HSBC Holdings Share News (HSBA)

UK may follow U.S. lead if pursues HSBC over tax

By Tom Bergin LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - British authorities may follow a trail set by their U.S. counterparts in investigating allegations that HSBC's Swiss private bank helped its customers dodge taxes, lawyers say. Any prosecution against the bank or individuals could hinge on whet

Belgian judge withdraws arrest threat for HSBC directors

BRUSSELS, Feb 11 (Reuters) - HSBC has offered to co-operate with Belgian authorities and as a result a judge has withdrawn his threat to issue international arrest warrants against senior directors of its Swiss private banking arm, Brussels prosecutors said on Wednesday. The Belgian judge h

UPDATE 2-UK's Cameron comes under pressure in parliament over HSBC tax scandal

* Tax avoidance hot issue before May 7 national election * Cameron under pressure over HSBC scandal * Labour says he has serious questions to answer * Cameron says he and party acted properly (Recasts, adds quotes, context) By Andrew Osborn LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters)

UK tax authority downplays allegations against HSBC on tax evasion

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The head of the UK's tax authority told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that allegations revealed in the media about tax evasion by HSBC clients did not prove wrongdoing on the part of the bank. Margaret Hodge, chair of the Public Account Committee, asked th

Argentina says UK asks for cooperation in HSBC tax probe

By Hugh Bronstein BUENOS AIRES, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Britain has asked Argentina for information about the South American country's investigation into HSBC Holdings Plc, Buenos Aires said on Wednesday, part of a widening probe into allegations that the bank helped clients dodge taxes. E

UK's Cameron backs ex-HSBC chairman Green going before parliament -spokesman

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron would support HSBC's former executive chairman Stephen Green going before lawmakers to answer questions about what he knew about tax avoidance at the bank's Swiss arm, his spokesman suggested on Wednesday. Cameron appointed Gre

UK's Cameron defends appointment of ex-HSBC executive chairman Stephen Green

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday that "every proper process" was followed when he appointed Stephen Green, HSBC's former executive chairman, to be a trade minister in 2010. Under pressure in parliament from the opposition Labour Party over th

UK Labour leader Miliband says HSBC enabled tax avoidance on an 'industrial scale'

LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - HSBC bank enabled tax avoidance on an industrial scale, Britain's Labour opposition leader Ed Miliband said on Wednesday. "It was in the public domain in September 2010 that HSBC was enabling tax avoidance on an industrial scale," Miliband said during the weekly P

UPDATE 1-British watchdog says bank competition still falls short

* Competition watchdog could order bank break-ups * Watchdog could order clearer pricing, comparisons * TSB CEO says consolidation could boost competition (Adds comments from TSB Chief Executive) By Matt Scuffham LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Moves to improve competition wi

Wednesday newspaper round-up: Tory/HSBC scandal, Driverless cars, UK defence

Prime Minister David Cameron has come under fire for appointing Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint as trade minister in 2011 after it was revealed he was responsible for HSBC's Swiss private banking business, according to The Times. HSBC has been caught out in a tax dodge scandal. Driverless car trials in

British watchdog says bank competition still falls short

* Competition watchdog could order bank break-ups * Watchdog could order clearer pricing, comparisons * Tesco Bank CEO says some banks offering a poor deal By Matt Scuffham LONDON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - Moves to improve competition within Britain's banking industry have not y

HSBC tax evasion claims were known to MPs in 2011, says former HMRC boss

David Hartnett, the head of the HMRC in 2011, told MPs that his department was in possession of records from the Swiss subsidiary of a major UK bank, containing the names of potential tax dodgers. When Hartnett faced MPs four years ago, Stephen Green, the former chairman of HSBC was acting as trade

MARKET COMMENT: London Shares End Mixed Ahead Of Greek Debt Meeting

Swiss scandal haunts HSBC's former boss Stephen Green

By Carmel Crimmins DUBLIN, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The scandal at HSBC's Swiss private banking arm is particularly awkward for former executive chairman Stephen Green. An ordained clergyman, who has written extensively about morality and banking, Green was one of the few British bank bosse

UPDATE 1-HSBC condemns past practices as pressure grows over Swiss accounts

* HSBC says past practices no longer acceptable * Whistleblower says leaks are "tip of iceberg" * Issue seen eating up HSBC management time (Adds comments from UK lawmaker, Falciani, analyst) By Steve Slater LONDON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The head of HSBC's private bank has