Our 160 year timeline
Discover HSBC's origins and its development into one of the world’s largest financial services organisations.
Explore the five eras below to uncover 160 years of great stories.
Explore the eras
Era 1: 1865 - 1899
Foundation and branching out
Era 2: 1900 - 1949
Growth and challenges
Era 3: 1950- 1979
New opportunities
Era 4: 1980 - 1999
Global reach
Era 5: 2000 - present
A new century
1954 - New Mong Kok premises unveiled
1954 - New Mong Kok premises unveiled
Ian Bradford, Mong Kok Manager (left) enjoying a drink with the Local Manager of the branch, Jim Ho (right), in June 1962
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1959 - First acquisitions
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We make our first acquisitions with the purchase of The British Bank of the Middle East (now HSBC Bank Middle East) and the Mercantile Bank in India. Through these mergers, our network grows from 45 branches in 18 countries – to 121 branches in 33 countries. These advertisements are issued to promote our expanded footprint with business customers around the world.
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Letter to HSBC shareholders regarding the bid for The British Bank of the Middle East
1959 - First acquisitions
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1967 - Computerisation
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We install our first computer in the Hong Kong head office, paving the way for the computerisation of accounts. Our customers can now bank at any HSBC branch in the territory. A few years later, in 1971, we install our first cash dispensers.
1967 - Computerisation
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1972 - New business venture
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Wardley Limited - named after our first head office premises - is launched to serve as a wholly owned merchant banking subsidiary. It's contributing 7 per cent of profits by the end of the decade.
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Wardley later develops its own series of subsidiaries in financial centres throughout Asia. HSBC is becoming an increasingly complex Group of companies as the century progresses
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The establishment of Wardley Limited lays the foundations for our Corporate and Institutional Banking business today.
1972 - New business venture
Wardley later develops its own series of subsidiaries in financial centres throughout Asia. HSBC is becoming an increasingly complex Group of companies as the century progresses
The establishment of Wardley Limited lays the foundations for our Corporate and Institutional Banking business today.
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1979 - Rebuilding in China
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China re-opens to foreign investment in the late 1970s. We've enjoyed a continuous presence in the country since 1865 and are well-positioned to support the development. We establish a new office in Guangzhou in 1979 and another in Beijing the following year.
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Photograph taken in Shanghai in 1983 showing retired employee Brian Ogden standing by an advert for HSBC. The advert reads 'Linking China with the World'
1979 - Rebuilding in China
Photograph taken in Shanghai in 1983 showing retired employee Brian Ogden standing by an advert for HSBC. The advert reads 'Linking China with the World'
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