Discover the bank'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.
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 - Now
A new century
We officially open our new global headquarters at 8 Canada Square in the rapidly developing area of Canary Wharf, London. The 45-storey tower is designed by Foster and Partners. High-tech IT equipment is a key feature in the new millennium. The building requires the installation of 34,000 miles of copper wiring – enough to wrap around the world one and a half times.
Construction begins on our new global headquarters in Canary Wharf, London
View towards Canary Wharf, London, with our new global headquarters nearing completion. The millennium dome can be seen in the foreground
A busy trading floor in the new headquarters
We release a trading update in February 2007, announcing large provisions to cover potential losses in the US. This is one of the first warning signs of the financial crisis to come and alerts markets to the possible global impact that a downturn in the US housing market could have on banks. In the wake of the crash, we complete a rights issue, raising approximately USD17.7 billion in 2009 to maintain our signature capital strength. In the film clip, Stuart Gulliver (then Chief Executive Officer, Global Banking and Markets – later Group Chief Executive Officer, 2011-2018) reflects on the bank’s strong balance sheet.
Film excerpt featuring Stuart Gulliver, Chief Executive Officer, Global Banking and Markets talking about the rights issue and the strength of the bank. Gulliver went on to become Group Chief Executive Officer between 2011 and 2018
Vincent Cheng, Chairman of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (left) and Richard Yorke, HSBC Chief Executive Officer China, launch HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited in Shanghai in 2007. HSBC had been building up to local incorporation in mainland China since becoming one of the first international banks to conduct yuan renminbi business in 1997
Employees at the newly opened Hyderabad II Global Service Centre in India in 2005. Mark Parfitt, Centre Director, is in the middle of the first standing row. Our first Global Service Centre had opened in 1995 to provide vital data-processing and back-office customer services
Restructuring gets underway in 2011 to start shaping a leaner and fitter business in the wake of the global financial crisis. Our Investor Update in June 2015 is the next milestone in that process. The bank unveils a major set of strategic priorities to 'capture value from our global presence in a changed world.’ More closures and disposals follow, as senior management refocus on our strengths in Asia, and on markets most relevant to international trade and capital flows.
Title slide for a presentation at the 2015 Investor Day
HSBC branding on a jetway at Heathrow Airport in the UK. Our global airport campaign had begun in 2001 and was firmly established around the world by 2015
We’ve been printing banknotes in Hong Kong since the 1860s. We launch a special commemorative HKD150 note for our 150th anniversary in 2015. It raises HKD477 million for local charities
In recent years we’ve drawn on our experience and resilience to meet challenges in a rapidly changing world. We supported communities during COVID-19 with measures including relief for personal lending customers, and extra lending for wholesale clients. We announced our ambition to become a net zero bank by 2050. This includes providing and facilitating between $750bn and $1tn of sustainable finance and investment by 2030. We also remain committed to our key global markets and international connectivity, opening new headquarters premises in Singapore (2020), Malaysia (2021) and the US (2024).
Omar Siddiq, Chief Executive Officer Malaysia (centre, wearing a red tie) is joined by a large crowd of employees at the unveiling of a statue of bank lion Stitt, during 140th anniversary celebrations in the country in 2024
Film about a staff volunteer involved in our Door-to-Door Vaccination Programme in Hong Kong during the COVID-19 pandemic
Film about the support we’re providing to a client to bolster Egypt’s transition to a greener economy with one of the world’s largest solar power plants
‘As we celebrate our 160th anniversary, our history and heritage stand us in good stead. In so many ways, adapting to new economic realities and technologies is what we have always done. It brings out the best in our people and culture, especially when acting as a trusted advisor to our customers as they navigate the world’s economic uncertainties and look towards new opportunities.’
Georges Elhedery, Group CEO
Film showing our 160th anniversary celebrations at the Hong Kong head office on the bank’s birthday – 3 March 2025
Traditional junk boat, decorated with HSBC 160 anniversary branding, passes in front of our Hong Kong head office
Film showing our 160th anniversary lightshow in Hong Kong
