<p>Recent publications revealed that Lone Star is currently engaged in talks with global banking giant HSBC for the sale of a 51% controlling stake in Korean Exchange Bank to HSBC. Discussions of the possible stake sale have continued despite Lone Star being engaged in a legal dispute, which claims that the investment group purchased the stake in the Korean bank at a price which did not reflect the value of the banking group.<br /><br />According to the Financial Times, HSBC is hoping to have signed a contract for the stake, which will significantly boost its presence in the South Korean market, before October 2007. The publication added that the bank is offering between $5 billion and $5.5 billion for the controlling stake. <br /><br />However, analysts cited by the Financial Times say that the deal could take as long as three years to complete. Meanwhile, HSBC has taken the view that the government is keen to resolve the saga as soon as possible.</p>
