HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. It serves more than 45 million customers through four global businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking. Our network covers 71 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, North America and Latin America.

With around 4,400 offices worldwide, it aims to be where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and ultimately helping people to fulfil their hopes and realise their ambitions.

Listed on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by about 213,000 shareholders in 133 countries and territories.

HSBC’s origins in India date back to 1853 when the Mercantile Bank of India was established in Mumbai. The bank has grown steadily and now offers products and services to corporate and commercial banking clients and retail customers.

The Mercantile Bank of India, London and China was founded in Bombay (now Mumbai). By 1855, the Mercantile Bank had opened offices in London, Madras (Chennai), Colombo, Kandy, Calcutta (Kolkata), Singapore, Hong Kong, Canton (Guangzhou) and Shanghai. In 1950 it moved into its new head office building at Flora Fountain in Mumbai.

The Mercantile Bank was bought in 1959 by The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited. Founded in 1865 to serve the needs of the merchants of the China coast and finance the growing trade between China, Europe and the US, HSBC has been an international bank from its earliest days.

HSBC in India has been active in the development of the Indian banking industry - even giving India its first ATM in 1987.