HSBC mulls Flint as compromise chairman - FT

LONDON, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Douglas Flint, HSBC's (HSBA.L) finance director, is likely to replace Stephen Green as chairman, the Financial Times said on Thursday, citing people close to the bank's board.

The newspaper said Flint has emerged as a serious contender after the board found it difficult to choose between Chief Executive Michael Geoghegan and John Thorton, an HSBC non-executive director.

The FT said on Wednesday that Geoghegan, who has been at the bank for 37 years, had threatened to quit if he didn't get the top job -- a report HSBC rejected as "nonsense."

Citing three people close to the bank's board, the FT said Geoghegan's threat to go had diminished Thorton's chances and that it was now looking for a compromise candidate. (Reporting by Karolina Tagaris; Editing by Gary Hill)