HSBC Finance Corporation 2Q 2013 Form 10-Q

RNS Number : 9010K
HSBC Holdings PLC
05 August 2013
 



                                   


 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND

EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

___________________

 

FORM 10-Q

___________________

 

(Mark One)

 

ý

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

 

OR

 

¨

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission file number 1-8198

 

___________________

 

HSBC FINANCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware


86-1052062

(State of incorporation)


(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

26525 North Riverwoods Boulevard, Mettawa, Illinois


60045

(Address of principal executive offices)


(Zip Code)

 

(224) 880-7000

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

 

___________________

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer

¨

Accelerated filer

¨

Non-accelerated filer

x

Smaller reporting company

¨

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  þ

 

As of July 31, 2013, there were 68 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding, all of which are owned by HSBC Investments (North America) Inc.

 



HSBC Finance Corporation

 

Form 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part/Item No

Page

Part I



Item 1.

Financial Statements (Unaudited):



Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss)............................................................................................................



Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)................................................................................



Consolidated Balance Sheet....................................................................................................................................



Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity............................................................................



Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.................................................................................................................



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................................................................................................


Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:



Forward-Looking Statements..................................................................................................................................



Executive Overview...................................................................................................................................................



Basis of Reporting.....................................................................................................................................................



Receivables Review..................................................................................................................................................



Real Estate Owned....................................................................................................................................................



Results of Operations...............................................................................................................................................



Segment Results - IFRS Basis..............................................................................................................................



Credit Quality.............................................................................................................................................................



Liquidity and Capital Resources.............................................................................................................................



Fair Value....................................................................................................................................................................



Risk Management......................................................................................................................................................



Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures.........................


Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.................................................................................


Item 4.

Controls and Procedures................................................................................................................................................





Part II



Item 1.

Legal Proceedings............................................................................................................................................................


Item 5.

Other Information.............................................................................................................................................................


Item 6.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules......................................................................................................................


Index......................................................................................................................................................................................................


Signatures.............................................................................................................................................................................................


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

Part I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

 


Three Months Ended

June 30,


Six Months Ended

June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Finance and other interest income..............................................................................

$

591



$

858



$

1,364



$

1,765


Interest expense on debt held by:








HSBC affiliates.........................................................................................................

50



40



101



80


Non-affiliates............................................................................................................

303



427



631



886


Interest expense.............................................................................................................

353



467



732



966


Net interest income.......................................................................................................

238



391



632



799


Provision for credit losses............................................................................................

267



738



291



1,529


Net interest income (loss) after provision for credit losses...................................

(29

)


(347

)


341



(730

)

Other revenues:








Derivative related income (expense).....................................................................

186



(424

)


86



(219

)

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives..............

119



92



135



(304

)

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates....................................................

6



9



13



18


Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale.............................................................................................................................

372



(1,547

)


826



(1,547

)

Other income (loss).................................................................................................

(55

)


5



(78

)


(8

)

Total other revenues.....................................................................................................

628



(1,865

)


982



(2,060

)

Operating expenses:








Salaries and employee benefits.............................................................................

51



35



115



79


Occupancy and equipment expenses, net...........................................................

9



11



18



21


Real estate owned expenses..................................................................................

20



20



42



49


Other servicing and administrative expenses.....................................................

48



94



153



160


Support services from HSBC affiliates.................................................................

67



79



135



145


Total operating expenses............................................................................................

195



239



463



454


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax.................................

404



(2,451

)


860



(3,244

)

Income tax (expense) benefit........................................................................................

(133

)


939



(285

)


1,227


Income (loss) from continuing operations...............................................................

271



(1,512

)


575



(2,017

)

Discontinued operations (Note 2):








Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax......................

(76

)


2,164



(195

)


2,721


Income tax benefit (expense).................................................................................

25



(910

)


66



(1,117

)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations...........................................................

(51

)


1,254



(129

)


1,604


Net income (loss)...........................................................................................................

$

220



$

(258

)


$

446



$

(413

)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Net income (loss)............................................................................................................

$

220



$

(258

)


$

446



$

(413

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:








Net change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax, on:








Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges..................................................

38



(5

)


206



50


Securities available-for-sale, not other-than temporarily impaired..............

-



15



(115

)


6


Other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities available-for-sale.............

-



1



(1

)


1


Pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments, net of tax

1



1



1



1


Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax..........................................

9



(5

)


(11

)


-


Other comprehensive income, net of tax.............................................................

48



7



80



58


Total comprehensive income (loss)............................................................................

$

268



$

(251

)


$

526



$

(355

)

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions,

except share data)

Assets




Cash....................................................................................................................................................................

$

261



$

197


Interest bearing deposits with banks............................................................................................................

434



1,371


Securities purchased under agreements to resell........................................................................................

5,342



2,160


Securities available-for-sale............................................................................................................................

-



80


Receivables, net (including $4.6 billion and $4.9 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, collateralizing long-term debt).................................................................................................

25,933



29,284


Receivables held for sale.................................................................................................................................

4,991



6,203


Properties and equipment, net........................................................................................................................

70



71


Real estate owned.............................................................................................................................................

298



227


Deferred income taxes, net..............................................................................................................................

2,754



3,889


Other assets.......................................................................................................................................................

1,789



1,264


Assets of discontinued operations...............................................................................................................

175



2,032


Total assets.......................................................................................................................................................

$

42,047



$

46,778


Liabilities




Debt:




Due to affiliates (including $478 million and $514 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, carried at fair value)..................................................................................................

$

8,250



$

9,089


Long-term debt (including $9.5 billion and $9.7 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, carried at fair value and $2.6 billion and $2.9 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, collateralized by receivables).........................................................

25,278



28,426


Total debt...........................................................................................................................................................

33,528



37,515


Derivative related liabilities.............................................................................................................................

3



22


Liability for postretirement benefits...............................................................................................................

254



263


Other liabilities..................................................................................................................................................

1,474



1,372


Liabilities of discontinued operations...........................................................................................................

229



1,501


Total liabilities................................................................................................................................................

35,488



40,673


Shareholders' equity




Redeemable preferred stock:




Series B (1,501,100 shares authorized, $0.01 par value, 575,000 shares issued and outstanding).

575



575


Series C (1,000 shares authorized, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares issued and outstanding)............

1,000



1,000


Common shareholder's equity:




Common stock ($0.01 par value, 100 shares authorized; 68 shares issued at both June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively).....................................................................................................

-



-


Additional paid-in capital.........................................................................................................................

23,964



23,974


Accumulated deficit...................................................................................................................................

(18,803

)


(19,187

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss................................................................................................

(177

)


(257

)

Total common shareholder's equity..............................................................................................................

4,984



4,530


Total shareholders' equity.............................................................................................................................

6,559



6,105


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity..................................................................................................

$

42,047



$

46,778


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

2013


2012


(dollars are in millions)

Preferred stock




Balance at the beginning and end of period............................................................................................

$

1,575



$

1,575


Common shareholder's equity




Common stock




Balance at beginning and end of period.............................................................................................

-



-


Additional paid-in capital




Balance at beginning of period.............................................................................................................

23,974



23,966


Employee benefit plans, including transfers and other....................................................................

(10

)


1


Balance at end of period........................................................................................................................

23,964



23,967


Accumulated deficit




Balance at beginning of period.............................................................................................................

(19,187

)


(18,219

)

Net income (loss)....................................................................................................................................

446



(413

)

Dividends on preferred stock...............................................................................................................

(62

)


(61

)

Balance at end of period........................................................................................................................

(18,803

)


(18,693

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss




Balance at beginning of period.............................................................................................................

(257

)


(396

)

Other comprehensive income...............................................................................................................

80



58


Balance at end of period........................................................................................................................

(177

)


(338

)

Total common shareholder's equity at end of period................................................................................

4,984



4,936


Total shareholders' equity at end of period.................................................................................................

$

6,559



$

6,511


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

Six Months Ended June 30,

2013


2012


(in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities




Net income (loss)........................................................................................................................................................

$

446



$

(413

)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations..........................................................................................................

(129

)


1,604


Income (loss) from continuing operations..............................................................................................................

575



(2,017

)

Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:




Provision for credit losses..................................................................................................................................

291



1,529


Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale..........................................

(826

)


1,547


Loss on sale of real estate owned, including lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments............

5



24


Depreciation and amortization...........................................................................................................................

3



4


Mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives...................................................

33



532


Foreign exchange and derivative movements on long-term debt and net change in non-fair value option related derivative assets and liabilities................................................................................................

(463

)


(701

)

Net change in other assets.................................................................................................................................

622



(459

)

Net change in other liabilities.............................................................................................................................

75



(420

)

Other, net...............................................................................................................................................................

49



302


Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations.........................................................................

364



341


Cash provided by (used in) operating activities - discontinued operations....................................................

(75

)


2,437


Cash provided by operating activities....................................................................................................................

289



2,778


Cash flows from investing activities




Securities:




Purchased..............................................................................................................................................................

-



(48

)

Matured.................................................................................................................................................................

-



88


Sold........................................................................................................................................................................

-



14


Net change in short-term securities available-for-sale..........................................................................................

80



(16

)

Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell.........................................................................

(3,182

)


(777

)

Net change in interest bearing deposits with banks.............................................................................................

937



(1,690

)

Receivables:




Net collections......................................................................................................................................................

1,501



1,470


Proceeds from sales of receivables...................................................................................................................

3,193



-


Proceeds from sales of real estate owned........................................................................................................

296



345


Purchases of properties and equipment..................................................................................................................

(4

)


(2

)

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities - continuing operations........................................................

2,821



(616

)

Cash provided by investing activities - discontinued operations.....................................................................

215



9,089


Cash provided by investing activities.....................................................................................................................

3,036



8,473






Cash flows from financing activities




Debt:




Net change in commercial paper........................................................................................................................

-



(3,724

)

Net change in due to affiliates...........................................................................................................................

(802

)


(251

)

Long-term debt retired.........................................................................................................................................

(2,574

)


(6,192

)

Shareholders' dividends............................................................................................................................................

(62

)


(61

)

Cash used in financing activities - continuing operations..................................................................................

(3,438

)


(10,228

)

Cash used in financing activities - discontinued operations..............................................................................

-



(189

)

Cash used in financing activities.............................................................................................................................

(3,438

)


(10,417

)

Net change in cash.....................................................................................................................................................

(113

)


834


Cash at beginning of period(1)..................................................................................................................................

397



318


Cash at end of period(2)............................................................................................................................................

$

284



$

1,152


Supplemental Noncash Investing and Capital Activities:




Fair value of properties added to real estate owned.............................................................................................

$

376



$

299


Transfer of receivables to held for sale...................................................................................................................

1,537



6,756


 


(1)        Cash at beginning of period includes $200 million and $103 million for discontinued operations as of January 1, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

(2)        Cash at end of period includes $23 million and $185 million for discontinued operations as of June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.  


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note

  

Page


Note


Page

1


Organization and Basis of Presentation          



10


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income  


2


Discontinued Operations  



11


Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits    


3


Securities              



12


Related Party Transactions               


4


Receivables          



13


Business Segments            


5


Credit Loss Reserves         



14


Variable Interest Entities    


6


Receivables Held for Sale  



15


Fair Value Measurements  


7


Fair Value Option



16


Litigation and Regulatory Matters   


8


Derivative Financial Instruments     



17


New Accounting Pronouncements  


9


Income Taxes       







1.     Organization

 


HSBC Finance Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. ("HSBC North America"), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc ("HSBC"). The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of HSBC Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been made. HSBC Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries may also be referred to in this Form 10-Q as "we," "us" or "our." These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the "2012 Form 10-K"). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern. Such assertion contemplates the significant losses recognized in recent years and the challenges we anticipate with respect to a sustainable return to profitability on a continuing operations basis under prevailing and forecasted economic conditions. HSBC continues to be fully committed and has the capacity to continue to provide the necessary capital and liquidity to fund continuing operations.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Unless otherwise noted, information included in these notes to the consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations for all periods presented. See Note 2, "Discontinued Operations," for further details. Interim results should not be considered indicative of results in future periods.    

 

2.     Discontinued Operations

 


2012 Discontinued Operations:

Insurance On March 29, 2013, we sold our interest in substantially all of our insurance subsidiaries to Enstar Group Ltd. ("Enstar") for $153 million in cash and recorded a gain on sale of $21 million ($13 million after-tax), which is reflected in the table below. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, we had previously recorded a lower of amortized cost or fair value less cost to sell adjustment of $119 million ($90 million after-tax).

The following summarizes the operating results of our discontinued Insurance business for the periods presented:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Net interest income and other revenues(1)...................................................................

$

(2

)


$

(13

)


$

70



$

64


Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax..............................

(7

)


(89

)


6



(100

)

 


(1)        Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

The following summarizes the assets and liabilities which are part of our discontinued Insurance operations at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, which are reported as a component of Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet.

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Cash.............................................................................................................................................................

$

-



$

2


Interest bearing deposits with banks......................................................................................................

-



29


Available-for-sale securities.....................................................................................................................

-



1,411


Other assets................................................................................................................................................

-



226


Assets of discontinued operations.........................................................................................................

$

-



$

1,668


Insurance policy and claim reserves.......................................................................................................

$

-



$

988


Other liabilities............................................................................................................................................

-



224


Liabilities of discontinued operations....................................................................................................

$

-



$

1,212


Commercial Our Commercial business has been in run-off since 1994. Prior to the second quarter of 2012, this business continued to be reported within continuing operations as we continued to generate cash flow from the ongoing collection of the receivables, including interest and fees. Beginning in the second quarter of 2012, we have reported our Commercial business in discontinued operations as there are no longer any outstanding receivable balances or any remaining significant cash flows generated from this business. Our Commercial business was previously included in the "All Other" caption in our segment reporting. The following summarizes the operating results of our discontinued Commercial business for the periods presented:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Net interest income and other revenues(1)............................................................................

$

7



$

1



$

8



$

22


Income from discontinued operations before income tax...................................................

3



-



4



20


 


(1)        Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

2011 Discontinued Operations:

Card and Retail Services On May 1, 2012, HSBC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC USA Inc. and other wholly-owned affiliates, sold its Card and Retail Services business to Capital One Financial Corporation ("Capital One") for a premium of 8.75 percent of receivables. In addition to receivables, the sale included real estate and certain other assets and liabilities which were sold at book value or, in the case of real estate, appraised value. Under the terms of the agreement, interests in facilities in Chesapeake, Virginia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Mettawa, Illinois; Volo, Illinois; Hanover, Maryland; Salinas, California; Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Tigard, Oregon were sold or transferred to Capital One, although we have entered into site-sharing arrangements for certain of these locations for a period of time. The total cash consideration was $11.8 billion, which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $2.2 billion ($1.4 billion after-tax) being recorded during the second quarter of 2012. The majority of the employees in our Card and Retail Services business transferred to Capital One. As such, no significant one-time closure or severance costs were incurred as a result of this transaction. Our Card and Retail Services business is reported in discontinued operations.

The following summarizes the operating results of our discontinued Card and Retail Services business for the periods presented:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Net interest income and other revenues(1)(2)...............................................................

$

-



$

2,431



$

-



$

3,356


Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax(2)(3)........................

(72

)


2,253



(205

)


2,801


 


(1)   Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

(2)   For the six months ended June 30, 2012, amount includes a gain of $79 million resulting from the sale of account relationships to HSBC Bank USA which we had previously purchased from HSBC Bank USA in July 2004. 

(3)     For the six months ended June 30, 2013, amount includes an incremental expense of $100 million recorded based on additional information received relating to actions taken and to be taken in connection with an industry review of enhancement services products. We continue to review information relating to our enhancement services products. As additional information becomes available, further adjustments may be required. Additionally for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the amounts also reflect a legal accrual of $40 million as well as expenses related to activities to complete the separation of the credit card operational infrastructure between us and Capital One. We expect costs associated with the separation of the credit card operational infrastructure to continue through the remainder of 2013. See Note 16, "Litigation and Regulatory Matters," for further discussion of the legal accrual.

The following summarizes the assets and liabilities of our discontinued Card and Retail Services business at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 which are reported as a component of Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet.

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Cash.....................................................................................................................................................................

$

22



$

197


Other assets.......................................................................................................................................................

71



84


Assets of discontinued operations................................................................................................................

$

93



$

281






Other liabilities(1)................................................................................................................................................

$

228



$

283


Liabilities of discontinued operations............................................................................................................

$

228



$

283


 


(1)        At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, other liabilities primarily consists of amounts due to Capital One for cash collections we have received on customer accounts while we continue to service these accounts on an interim basis. Additionally at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, other liabilities also includes $158 million and $59 million, respectively, with respect to enhancement services products as discussed above. 

 


3.     Securities

 


Securities Available-for-Sale  During the first quarter of 2013, we liquidated our remaining securities available-for-sale portfolio and, as a result, do not have any available-for-sale securities at June 30, 2013. Securities consisted of the following available-for-sale investments for continuing operations at December 31, 2012:

 

 

December 31, 2012

Amortized

Cost


Gross

Unrealized

Gains


Gross

Unrealized

Losses


Fair

Value


(in millions)

Money market funds..........................................................................................

$

80



$

-



$

-



$

80


Securities available-for-sale..............................................................................

$

80



$

-



$

-



$

80


Securities Purchased Under Agreements to Resell  Securities purchased under agreements to resell ("Resale Agreements") are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried on our balance sheet at the amount advanced plus accrued interest with a balance of $5.3 billion and $2.2 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  Resale Agreements are collateralized by securities, and the market value of the securities is regularly monitored, with additional collateral obtained when appropriate.  At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the market value of the securities obtained as collateral exceeded the carrying value of the Resale Agreements.

 


4.     Receivables

 


Receivables consisted of the following:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Real estate secured:




First lien..................................................................................................................................................

$

25,798



$

29,301


Second lien.............................................................................................................................................

3,314



3,638


Total real estate secured receivables........................................................................................................

29,112



32,939


HSBC acquisition purchase accounting fair value adjustments...........................................................

40



43


Accrued finance income.............................................................................................................................

879



909


Credit loss reserve for receivables............................................................................................................

(4,098

)


(4,607

)

Total receivables, net..................................................................................................................................

$

25,933



$

29,284


HSBC acquisition purchase accounting fair value adjustments represent adjustments which have been "pushed down" to record our receivables at fair value at the date of acquisition by HSBC.

Net deferred origination fees and costs totaled $205 million and $221 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and are included in the receivable balance. Net unamortized premium on our receivables totaled $114 million and $127 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Collateralized funding transactions Secured financings previously issued under public trusts with a balance of $2.6 billion at June 30, 2013 are secured by $4.6 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables. Secured financings previously issued under public trusts with a balance of $2.9 billion at December 31, 2012 were secured by $4.9 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables.

Age Analysis of Past Due ReceivablesThe following tables summarize the past due status of our receivables at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The aging of past due amounts is determined based on the contractual delinquency status of payments made under the receivable. An account is generally considered to be contractually delinquent when payments have not been made in accordance with the loan terms. Delinquency status may be affected by customer account management policies and practices such as re-age.

 

Current


Days Past Due


Total Past Due




Total Receivables(2)

June 30, 2013

30 - 89 days


90+ days


Current(1)



(in millions)

Real estate secured:










First lien.................................................................................

