and the cost of funds is greater, he said.In two years, China will allow HSBC, Citigroup Inc and other banks to conduct business with its 1.3 billion individuals, who had savings of USUS$1.5 trillion as of Nov. 30.London-based HSBC said it will also be allowed to open a sub-branch in Beijing in the first half of next year, to be located in the city's Chaoyang district.Nine overseas banks applied t