Ties to drive demand for RMB services

While demand for yuan-denominated products still limited, lower costs could spur 2-way activity

As the US and China continue to deepen financial ties, the development of products and services for Chinese currency in the US will increase, participants at a New York forum were told Monday.

“The demand for RMB-denominated products and services in the US is modest, but it is growing,” Mary Schapiro, former chair of the US Securities and Exchange Commission and vice-chair of The Working Group on US RMB Trading and Clearing told the HSBC China Forum.

The Working Group is backed by several titans of US finance who want to establish the trading and clearing of the renminbi (RMB), or yuan, in the US. Michael Bloomberg is the group’s chairman. Former US Treasury secretaries Timothy Geithner and Henry Paulson serve as co-chairs.

By making it easier for US institutions to make or receive RMB payments, the group believes it will lead to lower transaction costs and increase economic activity between the two nations. As part of their bilateral summit last year, President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping agreed to strengthen financial cooperation, including discussing mechanisms “to facilitate renminbi trading and clearing in the United States”.

Helen Wong, the chief executive for Greater China at HSBC, noted that as China expands its middle class and service sector, the US could be poised to profit.

“For the US, with its advanced service sector, China represents a huge opportunity,” Wong said.

She also noted that the renminbi will enter the International Monetary Fund’s Special Drawing Rights basket of currencies on Oct 1, joining the dollar, euro, pound and yen. That is also expected to increase demand for RMB transaction services.

Wong said that the RMB is already among the top six payment currencies in the world.

By increasing RMB transaction services in the US, Schapiro said both US and Chinese companies will benefit.

“The US and China are each other’s largest trading partners,” Schapiro said. “The Chinese will have greater flexibility when financing US investments. Small businesses in the US will not be at a disadvantage because they don’t have access to an international trading desk.”

“China’s second-quarter GDP of 6.7 percent was better than expected,” Wong said. “The worries about China’s economic slowdown have dissipated for the moment.”

For the US, with its advanced service sector, China represents a huge opportunity.”

Helen Wong, chief executive of Greater China HSBC