Credit Suisse bankers' visit to speech centre speaks louder than words

When international bankers spend a weekday afternoon monitoring not stocks and currencies but the laughter of children with delayed speech, the unthinkable has happened.

Six Credit Suisse Hong Kong staff members in power suits and smart heels visited children undergoing speech therapy at Benji's Centre in Sham Shui Po - only to find a big surprise as party games awaited them.

Within minutes, laughter and music filled the room at Fu Cheong Shopping Centre as the children and banking high-fliers passed a ball around or slid underneath a rainbow canopy.

"The activity connected with the beneficiaries directly, and we can see the smiles on the children's faces and appreciate what the charity is doing," said Peter Mo, chairman of Credit Suisse Hong Kong's charity committee.

Liza Green, vice-president of the company's corporate citizenship section, called it a "real treat" to be away from the office "to feel as a part of the community. … So often, you're so focused on your job in the office. It's just wonderful to interact with the children," she said.

Benji's Centre was a clear choice to benefit from this year's Operation Santa Claus after it did a presentation at the bank that "pulled at the heartstrings of our staff", Green said.