$

2,563



$

1,522



$

4,085



$

21,713



$

25,798


Second lien............................................................................

258



186



444



2,870



3,314


Total real estate secured receivables(3).............................

$

2,821



$

1,708



$

4,529



$

24,583



$

29,112


 

Current


Days Past Due


Total

Past Due




Total

Receivables(2)

December 31, 2012

30 - 89 days


90+ days


Current(1)



(in millions)

Real estate secured:










First lien.................................................................................

$

2,759



$

2,748



$

5,507



$

23,794



$

29,301


Second lien...........................................................................

316



239



555



3,083



3,638


     Total real estate secured receivables(3)..............................

$

3,075



$

2,987



$

6,062



$

26,877



$

32,939


 


(1)        Receivables less than 30 days past due are presented as current.

(2)        The receivable balances included in this table reflects the principal amount outstanding on the loan and certain basis adjustments to the loan such as deferred fees and costs on originated loans, purchase accounting fair value adjustments and premiums or discounts on purchased loans. However, these basis adjustments on the loans are excluded in other presentations of dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency and nonperforming receivable account balances.

(3)        Our real estate secured receivables have historically been maintained on two mortgage loan servicing platforms which resulted in differences relating to how contractual delinquency is measured. In April 2013, we moved all closed-end real estate secured receivables onto one platform which resulted in the substantial majority of our real estate secured receivables utilizing the same platform. While we experienced an increase in dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency as of June 30, 2013 for the receivables that were moved to the different platform, much of the increase has been offset by improvements in credit quality in other parts of our real estate secured receivable portfolio.   

Nonaccrual receivables Nonaccrual consumer receivables and nonaccrual receivables held for sale are all receivables which are 90 or more days contractually delinquent as well as second lien loans (regardless of delinquency status) where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent. Nonaccrual receivables do not include receivables which have made qualifying payments and have been re-aged such that the contractual delinquency status has been reset to current. If a re-aged loan subsequently experiences payment default and becomes 90 or more days contractually delinquent, it will be reported as nonaccrual. Nonaccrual receivables and nonaccrual receivables held for sale are summarized in the following table.

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Nonaccrual receivable portfolios:




Real estate secured(1)................................................................................................................................

$

1,579



$

3,032


Receivables held for sale.........................................................................................................................

3,726



2,161


Total nonaccrual receivables.........................................................................................................................

$

5,305



$

5,193


 


(1)        At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nonaccrual real estate secured receivables held for investment include $642 million and $1.7 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," for discussion of a transfer of a pool of real estate secured receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013.

The following table provides additional information on our total nonaccrual receivables:

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

2013


2012


(in millions)

Interest income that would have been recorded if the nonaccrual receivable had been current in accordance with contractual terms during the period...................................................................................

$

405



$

462


Interest income that was recorded on nonaccrual receivables included in interest income on nonaccrual loans during the period.................................................................................................................

55



80


Troubled Debt Restructurings Troubled debt restructurings ("TDR Loans") represent receivables for which the original contractual terms have been modified to provide for terms that are at less than a market rate of interest for new receivables because of deterioration in the borrower's financial status.

Modifications for real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivables may include changes to one or more terms of the loan, including, but not limited to, a change in interest rate, an extension of the amortization period, a reduction in payment amount and partial forgiveness or deferment of principal. A substantial amount of our modifications involve interest rate reductions which lower the amount of finance income we are contractually entitled to receive in future periods. By lowering the interest rate and making other changes to the loan terms, we believe we are able to increase the amount of cash flow that will ultimately be collected from the loan, given the borrower's financial condition. Re-aging is an account management action that results in the resetting of the contractual delinquency status of an account to current which generally requires the receipt of two qualifying payments. TDR Loans are reserved for based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans' original effective interest rate which generally results in a higher reserve requirement for these loans.

The following table presents information about receivables and receivables held for sale which as a result of any account management action taken during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 became classified as TDR Loans.

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Real estate secured:








First lien.........................................................................................................................

$

492



$

779



$

988



$

2,010


Second lien....................................................................................................................

43



70



94



215


Total real estate secured....................................................................................................

535



849



1,082



2,225


Personal non-credit card(1)................................................................................................

-



93



28



240


Total(2)..................................................................................................................................

$

535



$

942



$

1,110



$

2,465


 


(1)        As discussed more fully in Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," we sold our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio on April 1, 2013.

(2)        The following summarizes the actions taken during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 which resulted in the above receivables being classified as a TDR Loan.

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Interest rate modification............................................................................................

$

173



$

497



$

392



$

1,225


Re-age of past due account...........................................................................................

362



445



718



1,240


Total...........................................................................................................................

$

535



$

942



$

1,110



$

2,465


The decrease in the volume of new TDR Loans during the first half of 2013 is due to the fact that most of the account management actions taken during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 were on accounts that were already classified as TDR Loans. 

The following table presents information about receivables and receivables held for sale reported as TDR Loans as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

TDR Loans:(1)(2)(3)




Real estate secured:




First lien.......................................................................................................................................................

$

14,813



$

14,607


Second lien..................................................................................................................................................

1,145



1,205


Total real estate secured(4)..............................................................................................................................

15,958



15,812


Personal non-credit card..................................................................................................................................

-



592


Total TDR Loans..............................................................................................................................................

$

15,958



$

16,404






Credit loss reserves for TDR Loans:




Real estate secured:




First lien.......................................................................................................................................................

$

2,826



$

3,104


Second lien..................................................................................................................................................

458



523


Total credit loss reserves for real estate secured TDR Loans(3)(5)............................................................

$

3,284



$

3,627


 


(1)        TDR Loans are considered to be impaired loans regardless of accrual status.

(2)        The TDR Loan balances included in the table above reflect the current carrying amount of TDR Loans and includes all basis adjustments on the loan, such as unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans and premiums or discounts on purchased loans as well as any charge-off recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. Additionally, the carrying amount of TDR Loans classified as held for sale has been reduced by both the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer. The following table reflects the unpaid principal balance of TDR Loans:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Real estate secured:




First lien..............................................................................................................................................

$

18,102



$

18,451


Second lien..........................................................................................................................................

1,289



1,345


Total real estate secured.............................................................................................................................

19,391



19,796


Personal non-credit card.............................................................................................................................

-



1,139


Total TDR Loans.......................................................................................................................................

$

19,391



$

20,935


(3)        At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $3.5 billion of real estate secured receivables and $2.5 billion (of which $1.9 billion are real estate secured receivables) of TDR Loans were reported as receivables held for sale for which there are no credit loss reserves as they are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. 

(4)        At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, TDR Loans held for investment totaling $726 million and $1.5 billion, respectively, are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

(5)        Included in credit loss reserves.

The following table discloses receivables and receivables held for sale which were classified as TDR Loans during the previous 12 months which became sixty days or greater contractually delinquent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Real estate secured:








First lien...................................................................................................................

$

290



$

608



$

630



$

1,430


Second lien..............................................................................................................

28



70



64



155


Total real estate secured...........................................................................................

318



678



694



1,585


Personal non-credit card...........................................................................................

-



75



21



202


Total.............................................................................................................................

$

318



$

753



$

715



$

1,787


 

The volume of TDR Loans which were classified as TDR Loans during the previous 12 months and became sixty days or greater contractually delinquent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was directly impacted by the trailing 12 months of volume of new TDR Loans which increased significantly in 2011 as accounts which were re-aged from 60 days or greater past due or which were 60 or more days past due at the time of re-age were considered new TDR Loans for the first time as a result of the adoption of new accounting guidance for TDR Loans which took place during the third quarter of 2011. As a result, the volume of defaulted TDR Loans is not comparable between the periods presented above.

Additional information relating to TDR Loans, including TDR Loans held for sale, is presented in the table below:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Average balance of TDR Loans:








Real estate secured:








First lien............................................................................................................

$

14,784



$

14,021



$

14,755



$

13,864


Second lien......................................................................................................

1,159



1,155



1,175



1,143


Total real estate secured.....................................................................................

15,943



15,176



15,930



15,007


Personal non-credit card.....................................................................................

-



1,200



-



1,278


Total average balance of TDR Loans......................................................................

$

15,943



$

16,376



$

15,930



$

16,285


Interest income recognized on TDR Loans:








Real estate secured:








First lien............................................................................................................

$

243



$

226



$

485



$

402


Second lien......................................................................................................

28



27



56



48


Total real estate secured.....................................................................................

271



253



541



450


Personal non-credit card.....................................................................................

-



46



40



88


Total interest income recognized on TDR Loans..................................................

$

271



$

299



$

581



$

538


Consumer Receivable Credit Quality Indicators Credit quality indicators used for consumer receivables include a loan's delinquency status, whether the loan is performing and whether the loan is considered a TDR Loan.

Delinquency The following table summarizes dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency and as a percent of total receivables and receivables held for sale ("delinquency ratio") for our loan portfolio:

 


June 30, 2013



December 31, 2012


  

Dollars of

Delinquency


Delinquency

Ratio


Dollars of

Delinquency


Delinquency

Ratio


(dollars are in millions)


Real estate secured:








First lien(1).....................................................................................................

$

6,041



19.62

%


$

5,821



18.01

%

Second lien...................................................................................................

274



8.25



349



9.59


Total real estate secured.............................................................................

6,315



18.52



6,170



17.16


Personal non-credit card...................................................................................

-



-



103



3.24


Total.....................................................................................................................

$

6,315



18.52

%


$

6,273



16.03

%

 


(1)   Dollars of delinquency for first lien real estate secured receivables includes $3.8 billion and $2.2 billion of real estate secured receivables classified as held for sale at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Nonperforming The status of receivables and receivables held for sale is summarized in the following table:

 


Accruing Loans


Nonaccrual

Loans


Total


(in millions)

At June 30, 2013






Real estate secured(1)(2)........................................................................................................

$

27,533



$

1,579



$

29,112


Receivables held for sale.....................................................................................................

1,265



3,726



4,991


Total........................................................................................................................................

$

28,798



$

5,305



$

34,103


At December 31, 2012






Real estate secured(1)(2)........................................................................................................

$

29,907



$

3,032



$

32,939


Receivables held for sale.....................................................................................................

4,042



2,161



6,203


Total........................................................................................................................................

$

33,949



$

5,193



$

39,142


 


(1)        At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nonaccrual real estate secured receivables held for investment include $642 million and $1.7 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

(2)        At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nonaccrual real estate secured receivables held for investment include $1.2 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, of TDR Loans, some of which may also be carried at fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

Troubled debt restructurings See discussion of TDR Loans above for further details on this credit quality indicator.

Concentration of Credit Risk  A concentration of credit risk is defined as a significant credit exposure with an individual or group engaged in similar activities or having similar economic characteristics that would cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions.

We have historically served non-prime consumers. Such customers are individuals who have limited credit histories, modest incomes, high debt-to-income ratios or have experienced credit problems evidenced by occasional delinquencies, prior charge-offs, bankruptcy or other credit related actions. The substantial majority of our secured receivables have high loan-to-value ratios.

Because we primarily lend to individual consumers, we do not have receivables from any industry group that equal or exceed 10 percent of total receivables at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. The following table reflects the percentage of consumer receivables by state which individually account for 5 percent or greater of our portfolio.

 


Percentage of Receivables at



Percentage of Receivables at


  

June 30, 2013



December 31, 2012


Real Estate

Secured


Personal Non-Credit Card


Total


Real Estate

Secured


Personal Non-Credit Card


Total

California..............................................................

9.4

%


-

%


9.4

%


9.4

%


4.5

%


9.0

%

New York.............................................................

7.4



-



7.4



7.4



6.8



7.4


Pennsylvania.......................................................

6.2



-



6.2



6.2



7.0



6.3


Florida..................................................................

6.0



-



6.0



5.8



5.8



5.8


Ohio......................................................................

5.6



-



5.6



5.5



6.5



5.6


Virginia.................................................................

5.2



-



5.2



5.3



3.1



5.1


 

 


5.     Credit Loss Reserves

 


A rollforward of credit loss reserves for receivables in continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Credit loss reserves at beginning of period.........................................................

$

4,313


  

$

5,865



$

4,607


  

$

5,952


Provision for credit losses(1)..................................................................................

267



738



291



1,529


Net charge-offs:








Charge-offs(2).....................................................................................................

(527

)


(1,132

)


(926

)


(2,111

)

Recoveries..........................................................................................................

45


  

102



118


  

203


Total net charge-offs...............................................................................................

(482

)


(1,030

)


(808

)


(1,908

)

Reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale

-



(965

)


-



(965

)

Other..........................................................................................................................

-



-



8



-


Credit loss reserves at end of period....................................................................

$

4,098


  

$

4,608



$

4,098


  

$

4,608


 


(1)     The three and six months ended June 30, 2012 includes $112 million related to the lower of amortized cost or fair value attributable to credit for personal non-credit card receivables transferred to held for sale at June 30, 2012. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," for additional information. This amount was recorded as a provision for credit losses and included in the total of reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale. There was no lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment attributable to credit recorded on the real estate secured receivables transferred to held for sale at either June 30, 2013 or 2012 as these receivables were previously carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell prior to the transfer of the receivable to held for sale. 

(2)     For collateral dependent receivables that are transferred to held for sale, existing credit loss reserves at the time of transfer are recognized as a charge-off. We transferred to held for sale a pool of real estate secured receivables that were carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost and recognized the existing credit loss reserves on these receivables as additional charge-off totaling $119 million  during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and $333 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," for additional information.

The following table summarizes the changes in credit loss reserves by product/class and the related receivable balance by product during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

  


Real Estate Secured


Personal Non- Credit Card


Total

  

First Lien


Second Lien


 

(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2013:








Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period...............................................

$

3,619



$

694



$

-



$

4,313


Provision for credit losses.....................................................................................

250



22



(5

)


267


Net charge-offs:








Charge-offs(3)..................................................................................................

(437

)


(90

)


-



(527

)

Recoveries.......................................................................................................

31



9



5



45


Total net charge-offs..............................................................................................

(406

)


(81

)


5



(482

)

Credit loss reserve balance at end of period..........................................................

$

3,463



$

635



$

-



$

4,098


Six Months Ended June 30, 2013:








Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period...............................................

$

3,867



$

740



$

-



$

4,607


Provision for credit losses.....................................................................................

266



62



(37

)


291


Net charge-offs:








Charge-offs(3).....................................................................................................

(738

)


(188

)


-



(926

)

Recoveries..........................................................................................................

60



21



37



118


Total net charge-offs..............................................................................................

(678

)


(167

)


37



(808

)

Other......................................................................................................................

8



-



-



8


Credit loss reserve balance at end of period..........................................................

$

3,463



$

635



$

-



$

4,098


Reserve components:








Collectively evaluated for impairment...................................................................

$

624



$

176



$

-



$

800


Individually evaluated for impairment(1)...............................................................

2,775



458



-



3,233


Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.......................................................................................................

62



1



-



63


Receivables acquired with deteriorated credit quality...........................................

2



-



-



2


Total credit loss reserves.......................................................................................

$

3,463



$

635



$

-



$

4,098


Receivables:








Collectively evaluated for impairment...................................................................

$

14,300



$

2,166



$

-



$

16,466


Individually evaluated for impairment(1)...............................................................

10,667



1,098



-



11,765


Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.......................................................................................................

823



48



-



871


Receivables acquired with deteriorated credit quality...........................................

8



2



-



10


Total receivables....................................................................................................

$

25,798



$

3,314



$

-



$

29,112


Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:








Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period...............................................

$

4,171



$

779



$

915



$

5,865


Provision for credit losses(2)..................................................................................

508



90



140



738


Net charge-offs:








Charge-offs(3)..................................................................................................

(830

)


(134

)


(168

)


(1,132

)

Recoveries.......................................................................................................

9



15



78



102


Total net charge-offs..............................................................................................

(821

)


(119

)


(90

)


(1,030

)

Reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale..............................................

-



-



(965

)


(965

)

Credit loss reserve balance at end of period..........................................................

$

3,858



$

750



$

-



$

4,608










Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:








Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period...............................................

$

4,089



$

823



$

1,040



$

5,952


Provision for credit losses(2)..................................................................................

1,150



221



158



1,529


Net charge-offs:








Charge-offs(3).....................................................................................................

(1,398

)


(324

)


(389

)


(2,111

)

Recoveries..........................................................................................................

17



30



156



203


Total net charge-offs..............................................................................................

(1,381

)


(294

)


(233

)


(1,908

)

Reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale..............................................

-



-



(965

)


(965

)

Credit loss reserve balance at end of period..........................................................

$

3,858



$

750



$

-



$

4,608


Reserve components:








Collectively evaluated for impairment...................................................................

$

625



$

187



$

-



$

812


Individually evaluated for impairment(1)...............................................................

3,144



561



-



3,705


Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.......................................................................................................

82



1



-



83


Receivables acquired with deteriorated credit quality...........................................

7



1



-



8


Total credit loss reserves.......................................................................................

$

3,858



$

750



$

-



$

4,608


Receivables:








Collectively evaluated for impairment...................................................................

$

18,614



$

2,790



$

-



$

21,404


Individually evaluated for impairment(1)...............................................................

10,918



1,153



-



12,071


Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.......................................................................................................

1,373



68



-



1,441


Receivables acquired with deteriorated credit quality...........................................

35



5



-



40


Total receivables....................................................................................................

$

30,940



$

4,016



$

-



$

34,956


 


(1)        These amounts represent TDR Loans for which we evaluate reserves using a discounted cash flow methodology. Each loan is individually identified as a TDR Loan and then grouped together with other TDR Loans with similar characteristics. The discounted cash flow impairment analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans. The receivable balance above excludes TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $726 million and $671 million at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The reserve component above excludes credit loss reserves for TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $51 million and $41 million at June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These credit loss reserves are reflected within receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in the table above.

(2)        The three and six months ended June 30, 2012 includes $112 million related to the lower of amortized cost or fair value attributable to credit for personal non-credit card receivables transferred to held for sale at June 30, 2012. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," for additional information.

(3)        For collateral dependent receivables that are transferred to held for sale, existing credit loss reserves at the time of transfer are recognized as a charge-off. We transferred to held for sale a pool of real estate secured receivables that were carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost and recognized the existing credit loss reserves on these receivables as additional charge-off totaling $119 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and $333 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," for additional information.

 


6.     Receivables Held for Sale

 


 

Real Estate Secured Receivables As discussed in prior filings, we have been engaged in an on-going evaluation of our balance sheet taking into consideration our liquidity, capital and funding requirements as well as capital requirements of HSBC. As part of this on-going evaluation, we identified a pool of real estate secured receivables, all of which at one time were greater than 180 days past due, for which we no longer had the intent to hold for the foreseeable future and, as a result, transferred this pool of real estate secured receivables to receivables held for sale during the second quarter of 2012. The receivable pool identified comprised first lien partially charged-off accounts as of June 30, 2012, with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $8.1 billion at the time of transfer. The net realizable value of these receivables after considering the fair value of the property less cost to sell was approximately $4.6 billion prior to transfer. Selling these types of assets is expected to be capital accretive and will reduce funding requirements, accelerate portfolio wind-down and also alleviate some operational burden given that these receivables are servicing intense and subject to foreclosure delays. Receivables which were at one time greater than 180 days past due require substantial amounts of capital under U.K. banking regulatory requirements and the extension of the foreclosure timeline in the U.S. has increased the capital requirements for this run-off book of business. These factors combined with the increase in the market's appetite for this asset class, led us to the decision that the sale of certain of these assets would be the best financial decision.

