FinanceAsia names HSBC Best Bank for 2015

MANILA, Philippines - FinanceAsia has named the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp. (HSBC) as its Best Bank for 2015, which the publication described as “the year of HSBC.”

FinanceAsia’s editors said HSBC stole the show in Asia with its pivot to the region as it outlined its intention in June to target growth in China’s Pearl River Delta, the Asean region, and through the internationalization of the renminbi currency.”

HSBC was also named Best Bond House, Best Mergers and Acquisitions House and Best Islamic Finance House in FinanceAsia’s Annual Achievement awards.

HSBC deputy chairman and chief executive Peter Wong said being named best bank by a respected publication like FinanceAsia demonstrates HSBC’s success in helping its clients realize their ambitions in Asia across the full spectrum of markets and solutions.

“We are grateful to all our clients for their continuing support and look forward to working with them to capture growth opportunities throughout the region,” Wong added.

FinanceAsia noted the strong collaboration between HSBC’s commercial banking and global banking and markets businesses, which has translated into continued success in the Asian high yield bond market.

The citation makes the point that high-profile deals are often the result of a well-run commercial banking relationship, which is a key area of focus for HSBC as it moves ahead with executing its strategy.

The citation also described the recent agreement between HSBC and Qianhai Financial Holdings Co., Ltd. to establish a majority-owned joint venture securities company based in Qianhai as a significant step forward.

HSBC retained the Best Bond House award for the fourth consecutive year, reflecting the enduring leadership of HSBC’s Asian debt capital markets business.

“Time and again the bank was on deals that defined the trends of the year, both in the hot hand in the first half and the slower investment grade-dominated issuances that ran in the slower second half of 2015, where volumes began to fall behind year on year,” the prestigious publication said.

HSBC was also named Best M&A House for the first time after advising on some of the largest and most high profile deals in the region during 2015.

“Many banks gained league table recognition for these transactions but few of them were absolutely indispensable,” commented FinanceAsia. “One bank stood out for the quality of its advice: HSBC.”