HSBC HSBC Holdings PLC

By Simon Clark

HSBC Holdings PLC, Europe's largest bank by assets, said an employee at its headquarters in London's Canary Wharf district was diagnosed with the coronavirus.

"This colleague is under medical supervision and has self-isolated," HSBC said in a statement. "We are deep-cleaning the floor where our colleague worked and shared areas of the building. Colleagues on that floor, and others who came into contact with him, have been advised to work at home. Based on medical and official advice the building remains open and operates as normal."

HSBC's global research department is the area affected, according to a person familiar with the situation. HSBC, which has extensive operations across Europe and Asia, said last month that it could take up to $600 million in additional loan loss provisions if the coronavirus crisis extends into the second half of this year.

Write to Simon Clark at Simon.Clark@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 05, 2020 07:59 ET (12:59 GMT)

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