HSBC
HSBC, one of the world's largest and most respected banking and financial service organization, has an international network that covers approximately 10,000 offices located in 83 territories and countries all over the world. The company's slogan, "The world's local bank," underscores its presence in numerous local sites worldwide, particularly in Europe, America, the Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. The company's main headquarter is based in London.
The company takes pride in its international network that is highlighted by the latest in e-commerce technology. HSBC's wide array of financial services include commercial and private banking, corporate, investment banking and markets, as well as personal financial services and many others. Apart from these, the company also boasts of listings in some of the world's most famous stock exchanges, namely Hong Kong, London, Paris, New York, and Bermuda. Around 200,000 shareholders from 100 territories and countries worldwide hold HSBC Holdings shares, making the company a highly interactive financial institution.
The company has also received numerous awards and citations from different publications around the world and currently ranks number one in various facets of banking and financial services. These are clear testaments to its competence and efficiency as a premiere banking and financial service organization.
The company's corporate principles and values embody those that are present in its customers' daily interactions, lending the company the depth and character quite peculiar in the business world. The company not only focuses on its usual business concerns but also takes the lead in addressing issues about the environment, the various communities, corruption, as well as the problems besieging people of diverse nationalities.
History
The HSBC Group of Companies started rather early. Its founding member was The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. Founded in 1865, it aims at providing financial aid to the flourishing commerce between China and Europe. Since then, the company spread like wildfire, establishing thousands of satellite offices around the globe. One of its major subsidiaries is HSBC Bank Australia Limited.
The company established HSBC Finance Company Limited in Australia in 1965 and the HSBC Asset Management (Australia) Limited in 1981. In 1986, the company reached its milestone when it was given the authority to do banking in the country. The year marked the Australian federal government's decision to give foreign banks the right to establish their offices in Australia. The company also instituted commercial financial services in the same year, setting the foundation for more pioneering efforts and achievements.
Five years later, the personal financial services was initiated together with the establishment of trade services capability. These were followed by the introduction of discount home loans in 1995 and the introduction of consolidated customer statements and ATM/EFTPOS card the following year. In proving its relentless pursuit in banking excellence, the company introduced the following: telephone banking and credit cards in 1997, the HSBC InvestDirect Limited and the financial planning services in 1998, the adoption of global HSBC brand in 1999, and finally, the opening of the Booragoon and George Street branches in 2000. On top of these, the company also won the "Best Foreign Bank Award."
The year 2001 likewise saw big achievements for the company in launching three branches: the Maroubra, North Ryde, and Bondi Junctions branches. It also acquired the NRMA Building Society Limited. The same year saw the company's passionate move to go more technologically advanced with its launching of personal Internet banking. The following year, four more branches were added, the HomeSmart Home Loan was instituted, and the DocumentExpress service was launched. To make things brighter for the company, it won the best new product award for the DocumentExpress.
The year 2003 also proved to be more rewarding for the company when it bagged the "Best New Product" award for International Cash Management Account and the "Best Website" for www.hsbc.com.au. HSBC also established itself as a business institution on a class of its own when it launched the "Towards Sustainable Horticulture" environmental program with Royal Botanic Gardens and the Hawthorn Football Club. The company introduced more banking concepts during the years that followed. Among the services that the company launched were the Online Term Deposits; Debtor Finance, VISA Low Rate Credit Card, and Home&Away Program for Visa Card holders (2004); HSBCnet for corporate banking customers; 0% balance transfer for low rate credit card, new Rewards Plus program, and second factor authentication for retail customers (2005); and the new consumer finance business (2006).
With its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stuart Davis and corporate directors, HSBC Bank Australia has been providing customers with financial service products that are among the best in the finance and insurance industry.
Overview of Products and Services
These are some of the products and services offered by the company:
A selection of the current HSBC credit cards available include:
- HSBC Low Rate Credit Card
- HSBC Visa Classic Credit Card
- HSBC American Express Gold Credit Card
- HSBC Gold Credit Card
- HSBC Platinum Credit Card
Other major services offered by the HSBC Bank include:
Internet banking: Through HSBCnet, this service gives customers optimum ease and flexibility in handling local, as well as global concerns. Among the services under it are direct credit and direct debit payments, payment advising and priority payments, account information, and international trade services. Customer can make real time account inquiries, personalize their home page, access their accounts from all company offices worldwide, and secure their account.
Finance and borrowing: With this service, customers have free rein on the financial package that they need for their business. The company offers medium term and debtor finance services as well as aid in giving customers a working capital for their businesses.
Integrated payment solutions: This service has many similarities with the company's Internet banking option. The service provides customers with maximum control over their payable accounts. Included are direct credit and priority payments, payment advising, and cheque outsourcing.
Account management solutions: The service allows customers to access practical as well as cost-effective solutions to address business concerns, making their businesses more efficient and productive. Among the services included are business cheque and term deposit account as well as international cash management account.
Business insurance: The service offers some peace of mind to most entrepreneurs, knowing that they'll have an excellent backup in case unexpected situations happen to their businesses.
International trade: The company knows how important expansion is for businessmen, that's why it offered services that will assist customers who aim at hitting the international market. The services available to customers include importing and exporting assistance, risk reduction, and e-Services.