When it comes to standard services that clients take for granted nowadays there is little to choose between the three or four top players in each market. Five years ago clients could pick out the best custodian by ticking off a list of technical requirements. Today it's the intangibles that count, things such as having skilled people on the ground, good relationship with local authorities and being able to represent the clients' interests at all times. For many clients, these intangible qualities are the reasons why HSBC remains the lead sub-custodian among the other providers that they also use in the region.
Operating in 27 markets, 18 of which are in Asia, HSBC services...
