THE most of aggressive of the 'big three' securities houses in China is without doubt China Southern Securities Co (CSSC), based in Shenzhen and headed by chairman Wang Jingshi.
CSSC has forged a style that has allowed it to be become the second-largest brokerage house in China in two short years and its sights are firmly set on front-running Shanghai International Securities.
The CSSC style is incorporated in the vibrant former number two man at Agriculture Bank of China who vows to surpass Shanghai International within three years - and he may just pull it off.
All in all, CSSC growth is astounding. By the end of last year, its assets stood at 4.6 billion yuan (about HK$4.17 billion); then by September this year, Mr Wang conservatively calculates assets were 6.4 billion yuan. Since inception, the capital base has risen from 1.1 billion yuan to more than 2.5 billion yuan.
Yet, Mr Wang is most pleased with CSSC profits, noting he has cut costs to the point where secretaries are a rare sight and managers, including the chairman, go without chauffeurs.
'At the bank, I had perks, now I go without,' Mr Wang said. The result: last year, group profit reached 250 million yuan, with the Shenzhen office contributing 150 million yuan, for a profit per person of one million yuan.