hsbc

Banking giant HSBC has proposed reducing staff numbers by 1,149 as part of a restructure of its wealth business.

Chris Bowie has taken bank exposure to its lowest ever level in his £285m Ignis Corporate Bond fund amid growing fears bondholders will be wiped out if there is another crisis.

CONTRARIAN

Banks across the world have rallied sharply in the last 12 months, the shares featuring among the best performing stocks in many indices but, after a sharp climb, are there any opportunities left for investors?

Institutional investors are likely to keep their cash in fixed interest this year and may even top up their holdings, despite talk of a shift into equities, said HSBC Global Asset Management's product specialist, fixed income, Brian Dunnett.

The UK's five major banks could see their profits take a significant hit in 2012 as regulatory pressures and a series of recent scandals take their toll, according to KPMG.

Cazenove's top performing UK Equity Income fund manager Matt Hudson has identified the potential winners among the UK's banking sector following a stellar year for all the big banks.

Some of the largest funds in the IMA Global Emerging Markets and Asia Pacific ex Japan sectors have significantly increased exposure to Indian equities over 12 months to the end of January.

Shares in banking giant HSBC fell 2% in early trading today as it reported profit before tax was $20.6bn(£14bn) in 2012, down 6% on 2011.

Neptune founder Robin Geffen has blamed an underweight to financials for the recent poor performance of the £922m Neptune Income fund.