French financial prosecutors have charged HSBC's (HKG:0005) Swiss branch in Paris as part of a probe into suspicions that it assisted a former Lebanese central bank governor in misappropriating funds, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.

The bank is facing accusations of organized money laundering and conspiracy to commit embezzlement, bribery, and breach of trust, the publication said.

Riad Salameh, who led Lebanon's central bank for thirty years before resigning and has been sanctioned by the US and UK for allegedly exploiting his position for personal gain, has already been charged by Lebanese prosecutors with offenses including embezzlement, forgery, and illicit enrichment, the report said.

Salameh denies all allegations, attributing his wealth to his earlier finance career, the publication added.

Swiss authorities have also been examining the case since 2020, while Le Monde first reported the news and HSBC declined immediate comment, the news wire said.

HSBC did not reply to MTNewsire's query at press time.

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