On June 1, 2013, we completed the sale of a pool of real estate secured receivables with an unpaid principal balance of $439 million (carrying value of $230 million) at the time of sale to a third-party investor for cash consideration of $229 million which resulted in a loss on sale of $9 million during the second quarter of 2013 primarily related to transaction fees. On August 1, 2013, we completed the sale of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables with an unpaid principal balance of $685 million (carrying value of $396 million) at the time of sale to a third-party investor for cash consideration of $405 million. As these receivables were carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value at June 30, 2013, we do not expect any significant impact to our earnings will be recorded during the third quarter of 2013.

The market demand for first lien partially charged-off accounts has been strong throughout the first half of 2013. As a direct result of this increased market demand, in June 2013, we decided we no longer have the intent to hold for investment first lien real estate secured receivables once they have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, subject to certain exceptions, principally receivables associated with secured financings which are not saleable. As a result, we adopted a formal program to initiate sale activities for real estate secured receivables in our held for investment portfolio when a receivable meeting pre-determined criteria is written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies (generally 180 days past due). During the second quarter of 2013, we transferred real estate secured receivables to held for sale with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $2.6 billion at the time of transfer. The net realizable value (carrying value) of these receivables after considering the fair value of the property less cost to sell was approximately $1.8 billion prior to transfer.

As we now plan to sell these receivables to a third party investor, fair value represents the price we believe a third party investor would pay to acquire the receivable portfolios. A third party investor would incorporate a number of assumptions in predicting future cash flows, such as differences in overall cost of capital assumptions, which may result in a lower estimate of fair value for the cash flows associated with the receivables. Accordingly, during the second quarter of 2013 we recorded a lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment of $99 million to the newly transferred loans, all of which was attributable to non-credit related factors and was recorded as a component of total other revenues in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

We expect that receivables held for sale at June 30, 2013 will be sold in multiple transactions generally over the next 18 months or, if the foreclosure process is completed prior to sale, the underlying properties acquired in satisfaction of the receivables will be classified as real estate owned ("REO") and sold. As we continue to work with borrowers, we may also agree to a short sale whereby the property is sold by the borrower at a price which has been pre-negotiated with us and the borrower is released from further obligation. Accordingly, based on the projected timing of loan sales and the expected flow of foreclosure volume into REO over the next 18 months, a portion of the real estate secured receivables classified as held for sale will ultimately become REO. Upon classification of the underlying properties acquired in satisfaction of these loans as REO, the properties will be recorded at the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, which we expect will represent a higher value than the price a third party investor would have paid to acquire the receivables as explained above. As a result, a portion of the fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale may be reversed in earnings over time. This estimate of fair value is highly dependent upon the timing and size of future receivable sales as well as the volume and timelines associated with foreclosure activity. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we transferred a portion of our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for sale with a carrying value of $118 million and $230 million, respectively, to REO after obtaining title to the underlying collateral and reversed a portion of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment previously recorded totaling $16 million and $49 million, respectively. Additionally, during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we completed short sales on real estate secured receivables with a carrying value of $53 million and $88 million, respectively. As a result of these short sales, we reversed a portion of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment previously recorded totaling $2 million and $11 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, as the agreed price was higher than the carrying value.

Personal Non-Credit Card Receivables In the second quarter of 2012, we determined that, given market conditions for the personal non-credit card receivable portfolio, a sale of our remaining personal non-credit card receivables would reduce a significant amount of risk-weighted assets which would provide net capital relief, reduce funding requirements and allow us to exit an entire product line, reducing both the related cost infrastructure and operational risk. As such, during the second quarter of 2012, we made the decision to pursue a sale of the personal non-credit card receivable portfolio. The personal non-credit card receivable portfolio was previously held for investment purposes and was transferred to held for sale during the second quarter of 2012 as we no longer had the intention to hold our portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables for the foreseeable future and expected these receivables would be sold in the near term. The personal non-credit card receivable portfolio has not been reported as discontinued operations as it does not qualify as a component of our business as the cash flows and operations related to our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio are not clearly distinguishable from the cash flows and operations of our real estate secured receivable portfolio.

On March 5, 2013, we entered into an agreement to sell our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to trusts for which affiliates of Springleaf Finance, Inc. ("Springleaf"), Newcastle Investment Corp. and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Advisors L.L.C. are the sole beneficiaries (collectively, the "Purchasers"). On March 5, 2013, we also entered into an agreement to sell a loan servicing facility and related assets located in London, Kentucky (the "Facility") to Springleaf. On April 1, 2013, we completed the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio with a carrying value of $2.9 billion at March 31, 2013 to the Purchasers. Total cash consideration received was $3.0 billion. During the second quarter of 2013, we recorded a loss on sale of $11 million primarily related to transaction fees. We will continue to service these personal non-credit card receivables for the Purchasers for a fee for a period of time as the Purchasers convert the receivables to their systems. Upon the conversion of these receivable to their systems, the majority of the employees who are performing these servicing activities are expected to transfer to the Purchaser. Servicing fee revenues recorded for servicing these personal non-credit card receivables during the second quarter of 2013 totaled $12 million. It is currently expected that this conversion and the sale of the Facility in London, Kentucky will be completed during the second half of 2013. 

The following table summarizes receivables held for sale which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

First lien real estate secured...........................................................................................................................

$

4,991



$

3,022


Personal non-credit card.................................................................................................................................

-



3,181


Total receivables held for sale.......................................................................................................................

$

4,991



$

6,203


 

The table below summarizes the activity in receivables held for sale during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

 


Real Estate Secured


Personal Non-Credit Card


Total


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2013:






Receivables held for sale at beginning of period.........................................................

$

3,407



$

2,947



$

6,354


Receivable sales:






First lien real estate secured......................................................................................

(230

)


-



(230

)

Personal non-credit card receivables.......................................................................

-



(2,947

)


(2,947

)

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale.......

471



-



471


Carrying value of real estate secured receivables held for sale settled through short sale or transfer to REO...........................................................................................

(171

)


-



(171

)

Change in receivable balance, including collections..................................................

(23

)


-



(23

)

Transfer of first lien real estate secured into held for sale at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.............................................................................................

1,537



-



1,537


Receivables held for sale at end of period(1).................................................................

$

4,991



$

-



$

4,991








Six Months Ended June 30, 2013:






Receivables held for sale at beginning of period.........................................................

$

3,022



$

3,181



$

6,203


Receivable sales:






First lien real estate secured......................................................................................

(230

)


-



(230

)

Personal non-credit card receivables.......................................................................

-



(2,947

)


(2,947

)

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale.......

1,007



(82

)


925


Carrying value of real estate secured receivables held for sale settled through short sale or transfer to REO...........................................................................................

(318

)


-



(318

)

Change in receivable balance, including collections..................................................

(27

)


(152

)


(179

)

Transfer of first lien real estate secured into held for sale at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.............................................................................................

1,537



-



1,537


Receivables held for sale at end of period(1).................................................................

$

4,991



$

-



$

4,991


 


(1)        Net of a valuation allowance of $309 million at June 30, 2013. The following table provides a rollforward of our valuation allowance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013:

 


Three Months Ended June 30, 2013


Six Months Ended June 30, 2013


(in millions)

Balance at beginning of period..........................................................................................

$

898



$

1,452


Initial valuation allowance for receivables transferred to held for sale during the period....

99



99


Release of valuation allowance resulting from improvements in fair value........................

(471

)


(925

)

Release of valuation allowance for collections, loans sold, charged-off, transferred to REO or short sale.............................................................................................................

(217

)


(317

)

Balance at June 30, 2013..................................................................................................

$

309



$

309


During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we reversed $453 million and $947 million, respectively, of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to an increase in the relative fair value of the real estate secured receivables held for sale during the first half of 2013 largely due to improved conditions in the housing industry driven by increased property values and, to a lesser extent, lower required market yields and increased investor demand for these types of receivables. During the first quarter of 2013, the fair value of the personal non-credit card receivables held for sale decreased by $82 million, reflecting the excess of the interest and fee income on the loans over the fees received from the Purchasers as the sale agreement called for interest and fees on the loans to pass to the Purchasers after December 31, 2012 in return for a cost of carry and servicing fee to be paid to the seller.

The following table summarizes the components of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded in other revenues during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

 


Lower of Amortized Cost or Fair Value Adjustments Associated With




Fair Value


REO


Short Sales


Total


(in millions)

(Income)/Expense:








Three Months Ended June 30, 2013:








Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments recorded as a component of:








Provision for credit losses.................................................................

$

-



$

-



$

-



$

-


Other revenues:








Initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment............

99



-



-



99


Subsequent to initial transfer to held for sale(1)........................

(453

)


(16

)


(2

)


(471

)

Total recorded through other revenues.....................................

(354

)


(16

)


(2

)


(372

)

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment.................................

$

(354

)


$

(16

)


$

(2

)


$

(372

)









Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:








Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments recorded as a component of:








Provision for credit losses.................................................................

$

112



$

-



$

-



$

112


Other revenues:








Initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment............

1,547



-



-



1,547


Total recorded through other revenues.....................................

1,547



-



-



1,547


Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment.................................

$

1,659



$

-



$

-



$

1,659










Six Months Ended June 30, 2013:








Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments recorded as a component of:








Provision for credit losses.................................................................

$

-



$

-



$

-



$

-


Other revenues:








Initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment............

99



-



-



99


Subsequent to initial transfer to held for sale(1)........................

(865

)


(49

)


(11

)


(925

)

Total recorded through other revenues.....................................

(766

)


(49

)


(11

)


(826

)

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment.................................

$

(766

)


$

(49

)


$

(11

)


$

(826

)

















Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:








Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments recorded as a component of:








Provision for credit losses

$

112



$

-



$

-



$

112


Other revenues:








Initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment

1,547



-



-



1,547


Total recorded through other revenues

1,547



-



-



1,547


Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment

$

1,659



$

-



$

-



$

1,659


 


 

(1)        For the three months ended June 30, 2013, the fair value amount relates to an increase in the relative fair value of real estate secured receivables held for sale.  For the six months ended June 30, 2013, the fair value of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment reflects an increase in the relative fair value of $947 million related to real estate secured receivables held for sale and an additional charge of $82 million related to personal non-credit card receivables prior to the sale of this portfolio on April 1, 2013.


7.  Fair Value Option 

 


We have elected to apply fair value option ("FVO") reporting to certain of our fixed rate debt issuances which also qualify for FVO reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards. At June 30, 2013, fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO totaled $10.0 billion, of which $9.5 billion is included as a component of long-term debt and $.5 billion is included as a component of due to affiliates. At June 30, 2013, we had not elected FVO for $7.3 billion of fixed rate long-term debt carried on our balance sheet.  Fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO at June 30, 2013 has an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $9.3 billion which included a foreign currency translation adjustment relating to our foreign denominated FVO debt which increased the debt balance by $166 million

At December 31, 2012, fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO totaled $10.2 billion, of which $9.7 billion is included as a component of long-term debt and $.5 billion is included as a component of due to affiliates. At December 31, 2012, we had not elected FVO for $8.1 billion of fixed rate long-term debt carried on our balance sheet. Fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO at December 31, 2012 has an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $9.4 billion which included a foreign currency translation adjustment relating to our foreign denominated FVO debt which increased the debt balance by $247 million.

We determine the fair value of the fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO through the use of a third party pricing service. Such fair value represents the full market price (including credit and interest rate impacts) based on observable market data for the same or similar debt instruments. See Note 15, "Fair Value Measurements," for a description of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO.

The components of gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives are as follows:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value(1):








Interest rate component...........................................................................................

$

119



$

12



$

205



$

91


Credit risk component..............................................................................................

23



18



(18

)


(461

)

Total mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value..............................................

142



30



187



(370

)

Mark-to-market on the related derivatives(1)...............................................................

(107

)


(46

)


(220

)


(162

)

Net realized gains on the related derivatives..............................................................

84



108



168



228


Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives......................

$

119



$

92



$

135



$

(304

)

 


(1)        Mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives excludes market value changes due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency translation gains (losses) recorded in derivative related income (expense) associated with debt designated at fair value was a loss of $29 million and a gain of $144 million during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and a gain of $81 million and a gain of $84 million during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Offsetting gains (losses) recorded in derivative related income (expense) associated with the related derivatives was a gain of $29 million and a loss of $144 million during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and a loss of $81 million and a loss of $84 million during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The movement in the fair value reflected in gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives includes the effect of our own credit spread changes and interest rate changes, including any economic ineffectiveness in the relationship between the related swaps and our debt and any realized gains or losses on those swaps. With respect to the credit component, as our credit spreads narrow accounting losses are booked and the reverse is true if credit spreads widen. Differences arise between the movement in the fair value of our debt and the fair value of the related swap due to the different credit characteristics and differences in the calculation of fair value for debt and derivatives. The size and direction of the accounting consequences of such changes can be volatile from period to period but do not alter the cash flows intended as part of the documented interest rate management strategy. On a cumulative basis, we have recorded fair value option adjustments which increased the value of our debt by $637 million and $824 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

The change in the fair value of the debt and the change in value of the related derivatives reflect the following:

•       Interest rate curve -  Rising long-term interest rates during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 resulted in a gain in the interest rate component on the mark-to-market of the debt and a loss on the mark-to-market of the related derivative. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, changes in market movements on certain debt and related derivatives that mature in the near term resulted in a gain in the interest rate component on the mark-to-market of the debt and a loss on the mark-to-market of the related derivative.  As these items near maturity, their values are less sensitive to interest rate movements. Changes in the value of the interest rate component of the debt as compared with the related derivative are also affected by differences in cash flows and valuation methodologies for the debt and the derivatives. Cash flows on debt are discounted using a single discount rate from the bond yield curve for each bond's applicable maturity while derivative cash flows are discounted using rates at multiple points along an interest rate yield curve. The impacts of these differences vary as short-term and long-term interest rates shift and time passes. Furthermore, certain derivatives have been called by the counterparty resulting in certain FVO debt having no related derivatives.

•       Credit - Our secondary market credit spreads widened minimally during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012. However, during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, our credit spreads tightened on overall positive economic news. The tightening of credit spreads was more pronounced during the first quarter of 2012.

Net income volatility, whether based on changes in the interest rate or credit risk components of the mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and the related derivatives, impacts the comparability of our reported results between periods. Accordingly, gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2013 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future periods.


8.     Derivative Financial Instruments 

 


Our business activities involve analysis, evaluation, acceptance and management of some degree of risk or combination of risks. Accordingly, we have comprehensive risk management policies to address potential financial risks, which include credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, and operational risks. Our risk management policy is designed to identify and analyze these risks, to set appropriate limits and controls, and to monitor the risks and limits continually by means of reliable and up-to-date administrative and information systems. Our risk management policies are primarily carried out in accordance with practice and limits set by the HSBC Group Management Board. The HSBC Finance Corporation Asset Liability Committee ("ALCO") meets regularly to review risks and approve appropriate risk management strategies within the limits established by the HSBC Group Management Board. Additionally, our Risk Management Committee receives regular reports on our interest rate and liquidity risk positions in relation to the established limits. In accordance with the policies and strategies established by ALCO, in the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions involving derivative financial instruments. These derivative financial instruments primarily are used as economic hedges to manage risk.

Objectives for Holding Derivative Financial Instruments  Market risk (which includes interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks) is the possibility that a change in interest rates or foreign exchange rates will cause a financial instrument to decrease in value or become more costly to settle. Prior to our ceasing originations in our Consumer Lending business and ceasing purchase activities in our Mortgage Services business, customer demand for our loan products shifted between fixed rate and floating rate products, based on market conditions and preferences. These shifts in loan products resulted in different funding strategies and produced different interest rate risk exposures. Additionally, the mix of receivables on our balance sheet and the corresponding market risk is changing as we manage the liquidation of all of our receivable portfolios. We maintain an overall risk management strategy that utilizes interest rate and currency derivative financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations caused by changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates related to our debt liabilities. We manage our exposure to interest rate risk primarily through the use of interest rate swaps with the main objective of managing the interest rate volatility due to a mismatch in the duration of our assets and liabilities. We manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk primarily through the use of cross currency interest rate swaps. We do not use leveraged derivative financial instruments.

Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements between two counterparties for the exchange of periodic interest payments generally based on a notional principal amount and agreed-upon fixed or floating rates. The majority of our interest rate swaps are used to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates by converting floating rate debt to fixed rate or by converting fixed rate debt to floating rate. We have also entered into currency swaps to convert both principal and interest payments on debt issued from one currency to the appropriate functional currency.

We do not manage credit risk or the changes in fair value due to the changes in credit risk by entering into derivative financial instruments such as credit derivatives or credit default swaps.

Control Over Valuation Process and Procedures  A control framework has been established which is designed to ensure that fair values are either determined or validated by a function independent of the risk-taker. To that end, the ultimate responsibility for the determination of fair values rests with the HSBC Finance Valuation Committee. The HSBC Finance Valuation Committee establishes policies and procedures to ensure appropriate valuations. Fair values for derivatives are determined by management using valuation techniques, valuation models and inputs that are developed, reviewed, validated and approved by the Quantitative Risk and Valuation Group of an HSBC affiliate. These valuation models utilize discounted cash flows or an option pricing model adjusted for counterparty credit risk and market liquidity. The models used apply appropriate control processes and procedures to ensure that the derived inputs are used to value only those instruments that share similar risk to the relevant benchmark indices and therefore demonstrate a similar response to market factors. In addition, a validation process is followed which includes participation in peer group consensus pricing surveys, to ensure that valuation inputs incorporate market participants' risk expectations and risk premium.

Credit Risk  By utilizing derivative financial instruments, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a transaction fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. We manage the counterparty credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments through established credit approvals, risk control limits, collateral, and ongoing monitoring procedures. We utilize an affiliate, HSBC Bank USA, as the primary provider of derivative products. We have never suffered a loss due to counterparty failure.

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately 99.6 percent and 99.7 percent, respectively, of our existing derivative contracts are with HSBC subsidiaries, making them our primary counterparty in derivative transactions. Most swap agreements require that payments be made to, or received from, the counterparty when the fair value of the agreement reaches a certain level. Generally, we provide non-affiliate swap counterparties collateral in the form of cash which is recorded in our balance sheet as derivative financial assets or derivative related liabilities. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair value of our agreements with non-affiliate counterparties did not require us or the non-affiliates to provide collateral.  When the fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties requires the posting of collateral, it is provided in either the form of cash and recorded on the balance sheet, consistent with third party arrangements, or in the form of securities which are not recorded on our balance sheet. The fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties required the affiliates to provide collateral to us of $661 million and $75 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, all of which was received in cash. These amounts are offset against the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting arrangement and recorded in our balance sheet as a component of derivative financial assets or derivative related liabilities. At June 30, 2013, we had derivative contracts with a notional amount of approximately $20.5 billion, including $20.4 billion outstanding with HSBC Bank USA. At December 31, 2012, we had derivative contracts with a notional amount of approximately $26.1 billion, including $26.0 billion outstanding with HSBC Bank USA. Derivative financial instruments are generally expressed in terms of notional principal or contract amounts which are much larger than the amounts potentially at risk for nonpayment by counterparties.

