HSBC Holdings said it will open an insurance business in Taiwan

HSBC Holdings, Europe's biggest bank, said on Wednesday it will open an insurance business in Taiwan, reported Reuters.

Earlier this month HSBC also entered into an agreement to acquire a 10% stake in Vietnam's leading insurance and financial services group, Vietnam Insurance Corporation (Bao Viet), for VND4,121bn (approximately US$25m).

In March, Indian state-run lenders Canara Bank and Oriental Bank of Commerce also said they would form a life insurance joint venture with HSBC.