History

Who we are

HSBC officially opened its doors in Sri Lanka on Friday 1st July 1892; just 27 years after its first
offices were established in Hong Kong and Shanghai. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited (formerly known as the Hongkongbank and more recently as HSBC)
maintained an international outlook from the start, while its activities centered on trade finance.

Over the course of its first few years HSBC built up a network of agencies and branches around
the world. By the turn of the century the Asian branch network had extended to Japan, Sri Lanka,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Our History

HSBC, in 1882, appointed Delmege Reid and Co. - the predecessor of the present Delmege
Forsyth and Co. Ltd. as its agency in Colombo. In 1884 the island’s economy suffered a severe
setback when coffee plantations throughout the country were almost totally destroyed by disease.
As a result of this and the folding up of the once great Orient Bank, HSBC saw an opening for a
corporate bank like itself.

In the early 1920s the bank purchased and began construction on land adjoining the Bank of
Madras. HSBC moved into its new home at 24, Sir Baron Jayatilaka Mawatha (which it occupies
even today), an impressive landmark in Colombo's architectural and business landscape.

Through the good times and the bad that followed, HSBC supported Sri Lankan businesses. The
'Chetty Crisis' which began in 1927 was so termed because many Chattier business people were
forced to default their loans. While the impression was that foreign banks discriminated against
Sri Lankans and did not advance monies freely to local businesses, 50 per cent of HSBC's
lending during this time was to Indians and Sri Lankans.

With the stationing of the British Air Force in parts of Sri Lanka during the Second World War,
HSBC became a hub of activity. During this time and until 1956, the Government of Ceylon kept
a very substantial revenue account with HSBC.

Today, HSBC has become one of the most profitable banks in the country.
 

Our Services and Products

Our ability to combine international expertise with in-depth knowledge and experience places us
in a unique position to serve customers' domestic and international needs. The Bank's pioneering
role reflects its long-term commitment to its customers and to Sri Lanka. Its extensive range of
corporate banking products, which include import-export, money markets, treasury and foreign
exchange services, and Personal Financial Services are unrivalled.

In the world of Corporate Banking, HSBC has made several groundbreaking deals. We were the
first in Sri Lanka to offer Custody and Clearing Services and a forerunner in offering Trustee
Services to Unit Trusts and Debenture Issues. Added to this Treasury, too, has pioneered
groundbreaking vanilla derivative deals worth millions of dollars with other leading
organizations like Aitken Spence Limited and Brandix Lanka Limited.

Known previously for its capabilities as a corporate bank, HSBC has now made a mark in
personal financial services. To cater to the diverse requirements of customers, the bank has
created 'HSBC Premier', 'Power Vantage', 'E-Saver', Children Savings Accounts, Smart Saver,
Lifestyle Loans, Home Loans and Smart Money. HSBC also provides round-the-clock access to
ones money via automatic teller machines around the world and access to a wide variety of
services via telephone and the Internet.

HSBC is also the undisputed leader in the credit cards market in Sri Lanka with over 250,000
cards. HSBC has demonstrated that credit cards are no longer a luxury, but a commodity suited
to the pace of customer's lifestyles and over the years, the bank has continued to provide a
number of excellent privileges to HSBC credit cardholders. HSBC credit cards are accepted in
Sri Lanka and at over 29,000,000 establishments the world over, ensuring HSBC credit
cardholders a warm welcome anywhere in the world.

Our Technological Innovations

As an innovative bank, HSBC has led the Sri Lankan banking industry into the electronic age
with the installation of the nation's first online automated teller machine (ATM). HSBC was also
the first bank to computerize its operations and to establish an Internet Payment Portal.
Furthermore, the introduction of phone banking, personal internet banking and the Group’s
global electronic banking platforms, such as Hexagon and HSBC net, has greatly enhanced the
service we deliver to our customers.

Listed below are many firsts from HSBC;

 Installation of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in Sri Lanka in 1986

 Computerized banking operations in Sri Lanka
  Electronic DC Advising, a quick and easy way for customers to receive their export
Documentary Credit and amendments via e-mail or fax.
 Introduction of electronic banking via Hexagon in 1994
 Introduction of self-service banking through Day and Night Automated Banking Centres
in 2004
 Launch of state-of-the-art banking, internet based electronic banking platform; HSBCnet
in 2005
 Introduction of Security Tokens for added online protection in 2005
 Easy Pay machines to facilitate cash and cheque deposits in 2006
 Introduction of toll free telephone banking in 2007

Our Network

We operate in fourteen branches, twenty seven Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), three Day
and Night Banking Centres and have a dedicated Premier Centre to serve our customers.

