China border reopening could be key 2023 driver as HSBC, Standard Chartered prepare to report annual results, analysts say

Investors will be closely watching for guidance on how the reopening of the border with mainland China could affect the outlook for Hong Kong’s financial sector as the city’s biggest banks, including HSBC and Standard Chartered, unveil their annual report cards beginning this week.

Standard Chartered will be the first of the city’s three currency-issuing banks to update investors on its full-year performance on Thursday, followed by HSBC on February 21 and Bank of China (Hong Kong) next month. Family-run Bank of East Asia, Hong Kong’s largest independent lender, is also expected to report its annual results on Thursday.