HSBC

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
HSBC Holdings plc
Type Public (LSE: HSBA, SEHK: 005, NYSEHBC, Euronext: HSB, BSX: 1077223879)
Founded Hong Kong (1865)
Founder Thomas Sutherland
Headquarters London, England, UK
Key people Stephen Green, Group Chairman
Michael Geoghegan, Group Chief Executive
Industry Finance and insurance
Products Financial services
Market cap 192,254.43mm USD (June 16, 2008). 2nd largest in Banking & Financial sector behind Industrial and Commercial Bank of China
Revenue $87.6 billion USD (2007)
Operating income $22.7 billion USD (2007)
Net income $20.5 billion USD (2007)
Employees 330,000
Subsidiaries HSBC Bank plc, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, HSBC Bank USA, HSBC Mexico, HSBC Bank Brasil, HSBC Finance
Website www.hsbc.com

HSBC Holdings plc (traditional Chinese: 滙豐控股有限公司; simplified Chinese: 汇丰控股有限公司; pinyin: huìfēng kònggǔ yǒuxiàn gōngsī) (LSE: HSBA, SEHK: 0005, NYSEHBC, Euronext: HSB, BSX: 1077223879) is a public limited company incorporated in England and Wales, headquartered in London.[1] It is the world's largest company and the world's largest banking group, as calculated based on different metrics by the annual Forbes list of the world's largest firms published on April 2, 2008.[2][3] In February 2008, HSBC was named the world's most valuable banking brand by The Banker magazine.[4][5]

HSBC Holdings was established in 1990 to become the parent company to The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited in preparation for its purchase of the Midland Bank in Britain and in change of domicile for the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. The former was established virtually simultaneously in Hong Kong and Shanghai in 1865 to finance the growing trade between China and Europe by Scotsman Thomas Sutherland, who wanted a bank operating on "sound Scottish banking principles". Its heritage in East Asia means it is a British institution with an extensive international pedigree.

HSBC is well-known in banking circles for its diversified and risk-averse approach in its business operations (to the extent that, for instance, Europe contributes around one-third of its 2007 earnings and commercial banking 30%).[6]

According to Forbes magazine, the world's largest bank (based on a composite score) is currently the fourth largest bank in the world in terms of assets ($2,348.98 billion), the second largest in terms of sales ($146.50 billion), the largest in terms of market value ($180.81 billion), and the most profitable bank in the world with $19.13 billion in net income last year (compared to Citigroup's $3.62 billion in the same period) as of April 2, 2008.[7]

It is also by far the largest bank in the United Kingdom and in Hong Kong, prints most of Hong Kong's local currency in its own name, is a lender of last resort in many parts of the world,[8] and since the end of 2005 has been the largest banking group in the world by Tier 1 capital.[9] By acquisitions and organic expansion HSBC is currently pursuing a strategy of rapid growth in booming China.[10]

Contents

[edit] History

For the history of the HSBC Group prior to the founding of HSBC Holdings plc in 1991, see The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation building on The Bund (with the round dome, currently houses the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank).
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation building on The Bund (with the round dome, currently houses the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank).

[edit] Local operations

The HSBC Group has a significant presence in each of the world's major financial markets, with the Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe each representing around one third of the business. With 10,000 offices in 83 countries, 210,000 shareholders, 330,000 staff and 128 million customers worldwide, HSBC arguably has the most international presence among the world's multinational banking giants.

The HSBC Group operates as a number of local banks around the world. Outlined below are countries which, in 2007, generated the top 20 profit before tax figures, with the addition of the United States as specific issues exclude that country from the top 20 for 2007.[11] For details of other group companies see Category:HSBC.

