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When Lin Haoran arrived at the Governor's Mansion, the bank owners who had gathered earlier were no longer in the square. Only a dozen luxury cars were parked quietly, showing the status of their owners.

He straightened his suit and walked calmly into the Governor's Mansion.

Inside the Governor's Mansion, the atmosphere was solemn and slightly tense.

Governor MacLehose had already been waiting in the conference room, along with Bank of Hong Kong CEO Stephen Sham, a representative from Standard Chartered Bank, and the heads of more than a dozen other major banks in Hong Kong.

As soon as Lin Haoran entered the room, everyone's eyes were focused on him.

He smiled slightly, nodded to Governor MacLehose, and then sat down in the designated seat.

The bank executives present looked at Lin Haoran with very complicated eyes.

Who would have thought that a newcomer in the financial industry like Lin Haoran would turn the entire Hong Kong financial industry upside down.

Indeed, although Lin Haoran has held a very high status in Hong Kong's business community since he drove Jardine Matheson out of Hong Kong, he is still a complete newcomer in the financial industry, and he has only been in charge of the Bank of East Asia for about a month.

Especially Shen Bi, when he decided to deal with the Bank of East Asia, he never considered that the final outcome would be so tragic.

Originally, the entire senior management of Huifeng Bank believed that the Hong Kong financial circle was their Huifeng Bank's private territory. As long as their Huifeng Bank exerted a little pressure on Bank of East Asia, relying on Huifeng Bank's deep-rooted power and huge resources in the Hong Kong financial circle, Bank of East Asia would inevitably be unable to cope and would eventually be squeezed out by the entire Hong Kong financial industry.

It was indeed squeezed out, but even though the Bank of East Asia was squeezed out by most of the banks in Hong Kong, it did not fall into despair and decline rapidly as they had imagined. Instead, it almost captured and beat up the entire Hong Kong banking industry on its own.

Among them is also the Hong Kong financial industry overlord, Huifeng Bank!

How long has it been?
Huifeng Bank's market share has been declining again and again.

In contrast, the market share of Bank of East Asia not only did not decline, but increased instead.

Every time Bank of East Asia implements a decision, it can tear a piece of meat from other banks, especially Bank of East Asia.

If this continues, it is not impossible for Bank of East Asia's market share to surpass that of the dominant Bank of East Asia.

By that time, how can Huifeng Bank still maintain its dominant position in Hong Kong's financial sector?

I am afraid that by then, Huifeng Bank will also end up like Jardine Matheson and be forced to move away to Hong Kong!
When Shen Bi thought of this, his face became even gloomier, and his eyes were full of vigilance and unwillingness when he looked at Lin Haoran.

After all, I underestimated Lin Haoran.

But if you ask him whether he regrets launching the "choose one of two" offensive against Bank of East Asia, you can get a glimpse of it from Shen Bi's tightly pursed lips and stubborn expression - he definitely does not regret it.

Shen Bi's many years of being a powerful figure in Huifeng Bank had made him accustomed to controlling the situation from a strong perspective. Even though the Bank of East Asia has emerged as a strong competitor, his inherent pride does not allow him to admit the mistakes in his original decision.

What's more, Shen Bi actually understood that even if he had not launched unfair competition against the Bank of East Asia before and allowed the Bank of East Asia to develop freely, the final result would be the same as it is now.

It’s just that now everyone has directly torn their faces apart.

The representatives of other banks looked at Lin Haoran with even more complicated expressions.

As members of the Hong Kong Bankers Association, this means that they are also part of the campaign to exclude Bank of East Asia.

At this moment, they were wary of Lin Haoran's abilities and methods, and worried that the Bank of East Asia would settle accounts for their past actions in the future. They were also secretly worried about the survival space of their own banks under the strong rise of the Bank of East Asia.

Governor MacLehose cleared his throat, breaking the slightly oppressive silence in the conference room: "I have gathered you all here today in the hope that you can have a frank exchange on the current situation and future of Hong Kong's financial market.

