Huaxia Bank hires DDB for credit card business

SHANGHAI - Huaxia Bank, one of China's largest banks, has awarded the creative account for its credit card programme to DDB Guoan after a pitch involving TBWA, Lowe, and the incumbent Grey.

Huaxia Bank’s Credit Card Center is a joint program between Huaxia Bank and Deutsche Bank, which acquired a 9.9 per cent stake of Huaxia Bank in 2006. The programme was launched in 2007, when the account was handled by Grey.

Daphne Lee from DDB Guoan Beijing, who led the pitch, commented, “Huaxia Bank’s competitors include China Merchant Bank, China Citic Bank, Commercial Bank of China, among others. But given its strategic alliance with Deutsche Bank, and its own local consumer insights, the client really wants to bring out this international expertise in their marketing this year.”

It is one-year contract, and DDB will be remunerated on a “return on investment” basis.