[edit] Americas

  • Flag of Argentina HSBC Bank Argentina SA has around 150 branches throughout Argentina providing a full range of banking and financial products and services to over 1.2 million customers. Midland Bank purchased a stake in Banco Roberts SA in 1987; in 1997 HSBC took full control of the bank and rebranded it HSBC. Also, after the crisis of 2001, they bought the Argentine operations of the Italian Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL) initially referred to as "BNL en argentina es HSBC" (BNL in Argentina is HSBC) but after two years the BNL network was rebranded as HSBC.
  • Flag of Bermuda The Bank of Bermuda Limited was acquired by HSBC in February 2004. Founded in 1889, it is a leading provider of fund administration, trust, custody, asset management and banking services, since the acquisition the group has focused its global efforts in some areas of these services on the island.
  • Flag of Brazil HSBC Bank Brasil SA is HSBC’s largest presence in South America.
    Palacio Avenida: The headquarters of HSBC Bank Brasil, located in Curitiba.
    Palacio Avenida: The headquarters of HSBC Bank Brasil, located in Curitiba.
    It was established in March 1997 with the acquisition of the assets, liabilities and subsidiaries of Banco Bamerindus do Brasil SA, which was established in 1952. HSBC is now among the ten largest banks in Brazil, with more than 1,700 branches and sub-branches in 550 Brazilian cities.
  • Flag of Mexico HSBC Mexico, SA is one of Mexico’s four largest banking and financial service companies, with 1,400 branches, 4,800 ATMs and 6 million customers. HSBC purchased Banco Internacional, SA known as Bital, in November 2002, rebranding it overnight in January 2004.
HSBC American headquarters in Buffalo, New York
HSBC American headquarters in Buffalo, New York
HSBC in Gurgaon
HSBC in Gurgaon
Due to the boom many modern building have been built
Due to the boom many modern building have been built

[edit] Asia Pacific

  • Flag of Australia HSBC Bank Australia Limited gained its banking licence in 1986. Today, a full range of Personal and Commercial services are offered from a network of branches as well as via direct channels.
  • Flag of Malaysia HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad traces its history back to the opening of the first HSBC office in Penang in 1884. The bank later became an issuer of currency notes for the Malaysian government. A gradual expansion programme resulted in the bank’s incorporation, the first foreign institution to do so in Malaysia in 1994. The bank today provides a full range of personal and commercial financial services. HSBC Holdings plc in London UK is set to shift a significant number of jobs from Britain to its new operational headquarters in Cyberjaya, Malaysia.HSBC operates a call center in Cyberjaya,Malaysia, a cybercity in Malaysia.
  • Flag of Thailand The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited HSBC Thailand initially opened for business in Thailand in 1888 and has been serving Thai people for 12 decades. It was the first commercial bank in Thailand. HSBC has made significant contributions to the establishment of solid foundations for Thailand’s financial and banking sectors. For example, in 1889 HSBC issued the first banknotes in Thailand. HSBC also issued the first foreign loan to the Thai government for its railroad construction project. HSBC has always been a major driving force behind Thailand’s commerce and economy.

[edit] Europe

  • Flag of Armenia HSBC Bank Armenia cjsc was the first international bank to open in Armenia in 1996. The bank is a joint venture between the HSBC Group, which has a 70% ownership, and members of overseas Armenian businesses. It is one of the leading banks in the foreign exchange market.
  • Flag of France HSBC SA operates around 800 branches in France since the takeover of Credit Commercial de France, primarily operating under the HSBC brand. HSBC France is now the HSBC Group’s lead bank in the Eurozone, focusing on certain capital market products for a global audience, and high net worth and international business in France.
  • Flag of Germany HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG was founded in 1785 and is one of the longest-established members of the HSBC Group. It has operations in private, commercial and investment banking and asset management.
  • Flag of Malta HSBC Bank Malta plc is one of the largest banks in Malta. It is a listed company but its majority shareholder is the HSBC Group. Formerly the Mid-Med Bank, HSBC Bank Malta is the second-longest established bank in Malta.
  • Flag of Switzerland HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA and HSBC Guyerzeller Bank AG are the Swiss operating subsidiaries of the group's Private Banking business, with 12 locations in the country. Much of the private banking business takes a lead from work done in Switzerland, with a total of 74 locations around the world operating solely for private banking business.
  • Flag of Turkey HSBC Bank AS is now the fifth largest private bank in Turkey, having expanded through internal financing and via acquisition since entering the market in 1990. The bank has a network of around 190 branches, offering products and services to corporate, commercial and personal customers, both under the HSBC brand as well as the Advantage brand.
  • Flag of the United Kingdom HSBC Bank plc is one of the "Big Five" high street banks in the UK, maintaining a large network of branches in England and Wales, with a smaller presence in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It acquired this presence in 1992 with the acquisition of Midland Bank plc. It also operates the previously Midland-owned telephone and internet bank First Direct, the consumer lending brand Beneficial Finance, and the financial services division of Marks & Spencer.

[edit] Middle East and Africa

  • Flag of Algeria HSBC Algeria was founded in 2008, as a reminder, the British bank HSBC graduated in May 2007, the green light of the monetary and credit of the Bank of Algeria for the establishment of a subsidiary in Algeria, which will have a capital of 2,5 billion dinars, or about 25 million euros, which will be the third year, to 3,6 billion dinars (36 million euros) and will be headed by a manager of Algeria, in this case, Rachid Sekak. [1] [2] [3]
  • Flag of Egypt HSBC Bank Egypt SAE was founded in 1982, and rebranded as HSBC in April 2001 after HSBC lifted its ownership stake from 40% to 94.5%.
  • Flag of Jordan In the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the HSBC Group is represented by HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, the largest and most widely represented international bank in the [Middle East] .