After Mr. Lin acquired Bank of East Asia, the financial market structure of Hong Kong has changed significantly. This is both a challenge and an opportunity. I hope you can focus on the overall development of Hong Kong's financial industry and work together to push Hong Kong's financial industry to a higher level instead of engaging in internal strife. "

Shen Bi spoke first, with a provocative tone: "Mr. Lin, Bank of East Asia has raised its deposit interest rate to 5%, which is far higher than the market average. This is undoubtedly malicious competition.

Although such high interest rates can attract a large amount of funds in the short term, in the long run, it will inevitably undermine the stability of Hong Kong's financial market and disrupt the financial order. I hope Mr. Lin can give everyone an explanation!"

Shen Bi's words were immediately echoed by others present. A low buzzing sound was heard in the conference room. Many bank representatives nodded slightly, looking at Lin Haoran with eyes full of doubt and dissatisfaction.

Lin Haoran looked calm, his eyes slowly swept over the crowd, and he spoke calmly: "Mr. Shen Bi, I don't agree with what you said about attracting deposits with high interest rates undermining market stability. Everyone present should understand that it was your Huifeng Bank, not our Bank of East Asia, that took the lead in provoking the high interest rate war this time!
As for the reason why you, the Bank of Hong Kong, started this interest rate war, I think everyone knows in their hearts that the Bank of Hong Kong is only trying to harvest the depositors' funds of major banks in Hong Kong and force other banks into a desperate situation, thereby consolidating the Bank of Hong Kong's absolute hegemony in the financial industry in Hong Kong.

Today, our Bank of East Asia is simply giving the other party a taste of their own medicine by offering higher interest rates to attract depositors and allow the market to return to a fair competition environment. How can there be any talk of malicious competition?
What's more, in a market economy environment, interest rates are an important means of regulating the supply and demand of funds. The increase in deposit interest rates by Bank of East Asia is based on a precise grasp of market demand.

At present, there is a large amount of funds in Hong Kong's financial market seeking better returns. We are just following this trend, providing more choices for depositors and seeking more benefits for citizens."

"Moreover," Lin Haoran paused slightly and emphasized, "This is not malicious competition, but positive market competition. Competition can prompt banks to continuously improve their service quality and innovate financial products. Ultimately, the beneficiaries are the customers and the entire Hong Kong financial industry.

If we continue to maintain low interest rates and low competition, how can Hong Kong's financial industry compete with other financial centers on the international stage? "

Suddenly, there were subtle changes in the looks that many people present gave Shen Bi.

They were already well aware of Huifeng Bank's previous behavior.

However, they had followed Huifeng Bank to deal with the Bank of East Asia.

As a result, in a blink of an eye, when Huifeng Bank saw a large amount of market share being swallowed up by Bank of East Asia, but could do nothing about it, Huifeng Bank turned around and pointed its spearhead at their "allies", wanting to use high interest rates to seize the lost market share from Hong Kong's small and medium-sized banks and pass on its own losses to them, which made many bank representatives secretly angry.

Fortunately, the banks present are all mainstream large banks, and their strength is generally not bad. If the heads of those small and medium-sized banks were here, they would probably hate Shen Bi and Huifeng Bank because of Lin Haoran's words.

The behavior of Huifeng Bank is simply a beast in human form, and it is an act of killing the donkey after it has served its purpose!

Shen Bi's face darkened, and he was about to refute, but Brown, the boss of Standard Chartered Bank, spoke first: "Mr. Lin, although that is true, such a large increase in deposit interest rates has completely disrupted the interest rate pricing system of the Hong Kong financial market.

Moreover, the interest rate of your Bank of East Asia is simply unacceptable to other banks. If this continues, your Bank of East Asia will completely monopolize the deposit market in Hong Kong.

This runs counter to what everyone calls fair competition, and may even lead to a new monopoly. Many banks in Hong Kong that are affected will also be caught in a wave of bankruptcies. Mr. Lin, have you ever thought deeply about this consequence?"

Mr. Brown is definitely one of the most influential figures in the Hong Kong banking industry, besides Shen Bi.

