HSBC Q1 2025 profits: Positive Money response

Hannah Dewhirst, Head of Campaigns at Positive Money, said: 

“The high exposure of British banks to global markets has left them vulnerable to recent market instability, which is the latest in a long line of reasons why we need to make the UK economy less dependent on the financial sector.

“It’s ironic that bank profits are being hit by financial instability at precisely the moment they’re calling for the removal of post-crash regulation that keeps our deposits safe from their riskier activities - a move that could trigger more financial crises.

“The Chancellor must reject this proposal to prevent ordinary people bearing the cost of international market turmoil and bankers’ excessive risk-taking.”

Notes:

• HSBC’s Q1 2025 results can be found here: https://www.hsbc.com/investors/results-and-announcements/all-reporting/1q-2025-quick-read 

• For comparison, HSBC’ Q1 2024 results can be found here: https://www.hsbc.com/investors/results-and-announcements/all-reporting/1q-2024-quick-read 

• Last week, bank chiefs wrote to the Chancellor asking to remove post-crash ‘ring-fencing’ regulation that keeps customers’ deposits separate from banks’ riskier investments: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/top-british-bank-chiefs-urge-chancellor-scrap-ring-fencing-letter-sky-news-2025-04-26/ 

About Positive Money:

Positive Money is an international research and campaign organisation working to redesign our economic system for social justice and a liveable planet. Set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis, Positive Money is a not-for-profit company funded by charitable trusts and foundations, as well as small donations from its network of supporters. Find out more: www.positivemoney.org