INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
HSBC will refocus its European equities business on its core home market of the UKHong Kong / London: HSBC is cutting around 100 roles in
its equities business with the bulk of the layoffs falling on its continental European trading floors, sources familiar with the matter told
The cuts are across the bank's equities research, sales, trading and back office business departments, the sources said, and will include
a handful of job losses in Asia.HSBC said it could not provide a comment as the bank is in a closed period ahead of reporting full-year
results for 2019.The cuts come as the bank's interim chief executive Noel Quinn prepares to update investors on the lender's new
strategy when it reports the results on February 18.HSBC will refocus its European equities business on its core home market of the UK, the
sources said, keeping its Paris trading hub to serve continental Europe
Mr Quinn is auditioning for the permanent role that some HSBC insiders and investors believe Chairman Mark Tucker will award him on February
18 after he took swift action to cut costs at the lender.Mr Quinn took the reins in August following the shock ousting of John Flint, who
took the fall for insufficient progress in addressing some of the bank's long-term problems including underperformance in its investment
bank and U.S unit.HSBC's cuts in its equities business follow similar moves by European peers in recent years, as the digitisation of the
business and regulations to protect investors have combined to slash banking margins
HSBC has around 238,000 employees worldwide.
