Scholarship recipient finds her place at HSBC

(CNS): A scholarship award from HSBC Bank (Cayman) Limited enabled Laura McLaughlin to pursue her goal of being qualified as a managerial accountant. Now the recent graduate has returned home to begin her career with HSBC Cayman. McLaughlin began full time employment with HSBC Cayman in January 2009 as an Account Manager in the Insurance Division, after achieving the Master of Science degree in Managerial Accounting from the University of North Texas.

She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting Control Systems from the same university in May 2007, on a scholarship funded by HSBC Cayman.

In welcoming Ms. McLaughlin to the Bank as a member of staff, Chief Executive Officer, Gonzalo Jalles stated: “HSBC Cayman is committed to the development of its Caymanian workforce and we hope, through our scholarship programme, to attract young Caymanians of the calibre of Ms. McLaughlin. She will be an excellent addition to our talented and committed employees, who are making a difference at the Bank. I wish her a long and successful career at HSBC Cayman.”

As a student at Triple C School, Ms. McLaughlin distinguished herself as a consistent high achiever who became the salutatorian of her graduating class in 2003.

Throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies, Ms. McLaughlin worked at HSBC Cayman during summer and Christmas holidays while on island.

“Completing my studies and returning home to full time employment at HSBC is a proud moment for me,” Ms. McLaughlin said. “I am in an environment that I know is fully supportive of my career and personal development and I am looking forward to growing with the bank,” she added.

Head of Human Resources, Walling Whittaker, noted that HSBC Cayman’s scholarship programme is currently supporting another scholarship recipient who is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in finance at the University of South Florida. She is expected to complete her studies in December 2009.

Like Ms. McLaughlin, this student has also been employed to the Bank during holidays and will receive permanent place upon successfully completing her studies.

“HSBC Cayman is focused on the training and development of its employees and we are especially keen to recruit and nurture young Caymanians who wish to pursue a career in thefinancial services sector. We offer an environment where continuous training is encouraged and where the efforts of our staff are always recognised,” Mr. Whittaker said.

HSBC Bank (Cayman) Limited, which last year launched retail banking products in corporate banking and personal financial services, employs some 95 persons. The Bank has a policy to hire locally whenever possible, with currently some 70% of its employees being Caymanian.

HSBC has been operating in the Cayman Islands for more than 20 years, previously focusing on captive insurance management and trust management.