Financial security

Britain has asked Argentina for information about the South American country's investigation into HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L), Buenos Aires said on Wednesday, part of a widening probe into allegations that the bank helped clients dodge taxes.

Early this week a panel of British lawmakers said they planned to open an inquiry into the British bank after media reports that it helped wealthy customers conceal assets.

In November Argentina charged HSBC with helping more than 4,000 clients evade taxes by stashing their money in secret Swiss bank accounts. HSBC Argentina rejected the charge, saying it respected Argentine law.

Argentina says UK asks for cooperation in HSBC tax probe