HSBC’s directors will meet on Sunday to decide whether to continue to base the bank’s headquarters in London or move abroad, with an announcement on the eagerly awaited question likely to made that day.
Europe’s biggest bank is expected to remain in Britain rather than return to its historical home of Hong Kong, but there is not yet a unanimous view, sources said. If the 20-strong board fails to reach an agreement, it will consider the matter again at another meeting on Friday February 19, before HSBC’s annual results are announced on Monday February 22.
The board includes Paul Walsh, former chief executive of Diageo, the drinks company; Sam Laidlaw, former chief executive of Centrica; and Rona Fairhead, chairwoman of the BBC Trust. HSBC hopes