Clifford Chance advises HSBC on the sale of its shareholding in HSBC Bank Malta plc

Global law firm Clifford Chance is advising HSBC on the disposal of its 70.03% shareholding in HSBC Bank Malta plc (“HSBC Malta”) to CrediaBank S.A. (formerly called Attica Bank and the fifth largest bank in Greece).

HSBC Continental Europe (“HBCE”) has signed a put option agreement with CrediaBank under which HBCE can require CrediaBank to enter into definitive agreements once HBCE has completed a works council consultation process required under French labour law.

The transaction is subject to various regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in the second half of 2026. Following completion of the sale, CrediaBank will launch a mandatory takeover offer for the shares held by the minority shareholders of HSBC Malta.

The Clifford Chance team is being led by corporate partners Richard Crosby and Imogen Ainsworth alongside Fergus Grady, Jess Lambert, Beth Eyre and Anita Arianpour and includes colleagues across Corporate, Tech/Digital, Capital Markets, Tax, Employment, Incentives, IP and Antitrust practices.

Clifford Chance is working closely with Maltese law firm Camilleri Preziosi Advocates.