Then, there are rumors that the institution, once known as the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, will also sell its half interest in HSBC Life Insurance, which laid off 130 sales staff recently.

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As for the old boy ex-RAF who sunk his life savings into HSBC I wish he'd asked anyone in the City as to whether that was wise - at any stage during his holding of the stock.

BBC: Your Comments: How Safe Is My Money?

HSBC's attempt to breathe life into its investment banking arm had failed, and things still haven't picked up.

FORBES: Magazine Article