150th year: HSBC kicks off yearlong celebration
Doing business in the Philippines since 1875 has made global banking and financial services organization HSBC recognize and appreciate the country’s culture. This includes the people’s fondness for celebrations and festivities. Thus, the financial institution has set out a series of events leading to its 150th anniversary in November 2025.
“What we realized is we need a long celebration,” HSBC Philippines president and chief operating officer Sandeep Uppal told Lifestyle at the July 17 kickoff that launched the bank’s 30-second advertising feature on Bonifacio Global City (BGC)’s electronic billboard, which boasts of 3D-LED screen similar to New York’s Times Square and Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing.
Uppal led the countdown with Ian Lutterloch, chief financial officer; Nonoy Nuyles, head of human resources; Nini Icban, head of communications; Iris Palacio, chief officer of risk and compliance; and Peter Faulhaber, head of wealth and personal banking, in unveiling the ad. It shows an animated lady in a red dress unfolding HSBC’s iconic red-and-white hexagon logo to reveal some key sites from different countries and finally the slogan, “Going beyond the city means gaining the rest of the world.”
The celebration continued with Ogie Alcasid engaging the crowd with his well-loved tunes rearranged in an upbeat tempo for lively dancing.
Younger population
Icban had a laugh when asked about the choice of the female character to mean that women hold the purse strings, explaining that they’re actually going for a “more inclusive” campaign. “This is just the first, so who knows?”
Uppal added that they also think of the younger population, such as the millennials and Gen Zers, who’ve been found in a study to be spending more on lifestyle. In fact, he pointed out, HSBC recently launched the Live credit card with that particular market, and more products are in the offing for all types of clients.
Uppal went on to share the secret of HSBC’s success: “History. We have a consistent strategy of linking the Philippines to the world. We brought that in 1875, we’re bringing it now.” In its early years, the bank financed the country’s sugar trade and financed the expansion of the Manila Dagupan Railway, allowing traders to connect with businesses in Luzon as well as overseas. Since then, the bank continued to provide the country access to global investment and trade opportunities and enabled businesses and individuals to grow and prosper.
Uppal’s mighty proud of that achievement as “not many institutions have been around for 150 years” and feels fired up to reach maybe even 400 years. “We also want to honor the Philippine government and the country for hosting us and having this partnership.” –JOCELYN VALLE
