HSBC Wants to be known as the “world’s local bank.” This tagline reflects HSBC’s positioning as a globe-spanning financial institution with a unique focus on serving local markets. Originally the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, HSBC was established in 1865 to finance the growing trade between China and the United Kingdom. It’s now the second largest bank in the world. Despite serving over 100 million customers through 9,500 branches in 85 countries, the bank works hard to maintain a local presence and local knowledge in each area. Its fundamental operating strategy is to remain close to its customers. As HSBC’s former chairman, Sir John Bond, stated, “Our position as the world’s local bank enables us to approach each country uniquely, blending local knowledge with a worldwide operating platform.” Ads for the “World’s Local Bank” campaign have depicted the way different cultures or people interpret the same objects or events. One TV spot showed a U.S. businessman hitting a hole-in-one during a round in Japan with his Japanese counterparts. He is surprised to find that rather than paying for a round of drinks in the clubhouse, as in the United States, by Japanese custom he must buy expensive gifts for his playing partners. In another international TV spot, a group of Chinese businessmen take a British businessman out to an elaborate dinner where live eels are presented to the diners and then served sliced and cooked. Clearly disgusted by the meal, the British businessman finishes the dish as the voice-over explains, “The English believe it’s a slur on your hosts’ food if you don’t clear your plate.” His Chinese host then orders another live eel for him as the voice-over explained, “Whereas the Chinese feel that it’s questioning their generosity if you do.”

HSBC demonstrated its local knowledge with marketing efforts dedicated to specific