Entrepreneur, Adventurer and Businessman Richard Branson Challenges Financial Professionals to Have a "Planetary Point of View"

Speaking at the Association for Financial Professionals' Annual Conference, Branson Discussed Successful Leadership, Risk Taking and Environmental Imperatives

October 15, 2006 - Las Vegas, NV - Sir Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group of Companies and world-renowned adventurer, told attendees at the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) Annual Conference, that "I think the world is in the best position it's ever been." He emphasized that business should have a "planetary point of view". In a 'conversation' with AFP President and CEO Jim Kaitz at the Opening General Session, Branson emphasized there are fantastic opportunities for companies that think and act globally."

"It was especially important for Treasury and finance professionals, who are being called on to play more strategic roles within the organizations, to hear how Branson set his financial strategies when considering new opportunities," said Jim Kaitz. "Branson explained they have to be global in scope, enhance the brand, be worth doing and have an expectation of a reasonable return on investment. He set the perfect tone to kick-off three days of learning, education and networking to help treasury professionals address business issues and advance the practice of finance in their organizations."

Richard Branson described his challenges when faced with potential failure in his business or personal ventures. He reminded the audience that, "You have to be willing to take it on the chin" and move on if a project is failing. When asked about his risk taking, Branson said that you always have to prepare for the worst case scenario and maintain your focus. But he also reminded the audience that "if you create the best you are very unlikely to fail."

Branson, an entrepreneur and business leader, whose companies include Virgin Atlantic Airways that flies daily between England and Las Vegas, discussed his latest initiative to address global warming. "We have to do something about it and it makes good business to do something about it."

Branson reminded the audience that people are his most important resource. He emphasized that a good leader is someone who is an extremely good listener and genuinely cares about people. "The important thing is I've enjoyed working every minute of my life."

More than 6,000 leaders in the treasury and financial profession are meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada this week to discuss key issues and challenges. The AFP Annual Conference, which is considered the premier event in treasury and finance, offers more than 150 educational sessions featuring original, essential and unbiased information and numerous opportunities for attendees to network with peers.

Following the General Session, Branson officially opened the Conference's Exhibit Hall featuring more than 300 sponsors and exhibitors. The Exhibit Hall showcases innovative products, services and technologies for treasury and related disciplines.

Branson also joined in the final highlight of the day, the Welcome Reception - the first major networking event at the Conference. The Welcome Reception - at the Palms Casino Resort's Rain and Little Buddha venues - is sponsored by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. HSBC provides a wide array of transaction banking products and services including cash management, trade services, supply chain, securities and bank notes. "The Welcome Reception allowed attendees to discuss important issues facing corporate treasurers in an informal setting," said Michael Gallagher, head of global transaction banking for NAFTA member countries at HSBC. "As a leading cash management bank and a lead sponsor, we strive to be at the forefront of issues impacting our client base and finding solutions they can apply. AFP provides our industry with a forum in which to stay ahead of trends and be part of the dialogue towards better efficiencies."

Sir Richard Branson, Knight of the Order, who helped to open the AFP Conference, is founder of the Virgin Group of Companies, which includes media, airlines and rail, wine, and mobile phone services, and a trustee of several charities including the Virgin Healthcare Foundation and Virgin Unite. In December 1999, Richard Branson was awarded a knighthood in the Queen's millennium New Years honours list for "services to entrepreneurship". A world renown adventurer and explorer, Branson has been involved in a number of world record breaking attempts, including the first hot-air balloon to cross the Atlantic. His newest enterprise is Virgin Galactic, a new space tourism company, which will take paying passengers into suborbital space.

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The Association for Financial Professionals, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, supports more than 15,000 individual members from a wide range of industries throughout all stages of their careers in various aspects of treasury and financial management. AFP is the daily resource for financial professionals for continuing education, career development, certifications, research, representation to legislators and regulators, and the development of industry standards. Sponsored by the Association for Financial Professionals, the CTP designation is the globally recognized industry standard for treasury and a requirement for a changing profession. More than 16,000 professionals have earned AFP's certification since 1986. For more information about AFP, visit http://www.AFPonline.org

Note to editors: A picture of Sir Richard Branson addressing the AFP audience is available on request. Please contact Judy Schub at (571) 278-0214.