In fact, Brown was also very dissatisfied with Shen Bi's unauthorized announcement on TV to the whole of Hong Kong that Huifeng Bank had raised its interest rate.

These things not only have a huge impact on small and medium-sized banks, but also have a significant impact on these banking giants.

After all, the original deposit market has basically been fixed.

As Huifeng Bank arbitrarily raised deposit interest rates, banks like Standard Chartered were also forced to raise interest rates. Ultimately, the increased costs also increased significantly, and the profit margins were greatly compressed.

Although Mr. Brown was quite dissatisfied with Shen Bi's move, he never expressed it publicly due to the delicate relationship between British banks.

At this moment, he took advantage of Lin Haoran's topic to implicitly express his dissatisfaction.

Of course, Bank of Hong Kong and Standard Chartered Bank are indeed competitors in Hong Kong, but as representatives of British banks, the two banks will also show a subtle understanding and cooperation when facing common interests.

At this moment, Mr. Brown's question not only represents his personal position, but also to a certain extent reflects the concerns of many bankers present.

"Mr. Brown, I don't agree with your statement. If our Bank of East Asia is suspected of monopoly, then what about the former Huifeng Bank?
As we all know, the former Huifeng Bank, together with the Hengsheng Bank acquired through abnormal means, once had a market share of more than 70% in Hong Kong's banking industry. Even a month ago, it was still as high as 60%.

Our Bank of East Asia now has a market share of less than 30%. So why didn’t you say before that Bank of East Asia posed a monopoly threat to Hong Kong’s financial industry?

Now that the Bank of East Asia is merely showing its vitality in market competition and seeking reasonable development space, you are eager to label it as a monopoly, which is unfair." Lin Haoran looked directly at Mr. Brown, his words sharp but graceful.

"What do you mean by using abnormal means to acquire? Lin Haoran, what is the deep meaning hidden in your words? Are you trying to slander Huifeng Bank?" Shen Bi could no longer hold back at this point. He was so angry that he slammed his palm heavily on the conference table. He stood up suddenly, his eyes wide open, staring straight at Lin Haoran.

"Whether it's slander or the truth, I think everyone here knows it very well. The bad things that Huifeng Bank did back then have probably been spread all over Hong Kong. There's no need for me to explain it." Lin Haoran glanced at Shen Bi, a scornful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and his tone was full of disdain. At this point, he no longer needed to show any mercy to the other party.

Before he rose to power, he really didn't dare to offend Shen Bi.

But now, his strength is no less than that of Huifeng Bank. Why should he continue to endure and give in?
A feeling of pride welled up in Lin Haoran's heart. No matter what industry you are in, all that matters is your strength. If you are strong, people will naturally flatter you. If you are weak, you will be bullied.

In the battlefield of Hong Kong finance, Lin Haoran already has the confidence to challenge Huifeng Bank head-on.

What's more, it was Huifeng Bank that provoked him first, so it was even more impossible for him to tolerate it.

Seeing Lin Haoran mercilessly confronting Shen Bi in public, the rest of the people present at this moment all took an attitude of watching the fun, with a mentality of not caring about it and staying out of it, quietly waiting to see how this "confrontation" would end.

Governor MacLehose frowned slightly upon seeing this, thinking to himself that if this tense situation was allowed to continue, today's meeting would not only fail to achieve its original intention of promoting the healthy development of Hong Kong's financial industry, but might instead intensify the conflicts and confrontations between banks.

Now, Huifeng Bank has learned its lesson. It is time to step in to clean up the financial market. It cannot go on like this.

So he cleared his throat and tried to calm the tense atmosphere: "Everyone, we are gathered here today to discuss the long-term development of Hong Kong's financial market, not to argue about short-term gains and losses or to show off our verbal skills.

What Mr. Lin, Mr. Shen Bi and Mr. Brown said all make sense, but we should all focus on the overall situation and give priority to the overall prosperity of Hong Kong's financial industry."

As soon as Mai Lihao said this, the scene suddenly became quiet, including Shen Bi who originally wanted to continue arguing with Lin Haoran.

