HSBC (HSBA.L) has announced that its French subsidiary HSBC France is to expand, adding a further 25 branches by 2015.

The bank is to focus on wealth management for its personal customers and improve its international offering for business customers.

It has targeted 8,000 new small business customers per year by 2015, by making a number of improvements to its commercial banking segment.

Christophe de Backer, chief executive of HSBC France, said, 'This plan demonstrates the high level of ambition HSBC has for the French market.

'HSBC France's strength in strategic businesses provides the perfect foundation for future growth.'

The French banking arm is also set to focus on improvements in 'operational efficiency and effectiveness', ruling out any compulsory redundancies.