To manage our exposure to changes in interest rates, we entered into interest rate swap agreements and currency swaps which have been designated as fair value or cash flow hedges under derivative accounting principles, or are treated as non-qualifying hedges. We currently utilize the long-haul method to assess effectiveness of all derivatives designated as hedges.

The following table presents the fair value of derivative contracts by major product type on a gross basis. Gross fair values exclude the effects of both counterparty netting and collateral, and therefore are not representative of our exposure. The table below presents the amounts of counterparty netting and cash collateral that have been offset in the consolidated balance sheet.

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


Derivative Financial Assets(1)


Derivative Financial  Liabilities


Derivative Financial Assets(1)


Derivative Financial  Liabilities


(in millions)

Derivatives(2)








Derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges








Interest rate swaps..........................................................................................

$

-



$

-



$

7



$

-


Currency swaps...............................................................................................

-



-



-



-


Fair value hedges.............................................................................................

-



-



7



-










Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges








Interest rate swaps..........................................................................................

19



(190

)


24



(474

)

Currency swaps...............................................................................................

244



(74

)


482



(38

)

Cash flow hedges............................................................................................

263



(264

)


506



(512

)









Non-qualifying hedge activities








Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments








Interest rate swaps.....................................................................................

23



(276

)


23



(1,111

)

Currency swaps..........................................................................................

-



(22

)


-



(7

)

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments............................

23



(298

)


23



(1,118

)









Derivatives associated with debt carried at fair value








Interest rate swaps.....................................................................................

349



-



469



-


Currency swaps..........................................................................................

497



-



678



-


Derivatives associated with debt carried at fair value..........................

846



-



1,147



-


Total derivatives.....................................................................................................

1,132



(562

)


1,683



(1,630

)

Less:  Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet(3)..........................................

1,132



(559

)


1,683



(1,608

)

Net amounts of derivative financial assets and liabilities presented in the balance sheet..........................................................................................................

-



(3

)


-



(22

)

Less:  Gross amounts of cash or financial instrument collateral received/posted not subject to an enforceable master netting agreement....

-



-



-



-


Net amounts of derivative financial assets and liabilities..............................

$

-



$

(3

)


$

-



$

(22

)

 


 

(1)     Derivative assets related to cash flow hedges and non-qualifying hedge activities are recorded within other assets in our consolidated balance sheet.

(2)     All of our derivatives are bilateral over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives.

(3)     Represents the netting of derivative receivable and payable balances for the same counterparty under an enforceable netting agreement. Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet includes collateral received as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 of $661 million  and$75 million , respectively. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we did not have any financial instrument collateral received/posted. 

Fair Value Hedges  Fair value hedges include interest rate swaps to convert our fixed rate debt to variable rate debt and currency swaps to convert debt issued from one currency into U.S. dollar variable rate debt. All of our fair value hedges were associated with debt. We terminated all of our active positions during the first quarter of 2013 to better align our overall hedge position with our overall interest rate risk position, which had changed after the issuance of $1.5 billion in fixed rate debt to HSBC Bank USA in December 2012. As of June 30, 2013, the carrying value of our debt was not impacted by active fair value hedges as all active positions were terminated during the first quarter of 2013. We recorded fair value adjustments to the carrying value of our debt for fair value hedges which increased the carrying amount of our debt by $7 million at December 31, 2012.

The following table presents fair value hedging information, including the gain (loss) recorded on the derivative and where that gain (loss) is recorded in the consolidated statement of income (loss) as well as the offsetting gain (loss) on the hedged item that is recognized in current earnings, the net of which represents hedge ineffectiveness.

 

  



Location of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in Income on Hedged Item and Derivative


Amount of Gain  (Loss)

Recognized in Income

on the Derivative


Amount of Gain  (Loss)

Recognized in  Income

on Hedged Item


Amount of Gain  (Loss)

Recognized in Income

on the Derivative


Amount of Gain  (Loss)

Recognized in   Income

on Hedged Item





Three Months Ended June 30,


Three Months Ended June 30,


Six Months Ended   June 30,


Six Months Ended June 30,


Hedged Item



2013


2012


2013


2012


2013


2012


2013


2012






(in millions)

Interest rate swaps....

Fixed rate

borrowings


Derivative  related income


$

-



$

2



$

-



$

(1

)


$

-



$

(3

)


$

-



$

(1

)

Currency swaps....

Fixed rate

borrowings


Derivative related

income


-



(7

)


-



10



-



(17

)


-



19


Total......





$

-



$

(5

)


$

-



$

9



$

-



$

(20

)


$

-



$

18


Cash Flow Hedges Cash flow hedges include interest rate swaps to convert our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt by fixing future interest rate resets of floating rate debt as well as currency swaps to convert debt issued from one currency into U.S. dollar fixed rate debt. Gains and losses on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI") net of tax and totaled a loss of $152 million and $329 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. We expect $124 million ($80 million after-tax) of currently unrealized net losses are to be reclassified to earnings within one year. However, these reclassified unrealized losses will be offset by decreased interest expense associated with the variable cash flows of the hedged items and will result in no significant net economic impact to our earnings.

The following table provides the gain or loss recorded on our cash flow hedging relationships.

 


Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)


Location of Gain

(Loss) Reclassified

from AOCI into


Gain (Loss) Reclassed From AOCI into Income (Effective Portion)


Location of Gain

(Loss) Recognized

in Income


Gain (Loss) Recognized In Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion)

  

2013


2012


Income

(Effective Portion)

2013


2012


on the Derivative(Ineffective Portion)


2013


2012


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,















Interest rate swaps..

$

32



$

(53

)


Interest expense


$

-



$

(1

)


Derivative related

income


$

-



$

(1

)

Currency swaps.......

23



39



Interest expense


(3

)


(5

)


Derivative related

income


5



(3

)






Derivative loss recognized on termination of hedges


-



-








Total......................

$

55



$

(14

)




$

(3

)


$

(6

)




$

5



$

(4

)

















Six Months Ended June 30,















Interest rate swaps..

$

74



$

37



Interest expense


$

(1

)


$

(4

)


Derivative related

income


$

2



$

-


Currency swaps.......

38



28



Interest expense


(8

)


(11

)


Derivative related

income


19



(1

)






Derivative loss recognized on termination of hedges


(199

)


-








Total......................

$

112



$

65





$

(208

)


$

(15

)




$

21



$

(1

)

Non-Qualifying Hedging Activities  We may enter into interest rate and currency swaps which are not designated as hedges under derivative accounting principles. These financial instruments are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting and are primarily used to minimize our exposure to changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates through more closely matching both the structure and duration of our liabilities to the structure and duration of our assets.

The following table provides detail of the realized and unrealized gain or loss recorded on our non-qualifying hedges:

 

  

Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative

Amount of Gain (Loss)

Recognized in Derivative

Related Income (Expense)


Amount of Gain (Loss)

Recognized in Derivative

Related Income (Expense)

Three Months Ended June 30,


Six Months Ended June 30,

2013


2012


2013


2012



(in millions)

Interest rate contracts.............................

Derivative related income

$

181



$

(424

)


$

264



$

(212

)

Currency contracts..................................

Derivative related income

(1

)


-



(1

)


(4

)

Total..........................................................


$

180



$

(424

)


$

263



$

(216

)

We have elected the fair value option for certain issuances of our fixed rate debt and have entered into interest rate and currency swaps related to debt carried at fair value. The interest rate and currency swaps associated with this debt are non-qualifying hedges but are considered economic hedges and realized gains and losses are reported as "Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives" within other revenues. The derivatives related to fair value option debt are included in the tables below.

The following table provides the gain or loss recorded on the derivatives related to fair value option debt primarily due to changes in interest rates.  See Note 7, "Fair Value Option," for further discussion.

 


Location of Gain (Loss)

Recognized in Income on Derivative

Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Derivative Related Income (Expense)


Three Months Ended June 30,


Six Months Ended June 30,

  

2013


2012


2013


2012



(in millions)

Interest rate contracts.....................

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives

$

(6

)


$

25



$

(7

)


$

40


Currency contracts..........................

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives

(17

)


37



(45

)


26


Total...................................................


$

(23

)


$

62



$

(52

)


$

66


Notional Amount of Derivative Contracts The following table summarizes the notional amounts of derivative contracts:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:




Interest rate swaps..................................................................................................................................

$

3,645



$

4,949


Currency swaps.......................................................................................................................................

4,248



6,063



7,893



11,012


Non-qualifying hedges:




Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:




Interest rate swaps.............................................................................................................................

3,784



6,219


Currency swaps..................................................................................................................................

122



122



3,906



6,341


Derivatives associated with debt carried at fair value:




Interest rate swaps.............................................................................................................................

5,573



5,573


Currency swaps..................................................................................................................................

3,134



3,134



8,707



8,707


Total.................................................................................................................................................................

$

20,506



$

26,060


The decrease in the notional amount of our derivative contracts at June 30, 2013 as compared with December 31, 2012  reflects maturities of $1.9 billion and the termination of $2.4 billion of non-qualifying hedges and $300 million of fair value hedges to better align our overall hedge position with our overall interest rate risk position, which had changed after the issuance of $1.5 billion in fixed rate debt to HSBC Bank USA in December 2012 and revisions in our estimates of the prepayment speeds on the underlying mortgages we are funding. 

 

Additionally, we terminated $1.0 billion of cash flow hedge positions during the first quarter of 2013. As discussed in previous filings, we have approximately $1.0 billion of junior subordinated notes issued to HSBC Finance Capital Trust IX ("HFCT IX").  HFCT IX, which is a related but unconsolidated entity, issued trust preferred securities to third party investors to fund the purchase of the junior subordinated notes. Under the Notices of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPR") issued by the U.S. regulators which would implement the capital provisions of Basel III and was largely unchanged by the final rule that was adopted on July 2, 2013, the trust preferred securities would no longer qualify as Tier I capital.  As a result of these proposed changes, as well as other recent changes in our assessment of cash flow needs, including long term funding considerations, during the first quarter of 2013 we terminated the associated cash flow hedges associated with these notes, which resulted in the reclassification to net income of $199 million of unrealized losses previously accumulated in other comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 


9.     Income Taxes 

 


Effective tax rates are analyzed as follows:

 


2013



2012



(dollars are in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,...............................................................................








Tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate...........

$

141



35.0

%


$

(858

)


(35.0

)%

Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:.....................................................








State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit.............................................

2



.5



(42

)


(1.7

)

Adjustment with respect to tax for prior periods(1).................................

14



3.5



(43

)


(1.7

)

Adjustment of tax rate used to value deferred taxes...............................

(6

)


(1.6

)


-



-


Change in valuation allowance reserves (2)..............................................

(15

)


(3.8

)


3



.1


Other non-deductible/non-taxable items(4)...............................................

(5

)


(1.2

)


(2

)


(.1

)

Impact of foreign operations......................................................................

2



.5



-



-


Other...............................................................................................................

-



-



3



.1


Total income tax expense (benefit)..................................................................

$

133



32.9

%


$

(939

)


(38.3

)%









Six Months Ended June 30,....................................................................................








Tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate...........

$

300



35.0

%


$

(1,136

)


(35.0

)%

Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:








State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit.............................................

5



.6



(45

)


(1.4

)

Adjustment with respect to tax for prior periods(1).................................

4



.5



(44

)


(1.4

)

Adjustment of tax rate used to value deferred taxes...............................

(11

)


(1.3

)


(7

)


(.2

)

Change in valuation allowance reserves (2)..............................................

(5

)


(.6

)


10



.3


Uncertain tax adjustments(3).......................................................................

(5

)


(.6

)


(5

)


(.1

)

Other non-deductible/non-taxable items(4)...............................................

(5

)


(.6

)


(3

)


(.1

)

Impact of foreign operations......................................................................

2



.1



-



-


Other...............................................................................................................

-



-



3



.1


Total income tax expense (benefit)..................................................................

$

285



33.1

%


$

(1,227

)


(37.8

)%

 


(1)        For 2013 and 2012, the amounts relate to corrections to current and deferred tax balance sheet accounts.

(2)        For 2013 and 2012, the amounts relate to changes in valuation allowance on states with net operating loss carryforward periods of 12 to 20 years.

(3)        For 2013 and 2012, the amounts primarily relate to the conclusion of state audits and expiration of state statutes of limitations.

(4)        For 2013, the amount relates to a change in the estimated deductibility of accrued costs for certain regulatory matters and a correction to share-based compensation deferred balances.

It is reasonably possible that there could be a change in the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months due to settlements or statutory expirations in various tax jurisdictions. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $106 million and $113 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

It is our policy to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest income in the consolidated statement of income (loss) and to recognize penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions as a component of other servicing and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income (loss). We had accruals for the payment of interest associated with uncertain tax positions of $28 million and $36 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. We have $7 million and $6 million in penalty accruals recorded at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. 

HSBC North America Consolidated Income Taxes  We are included in HSBC North America's consolidated Federal income tax return and in various combined state income tax returns. As such, we have entered into a tax allocation agreement with HSBC North America and its subsidiary entities (the "HNAH Group") included in the consolidated returns which govern the current amount of taxes to be paid or received by the various entities included in the consolidated return filings. As a result, we have looked at the HNAH Group's consolidated deferred tax assets and various sources of taxable income, including the impact of HSBC and HNAH Group tax planning strategies, in reaching conclusions on recoverability of deferred tax assets. Where a valuation allowance is determined to be necessary at the HSBC North America consolidated level, such allowance is allocated to the principal subsidiaries within the HNAH Group as described below in a manner that is systematic, rational and consistent with the broad principles of accounting for income taxes.

The HNAH Group evaluates deferred tax assets for recoverability using a consistent approach which considers the relative impact of negative and positive evidence, including historical financial performance, projections of future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and any available carryback capacity.

In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the HNAH Group estimates future taxable income based on management approved business plans, future capital requirements and ongoing tax planning strategies, including capital support from HSBC necessary as part of such plans and strategies. The HNAH Group has continued to consider the impact of the economic environment on the U.S. businesses and the expected growth of the deferred tax assets. This evaluation process involves significant management judgment about assumptions that are subject to change from period to period.

In conjunction with the HNAH Group deferred tax evaluation process, based on our forecasts of future taxable income, which include assumptions about the depth and severity of home price depreciation and the U.S. economic environment, including unemployment levels and their related impact on credit losses, we currently anticipate that our results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to allow us to realize our deferred tax assets. However, since these market conditions have created losses in the HNAH Group in recent periods and volatility in our pre-tax book income, our analysis of the recoverability of the deferred tax assets significantly discounts any future taxable income expected from continuing operations and relies to a greater extent on continued capital support from our parent, HSBC, including tax planning strategies implemented in relation to such support. HSBC has indicated it remains fully committed and has the capacity and willingness to provide capital as needed to run operations, maintain sufficient regulatory capital, and fund certain tax planning strategies. As financial performance in our U.S. operations improves, it is anticipated that reliance may be placed on projected future operating income in management's evaluation of the recognition of the deferred tax assets.

Only those tax planning strategies that are both prudent and feasible, and which management has the ability and intent to implement, are incorporated into our analysis and assessment. The primary and most significant strategy is HSBC's commitment to reinvest excess HNAH Group capital to reduce debt funding or otherwise invest in assets to ensure that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be utilized.

Currently, it has been determined that the HNAH Group's primary tax planning strategy, in combination with other tax planning strategies, provides support for the realization of the net deferred tax assets recorded for the HNAH Group. Such determination is based on HSBC's business forecasts and assessment as to the most efficient and effective deployment of HSBC capital, most importantly including the length of time such capital will need to be maintained in the U.S. for purposes of the tax planning strategy.

Notwithstanding the above, the HNAH Group has valuation allowances against certain state deferred tax assets and certain Federal tax loss carryforwards for which the aforementioned tax planning strategies do not provide appropriate support.

HNAH Group valuation allowances are allocated to the principal subsidiaries, including us. The methodology allocates the valuation allowance to the principal subsidiaries based primarily on the entity's relative contribution to the growth of the HSBC North America consolidated deferred tax asset against which the valuation allowance is being recorded.

If future results differ from the HNAH Group's current forecasts or the tax planning strategies were to change, a valuation allowance against some or all of the remaining net deferred tax assets may need to be established which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and capital position. The HNAH Group will continue to update its assumptions and forecasts of future taxable income, including relevant tax planning strategies, and assess the need for such incremental valuation allowances.

Absent the capital support from HSBC and implementation of the related tax planning strategies, the HNAH Group, including us, would be required to record a valuation allowance against the remaining deferred tax assets.

HSBC Finance Corporation Income Taxes  We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences related to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for tax credits and net operating and other losses. Our net deferred tax assets, including deferred tax liabilities and valuation allowances, totaled $2.8 billion and $3.9 billion as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

The Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing our income tax returns for the period 2006 through 2009 with an anticipated completion in the second half of 2013.  We remain subject to state and local income tax examinations for years 1998 and forward. We are currently under audit by various state and local tax jurisdictions. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law and the closing of statute of limitations. Such adjustments are reflected in the tax provision. 

 


10.  Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 


Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("AOCI") includes certain items that are reported directly within a separate component of shareholders' equity. The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balances.

 


2013


2012


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,




Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

$

(190

)


$

(439

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Net gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax of $19 million and $(5) million, respectively...................................................................................................................................................................

36



(9

)

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income, net of tax of $1 million and $2 million, respectively(3)............................................................................................................................

2



4


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

38



(5

)

Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

(152

)


(444

)

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, not other-than temporarily impaired:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

-



93


Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on other than temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

-



1


Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax of $- million and $13 million, respectively................................................................................................................................

-



23


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $(4) million, respectively(1).............................................................................................................

-



(8

)

Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

-



15


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

-



109


Unrealized gains (losses) on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities available-for-sale:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

-



-


Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on other than temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

-



(1

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities available-for-sale recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively..................................

-



-


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively(1)................................................................................................................

-



1


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

-



1


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

-



-


Pension and postretirement benefit plan liability:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

(26

)


(11

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Change in unfunded pension and postretirement liability, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively................................................................................................................................

-



-


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively(2)................................................................................................................

1



1


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

1



1


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

(25

)


(10

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

(9

)


12


Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Translation gains (losses), net of tax of $- million and $(1) million, respectively.........................

-



(5

)

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively(3)................................................................................................................

9



-


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

9



(5

)

Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

-



7


Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period..................................................

$

(177

)


$

(338

)





Six Months Ended June 30,




Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

$

(358

)


$

(494

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Net gains arising during period, net of tax of $39 million and $24 million, respectively..............

72



41


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $74 million and $5 million, respectively(3)................................................................................................................

134



9


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

206



50


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

(152

)


(444

)

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, not other-than temporarily impaired:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

115



102


Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on other-than-temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively..................................................................................

-



1


Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax of $- million and $8 million, respectively................................................................................................................................

-



15


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $(62) million and $(4) million, respectively(1)................................................................................................

(115

)


(9

)

Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

(115

)


6


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

-



109






Unrealized gains (losses) on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities available-for-sale:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

1



-


Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on other-than-temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively..................................................................................

-



(1

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities available-for-sale recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively..................................

-



-


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $(1) million and $- million, respectively(1)................................................................................................................

