HSBC has reported worse-than-expected pre-tax profits, as it braces itself for a "bumpier" ride amid slowing economic growth in China.

Banking giant HSBC has announced it will keep its headquarters in the UK after a high-profile lengthy review.

Hopes have emerged that the Irish operations of HSBC will be unaffected by the bank’s plans to cut up to 50,000 jobs from its worldwide operations.

Britain’s largest banks are urging the UK Treasury to start a formal review of taxes on the industry, amid concern HSBC Holdings and Standard Chartered could move overseas to avoid a levy on balance sheets.

BBC Trust boss Rona Fairhead will be questioned about her work at HSBC after she was summoned before a UK parliamentary select committee.

On March 3, it will be 150 years since the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation opened for business. Normally such a milestone would prompt celebration: After all, the bank founded by colonial merchants now ranks among the world’s largest financial institutions. However, any merriment is likely to be mute. For HSBC, the birthday brings challenges as great as any it has ever faced.

The Dáil’s spending watchdog will attempt to haul in the chief executive of HSBC over concerns the bank’s Swiss branch holds a large number of accounts owned by Irish tax dodgers.

HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver has apologised to MPs for “unacceptable” practices at the bank’s Swiss subsidiary which he said had caused “damage to trust and confidence” in the company.

HSBC reported a 17% fall in annual pre-tax profit and cut its profitability target, saying that allegations its Swiss business had helped customers to dodge taxes had brought shame on the bank.

Banking giant HSBC prevented the FTSE 100 Index from climbing towards a new record high today after its profits fell by more than expected.

HSBC chief executive Stuart Gulliver has admitted the banking giant “disappointed” last year after its annual profits slumped 17%.

Authorities searched the offices of HSBC Holdings Plc’s Swiss private bank in Geneva yesterday as part of a money laundering probe. 

HSBC Holdings Plc chief executive Stuart Gulliver offered “sincerest apologies” following fresh details of how the bank’s Swiss unit helped customers evade taxes.

HSBC has issued a public apology amid a political row over its Swiss private banking arm, saying it has “no appetite” to deal with clients seeking to dodge tax.

HSBC set aside £236m to settle a probe into foreign exchange market rigging today – taking the bill for the scandal for British banks to more than £1.1bn.

Banking giant HSBC announced today that it racked up profits of more than €16bn for trading in 2013.

HSBC Holdings Plc, Europe’s largest bank by value, said third-quarter pretax profit rose 30% as the lender cut costs and focused on its most lucrative markets.

HSBC’s interim results reveal that the company made a $250m (€188m) settlement in the Irish High Court as a result of investments in Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme.

HSBC revealed a £7.4m pay package for boss Stuart Gulliver today after a year in which the banking giant racked up more massive profits.

Banking giant HSBC today reported a 6% drop in full-year profits to $20.6bn.

A bank that was last year forced to set aside £950m to cover the cost of a mis-selling and money-laundering scandal has declined to comment on reports its chief executive will receive a bonus of around £2m.

HSBC said today that it has agreed to pay US authorities a record 1.9bn (€1.47bn) settlement over accusations that it allowed rogue states and drug cartels to launder billions of pounds through its US arm.

HSBC, which is under investigation by US regulators for laundering funds of sanctioned nations including Iran and Sudan, is in talks to settle the matter, two people with knowledge of the case have said.

HSBC boss Stuart Gulliver apologised for “the mistakes of the past” today as the banking giant set aside a further $1.5bn to cover the cost of mis-selling claims and a money-laundering scandal in the US.

HSBC beat expectations with an underlying first-quarter profit of $6.8bn (€5.18bn) as Europe’s biggest bank saw a rebound in investment banking, growth in Asia and a fall in US bad debts.

Banking giant HSBC is this week expected to announce some 2,000 UK job cuts as part of a restructuring of its global business.

HSBC Holdings plc said a $1bn (€760m) increase in its wages bill in Brazil, China and other emerging markets was the price of avoiding the stagnant growth which has dogged some rival lenders more dependent on Europe.

Rapid growth in Asia and a resilient performance in the UK helped drive profits of £13.8bn (€16.3bn) at HSBC today.

Profits of more than £14bn and a pay package worth up to £12.5m for its chief executive are set to be revealed by HSBC today.

Banking giant HSBC was rebuked by shareholders today over plans that could see chief executive Stuart Gulliver earn up to £12.5m this year.

HSBC put its US branch network and credit cards business under review today as part of a multi-billion dollar cost cutting plan by new boss Stuart Gulliver.

HSBC’s new boss set the scene for an assault on the group’s costs today after the banking giant unveiled a 14% drop in first quarter profits.

Banking giant HSBC is considering selling off branches as it looks to slash costs in its UK retail arm, it was reported today.

Banking giant HSBC today announced plans to reduce maximum bonuses for top bosses, but revealed its chief executive would still be in line for a package worth up to £12.5m (€14.2m) this year.

Barclays’ chief executive Bob Diamond was confirmed as the UK’s best paid bank boss today – despite receiving a smaller-than-expected £6.5m (€7.5m) bonus for last year.

Banking giant HSBC announced a new UK boss today as part of a management reshuffle by incoming chief executive Stuart Gulliver.

Markets on both sides of the Atlantic were slightly lower today as fresh concerns about the European banking system cooled the September rally.

HSBC chief executive Michael Geoghegan is to step down by the end of the year in a major boardroom shake-up, the banking giant said today.

The issue of whether to break up Britain’s banks will be top of the agenda tomorrow when more details emerge of a Government-led inquiry.