HSBC Bank Canada's Community Investments Highlighted in Annual Public Accountability Statement

VANCOUVER, April 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The 2013 HSBC Bank Canada in the Community report, the public accountability statement for HSBC Bank Canada, its subsidiaries and affiliates is now available online at hsbc.ca. Printed copies of this publication are also available at any branch of HSBC Bank Canada.

At HSBC we know how important it is that banks play a positive role in the economy and society at large.  Success for HSBC means providing our customers with the products and services they need and want, understanding and managing the impact we have on society and the environment, and investing in the future of our employees and the communities we serve. Through our community investment programs, HSBC seeks to help young people fulfil their potential and contributes to programs that support vital freshwater resources.

In 2013, HSBC Bank Canada contributed over $4 million to support charitable organizations in the communities in which we operate, primarily directed to programs in our two areas of focus - education and the environment.

In 2013, over 100 students from more than 35 post-secondary institutions received scholarships and awards funded by HSBC Bank Canada. For example, the HSBC Women in Business Leadership Awards at eight universities, and the HSBC LGBT Awards at four universities, seek to recognize emerging leaders, encouraging them to achieve their full potential and forge a path towards becoming some of Canada's top executives.

We also supported environmental education programs including programs specifically for disadvantaged children and youth, and students with disabilities.

We offered over 20 environmental volunteer events to our employees through our charitable contributions and the HSBC Water Programme, a global five-year US$100 million commitment supporting Earthwatch, WaterAid and WWF.  Our support of Earth Rangers and the Nature Conservancy of Canada brought nature into schools, helped children to take action to save animals and their habitats, and gave children the opportunity to get outside through visits to Nature Conservancy of Canada sites.

More information on the HSBC Water Programme and organizations supported by HSBC Bank Canada can be found in the report along with information on HSBC's operations in Canada and its commitment to its employees and customers.

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in Canada. With over 6,300 offices in 75 countries and territories and assets of US$2,671bn at 31 December 2013, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

SOURCE HSBC Bank Canada