(1

)


1


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

(1

)


1


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

-



-


Pension and postretirement benefit plan liability:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

(26

)


(11

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Change in unfunded pension and postretirement liability, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively................................................................................................................................

-



-


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively(2)................................................................................................................

1



1


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

1



1


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

(25

)


(10

)

Foreign currency translation adjustments:




Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................................................

11



7


Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:




Translation losses, net of tax of $(1) million and $- million, respectively.......................................

(5

)


-


Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $(9) million and $- million, respectively(3)................................................................................................................

(6

)


-


Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period..............................................................................

(11

)


-


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................................................

-



7


Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period..................................................

$

(177

)


$

(338

)

 


(1)        The amounts reclassified during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are included in income (loss) from discontinued operations in our consolidated statement of income (loss).

(2)     The amounts reclassified during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are included as a component of salaries and employee benefits in our consolidated statement of income (loss).

(3)        See the tables below for the components of the amounts reclassified during the three and  six months ended June 30, 2013 into income and location in our consolidated statement of income (loss)

The following table provides additional information related to amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income into the consolidated statement of income (loss) during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.

 

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components


Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)(1)


Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income (Loss)



(in millions)



Three Months Ended June 30, 2013:





Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:





Interest rate and currency swaps.................................................


$

(3

)


Interest expense

Derivative loss recognized on termination of hedge relationship......................................................................................


-



Derivative related income (expense)

Total before tax.......................................................................................


(3

)



Tax expense (benefit).............................................................................


(1

)



Net of tax..................................................................................................


$

(2

)








Foreign currency translation adjustments:





Sale of Insurance business..............................................................


$

-



Income (loss) on discontinued operations

Closure of foreign legal entity.........................................................


9



Other income

Total before tax.......................................................................................


9




Tax expense (benefit).............................................................................


-




Net of tax..................................................................................................


$

9









Six Months Ended June 30, 2013:





Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:





Interest rate and currency swaps.................................................


$

(9

)


Interest expense

Derivative loss recognized on termination of hedge relationship......................................................................................


(199

)


Derivative related income (expense)

Total before tax.......................................................................................


(208

)



Tax expense (benefit).............................................................................


(74

)



Net of tax..................................................................................................


$

(134

)








Foreign currency translation adjustments:





Sale of Insurance business..............................................................


$

(24

)


Income (loss) on discontinued operations

Closure of foreign legal entity.........................................................


9



Other income

Total before tax.......................................................................................


(15

)



Tax expense (benefit).............................................................................


(9

)



Net of tax..................................................................................................


$

(6

)



 


(1)    Amounts in parenthesis indicate expenses recognized in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

 


11.  Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 


The components of pension expense for the defined benefit pension plan reflected in our consolidated statement of income (loss)  are shown in the table below and reflect the portion of the pension expense of the combined HSBC North America Pension Plan (either the "HSBC North America Pension Plan" or the "Plan") which has been allocated to HSBC Finance Corporation: 

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Service cost - benefits earned during the period......................................................

$

2



$

3



$

4



$

4


Interest cost on projected benefit obligation.............................................................

14



12



28



21


Expected return on assets.............................................................................................

(18

)


(17

)


(36

)


(27

)

Recognized losses..........................................................................................................

11



7



22



12


Pension expense.............................................................................................................

$

9



$

5



$

18



$

10


Pension expense was higher during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to higher interest costs and higher recognized losses, partially offset by higher expected returns on plan assets due to higher asset levels.

Components of the net periodic benefit for our postretirement medical plan benefits other than pensions are as follows:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Service cost - benefits earned during the period...............................................................

$

-



$

-



$

-



$

-


Interest cost.............................................................................................................................

2



2



4



3


Net periodic postretirement benefit cost.............................................................................

$

2



$

2



$

4



$

3


 


12.  Related Party Transactions

 


In the normal course of business, we conduct transactions with HSBC and its subsidiaries. These transactions occur at prevailing market rates and terms and include funding arrangements, derivative execution, servicing arrangements, information technology and some centralized support services, item and statement processing services, banking and other miscellaneous services. The following tables present related party balances and the income (expense) generated by related party transactions for continuing operations:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Assets:




Cash..................................................................................................................................................................

$

258



$

193


Securities purchased under agreements to resell......................................................................................

5,342



2,160


Other assets.....................................................................................................................................................

20



105


Total assets.....................................................................................................................................................

$

5,620



$

2,458


Liabilities:




Due to affiliates (includes $478 million and $514 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 carried at fair value, respectively)................................................................................................................

$

8,250



$

9,089


Derivative related liability..............................................................................................................................

-



18


Other liabilities(1).............................................................................................................................................

7



83


Total liabilities.................................................................................................................................................

$

8,257



$

9,190


 


(1)        Other liabilities includes $54 million at June 30, 2013 related to accrued interest receivable on derivative positions with affiliates. There were no similar balances at December 31, 2012.

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Income/(Expense):








Interest income from HSBC affiliates.........................................................................

$

1



$

1



$

2



$

2


Interest expense paid to HSBC affiliates(1)................................................................

(119

)


(141

)


(258

)


(280

)

Net interest income (loss)............................................................................................

$

(118

)


$

(140

)


$

(256

)


$

(278

)

Gain (loss) on FVO debt with affiliate........................................................................

$

34



$

(5

)


$

37



$

(19

)

HSBC affiliate income:








Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates:








Real estate secured servicing and related fees from HSBC Bank USA....

$

2



$

2



$

5



$

5


Other servicing, processing and support revenues....................................

1



3



2



5


HSBC Technology and Services (USA) Inc. ("HTSU") administrative fees and rental revenue(2)..............................................................................................

3



4



6



8


Total servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates.........................................

$

6



$

9



$

13



$

18


Support services from HSBC affiliates.......................................................................

$

(67

)


$

(79

)


$

(135

)


$

(145

)

Stock based compensation expense with HSBC......................................................

$

(2

)


$

(2

)


$

(4

)


$

(4

)

 


(1)        Includes interest expense paid to HSBC affiliates for debt held by HSBC affiliates as well as net interest paid to or received from HSBC affiliates on risk management hedges related to non-affiliated debt.

(2)        Rental revenue/(expense) from HTSU totaled $3 million and $6 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $4 million and $7 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

Transactions with HSBC USA Inc., including HSBC Bank USA:

•       In 2003 and 2004, we sold approximately $3.7 billion of real estate secured receivables to HSBC Bank USA. We continue to service these receivables for a fee. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we were servicing receivables totaling $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively. Servicing fees for these receivables totaled $1 million and $2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 compared with $1 million and $2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively.

•       Under multiple service level agreements, we also provide various services to HSBC Bank USA, including processing activities and other operational and administrative support. Fees received for these services are reported as Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates.

•       In the fourth quarter of 2009, an initiative was begun to streamline the servicing of real estate secured receivables across North America. As a result, certain functions that we had previously performed for our mortgage customers were being performed by HSBC Bank USA for all North America mortgage customers, including our mortgage customers. Additionally, we began performing certain functions for all North America mortgage customers where these functions had been previously provided separately by each entity. During 2011, we began a process to separate these functions so that each entity will be servicing its own mortgage customers when the process is completed. The following table summarizes fees received and paid during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively:

 


2013


2012


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,




Fees received from HSBC Bank USA........................................................................................................

$

1



$

1


Fees paid to HSBC Bank USA...................................................................................................................

-



1






Six Months Ended June 30,




Fees received from HSBC Bank USA........................................................................................................

$

3



$

3


Fees paid to HSBC Bank USA...................................................................................................................

-



3


•       In July 2010, we transferred certain employees in our real estate secured receivable servicing department to a subsidiary of HSBC Bank USA. These employees continue to service our real estate secured receivable portfolio and we pay a fee to HSBC Bank USA for these services. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we paid $15 million and $31 million, respectively, compared with $14 million and $28 million, respectively, for services we received from HSBC Bank USA during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

•       The notional amount of derivative contracts outstanding with HSBC subsidiaries totaled $20.4 billion and $26.0 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. When the fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties requires the posting of collateral, it is provided in either the form of cash and recorded on the balance sheet, consistent with third party arrangements, or in the form of securities which are not recorded on our balance sheet. The fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties required the affiliate to provide collateral to us of $661 million and $75 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, all of which was received in cash. These amounts are offset against the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting arrangement.

•       During the fourth quarter of 2011, HSBC USA Inc. extended a $3.0 billion 364-day uncommitted revolving credit agreement to us which allows for borrowings with maturities of up to 15 years. During the second quarter of 2012, an amendment was executed to increase the credit agreement to $4.0 billion. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the agreement was extended to the fourth quarter of 2013. As of both June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $2.0 billion was outstanding under this credit agreement with $512 million maturing in September 2017 and $1.5 billion maturing in January 2018.

•       HSBC Bank USA extended a $1.5 billion uncommitted secured credit facility to certain of our subsidiaries in December 2008. This credit facility currently matures in November 2013.  Any draws on this credit facility require regulatory approval. There were no balances outstanding at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

•       In May 2012, HSBC USA Inc. extended a $2.0 billion committed revolving credit facility to us which expires in May 2017. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility.

Transactions with HSBC USA Inc. and HSBC Bank USA involving our Discontinued Operations:

•       As it relates to our discontinued credit card operations, in January 2009 we sold our General Motors ("GM") and Union Plus ("UP") portfolios to HSBC Bank USA with an outstanding principal balance of $12.4 billion at the time of sale but retained the customer account relationships. In December 2004, we sold our private label receivable portfolio (excluding retail sales contracts at our Consumer Lending business) to HSBC Bank USA and also retained the customer account relationships. In July 2004, we purchased the account relationships associated with $970 million of credit card receivables from HSBC Bank USA. In each of these transactions, we agreed to sell on a daily basis all new receivable originations on these account relationships to HSBC Bank USA and serviced these receivables for a fee. As discussed in Note 2, "Discontinued Operations," on May 1, 2012, we sold our Card and Retail Services business to Capital One, which included these account relationships and receivables.

Intangible assets of our discontinued credit card operations at December 31, 2011 included $29 million, net, that related to the account relationships we purchased from HSBC Bank USA in July 2004 as discussed above. In March 2012, we sold these account relationships to HSBC Bank USA resulting in a gain of $79 million during the first quarter of 2012 which is included as a component of income from discontinued operations.

The following table summarizes the cumulative amount of receivables sold on a daily basis during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012:

 




Credit Cards



  

Private

Label


General

Motors


Union

Plus


Other


Total


(in billions)

Total of receivables sold on a daily basis to HSBC Bank USA during:










Three Months Ended June 30, 2012..................................

$

1.1



$

1.0



$

.3



$

.1



$

2.5


Six Months Ended June 30, 2012.......................................

4.4



3.9



1.0



1.1



10.4


Gains on the daily sales of the receivables discussed above during 2012 through the date of sale, which are included as a component of income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of income (loss), totaled $10 million and $89 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. No gains were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 following the sale of our Card and Retail Services business to Capital One on May 1, 2012. Fees received for servicing these receivable portfolios during 2012 through the date of sale, which are included as a component of income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of income (loss), totaled $50 million and $207 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. No fees were received during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 following the sale of our Card and Retail Services business to Capital One on May 1, 2012.

The GM and UP credit card receivables as well as the private label receivables were sold to HSBC Bank USA on a daily basis at a sales price for each type of portfolio determined using a fair value calculated semi-annually in April and October by an independent third party based on the projected future cash flows of the receivables. The projected future cash flows were developed using various assumptions reflecting the historical performance of the receivables and adjusted for key factors such as the anticipated economic and regulatory environment. The independent third party used these projected future cash flows and a discount rate to determine a range of fair values. We used the mid-point of this range as the sales price.

Transactions with other HSBC affiliates:

•       Employees of HSBC Finance Corporation participate in one or more stock compensation plans sponsored by HSBC. These expenses are recorded in Salary and employee benefits and are reflected in the above table as Stock based compensation expense with HSBC.

•       HSBC North America's technology and certain centralized support services including human resources, corporate affairs, risk management, legal, compliance, tax, finance and other shared services are centralized within HTSU. Technology related assets are generally capitalized and recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. HTSU also provides certain item processing and statement processing activities to us. The fees we pay HTSU for the centralized support services and processing activities are included in support services from HSBC affiliates. We also receive fees from HTSU for providing them certain administrative services, such as internal audit, as well as receiving rental revenue from HTSU for certain office space. The fees and rental revenue we receive from HTSU are recorded as a component of servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates.

•       We use HSBC Global Resourcing (UK) Ltd., an HSBC affiliate located outside of the United States, to provide various support services to our operations including among other areas, customer service, systems, collection and accounting functions. The expenses related to these services of $1 million and $3 million during the three and six months ended June 30, respectively, are included as a component of Support services from HSBC affiliates in the table above. The expenses related to these services during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 totaled $3 million and $6 million, respectively.

•       Due to affiliates includes amounts owed to subsidiaries of HSBC as a result of direct debt issuances. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, due to affiliates includes $478 million and $514 million carried at fair value under FVO reporting, respectively. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives includes a gain of $34 million and $37 million, respectively, compared with a loss of $5 million and $19 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, related to these debt issuances.

•       During the first quarter of 2012, we executed two new $250 million loan agreements with HSBC Investments (Bahamas) Limited. During the third quarter of 2012, these loans matured and were not renewed.

•       During the second quarter of 2011, we executed a $600 million loan agreement with HSBC North America which provides for three $200 million borrowings with maturities between 2034 and 2035. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $600 million was outstanding under this loan agreement.

•       During the fourth quarter of 2011, we executed a credit facility of $400 million with HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG ("Trinkaus"). As of December 31, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility. This credit facility was terminated in October 2012.

•       During the fourth quarter of 2011, we executed a revolving credit facility of $500 million with HSBC Investments (Bahamas) Limited maturing in April 2014. In October 2012, the amount available under the credit facility was reduced to $100 million.  As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under this loan agreement.

•       In February 2012, HSBC North America extended to us a $455 million, 364-day uncommitted revolving credit facility. In January 2013, the facility was extended until January 2014. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility.

•       During the fourth quarter of 2010, we issued 1,000 shares of Series C preferred stock to HSBC Investments (North America) Inc. ("HINO") for $1.0 billion. We began paying dividends on the Series C preferred stock during the first quarter of 2011. Dividends paid on the Series C Preferred Stock totaled $21 million and $43 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $21 million and $43 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. 

•       We purchase from HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. ("HSI") securities under an agreement to resell. Interest income recognized on these securities is reflected as interest income from HSBC affiliates in the table above.  Securities purchased under agreements to resell increased as compared with December 31, 2012 as a result of the proceeds from the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio on April 1, 2013, the sale of a pool of real estate secured receivables, the run-off of our liquidating receivable portfolios, the sale of REO properties and a requirement to post collateral with us under our derivative agreements, partially offset by the retirement of long term debt.

•       Support services from HSBC affiliates also includes banking services and other miscellaneous services provided by other subsidiaries of HSBC, including HSBC Bank USA.

•       Domestic employees of HSBC Finance Corporation participate in a defined benefit pension plan and other post-retirement benefit plans sponsored by HSBC North America. See Note 11, "Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits," for additional information on this pension plan.

•       We guaranteed the long-term and medium-term notes issued by our Canadian business prior to its sale to HSBC Bank Canada through May 2012 when the notes were paid in full. The fees recorded for providing this guarantee in 2012 were not significant and are included in interest income from HSBC affiliates in the table above. As part of the sale of our Canadian business to HSBC Bank Canada, the sale agreement allowed us to continue to distribute various insurance products through the branch network for a fee which is included as a component of income from discontinued operations. We distributed insurance products for HSBC Bank Canada until the Insurance business was sold on March 29, 2013.

 


13.  Business Segments

 


We have one reportable segment: Consumer. Our Consumer segment consists of our run-off Consumer Lending and Mortgage Services businesses. The Consumer segment provided real estate secured and personal non-credit card loans with both revolving and closed-end terms and with fixed or variable interest rates. Loans were originated through branch locations and direct mail. Products were also offered and customers serviced through the Internet. Our segment results are reported on a continuing operations basis. Prior to the first quarter of 2007, we acquired loans from correspondent lenders and prior to September 2007 we also originated loans sourced through mortgage brokers. While these businesses are operating in run-off, they have not been reported as discontinued operations because we continue to generate cash flow from the ongoing collections of the receivables, including interest and fees. 

Previously we reported our corporate and treasury activities, which included the impact of FVO debt, in the All Other caption in our segment reporting. With the completion of the sale of our Insurance business on March 29, 2013 as more fully discussed in Note 2, "Discontinued Operations," our corporate and treasury activities are now solely supporting our Consumer Lending and Mortgage Services businesses. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2013 we are now reporting these activities within the Consumer Segment and no longer presenting an "All Other" caption within segment reporting. Segment financial information has been restated for all periods presented to reflect this new segmentation. There have been no other changes in measurement or composition of our segment reporting as compared with the presentation in our 2012 Form 10-K. 

We report financial information to our parent, HSBC, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). Our segment results are presented in accordance with IFRSs (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) on a legal entity basis ("IFRSs Basis") as operating results are monitored and reviewed and trends are evaluated on an IFRSs Basis. However, we continue to monitor liquidity and capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP basis. 

A summary of the significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are presented below:

Net Interest Income

Effective interest rate - The calculation of effective interest rates under IAS 39, "Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement" ("IAS 39"), requires an estimate of changes in estimated contractual cash flows, including fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate be included. U.S. GAAP generally prohibits recognition of interest income to the extent the net investment in the loan would increase to an amount greater than the amount at which the borrower could settle the obligation. Under U.S. GAAP, prepayment penalties are generally recognized as received. U.S. GAAP also includes interest income on loans originated as held for sale which is included in other operating revenues for IFRSs. 

Deferred loan origination costs and fees - Loan origination cost deferrals under IFRSs are more stringent and generally result in lower costs being deferred than permitted under U.S. GAAP. In addition, all deferred loan origination fees, costs and loan premiums must be recognized based on the expected life of the receivables under IFRSs as part of the effective interest calculation while under U.S. GAAP they may be recognized on either a contractual or expected life basis.

Net interest income - Under IFRSs, net interest income includes the interest element for derivatives which corresponds to debt designated at fair value. For U.S. GAAP, this is included in gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives which is a component of other revenues.

Other Operating Income (Total Other Revenues)

Loans held for sale - IFRSs requires loans originated with the intent to sell in the near term to be classified as trading assets and recorded at their fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, loans designated as held for sale are reflected as loans and recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under IFRSs, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported in other operating income. Under U.S. GAAP, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported similarly to loans held for investment.

For receivables transferred to held for sale subsequent to origination, IFRSs requires these receivables to be reported separately on the balance sheet when certain criteria are met which are generally more stringent than those under U.S. GAAP, but does not change the recognition and measurement criteria. Accordingly, for IFRSs purposes such loans continue to be accounted for and impairment continues to be measured in accordance with IAS 39 with any gain or loss recorded at the time of sale. U.S. GAAP requires loans that meet the held for sale classification requirements be transferred to a held for sale category at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, the component of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to credit risk at the time of transfer is recorded in the statement of income (loss) as provision for credit losses while the component related to interest rates and liquidity factors is reported in the statement of income (loss) in other revenues.

