HSBC Holdings has instructed all its managing directors to work in the office for at least four days a week from October, joining a growing number of financial firms increasing pressure on staff to return to physical workplaces.

The London-based bank told senior managers to “set the tone from the top” as “in-person interactions are essential to how we lead and deliver for our customers”, according to a memo seen by Bloomberg News. A spokesperson for HSBC confirmed the contents of the memo.

The bank clarified that in-office work includes being present at HSBC offices, working directly with customers, visiting other stakeholders, and attending conferences or offsite meetings. The move follows a broader trend in the banking sector, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. earlier this year requiring all employees to return to the office five days a week.

HSBC’s new policy also highlights ongoing challenges with office capacity. The bank is preparing to move into a new London headquarters in 2026, but executives are facing a more severe desk shortage than anticipated, with Bloomberg reporting a projected shortfall of around 7,700 desks.

The shift comes five years after the pandemic drove a widespread adoption of remote work. However, bank executives have become increasingly vocal about the need for staff to return, citing the importance of collaboration and leadership visibility.

HSBC’s decision is part of a wider trend in the financial sector to re-establish traditional working patterns, as institutions seek to balance flexibility with the operational demands of serving clients and maintaining company culture.

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