BUENOS AIRES, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Argentina's central bank onTuesday ordered HSBC Argentina to name a new presidentand vice president within 24 hours, accusing the bank of failingto establish necessary controls to prevent tax evasion and moneylaundering.
Argentine authorities locked horns with HSBC in Novemberwhen it charged the bank with helping more than 4,000 clientsevade taxes by stashing their money in secret Swiss bankaccounts.
HSBC rejected the charge but Argentina said in March itwanted HSBC to repatriate $3.5 billion that the Argentine taxauthorities said the bank had moved offshore.
The central bank said on Tuesday that HSBC's president,Gabriel Martino, "had not directed the necessary measures tomitigate and adequately address the prevention of moneylaundering and the financing of terrorist activities."
Officials at HSBC were not immediately available to comment.HSBC has consistently said it respected Argentine law.
Argentina's central bank has the authority to revoke thelicenses of officials who legally represent commercial banksbefore the financial regulator.
Europe's largest bank faces probes in several countries intoallegations it helped clients dodge taxes. (Reporting by Richard Lough; Editing by Matthew Lewis)