Bank of East Asia chairman David Li (C)

Bank of East Asia chairman David Li (C) leaves a press conference on the interim result of the bank in Hong Kong, 02 August 2007. The third-largest bank, reported a 20.1 percent increase in net profit for the first-half year and it was at the lower end of the analysts forecast. The lender posted a net profit of 1.91 billion Hong Kong dollars (245 million USD). Li who could face charges by US stock regulator for his alleged involvement in a Dow Jones and Co insider trading case, would not comment on the latest development on the case during the media briefing on his banking business. AFP PHOTO / Samantha SIN (Photo credit should read SAMANTHA SIN/AFP via Getty Images)