Business Coverage

Guoco Group is an investment holding company. The principal activities of its subsidiaries and associated companies include Principal Investment, Property Development and Investment, Hospitality and Leisure Business as well as Financial Services operating principally in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Kingdom, etc.

Corporate History

Milestones

1973   - Hong Leong Group commenced investment activities in Hong Kong    1982   - Acquired Dao Heng Bank    1983   - Listing of Dao Heng Bank and financial services group under Hong Leong Company Limited    1987   - Hong Leong Company Limited changed name to Dao Heng Holdings Limited    1988   - Acquisition of First Capital Corporation Ltd (renamed as GuocoLand Limited ("GuocoLand"))    1989   - Acquisition of Hang Lung Bank    1990   - Merger of Dao Heng Bank and Hang Lung Bank    1991   - Corporate realignment - Guoco replaced Dao Heng Holdings as the listed holding company    1992   - Acquisition of 49% interests in HG Asia (Holdings), a major international institutional broker and financial advisory group in Hong Kong    1993   - Acquisition of Hong Leong Credit Berhad (renamed as Hong Leong Financial Group Berhad) and became Guoco's associated company   - Acquisition of Overseas Trust Bank (OTB). Described by Euromoney Magazine as "The Deal of the Year"   - Listing of Dao Heng Bank Group on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange at 277 times over-subscription    1994   - GuocoLand made its first inroad into the China property market - Beijing Corporate Square    1995   - Launch of ComPass Card - the world's first VME compatible microchip credit card, demonstrating the Bank's leading role in the credit card industry    1996   - Dao Heng Bank was designated as one of the HIBOR reference banks by the Hong Kong Association of Banks and was appointed a market maker of Exchange Fund Bills and Bonds    1997   - Establishment of an advanced computer-telephone-integrated "Call Centre" with pioneer Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Dao Heng Bank launched "DaoHengDirect" to provide full range of telephone banking services, e.g. mortgage applications and investment services   - Dao Heng Bank issued US$350 million 10-year Yankee bond, representing the then largest subordinated Yankee bond issue by a private Asian bank outside Japan    1998   - Expansion of Dao Heng Bank's Treasury Division and officially renamed as "Dao Heng Markets" - reflecting its active participation and leading role in the Hong Kong financial markets   - Dao Heng Bank won the 1998 Hong Kong Top Ten Corporate Choice Award conducted by Asiamoney Magazine   - Disposal of interests in HG Asia (Holdings) (renamed as ABN AMRO Asia (Holdings))    1999   - Dao Heng Bank Group became one of the Hang Seng Index (HSI) constituent stocks, making it one of the four leading banks included in the HSI    2000   - Dao Heng Bank Group was named the second best bank in Asia in a survey conducted by Asiamoney Magazine    2001   - Disposal of interests in Dao Heng Bank at 3.5 times book value   - Cash offer to repurchase 107 million Guoco shares at a total consideration of HK$5.35 billion

Corporate Events

Milestones

2007   - GuocoLand (China) Limited entered into share acquisition agreement to acquire 90% interest in the Dongzhimen Site in Beijing   - GuocoLand Limited completed a S$690 million convertible bond issue due 2012 and a renounceable 1 for 3 rights issue at S$2.50 per share    2006   - GuocoLeisure Limited ("GL") was granted a prominent gaming concession by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain and obtained Certificates of Consent to open 25 casinos in selected Thistle Hotels and other sites   - GuocoLand Limited ("GuocoLand") completed mandatory general offer on GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad ("GLM") which then became a GuocoLand's subsidiary with embedded operations in Malaysia   - Listing of Tower REIT managed by GLM, with an initial market capitalisation of RM251.6 million   - Hong Leong Assurance Berhad and Hong Leong Bank Berhad via an joint venture set up with Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co. Ltd made further inroad into the Takaful business in Malaysia and overseas   - GL purchased the famous Clermont Club in Mayfair, London and intended to introduce the Clermont brand into other selected locations    2005   - Hong Leong Bank Berhad was granted an Islamic banking licence and set up Hong Leong Islamic Bank Berhad   - Acquisition of control in BIL International Limited (renamed as GuocoLeisure Limited) via a mandatory general offer and launched into the Hospitality and Leisure Business    2004   - Hong Leong Group increased its interests in Guoco which became its subsidiary    2003   - Sale of Dao Heng Fund Management Limited to Principal Financial Group    2002   - Infrastructure established to develop Proprietary Asset Management (now known as Principal Investment) business   - Through the acquisition of interests in Hong Leong Properties Berhad (renamed as "GuocoLand (Malaysia) Berhad"), GuocoLand Limited built up its presence in Malaysia as one the core geographical markets

Group Industrial Master Plan ("GIMP") Vision

To achieve superior, long term sustainable shareholders return in pursuit of GIMP and in pursuit of Prime Value, by growing our core businesses: Principal Investment Property Development and Investment Hospitality and Leisure Business Financial Services

Mission

To create a GIMP investment organization to achieve the agreed vision.

Holding Company - Hong Leong Group

Hong Leong Group   is a leading conglomerate based in Malaysia with diversified businesses in manufacturing and distribution, financial services, property development and investment as well as hospitality and leisure. The Hong Leong Group, established in Malaysia in 1963, has a variety of brands deeply entrenched in the communities. It has a presence – in its home based Malaysia to the rest of Asia, in Western Europe and the UK, in North America and in Oceania. The extensive activities of Hong Leong Group are controlled through four holding companies  Hong Leong Industries, Hume Industries, Hong Leong Financial Group (formerly known as Hong Leong Credit) and Hong Kong based Guoco Group. Back to Top