A man walks past the HSBC headquarters in Central, the business district of Hong Kong Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. European and Asian stock markets extended the week's rally on Thursday, hitting new highs for the year, as investors became increasingly confident that the U.S. economy, the world's largest, is growing again. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.7 percent to 21,768.51 and China's Shanghai benchmark rose 2 percent to 3,060.26. AP Photo logo AP Photo 2 months ago

A man walks past the HSBC headquarters in Central, the business district of Hong Kong Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. European and Asian stock markets extended the week's rally on Thursday, hitting new highs for the year, as investors became increasingly confident that the U.S. economy, the world's largest, is growing again. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.7 percent to 21,768.51 and China's Shanghai benchmark rose 2 percent to 3,060.26.

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  1. A man walks past the HSBC headquarters in Central, the business district of Hong Kong Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009. European and Asian stock markets extended the week's rally on Thursday, hitting new highs for the year, as investors became increasingly confident that the U.S. economy, the world's largest, is growing again. Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 1.7 percent to 21,768.51 and China's Shanghai benchmark rose 2 percent to 3,060.26.
  2. The world's tallest building Burj Dubai towers is seen over offices of British banks HSBC and Barclays in Dubai, November 27, 2009. Shares in British banks fell on Thursday after Dubai World and property developer Nakheel asked for a delay in repayment on billions of dollars of debt.
  3. George Collum walks past a branch of HSBC bank which is closing in Buffalo, New York November 20, 2009. The bank was the only bank in the immediate neighborhood.
  4. HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 18: The HSBC Bank building displays a sign for the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian games on November 18, 2009 in Hong Kong.
  5. HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 18: The HSBC Bank building displays a sign for the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian games on November 18, 2009 in Hong Kong.
  6. HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 18: The HSBC Bank building displays a sign for the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian games on November 18, 2009 in Hong Kong.
  7. HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 18: The HSBC Bank building displays a sign for the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian games on November 18, 2009 in Hong Kong.
  8. HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 18: The HSBC Bank building displays a sign for the Hong Kong 2009 East Asian games on November 18, 2009 in Hong Kong.
  9. HONG KONG - NOVEMBER 18: The HSBC Bank building on November 18, 2009 in Hong Kong.
  10. Brendan McDonagh, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., speaks at the Reuters Global Finance Summit in New York November 17, 2009.
  11. Brendan McDonagh, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., speaks at the Reuters Global Finance Summit in New York November 17, 2009.
  12. Brendan McDonagh, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., speaks at the Reuters Global Finance Summit in New York November 17, 2009.
  13. Brendan McDonagh, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., speaks at the Reuters Global Finance Summit in New York November 17, 2009.
  14. The HSBC building (2nd R) is seen in the Canary Wharf business district of London November 13, 2009. Global bank HSBC is selling its landmark European headquarters in Londons Canary Wharf to south Koreas National Pension Service (NPS) for 772.5 million pounds ($1.3 billion), making it one of the worlds biggest individual property transactions this year.
  15. The HSBC building (2nd R) is seen in the Canary Wharf business district of London November 13, 2009. Global bank HSBC is selling its landmark European headquarters in Londons Canary Wharf to south Koreas National Pension Service (NPS) for 772.5 million pounds ($1.3 billion), making it one of the worlds biggest individual property transactions this year.
  16. The HSBC building is seen in the Canary Wharf business district of London November 13, 2009. Global bank HSBC is selling its landmark European headquarters in Londons Canary Wharf to south Koreas National Pension Service (NPS) for 772.5 million pounds ($1.3 billion), making it one of the worlds biggest individual property transactions this year.

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