Free Trial

UK fines HSBC bank for not going far enough to protect deposits in case it collapsed

The HSBC headquarters stand in the financial district of Canary Wharf, in London, Monday, March 13, 2023. UK regulators say HSBC has been fined $72.8 million for failing to adequately protect customer deposits in the event the bank collapsed. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali, File)
Remove Ads

LONDON (AP) — HSBC, Europe’s biggest bank, has been fined 57.4 million pounds ($72.8 million) for failing to adequately protect customer deposits in the event that the bank collapsed, U.K. regulators said Tuesday.

Two units of London-based HSBC Holdings Plc violated rules designed to ensure regulators have the information they need to protect depositors when banks fail, said Britain’s Prudential Regulation Authority, which is part of the Bank of England.

The penalty is the second-biggest ever imposed by the agency, behind only the 87 million pound fine last July against Credit Suisse following the Swiss bank's near-collapse and emergency takeover by rival UBS.

The HSBC violations, which occurred between 2015 and 2022, included a failure to accurately identify deposits eligible for protection under a U.K. program that guarantees bank deposits up to 85,000 pounds ($107,800) for individuals, the bank regulator said.

“The serious failings in this case go to the heart of the PRA’s safety and soundness objective,” Sam Woods, chief executive of the Prudential Regulation Authority, said in a statement. “It is vital that all banks comply fully with our requirements around preparedness for resolution.”

HSBC cooperated with the investigation and agreed to settle the case, the authority said. Without this cooperation, the fine would have been 96.5 million pounds ($122.4 million).

The bank said it was “pleased” to resolve the matter.

“The PRA’s final notice recognizes the Bank’s co-operation with the investigation, as well as our efforts to fully resolve these issues,” HSBC said in a statement.

Should You Invest $1,000 in HSBC Right Now?

Before you consider HSBC, you'll want to hear this.

MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and HSBC wasn't on the list.

While HSBC currently has a Moderate Buy rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.

View The Five Stocks Here

Unlock the Potential in Options Trading Cover

Options trading isn’t just for the Wall Street elite; it’s an accessible strategy for anyone armed with the proper knowledge. Think of options as a strategic toolkit, with each tool designed for a specific financial task. Get this report to learn how options trading can help you use the market’s volatility to your advantage.

Get This Free Report
Like this article? Share it with a colleague.
Remove Ads

Featured Articles and Offers

Recent Videos

Donald Trump Owns These 7 Stocks, Should You?
 5 Stocks to BUY NOW in April 2025
3 Bank Stocks Defying Market Turmoil—Cheap Options Trades!

Stock Lists

All Stock Lists

Investing Tools

Calendars and Tools

Search Headlines

Remove Ads