"A number" of bidders have shown interest in acquiring HSBC Holdings' indirect 70% shareholding in its Malta bank, the company announced on Thursday morning.

No further details were given in the company statement, in which HSBC Bank Malta said it would be convening an extraordinary general meeting to obtain shareholder approval to allow interested parties to conduct due diligence checks and take negotiations to the next level. 

In the statement, the Bank announced that it has been advised by its majority shareholder, HSBC Continental Europe, that HSBC Holdings has been contacted by a number of parties who have expressed interest in its shareholding in the Bank and have requested to conduct due diligence prior to confirming their interest.

The majority shareholder reiterated that no decisions have been made regarding its shareholding in the Bank and that HSBC Holdings continues to consider a full range of options, the statement said.

The extraordinary general meeting is set to be held in January.

Last September, it had been reported that negotiations between APS and HSBC's global shareholders had been underway for several years, ever since it became apparent that HSBC Malta was looking to wind down its operations.

The company statement may be found here

HSBC later said that, further to the Company Announcement, "we remind our customers, bank employees and other stakeholders, that the bank will continue to comply with its banking confidentiality and data privacy obligations at all times. These are continuing obligations for the bank and will remain applicable even during any due diligence process that is undertaken."