If we continue to argue at this time, it would be a disrespect to the Governor's Office.

After experiencing the exclusion and suppression he suffered when he acquired the Royal Bank of Scotland in the UK last time, and this time when he asked for help from the Governor's Office but was coldly ignored and neglected by Governor MacLehose, all these events were like heavy hammers that woke Shen Bi up.

In the past, Hui Feng Bank firmly held the dominant position in Hong Kong's financial world. Its arrogant attitude gradually made him lose himself, and he even had the illusion that the Governor's Office was under his control and would unconditionally obey his will.

Shen Bi took a deep breath, suppressed the anger and unwillingness that was surging in his heart, and slowly sat back in his chair.

He knew in his heart that continuing to argue with Lin Haoran in the meeting room of the Governor's Mansion would only make him a laughing stock and would not benefit Huifeng Bank at all.

Moreover, he actually understood in his heart that Huifeng Bank was ultimately a British bank representing the interests of Britain, and the Governor's Office would always favor them.

Seeing that Shen Bi had temporarily stopped, Lin Haoran raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile.

But he also knew that the battle with Huifeng Bank was far from over, and today's verbal battle in the conference room was just a small episode in the long confrontation between the two sides.

Governor MacLehose saw that the atmosphere had eased slightly, so he continued, “The stability and prosperity of Hong Kong’s financial market concerns the vital interests of every citizen and also affects Hong Kong’s position on the international financial stage.

Mr. Lin’s acquisition of Bank of East Asia has brought new vitality and competition, which is certainly a good thing, but competition should also be carried out within a reasonable and orderly framework.”

He paused, his eyes swept over every bank executive present, and continued: "It is meaningless for us to sit here and continue arguing today. Mr. Lin, the 5% interest rate of Bank of East Asia must not continue like this. After all, the impact is too great, involving too many aspects, and it is easy to trigger a chain reaction in the market and disrupt the entire financial ecology.

Mr. Shen Bi, Mr. Brown, and everyone here should understand that it is our common responsibility to maintain the healthy and orderly development of Hong Kong's financial market. Next, I hope that everyone can calmly discuss an appropriate solution. "

Lin Haoran nodded slightly, and said calmly: "The Governor is right. The Bank of East Asia raised the deposit interest rate not with malicious intent to disrupt the market, but in the hope of seeking development in fair competition.

However, since the Governor believes that this move will have too great an impact, Bank of East Asia is willing to cooperate and jointly discuss a win-win solution that can both ensure market stability and allow all banks room for development.

However, I was not the one who started this matter, and I cannot bear all the losses on my own. After all, our Bank of East Asia has not done anything illegal or irregular, and we have relied on our own strategies and strength to gain market share in market competition.

If the interest rate strategy is to be adjusted, other banks must also show sincerity and contribute to the stability of Hong Kong's financial market. Otherwise, the losses will all be borne by Bank of East Asia, and I will be the victim, right? "

Shen Bi snorted coldly. Although he was still unwilling in his heart, he had to restrain himself a little because of the presence of the Governor. He said, "Since the Governor has spoken, we at Huifeng Bank are naturally willing to cooperate. However, Mr. Lin must also take practical actions. He cannot just seek short-term benefits and mess up the entire Hong Kong financial market.

You, the Bank of East Asia, can make requests that are not too excessive. As long as they are within a reasonable range, we, the Huifeng Bank, will also carefully consider them. But if you ask for too much and try to use this opportunity to suppress your peers, then we will never sit idly by and wait for death."

At this moment, Shen Bi's tone softened, and the reason was actually very simple!
Huifeng Bank is now in urgent need of getting Bank of East Asia to stop at 5% interest rate. Otherwise, if it continues like this, even though Huifeng Bank is a large and powerful bank, it will be at risk of a broken capital chain if it absorbs too much deposits.

Huifeng Bank's current investments are not small at all.

Those investments occupy a huge amount of funds.

Therefore, even though he was very unhappy with Lin Haoran, Shen Bi could only suppress his anger and take a step back for the time being in order to seek a more appropriate response strategy later.

