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HSBC in Belgium

Since 1991, HSBC has been supporting international companies in Belgium through its global network.

HSBC’s connectivity and worldwide footprint enables us to offer our corporate clients a global perspective combined with local knowledge and expertise. We can connect customers in Europe with opportunities across 90 per cent of the world’s trade flows.

Corporate Banking

We provide a wide range of banking services and financial solutions to large corporate clients headquartered in Belgium as well as regional treasury centres and subsidiaries of multinationals based in Belgium. From our office in the heart of Brussels, our dedicated relationship managers, along with regional and global account managers and product experts, are able to offer specialised products and knowledge to Treasurers and Chief Finance Officers of these companies.

Our services in Belgium include corporate credit and lending, trade and receivables financing, global payments solutions, interest rates and foreign exchange risk management. HSBC in Belgium is supported by a strong platform of experts specialising in full range of capital markets solutions (equity and debt), sector knowledge to support ambitions of inorganic growth i.e. mergers and acquisitions (M&A), export and project financing, economic research and others. Our account and transaction services are delivered via our online banking platform (HSBCnet), host-to-host connectivity (HSBC Connect), and the SWIFT payment system.

If you have any questions relating to our services or would like any further information, speak to your HSBC Relationship Manager or email hsbc.brussels@hsbc.com.

The office in Brussels does not offer personal or private banking services, and so cannot provide assistance to personal or private banking customers of other HSBC entities. 

Key products and solutions 

Investment Banking

  • Financing Solutions - Leverage and Acquisition finance
  • Debt and Equity Financial Markets
  • Credit and Lending - HSBC offers a full lending product suite, underpinned by universal banking capabilities

Transactional Banking

  • Global Payments Solutions (GPS) - we offer pan-European coverage of 34 countries
  • Global Trade and Receivables Finance (GTRF) - we deliver trade services through the UK and our Euro Area entities located in France, Germany and across HSBC’s EEA network. Clients can access both proprietary solutions (e.g. HSBCnet, Host to Host) and bank agnostic solutions (e.g. SWIFT for Corporates for Trade)

Global Markets

  • Spot, forwards, NDFs and FX options in all major currencies and many minor/emerging market currencies. A dedicated FX team in London supports Belgian corporates and multinationals to solve issues relating to currency risk management

Awards and recognitions

  • Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2019 including World’s Best Bank for Public-Sector Clients and World’s best bank for sustainable finance

HSBC Group history timeline


1865
 
2024

Hong Kong harbour, Chinese artist, early 1860s

Staff in Fuzhou, China, 1887

Portrait of Thomas Jackson, around 1890

Chinese railway bond certificate, 1907

Staff in military uniform, First World War

Hong Kong building, 1965

Prison camp diary of HSBC staff member Max Haymes, 1943

Hong Kong garment factory, around 1950

Persian banknote, early 20th century

UK cash machine, around 1970

HSBC office, New York, 1999

HSBC lion, London, present day

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The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited opened in Hong Kong on 3 March 1865 and in Shanghai one month later. It was the first locally owned bank to operate according to Scottish banking principles.

By 1875 HSBC was present in seven countries across Asia, Europe and North America. It financed the export of tea and silk from China, cotton and jute from India, sugar from the Philippines and rice and silk from Vietnam.

By 1900, after strong growth under Chief Manager Thomas Jackson, the bank had expanded into 16 countries and was financing trade across the world. Bullion, exchange and merchant banking were important features of the bank’s business.

In the early 20th century, HSBC widened the scope of its activities in Asia. It issued loans to national governments to finance modernisation and infrastructure projects such as railway building.

The First World War brought disruption and dislocation to many businesses. By the 1920s, however, Asia was beginning to prosper again as new industries developed and trade in commodities such as rubber and tin soared.

The 1930s brought recession and turmoil to many markets. Nonetheless, HSBC asked architects Palmer and Turner to design a new head office in Hong Kong: “Please build us the best bank in the world.” The cutting-edge art deco building opened in 1935.

The bank faced one of its most challenging times during the Second World War. Staff in Asia showed huge courage in the face of adversity. Many became prisoners of war. Only the London, Indian and US branches remained in full operation.

At the end of the war, HSBC took on a key role in the reconstruction of the Hong Kong economy. Its support helped established manufacturers as well as newcomers to Hong Kong grow their business.

By the 1970s the bank had expanded through acquisition. HSBC bought Mercantile Bank and The British Bank of the Middle East in 1959. In 1972 it formed a merchant banking arm, extending its range of services.

In the 1980s HSBC bought Marine Midland Bank in the US. In 1992, the newly created HSBC Holdings plc made a recommended offer for full ownership of the UK’s Midland Bank. Following the acquisition, HSBC moved its headquarters to London.

In 1998, the bank announced it would adopt a unified brand, using HSBC and the hexagon symbol everywhere it operated.

Our purpose – Opening up a world of opportunity – explains why we exist. We’re here to use our unique expertise, capabilities, breadth and perspectives, opening up a world of opportunity for our customers.


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