No doubt HSBC is interested in buying Lehman Brothers. Remember the iPhone mis-information? While the Australian MIS officer said HSBC could replace Blackberrys with iPhones, London said the opposite. Regarding the Lehman deal the opposite strategy is perhaps true. No word from London, while the HSBC Asia chief executive officer speaks of “no interest.” Use some logic if you will. Predatory lender Household International or an investment bank like Lehman Brothers? It is a chance of a lifetime for HSBC.

HSBC Holdings Plc is “highly unlikely” to buy an investment bank, its Asia chief executive officer said today. The Asian chief is not Asian, and is actually Sandy Flockhart. I think he is a volunteer for mis-information. “Our approach, as we’ve said, is it’s highly unlikely that we will take a major interest in an investment bank” said Flockhart. Highly unlikely? That remains to be seen.

As for investors, “It’s helpful to have the clarification,” about HSBC’s intentions with Lehman, said Glen Suarez, head of investments at Knight Vinke in Monaco. “I don’t believe HSBC can realistically have considered it.” Well, we thought the same of Household International, didn’t we? With lack of direction from London and loss of credibility from the Household International deal, HSBC must reposition themselves.

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