HSBC names Mark Mallia Debt Syndicate Head

Mallia to replace Sean Henderson who is assigned as Debt Capital Markets Head in the bank’s effort to expand debt capital markets in Asia Pacific.

HSBC is announcing two senior appointments in the Debt Capital Markets (DCM) team in Asia-Pacific to strengthen its regional DCM capabilities and global coverage. Mark Mallia has been appointed Head of Debt Syndicate, Asia-Pacific, with effect from 1 January 2011. He succeeds Sean Henderson, who will transfer to Australia to take up the new role of Head of Debt Capital Markets for HSBC Bank Australia.

Stephen Williams, Head of Debt Capital Markets, Asia-Pacific, said: “HSBC has redefined Asia’s capital markets landscape by leading on a number of ground-breaking transactions including the Philippines Government’s debut sovereign global peso bond issuance and Reliance Industries’ US$1.5 billion bond in October 2010, which offered a 30-year long bond yield, a rarity in Asia. Mark’s expertise in Asia will further strengthen the Bank’s leadership in primary capital markets and advance our financing-related services for clients in the region.

“With Australia now one of HSBC’s top six priority markets in Asia, Sean’s move will be a welcome addition to our fast-growing Australian Global Banking and Markets operations.”

Based in Hong Kong, Mr Mallia will be responsible for the pricing and primary distribution of Asian fixed income products. Prior to joining HSBC, Mr Mallia held positions across DCM and syndicate at various investment banks including UBS and Morgan Stanley, before moving to Dresdner Bank as Head of Credit Products, Asia (including Japan). He was most recently running an Asian credit portfolio on the buy-side for Shinsei Bank.

Based in Sydney, Mr Henderson will take responsibility for originating and executing bonds, loans and Australian dollar products for HSBC’s Public Sector, Financial Institutions and Corporate clients. He first joined HSBC in 1998 and has been Head of Debt Syndicate for HSBC Asia-Pacific since 2005, during which time his contribution to the business has been significant. HSBC became the number one bank in the Asian G3 league tables and number one in local Asian currencies for 2010, according to an HSBC report.

Gavin Powell, Head of Global Markets for HSBC in Australia, said: “Sean’s Asian debt syndicate experience will strengthen the links between Australian issuers and the Asian investment market at a time when demand for Australian debt is increasing. As an increasing number of Australian corporates and institutions seek to diversify their funding across developed and developing markets, HSBC’s strong international DCM franchise is an obvious attraction.”

Mr Mallia will report locally to Stephen Williams and functionally to Bryan Pascoe, Global Head of Debt Syndicate. Mr Henderson will report locally to Gavin Powell and functionally to Rod Sykes, Head of Debt Capital Markets Origination, Asia-Pacific.

HSBC was named Best Debt House in Asia by Euromoney Magazine and Best Corporate Bank Team (Syndicate and DCM coverage) by Euroweek in 2010. HSBC is also top ranked in Asia-Pacific ex-Japan bonds, Asian local currencies and sterling bonds.