Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

HSBC set to announce more job cuts to make it leaner and meaner

James Moore
Saturday 11 May 2013 13:36 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

HSBC could announce more job cuts on Wednesday, when investors will be told that the chief executive, Stuart Gulliver, will push ahead with plans to produce a leaner, more streamlined bank.

The company has already reduced its global workforce from 300,000 to 254,000 through redundancies and the disposal or closure of 52 businesses since 2011.

Nine units have been dispensed with this year, including an exit from Panama, and the bank could dispose of up to 20 more businesses over the next two years.

But Mr Gulliver, pictured, has already signalled the need to keep a lid on costs, which could be partly accomplished by more redundancies.

The bank's chief executive has been attempting to pull off the tricky task of imposing more central control over HSBC's far-flung businesses while at the same time reducing the firm's notorious levels of bureaucracy.

This follows the nearly $2bn (£1.2bn) paid in US fines after investigators found that the company had been used as a conduit for "dirty money".

The sales and disposals are part of the control process, as the bank abandons the practice of "flag planting" in as many territories around the world as possible.

Some 4,300 staff are due to transfer to new companies as a result of deals signed this year by HSBC, which still has prominent positions in some of the world's most dynamic economies.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in