Seeing this, Mr. Brown of Standard Chartered Bank also quickly agreed: "The Governor is right. The stability of Hong Kong's financial market requires the joint efforts of all parties.

Mr. Lin, the increase in deposit interest rates by Bank of East Asia has indeed triggered many chain reactions. We hope that you will make appropriate concessions for the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong's financial market. We, Standard Chartered Bank, are also willing to discuss solutions with you on the premise of maintaining market stability.

However, this solution must take into account the interests of all parties and not allow any one bank to monopolize the benefits.”

When the other bank representatives saw the Governor come forward to mediate and that Bank of Hong Kong and Standard Chartered Bank had expressed their views, they all nodded in agreement, expressing their willingness to participate in the discussion and jointly maintain the stability of Hong Kong's financial market.

Governor MacLehose was relieved to see that everyone's attitude had softened. He continued, "Since everyone is willing to work together for the stability of Hong Kong's financial market, let's discuss the specific solutions.

Mr. Lin, please first tell us about Bank of East Asia’s thoughts on adjusting its interest rate strategy and subsequent market development.”

Everyone looked at Lin Haoran.

"Mr. Governor, and everyone present here, I believe everyone knows that from the beginning to the end, our Bank of East Asia has been the target of malicious intent. Especially the Hong Kong Banking Association, they colluded with each other and united to suppress the Bank of East Asia, making it difficult for the Bank of East Asia to expand its business and obtain market resources.

If I didn't have some means and skills, the Bank of East Asia, a bank with a deep foundation and history, would have collapsed and closed down in this turmoil. How should this account be settled? "Lin Haoran's eyes were burning, and he directly turned over the old account.

"Mr. Lin, as the president of the Hong Kong Bankers Association, I solemnly promise you: as long as you cancel the 5% fixed deposit interest policy, the Hong Kong Bankers Association will immediately cancel the 'choose one of two' policy. Not only that, we will also cordially invite the Bank of East Asia to join the Hong Kong Bankers Association and give it a supervisory seat!" Shen Bi stated straight to the point.

As soon as Shen Bi said this, the atmosphere in the conference room suddenly became subtle.

Everyone's eyes shifted back and forth between Lin Haoran and Shen Bi, wondering how Lin Haoran would respond.

Lin Haoran narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he felt a little disdainful in his heart.

With the current market share of their Bank of East Asia in Hong Kong, he doesn't care about a mere supervisory seat, let alone the position of vice chairman.

What's more, the so-called "choose one of two" has completely lost its effectiveness after the Bank of East Asia raised the interest rate on time deposits to 5%.

Those customers who were originally constrained by the "choose one of two" policy, under the temptation of such high interest rates, switched to Bank of East Asia.

This policy is now just an empty shell and has no actual binding force.

Therefore, in Lin Haoran's view, Shen Bi's so-called concession was useless.

Lin Haoran said slowly: "Mr. Shen Bi, your promise sounds very tempting, but don't forget that when the Hong Kong Banking Association joined forces to suppress the Bank of East Asia, they did not give us any breathing space.

Now that Bank of East Asia has established itself on its own strength, you have thought of canceling the 'choose one of two' policy and invited us to join the guild. This change is too fast.

Moreover, I believe you should know in your heart that even if all the conditions you mentioned are fulfilled, it will not have any effect on Bank of East Asia, and it is far from being any substantial compensation.

The achievements that Bank of East Asia has made in the market today are due to our own strength in breaking through your encirclement, rather than relying on the charity of your banking association. "

Shen Bi's face turned pale and blue. He didn't expect Lin Haoran to be so disrespectful and refute his proposal in public.

But he knew that he couldn't get angry easily at this moment, so he could only suppress his anger and said, "Mr. Lin, our Banking Association did not handle the past events properly, but we must always look forward.

Now we are willing to make concessions for the overall stability of Hong Kong's financial market. If you keep dwelling on the past, it will not benefit anyone. You should just speak frankly. What are the conditions of your Bank of East Asia?" (End of this chapter)