HSBC (LON:HSBA) shares came under pressure as profits barely changed in 2015 after costs and bad debts rose.
The bank, which recently confirmed it would keep its HQ in London having threatened to go to Asia, also revealed it faced a new investigation.
HSBC said it had received requests for information into its hiring in Asia-Pacific from the SEC, the US financial regulator.
Profits in 2015 rose by 1% US$18.87bn, but on an underlying basis fell 7% to US$20.4bn
Revenues also rose by 1% to US$57.7bn with the largest improvements in general and commercial banking.
Bad debts or impairments rose by 17% to US$3.72bn, while costs were 5% higher at US$36.2bn. Provisions for investigations by US$500mln, while there was a further US$559mln set aside for PPI mis-selling.
Stuart Gulliver, chief executive, said tight management kept a lid cost growth while a cautious credit credit approach meant loan impairment charges were low compared to the loan book.
Against a tough backdrop, the financial performance in 2015 was 'broadly satisfactory', added chairman Douglas Flint.
HSBC is to cut 25,000 jobs over the next few years to boost returns and Gulliver said it had made a good start implementing this plan.
Shares fell 4% to 431.6p.