HSBC Holdings Plc is weighing options including a merger deal for its asset management business to help it compete in the market, Bloomberg News reported Feb. 20, citing CEO John Flint.

"But it's too early to give any indications as to what we might do with it," Flint said, answering to whether it was considering merger discussions with a rival.

The U.K. bank's asset management business, which was managing $462 billion at the end of 2017, faces narrowing margins and challenges from other bigger players. European rival Deutsche Bank AG is planning to raise capital by selling shares in its asset management unit, the newswire noted.