The British bank is reportedly positioning itself to buy some of Citi's assets in Asia and Latin America if the U.S. bank's board decides on a breakup or limited sale of assets.

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But, according to the Asian Development Bank, 60% of Asia's exports (not including Japan's) still go to America, the European Union and Japan.

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No exact details of Howell's bank accounts and properties in the United States, Central America and south-east Asia were revealed at Friday's hearing or separately, at the pre-sentencing hearing involving his ex-lover Hazel Stewart.

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Armed with fresh capital, its attention now will turn to eastern Europe, America and Asia, where it took a small stake last month in Hong Kong's Bank of East Asia.

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