Our history

 

Our global history

HSBC was born from one small idea - a local bank providing an international service. In March 1865 HSBC opened its doors for business in Hong Kong and today it connects customers all across the globe.

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HSBC in Asia-Pacific

The HSBC Group is named after its founding member, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. It was established to finance the growing trade between China and Europe and was the inspiration of the Hong Kong Superintendent of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, Thomas Sutherland.

The bank first opened for business in Hong Kong, and was shortly followed by a second office in Shanghai. It became a pioneer of modern banking practices and to this day maintains its position as one of the foremost financial institutions in the dynamic markets of Asia-Pacific.

HSBC in Europe

HSBC has maintained a presence in Europe since the opening of the London office of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in July 1865. However, through the acquisition of other banks and companies, HSBC's history in this region can be traced back to the late 18th century. It was the acquisition of Midland Bank in 1992 which transformed our reputation in Europe and placed us among the leading financial institutions in the world.

HSBC in the Middle East

HSBC's representation stems back to the British Bank of the Middle East, which was established in London in September 1889. It was founded by Baron Julius de Reuter and was originally known as the Imperial Bank of Persia. It first opened for business in Tehran in 1889, had opened 26 branches by the 1920s and was acquired by HSBC in 1959. Through this acquisition, we gained entry to one of the most diverse and rapidly changing financial markets in the world.

Today, HSBC continues to pioneer services and products in the region, including an innovative range available through HSBC Amanah Finance. Building our international capability and global reach, HSBC is one of the leading banking and financial services organisations in the Middle East.

HSBC in the Americas

HSBC's interests in the Americas encompass both the mature market of North America and the emerging markets of South and Central America. In 1865 it opened an agency in San Francisco, followed by a branch in New York in 1880. In 1987 the Group took full ownership of the Marine Midland Bank, which had been established in 1850.

Since the 1990s we have also expanded our operations through a series of purchases in South and Central America and now have subsidiaries in Brazil, Mexico and Panama.

Travel our UK timeline

Discover how HSBC has been shaping UK banking from 1836 to today.

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