Australia is one of the 15 "priority markets" for HSBC, the UK-based banking group said yesterday.HSBC said, in a strategy update yesterday, that it recorded "double digit" loan growth of 22 per cent in Australia over the three years to 2012. Australian Prudential Regulation Authority data shows most of this growth was in home lending.The bank's other priority growth markets are mainland China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, France, Germany, Switzerland, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Canada, United States, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.Among the financial goals spelled out were a target return on equity of 12 to 15 per cent; a lift in the loans to deposits ratio to 90 per cent, from 74 per cent; and a further US$3 billion in "sustainable saves" on top of the US$4 billion achieved since 2011.HSBC Bank Australia had mixed results in 2012, with strong performances in its retail and global banking divisions being offset by a significant decline in its commercial division.According to information in the accounts of HSBC Holdings, profit before tax for the Australian retail banking and wealth management division of the local operation was US$97 million - up 10.2 per cent on the 2011 result.