HSBC in Sri Lanka

Our services

HSBC Bank Sri Lanka is the leading international bank in Sri Lanka, providing a comprehensive range of banking and financial services supporting the growth ambitions of its customers from government and multinationals to international and local corporates.

HSBC Sri Lanka offers a full range of services to its business banking customers through its Corporate and Institutional Banking businesses.

HSBC also operates in Sri Lanka through HSBC Electronic Data Service Delivery which is one of the bank’s Global Service Centres. The centre was established in June 2004 and now supports HSBC customers and businesses across 39 different countries and territories.

Our headquarters

1, 24 Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha
Colombo
00100

[HQ picture: Supun Weerasinghe]

Our CEO

Mark Surgenor
CEO and Head of Banking

Our history in Sri Lanka

HSBC Bank Sri Lanka is the leading international bank with a strong presence in the corporate and institutional banking sector delivering industry-leading solutions across three core areas: Global Trade Solutions (GTS), Global Payment Solutions (GPS) and HSBC Security Services (HSS).

HSBC Sri Lanka services over 1,100 clients - including Mid-Market Enterprises, Large Local Corporates, Global Network Banking clients, and Financial Institutions. With our unmatched international connectivity, HSBC links Sri Lanka to 31 countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, enabling us to deliver market-leading, tailored solutions in:

Global Payment Solutions
Global Trade Solutions
Credit and Lending
Foreign Exchange
Debt Capital Markets
Securities Services

HSBC Electronic Data Processing

Read more about our Global Service Centre in Sri Lanka and the service it provides to HSBC operations around the world.

HSBC Group history timeline

1865

2026

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.