Avantages
HSBC has many reasons why it's one of the best places to work: strong brand committment, strong ethical values, respectful to the environment, investing in the employees, and good communicaiton, good benefits, and meritocratic performance management. Some of the brightest people in the corporate global population are here at HSBC. The culture is in some ways like other financial institutions but different in that a senior management truly cares about the engagement of the employees - are they happy, would they recommend HSBC, would they stay at HSBC. Environmentally, I feel like they are leading the charge. A new headquarters in Illinois is a prime example - from cisterns on roof to collect rainwater for toilets to a cafeteria that is green to energy and paper saving strategies. The green effect cascades to the consumer as well with less direct mail compared to other companies.
Inconvénients
It's a global company and you feel the size when planning initiatives that span regions or continents. An example of this feeling is sheer paperwork and meetings. It's a facet that most people in regionalized or local companies don't feel. It's not necessarily a bad thing but part of doing business.