HSBC to exit from downtown tower

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - HSBC Bank will be out of One HSBC Center by October, according to a company spokesperson.

The bank says they are committed to Buffalo and will maintain operations in the Atrium building located on Washington St. near First Niagara Center downtown and at a facility in Depew.  HSBC owns the Attrium and leases the building in Depew.

One HSBC Center currently houses more than 3,000 HSBC workers, all of whom will be moved to either of the other facilities.  The move will be completed by October, 2013, when HSBC's lease of One HSBC Center expires.

Both the other facilities will be renovated to accommodate the additional 3,000 workers.  The Attium's current capacity is 1,100 workers.  Once renovated, it will fit 2,100.

The facility in Depew currently is home to mortgage operations for HSBC but those 400 jobs were previously announced to be moved to PHH Mortgage within the first quarter of 2013.

Plans for One HSBC Center after October are not yet known.  Seneca One holds HSBC's current lease.

The bank reaffirms in a statement that there will be no job losses in Western New York as a result of the move from the downtown tower.

HSBC Statement:

"HSBC keeps its corporate real estate network under regular review to ensure it remains appropriate for the needs of our business. We are committed to Buffalo and following such a review we have decided to maintain our existing operations in the downtown Atrium Building and facility in Depew. From early 2013, HSBC's presence in the One HSBC Center will be wound-down and the building fully exited by October when our current lease expires.  

All employees currently located in the One HSBC Center will transition to either the Atrium Building or Depew facility. In order to accommodate the additional employees at both facilities, we will be doing some renovations at both buildings which will continue throughout 2013. No job losses are envisaged as a direct result of this announcement."