HSBC Holdings Reviews

Pros

Interesting projects, opportunities for collaboration with groups and teams internationally. You may be entrusted with responsibilities and allowed to fail.

Cons

With the current economic environment, positions at most firms are not as stable as they were before 2008 and HSBC is no different.

Advice to Senior Management

There is a 3 month period in which consultants who have worked a year at HSBC must wait until they are allowed to work there again. This should be relaxed. It takes time for people to adjust to new environments and HSBC could benefit from rehiring consultants back to HSBC.

Pros

HSBC has a very good brand name.
Besides they are very flexible with the work hours ( atleast most of the teams with FT employees). Has good benefit packages. and they are a very employee friendly company.

Cons

A little laid back culture.
Ideal if you have a family but you would want to do more interesting if you are single.
At least within a couple of teams, work is the same over the years. Nothing new is taken up.

Pros

One of the best brands in the world. Unlimited career opportunities product, function, geography (including international). Very smart people, from top down. Large budgets, progressive managers.

Cons

Given scale, bank account, and depth, have the capability to be an A+ best places to work I.e. employee leadership and career development. HSBC says employees are number 1 but probably are about a couple generations behind. Scale works to disadvantage given lack of speed to market. HSBC proudly says they don't want to be first to market.

Advice to Senior Management

Walk the talk. But in a good way. I think they sincerely mean it when they say employee development is critical but don't fully practice it yet.

Pros

good work place
open work culture
manager accessable

Cons

after certain level (TL), you need to struggle very hard for promotions

Pros

- decent (but not great) overall compensation package
- huge organization with plenty of upward opportunities (worldwide)
- very structured and policy driven (if you like it)

Cons

- SUPER SUPER bureaucratic (10 layers of approvals to buy a roll of toilet paper)
- as a result, strategies are very "safe" but the structure kills any innovative idea
- guidelines everywhere (supposingly for good corporate governance and encourage best practice sharing but turns out to be excuses for people not to do things and people create long and overly-detailed guidelines just to justify their job and importance)
- no support at all from senior management for your career growth. Senior management are smart but they only care about themselves.
- yes, there are opportunities to go upwards but you need to work so so hard on your own to build relationships and create opportunities

Advice to Senior Management

- okay to continue this bureaucratic structure and rely on approvals over approvals for decision making but don't expect double digit growth... let's be practical
- it's time to rely more on empowerment and pay/fire by results to unlock the potential of people

Pros

great office environment
good benefits (kind of)
innovative thinkers
well respected global brand
marketable to future employers
efforts towards global programs

Cons

awful management in HR
poor communication
lack of transparency
bad, not actually awful on boarding experience
poor pay
no recognition for delivery of work
expected to work incredibly long hours
old boys (and girls) club - not welcoming to new people

HSBC is an amazing brand, and externally it is seen as an amazing place to have on your resume, unfortunately in my experience is was entirely the opposite, the worst place I have ever worked for nearly every reason imaginable. The only plus is that there are some amazing people there, skilled, talented, and professional but sadly they aren't words i'd use for any of the management staff in the HR team.

Advice to Senior Management

Remove the old dead wood in your management layers, they have been there too long and are only interesting in padding their own desks and those of their mates.

Pros

Well developed training system and good tradition, a great place to start for new comers of banking industry.
Focuse on team work and people development.
Open discussion and fair opportunities.
Leading foreign bank in China with experienced business and global network.
Company with good social responsibility.

Cons

Salary may not be that high in the industry, just on average.
Cross function transfer is not very easy for staff to do so.

Advice to Senior Management

Great management team with open mind and nice style.
Always deliver clear message promptly and clarify strategy changes to staff patiently.

Pros

A nice environment to work. People are nice, helpful and approachable. Makes you feel comfortable. Emphasize alot on work life balance. Have good non-monetary benefits.

Cons

May take quite a while to get promoted. All depends on whether there are vacancies at the top.

Pros

Reputable bank where it is good to be found in my CV.

Cons

Internal departments challenges where there are red tapes around.

Pros

Fast grow and worldwide corporation

Cons

Global Services Centres treated with too much India infuence

Advice to Senior Management

Communication with staff at all levels