Page:Soma v. SCB.pdf/2

 Plaintiff Soma Medical International, Inc., appeals from the dismissal of this diversity action against Standard Chartered Bank (“SCB”) for lack of personal jurisdiction. Soma also appeals the denial of an interlocutory discovery order. We affirm the dismissal of this case for lack of personal jurisdiction over SCB, and we affirm the denial of the discovery order.

Soma is a Delaware corporation primarily engaged in the business of researching, developing, and manufacturing medical monitoring devices. Its principal place of business is in Bountiful, Utah. SCB is an international banking institution incorporated under the laws of Great Britain, with branches in many cities throughout the world, including Hong Kong.

In August 1993, Soma opened a bank account with SCB’s Hong Kong branch office. Soma intended to engage in a joint venture with the Chinese government to manufacture medical monitoring devices in China, and the Chinese government agreed to fund the venture provided Soma had certain funds on deposit in Hong Kong. Soma alleges that SCB was aware of the arrangement between Soma and the Chinese government and that SCB agreed to allow funds to be withdrawn from Soma’s account upon presentation of an instrument bearing the signatures of both Mark Leishman and Robert Walker.