Extinguishment of debt  - During the fourth quarter of 2010, we exchanged $1.8 billion in senior debt for $1.9 billion in new fixed rate subordinated debt. Under IFRSs, the population of debt exchanged which qualified for extinguishment treatment was larger than under U.S. GAAP which resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt under IFRSs compared with a small loss under U.S. GAAP.  Under U.S. GAAP, we continue to account for a portion of this debt under the fair value option election and, therefore, changes in the fair market value are recognized in earnings under U.S. GAAP.  Under IFRSs, the debt is held at amortized cost.

Securities - Under IFRSs, securities include HSBC shares held for stock plans at fair value. These shares held for stock plans are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. If it is determined that these shares have become impaired, the unrealized loss in accumulated other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss. There is no similar requirement under U.S. GAAP.

Other-than-temporary impairments - Under U.S. GAAP, a decline in fair value of an available-for-sale debt security below its amortized cost may indicate that the security is other-than-temporarily impaired under certain conditions. IFRSs do not have an "other than temporary" impairment concept. Under IFRSs, a decline in fair value of an available-for-sale debt security below its amortized cost is considered evidence of impairment if the decline can, at least partially, be attributed to an incurred loss event that impacts the estimated future cash flows of the security (i.e., a credit loss event). Thus a security may not be considered impaired if the decline in value is the result of events that do not negatively impact the estimated future cash flows of the security (e.g., an increase in the risk-free interest rate). However, until the entity sells the security, it will have to assess the security for credit losses at each reporting date.

Another difference between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs is the amount of the loss that an entity recognizes in earnings on an impaired (other-than-temporarily impaired for U.S. GAAP) available-for-sale debt security. Under U.S. GAAP, if an entity has decided to sell a debt security whose fair value has declined below its amortized cost, or will be more likely than not required to sell the debt security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, it will recognize an impairment loss in earnings equal to the difference between the debt security's carrying amount and its fair value. If the entity has not decided to sell the debt security and will not be more likely than not required to sell the debt security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, but nonetheless expects that it will not recover the security's amortized cost basis, it will bifurcate the impairment loss into a credit loss component and a non-credit loss component, and recognize the credit loss component in earnings and the non-credit loss component in other comprehensive income. Under IFRSs, the entity recognizes the entire decline in fair value below amortized cost in earnings.

REO expense - Other revenues under IFRSs include losses on sale and the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell adjustments on REO properties which are classified as other expense under U.S. GAAP.

Loan Impairment Charges (Provision for Credit Losses)

IFRSs requires a discounted cash flow methodology for estimating impairment on pools of homogeneous customer loans which requires the discounting of cash flows including recovery estimates at the original effective interest rate of the pool of customer loans. The amount of impairment relating to the discounting of future cash flows unwinds with the passage of time, and is recognized in interest income. Also under IFRSs, if the recognition of a write-down to fair value on secured loans decreases because collateral values have improved and the improvement can be related objectively to an event occurring after recognition of the write-down, such write-down is reversed, which is not permitted under U.S. GAAP. Additionally under IFRSs, future recoveries on charged-off loans or loans written down to fair value less cost to obtain title and sell the collateral are accrued for on a discounted basis and a recovery asset is recorded. Subsequent recoveries are recorded to earnings under U.S. GAAP, but are adjusted against the recovery asset under IFRSs. Under IFRSs, interest on impaired loans is recorded at the effective interest rate on the customer loan balance net of impairment allowances, and therefore reflects the collectability of the loans.

As discussed above, under U.S. GAAP the credit risk component of the initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to the transfer of receivables to held for sale is recorded in the statement of income (loss) as provision for credit losses. There is no similar requirement under IFRSs.

Credit loss reserves on TDR Loans for U.S. GAAP are established based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans' original effective interest rate. Under IFRSs, impairment on the residential mortgage loans where we have granted the borrower a concession as a result of financial difficulty is measured based on the cash flows attributable to the credit loss events which occurred before the reporting date. HSBC's accounting policy under IFRSs is to remove such loans from the category of impaired loans after a defined period of re-performance, although such loans remain segregated from loans that were not impaired in the past for the purposes of collective impairment assessment to reflect their credit risk. Under U.S. GAAP, when a loan is impaired the impairment is measured based on all expected cash flows over the remaining expected life of the loan. Such loans remain impaired for the remainder of their lives under U.S. GAAP.

For loans collectively evaluated for impairment under U.S. GAAP, bank industry practice adopted in the fourth quarter of 2012 generally results in a loss emergence period for these loans using a roll rate migration analysis which results in 12 months of losses in our credit loss reserves. Under IFRSs, we concluded that the estimated average period of time from last current status to write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis was 10 months which was also adopted in the fourth quarter of 2012. In the second quarter of 2013, we updated our review under IFRSs to reflect the period of time after a loss event that a loan remains current before delinquency is observed which resulted in an estimated average period of time from a loss event occurring and its ultimate migration from current status through to delinquency and ultimately write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis of 12 months.

Operating Expenses

Pension and other postretirement benefit costs - Pension expense under U.S. GAAP is generally higher than under IFRSs as a result of the amortization of the amount by which actuarial losses exceeds the higher of 10 percent of the projected benefit obligation or fair value of plan assets (the "corridor"). As a result of an amendment to the applicable IFRSs effective January 1, 2013, interest cost and expected return on plan assets is replaced by a finance cost component comprising the net interest on the net defined benefit liability. This has resulted in an increase in pension expense as the net interest does not reflect the benefit from the expectation of higher returns on the riskier plan assets. In 2010, changes to future accruals for legacy participants under the HSBC North America Pension Plan were accounted for as a plan curtailment under IFRSs, which resulted in immediate income recognition. Under U.S. GAAP, these changes were considered to be a negative plan amendment which resulted in no immediate income recognition.

Litigation accrual - Under U.S. GAAP litigation accruals are recorded when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. Under IFRSs, a present obligation must exist for an accrual to be recorded. In certain cases, this creates differences in the timing of accrual recognition between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP.

Share-based bonus arrangements - Under IFRSs, the recognition of compensation expense related to share-based bonuses begins on January 1 of the current year for awards expected to be granted in the first quarter of the following year. Under U.S. GAAP, the recognition of compensation expense related to share-based bonuses does not begin until the date the awards are granted.

Assets

Customer loans (Receivables) - As discussed more fully above under "Other Operating Income (Total Other Revenues) - Loans held for sale," on an IFRSs basis, loans designated as held for sale at the time of origination and accrued interest are classified as trading assets. However, the accounting requirements governing when receivables previously held for investment are transferred to a held for sale category are more stringent under IFRSs than under U.S. GAAP. Unearned insurance premiums are reported as a reduction to receivables on a U.S. GAAP basis but are reported as insurance reserves for IFRSs. IFRSs also allows for reversals of write-downs to fair value on secured loans when collateral values have improved which is not permitted under U.S. GAAP.

Derivatives - Under U.S. GAAP, derivative receivables and payables with the same counterparty may be reported on a net basis in the balance sheet when there is an executed International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA") Master Netting Arrangement. In addition, under U.S. GAAP, fair value amounts recognized for the obligation to return cash collateral received or the right to reclaim cash collateral paid are offset against the fair value of derivative instruments. Under IFRSs, these agreements do not necessarily meet the requirements for offset, and therefore such derivative receivables and payables are presented gross on the balance sheet.

Reconciliation of our IFRS Basis segment results to the U.S. GAAP consolidated totals are as follows:

 

 


IFRS Basis

Consumer Segment

Totals


IFRS

Adjustments(1)


IFRS

Reclassifications(2)


U.S. GAAP

Consolidated

Totals


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2013:








Net interest income..........................................................................

$

493



$

(168

)


$

(87

)


$

238


Other operating income (Total other revenues)...............................

(116

)


658



86



628


Total operating income (loss)..........................................................

377



490



(1

)


866


Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses).....................

124



143



-



267


Net interest income and other operating income less provision for credit losses......................................................................................

253



347



(1

)


599


Operating expenses..........................................................................

153



43



(1

)


195


Profit (loss) before tax.....................................................................

$

100



$

304



$

-



$

404










Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:








Net interest income..........................................................................

$

622



$

(127

)


$

(104

)


$

391


Other operating income (Total other revenues)...............................

(431

)


(1,550

)


116



(1,865

)

Total operating income (loss)..........................................................

191



(1,677

)


12



(1,474

)

Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses).....................

720



18



-



738


Net interest income and other operating income less provision for credit losses..................................................................................

(529

)


(1,695

)


12



(2,212

)

Operating expenses..........................................................................

221



6



12



239


Profit (loss) before tax.....................................................................

$

(750

)


$

(1,701

)


$

-



$

(2,451

)









Six Months Ended June 30, 2013:








Net interest income

$

1,129



$

(327

)


$

(170

)


$

632


Other operating income (Total other revenues)...............................

(315

)


1,120



177



982


Total operating income (loss)..........................................................

814



793



7



1,614


Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses).....................

443



(152

)


-



291


Net interest income and other operating income less provision for credit losses......................................................................................

371



945



7



1,323


Operating expenses..........................................................................

408



48



7



463


Profit (loss) before tax.....................................................................

$

(37

)


$

897



$

-



$

860


Balances at end of period:








Customer loans (Receivables)...........................................................

$

34,498



$

(5,346

)


$

(40

)


$

29,112


Assets...............................................................................................

43,839



(1,967

)


-



41,872










Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:








Net interest income..........................................................................

$

1,267



$

(249

)


$

(219

)


$

799


Other operating income (Total other revenues)...............................

(748

)


(1,563

)


251



(2,060

)

Total operating income (loss)..........................................................

519



(1,812

)


32



(1,261

)

Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses).....................

1,575



(46

)


-



1,529


Net interest income and other operating income less provision for credit losses..................................................................................

(1,056

)


(1,766

)


32



(2,790

)

Operating expenses..........................................................................

410



12



32



454


Profit (loss) before tax.....................................................................

$

(1,466

)


$

(1,778

)


$

-



$

(3,244

)

Balances at end of period:








Customer loans (Receivables)...........................................................

$

44,437



$

(9,435

)


$

(47

)


$

34,955


Assets...............................................................................................

52,696



(3,404

)


-



49,292


 


(1)        IFRS Adjustments consist of the accounting differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs which have been described more fully above.

(2)        Represents differences in balance sheet and income statement presentation between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.


14.  Variable Interest Entities

 


We consolidate variable interest entities ("VIEs") in which we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary through our holding of a variable interest which is determined as a controlling financial interest. The controlling financial interest is evidenced by the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and obligations to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. We take into account all of our involvements in a VIE in identifying (explicit or implicit) variable interests that individually or in the aggregate could be significant enough to warrant our designation as the primary beneficiary and hence require us to consolidate the VIE or otherwise require us to make appropriate disclosures. We consider our involvement to be significant where we, among other things, (i) provide liquidity facilities to support the VIE's debt issuances, (ii) enter into derivative contracts to absorb the risks and benefits from the VIE or from the assets held by the VIE, (iii) provide a financial guarantee that covers assets held or liabilities issued, (iv) design, organize and structure the transaction and (v) retain a financial or servicing interest in the VIE.

We are required to evaluate whether to consolidate a VIE when we first become involved and on an ongoing basis. In almost all cases, a qualitative analysis of our involvement in the entity provides sufficient evidence to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary. In rare cases, a more detailed analysis to quantify the extent of variability to be absorbed by each variable interest holder is required to determine the primary beneficiary.

Consolidated VIEs  In the ordinary course of business, we have organized special purpose entities ("SPEs") primarily to meet our own funding needs through collateralized funding transactions. We transfer certain receivables to these trusts which in turn issue debt instruments collateralized by the transferred receivables. The entities used in these transactions are VIEs. As we are the servicer of the assets of these trusts and have retained the benefits and risks, we determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts. Accordingly, we consolidate these entities and report the debt securities issued by them as secured financings in long-term debt. As a result, all receivables transferred in these secured financings have remained and continue to remain on our balance sheet and the debt securities issued by them have remained and continue to be included in long-term debt.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of these consolidated secured financing VIEs as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012

  

Consolidated

Assets


Consolidated

Liabilities


Consolidated

Assets


Consolidated

Liabilities


(in millions)

Real estate collateralized funding vehicles:








Cash.........................................................................................................

$

2



$

-



$

6



$

-


Receivables, net.....................................................................................

3,987



-



4,197



-


Other liabilities.......................................................................................

-



(40

)


-



(39

)

Long-term debt.......................................................................................

-



2,637



-



2,878


Total...............................................................................................................

$

3,989



$

2,597



$

4,203



$

2,839


The assets of the consolidated VIEs serve as collateral for the obligations of the VIEs. The holders of the debt securities issued by these vehicles have no recourse to our general assets.

Unconsolidated VIEs As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, all of our unconsolidated VIEs, which relate to low income housing partnerships, leveraged lease and investments in community partnerships, are reported within our discontinued operations. We do not have any unconsolidated VIEs within continuing operations.


 

15.  Fair Value Measurements

 


Accounting principles related to fair value measurements provide a framework for measuring fair value and focus on an exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market (or in the absence of the principal market, the most advantageous market) accessible in an orderly transaction between willing market participants (the "Fair Value Framework"). Where required by the applicable accounting standards, assets and liabilities are measured at fair value using the "highest and best use" valuation premise. Fair value measurement guidance effective in 2012 clarifies that financial instruments do not have alternative use and, as such, the fair value of financial instruments should be determined using an "in-exchange" valuation premise. However, the fair value measurement literature provides a valuation exception and permits an entity to measure the fair value of a group of financial assets and financial liabilities with offsetting credit risk and/or market risks based on the exit price it would receive or pay to transfer the net risk exposure of a group of assets or liabilities if certain conditions are met. We have not elected to make fair value adjustments to a group of derivative instruments with offsetting credit and market risks.

Fair Value Adjustments  The best evidence of fair value is quoted market price in an actively traded market, where available. In the event listed price or market quotes are not available, valuation techniques that incorporate relevant transaction data and market parameters reflecting the attributes of the asset or liability under consideration are applied. Where applicable, fair value adjustments are made to ensure the financial instruments are appropriately recorded at fair value. The fair value adjustments reflect the risks associated with the products, contractual terms of the transactions, and the liquidity of the markets in which the transactions occur. The fair value adjustments are broadly categorized by the following types:

Credit risk adjustment - The credit risk adjustment is an adjustment to a group of financial assets and financial liabilities, predominantly derivative assets and derivative liabilities, to reflect the credit quality of the parties to the transaction in arriving at fair value. A credit valuation adjustment to a financial asset is required to reflect the default risk of the counterparty. A debit valuation adjustment to a financial liability is recorded to reflect our default risk. Where applicable, we take into consideration the credit risk mitigating arrangements including collateral agreements and master netting arrangements in estimating the credit risk adjustments.

Liquidity risk adjustment - The liquidity risk adjustment reflects, among other things, (a) the cost that would be incurred to close out the market risks by hedging, disposing or unwinding the actual position (i.e., a bid-offer adjustment), and (b) the illiquid nature, other than the size of the risk position, of a financial instrument.

Input valuation adjustment - Where fair value measurements are determined using an internal valuation model based on unobservable inputs, certain valuation inputs may be less readily determinable. There may be a range of possible valuation inputs that market participants may assume in determining the fair value measurement. The resultant fair value measurement has inherent measurement risk if one or more significant parameters are unobservable and must be estimated. An input valuation adjustment is necessary to reflect the likelihood that market participants may use different input parameters, and to mitigate the possibility of measurement error.

Valuation Control Framework  A control framework has been established which is designed to ensure that fair values are either determined or validated by a function independent of the risk-taker. To that end, the ultimate responsibility for the determination of fair values rests with the HSBC Finance Valuation Committee. The HSBC Finance Valuation Committee establishes policies and procedures to ensure appropriate valuations. Fair values for debt securities and long-term debt for which we have elected fair value option are determined by a third-party valuation source (pricing service) by reference to external quotations on the identical or similar instruments. Once fair values have been obtained from the third-party valuation source, an independent price validation process is performed and reviewed by the HSBC Finance Valuation Committee. For price validation purposes, we obtain quotations from at least one other independent pricing source for each financial instrument, where possible. We consider the following factors in determining fair values:

Ÿ similarities between the asset or the liability under consideration and the asset or liability for which quotation is received;

Ÿ collaboration of pricing by reference to other independent market data such as market transactions and relevant benchmark indices;

Ÿ whether the security is traded in an active or inactive market;

Ÿ consistency among different pricing sources;

Ÿ the valuation approach and the methodologies used by the independent pricing sources in determining fair value;

Ÿ the elapsed time between the date to which the market data relates and the measurement date; and

 Ÿ the manner in which the fair value information is sourced.

Greater weight is given to quotations of instruments with recent market transactions, pricing quotes from dealers who stand ready to transact, quotations provided by market-makers who originally underwrote such instruments, and market consensus pricing based on inputs from a large number of participants. Any significant discrepancies among the external quotations are reviewed by management and adjustments to fair values are recorded where appropriate.

Fair values for derivatives are determined by management using valuation techniques, valuation models and inputs that are developed, reviewed, validated and approved by the Quantitative Risk and Valuation Group of an HSBC affiliate. These valuation models utilize discounted cash flows or an option pricing model adjusted for counterparty credit risk and market liquidity. The models used apply appropriate control processes and procedures to ensure that the derived inputs are used to value only those instruments that share similar risk to the relevant benchmark indexes and therefore demonstrate a similar response to market factors. In addition, a validation process is followed which includes participation in peer group consensus pricing surveys to ensure that valuation inputs incorporate market participants' risk expectations and risk premium.

We have various controls over our valuation process and procedures for receivables held for sale. As these fair values are generally determined using modeling techniques, the controls may include independent development or validation of the logic within the valuation models, the inputs to those models, and adjustments required to outside valuation models. The inputs and adjustments to valuation models are reviewed with management and reconciled to inputs and assumptions used in other internal valuation processes. In addition, from time to time, certain portfolios are valued by independent third parties, primarily for related party transactions, which are used to validate our internal models.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments  The fair value estimates, methods and assumptions set forth below for our financial instruments, including those financial instruments carried at cost, are made solely to comply with disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in this Form 10-Q. The following table summarizes the carrying values and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 


June 30, 2013

  

Carrying

Value


Estimated

Fair Value


Level 1


Level 2


Level 3


(in millions)

Financial assets:










Cash................................................................................................................

$

261



$

261



$

261



$

-



$

-


Interest bearing deposits with banks.........................................................

434



434



-



434



-


Securities purchased under agreements to resell.....................................

5,342



5,342



-



5,342



-


Real estate secured receivables(1):










First lien...................................................................................................

23,090



20,035



-



-



20,035


Second lien..............................................................................................

2,843



1,504



-



-



1,504


Total real estate secured receivables..................................................

25,933



21,539



-



-



21,539


Receivables held for sale.............................................................................

4,991



4,991



-



-



4,991


Due from affiliates.........................................................................................

20



20



-



20



-


Derivative financial assets...........................................................................

-



-



-



-



-


Financial liabilities:










Due to affiliates carried at fair value...........................................................

478



478



-



478



-


Due to affiliates not carried at fair value....................................................

7,772



7,772



-



7,772



-


Long-term debt carried at fair value...........................................................

9,495



9,495



-



9,495



-


Long-term debt not carried at fair value....................................................

