HSBC braces for $1.5B money laundering fine

A U.S. fine for breaches of anti-money laundering rules could cost at least $1.5 billion and lead to criminal charges, Europe's biggest bank said. The bank set aside a further $800 million to cover the potential fine, adding to $700 million put aside in July. It also took& another $357 million charge for mis-selling payment protection insurance in Britain, lifting the total amount set aside for that to $2.1 billion.