HSBC marks 150th anniversary with light show and commemorative banknote

HSBC launched a light show last night to celebrate its 150th anniversary and is to issue a special commemorative banknote - amid an uncertain future following tax evasion allegations and a falling share price.

The light show featured thousands of LED strips used to tell the story of the bank and explore how HSBC's history is linked with the fortunes of the city where it was founded. It will run throughout 2015, from 6.30pm.

The bank's commemorative HK$150 banknote looks set to become a hit among collectors and is expected to end up changing hands for several times its face value. HSBC declined to comment on the details but a source close to the banking giant told the Post that launch plans for the commemorative notes would be announced today. Up to two million of the banknotes are expected to be issued.

Not everyone shared the excitement of the anniversary.

VC Brokerage director Louis Tse Ming-kwong rued a poor performance in the stock market, with the share price closing at HK$69.75 yesterday - about 14 per cent lower than a year ago.

"Too many incidents have happened over the past few years," he said. "This has weighed down HSBC's share price."

Tse said the anniversary should pass uneventfully as HSBC's management needs to put more effort into their work to find solutions to existing and upcoming challenges.