HSBC Private Bank has appointed Desmond Liu as managing director and head of China, beginning 10 September 2007, and Chapman Cho as senior director and head of Onshore China, effective today.

Mr Liu joins from DBS Bank, where he was managing director and head of Private Banking North Asia & Greater China. Before that he was managing director at Prudential Bache and Lehman Brothers Securities where he covered various markets, including Greater China, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore. He also worked at Citibank for a number of years.

Mr Cho has worked for the HSBC Group for more than 20 years and was previously based in Singapore.

"We are delighted to welcome Desmond and Chapman to our team," said Monica Wong, chief executive Asia, HSBC Private Bank.

"China represents unique opportunities for private banking, and these key hires form the foundations upon which we can build our business within this emerging market."