HSBC’s Noel Quinn is once again under scrutiny by politicians, this time a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers.
U.S. senators asked HSBC chief executive Noel Quinn to answer questions about restrictions on the accounts of American citizens and their decision to freeze the accounts of Hong Kong activists.
«We have also been told that the accounts of American citizens are restricted, including at HSBC branches in the United States,» according to the letter from senators including Jeff Merkley, Marco Rubio and more.
«If true, this practice targeting American citizens or legal permanent residents is unacceptable and requires immediate rectification.»
Freezing Activists
U.S. senators also expressed concerns about the frozen accounts of activity, independent media and civic groups including self-exiled lawmaker Ted Hui, founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily and the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China.
In addition to asking for a justification from Quinn, the letter also demanded answers as to whether the actions were requested by authorities from Hong Kong or mainland China.
«While you are reviewing HSBC’s policies and actions, we ask that you reverse all actions taken targeting the groups listed above and end any and all restrictions immediately on the accounts of American citizens or legal permanent residents,» the letter said.
«Like every bank, we are required to operate within the law and legal frameworks of all the countries and territories in which we operate,» according to a spokesperson for the bank.
