Joe Tully / HBSC

HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations and has been operating in Ireland since 1979. HSBC provides a range of corporate banking and securities services solutions for clients, helping businesses to thrive and economies to prosper and enabling people to realise their ambitions.

Joe Tully, Trustee Assistant Manager at HSBC Continental Europe highlights the central role financial services play in society, the value the sector brings and how financial services support the transition to a more sustainable economy. . 

The best parts of my job are getting to work on a team where management instil a sense of trust in you, give you responsibility for your own work and a degree of autonomy in the role. This is something I relish. It is a team that value the contributions and thoughts of all staff members and everyone makes time for everyone, irrespective of grade. This ethos on the team is that of working for a common goal. A job and team where everyone is approachable really motivates me to develop own skills and industry knowledge.

I also get the opportunity to work with people from different parts of the world, while contributing to the global effort towards sustainability. There is a strong international connectivity aspect to the role as being part of a Global company in an ever-increasing globalist world affords me the opportunity to work with people from other jurisdictions both on my own team but also the opportunity to collaborate with HSBC offices in other jurisdictions. My team in Depositary has many team members from different parts of the world. This provide a range of perspectives and ideas for everyone on the team and learning new things from people with different or more experience is what get me out of bed in the morning.

At present in the Depositary department we are in the process of replacing our current post - trade portfolio compliance system and replacing it with another system.  The implementation of this new technology platform will improve efficiency, accuracy and enhance the quality of our reviews going forward.

This ongoing project excites me as it will include increased automation and digitization of a key Depositary process, this will have the impact of reducing time in investigating false positive breaches as the quality of the data output will be much higher. Having used this system previously and having a good level of experience of it, I feel that I can make a genuine contribution and offer some valuable insight during both the implementation phase and also when the system goes live.

I like training people and explaining concepts being involved in this project affords me that opportunity. It will also have the effect of reducing the time spent on daily post trade compliance checks, free them up and enable the staff to better understand the regulations and application of these rules through a much more user friendly system.

Benefits it in several ways. Firstly, the financial services industry is a significant contributor to the Irish economy, providing employment opportunities and generating revenue. This helps growth and development, and contributes to the overall prosperity of the country.

It can have a positive impact on the environment by promoting sustainable investment and financing practices. This can help to support the transition to a low carbon economy and mitigate the effects of climate change. More specific detail on stuff we are doing.

 The Funds industry can have a positive impact on Irish culture by supporting the arts and cultural institutions through philanthropic initiatives and sponsorships. This can help to preserve and promote Irish heritage and traditions, and contribute to the overall well-being and vibrancy of the country.

Overall, the financial services industry plays a critical role in supporting the economy, environment, and culture, and can have a positive impact on the lives of everyday people in the country.

The financial services industry has a significant impact on every day people in a number of ways, firstly, it provides access to a range of financial products and services. 

It is a major employer, providing jobs for thousands of people across the country, contributes to the economy and helps drive growth and development.

Plays a role in promoting economic sustainability and growth. By providing access to credit and other financial services, it helps to support business and entrepreneurs and encourages investment and innovation. This can lead to job creation and increased prosperity for individuals and communities.

The financial services sector in Ireland is subject to regulation and oversight which helps to protect consumers to ensure that financial products and services are safe and reliable. This can provide peace of mind to investors knowing that they trust the financial services sector to help them achieve their financial goals in a safe, responsible and sustainable way.

Range of products. Firstly, it provides a range of products and services that are designed to meet the needs of clients such as digital tools that make it easy for client’s to manage their accounts and access information. 

HSBC has a strong focus on client service, providing support and assistance to clients whenever they need it. This gives client’s peace of mind, knowing that they can rely on HSBC Bank to assist when they need it.

HSBC has a strong reputation for innovation and creativity. There is a constant drive to develop new products and services that aim to meet the ever evolving needs of clients. HSBC aim to ensure that their clients have access to the latest and most advanced tools and technologies, making it easier for them to achieve their goals.

Overall, HSBC has made life easier for its clients by providing a range of products and services designed to meet client’s needs, offering excellent customer service and support. HSBC remain at the forefront of innovation and creativity in the industry.

This can be a rewarding experience and provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment knowing that this work is making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Getting involved in projects can also provide a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment in hearing positive client feedback we can see the tangible results of our efforts. It has the effect of giving more meaning to your work.

The financial services industry is unique in many ways and has many advantages. Firstly, it is arguable that it can be more stable as there will always be a need for a functioning financial sector in any market condition. It can rely less on fluctuations in consumer demand or the state of the economy for its ultimate survival. There will always be a need for a strong financial services industry to underpin an economy, be it through periods of high economic growth or recessionary periods. The market leaders like HSBC play a key role in driving the sustained growth or bringing us out of recession.

The sector often provides well paid, skilled jobs and opportunities for career advancement. The sector also gives opportunities to work with a diverse range of people.

Following the GFC, it is an industry that is subject to increased regulation and competitors. There is a need for constant education that can be facilitated through HSBC programmes and development to move the changes to put on top of all our regulatory requirements and competitors in any ever growing industry.

Overall, the sector is unique compared to many others. It is integral to the economy, it provides a range of services and products that are essential to individuals and large businesses alike, offering opportunities for growth and success.

The company culture at HSBC is critical in enabling me to do my best work. The positive culture adopted at HSBC fosters a sense of diversity, community, collaboration and common purpose which are integral as we work towards a common goal while overcoming challenges that present themselves along the way.

There is a culture that values strong, open communication, innovation, skills development and constant education that is conducive to enable you to do your best work.

It is a culture that values diversity, inclusion, and respect. This helps to create a sense of community and shared purpose. There is a real feeling of empowerment instilled on staff to contribute their best work and ideas. With a clear message that if you work hard, opportunities will present themselves. 

I would say that it is a sector that can provide many opportunities and present many unique benefits and positive challenges.

It can give you the opportunity to work with a diverse range of colleagues, clients and partners. There is unlimited opportunity and scope for career and personal growth, career advancement, and through sustainable finance the opportunity to impact positively the lives of others.

That being said, it is important to note the challenges and demanding nature at times of working in this sector. There is a need to be able to adapt and change to with times of turbulent market conditions, customer demands, increased regulatory expectations and ever-increasing completion from new entrants to the market. 

The HSBC story is very positive, highlighting ‘Sustainability’ as a key strategic pillar and specifically what it will take to adhere to our net zero emissions target by 2050. The key takeaway was the challenge of green-washing risks and green-hushing risks and that we need to move away from ‘pledge’ to ‘action’, acknowledging that we are keeping in pace towards regulatory requirements. In a nut shell, where power of Sustainability by leveraging technology is the way forward to attain goal.

HSBC has implemented several initiatives to promote sustainable finance and responsible investment, such developing green finance products and services and facilitating access to the Group’s broader expertise in Climate & Sustainability through research, intelligence and thought leadership.