HSBC appoints structured finance chief

HSBC Australia and New Zealand have appointed a former Deutsche Bank executive as head of structured finance.

Preethi Visweswara will take on the role tasked with bolstering its corporate and institutional banking business following a record year of growth.

Based in Sydney and reporting to chief executive Steve Hughes, Visweswara joined the bank July 20 and will lead the origination, execution, investment and distribution of public and private residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), asset backed securities (ABS), and bespoke structured finance transactions.

The appointment comes as HSBC continues to expand its corporate and institutional banking operations across Australia and New Zealand, with the division delivering record performances in the past financial year.

Visweswara brings more than 20 years of structured finance experience to the role, having most recently worked at Deutsche Bank.

HSBC said her appointment reflects increasing client demand for sophisticated funding and capital markets solutions across the region.

The hire follows a series of investments by the bank aimed at strengthening its transaction banking and trade finance capabilities.

Last month, HSBC launched TradeCash in Australia, a digital trade finance solution that allows businesses to upload sales invoices data online and draw down funding against those receivables, helping clients access working capital before buyers settle invoices.

HSBC Australia and New Zealand head of global trade solutions Nadia Ladak said Australian businesses are operating in an increasingly challenging environment marked by supply chain disruption, higher input costs and longer payment cycles.

"Australian businesses are navigating supply chain complexity, rising input costs and extended payment cycles, putting real pressure on working capital. With HSBC TradeCash, clients can unlock cash tied up in receivables through a simple digital journey," Ladak said.

HSBC said the TradeCash platform complements its existing suite of trade finance solutions, reducing paperwork and administrative burden while helping businesses improve cash flow management. Together with the newest appointment of Visweswara, the initiatives underscore the bank's continued focus on expanding its institutional banking offering across Australia and New Zealand.