HSH Nordbank, one of Germany’s leading banks, issued a statement on Friday saying it was to press criminal charges against its chief operating officer, as it suspected him of leaking confidential documents.

The public complaint against Frank Roth is the latest blow for HSH, which is reeling under the weight of huge losses racked up through its investments in toxic assets. The bank is also seen to be heavily exposed to the downturn in world trade, because it is the world’s biggest ship financier.