Basic Bank Information & Institutional OverviewHSBC
Bank Egypt SAE, the full name of HSBC Bank Egypt SAE, is a commercial bank headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. The bank's history dates back to 1982 as Hongkong Egyptian Bank. In January 1994, it changed its name to Egyptian British Bank, and finally adopted the name "HSBC Egypt" in April 2001, a change that marked a significant increase in the HSBC Group's shareholding from 40% to 94.5%. This shareholding structure makes it clear that HSBC Bank of Egypt SAE is a close subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, while its parent company, HSBC Holdings, is an international bank listed on the London, Hong Kong, New York and Bermuda stock exchanges. In addition to HSBC Holdings, the shareholder background of HSBC Egypt SAE includes Misr Insurance Company (3.4%) and Misr Life Insurance Company (1.7%), as well as a small number of other shareholders (0.4%), reflecting a certain local integration in the Egyptian market. In Egypt, HSBC also has the HSBC Electronic Data Service Delivery Centre, a global service centre that has supported HSBC's customers and businesses in more than 40 countries and territories since its inception in 2010, demonstrating its strategic position in global operations.
In terms of service network and coverage, HSBC Egypt SAE mainly provides services in Egypt, but as part of the HSBC Group, it benefits from an extensive network in 62 countries and territories around the world. In Egypt itself, the bank has an extensive network of branches and ATMs, which according to statistics include 100 branches and 20 mini-bank branches, and according to other sources, 70 branches and 13 branches. These outlets are located in major cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada and 6th of October. It is worth noting that the bank has recently made adjustments to some of its physical branches, such as the Gezira Club branch in September 2024, the Azur branch in May 2025, and the Heliopolis branch in February 2025 for maintenance. ATMs are also widely distributed in cities such as Cairo, Alexandria, Assiut, Giza, Guna, Hurghada, Ismailia, Mansura, New Damietta, Port Said, Las Gharib, Sahelhashish, Sohyna, Tanta, Galioubia, and the North Coast, with a total of 229 ATMs in 2021.
In terms of regulatory and compliance framework, HSBC Egypt SAE is strictly regulated by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE). The preparation and presentation of its financial statements are in accordance with the rules for the preparation and presentation of bank financial statements issued by the Central Bank of Egypt on 16 December 2008 and amended on 26 February 2019, and in accordance with the laws and regulations in force in Egypt. The 2022 audit report clearly states that during the audit year, the bank did not find any material violations of the provisions of the Central Bank of Egypt and the Banking System Law No. 194 of 2020, demonstrating its strong track record in compliance.
HSBC Bank Egypt SAE is a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, and its 94.54% shareholding means that it is not only a local bank in Egypt, but also a member of the global HSBC network. HSBC Holdings is listed on major exchanges around the world and has huge global assets, which provides HSBC Egypt SAE with strong financial backing, advanced risk management experience and global product innovation capabilities. This global background allows it to attract multinational corporations and high-net-worth clients, as well as provide cross-border financial services. At the same time, its extensive branch network in Egypt and strict compliance with local regulations allow it to deeply serve the local market and understand the needs of local customers. This model of "global background, local cultivation" is the key to maintaining its advantage in the highly competitive Egyptian financial market.
Financial health analysis
is a key assessment of a bank's financial health, which examines its core financial indicators, including capital adequacy ratio, non-performing loan ratio, and liquidity coverage ratio. Together, these indicators paint a picture of a bank's ability to withstand risks, keep customer funds safe, and maintain day-to-day operations.
At the HSBC Group (parent company) level, its financial performance was strong and solid. In 2024, the Group's pre-tax profit reached US$32.3 billion, an increase of US$2 billion from US$30.3 billion in 2023. Despite a slight decline in net interest income, from $35.8 billion in 2023 to $32.7 billion in 2024, bank net interest income remained at a high level of $43.7 billion. Operating expenses were $33.0 billion in 2024, up from $32.1 billion in 2023, but still within the target range. The Group's CET1 ratio reached 14.9% in 2024, up slightly from 14.8% in 2023 and above its target range of 14% to 14.5%, demonstrating a solid capital base. Return on average tangible equity will remain at 14.6% in both 2024 and 2023. Expected credit losses (ECLs) of $3.4 billion in 2024 were unchanged from 2023 and accounted for 36 basis points of average total loans (32 basis points in 2023), demonstrating its prudent management of credit risk. The wealth management business generated $64 billion in new investment assets in 2024, down from $84 billion in 2023, but still contributed significant growth.
Focusing on HSBC Egypt SAE itself, its financial performance is also impressive. In 2023, the bank's profit before tax reached EGP 17,201.9 million, a significant increase of 126.5% compared to 2022; Profit after tax also increased by 123.8% to EGP 12,275.79 million, demonstrating strong profitability. In terms of capital adequacy, HSBC Egypt's SAE had a capital adequacy ratio of 26.47% in 2022, far exceeding the central bank of Egypt's minimum regulatory requirement of 10%, indicating that it has a very strong capital buffer. The leverage ratio also reached 8.43% during the same period, well above the regulatory minimum requirement of 3%, further confirming its financial soundness.
HSBC Egypt's SAE has a capital adequacy ratio of 26.47% in 2022, far exceeding the minimum requirement of 10% for the Central Bank of Egypt, which in itself is enough to show the strength of its capital base. On this basis, the pre-tax profit and after-tax profit in 2023 both achieved an impressive growth of more than 120%, which shows that banks not only have strong risk resilience, but also have significant profitability. This abundance of capital and the explosive growth of earnings have created a solid financial barrier for banks to withstand market volatility and support business expansion, allowing them to stay ahead of the complex economic environment.
