In the Euromoney Trade Finance Survey 2025, HSBC was recognized as the premier trade finance provider in the Asia-Pacific region. The bank continues to set the standard for the industry, thanks to its unmatched network, innovative digital capabilities, and client-focused strategy.
“We are proud to hold this distinction: we are the largest trade bank in Asia because we are the best trade bank in Asia,” states Aditya Gahlaut, Regional Head of Global Trade Solutions, Asia at HSBC.
Survey participants expressed that HSBC has been a reliable partner, aiding in their growth over the years. “For the past 15 years, HSBC’s competitiveness has made them our primary business partner,” shared the treasurer of a consumer discretionary firm based in Hong Kong SAR.
Clients’ global connector
We serve as our clients’ global connectors, aiding them across their trade corridors; we are their innovative problem solvers, offering a streamlined digital experience backed by top-tier working capital solutions; and we act as their strategic partners, providing insights and guidance during periods of growth or instability.
Aditya Gahlaut, HSBC
“We consider ourselves more than just a trade-finance service,” Gahlaut further explains. “We are our clients’ global connectors, assisting them throughout their trade routes; we are their inventive problem solvers who deliver a fluid digital experience fortified by superior working capital solutions; and we function as their strategic allies, providing insights and recommendations through good times and bad.”
This sentiment resonated with survey respondents, including a treasurer from a healthcare organization in Sri Lanka, who noted HSBC’s crucial role as a strategic partner: “Thanks to its global presence and international trade expertise, HSBC offers us a range of tailored solutions, competitive financing options, and robust risk management services, simplifying our cross-border transactions.”
With operations across 19 markets in Asia-Pacific and a dedicated team of 2,500 trade specialists, HSBC is equipped to assist businesses of all sizes, from large multinational corporations to SMEs. “We possess impressive capabilities, facilitating over 20,000 trade transactions daily and generating annual revenue that is 2.8 times greater than the average of our three closest competitors,” highlights Gahlaut.
The bank’s extensive reach and operational scale are frequently acknowledged by survey respondents. “HSBC boasts a substantial international presence, functioning in numerous countries,” comments the treasurer of an industrial company in India. “This enables them to handle our cross-border transactions and provide insights into different markets.”
Investments driving success
HSBC’s long-term investments in digital technology have allowed the bank to provide clients with a seamless digital experience. Currently, 90% of HSBC’s trade transactions in the Asia-Pacific are processed through the HSBC Trade Solutions (HTS) platform, which is operational in 11 markets and serves over 23,000 customers.
“Our customers enjoy the advantages of digitized trade, including straight-through processing and a self-service digital interface,” Gahlaut points out.
We take pride in this recognition: we are the largest trade bank in Asia because we are the best trade bank in Asia.
Aditya Gahlaut
Clients also appreciate HSBC’s smooth integration of digital offerings with their existing enterprise systems. “They offer a variety of digital products and services that can be effortlessly integrated with SAP for vendor payments, accessible with just one click,” remarks the treasurer from an Indian industrial firm.
Such technology not only enhances the client experience but also ensures expediency. “TradePay empowers our customers to pay their suppliers effortlessly, thus improving their working capital position by giving them complete control over their trade payables,” Gahlaut explains. “With loan processing times under a minute, we’re actualizing just-in-time financing.”
A journey of constant innovation
HSBC is continuously exploring avenues for innovation to deliver outstanding solutions to its clients. A notable example is a recent partnership with the fintech firm Dowsure, a partner in Amazon’s Selling Lending Programme in mainland China. Gahlaut describes this collaboration as involving a streamlined credit assessment process using transaction data, designed specifically for Amazon’s merchants seeking trade finance from HSBC. This initiative allows cross-border e-commerce merchants to access trade finance without the need for additional financial documents or collateral.
In line with its commitment to innovation, HSBC is also working with clients to support their net-zero transition efforts. “We have enhanced our sustainable trade finance offering to include Green Trade Finance, Sustainable Trade Instruments, Sustainability-Linked Trade Finance, and Sustainable Supply Chain Finance, giving clients more flexibility on their net-zero transition journeys,” Gahlaut points out. HSBC assisted Saint-Gobain with its sustainable supply chain finance program in mainland China, featuring a tiered pricing structure linked to the suppliers’ ESG performance.
In a groundbreaking move, HSBC also aided The Hong Kong and China Gas Company in launching its supply chain finance program, the first sustainability-linked supplier payment solution implemented by a utility company in Greater China.
By consistently expanding its digital capabilities, enhancing its sustainable finance offerings, and reinforcing its customer-centric approach, HSBC is setting the standard for excellence in the Asia-Pacific region.
“A critical element driving HSBC’s ongoing success is its ability to merge global expertise with in-depth local market knowledge,” states Ana Voicila, Euromoney’s Head of Transaction Banking. “HSBC’s commitment to innovation, digital transformation, and its keen understanding of client needs were pivotal factors in achieving HSBC’s top ranking in the region, as reported by participants in the study.”