Our Head Office is located at;

24 Sir Baron Jayathilaka Mawatha,
Colombo 1

To add to its growing and expanding network, HSBC can now be accessed through 100 local
post offices, being the first private bank in Sri Lanka to initiate such an arrangement. Customers
who live in areas that do not have the HSBC presence can make cash and cheque deposits to
their personal or corporate accounts and pay their credit card bills at their local post office.

And make credit card bill settlements through the following establishments

 Commercial Banks island wide

 Cargills Food City outlets island wide
 Lanka Bell outlets island wide
 Selected Singer outlets
 Abans Elite showrooms

Our Staff

The Bank employs a workforce of over 1,800 staff.

Awards

Awards and Achievements of HSBC Sri Lanka

 Gold Award for the Top Ten Employers, HRM Awards, 2010
 Asia Pacific CS Excellence Awards, Hong Kong, 2010
 Best Domestic Cash Management Bank in Sri Lanka, Euro money Cash Management
Poll, 2009
 Best Consumer Internet Bank, Global Finance, 2009
 Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank, Global Finance, 2009
 Ranked Ninth, LMD’s Most Respected Entities, 2009
 Merit award for special projects category – Mahausakanda, Ceylon Chamber of
Commerce, 2009
 Best Domestic Cash Management Bank in Sri Lanka, Euro money Cash Management
Poll, 2008
 Ranked Ninth, LMD’s Most Respected Entities, 2008
 Best Consumer Internet Bank, Global Finance, 2008
 Best Corporate/Institutional Internet Bank, Global Finance, 2008
 Ten Best Corporate Citizens, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, 2008
 Merit Award under Special Projects category “Differently Able”, Ceylon Chamber of
Commerce, 2008
 Gold Award for the Top Ten Employers, HRM Awards, 2008
 Silver award for the International Brand of the Year, Slim Brand Excellence Awards,
2008
 Best Online Cash Management Site in Asia, Global Finance, 2007
 Best Cash Management Bank in Hong Kong, Finance Asia, 2007
 Best Cash Management Bank, Southeast Asia, The Asset 2007
 Cash Management Provider Asia, Financial-i, 2007
 Best Sub-Custodian in Asia, Caribbean and the Middle East, Global Finance, 2007
 Leading Trade Services Bank in Asia Pacific, Global Trade Review 2007
 Best Hardware/Software Provider Bank in Asia, Trade Finance 2007
 Best Consumer Internet Bank, Global Finance, 2006 - 2007
 Best Trade Finance Bank in Hong Kong, The Asset, 2006 - 2007
 Best Trade Bank in Hong Kong, Trade Finance, 2006 - 2007
 Best Cash Management - Country Awards, Hong Kong, The Asset, 2005 - 2007
 Best Bank for Payables and Receivables, The Asset, 2004-2007
 Best Overall Bank for Cash Management in Asia, Global Finance, 2003 - 2007
 Best Bank for Payments and Collections in Asia, Global Finance, 2003 - 2007
 World's Best Sub-Custody Bank, Global Finance, 2005 - 2007
 Best Trade Finance Bank, The Asset, 2003 - 2007
 Best Trade Finance Bank, Cargonews Asia, 2003, 2007
 Best Trade Finance Bank in Asia, Global Finance, 2002 - 2007
 Best Trade Finance Bank in Hong Kong, 2002- 2007
 Best Sub-Custodian, Finance Asia, 1999 - 2007
 Excellence in Retail Financial services Award, The Asian Banker, 2006
 Best Website Design, Global Finance, 2006
 Best Information Security Initiatives, Global Finance, 2006
 Best Corporate Citizen, Second runner up, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, 2006
 Most Respected Entity in Sri Lanka, Lanka Monthly Digest, Ranked 8th, 2006
 Global Sub-Custody Awards (won 13 awards), Global Investor, 2006
 Top Rated Agent Bank Globally, in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa regions,
Global Custodian, 2006
 Commended rating in Sri Lanka, Global Custodian Emerging Market Agent Bank
Review, 2006
 "Only the long-standing survey rule preventing a shift of more than one rating denies
HSBC top-rated status" Global Custodian Emerging Market Agent Bank Review, 2006
 "Weighted average scores rose in 80% of questions and in 6 out of 9 service areas"
Global Custodian Emerging Market Agent Bank Review, 2006
 Best Sub-Custodian in Asia, Asset Asian, 1999 - 2006
 Market Leader in Foreign Client Custody Portfolio - 45% of total foreign investor assets
under custody.
 Best Global Cash Management Bank, Euromoney, 2006
 Best Cash Management Bank in South Asia, Euromoney, 2006
 Best Cash Management Specialist – Corporates, The Asset, 2006
 Best Cash Management Deal – Unilever/HSBC, The Asset, 2006
 The Most Innovative Cash Management Provider Asia, Financial-i, 2006
 Best Trade Finance Service (award for internet banking), Global Finance 2006
 The Global Cash and Working Capital Management Bank of the Year, TMI Awards,
2005-2006
 Best Bank for Money Market Funds in Asia, Global Finance, 2005 - 2006
 Best Cash Management Bank in Asia, The Asset, 2004-2006
 Best Trade Finance Bank in Asia, FinanceAsia, 1997- 2006
 Best Bank for Liquidity/Working Capital Management in Asia, 2003 - 2005
 Best Bank Cash and Working Capital Management Asia, The TMI Awards, 1999-2006
 Best Local Currency Cash Management Bank, Asia Money Polls, 2005
 Cash Management House of the Year - Asia Pacific, 2005
 Best Risk Management in Asia, Global Finance, 2005
 Best Cash Management Bank, Asia Money Polls, 2004 - 2005
  Best Cash Management Bank in Asia, Euromoney, 2003 - 2005
 Best Bank for Liquidity/Working Capital Management in Asia, Global Finance, 2003 –
2005
 Best Trade Bank in East Asia, Trade and Forfeiting Review 2005
 Best Treasury and Cash Management Bank in Asia, Global Finance, 2004
 Best Overall Cross-border Cash Management Bank in Asia, Asia Money Polls, 2004
 Best Provider of Outsourced Treasury Solutions in Asia, Global Finance, 2003 - 2004
 Global Bank of the Year, The Banker Magazine, 2003, 2005
 Best Regional Bank for Asia, Trade Finance, 2004
 Most Admired Corporate Brand, Asiamoney, 2004
 Fifth Largest Company in the World, Forbes Magazine, 2005
 World's Best Bank, Euromoney Awards for Excellence, 2004
 No. 1 rating in Sri Lanka, Global Investor, 2000
 National Award for Best Employee Performance Management Strategy and Practice,
2002
 HSBC Payment Services Department receives the ISO 9001-2000 Quality System
Certification from The Sri Lanka Standards institute.
 Largest Issuer of Visa Credit Cards in Sri Lanka
 Largest Issuer of MasterCard Credit Cards in Sri Lanka

