The British HSBC $HSBA (-0.15%) is disbanding a division that caters to small and medium-sized businesses in the US. This is part of a broader strategy to focus on markets where the company has an advantage, a company spokeswoman said.

But perhaps also a tactically wise move, as bankruptcies of small to medium-sized companies in the US have risen to a historic level since Trump took office.

This week, for example, 40 employees in the "Business Banking" department were made redundant.

HSBC has also informed the approximately 4,400 customers of the Business Bank about this decision; these are companies with a turnover of up to 50 million dollars.

"We are ... supporting customers to transition to a suitable alternative provider," the spokeswoman said. The bank will retain the customers served by other teams.

Most of the clients the bank is losing as a result are American companies and not US subsidiaries of international companies.

The withdrawal from business with smaller clients follows a retreat on Wall Street.

Earlier this year, HSBC announced it would stop advising companies on deals and IPOs in the US and Europe. The bank, which is listed on the London stock exchange, is prioritizing its home markets of Hong Kong and the UK and is increasingly focusing on Asia.

HSBC already largely gave up its private client business in the USA in 2021, when the bank sold parts of this business to Citizens Bank and Cathay Bank. The following year, it agreed to sell its Canadian business to the Royal Bank of Canada.

Despite the Brexit chaos and economic stagnation: UK dividend stocks remain exciting for me - especially because of the lack of withholding tax. A real sweet spot for dividend fans.

I am currently already holding $HSBA (-0.15%) and$BATS (+0.01%) in my portfolio and $ULVR (-0.53%) is on my watchlist.

Do you have any other strong dividend payers from the UK that I should take a look at?

HSBC Holdings plc $HSBA (-0.15%) today announced the issuance of US$5.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured bonds.

The issuance comprises US$2.25 billion of 5.240% fixed/floating rate notes due 2031, US$2 billion of 5.790% fixed/floating rate notes due 2036 and US$1.25 billion of floating rate notes also due 2031.

The bonds were issued under an existing indenture dated August 26, 2009, which has been amended over time, including a 36th Supplemental Indenture as of today's date.

HSBC plans to list the newly issued bonds on the New York Stock Exchange, providing investors with the opportunity to trade these financial instruments. The offering was made by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under an effective shelf registration statement on Form F-3.

The London-based global banking and financial services organization has a significant worldwide presence with offices in 58 countries and territories. As of March 31, 2025, HSBC reported total assets of $3.054 trillion, underscoring its position as one of the world's largest financial institutions.

Hello Getquin Community,

I would be interested to know: What are your top dividend stocks or which ones do you currently have on your watchlist that you would like to add to your portfolio?

My strongest stocks at the moment are definitely $HSBA (-0.15%) and $BATS (+0.01%) Both deliver solid dividend yields and are real classics in the dividend strategy sector.

I'll add a few more to the list - I'm looking forward to your additions:

$SREN (-0.75%)
$ZURN (-0.26%)
$MO (-0.55%)
$CVX (+0.01%)
$MAIN (-1.15%)
$O (-1.14%)

In response to the introduction of far-reaching tariffs by President Donald Trump on April 2, which led to retaliatory measures by countries such as China, HSBC $HSBA (-0.15%) has introduced a new financial instrument for its US clients to settle import tariffs.

The product, called HSBC's TradePay for Import Duties, is designed to offer credit for import duties and simplify their payment. According to the bank, this includes direct payment of these duties either through pre-arranged credit terms with brokers or direct Automated Clearing House (ACH) credits.

Vivek Ramachandran, Head of Global Trade Solutions at HSBC, said, "By offering direct and frictionless settlement of import duties through HSBC TradePay, our US clients have greater visibility and control over their working capital at the time they need it most. "

This new tool aims to increase transparency and control for US clients amidst the changing trade landscape.

HSBC $HSBA (-0.15%) plans to hire 200 new employees for its wealth management business in the UK this year, even though CEO Georges Elhedery has downsized other areas as part of a far-reaching restructuring. The British bank plans to halve its 400-strong team of relationship managers and wealth managers by the end of the year in order to achieve its goal of becoming one of the top five providers and doubling assets under management to 100 billion dollars by 2028.

The bank is positioning itself as a "holistic financial planning company", said Christopher Dean, Managing Director of Wealth, Premier and Personal Banking at HSBC UK.

CEO Elhedery, who has been in office since September, has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of the group and wants to save 1.8 billion dollars in costs, primarily by reducing personnel costs by 8 percent. Hundreds of jobs have already been cut and business units such as HSBC's M&A and equity capital markets division in the UK and Europe have been closed. The bank will have to bear severance costs of 200 million dollars this year.

Asset management is one of the few areas whose employees have so far been largely spared from the red pencil. The bank has also hired new staff for the private banking team in the UK, although not to the same extent as in general asset management.

According to Dean, HSBC plans to expand its UK wealth management business organically for the time being. The bank wants to capitalize on those customers who have a bank account with HSBC but do not currently receive financial advice from the bank.

HSBC Holdings plc $HSBA (-0.15%) has announced the commencement of a share buyback program starting on Sunday, May 7, 2025, for a maximum outlay of $3 billion to reduce the number of ordinary shares outstanding. The global banking giant, which operates in 58 countries and territories, has entered into agreements with Morgan Stanley & Co $MS (-1.01%) to facilitate the buyback, which is expected to be completed by July 25, 2025, subject to continued regulatory approval.

The share buyback will be conducted on several trading venues, including the London Stock Exchange (LON:LSEG), Aquis Exchange, Cboe Europe Limited, Turquoise and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. The buyback will be conducted pursuant to the authority granted by HSBC shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 2 May 2025, known as the "2025 Authority", and in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements, including the listing rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and applicable US federal securities laws.

Under the parameters established by the 2025 Authority, up to 1,780,490,250 shares of common stock may be repurchased under this program. All shares purchased under this repurchase will be canceled, thereby reducing the total number of shares.

Morgan Stanley will make the trading decisions in relation to the buyback independently of HSBC and will ensure that all transactions are executed in accordance with the specified parameters. These transactions will be classified as "on-exchange transactions" and "market purchases" under the Companies Act 2006 on UK trading venues, while the buybacks on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will be considered off-exchange under the same Act, but will still comply with the Hong Kong Listing Rules and the Hong Kong Buyback Code.

HSBC Holdings $HSBA (-0.15%) has informed the market of possible stabilization measures to begin today as part of its securities offering. The bank has announced that its stabilization managers may execute transactions to maintain the market price of the securities at a higher level than might naturally be the case.

The securities in question are fixed rate bonds with a maturity of 5 years and a call lock-up period of 4 years, denominated in Euro. The aggregate principal amount is described as a benchmark amount and the offer price has not yet been confirmed.

HSBC Bank plc has been appointed as stabilization manager together with BBVA, Erste Group, IMI-Intesa, KBC, Swedbank and TD Securities. They are authorized to potentially over-allot securities or take other actions to maintain market prices from today and potentially until 06.06.2025. An over-allotment facility of up to 5% of the nominal amount has been disclosed, with all stabilization measures to be taken over-the-counter (OTC).

However, the Bank has made it clear that there is no guarantee that stabilization activities will be undertaken and, if commenced, they may be discontinued at any time. All activities will be conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to subscribe for or purchase securities. The offer of securities is directed at qualified investors in the European Economic Area and certain investors in the United Kingdom who have professional experience in matters relating to investments or who are high net worth individuals as defined in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

The securities have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 and therefore may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. There will be no public offering of the securities in the United States.