France ends probe of HSBC's Swiss bank, eyes first trial

Paris

A FRENCH investigation into HSBC's Swiss private bank over a suspected tax-dodging scheme for wealthy customers has ended, bringing it a step closer to a possible trial, a judicial source said on Monday.

HSBC last week admitted failings in compliance and controls in the Swiss unit and faces investigation by US authorities and an inquiry by British lawmakers after reports that it helped customers conceal millions of dollars of assets in a period up to 2007.