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7
September 2000
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| Cheung Kong Holdings Limited
[Cheung Kong], Midland CyberNet Limited [Midland CyberNet] and
American Express Bank Ltd. today announced the establishment
of a joint venture company called mReferral Corporation (HK)
Limited [mReferral]. The new company offers professional referral
and consultancy service for a wide range of property, financial
and lifestyle needs through online and offline channels. |
|
| Drawing on the expertise and
resources from the three partnering organizations, mReferral
will be employing an advanced information processing platform
to provide a one-stop, professional referral service to help
customers maximize their purchasing power. The new company will
provide a diversified range of professional referral and consultancy
services, ranging from property purchases and mortgage arrangement
to financial services and lifestyle spending. |
|
| Through different channels,
customers can enjoy professional service from mReferral consultants
who will first understand their needs and requirements and then
"shop" for the best offer through the company's extensive network
of merchants and business partners. Not only can the customers
purchasing power be enhanced, customers can also save much time
and effort in search of products or services that best meet
their needs. |
|
| mReferral Partners with nearly
30 Financial Institutions to provide Mortgage Referral Service
to Laguna Grande Buyers |
|
| mReferral will soon be launching
its debut mortgage referral service. Under this service, professionals
will solicit and compare mortgage offers of different banks
in Hong Kong, and will recommend the best mortgage arrangement
that meets each customer's individual requirements. Factors
such as interest rates, extra service fees, value-added services
or financial flexibility will be taken into account. Currently,
nearly 30 financial institutions have joined or agreed to join
the service network, including ABN-AMRO Bank, AIG Finance (Hong
Kong) Limited, American Express Bank Ltd., Asia Commercial Bank,
Bank of China, Canadian Eastern Finance Limited, Chekiang First
Bank Ltd., Citibank N.A., Citic Ka Wah Bank, DaoHeng Bank, DBS
Kwong On Bank, GE Capital (HK) Ltd., ICBC (Asia), Inchroy Credit
Corporation Ltd., International Bank of Asia, Kincheng Banking
Corporation, Pacific Finance (Hong Kong) Limited, Po Sang Bank,
Ltd., Sin Hua Bank, The Bank of East Asia, Limited, The Chase
Manhattan Bank, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation
Limited, United Asia Finance Ltd., Wing Hang Bank, Ltd. and
Yien Yieh Commercial Bank Ltd. etc. mReferral is by far the
largest mortgage referral service provider in Hong Kong. |
|
| Homebuyers of the soon-to-be-launched
Laguna Grande (Laguna Verde Phase IV) of Cheung Kong, will be
the first to enjoy this new one-stop mortgage referral service. |
|
| In addition to mortgage
referral service, mReferral is planning to introduce an array
of consultancy services including mortgage transfers, instant
property valuation, home decoration, and other household related
services. |
|
| Freddie Wong, Chairman
of Midland CyberNet and mReferral; Edmond Ip, Executive Director
of Cheung Kong; and Alan Tsang, Senior Country Executive of
American Express Bank, Hong Kong officiated at the inauguration
ceremony of the new joint venture company today. |
|
| At the ceremony, Mr Wong said,
"Midland CyberNet is pleased to forge alliance with Cheung Kong
and American Express Bank to launch mReferral, which provides
one-stop professional referral and consultancy services, ranging
from home buying, mortgage arrangement, and lifestyle purchases.
The recent approval of 90 percent financing for residential
properties will boost the property market and the mortgage businesses
and consequently create a solid, growth-oriented platform for
mReferral. mReferral's core objective is to continue upgrading
its scope of products and services to enhance our customers¡È
purchasing power. We are committed to helping our customers
save time and energy in search of products and services that
best suit their needs. A network of online and offline services
will be built through partnerships with other industry leaders,
so as to secure the widest selection and best choices for our
customers. mReferral's main source of revenue will be derived
from service providers' commissions." |
| |
| Mr Ip said, "We are very confident
about the prospects of mReferral. mReferral has a very extensive
business network and strong technical support, enabling us to
provide comprehensive services for our customers. We believe
that mReferral is well poised to become the market leader. From
our Group's many years of experience in estate management, we
understand that many people face problems in their daily lives
that may require the help of experts. That was the impetus behind
the establishment of mReferral. We believe that with the extensive
resources offered by the partnering organizations, we can recommend
the best products and services to our customers including mortgage,
instant property valuation, home decoration and other household
related services. Our goal of course is to further improve the
quality of life for everyone." |
| |
| Commenting on the advanced information
system for the new company, Mr Tsang said, "American Express
Bank has always taken the lead to develop new banking technology
and innovative services in Hong Kong. As an international bank,
we also introduce into the Hong Kong market new skills and successful
experiences we have in other parts of the world. American Express
Bank is pleased to take part in this exciting joint venture
as a technology consultant and investor. The partnership is
an extension of our strategy to provide customers with direct
service delivery via electronic channels." |
| |
| For more information about mReferral,
please visit the web site at www.mreferral.com |
| |
| Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited |
| |
| Cheung Kong (Holdings) Limited
is the flagship company of the Cheung Kong Group which consists
of Cheung Kong (Holdings) Ltd, Hutchison Whampoa Ltd, Cheung
Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd and Hongkong Electric Holdings
Ltd. All members of the Cheung Kong Group are constituent stocks
of Hang Seng Index, and the combined market capitalization of
the four companies in the Group exceeds HK$800 billion. The
Cheung Kong Group is one of Hong Kong's most diverse conglomerates
with businesses ranging from property development, infrastructure,
and port operations to energy, retailing, hotels, and telecommunications.
With over 80,000 employees worldwide, Cheung Kong Group operates
in 24 countries. For more information, please refer to www.ckh.com.hk |
| |
| Midland CyberNet Limited |
| |
| Midland CyberNet is 80% owned
by Midland Realty and 20% by Cheung Kong Holdings. It is positioned
as a leading property and e-commerce portal with diverse services
such as Cyber Agency, CyberMall, M-Auction, M-search and M-Insurance...
Midland CyberNet has seized every market opportunity to grow
and diversify. It aims to provide comprehensive services to
customers of Midland Realty Group through on-line and off-line
channels. For more information about Midland CyberNet Limited,
please refer to www.midland.com.hk |
| |
| American Express Bank |
| |
| Established in 1919, American
Express Bank is an international banking subsidiary of American
Express Company which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this
year. The Bank provides private banking, personal financial
services, correspondent banking and corporate banking through
offices in 40 countries worldwide. For more information about
American Express products and services, visit the worldwide
web site at www.americanexpress.com. |
| |
| -End- |