1.    Policy Statement
The organization is committed to the creation of a diverse workforce, which accurately reflects
the needs and aspirations of its employees, the customers and the community it serves.
Organizations adopting this Code are also committed to the creation of effective workplace
disability management practices to enable disabled employees to make a significant contribution
in their place of employment, in jobs matched to their skills and abilities.
2.    Objectives
The code aims to:

o Provide opportunities of productive employment to the disabled and improve

employment prospects for persons with disabilities in the mutual interest of the
employee, the organization and the society in general by facilitating recruitment, return to
work, job retention and job opportunities for advancement.
o Promote a safe, accessible and healthy workplace.
o Ensure that the work environment and working practices do not present prejudices and
unreasonable barriers, which may prevent disabled people participating fully in work for
which they are suitably qualified within the organization.
o Maximize the contribution which employees with disabilities can make to the
organization.
3.    Status of the Code
This Code does not impose legal obligations nor is it an authoritative statement of the law.
Consideration of this Code for adoption is purely on a voluntary basis by those organizations that
wish to promote the objectives recognized herein above or those related thereto.
4.    What is a Disability?
A disability can be defined as a physical, sensory, intellectual or mental impairment, which has
an adverse impact on a person's prospect of securing, returning to, retaining and advancing in
suitable employment.
5.    Obligations under the Code

 General
The organization is committed to treat a disabled person in a manner not less favorable
than any other employee in relation to all matters pertaining to employment.
The organization shall make reasonable adjustments wherever possible to ensure the
eradication of unfair/unethical barriers that hinder the contribution of disabled
employees. Listed are some examples of adjustments. -  Making adjustment in access to
premises/workstations
-  Acquisition of appropriate equipment or modification of equipment as required
-  The grant of leave from work as reasonable for rehabilitation, assessment or treatment
-  Provision of training and retraining as relevant
-  Provision of special safety features as reasonably required
-  Ensuring appropriate supervision/mentoring

 Managers Responsibilities – Recruitment and Selection

-  To ensure advertisements/applications are publicized in a non-discriminatory manner
through the inclusion of a statement that promotes diversity in employment, and
encourages applications from candidates with disabilities.
-  Disabled job applicants who possess the essential selection criteria should be granted
the opportunity of an interview.
-  Staff involved within the recruitment process should be provided with an induction to
the contents of this Code.
-  Wherever possible the Employer should accommodate adjustments to the recruitment
process to enable candidates with disabilities to participate and perform on an equal basis
with other candidates. For example by permitting a sign language interpreter at the
interview.

IMPORT SERVICES

Documentary Credit (DC)

Documentary Collections
Documentary collections offer a simple, cost-effective and secure means of trading
internationally. If your buyer does not issue DCs, collections offer the next safest alternative to
open account trade. During a collection, banks act as intermediaries, ensuring that documents are
only released against payment or acceptance. Collections offer the seller comfort that they will
not lose control of the goods without payment or the promise to pay. Meanwhile from your
buyer’s perspective, collections offer a simple and cheaper alternative to the DC and hence may
enable you to negotiate better terms.

