• Reflects London's position as a centre for international finance
  • Further significant boost to strong UK-Greater China ties

London Stock Exchange today welcomes BOCI Securities Limited as its first member from Hong Kong. BOCI Securities Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BOC International Holdings Limited ("BOCI"), joins London Stock Exchange less than two months after regulatory approval was received from Hong Kong's Securities and Futures Commission allowing Hong Kong firms to become members.

BOCI Securities Limited is London Stock Exchange's fourth member from Greater China and the first from Hong Kong, highlighting London's deep relationship with the region, and reflecting London's historic strength as a global financial centre.

London Stock Exchange membership allows major trading and broking firms to connect directly to Europe's most liquid and international order book, and to trade central counterparty cleared securities including some of the world's largest and well known companies. In addition the same connection provides access to London Stock Exchange Derivatives Market which provides trading in derivative contracts in UK securities and Global Depositary Receipts.

Raffaele Jerusalmi, Director of Capital Markets, LSEG said:
"We are very pleased to welcome BOCI as our first Hong Kong member. In joining our markets, it underscores the unique and increasing appeal that London holds as the venue of choice for Chinese investment, trading and capital raising. Today's announcement will strengthen London and the UK's ties with Greater China and reinforce our reputation as one of the world's leading international financial centres."

Ms Li Tong, Chief Executive Officer of BOC International Holdings Limited, said:
"We are glad to be the first member of London Stock Exchange in Hong Kong. BOCI has been providing a comprehensive range of quality and professional investment banking products and services to our customers through our extensive global network and diversified service platform. In addition to raising the strategic partnership between BOCI and LSE to a new level, this membership will also enhance our customer servicing capability and further strengthen BOCI's leadership position in the market."

Since January 2014, London Stock Exchange Group has built considerably on its relationship with Greater China: seven new Chinese companies have been admitted to London Stock Exchange; twenty two new RMB bonds have been issued in London and seven new RQFII ETFs have listed on the market, including the first ETF in Europe denominated in RMB.

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For further information:
Alexandra Ritterman +44 (0)20 7797 1222
newsroom@lseg.com

About London Stock Exchange Group:

London Stock Exchange Group (LSE.L) is a diversified international market infrastructure and capital markets business sitting at the heart of the world's financial community. The Group can trace its history back to 1698.

The Group operates a broad range of international equity, bond and derivatives markets, including London Stock Exchange; Borsa Italiana; MTS, Europe's leading fixed income market; and Turquoise, a pan-European equities MTF. It is also home to one of the world's leading growth markets for SMEs, AIM. Through its platforms, the Group offers international business and investors unrivalled access to Europe's capital markets.

Post trade and risk management services are a significant part of the Group's business operations. In addition to majority ownership of multi-asset global CCP operator, LCH.Clearnet Group, LSEG operates CC&G, the Italian clearing house; Monte Titoli, the T2S-ready European settlement business; and globeSettle, the Group's newly established CSD based in Luxembourg.

The Group is a global leader in indexing and analytic solutions. FTSE Russell offer thousands of indexes that measure and benchmark markets around the world. The Group also provides customers with an extensive range of real time and reference data products, including SEDOL, UnaVista, Proquote and RNS.

Following the acquisition of Russell Investments, LSEG conducted a comprehensive review of the investment management business to analyse its strategic fit with the Group. This was concluded in February 2015, and LSEG is now exploring a sale of the business in its entirety.

London Stock Exchange Group is a leading developer of high performance trading platforms and capital markets software for customers around the world. In addition to the Group's own markets, over 35 other organisations and exchanges use the Group's MillenniumIT trading, surveillance and post trade technology.

Headquartered in London, with significant operations in North America, Italy, France and Sri Lanka, the Group employs approximately 4,700 people.

Further information on London Stock Exchange Group can be found at www.lseg.com.

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