Streamlining finance: a strategy for international growth

Asia-Pacific’s most innovative emerging growth and mid-sized companies are expected to have a profound effect on the global economy as they expand their operations over the coming years. The growth potential is especially notable in mainland China, which accounts for more than 30 per cent of fast-growing companies in the region seeking cross-border opportunities, according to a KPMG report.

Hong Kong’s strategic location serves as a crucial gateway between mainland China and the rest of the world, making it an ideal hub for companies pursuing cross-border expansion.

Last year, the number of mainland Chinese and overseas companies setting up a base in Hong Kong increased by more than 40 per cent, compared with 2023, according to InvestHK, a government agency responsible for promoting the city as a hub for business. Last October, the Hong Kong government established the GoGlobal Task Force to accelerate its support for mainland companies looking beyond their domestic market and to strengthen the city’s role as a strategic base for their expansion. The task force pools the strengths of the city’s international business and trade sector, bringing together banking, financial, legal and supply chain services, as well as professional organisations with industry- or country-specific expertise.

Hong Kong, consistently ranked one of the world’s top financial and international business hubs, was listed as the third most developed financial hub after New York and London, in the latest edition of the “Global Financial Centres Index” published in September 2025, which reaffirmed the city’s strengths, including its strong business environment, highly regulated financial infrastructure and human capital.

Mainland Chinese companies are increasingly using Hong Kong to raise capital for global expansion and access international investors, benefiting from the city’s sophisticated regulatory framework and reputation as a leading listing hub. In addition, Hong Kong is the world’s largest offshore hub for the yuan, processing more than 70 per cent of the world’s payments in the currency and maintaining the deepest liquidity pool outside mainland China, estimated at 1 trillion yuan, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

Meanwhile, the National Development and Reform Commission, China’s top economic planner, is one of several mainland government bodies supporting cross-border financing, enhancing Hong Kong’s role as a gateway for mainland Chinese companies seeking to expand globally.

This expansion brings with it a new set of business imperatives. A bank that offers cross-border solutions, global reach, sector-specific expertise and a solid track record in capital markets is essential for companies seeking opportunities beyond their domestic market.

By leveraging its global network and capabilities, Citi Commercial Bank helps mid-sized companies in Asia fulfil their growth plans and guides them along their corporate journey. With an international team of industry specialists, the bank provides access to a global business network of more than 180 markets.

The bank’s comprehensive network enables mid-sized companies to leverage the full scope of its services, such as trade finance, treasury management and mergers and acquisitions through targeted solutions that meet clients’ objectives and market needs.

With industry expertise spanning a wide range of growth areas, including digital, technology and communications, consumer and retail, industrials, business and professional services, and healthcare, Citi Commercial Bank aims to give its clients a competitive edge on the global stage, offering tailored advice on emerging hotspots, as well as insights into issues critical to business strategy and sector-specific challenges.

The bank also hosts client events, such as its Hong Kong Executive Summit 2025, where experts share insights on a range of topics, including leadership, technology and economic dynamism.

In addition, the bank’s products and solutions can help companies address some of the operational pain points that come with growth. One of the main challenges faced by mid-sized companies is a complex banking landscape, where multiple global accounts can consume resources, reduce efficiency, trap liquidity and increase the risk of human error.

“At Citi Commercial Bank Hong Kong, our strength lies not just in our global reach, but as a trusted gateway for ambitious companies,” says Joy Cheng, head of Citi Commercial Bank for Hong Kong. “From Hong Kong’s rise as an international financial hub to today’s era of cross-border connectivity, we’ve stood alongside businesses at pivotal moments – connecting them to capital, insights and networks.”

As companies grow, they seek more sophisticated, streamlined solutions to consolidate banking across jurisdictions. Through its various platforms, such as CitiDirect Commercial Banking, Citi offers its clients a centralised, digital infrastructure to streamline products and services in one platform. CitiDirect Commercial Banking, which currently supports more than 57 per cent of Citi’s commercial banking clients, provides a comprehensive, real-time overview across cash, trade and working capital, connecting clients to their treasury needs globally and offering a clearer view of their banking relationship while enabling them to process transactions with speed, accuracy and transparency.

While Hong Kong acts as a corridor for trade between Asia and the rest of the world, Citi Commercial Bank provides the foundation for companies to reach a global customer base, reflecting its role as a bridge between Asia’s expanding domestic markets and international opportunities.

“We help companies grow across Greater China and beyond, with trust, resilience and collaboration at the core,” Cheng says.