Shipping Guarantees

Issuance of shipping guarantees/delivery order or any other guarantee - In case the goods you
import arrive before the transport documents, we could issue you a shipping guarantee / delivery
order to facilitate taking delivery of the goods. You then have immediate access to your goods
and avoid expensive storage fees and demurrage charges.

IMPORT FINANCE

We can address funding gaps in your trade cycle and support your business, by providing you
import financing options in foreign currency (at LIBOR linked rates) or in Indian Rupees. We
can arrange import buyers' credit financing through HSBC branches / group entities overseas, at
internationally competitive LIBOR linked rates

Documentary Credit (DC)

Clean Import Loan (CIL)

Clean Import Loans are available to you depending on whether you are trading on Documentary
Credit and Documentary Collection terms.

 
Distributor Financing

The Distributor Finance Programme is a unique financing programme provided by HSBC. Under
this programme, HSBC provides working capital finance that Distributor’s of it's Corporate
customers require for stocking and selling of their products. This translates into more sales for
the Corporate and competitively priced finance for their Distributors.

EXPORT SERVICES

Exporters can face significant risks when they undertake international trade, not least the fear of
delay or non-payment. Whether you are a new or long-established exporter, HSBC Trade
Services can help you to reduce risks, allowing you to focus on growing your export business. To
benefit from HSBC's export services, you do not need to have special facilities. Simply request
your buyers to advise documentary credits through us and benefit immediately from our
international network. What’s more, if you are the beneficiary of a documentary credit issued by
an HSBC Group office, you are entitled to the same level of service excellence as any of our
regular customers

Documentary Collections

Documentary collections offer a simple, cost-effective and secure means of trading

internationally. If your buyer does not issue DCs, collections offer the next safest alternative to
open account trade. During a collection, banks act as intermediaries, ensuring that documents are
only released against payment or acceptance. Collections offer the seller comfort that they will
not lose control of the goods without payment or the promise to pay. Meanwhile from your
buyer’s perspective, collections offer a simple and cheaper alternative to the DC and hence may
enable you to negotiate better terms.

DC Advising

HSBC can check the authenticity of DCs issued in your favour, enabling you to start arranging
shipment quickly by pre-advising the full text of the DC to you by telephone or fax. You can also
subscribe to our electronic advising service in which you will receive electronic copies of all
incoming SWIFT-based export DCs and advices via e-mail, helping you improve communication
and efficiency

 
DC Confirmation

Reduce bank and country risk effectively by enjoying the security payment commitments from
both the Issuing Bank and HSBC, the confirming bank. If your documents are presented in
compliance with the terms and conditions of the DC, payment from HSBC will be final.

AUTOMATED SERVICES

When it comes to international trade services, HSBC has developed a range of cutting edge e-
trade products and solutions to help improve the efficiency of your trade operations and bring
you peace of mind. Whether you are an importer or an exporter, we can provide innovative e-
solutions to reduce your trade cycles, automate your supply chain and cut operating costs. As one
of the largest trade finance organisations in the world, HSBC can help to simplify your trade
processes with our advanced technology and put you in control of your operations.

Internet Trade Services

With the increased demands in trade, we understand the importance of providing you efficient
and effective tools to manage your trade business. Which is why we have developed Internet
Trade Services, an Internet-based system that allows you to initiate trade transactions and
enquire on your facilities in addition to your outstanding documentary credits (DCs) and
collections. With Internet Trade Services, you can apply for and amend DCs, transfer DCs and
access an electronic copy of your DC online. You can also arrange bill settlement instructions
and enquire on your trade account status all online, from anywhere, at any time.

Document Tracker

Document Tracker is a value added service that will be offered to the export customers in order
to track their shipping documents. Once the export documents are checked and forwarded though
DHL the customer will receive a quick link via e-mail to a designated e-mail address to track
down the shipment. Simply by clicking on the link shipment details and the status of shipment
will be available for customers use. This link will also provide our bill reference, in addition to
other details. Another unique feature of Document Tracker is that the exporter could obtain an
update on the shipment details via SMS.

 
Instant@dvice

At HSBC, we understand the importance of receiving information as promptly as possible. That

is why we have developed Instant@dvice. an alternative and efficient means of receiving a copy
of your Documentary Credit, subsequent amendment(s) and advices via e-mail.

BANK GUARANTEES

Bank Guarantees

Following types of Bank Guarantees are issued by HSBC.

 Letter of Guarantee

 Tender Bond

 Performance Bond

 Advance Payment Bond

 Carnet Guarantee

 Financial Guarantee


 HSBC
 The world’s local