HSBC U.S. CEO on company growth, global trade and U.S. trade volumes

Business Focus - The firm is focused on two main businesses: corporate and institutional banking, and wealth and private banking, assisting clients with international needs [3] - The firm banks 90% of the Fortune 100 companies [3] - The firm also supports innovation economy startups, including 1,200 innovation clients globally across five core markets, acquired through SVB two years ago [4] Geopolitical Uncertainty and Trade - The firm helps clients navigate geopolitical uncertainty, including trade tariffs, currency hedging, and supply chain repositioning [2] - The firm sees increased global trade volumes despite challenges, with clients cautiously optimistic [5] - US import duties with a 10% baseline tariff will be challenging for some American companies [5] - Trade is not expected to collapse; instead, different corridors and cost equations may emerge, managed through innovation [9] Currency and Payments - The firm's payments business processed 550 trillion in payments across 130 currencies last year, assisting clients with hedging [8] - Currency hedging is increasing as clients seek agility, especially with the dollar at a three-year low [7][8] Strategic Responses to Cost Impact - Companies may respond to cost impacts by passing them on to consumers, absorbing them in margin, or negotiating with suppliers [7] Growth Corridors - The firm is helping clients navigate new growth corridors, with significant volume between the US and UK, US and India (up 22% last year), and US and Middle East [6] Client Sentiment - Approximately 93% of the clients in the US are optimistic overall [9]