HSBC Commercial Bank has entered the podcasting age with its first ever digital podcast. A podcast is a multimedia file distributed over the internet using a type of computer technology called syndication feeds. A podcast is downloaded and played on personal computers and mobile devices.

HSBC’s audio recording, available for download free of charge, features a recent “Doing Business in China” event at HSBC’s head office. This podcast is aimed at mid-market companies hoping to take maximum advantage of Chinese business opportunities.

The hour-long podcast features opening remarks by HSBC Chairman Stephen Green and a powerful key-note address by Former Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Chairman and China expert David Eldon. Leading HSBC economist Janet Henry also offers her thoughts on China’s economic prospects in 2007.

“An increasing number of people are embracing this new technological development, and subscribing to podcasts and RSS feeds. They now expect to get news on-demand said HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c.’s Chief Executive Officer Shaun Wallis. “HSBC’s business customers are absolutely no different. Through podcasting we are able to respond to their busy lifestyles by offering them a choice of how and when to receive information of interest to them,” he continued

The podcast can be downloaded from http://podcasting.thomson.com.edgesuite.net/EU/hsbc/061011/hsbc.mp3. This and further podcasts will be made available over the coming months and posted on the HSBC website www.hsbc.couk/business.

The HSBC Group serves over 125 million customers worldwide from more than 9,500 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of $1,738 billion at 30 June 2006, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as “the world’s local bank”.