HSBC Pulls Plug on Geopolitical Risk Team--Just as Global Tensions Boil Over
This move puts HSBC on a different path from some of its competitors. JPMorgan recently launched a Center for Geopolitics offering insights on the Middle East, Russia-Ukraine, and other hot-button regions. Goldman Sachs and Lazard have also been expanding geopolitical advisory offerings, aiming to give clients a strategic edge in a volatile landscape. Meanwhile, investment banking revenue across the top five U.S. banks remains nearly 40% below 2021 levelsdragged down by deal inertia tied to geopolitical uncertainty. The demand for sharper political intelligence isn't slowing down. In fact, it could be accelerating.
HSBC insists it's not backing away from helping clients manage global riskjust doing it differently. We continue to focus on supporting our clients as they navigate a complex and fast-moving international environment, the bank said in a statement. But paired with Wells Fargo's recent move to halt travel to China after a senior banker was blocked from leaving the country, the sector's anxiety is palpable. Whether streamlining pays offor leaves HSBC exposedwill be one of the more interesting banking stories to watch in the months ahead.
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.
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Trump sidesteps Senate and judiciary with some U.S. attorney picks
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