15,783



16,122



-



13,667



2,455


Derivative financial liabilities......................................................................

3



3



-



3



-


 

 


December 31, 2012

  

Carrying

Value


Estimated

Fair Value


Level 1


Level 2


Level 3


(in millions)

Financial assets:










Cash................................................................................................................

$

197



$

197



$

197



$

-



$

-


Interest bearing deposits with banks.........................................................

1,371



1,371



-



1,371



-


Securities purchased under agreements to resell.....................................

2,160



2,160



-



2,160



-


Securities........................................................................................................

80



80



80



-



-


Real estate secured receivables(1):










First lien...................................................................................................

26,218



19,586



-



-



19,586


Second lien..............................................................................................

3,066



1,113



-



-



1,113


Total real estate secured receivables..................................................

29,284



20,699



-



-



20,699


Receivables held for sale.............................................................................

6,203



6,203



-



-



6,203


Due from affiliates.........................................................................................

105



105



-



105



-


Derivative financial assets...........................................................................

-



-



-



-



-


Financial liabilities:










Due to affiliates carried at fair value...........................................................

514



514



-



514



-


Due to affiliates not carried at fair value....................................................

8,575



8,654



-



8,654



-


Long-term debt carried at fair value...........................................................

9,725



9,725



-



9,725



-


Long-term debt not carried at fair value....................................................

18,701



19,172



-



16,537



2,635


Derivative financial liabilities......................................................................

22



22



-



22



-


 


(1)        The carrying amount of consumer receivables presented in the table above reflects the amortized cost of the receivable, including any accrued interest, less credit loss reserves as well as any charge-offs recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies.

Receivable values presented in the table above were determined using the Fair Value Framework for measuring fair value, which is based on our best estimate of the amount within a range of values we believe would be received in a sale as of the balance sheet date (i.e. exit price). The secondary market demand and estimated value for our receivables has been heavily influenced by the challenging economic conditions during the past few years, including house price depreciation, elevated unemployment, changes in consumer behavior, changes in discount rates and the lack of financing options available to support the purchase of receivables. For certain consumer receivables, investors incorporate numerous assumptions in predicting cash flows, such as higher charge-off levels and/or slower voluntary prepayment speeds than we, as the servicer of these receivables, believe will ultimately be the case. The investor's valuation process reflects this difference in overall cost of capital assumptions as well as the potential volatility in the underlying cash flow assumptions, the combination of which may yield a significant pricing discount from our intrinsic value. The estimated fair values at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflect these market conditions. The increase in the relative fair value of real estate secured receivables during the first half of 2013 is largely due to improved conditions in the housing industry driven by increased property values and, to a lesser extent, lower required market yields and increased investor demand for these types of receivables. 

 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis  The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.

 


Quoted Prices in

Active Markets for

Identical Assets

(Level 1)


Significant Other

Observable Inputs

(Level 2)


Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)


Netting(1)


Total of Assets

(Liabilities)

Measured at

Fair Value


(in millions)

June 30, 2013










Derivative financial assets:










Interest rate swaps.................................................

$

-



$

391



$

-



$

-



$

391


Currency swaps......................................................

-



741



-



-



741


Derivative netting.................................................

-



-



-



(1,132

)


(1,132

)

Total derivative financial assets.............................

-



1,132



-



(1,132

)


-


Total assets..................................................................

$

-



$

1,132



$

-



$

(1,132

)


$

-


Due to affiliates carried at fair value.............................

$

-



$

(478

)


$

-



$

-



$

(478

)

Long-term debt carried at fair value..............................

-



(9,495

)


-



-



(9,495

)

Derivative related liabilities:










Interest rate swaps.................................................

-



(466

)


-



-



(466

)

Currency swaps......................................................

-



(96

)


-



-



(96

)

Derivative netting.................................................

-



-



-



559



559


Total derivative related liabilities...........................

-



(562

)


-



559



(3

)

Total liabilities.............................................................

$

-



$

(10,535

)


$

-



$

559



$

(9,976

)

December 31, 2012










Derivative financial assets:










Interest rate swaps.................................................

$

-



$

524



$

-



$

-



$

524


Currency swaps......................................................

-



1,159



-



-



1,159


Derivative netting.................................................

-



-



-



(1,683

)


(1,683

)

Total derivative financial assets.............................

-



1,683



-



(1,683

)


-


Available-for-sale securities:










Money market funds

80



-



-



-



80


Total available-for-sale securities

80



-



-



-



80


Total assets..................................................................

$

80



$

1,683



$

-



$

(1,683

)


$

80


Due to affiliates carried at fair value

$

-



$

(514

)


$

-



$

-



$

(514

)

Long-term debt carried at fair value..............................

-



(9,725

)


-



-



(9,725

)

Derivative related liabilities:










Interest rate swaps.................................................

-



(1,585

)


-



-



(1,585

)

Currency swaps......................................................

-



(45

)


-



-



(45

)

Derivative netting.................................................

-



-



-



1,608



1,608


Total derivative related liabilities...........................

-



(1,630

)


-



1,608



(22

)

Total liabilities.............................................................

$

-



$

(11,869

)


$

-



$

1,608



$

(10,261

)

 


(1)        Represents counterparty and swap collateral netting which allow the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts when certain conditions are met.

 

We did not have any U.S. corporate debt securities at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.

Significant Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2 There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three or six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

Information on Level 3 Assets and Liabilities There were no assets or liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three or six months ended June 30, 2013 or 2012.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2013 and 2012, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.

 


Non-Recurring Fair Value

Measurements as of

June 30, 2013


Total Gains

(Losses) for the

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2013


Total Gains

(Losses) for the

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2013

  

Level 1


Level 2


Level 3


Total



(in millions)

Receivables held for sale:












Real estate secured.......................

$

-



$

-



$

4,991



$

4,991



$

372



$

908


Personal non-credit card..............

-



-



-



-



-



(82

)

Total receivables held for sale...........

-



-



4,991



4,991



372



826


Real estate owned(1)............................

-



333



-



333



(18

)


(35

)

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis......................................

$

-



$

333



$

4,991



$

5,324



$

354



$

791


 


Non-Recurring Fair Value

Measurements as of

June 30, 2012


Total Gains

(Losses) for the

Three Months Ended

June 30, 2012


Total Gains

(Losses) for the

Six Months Ended

June 30, 2012

  

Level 1


Level 2


Level 3


Total



(in millions)

Receivables held for sale:












Real estate secured.........................

$

-



$

-



$

3,287



$

3,287



$

(1,349

)


$

(1,349

)

Personal non-credit card................

-



-



3,469



3,469



(310

)


(310

)

Total receivables held for sale.............

-



-



6,756



6,756



(1,659

)


(1,659

)

Real estate owned(1)...............................

-



253



-



253



(27

)


(53

)

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis........................................

$

-



$

253



$

6,756



$

7,009



$

(1,686

)


$

(1,712

)

 


(1)        Real estate owned is required to be reported on the balance sheet net of transactions costs. The real estate owned amounts in the table above reflect the fair value of the underlying asset unadjusted for transaction costs.

The following table presents quantitative information about non-recurring fair value measurements of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 


Fair Value






Range of Inputs




Financial Instrument Type

June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


Valuation Technique


Significant Unobservable Inputs


June 30, 2013



December 31, 2012



(in millions)













Receivables held for sale carried at fair value:















Real estate secured..........

$

4,991



$

3,022



Third party appraisal valuation based on


Collateral  loss severity rates(1)


0

%

-

98%


0

%

-

92

%






estimated loss severities, including collateral values, cash flows and


Expenses incurred through collateral disposition


5

%

-

10%


5

%

-

10

%






market discount rate


Market discount rate


4

%

-

8%


10

%

-

15%

Personal non-credit card(2)..............................

-



3,181




Loss rate


-


-

-



13

%

-

19%






flows and market discount rate


Market discount rate


-


-

-



10

%

-

15%

 


(1)        The majority of the real estate secured receivables held for sale consider collateral value, among other items, in determining fair value. Collateral values are based on the most recently available broker's price opinion and the collateral loss severity rate averaged 31 percent and 37 percent at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

(2)        Our personal non-credit card portfolio held for sale was classified as Level 3 at December 31, 2012. This portfolio of receivables was sold on April 1, 2013 as previously discussed.

Valuation Techniques  The following summarizes the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value but for which fair value disclosures are required.

Cash:  Carrying amount approximates fair value due to the liquid nature of cash.

Interest bearing deposits with banks:  Carrying amount approximates fair value due to the asset's liquid nature.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell:  The fair value of securities purchased under agreements to resell approximates carrying amount due to the short-term maturity of the agreements.

Securities:   The carrying amount of money market funds held at December 31, 2012 approximates fair value due to the asset's liquid nature.

Receivables and receivables held for sale:  The estimated fair value of our receivables was determined by developing an approximate range of value from a mix of various sources as appropriate for the respective pool of assets. These sources include, among other items, value estimates from an HSBC affiliate which reflect over-the-counter trading activity; value estimates from a third party valuation specialist's measurement of the fair value of a pool of receivables; forward looking discounted cash flow models using assumptions we believe are consistent with those which would be used by market participants in valuing such receivables; and trading input from other market participants which includes observed primary and secondary trades.

Valuation inputs include estimates of future interest rates, prepayment speeds, default and loss curves, estimated collateral values (including expenses to be incurred to maintain the collateral) and market discount rates reflecting management's estimate of the rate of return that would be required by investors in the current market given the specific characteristics and inherent credit risk of the receivables. Some of these inputs are influenced by collateral value changes and unemployment rates. To the extent available, such inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation and other means. We perform analytical reviews of fair value changes on a quarterly basis and periodically validate our valuation methodologies and assumptions based on the results of actual sales of such receivables. In addition, from time to time, we may hold discussions directly with potential investors. Portfolio risk management personnel provide further validation through discussions with third party brokers. Since some receivables pools may have features which are unique, the fair value measurement processes use significant unobservable inputs which are specific to the performance characteristics of the various receivable portfolios.

Real estate owned:  Fair value is determined based on third party valuations obtained at the time we take title to the property and, if less than the carrying amount of the loan, the carrying amount of the loan is adjusted to the fair value less estimated cost to sell. The carrying amount of the property is further reduced, if necessary, at least every 45 days to reflect observable local market data, including local area sales data.

Due from affiliates:  Carrying amount approximates fair value because the interest rates on these receivables adjust with changing market interest rates.

Long-term debt and Due to affiliates:  Fair value was primarily determined by a third party valuation source. The pricing services source fair value from quoted market prices and, if not available, expected cash flows are discounted using the appropriate interest rate for the applicable duration of the instrument adjusted for our own credit risk (spread). The credit spreads applied to these instruments were derived from the spreads recognized in the secondary market for similar debt as of the measurement date. Where available, relevant trade data is also considered as part of our validation process.

Derivative financial assets and liabilities:  Derivative values are defined as the amount we would receive or pay to extinguish the contract using a market participant as of the reporting date. The values are determined by management using a pricing system maintained by HSBC Bank USA. In determining these values, HSBC Bank USA uses quoted market prices, when available, principally for exchange-traded options. For non-exchange traded contracts, such as interest rate swaps, fair value is determined using discounted cash flow modeling techniques. Valuation models calculate the present value of expected future cash flows based on models that utilize independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves, option volatilities, and currency rates. Valuations may be adjusted in order to ensure that those values represent appropriate estimates of fair value. These adjustments are generally required to reflect factors such as market liquidity and counterparty credit risk that can affect prices in arms-length transactions with unrelated third parties. Finally, other transaction specific factors such as the variety of valuation models available, the range of unobservable model inputs and other model assumptions can affect estimates of fair value. Imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount of revenue or loss recorded for a particular position.

Counterparty credit risk is considered in determining the fair value of a financial asset. The Fair Value Framework specifies that the fair value of a liability should reflect the entity's non-performance risk and accordingly, the effect of our own credit risk (spread) has been factored into the determination of the fair value of our financial liabilities, including derivative instruments. In estimating the credit risk adjustment to the derivative assets and liabilities, we take into account the impact of netting and/or collateral arrangements that are designed to mitigate counterparty credit risk.

 


16.  Litigation and Regulatory Matters 

 


In addition to the matters described below, in the ordinary course of business, we are routinely named as defendants in, or as parties to, various legal actions and proceedings relating to activities of our current and/or former operations. These legal actions and proceedings may include claims for substantial or indeterminate compensatory or punitive damages, or for injunctive relief. In the ordinary course of business, we also are subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information-gathering requests, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal), certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. In connection with formal and informal inquiries by these regulators, we receive numerous requests, subpoenas and orders seeking documents, testimony and other information in connection with various aspects of our regulated activities.

In view of the inherent unpredictability of litigation and regulatory matters, particularly where the damages sought are substantial or indeterminate or when the proceedings or investigations are in the early stages, we cannot determine with any degree of certainty the timing or ultimate resolution of litigation and regulatory matters or the eventual loss, fines, penalties or business impact, if any, that may result. We establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving litigation and regulatory matters, however, may be substantially higher than the amounts reserved for those matters.

Given the substantial or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters, and the inherent unpredictability of such matters, an adverse outcome in certain of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements in particular quarterly or annual periods.

Litigation - Continuing Operations

Securities Litigation  As a result of an August 2002 restatement of previously reported consolidated financial statements and other corporate events, including the 2002 settlement with 46 states and the District of Columbia relating to real estate lending practices, Household International and certain former officers were named as defendants in a class action lawsuit, Jaffe v. Household International, Inc., et al. (N.D. Ill. No. 02 C5893), filed August 19, 2002. The complaint asserted claims under § 10 and § 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Ultimately, a class was certified on behalf of all persons who acquired and disposed of Household International common stock between July 30, 1999 and October 11, 2002. The claims alleged that the defendants knowingly or recklessly made false and misleading statements of material fact relating to Household's Consumer Lending operations, including collections, sales and lending practices, some of which ultimately led to the 2002 state settlement agreement, and facts relating to accounting practices evidenced by the restatement. A jury trial concluded in April 2009, which was decided partly in favor of the plaintiffs. Following post-trial briefing, the District Court ruled that various legal challenges to the verdict, including as to loss causation and other matters, would not be considered until after a second phase of the proceedings addressing issues of reliance and the submission of claims by class members had been completed. The District Court ruled in November 2010 that claim forms should be mailed to class members, to ascertain which class members may have claims for damages arising from reliance on the misleading statements found by the jury. The District Court also set out a method for calculating damages for class members who filed claims. As previously reported, lead plaintiffs, in court filings in March 2010, estimated that damages could range 'somewhere between $2.4 billion to $3.2 billion to class members', before pre-judgment interest.

In December 2011, the report of the Court-appointed claims administrator to the District Court stated that the total number of claims that generated an allowed loss was 45,921, and that the aggregate amount of these claims was approximately $2.2 billion. Defendants filed legal challenges asserting that the presumption of reliance was defeated as to the class and raising various objections with respect to compliance with the claims form requirements as to certain claims.

In September 2012, the District Court rejected defendants' arguments that the presumption of reliance generally had been defeated either as to the class or as to particular institutional claimants. In addition, the District Court has made various rulings with respect to the validity of specific categories of claims, and held certain categories of claims valid, certain categories of claims invalid, and directed further proceedings before a court-appointed Special Master to address objections regarding certain other claim submission issues. In light of those rulings, various agreements of the parties and certain rulings by the Special Master, currently there is approximately $1.5 billion in claims as to which there remain no unresolved objections relating to the claims form submissions. In addition, approximately $510 million in claims remain to be addressed before the Special Master with respect to various claims form objections, with a small portion of those potentially subject to further trial proceedings. In addition, approximately $179 million in claims are subject to supplemental notices that are to be returned by claimants by June 30, 2013, and that may also be subject to further objections. Therefore, based upon proceedings to date, the current range of a possible final judgment, prior to imposition of prejudgment interest (if any), is between approximately $1.5 billion and $2.2 billion. The District Court may wait for a resolution of all disputes as to all claims before entering final judgment, or the District Court may enter a partial judgment on fewer than all claims pending resolution of disputes as to the remaining claims. The District Court has set a schedule for filing post-verdict motions challenging the verdict and also for plaintiffs to file motions seeking pre-judgment interest and entry of a partial judgment, with briefing on those motions scheduled to be complete by mid-September of 2013.

The timing and outcome of the ultimate resolution of this matter is uncertain. When a final judgment, partial or otherwise, is entered by the District Court, the parties have 30 days in which to appeal the verdict to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite the jury verdict and the various rulings of the District Court, we continue to believe that we have meritorious grounds for appeal of one or more of the rulings in the case and intend to appeal the District Court's final judgment, partial or otherwise.

Upon final judgment, partial or otherwise, we will be required to provide security for the judgment in order to suspend execution of the judgment while the appeal is ongoing by either depositing cash in an interest-bearing escrow account or posting an appeal bond in the amount of the judgment (including any pre-judgment interest awarded). Given the complexity and uncertainties associated with the actual determination of damages, including the outcome of any appeals, there is a wide range of possible damages. We believe we have meritorious grounds for appeal on matters of both liability and damages, and will argue on appeal that damages should be zero or a relatively insignificant amount. If the Appeals Court rejects or only partially accepts our arguments, the amount of damages, based upon the claims submitted and the potential application of pre-judgment interest (calculated based upon a one-year treasury constant rate compounded annually), may lie in a range from a relatively insignificant amount to somewhere in the region of $2.7 billion. Should plaintiffs' successfully cross-appeal certain issues related to the validity of specific claims or should a different pre-judgment interest rate be applied, it is reasonably possible that future losses related to this matter could be up to or exceed $3.5 billion. We continue to maintain a reserve for this matter in an amount that represents management's current estimate of probable losses.

Lender-Placed Insurance Matters  Lender-placed insurance involves a lender obtaining an insurance policy (hazard or flood insurance) on a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to maintain their own policy. The cost of the lender-placed insurance is then passed on to the borrower. Industry practices with respect to lender-placed insurance are receiving heightened regulatory scrutiny from both federal and state agencies. Beginning in October 2011, a number of mortgage servicers and insurers, including our affiliates, HSBC Insurance (USA) Inc. and HSBC Mortgage Services Inc., received subpoenas from the New York Department of Financial Services (the "NYDFS") with respect to lender-placed insurance activities dating back to September 2005. We have and will continue to provide documentation and information to the NYDFS that is responsive to the subpoena. Additionally, in March 2013, the Massachusetts Attorney General issued a Civil Investigative Demand ("MA LPI CID") to HSBC Mortgage Services Inc. seeking information about lender-placed insurance activities. We are providing documentation and information responsive to the Massachusetts Attorney General and will continue to do so.  

Between June 2011 and April 2013, several putative class actions related to lender-placed insurance were filed against various HSBC U.S. entities, including actions against one or more of our subsidiaries captioned Montanez et al v. HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) et al. (E.D. Pa. No.  11-CV-4074); West et al. v. HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) et al. (South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, 14th Circuit No. 12-CP-00687); Weller et al. v. HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. et al. (D. Col. No. 13-CV-00185); Hoover et al. v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (N.D.N.Y. 13-CV-00149); and Lopez v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (S.D. Fla. 13-CV-21104). These actions relate primarily to industry-wide practices, and include allegations regarding the relationships and potential conflicts of interest between the various entities that place the insurance, the value and cost of the insurance that is placed, back-dating policies to the date the borrower allowed it to lapse, self-dealing and insufficient disclosure.   HSBC filed motions to dismiss the complaints in the Montanez, Lopez, Weller and Hoover matters. The Court denied the motion to dismiss in the Lopez matter and we await the court's ruling on the other motions. In addition, in Montanez, plaintiffs filed a motion for multi-district litigation treatment to consolidate the action with Lopez. In West, discovery is ongoing.

