In an unexpected financial development, India has emerged as a standout performer in HSBC's profit landscape, outpacing China and solidifying its position as the third-most profitable region for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp Ltd (HSBC) in 2023. The banking giant disclosed a remarkable 25 percent increase in profits from its operations in India, reaching an impressive $1.5 billion for the fiscal year ending December 2023.

This transition signifies a remarkable advancement for India, especially considering it yielded a profit of $1.2 billion in 2022. HSBC's annual report revealed crucial insights into the drivers behind India's impressive performance. A significant factor was the substantial decrease in expected credit loss provisions, declining from $90 million in 2022 to $51 million in 2023.

HSBC's global banking and markets segment took the lead as the primary revenue driver in India, experiencing a strong 24 percent rise in profits to $774 million in 2023, up from $622 million the year before. Furthermore, the commercial banking sector, serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs), saw an impressive 31 percent increase in pre-tax profits, reaching $398 million.

HSBC's optimistic view of India is rooted in its acknowledgment of the country's economic potential. The bank emphasized that India, alongside Vietnam, ranks among the world's fastest-growing economies, leveraging competitive labor costs, favorable policies, and evolving supply chains. With 42,000 employees in its Indian operations, HSBC anticipates that the economies of South and Southeast Asia will sustain robust economic momentum throughout 2024.

The divergent paths of India and China within HSBC's financial realm are starkly evident when analyzing their profit trends. While India witnessed a remarkable 25 percent surge in profits, China faced a drastic 89 percent decline, dropping from $3.40 billion in 2022 to a mere $371 million in 2023.

The significant change in China's financial position was attributed to losses in wealth management, personal banking, and corporate center sectors. Acknowledging the potential for expansion, HSBC intends to strengthen its wholesale business by engaging with corporate supply chains in India. Additionally, the bank is leveraging the wealth resources of the Indian diaspora through the introduction of onshore Global Private Banking services. With a positive outlook, HSBC anticipates that the economies of South and Southeast Asia, notably India and Vietnam, will sustain growth in 2024, fueled by competitive labor expenses, supportive regulations, and evolving supply networks.