HSBC is poised to put hundreds of its French regional retail branches up for sale, a further sign the bank is shifting its focus to emerging markets, according to media reports on Sunday. HSBC is trying to find buyers for around half of its 800-strong French bank network, estimated to be worth around 2 billion pounds ($3.90 billion), a media report said.

Any such disposal would be likely to scotch speculation circulating last week that HSBC may bid for France's Societe Generale, which has been weakened by losses of 4.9 billion euros ($7.10 billion) arising from a rogue trading scandal.