[edit] Global product lines and programmes

[edit] Group Service Centres

As a cost saving measure HSBC is offshoring processing work to lower cost economies in order to reduce the cost of providing services in developed countries. These locations take on work such as data processing and customer service, but also internal software engineering at Pune, Hyderabad (India), Guangzhou (China) and Curitiba (Brazil).

Chief Operating Officer Alan Jebson said in March 2005 that he would be very surprised if fewer than 25,000 people were working in the centres over the next three years: “I don’t have a precise target but I would be surprised if we had less than 15 (global service centres) in three years’ time.” He went on to say that each centre cost the bank from $20m to $30m to set up, but that for every job moved the bank saves about $20,000 (£10,400).[12]

Trade unions, particularly in the US and UK, blame these centres for job losses in developed countries, and also for the effective imposition of wage caps on their members.[12]

Currently centres exist in six countries, in Brazil in Curitiba, in India in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Kolkata and Pune, in China in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Colombo (Kotte) (Sri Lanka) and Manila (Philippines). The Malta trial for a UK high value call centre has resulted in a growing operation in Malta. An option under consideration is reported to be a processing centre in Vietnam to access the French skills of the population and therefore cut costs in the bank’s French operation.

On June 27, 2006, HSBC reported that a "small number" of customers had suffered from fraud totalling £233,000 after an employee at the Bangalore call centre supplied confidential customer information to fraudsters.[13]

[edit] HSBC Premier

HSBC Premier is the group's premium financial services product. The exact benefits and qualification criteria vary depending on country, but typically require deposits and investments of at least $100,000, £50,000, or €100,000, or a mortgage of at least $500,000 or £250,000. Customers have a dedicated relationship manager, global 24 hour access to call centres and preferential rates.

[edit] HSBC Bank International

HSBC Bank International Limited is the offshore banking arm of the HSBC Group, focusing on providing offshore solutions and cross border services to expatriates and migrants. It provides a full range of multi-currency personal banking services to a range of customer segments, including a full internet banking and telephone banking service. Sometimes referred to as "HSBC Offshore", the business also offers independent financial planning, and has representative offices all over the world, often working alongside local HSBC operations in those regions.
HSBC Bank International originated from the business started by Midland Bank and is based in the Channel Islands with further operations on the Isle of Man. Its operations in the Channel Islands are centred around its registered headquarters on the seafront in St Helier, Jersey. Named 'HSBC House', the building comprises departments such as Premier, Global Funds & Investments, e-Business and a 24 hour 'Direct Banking Centre'.

[edit] HSBCnet

HSBCnet is a global service that caters to local business needs by offering specialised functionality for different regions world-wide.

The system provides access to transaction banking functionality - ranging from payments and cash management to trade services features - as well as to research and analytical content from HSBC. It also includes foreign exchange and money markets trading functionality.

The system is used widely by HSBC's high-end corporate and institutional clients served variously by the bank's global banking and markets, commercial banking and global transaction banking divisions.

HSBCnet is also the brand under which HSBC markets its global e-commerce proposition to its corporate and institutional clients.

[edit] HSBC Direct

HSBC Direct is an online direct banking operation which attracts customers through high-interest savings accounts and no service charges or minimum account balance requirements. It was first launched in the USA in November 2005 and is now available in Canada, Taiwan and South Korea.

[edit] Brand and advertising

The group announced in November 1999 that the HSBC brand and the hexagon symbol would be adopted as the unified brand in all the markets where HSBC operates, with the aim of enhancing recognition of the group and its values by customers, shareholders and staff throughout the world.

[edit] Hexagon symbol

This was originally adopted by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation as its logo in 1983. It was developed from the bank’s house flag, a white rectangle divided diagonally to produce a red hourglass shape. It was based on a Scottish flag, the country the founder of the company was born in. Like many other Hong Kong company flags that originated in the 19th century, the design was based on the cross of Saint Andrew.The logo was designed by Graphics artist Henry Steiner.

The 2004 Jaguar car, being driven by Mark Webber.
The 2004 Jaguar car, being driven by Mark Webber.

[edit] Sponsorship

Having sponsored the Jaguar Racing Formula One team since the days of Stewart Grand Prix, HSBC ended its relationship with the sport when Red Bull purchased Jaguar Racing from Ford. HSBC has now switched its focus to golf, taking title sponsorship of events such as the HSBC World Match Play Championship, HSBC Women's World Match Play Championship (now defunct), HSBC Champions and HSBC Women's Champions.

