Worldwide

Who we are

We are the world's local bank.

Headquartered in London, HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world. HSBC’s international network comprises some 8000 properties in 88 countries and territories in Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, North America and Latin America.

With listings on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by over 220,000 shareholders in 121 countries and territories. The shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange in the form of American Depositary Receipts.

HSBC provides a comprehensive range of financial services to more than 100 million customers through four customer groups and global businesses: Personal Financial Services (including consumer finance); Commercial Banking; Global Banking and Markets; and Private Banking.

Strategy

HSBC’s strategic direction reflects its position as ‘The world’s local bank’, combining the largest global emerging markets banking business and a uniquely cosmopolitan customer base with an extensive international network and substantial financial strength.

The Group’s strategy is aligned with the key trends which are shaping the global economy. In particular, HSBC recognises that, over the long term, developing markets are growing faster than the mature economies, world trade is expanding at a greater rate than gross domestic product and life expectancy is lengthening virtually everywhere.

HSBC’s strategy is focused on delivering superior growth and earnings over time by building on the Group’s heritage and skills. Its origins in trade in Asia have had a considerable influence over the development of the Group and, as a consequence, HSBC has an established and longstanding presence in many countries. The combination of local knowledge and international breadth is supported by a substantial financial capability founded on balance sheet strength, largely attributable to the scale of the Group’s retail deposit bases.

HSBC is, therefore, continuing to direct incremental investment primarily to the faster growing markets and, in the more developed markets, is focusing on businesses and customer segments which have international connectivity. A policy of maintaining HSBC’s capital strength and strong liquidity position remains complementary to these activities and is the foundation of decisions about the pace and direction of investment.

Assets

US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009.

Profit before tax

US$7,079 million for 2009.

Capital strength

Core Tier 1 ratio: 10.8%
Tier 1 ratio: 9.4%
at 31 December 2009

International reach

Some 8,000 properties in 88 countries and territories.

Staff

302,000 employees worldwide.

Customers

Over 100 million worldwide, with a total of 45 million customers registered for internet banking.

Technology

HSBC is a major user of advanced information technology, with an annual spending of US$5.9 billion. Its e-business channels include the internet, PC banking and telephone banking. HSBC maintains its own private telecommunications network – one of the world's largest - to deliver IT services to customers and to staff around the world. HSBC web sites attracted 726 million visits during the first half of 2008.

Personal Financial Services (including Consumer Finance)

Personal Financial Services offers a broad range of products and services to meet the personal banking, consumer finance and wealth management needs of individual customers. Personal banking products typically include current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit cards, insurance, wealth management and local and international payment services.

Commercial Banking

Commercial Banking product offerings include the provision of financing services, payments and cash management, international trade finance, treasury and capital markets, commercial cards, insurance, wealth management and investment banking services.

Global Banking and Markets

Global Banking and Markets provides tailored financial solutions to major government, corporate and institutional clients worldwide. The client-focused business lines deliver a full range of banking capabilities including investment banking and financing solutions; a markets business that provides services in credit, rates, foreign exchange, money markets and securities services; global asset management services and principal investment activities.

Private Banking

Private Banking provides a range of services to meet the banking, investment and wealth advisory needs of high net worth individuals.

Primary Press Contacts

London: 44 020 7991 0633 / 44 020 7992 1555
Hong Kong: 852 2822 4929
Chicago: 1 224 544 3299
Paris: +33 1 40 70 7729