The Australian arm of global banking giant HSBC plans to increase its corporate lending business. It also plans to leverage its international balance sheet to win market share from its major domestic rivals. (The Australian)

Wealth manager AXA Asia Pacific Holdings has reported a 19 per cent drop in first-half net profit and says management has not been distracted by its potential acquisition by National Australia Bank. (Sydney Morning Herald)

A Babcock & Brown whistleblower accused the company of providing ”false models” to ratings agencies in late 2007 that led to a secret internal investigation and disciplinary action against staff. (Business Day)

Chris Whitman, is confident the world’s initial public offering market will spring back to life in the next three months. Mr Whitman, one of Deutsche Bank’s most senior global bankers, thinks investors are ready to judge the success of the recent deals to world markets. (The Australian)