【明報專訊】IN RESPONSE TO the COVID-19 pandemic, HSBC and Standard Chartered have decided not to pay dividends until the end of the year. In other words, there will not be an interim dividend which HSBC promised to pay in the middle of this month, leading to a chorus of complaints from HSBC retail investors in Hong Kong, particularly those who have retired and depend on dividends for their livelihood. Though the pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to the global economy, HSBC does not have a capital problem and does not have to raise funds. For retail investors, that HSBC has suddenly reneged on its promise will hurt its reputation. HSBC's expression of "regret" can hardly appease them.