THE Hongkong Bank of Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings, has reported a 273 per cent surge in net profits to A$30.04 million (about HK$165 million) last year.
The result, following 1992 profits of $8.06 million, beat analysts' forecasts.
Chief executive John Dickinson said the results reflected the success of the strategic plan implemented by the bank three years ago.
''As part of the plan, we concentrated on our traditional core businesses and utilised the many competitive advantages we have through our membership of the HSBC Group to grow in Australia,'' he said.
Strong performances by the bank's trade services, personal banking and, in particular, financial market divisions contributed to profit growth.
The group also achieved a substantial reduction in the level of non-performing loans.
Analysts were pleased by the performance, although the bank contributed less than one per cent to HSBC's total profit for 1992.