HSBC's trade finance network negotiates the global slowdown
James Emmett, global head of trade and receivables finance at HSBC, discusses his strategy for staying ahead in the transaction banking business.
“Focused” is how James Emmett, global head of trade and receivables finance at HSBC, describes the industry in which he is working. The focus remains, he says, on making sure there is the availability of trade finance, and on supply chains, working capital optimisation and risk management.
The economic environment, however, remains patchy. Although economic growth is rising in the US and the UK, recovery is slow, and in emerging markets growth is also subdued. According to HSBC’s Trade Confidence Index, published in March 2014, trade conditions are expected to improve over the next six months, and China and India are highlighted as markets that have significant potential.
South-south trade continues to be a growth story, says Mr Emmett, and another major trend continues to be the internationalisation of the renminbi. In this podcast, Mr Emmett elaborates on these themes and also comments on his management style and "open door" policy.
