HSBC has put aside $2bn (£1.3bn) to cover potential mis-selling claims and money-laundering fines as it announces a sharp rise in first-half profits. Pre-tax profit for the first six months of 2012 was $12.7bn, up 11% on the $11.5bn the bank made a year ago. The profits were boosted by $4.3bn of asset sales in the US. The bank is setting aside $1.3bn to cover UK mis-selling compensation and $700m for any US fines following money laundering accusations. The $1.3bn covers $1.06bn for the mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI) and $240m to cover sales of specialist interest rate protection products to businesses.....Read more here