HSBC Pledges $4 Million to Boost Sustainable Job Growth and Support Urban Communities

Funding will support eight national and local non‑profits focused on job training for low‑and‑moderate income adults and clean‑air and water solutions in underserved areas

NEW YORK — ( BUSINESS WIRE ) — HSBC Bank USA announced today that it has earmarked nearly $4 million for philanthropic initiatives with eight national and local non‑profit organizations that are building resilient employment pathways and healthier urban environments.

The bank’s philanthropic strategy centers on two interrelated pillars:

• Job training and workforce readiness: helping adults from low‑and‑moderate income backgrounds overcome systemic barriers to employment.
• Urban environmental resilience: supporting projects that protect clean air, water and food in cities, thereby fostering healthier, more stable communities.

“Sustainable economic growth is rooted in strong communities where everyone has access to meaningful jobs and clean resources,” said Kelly Fisher, HSBC Americas Head of Corporate Sustainability. “By backing organizations that combine innovative approaches with scalable impact, we’re investing not just in jobs, but in the foundation of long‑term prosperity for underserved neighborhoods.”

“Feeding America is grateful to HSBC for their investment in programs that help support people who face hunger and are working to build financial stability,” said Claire Babineaux‑Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. “Their generous support strengthens both individuals and the broader community.”

HSBC Bank USA grant recipients include:

Feeding America – The Advancing Workforce Development Through Partnerships Initiative creates new career pathways for people experiencing food insecurity. Food banks across eleven states connect participants to jobs in food services, clean energy, logistics, technology, agriculture and health services. Since its 2021 launch, women have comprised roughly 65 % of participants.

Public Housing Community Fund – The NYCHA Clean Energy Academy equips New York City public‑housing residents with the credentials needed for green‑energy jobs. The grant funds an eight‑week training and certification program for 75 adults and provides additional resources for residents implementing neighborhood‑level environmental projects.

Waterkeeper Alliance – HSBC’s long‑term partnership supports local Waterkeeper groups that protect, restore and manage critical urban water resources in cities such as New York, Buffalo, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami. Projects involve tree planting, oyster‑reef restoration, shoreline protection, water‑quality improvement and habitat creation.

GRID Alternatives – Funding expands job‑training programs that certify low‑income individuals for solar‑installation careers and helps small businesses in under‑invested communities launch development projects and apprenticeships.

Virtual Enterprises – The grant broadens VE’s curriculum to include sustainable‑business modules for 6th‑12th grade students, delivering financial, business and career‑readiness skills. HSBC will also title‑sponsor the Global Innovation Challenge at the 2026 Youth Business Summit, where students pitch socially responsible solutions to real‑world problems.

Girl Scouts of Greater New York – Troop 6000 serves over 800 girls experiencing homelessness, providing financial‑literacy programming, academic support and college‑prep resources, along with direct financial‑aid assistance.

GreenPath Financial Wellness – Partner in HSBC’s “Your Money Counts” financial‑inclusion program, now in its tenth year, delivering community‑based workshops and debt‑counseling in multiple languages.

Junior Achievement – Ongoing support for financial‑fluency, work‑readiness and entrepreneurship curricula for K‑12 students.

Strategic Context and Impact Analysis

HSBC’s $4 million commitment reflects a broader shift among global banks toward integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) considerations into core business strategies. By targeting job training in green sectors such as clean‑energy installation and urban resiliency projects, the bank aligns its philanthropy with emerging market opportunities in the low‑carbon economy. This approach not only delivers social dividends but also creates a pipeline of skilled workers that can be tapped by HSBC’s corporate and institutional banking clients seeking to meet sustainability mandates.

From a technology perspective, many of the funded programs incorporate digital platforms for credentialing and remote learning, accelerating the upskilling process and expanding reach beyond traditional classroom settings. For example, GRID Alternatives leverages cloud‑based training modules to certify solar technicians, while Virtual Enterprises uses simulation tools to teach sustainable‑business concepts. These tech‑enabled models improve scalability and data‑driven impact measurement, allowing HSBC to track outcomes against ESG reporting standards.

Financially, impact‑focused philanthropy can enhance HSBC’s risk profile by fostering socioeconomic stability in the communities where the bank operates. Research shows that higher employment rates and improved environmental health correlate with lower default rates on consumer loans. Moreover, visible community investment strengthens brand equity, a critical factor in competitive retail banking markets where consumer trust drives acquisition and retention.

The emphasis on clean‑water and air initiatives also dovetails with regulatory trends, as municipalities increasingly adopt stricter environmental standards. Partners like Waterkeeper Alliance help shape local policy frameworks, positioning HSBC as a knowledgeable advisor for corporate clients navigating compliance and permitting processes. This advisory capacity can translate into advisory‑banking revenue streams, reinforcing the strategic business case for the philanthropy.

About HSBC

HSBC Holdings plc, headquartered in London, operates in 57 countries and territories, serving customers worldwide. As of 30 September 2025, the group reported assets of $3,234 billion, making it one of the world’s largest banking and financial‑services organizations.

HSBC Bank USA, National Association, delivers International Wealth and Premier Banking as well as Corporate and Institutional Banking services. The bank maintains Wealth Centers in California, Washington DC, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Washington state. HSBC Innovation Banking provides specialized services to high‑growth companies across the United States.

Source: HSBC Holdings plc