HSBC
Holdings plc (HSBC) is a leading global commercial bank, founded in 1865 as The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, headquartered in London, UK. In 1991, HSBC Holdings plc was officially established, and its predecessor, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, became a wholly owned subsidiary. HSBC is dual-listed on the London Stock Exchange and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and is a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Index and the FTSE 100 Index. As the world's seventh-largest bank, HSBC is known for its strong presence in Asian, European and North American markets, serving more than 39 million customers.
Scope of
ServicesHSBC's services cover 62 countries and regions around the world, spanning Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Oceania and Africa. The bank has about 2,000 branches worldwide, and the exact number varies by region, such as about 220 branches in Hong Kong and 327 branches in the United Kingdom (as of 2024). HSBC's ATM network is widely located in major markets, making it easy for customers to deposit and withdraw cash and conduct daily transactions. Through its global network, the Bank supports consumer banking, commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking services, with a significant competitive advantage, particularly in Asian markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore. HSBC also provides community banking services in the UK through the HSBC Local programme, such as shared banking centres and cash points, to enhance customer accessibility.
Regulation &
ComplianceHSBC is heavily supervised by regulators in many countries, primarily by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In other jurisdictions of operation, HSBC complies with local regulations such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (DICGC). HSBC participates in national deposit insurance schemes, with the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) protecting personal deposits of up to £85,000 in the UK, up to $250,000 in the FDIC in the US and up to Rs 500,000 in India. HSBC was fined £57.4 million (2024) by the PRA for deposit protection identification and notification issues and £63.9 million (2021) by the FCA for defects in the transaction monitoring system, according to recent compliance records. Despite this, HSBC has maintained a high standard of compliance by strengthening its internal controls and compliance measures.
Financial HealthHSBC
has a solid financial performance with a core Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio (CET1) of 14.9% in 2024, above its target range of 14%-14.5%, demonstrating strong capital buffers. In 2024, HSBC's total assets reached $3.098 trillion, making it the seventh largest bank in the world, with a total profit of $32.3 billion, up 6.6% year-on-year. The non-performing loan ratio (NPL) is not explicitly disclosed in public data, but is expected to remain low (expected credit loss ratio of 30-40 basis points in 2025). The Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) meets regulatory requirements to ensure short-term solvency. Here's an overview of the key financial metrics:
Indicator Numeric Note Core Tier 1 Capital Adequacy Ratio (CET1) 14.9% 2024 figures, higher than industry standards Non-performing loan ratio (NPL) Not explicitly disclosed Expected to be lower, ECL expected to be 30-40 basis points in 2025 Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) Not explicitly disclosed Compliance with regulatory requirements Total assets $3.098 trillion Ranked 7th in the world as of September 2024 Profit before tax US$32.3 billion In 2024, Year-on-year growth of 6.6%
HSBC's financial health keeps it a leading position in the global banking industry and is highly resilient.
Deposit & Loan
ProductsDeposits: HSBC offers a wide range of deposit products, including demand deposits, time deposits and high-yield savings accounts. Demand deposit interest rate is low (usually 0.1%-0.5%) and high flexibility; Fixed deposit interest rates fluctuate depending on the maturity and amount, usually between 1% and 3% (please refer to the HSBC website for details). HSBC also offers Large Certificates of Deposit (CDs) and Fixed Term Deposit Accounts in 19 currencies, making them suitable for clients looking for stable returns.
Loans: HSBC's loan products include home loans, car loans, personal lines of credit and corporate finance. Mortgage interest rates typically range from 3%-5% and up to 80% of the property's valuation, with both fixed and variable interest rate options available. Car loans and personal lines of credit have low approval thresholds of up to $500,000 (depending on the market) and offer flexible repayment terms and early repayment without penalty options. HSBC also provides customized financing solutions for SMEs, such as trade finance and export credit loans.
Features: HSBC's lending products focus on flexibility and internationalisation, such as providing seamless financial services to cross-border clients through a global wealth management platform.
List of Common
FeesHSBC's fee structure varies by country and account type. Regular accounts may charge a monthly fee (around £5-20/USD), but Premium accounts (such as HSBC Premier) can waive fees by meeting minimum balance requirements. Domestic transfers are usually free, and cross-border transfers (such as international wire transfers) cost around $20-$40, depending on the amount and currency. The ATM interbank withdrawal fee is about $1-3, and it is recommended to use HSBC's own ATM to reduce costs. Overdraft fees are clearly indicated according to the account agreement and are typically $1-$2 per day. Accounts with less than the minimum balance may face a penalty of $5-$10. HSBC's fee list is transparent, and customers can check the detailed terms and conditions on the HSBC website.
Digital Services
ExperienceHSBC's digital services are delivered through its mobile app, HSBC Mobile Banking, and online banking platform, reaching both individual and corporate customers. The mobile app has a rating of 4.6 stars on the App Store and 4.8 stars on Google Play, and users rate its user-friendliness and functional stability highly. Core features include real-time transfers, bill management, facial recognition login, investment tool integration, and multi-currency account management. HSBC supports open banking APIs, allowing third-party fintech applications to connect and improve service flexibility. The bank has also introduced AI-powered customer service chatbots and robo-advisory tools to optimize the user experience. HSBC's digital transformation is in line with the global "Bank 3.0" trend, especially in the Asian market.
Quality of customer service
: HSBC provides 24/7 telephone support (UK: +44-20-7991-5072; Hong Kong: +852-2899-8909), live chat and social media to ensure customers get help at all times. Complaint handling efficiency is high, the average resolution time is within the industry standard range (usually 1-2 weeks), and user satisfaction is good. For cross-border customers, HSBC provides multi-language support, including English, French, Spanish, Chinese, etc., for the convenience of international businesses and expatriates. User feedback on Platform X shows that HSBC is responsive in handling urgent issues and has a robust overall customer service performance.
Security
MeasuresHSBC deposits are protected by deposit insurance schemes in various countries, such as the UK FSCS up to £85,000, the US FDIC up to $250,000 and the Indian DICGC up to Rs 500,000. Banks use real-time transaction monitoring, multi-factor authentication (including biometrics), and advanced encryption to protect against fraud. In terms of data security, HSBC complies with EU GDPR regulations and national data protection laws, and has not reported major data breaches. Although ISO 27001 certification is not explicitly mentioned, it is a leading global bank with data security standards in line with international standards and a high level of customer trust.
Featured Services & DifferentiationHSBC
offers a wide range of products for market segments. For example, it provides students with fee-free accounts to reduce the cost of use for young people; Design low-risk wealth management products for the elderly to meet the needs of stable investment. Green finance is one of its specialties, and HSBC has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and invested between US$750 billion and US$1 trillion to support its customers' green transition. HSBC Premier and Private Banking are available to high-net-worth clients, with a threshold of US$500,000 (depending on the market) for a customised banking solution. HSBC also supports start-ups and SMEs through HSBC Innovation Banking, which provides flexible financing and advisory services.
Market Position & AccoladesHSBC
is the world's seventh-largest bank, with total assets of US$3.098 trillion in 2024 and a particularly prominent market share in Asia and Europe. In 2024, HSBC's assets grew by 5.13%, the return on assets (ROA) was 2.64%, and the return on equity (ROE) remained above 15%. HSBC has received numerous industry awards, including "Best Digital Bank" by Global Finance magazine and "Excellence Award" by Euromoney. Its innovations in green finance and fintech, such as open banking APIs and sustainable financing projects, further solidify its market leadership.
