HK in Hong Kong specialisingin retail banking

Before Ip joined Standard Chartered, she also worked forHSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) (0005.HK) in Hong Kong, specialisingin retail banking. One of the sources told Reuters on Tuesday Ip would joinAustralia's fourth-largest lender later this month. ANZ declined to comment on the appointment, but AngusGluskie, portfolio manager at White Funds Management, said theappointment underscores ANZ's plans to expand in China and growits retail banking there "There's no doubt that is an area they want to build. (ANZCEO) Mike Smith came on board with an objective of pursuingANZ's overseas agenda, and I think he's at a point now where hewants to give it a bit more focus and emphasis," Gluskie said. Asia Pacific banks have largely escaped the worst of thesubprime mortgage fallout battering U.S. and European peers,but have recently been shoring up their balance sheets in aneconomic slowdown. An increasing number of international banks have sought topull back from more diverse operations to refocus on their homemarkets in the wake of the crisis.

"You have got lots of other banks pulling back, orcontemplating pulling back from some of their more diverseoperations right now, so this is certainly in contrast ...certainly a more forward-thinking action on their (ANZ) part,"Gluskie said. ANZ had an agreement with Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank tohelp it issue a co-branded credit card, and both banks havesaid they together wish to focus on wealth management services,in particular rich Chinese individuals in Shanghai, China'sfinancial hub and one of the most wealthy Chinese cities. The group is represented in Guangzhou through itsRepresentation Office, and owns 20 percent of Tianjin CityCommercial Bank through strategic partnerships, and 20 percentof Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank. ANZ's group managing director for Asia Pacific, AlexThursby, has previously said the group aimed to be a top-fourforeign and super-regional bank in Greater China and India.

MMAMADNESS has learned that both Natasha Wicks and Logan Stanton have been cut from the UFC as ring girls. Stanton’s contract expired after UFC 107 and the UFC chose not to renew it Wicks was cut before the expiration of her contract. Ring girl Arianny Celeste will remain on with the organization as her contract has been recently renegotiated explaining her absence from UFC 107.According to sources, there will be only two ring girls from this point forward. Though it has not been officially announced, our insiders are being told Chandella Powell, a former playmate, will be the newest ring girl It has yet to be released when Ms. Powell will start her official ring girl duties, though UFC 108 would be the obvious choice.This is not the first time a former Playmate has graced the Octagon. At UFC 100 in July, former Playmate Holly Madison acted as a “guest ring girl” for the evening..