With the new restructuring, the consumer or personal banking portfolio is integrated into a new business called “International Wealth and Premier Banking”.
“We have a new global CEO and he is emphasizing various businesses globally,” Arce explains. “In Mexico we are following the same guideline: we are going to grow our wholesale business: companies, government institutions that have international needs.”
Georges Elhedery took over as HSBC’s global CEO in September and like any new administration, a plan has been drawn up for businesses outside the United Kingdom and Hong Kong to consolidate their operations.
“Our personal banking businesses outside of Hong Kong and the UK will be part of the international wealth and premium banking business, which will focus on growing the affluent segment of the market and creating strategic differentiation for us in the market in the that we operate in personal banking,” said Elhedery in the recent conference call of the bank’s third quarterly report.
Consumer banking yes, but in some segments
Arce comments that the bank does not seek to reach the mass segment – such as that reached by fintechs and Sofipos – and will use its efforts and investments in clients with a more executive profile.
“We do not want to be a client’s fourth bank, we want to be the number one bank, in which it uses digital banking, which goes to new branches, with a new, much friendlier format. Investing elsewhere does not mean neglecting anything,” he adds.
For the banker, the fact that the new global plan includes a greater focus on property and business banking does not mean that they will abandon or stop focusing on consumer credit; on the contrary, they will continue to invest in digital channels, branches and ATMs.
“There are companies, banks and fintechs that can do it better than us, but no one can manage your assets, insurance, payroll, or the global relationships we have with clients in Mexico than us.”
Arce says that the alliances that the bank has with firms such as Ocesa, Ecobici, Viva Aerobús or Kavak are maintained due to the success it generates for clients.
By 2025, Arce takes the time to comment that HSBC will be a larger bank.
“We are going to continue growing and have a bank with which our clients are going to be more satisfied. We are going to have fewer areas of friction, with branches that will be where we have to put them and move away from markets where we should not be,” he said.
Mexico, attractive
Elhedery highlighted since last September that the bank has had great performance in Mexico given the connectivity it has with other regions.
“Our wholesale business in Mexico is a particular strength in our global connectivity network,” says the banker, while highlighting the country’s proximity to the United States and Asia.