Deposit & Loan
PortfolioHSBC Egypt SAE is committed to providing a diverse range of deposit and loan products to meet the financial needs of different customer segments, from young savers to investors seeking high yields to individuals and businesses with financing needs.
In terms of deposit products, the bank has shown a focus on market segments. Designed for young people aged 15 to 20, its Youth Savings Account offers no account opening fee, no account management fee, no minimum balance requirement, and a preferential interest rate of 8.00% per annum on deposits below EGP 50,000. The account is available in Egyptian pounds, US dollars (0.10%) and British pounds (0.0025%), and comes with a free Visa debit card, designed to foster the savings habits of the younger generation. For general savings accounts, the EGP deposit interest rate is graded according to the balance, e.g. 8.00% p.a. for EGP 5 million and above, 6.75% for EGP 1 million and above, and 3.50% for EGP 100,000 and 500,000, etc., and the interest is calculated and recorded on a monthly basis. Time Deposits are available to Premier, Advance and Personal Banking customers, and the EGYP Fixed Deposit interest rate fluctuates according to the deposit amount and term, e.g. 7.75% p.a. for Premier customers with a 12-month tenor of over EGP 1 million, while 7.50% for Advance and Personal Banking customers. USD and EUR Term Deposits are also available with different maturities and interest rates. In addition, the bank has launched "Savings Certificates", a three-year Egyptian pound fixed rate product with an interest rate of up to 18% per annum, with interest paid monthly. Customers can redeem all or part of the redemption after 6 months of purchase, subject to the payment of a penalty (10% for the first year, 8% for the second year, 6% for the third year). Customers with a minimum deposit of EGP 10,000 and a savings certificate are also eligible to apply for an asset-based mortgage, overdraft or mortgage credit card.
In terms of loan products, HSBC Egypt SAE offers a comprehensive range of personal financing solutions. Personal Finance offers competitive fixed interest rates, flexible repayment terms ranging from 6 months to 84 months, and supports fixed monthly payments for easy budgeting. The product also allows customers to add up to the loan amount and even "repo" personal loans from other banks. The conditions for application include a minimum regular monthly gross income of EGP 10,000, working with the current employer for at least 1 year, aged between 21 and 65 years, and a maximum loan amount of EGP 3,000,000. Some data show that the interest rate of personal loans ranges from 10.15% to 16.00%. Car Finance also offers competitive interest rates and flexible repayment periods of up to 84 months for new and used cars with no down payment required. Asset-Linked Finance features a fixed and competitive interest rate that allows customers to easily access funds to meet their financial needs, while continuing to earn interest on their pledged deposits for up to 84 months. In addition, the bank offers an Unsecured Overdraft, a flexible short-term borrowing option that can borrow up to EGP 80,000 and is valid for one year. It is important to note that while the report does not directly mention the interest rate of HSBC Egypt's SAE mortgage products, asset-backed loans can be used to purchase a new home.
Security GuaranteesRegarding
the data breach, in April 2024, HSBC Group and its contractors had a data breach that resulted in the leakage of sensitive information such as database files, certificate files, source code, SQL files, JSON configuration files, and compiled Jar files. The incident, which affected two banks, HSBC and Barclays, stemmed primarily from an infrastructure breach at a direct contractor. In addition, HSBC's US branch also suffered a data breach in October 2018, resulting in unauthorized access to data such as customer names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, account information and transaction history, but the bank said it found no signs of fraud. These incidents highlight the ongoing cyber threats that even large financial institutions face and highlight the importance of continued investment in cybersecurity measures, employee training, and supply chain security.
HSBC Group's global anti-fraud and anti-money laundering capabilities through the HSBC Safeguard programme and the equipping of HSBC Egypt's SAE with two-factor authentication technology such as Secure Key have combined to build a strong line of defence against funds. This shows that banks not only rely on technology, but also form a multi-layered security system through a global compliance framework and customer education. This development of proactive defense and risk awareness is critical to protecting client assets in an increasingly complex financial crime environment.
As
an important part of the HSBC Group, the market position and accolades of HSBC Egypt SAE reflect not only its outstanding performance in Egypt, but also the leadership of the HSBC Group in the global financial industry.
In terms of industry rankings, HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services institutions. In 2025, the HSBC Group has been named the World's Best Trade Finance Bank in the Euromoney Trade Finance Survey for the eighth consecutive year. At the 2024 Euromoney Awards for Excellence, the HSBC Group won a total of 33 awards, including three "World's Best Bank" awards: "World's Best Sustainable Finance Bank", "World's Best Payments and Treasury Bank" and "World's Best Public Sector Customer Bank". In addition, HSBC was named "Best Bank" in two of its home markets (Hong Kong and the UK) and in Asia.
In the Middle East in particular, HSBC Group has been named "Best Investment Bank in the Middle East", "Best Sustainable Finance Bank in the Middle East" and "Best Financing Bank in the Middle East" in 2024. In Egypt, HSBC SAE was named "Best Investment Bank in Egypt" by Euromoney in 2021 and "Best Cash Management Bank in Egypt" by corporate clients. HSBC also won accolades such as "Best ESG Technology Provider – Private Banking" at the Global Private Banking WealthTech Awards 2024 and "Best ESG-Tech Private Bank" at the PWM WealthTech Awards. These awards demonstrate HSBC Egypt's SAE's excellence in investment banking, cash management, sustainable finance and ESG technology.
