HSBC's top executives are facing intense pressure from shareholders as they defend the bank's strategy and address growing calls for its Asian business to be separated from the rest of the company.
At an informal shareholder meeting in Hong Kong, Chairman Mark Tucker and CEO Noel Quinn fielded questions on issues ranging from the bank's approach to demands for overhaul to its purchase of Silicon Valley Bank's UK arm. The executives reiterated that the board recommends voting against a resolution that would force HSBC to come up with a plan to spin off or reorganize its Asian business, which is the lender's main source of profits.
Tucker stated flatly: "It would not be in your interest to split the bank." He also claimed that the board had previously reviewed options for restructuring and concluded that such alternatives would significantly destroy shareholder value. The chairman argued that their current strategy is working, with dividends being increased.
Shareholders have been frustrated with HSBC's Asian operations, citing concerns that they are dragging down the lender's overall performance. However, CEO Quinn countered that profits in Hong Kong and the UK are no longer being impacted by underperformance elsewhere. He also stated that a breakup of the bank would result in significant revenue loss due to its reliance on cross-border transactions.
HSBC is facing pressure from its largest shareholder, Ping An Insurance Group, which holds an 8% stake in the company. While Ping An has not recommended a specific path forward, it will support any initiatives that could boost HSBC's stock performance or value.
The bank's purchase of Silicon Valley Bank's UK arm has also raised questions about its due diligence process. Critics have argued that management did not have sufficient time to carry out proper checks on the customers of SVB UK before completing the deal.
HSBC's leaders defended the acquisition, citing it as a good business opportunity that allowed the bank to gain hundreds of innovative startups as customers. However, they acknowledged that recent tumult in the banking industry might impact HSBC and downplayed concerns about systemic risk.
The pressure on HSBC comes as the banking sector faces turmoil. Recent collapses of smaller regional banks and the takeover of Credit Suisse have suppressed share prices across the industry. While CEO Quinn expects a period of uncertainty before nerves settle, he does not believe that these developments represent a systemic risk to the sector.
At an informal shareholder meeting in Hong Kong, Chairman Mark Tucker and CEO Noel Quinn fielded questions on issues ranging from the bank's approach to demands for overhaul to its purchase of Silicon Valley Bank's UK arm. The executives reiterated that the board recommends voting against a resolution that would force HSBC to come up with a plan to spin off or reorganize its Asian business, which is the lender's main source of profits.
Tucker stated flatly: "It would not be in your interest to split the bank." He also claimed that the board had previously reviewed options for restructuring and concluded that such alternatives would significantly destroy shareholder value. The chairman argued that their current strategy is working, with dividends being increased.
Shareholders have been frustrated with HSBC's Asian operations, citing concerns that they are dragging down the lender's overall performance. However, CEO Quinn countered that profits in Hong Kong and the UK are no longer being impacted by underperformance elsewhere. He also stated that a breakup of the bank would result in significant revenue loss due to its reliance on cross-border transactions.
HSBC is facing pressure from its largest shareholder, Ping An Insurance Group, which holds an 8% stake in the company. While Ping An has not recommended a specific path forward, it will support any initiatives that could boost HSBC's stock performance or value.
The bank's purchase of Silicon Valley Bank's UK arm has also raised questions about its due diligence process. Critics have argued that management did not have sufficient time to carry out proper checks on the customers of SVB UK before completing the deal.
HSBC's leaders defended the acquisition, citing it as a good business opportunity that allowed the bank to gain hundreds of innovative startups as customers. However, they acknowledged that recent tumult in the banking industry might impact HSBC and downplayed concerns about systemic risk.
The pressure on HSBC comes as the banking sector faces turmoil. Recent collapses of smaller regional banks and the takeover of Credit Suisse have suppressed share prices across the industry. While CEO Quinn expects a period of uncertainty before nerves settle, he does not believe that these developments represent a systemic risk to the sector.