60,000 LEAKED FILES
Explore the Swiss Leaks Data
Explore the Swiss Leaks data to see how different countries compare, and find out more about some of the clients of the bank.
Swiss Leaks
Murky Cash Sheltered by Bank Secrecy
How one of the world’s largest banks helped shelter millions in accounts linked to arms dealers, dictators and tax evaders
In this investigation
Whistleblower? Thief? Hero?
Whistleblower? Thief? Hero? Introducing the Source of the Data that Shook HSBC
Hervé Falciani has taken a long, strange journey from bank computer expert to jailed fugitive to candidate for office to whistleblower spokesman.
By Martha M. Hamilton | February 8, 2015
Client professions
The Real ‘Housewives’ of HSBC
When accounts in the leaked files list a profession, "housewife" pops up with amazing frequency. But these so-called housewives are not always what they seem.
By Will Fitzgibbon | February 8, 2015
IMPACT
Notorious tax haven British Virgin Islands to introduce public register of company owners
SWISS LEAKS
‘Prove where you got your wealth,’ India tells alleged tax dodger
SWISS LEAKS
HSBC To Pay $192m Penalty For Helping Americans Evade Taxes
BOOK EXCERPT
How global collaboration can be a shield against litigation
IMPACT
Ex-HSBC Swiss Banker Pleads Guilty in $1.8 Billion French Tax Case
READ THE DOCUMENTS
The Dummy Company at the Heart of Deutsche Bank Money Laundering Probe
THE 1 PERCENT
As American Public Turned To Opioids, OxyContin’s Founder Tapped A Private Swiss Bank
SWISS BANKING
HSBC to pay $352m to settle tax evasion charges in France
From a UK MP to Secret German Tax Investigations: Swiss Leaks Video Reports
Tax investigations
New Countries Seek HSBC Data and Undeclared Cash
Offshore
Prying Eyes? Sovereign Has You Covered
Weapons and warzones
Bank’s Services for Arms Dealers in Conflict with Its Own Policy
Files Open New Window on $182-Million Halliburton Bribery Scandal in Nigeria
Industry links
Diamond Dealers in Deep Trouble as Bank Documents Shine Light on Secret Ways
60 Minutes: Stolen Data Shakes Swiss Banking to its Core
About the data
100,000 Clients, $100 Billion: The Swiss Leaks Data
Key Findings
Swiss Leaks
About This Project: Swiss Leaks
Full statement
‘Standards Were Significantly Lower Than Today:’ HSBC’s Response
Overview
Banking Giant HSBC Sheltered Murky Cash Linked to Dictators and Arms Dealers
Investigations into the bank
New Law, New Loophole, New Business for Giant Global Bank HSBC
Swiss Leaks
Layers of Privacy on Swiss Bank Accounts
Key findings
1
HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) continued to offer services to clients who had been unfavorably named by the United Nations, in court documents and in the media as connected to arms trafficking, blood diamonds and bribery.
2
HSBC served those close to discredited regimes such as that of former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, former Tunisian president Ben Ali and current Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad.
3
Clients who held HSBC bank accounts in Switzerland include former and current politicians from Britain, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Kenya, Romania, India, Liechtenstein, Mexico, Lebanon, Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Paraguay, Djibouti, Senegal, Philippines and Algeria.
4
The bank repeatedly reassured clients that it would not disclose details of accounts to national authorities, even if evidence suggested that the accounts were undeclared to tax authorities in the client’s home country. Bank employees also discussed with clients a range of measures that would ultimately allow clients to avoid paying taxes in their home countries. This included holding accounts in the name of offshore companies to avoid the European Savings Directive, a 2005 Europe-wide rule aimed at tackling tax evasion through the exchange of bank information.
