HSBC considering sale of office buildings

Europe's largest bank, HSBC Holdings, confirmed on Monday it was considering selling three of its major office buildings and said it had received interest from potential buyers.

HSBC, which recently raised nearly $19 billion (Dh70 billion) in a rights issue, said it may sell and lease back-office buildings in New York, Paris and London, including its headquarters at Canary Wharf.

London's Sunday Telegraph reported that HSBC was considering selling three of its biggest office buildings to raise £2.7 billion ($3.98 billion; Dh15 billion).

"We are taking a look at the market, yes," spokesman David Hall said in Hong Kong.

"There are people interested in buying at an appropriate price," Hall said.

He declined to give further details.

HSBC bought back its building at Canary Wharf for £838 million from ailing Spanish property firm Metrovacesa at the end of last year after the Spanish firm failed to refinance a loan secured on the building. 

 

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