HSBC bank a brief history
HSBC A brief history
Contents
Foreword
1
Introduction
2
HSBC in the Asia-Pacific region
4
HSBC in Europe
14
HSBC in the Middle East
22
HSBC in the Americas
26
The making of the modern HSBC Group
32
Principal members of the HSBC Group
36
Further reading
37
Cover: A detail of some of the images displayed on the HSBC History Wall at the HSBC Head Office in London.
A major work of art designed and built by Thomas Heatherwick Studio, the History Wall comprises nearly 4,000 images relating to HSBC’s history around the world.
Below, left: The HSBC History Wall seen from the main entrance of the HSBC Head Office in London.
Centre: Postcard sent in 1903, showing the offices of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in
Hong Kong. Right: Advertisement promoting business accounts, issued by Midland Bank in 1968.
1
Foreword
HSBC was born from one small idea – a local bank serving international needs. In March 1865,
HSBC opened its doors for business in Hong
Kong and today it welcomes customers all over the world.
The intervening years have formed the character of HSBC. Its experiences have created its core strengths of resilience, adaptability and capability for innovation. A glance at its history explains why it believes in capital strength, strict cost control and in building long-term relationships with customers. HSBC has weathered change in all forms – revolutions, economic crises, new technologies – and has adapted to survive.
Growth has come organically and through strategic acquisitions, and these purchases have brought their own strengths and cultures to the
Group. The resulting corporate character of
HSBC enables it to meet the challenges of the financial world of today and tomorrow.
View of Hong Kong waterfront in the 1860s when HSBC opened its doors for business. The bank’s first office is on the far left.
This brief history introduces the major
Contents
Foreword
1
Introduction
2
HSBC in the Asia-Pacific region
4
HSBC in Europe
14
HSBC in the Middle East
22
HSBC in the Americas
26
The making of the modern HSBC Group
32
Principal members of the HSBC Group
36
Further reading
37
Cover: A detail of some of the images displayed on the HSBC History Wall at the HSBC Head Office in London.
A major work of art designed and built by Thomas Heatherwick Studio, the History Wall comprises nearly 4,000 images relating to HSBC’s history around the world.
Below, left: The HSBC History Wall seen from the main entrance of the HSBC Head Office in London.
Centre: Postcard sent in 1903, showing the offices of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in
Hong Kong. Right: Advertisement promoting business accounts, issued by Midland Bank in 1968.
1
Foreword
HSBC was born from one small idea – a local bank serving international needs. In March 1865,
HSBC opened its doors for business in Hong
Kong and today it welcomes customers all over the world.
The intervening years have formed the character of HSBC. Its experiences have created its core strengths of resilience, adaptability and capability for innovation. A glance at its history explains why it believes in capital strength, strict cost control and in building long-term relationships with customers. HSBC has weathered change in all forms – revolutions, economic crises, new technologies – and has adapted to survive.
Growth has come organically and through strategic acquisitions, and these purchases have brought their own strengths and cultures to the
Group. The resulting corporate character of
HSBC enables it to meet the challenges of the financial world of today and tomorrow.
View of Hong Kong waterfront in the 1860s when HSBC opened its doors for business. The bank’s first office is on the far left.
This brief history introduces the major
Links: services, mechanising its systems (from 1928) and advertising its activities. services, including personal loans (1958), personal cheque accounts (1958) and cheque cards (1966).