LONDON, May 15 (Reuters) - HSBC said itdoes not expect Britain to change its bank levy policy beforethe next general election due in 2015 and said it is likely topay about $800 million on the tax this year.
HSBC has said the levy unfairly hits banks with big overseasoperations. Half its payment last year was on non-UK bankingactivity.
"We have had all the conversations we could possibly havewith all the people we could have them with, and I believe therewill be no change at all this side of a general election," ChiefExecutive Stuart Gulliver told investors on Wednesday.
HSBC paid $571 million for the levy in 2012, but FinanceDirector Iain Mackay told investors that was likely to rise tonear $800 million this year due to a higher tax rate.