KDB Financial Group has been in talks with HSBC to take over the foreign bank’s Seoul branch, according to a news report on Sunday.The KDB refused to reveal details. “It is true that we are moving to acquire a bank. But it is uncertain at the current stage as to whether it (M&A target) will be HSBC,

Oct. 9, 2011

Local retailers from duty-free shops to convenience stores enjoyed a sales boom during the Chinese golden week of Oct. 1-7, industry sources said Sunday. According to Lotte Department Store, transactions paid with China’s Union Pay credit card jumped 242.6 percent at all its stores last week compare

IndustryOct. 9, 2011

South Korea‘s stock market is expected to outperform other Asian markets thanks to its strong manufacturing sector amid growing uncertainties over the global economy, an expert said Friday.South Korea’s equity market has been volatile in recent sessions amid lingering woes over the debt crisis in Eu

Oct. 9, 2011

Customers pressed to buy financial products in return for loansThe Financial Supervisory Service is set to levy penalties on several banks for habitual irregular loan issuances which burdened borrowers.The banks to face sanctions will likely include Industrial Bank of Korea, according to recent rema

Oct. 9, 2011

Boris Knoblich is one of the reasons why Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is struggling to create a bigger market for the Mini. The 37-year-old media consultant from Berlin doesn’t have the Munich-based manufacturer’s urban car brand on his shopping list, rejecting the new two-seater Mini coupe that his

MobilityOct. 9, 2011

Hyundai Motor Co.’s Tucson ix has been selected as the sole fuel cell testbed vehicle for Europe, Hyundai Motor Group said last week.The automotive group, whose flagship companies include Hyundai and Kia Motors Corp., said the selection by the European Union parliament showcases the competitiveness

MobilityOct. 9, 2011

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A customer who says Zions Bank makes it difficult -- if not impossible -- to avoid overdraft fees has filed a lawsuit in federal court, making the Utah bank one of dozens whose extra charges have triggered lawsuits from angry consumers.The lawsuit, which seeks class-action sta

Oct. 9, 2011

ROME (AP) — The Fitch agency downgraded its sovereign credit rating for Italy and Spain on Friday and said its long-term outlook for both countries was negative, citing high debt and poor prospects for growth.Separately, Fitch also said it was keeping Portugal‘s debt rating on watch for a poss

Oct. 9, 2011

Hiring improves in September as nation adds 103,000 jobs, but it will take more to end crisis WASHINGTON (AP) -- The jobs crisis isn’t getting worse. But it isn’t getting much better, either.The economy added just enough jobs last month to ease fears of a new recession. But hiring is still too weak

Oct. 9, 2011

DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Co. is delaying plans to add a second shift at the factory that makes Chevrolet Volt electric cars.The company said Friday it has found ways to make one shift more efficient, so it can produce the same number of cars as two shifts.Spokesman Chris Lee says GM still will

Oct. 9, 2011

South Korea’s largest carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. said Sunday that it has helped transform 30 square kilometers of desert in Inner Mongolia into grassland as part of its global eco-conservation effort.The company started planting suaeda glauca, or seepweeds, in the Chakanor district of the Kunshantag

IndustryOct. 9, 2011

Google Inc. and Samsung Electronics Co. delayed a new product introduction scheduled for an Oct. 11 trade show after the death of Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs.Samsung sent out invitations last month announcing an event in San Diego that would include a look at what’s new for Google’s Android, so

TechnologyOct. 9, 2011

The first U.N. meeting to combat desertification to be held in Korea will focus on defining standards to measure progression of land degradation, a step essential to boost international support and funding, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification said.The UNCCD said that starting Mon

IndustryOct. 9, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumers slashed their borrowing in August by the most in 16 months. The drop suggests many worried about taking on new debt while the economy slumped and the stock market fluctuated wildly.Fewer people used their credit cards. And a measure of demand for auto and student loans f

Oct. 9, 2011

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Wholesale businesses increased their stockpiles of autos, computer equipment and heavy machinery in August, boosting inventories for a 20th straight month as their sales rose at the fastest pace in five months.The combination of rising sales and inventories should be a good sign f

Oct. 9, 2011