| HSBC Holdings plc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a banking and financial services company. It provides a range of financial services to commercial, corporate, institutional, investment, and private banking clients worldwide. The company operates in four segments: Personal Financial Services (PFS); Commercial Banking; Corporate, Investment Banking, and Markets (CIBM); and Private Banking. PFS segment provides individual and self-employed customers with a range of banking and related financial services. Its products primarily include current and savings accounts, mortgages, secured and unsecured personal loans, credit cards, and local payments services. Commercial Banking segment provides financial services and products to small, medium-sized, and middle market businesses. Its products and services comprise payments and cash management services; investment banking services; treasury and capital markets; wealth management services; trade services, insurance; and leasing, finance, and factoring services. CIBM segment provides financial solutions to major government, corporate, and institutional clients. Its products and services include treasury and capital market services; payments and cash management services, trade services, and securities services; corporate and institutional banking services; asset management services; capital raising, both publicly and privately, including debt and equity capital, structured finance, and syndicated finance; and corporate finance and advisory services for mergers and acquisitions, asset disposals, stock exchange listings, privatizations, and capital restructurings. Private Banking segment offers its customers various products and services, including advisory and discretionary investment services; planning, trustee, and other fiduciary services; advisory services in the areas of wealth management, including tax advisory, family office advisory, charities and foundations, media, diamonds and jewelry, and real estate; and treasury and foreign exchange, offshore and onshore deposits, and loans and Internet banking services. As of December 31, 2004, HSBC operated through a network of approximately 9,800 offices in 77 countries and territories in 5 geographical regions: Europe; Hong Kong; the rest of Asia-Pacific, including the Middle East and Africa; North America; and South America. HSBC is headquartered in London. |
