HSBC plans to hire 50 U.S. bankers for startup and venture lending

HSBC is looking to add approximately 50 bankers to its U.S. commercial bank, specifically targeting startups in the technology and healthcare sectors. Following the failure of Silicon Valley Bank a year ago, HSBC hired around 40 individuals from there. Currently, HSBC’s innovation banking team comprises about 60 employees, concentrating on catering to early- and mid-stage companies.

Addressing the Market Void: Insights from HSBC’s Commercial Banking Head

“There’s this void in the market and we’re jumping into it,” remarked Wyatt Crowell, head of commercial banking at HSBC, in an interview with Reuters. He added, “It’s gone way better than I thought it was going to go, both in terms of the volume of deals and our win rate on the deals.”

Traditionally, startups grapple with obtaining financing from major banks until they achieve significant growth and establish a more stable presence.

Strategic Expansion: HSBC and JPMorgan’s Approach

Responding to this common hurdle, both HSBC and JPMorgan are strategically increasing their staffing to better serve startup enterprises. This expansion aims to foster enduring relationships with startups, providing tailored services ranging from initial public offerings to international expansion, deals, and wealth management.

HSBC has enlisted approximately 250 companies as clients for the venture lending business. They have successfully finalized 35 lending deals and secured commitments for an additional 30 deals, with an average deal size of $15 million, according to Crowell.

Expressing confidence, he stated, “I believe we’ve gained momentum in the market and are exceeding expectations given the size of our team. Our ambition to expand globally is fueling the upcoming wave of investment.”