In football HSBC sponsors French club AS Monaco and Mexican club CF Pachuca, and in rugby league, HSBC sponsors Telford Raiders in the Rugby League Conference. In Australia, HSBC sponsors the New South Wales Waratahs rugby team in the Super 14 rugby union competition, as well as the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League.

In the United States, HSBC owns the naming rights to the home arena of the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres until 2026.

HSBC’s other sponsorships are mainly in the area of education, health and the environment. In November 2006, HSBC announced a $5 million partnership with SOS Children as part of Future First.[14]

HSBC sponsors the Great Canadian Geography Challenge, which has had around 2 million participants in the past 12 years. Since 2001, HSBC has sponsored the Celebration of Light, an annual musical fireworks competition in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. In 2007 HSBC announced it would be a sponsor of the National Hockey League's Vancouver Canucks and Calgary Flames. HSBC has also sponsored a professional gaming team that was disbanded late 2007.

HSBC will sponsor the British and Irish Lions on the 2009 tour of South Africa.

HSBC is the official banking partner of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, providing banking facilities on site and renaming the Road to Wimbledon junior event, as The HSBC Road to Wimbledon National 14 and Under Challenge.[15]

[edit] Corporate governance

[edit] Executive pay

As of 2005 CEO Michael Geoghegan was earning over £700,000 (over US$1.4 million) per year, and Chairman Sir John Bond, who retired in 2006, was earning $1.8 million. HSBC made record profits in the 2004-2005 year earning over 12 billion GB Pounds or more than $20 billion.[citation needed]

[edit] Household acquisition

In 2003 HSBC completed its controversial acquisition of Household International, after Household settled on charges of predatory lending. In a 2003 cover story, The Banker noted "when banking historians look back, they may conclude that [it] was the deal of the first decade of the 21st century".[16] HSBC is expanding the Household International consumer finance model to Brazil, India and elsewhere.

On May 17 2008 HSBC has acquired IL&FS Investment Ltd a leading listing retail broking firm in India.[17]

[edit] Customer groups

HSBC splits its business into four distinct groups:

[edit] Personal financial services

HSBC provides more than 100 million customers world-wide with a full range of personal financial services, including current and savings accounts, mortgage loans, car financing, insurance, credit cards, loans, pensions and investments.

[edit] Commercial banking

HSBC provides financial services to small, medium-sized and middle-market enterprises. The group has almost 2.5 million of such customers, including sole proprietors, partnerships, clubs and associations, incorporated businesses and publicly quoted companies.

[edit] Global banking and markets

This customer group provides tailored financial services to corporate and institutional clients. Business lines comprise Global Banking, Global Markets, Global Asset Management, Global Research and Principal Investments.

This division was previously known as Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets.

[edit] Private banking

HSBC Private Bank is the marketing name for the private banking business conducted by the principal private banking subsidiaries of the HSBC Group worldwide. HSBC Private Bank, together with HSBC Guyerzeller and the private banking activities of HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt, known collectively as Group Private Banking, provides services to high net worth individuals and their families through 93 locations in some 42 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. As of December 2007, profits before tax were US$1,511 million and combined client assets under management were US$494 billion.

[edit] Controversy

[edit] Sudden withdrawal of student overdrafts

In July 2007, HSBC suddenly withdrew its interest-free overdrafts for students. Students graduating that year discovered that they were to face unexpected bills of up to £140 a year.[18] Students mobilised protests using the social networking website Facebook, and in August HSBC reversed its policy,[19] freezing overdraft charges to recent graduates and pledging to repay charges deducted in August while holding talks with the NUS

[edit] Data loss

In April 2008, HSBC confirmed it had lost unencrypted data disks containing the life insurance policy details for 370,000 of its customers.[20]

[edit] Cultural insensitivity

In 2008, HSBC was accused of 'cultural insensitivity', for running an advertising campaign featuring an overweight white man dressed up to look like a Sumo wrestler. The campaign has upset members of Britain's Japanese community, who claim that the man's skin tone was darkened and that make-up was applied that appeared to narrow his eyes[21]. HSBC denied making the model look as if he was from 'a specific country or region', but did admit that make-up had been applied to his face and eyes and that his skin tone had been made to appear more tanned [22].

[edit] Investment in fossil fuels

HSBC has faced criticism due to its investment in coal projects. HSBC has invested $10bn to energy corporation E.ON and other companies utilising coal [23].

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:


Personal tools