HSBC Says It’s Under Investigation in U.S. Over WhatsApp Use

HSBC Holdings Plc is being investigated by U.S. regulators over bankers’ misuse of services such as WhatsApp.

The London-based bank is co-operating with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission probe into the use of “non-HSBC approved messaging platforms for business communications,” according to its annual report published alongside earnings on Tuesday.

HSBC Chief Executive Officer Noel Quinn told Bloomberg News the CFTC’s work was part of a broad investigation by U.S. authorities. “I don’t think it’s specific, I think it’s general across all financial institutions,” said Quinn in a phone interview.

“They’re looking at the use of mobiles and WhatsApp and ...