HKCB BANK<0655> - Announcement

The Stock Exchange has received a message from The HKCB Bank Holding 
Company Limited which is reproduced as follows:-

"This statement is made at the request of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong 
Limited.

We refer to a press article appearing in Hong Kong Economic Times today 
which mentioned, inter alia, that the sale offer of the Company has failed 
and the Company is considering the possibility of paying out a special 
dividend within next year.

We would confirm that as announced before, from time to time, there were 
interested parties approaching the Company or its major shareholders for 
possible business opportunities but until now, no formal offer has been 
received by the Company or its major shareholders for the acquisition of 
the Company.

Further, the Company does not have any plan for the time being to pay out 
any special dividend.

We also confirm that there are no negotiations or agreements relating to 
intended acquisitions or realisations which are discloseable under 
paragraph 3 of the Listing Agreement, neither is the Board aware of any 
matter discloseable under the general obligation imposed by paragraph 2 of 
the Listing Agreement, which is or may be of a price-sensitive nature.

Made by the order of the Board of The HKCB Bank Holding Company Limited 
the directors of which individually and jointly accept responsibility for 
the accuracy of this statement.

For and on behalf of
The HKCB Bank Holding Company Limited

Andrew Hau
Secretary

20 July 2001"