HSBC enjoys Q3 boost worldwide

Banking giant HSBC has described its performance as resilient in the third quarter and reported revenue up in key divisions.

HSBC has more than 8,000 offices in about 80 countries and owns The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, France's CCF and 62% of Hong Kong's Hang Seng Bank.

It reported improvement in most of its major markets, notably in Hong Kong after the impact of SARS earlier in the year.

The bank also said that consumer finance and personal financial services indicated 'encouraging' revenue trends towards the end of the quarter.

Net interest margin fell due to the sustained low interest rate environment, but HSBC said that this was offset, or compensated, by strong lending growth, principally in the personal sector.