The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Ltd., a bank holding company with offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and London, was founded in 1865 and is now known as HSBC Holdings PLC. It was founded during a period of expanding trade between China, India, and Europe. Before the end of the 19th century, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation had established itself as a top banker for numerous British government interests as well as those of Hong Kong and China. The bank started early branches in Japan in 1866, India in 1867, the Philippines in 1875, and Singapore in 1877 by putting a strong emphasis on financing foreign trade.
