HSBC Group held a global investor relations event in London last month during which the HSBC Group chairman Stephen Green cited Malta as “an example of a market where HSBC has scale and competitive advantage,” as he put it, “where we have a right to win”.

Shaun Wallis local CEO HSBC Malta added: “Our Malta business is very much part of the HSBC Group and one we intend to grow. I trust this dispels any speculative thoughts about HSBC’s future in Malta as reported in one of the UK Sunday papers.”