Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Gold and Silver Prices Rebound After Volatile Week Triggered by Fed Nomination 
Oil Prices Slip as U.S.–Iran Talks Ease Supply Disruption Fears 
Dow Hits 50,000 as U.S. Stocks Stage Strong Rebound Amid AI Volatility 
Vietnam’s Trade Surplus With US Jumps as Exports Surge and China Imports Hit Record 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Global Markets Slide as AI, Crypto, and Precious Metals Face Heightened Volatility 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Thailand Inflation Remains Negative for 10th Straight Month in January 
Dollar Steadies Ahead of ECB and BoE Decisions as Markets Turn Risk-Off 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25% as India’s Growth Outlook Strengthens After U.S. Trade Deal 
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran 
China Extends Gold Buying Streak as Reserves Surge Despite Volatile Prices 
HSBC Restructures Banking Operations Under New CEO Georges Elhedery
On Tuesday, HSBC Holdings unveiled a major overhaul of its banking operations, merging its commercial and investment banking sectors under the leadership of new CEO Georges Elhedery. This strategic move aims to simplify the Asia-focused bank's operations and cut costs, resulting in a reduction of senior management positions.
To better align its services, HSBC will reorganize into four primary business units: UK, Hong Kong, corporate and institutional banking, and wealth banking. The newly formed corporate and institutional banking unit will integrate commercial banking with global banking and markets, including Western wholesale banking operations in Europe and the Americas.
In a memo to staff, Elhedery emphasized that this restructuring would "unleash our full potential and drive success into the future." This initiative comes amid increasing pressure on banking executives to manage rising costs effectively.
Pam Kaur has been appointed as HSBC’s first female Chief Financial Officer (CFO), bringing extensive experience from her current role as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer. Kaur joined the bank in April 2013 and previously served as the group head of internal audit.
Other notable management changes include Jon Bingham, who will transition from interim Group CFO back to Global Financial Controller, and Greg Guyett, who will take on a new position as Chair of the Strategic Clients Group. Meanwhile, Colin Bell, CEO of HSBC Bank and Europe, has chosen to step down to explore new opportunities.
With approximately 214,000 employees worldwide, HSBC continues to streamline its operations by eliminating duplicate roles and reducing its presence in Western markets, focusing on strategic growth in Asia.
