20th century, working as a three-year Jardine Taipan, and created the classic acquisition battle of 'Hongkong Drink Milk'.

Simon joined Jardine Matheson in 1962 and worked in overseas branches. In early 1982, Simon was relocated to Hong Kong and became Managing Director in the same year. He persuaded the other directors to frequently challenge Nurbijian.

Simon got his wish and became the fifth person in the Keswick family to serve as the Jardine Taipan.

Simon Keswick, who has passed the age of confusion, is no longer the gentleman of his youth. But is he capable of ruling the largest foreign bank in Hong Kong? Quite a few people have asked this question.

Before Simon Keswick officially took office, the Hong Kong edition of the English-language "Asian Wall Street Journal" reported on the changes and future of Jardine Matheson under the headline "For Jardine Matheson's new Taipan, the battle has just begun".

And that's just the way it is!

Simon Keswick had only been in office for a week, and Lin Zhichao's 'special envoy', lawyer Li Yeguang, had already come to his office.

Li Yeguang also said straight to the point: "Ximen Taipan, Cheung Kong Group wants to buy the transaction building project in the hands of Hongkong Land, while Hutchison Whampoa wants to buy the Hong Kong Electric Company, Wellcome Supermarket and Dairy Company in the hands of Hongkong Land. ”

Simon Keswick was not angry, because he knew that Cheung Kong was eyeing Hongkong Land's assets, and at the same time he also secretly scolded Niu Bijian for being a fool - falling for Lin Zhichao.

In all cases, Cheung Kong had anticipated the crisis before the negotiations and sold its assets. The subsequent deliberate exaggeration of the valuation of Exchange Square is nothing more than the hope that Hongkong Land will buy it at a high price, including HK Electric, which may not be without the shadow of Cheung Kong.

Of course, this is not the case at all in the eyes of outsiders, after all, Cheung Kong Group's bid for the land in Exchange Square is as high as 5.6 billion Hong Kong dollars.

In any case, Simon Keswick kept calm and said: "Exchange Square, Milk Milk International, Wellcome Supermarket, are not for sale. It is the Hong Kong Electric Company, which can negotiate. ”

Li Yeguang said with a smile: "Judging from Hongkong Land's debt situation, just selling HK Electric is obviously useless!" My employer means that the minimum should be Exchange Square and the Hong Kong Electric Company! ”

Simon Keswick immediately choked: "Everyone says that Sir Lin is a gentleman and a benevolent businessman, so he still plans to buy and sell by force!" ”

Li Yeguang immediately said: "What is Ximen Taipan talking about!" Sir Lin is in business, and he is already very benevolent. In his words, if he doesn't care, Hongkong Land and Jardine Matheson will be taken by him! ”

Simon Keswick was shocked, it wasn't a threat, but it was.

Niubijian's Landmark Jardine Matheson Mutual Control, coupled with the fact that the two companies are now riddled with debt, and finally Lin Zhichao's deep pockets, once he acquires either Hongkong Land or Jardine Matheson, then it will become 'buy one get one free'.

Simon Keswick suddenly didn't know how to say it, if he was tough, he was worried that Lin Zhichao would really take the Zhidi Jardine operation, and he could still hold the righteousness of the 'national spirit'.

Seeing this, Li Yeguang did not rush too much, he was just a lawyer consultant, and he just had to bring some messages, and he didn't need to be a negotiator.

However, before leaving, he still said: "The Miramar Hotel project is a project in which Hongkong Land participates and guarantees, and we will go through normal legal procedures to demand compensation from Hongkong Land." This matter has nothing to do with other things, please forgive me Simon Taipan! ”

Simon Keswick said with little confidence: "We can negotiate to deal with this matter!" ”

Li Yeguang said: "It's not impossible, according to the meaning of the board of directors of Cheung Kong, in addition to deducting 900 million Hong Kong dollars for this project, Hongkong Land also needs to compensate us for the loss of 400 million Hong Kong dollars, and finally we will reclaim the land." These conditions are intended to compensate for the loss of the value of the land during this period. ”

Simon Keswick suddenly said angrily: "Then go through the legal process!" ”

He originally suspected that this project was also a trap set by Cheung Kong Group for Bao Fuda, but now he is a little dissatisfied.

Li Yeguang nodded and said, "This is the best, to avoid hurting the harmony!" ”

It's also called 'avoiding hurt and anger', and it's simply a threat from above.

After Li Yeguang left.

Simon Keswick was a little scared, he was afraid that Lin Zhichao would really take the Landmark Jardine Matheson and make a comprehensive acquisition.

With more than 10 billion Hong Kong dollars, Lin Zhichao must be able to take it, and I heard that Cheung Kong Group has so much cash flow. And once they lose any of these businesses, the Keswick family will completely lose the family business and can only retire in London with money.

This. He couldn't imagine how he would face the entire family once he lost these two businesses.

Although he is not the culprit, he still cannot escape the blame.

Simon Keswick finally understood that the Hong Kong edition of the English "Asian Wall Street Journal" reported that "for the new Taipan of Jardine Matheson, the battle has just begun", and this may be what it really means!

(End of chapter)