Search Go to internet banking About HSBC Citizenship Investor relations News and insight Careers Home > About HSBC > Our purpose Our purpose Share Print Who we are and what we do Throughout our history we have been where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities. We enable businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, helping people fulfil their hopes and dreams and realise their ambitions. This is our role and purpose. HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. With more than 6,200 offices in both established and emerging markets, we aim to be where the growth is, connecting customers to opportunities, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and, ultimately, helping people to fulfil their hopes and realise their ambitions. We serve around 52 million customers through our four Global Businesses: Retail Banking and Wealth Management, Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Private Banking. Our network covers 74 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Latin America. Listed on the London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda stock exchanges, shares in HSBC Holdings plc are held by about 216,000 in 129 countries and territories. Read about HSBC Group’s performance last year in the Annual Report and Accounts 2013. Group Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver talks about the bank's strategy and purpose. in News and insight Get the latest news, analysis and commentary. Our business specialists share their views. in Fast facts A snapshot of HSBC's global network and how each of the four business lines contributes to the Group's strategy. Contact us Search About HSBC Our purpose Our strategy Leadership Company history Structure and network Advertising Sponsorship Procurement Citizenship Our values Diversity and inclusion Sustainability Investor relations Investing in HSBC Share information Dividends Financial and regulatory reports Events and presentations Stock exchange announcements Fixed income securities Governance Investor resources News and insight Media resources Emerging markets PMI Insight archive Careers Why HSBC? Explore our business Meet our people Application hints and tips Careers events Students and graduates Frequently asked questions HSBC banking services Commercial Banking Global Banking and Markets Global Private Banking Retail Banking and Wealth Management Terms and conditions Privacy policy Cookie policy Accessibility policy © Copyright HSBC Group 2014 No endorsement or approval of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressed or implied by any information on this Site or by any hyperlinks to or from any third party websites or pages. Your use of this website is subject to the terms and conditions governing it. Please read these terms and conditions before using the website.