Asian e-broking: The new frontier

Asia is set to become the new battleground for online brokers. A nascent market with huge potential is incentive enough for the big guns from the US to invest heavily in developing Asian operations. Hong Kong offers a gateway into the new markets, particularly China, for international firms that look set to put many local brokers out of business. Julian Marshall reports

The online brokers building up new operations in Asia have little doubt about the heady prospects for their business in the region.

“We think Asia has the potential to outstrip the US,” says Christina Hui, regional general manager, Asia, for Charles Schwab. The view she gets from her Exchange Square office window of Hong Kong’s thriving Central below will do little to dissuade her of this optimistic-sounding claim.

At TD Waterhouse, Karen Buck, managing director of its Hong Kong operation, reinforces the view.

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