HSBC Restructures Islamic Finance Business

HSBC is focusing its Islamic finance offering on clients in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, while ceasing to offer Shariah-compliant products in the UK, the UAE, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Singapore and Mauritius.

Wholesale Islamic financing/Sukuk products will however still be offered in these jurisdictions - and globally - via HSBC Saudi Arabia, in which the firm indirectly holds a 49 per cent shareholding.

Meanwhile, the firm said it will maintain a "limited presence in Indonesia" and will continue offering wholesale Islamic financing/Sukuk products to its global client base through operations in Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia, Islamic financial products will be offered through the Saudi British Bank, in which HSBC indirectly holds a 40 per cent shareholding. HSBC Saudi Arabia will offer Islamic investments and wholesale Islamic financing/Sukuk products to customers globally.

"This announcement represents further progress in HSBC's execution of the global strategy set out in May 2011 and demonstrates the group's commitment to driving growth and improving returns by restructuring or exiting businesses that do not meet its investment criteria," the firm said in a statement.

Following the restructuring, HSBC will retain 83 per cent of the group's Islamic business revenues. 

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