HSBC will pay $1.9 billion (£1.2 billion) to settle a money-laundering probe by US federal and state authorities, the largest paid in such a case. A US Senate investigation said it had been a conduit for "drug kingpins and rogue nations".
The bank will pay $1.25 billion dollars (£777 million) in forfeiture, the largest ever in a case involving a bank, and $655 million (£407 million) in civil penalties, the American sources said.
The Democratic presidential candidate may also have shown his cards on his choice of running mate.
The US president also shared a post on Twitter accusing Dr Anthony Fauci of misleading the public over hydroxychloroquine.
Fears over an impending second wave of coronavirus dominates Wednesday’s front pages.