Hong Kong-based HSBC Holdings PLC (0005.HK) experienced an unusual incident during Lunar New Year celebrations on Monday, March 2nd, when a lion dance performance at its headquarters in Central went awry. A lion head struck a senior executive during a traditional “eye-dotting” ceremony, according to multiple reports.
The incident occurred as a green lion was performing the “picking of the green” ritual, a symbolic gesture for good fortune, when it lost its balance and the lion head fell, hitting Rannie Lee, Head of Wealth Management and Personal Banking at HSBC, in the head. Star Headline and Line Today both reported on the incident.
The event took place shortly after HSBC completed its privatization last month, a move that has prompted concerns about potential job cuts. HSBC Group CEO Georges Elhedery recently reassured employees that there would be no layoffs and that any restructuring costs would be allocated to internal training programs, according to Star Headline.
The “eye-dotting” ceremony was attended by a number of HSBC and HSBC Holdings executives, including representatives from HSBC. A video of the incident has been circulating online, showing the moment the lion lost its footing. A YouTube video captures the event.
Lee’s division is reportedly one of the bank’s strongest performing areas. The incident underscores the unpredictable nature of live events, even those intended to celebrate positive business developments. Yahoo Finance reported on the incident.