Mortgage Securitization Activity In the course of 2012, we have received notice of several claims from investors and from trustees of residential mortgage-backed securities ("RMBS") related to our activities as a sponsor and the activities of our subsidiaries as originators in connection with RMBS transactions closed between 2005 and 2007. We are currently evaluating these claims. These recently filed actions include (i) Deutsche Bank, as Trustee of MSAC 2007-HE6 v. Decision One and HSBC Finance Corp.; (ii) Seagull Point LLC, individually and on behalf of the MSAC 2007-HE5 Trust v. Decision One Mortgage Company LLC, et al.; and (iii) FHFA, as conservator of Freddie Mac, on behalf of the Trustee of HASCO 2007-HE2 v. Decision One and HSBC Finance Corp. These actions all seek to have Decision One and HSBC Finance repurchase mortgage loans originated by Decision One and securitized by third parties. In the aggregate, these actions seek repurchase of loans, or compensatory damages, totaling approximately $650 million.

We expect these types of claims to continue. As a result, we may be subject to additional claims, litigation and governmental and regulatory scrutiny related to our participation as a sponsor or originator in the U.S. mortgage securitization market.

Litigation - Discontinued Operations

Credit Card Litigation  Since June 2005, HSBC Bank USA, HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC North America and HSBC, as well as other banks and Visa Inc. and MasterCard Incorporated, have been named as defendants in four class actions filed in Connecticut and the Eastern District of New York: Photos Etc. Corp. et al v. Visa U.S.A., Inc., et al.(D. Conn. No. 3:05-CV-01007 (WWE)); National Association of Convenience Stores, et al. v. Visa U.S.A., Inc., et al.(E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV 4520 (JG)); Jethro Holdings, Inc., et al. v. Visa U.S.A., Inc. et al. (E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV-4521(JG)); and American Booksellers Asps' v. Visa U.S.A., Inc. et al. (E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV-5391 (JG)). Numerous other complaints containing similar allegations (in which no HSBC entity is named) were filed across the country against Visa Inc., MasterCard Incorporated and other banks. Various individual (non-class) actions were also brought by merchants against Visa Inc., and MasterCard Incorporated. These class and individual merchant actions principally allege that the imposition of a no-surcharge rule by the associations and/or the establishment of the interchange fee charged for credit card transactions causes the merchant discount fee paid by retailers to be set at supracompetitive levels in violation of the Federal antitrust laws. These suits were consolidated and transferred to the Eastern District of New York. The consolidated case is: In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720, E.D.N.Y. ("MDL 1720"). On February 7, 2011, MasterCard Incorporated, Visa Inc., the other defendants, including HSBC Finance Corporation, and certain affiliates of the defendants entered into settlement and judgment sharing agreements (the "Sharing Agreements") that provide for the apportionment of certain defined costs and liabilities that the defendants, including HSBC Finance Corporation and our affiliates, may incur, jointly and/or severally, in the event of an adverse judgment or global settlement of one or all of these actions.  A class settlement was preliminarily approved by the District Court on November 27, 2012. The class settlement is subject to final approval by the District Court. Pursuant to the class settlement agreement and the Sharing Agreements, we have deposited our portion of the class settlement amount into an escrow account for payment in the event the class settlement is approved. On October 22, 2012, a settlement agreement with the individual merchant plaintiffs became effective, and pursuant to the Sharing Agreements, we have deposited our portion of that settlement amount into an escrow account.

Numerous merchants-including absent class member large and small merchants and certain named plaintiff merchants and trade associations-have objected and/or opted out of the settlement during the exclusion period, which ended on May 28, 2013. The defendants had the right to terminate the settlement agreement because the volume threshold was reached, but elected not to do so. We anticipate that most of the larger merchants who opted out of the settlement will initiate separate actions seeking to recover damages. A hearing on class plaintiffs' motion for final approval of the class settlement is scheduled for September 12, 2013, before the District Court. 

Debt Cancellation Litigation Between July 2010 and May 2011, eight substantially similar putative class actions were filed against our subsidiaries, HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. ("HSBC Bank Nevada") and HSBC Card Services Inc.: Rizera et al v. HSBC Bank Nevada et al. (D.N.J. No. 10-CV-03375); Esslinger et al v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (E.D. Pa. No. 10-CV-03213); McAlister et al. v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (W.D. Wash. No. 10-CV-05831); Mitchell v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (D. Md. No. 10-CV-03232); Samuels v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (N.D. III. No. 11-CV-00548); McKinney v. HSBC Card Services et al. (S.D. III. No. 10-CV-00786); Chastain v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. (South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, 13th Circuit) (filed as a counterclaim to a pending collections action); Colton et al. v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (C.D. Ca. No. 11-CV-03742). These actions principally allege that cardholders were enrolled in debt cancellation or suspension products and challenge various marketing or administrative practices relating to those products. The plaintiffs' claims include breach of contract and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unconscionability, unjust enrichment, and violations of state consumer protection and deceptive acts and practices statutes. The Mitchell action was withdrawn by the plaintiff in March 2011. In July 2011, the parties in Rizera, Esslinger, McAlister, Samuels, McKinney and Colton executed a memorandum of settlement and subsequently submitted the formal settlement on a consolidated basis for approval by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in the Esslinger matter. In February 2012, the District Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement. The plaintiff in Chastain appealed the District Court's preliminary approval order. The appellate court dismissed that appeal.

On October 1, 2012, the District Court held a hearing for final approval of the settlement in the Esslinger matter. Several objectors to the settlement appeared at the hearing, including representatives for the Attorneys General in West Virginia, Hawaii and Mississippi, where they asserted that claims brought in those Attorneys General's lawsuits (discussed below) should not be covered by the release in the Esslinger matter.  In November 2012, the District Court entered a final approval order confirming the settlement. In its accompanying memorandum, the District Court noted that claims belonging solely to the states are not impacted by the settlement, but that claims brought by the Attorneys General seeking recovery for class members are precluded by the Esslinger settlement.  Chastain and two other class members filed notices of appeal of the final approval order. Two of the three appeals were dismissed on motion including Chastain. The third appeal was voluntarily dismissed. The Esslinger settlement became effective on May 1, 2013, and distributions to class members are scheduled to be completed on or before August 29, 2013.

In October 2011, the Attorney General for the State of West Virginia filed a purported class action in the Circuit Court of Mason County, West Virginia, captioned State of West Virginia ex rel. Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. et al v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (No. 11-C-93-N), alleging similar claims in connection with the marketing, selling and administering of ancillary services, including debt cancellation and suspension products to consumers in West Virginia. In September 2012, the Attorney General filed an amended complaint adding our affiliate, HSBC Bank USA, N.A, as a defendant. In addition to damages, the Attorney General is seeking civil money penalties and injunctive relief. The action was initially removed to Federal court. The Attorney General's motion to remand to State court was granted and we filed a motion to dismiss the complaint in March 2012. The motion to dismiss was denied and discovery is ongoing. In late 2011, we received an information request regarding the same products from another state's Attorney General, although no action has yet been filed in that state.

In April 2012, the Attorney General for the State of Hawaii filed lawsuits against seven major credit card companies, including certain of our subsidiaries, in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit for the State of Hawaii, captioned State of Hawaii ex rel David Louie, Attorney General v. HSBC Bank Nevada N.A. and HSBC Card Services, Inc., et al. (No. 12-1-0983-04), alleging claims that are substantially the same as those asserted in the Esslinger and related matters discussed above, in connection with the marketing, selling and administering of ancillary services, including debt cancellation and suspension products to consumers in  Hawaii. The relief sought includes an injunction against deceptive and unfair practices, restitution and disgorgement of profits, and civil monetary penalties. The action was removed to Federal court in May 2012. In June 2012, the Attorney General filed a motion to remand, which was subsequently denied. The Attorney General then withdrew its pending motion to consolidate the actions and appealed the decision to the Ninth Circuit. Our answer to the Attorney General's brief is due August 9, 2013.

In June 2012, the Attorney General for the State of Mississippi filed complaints against six credit card companies, including our subsidiaries HSBC Bank Nevada and HSBC Card Services Inc. and our affiliate HSBC Bank USA, N.A. In an action captioned Jim Hood, Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, ex. rel. The State of Mississippi v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., HSBC Card Services, Inc., and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., the Attorney General alleges claims that are substantially the same as those asserted in the Esslinger and related matters discussed above, in connection with the marketing, selling and administering of ancillary services, including debt cancellation and suspension products to consumers in Mississippi. The relief sought includes injunction against deceptive and unfair practices, disgorgement of profits, and civil money penalties. In August 2012, this action was removed to Federal court and the Attorney General filed a motion to remand. Briefing on the Attorney General's motion to remand has been completed and the motion remains pending.

In April 2013, the Attorney General for the State of New Mexico also filed suit against nine credit card companies, including our subsidiaries HSBC Bank Nevada and HSBC Card Services Inc. and our affiliate HSBC Bank USA, N.A. In the action, captioned State of New Mexico ex rel Gary King, Attorney General, v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., HSBC Card Services, Inc., and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., the Attorney General alleges substantially similar claims as those alleged by the Attorneys General of West Virginia, Mississippi and Hawaii, discussed above, in connection with debt cancellation and suspension and other ancillary products marketed, administered and sold in connection with credit cards. The Attorney General seeks an injunction, restitution and civil money penalties, among other relief. The action was removed to Federal court in June 2013. A responsive pleading is due August 7, 2013.  

DeKalb County, et al. v. HSBC North America Holdings Inc., et al. In October 2012, three of the five counties constituting the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia, filed a lawsuit pursuant to the Fair Housing Act against HSBC North America and numerous subsidiaries, including HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC Bank USA, in connection with residential mortgage lending, servicing and financing activities. In the action, captioned DeKalb County, Fulton County, and Cobb County, Georgia v. HSBC North America Holdings Inc., et al. (N.D. Ga. No. 12-CV-03640), the plaintiff counties assert that the defendants' allegedly discriminatory lending and servicing practices led to increased loan delinquencies, foreclosures and vacancies, which in turn caused the plaintiff counties to incur damages in the form of lost property tax revenues and increased municipal services costs, among other damages. Defendants' motion to dismiss the case was filed in January 2013, and plaintiffs filed their opposition to the motion on April 1, 2013. Defendants' reply brief on the motion was filed in early May 2013, and the parties await notice of the timing of oral arguments.

Telephone Consumer Protection Act Litigation Between May 2012 and January 2013, two substantially similar putative class actions were filed against various HSBC U.S. entities, including actions against us or one or more of our subsidiaries. These two actions have been consolidated into a single action entitled: Mills & Wilkes v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., HSBC Card Services, Inc., HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. HSBC Auto Finance, Inc. & HSBC Consumer Lending (USA), Inc., Case No.: 12-cv-04010-MEJ (N.D. Cal.).  A number of individual actions also have been filed. The plaintiffs in these actions allege that the HSBC defendants contacted them, or the members of the class they seek to represent, on their cellular telephones using an automatic telephone dialing system and/or an artificial or prerecorded voice, without their express consent, in violation of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, 47 U.S.C. § 227 et seq. ("TCPA"). Plaintiffs seek statutory damages for alleged negligent and willful violations of the TCPA, attorneys' fees, costs and injunctive relief. The TCPA provides for statutory damages of $500 for each violation ($1,500 for willful violations) although similar cases filed against other financial institutions have been resolved for amounts significantly less than these statutory damage amounts. The parties currently are engaged in discovery in Mills. The other actions are in various stages of proceedings. 

Governmental and Regulatory Matters

Foreclosure Practices In April 2011, HSBC Finance Corporation and our indirect parent, HSBC North America, entered into a consent cease and desist order with the Federal Reserve Board (the "Federal Reserve") (the "Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order"), and our affiliate, HSBC Bank USA, entered into a similar consent order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ("OCC") (together with the Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order, the "Servicing Consent Orders") following completion of a broad horizontal review of industry foreclosure practices. The Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order requires us to take prescribed actions to address the deficiencies noted in the joint examination and described in the consent order. We continue to work with the Federal Reserve and the OCC to align our processes with the requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders and are implementing operational changes as required.

The Servicing Consent Orders required an independent review of foreclosures (the "Independent Foreclosure Review") pending or completed between January 2009 and December 2010 to determine if any borrower was financially injured as a result of an error in the foreclosure process. As required by the Servicing Consent Orders, an independent consultant was retained to conduct that review. On February 28, 2013, HSBC Finance Corporation and our indirect parent, HSBC North America, entered into an agreement with the Federal Reserve, and our affiliate, HSBC Bank USA, entered into an agreement with the OCC (together the "IFR Settlement Agreements"), pursuant to which the Independent Foreclosure Review has ceased and been replaced by a broader framework under which we and twelve other participating servicers will, in the aggregate, provide in excess of $9.3 billion in cash payments and other assistance to help eligible borrowers. Pursuant to the IFR Settlement Agreements, HSBC North America has made a cash payment of $96 million into a fund that will be used to make payments to borrowers that were in active foreclosure during 2009 and 2010 and, in addition, will provide other assistance (e.g., loan modifications) to help eligible borrowers. As a result, in 2012, we recorded expenses of $85 million which reflects the portion of HSBC North America's total expense of $104 million that we believe is allocable to us. The mailing of checks to eligible borrowers by Rust Consulting, Inc., the paying agent, has begun and is targeted for completion during the third quarter of 2013. Borrowers who receive compensation will not be required to execute a release or waiver of rights and will not be precluded from pursuing litigation concerning foreclosure or other mortgage servicing practices. For participating servicers, including HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC Bank USA, fulfillment of the terms of the IFR Settlement Agreements will satisfy the Independent Foreclosure Review requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders. While we believe compliance related costs have permanently increased to higher levels due to the remediation requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders, the IFR Settlement Agreements will positively impact compliance expenses in future periods as the significant resources working on the Independent Foreclosure Review will no longer be required.

The Servicing Consent Orders do not preclude additional enforcement actions against HSBC Finance Corporation or our affiliates by bank regulatory, governmental or law enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice or State Attorneys General, which could include the imposition of civil money penalties and other sanctions relating to the activities that are the subject of the Servicing Consent Orders. Pursuant to the IFR Settlement Agreement with the OCC, however, the OCC has agreed that it will not assess civil money penalties or initiate any further enforcement action with respect to past mortgage servicing and foreclosure-related practices addressed in the Servicing Consent Orders, provided the terms of the IFR Settlement Agreement are fulfilled. The OCC's agreement not to assess civil money penalties is further conditioned on HSBC North America making payments or providing borrower assistance pursuant to any agreement that may be entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the servicing of residential mortgage loans within two years. The Federal Reserve has agreed that any assessment of civil money penalties by the Federal Reserve will reflect a number of adjustments, including amounts expended in consumer relief and payments made pursuant to any agreement that may be entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the servicing of residential mortgage loans. In addition, the IFR Settlement Agreement does not preclude private litigation concerning these practices.

Separate from the Servicing Consent Orders and the settlement related to the Independent Foreclosure Review discussed above, in February 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and State Attorneys General of 49 states announced a settlement with the five largest U.S. mortgage servicers with respect to foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices. Following the February 2012 settlement, these government agencies initiated discussions with other mortgage industry servicers. HSBC Finance Corporation, together with our affiliate HSBC Bank USA, have had discussions with U.S. bank regulators and other governmental agencies regarding a potential resolution, although the timing of any settlement is not presently known. We recorded an accrual of $157 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 (which was reduced by $14 million in the second quarter of 2013) reflecting the portion of the HSBC North America accrual we currently believe is allocable to HSBC Finance Corporation. As this matter progresses and more information becomes available, we will continue to evaluate our portion of the HSBC North America liability which may result in a change to our current estimate. Any such settlement, however, may not completely preclude other enforcement actions by state or federal agencies, regulators or law enforcement agencies related to foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices, including, but not limited to, matters relating to the securitization of mortgages for investors. In addition, such a settlement would not preclude private litigation concerning these practices.

 


 

17.  New Accounting Pronouncements

 


The following new accounting pronouncements were adopted effective January 1, 2013:

Ÿ Disclosures About Offsetting Asset and Liabilities  In December 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") that required entities to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. Entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and those which are subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The new guidance became effective for all annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2013. Additionally, entities are required to provide the disclosures for all comparative periods. In January 2013, the FASB issued another ASU to clarify the instruments and transactions to which the guidance in the previously issued ASU would apply. The adoption of the guidance in these ASUs did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations. The new disclosure requirements of this ASU are included in Note 3, "Securities" and Note 8, "Derivative Financial Instruments."

Ÿ Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income In February 2013, the FASB issued an ASU that adds new disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The new guidance was effective for all annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2013 and was applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations. The new disclosure requirements of this ASU are included in Note 10, "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income."

We do not expect any accounting pronouncements issued during the first half of 2013 will have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.

 

 

 


Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.  

 


 


Forward-Looking Statements

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes and tables included elsewhere in this report and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the "2012 Form 10-K"). MD&A may contain certain statements that may be forward-looking in nature within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, we may make or approve certain statements in future filings with the SEC, in press releases, or oral or written presentations by representatives of HSBC Finance Corporation that are not statements of historical fact and may also constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "appears," "believe," "intends," "expects," "estimates," "targeted," "plans," "anticipates," "goal" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but should not be considered as the only means through which these statements may be made. These matters or statements will relate to our future financial condition, economic forecast, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments and will involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from that which were expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions and speak only as of the date they are made. HSBC Finance Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent circumstances or events.  

 


Executive Overview

 

Organization and Basis of Reporting  HSBC Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries are indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. ("HSBC North America"), which is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc ("HSBC"). HSBC Finance Corporation may also be referred to in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") as "we", "us", or "our".

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations excludes the results of our discontinued operations unless otherwise noted. See Note 2, "Discontinued Operations," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of these operations.

Current Environment  The U.S. economy continued to improve at a modest pace during the first half of 2013, with GDP running at an average rate of less than 2 percent which remains well below the economy's potential growth rate. Demand for manufacturing remains tepid partially as a result of weak global demand and many manufacturers are continuing to hold back hiring. Although consumer confidence in May climbed to its highest level since early 2008 in part due to rising housing prices, with continuing high gasoline prices, the increase in payroll taxes at the beginning of the year and the onset of sequestration in March, consumer confidence remains under pressure and many households remain uncertain about the future as domestic fiscal uncertainties continue to affect consumer sentiment. Serious threats to economic growth remain, including the sustainability of a housing market recovery, high energy costs, and elevated unemployment levels. During the second quarter of 2013, long-term interest rates began to rise in part out of concern that the Federal Reserve may begin to slow its quantitative easing program if the economy continues to strengthen. Federal Reserve policy makers previously announced that they do not expect to increase short-term rates until the unemployment rate falls below 6.5 percent, which according to the Federal Reserve's economic projections would keep the Federal funds rate near zero into 2015. The housing market continued the strong rebound which began in the second half of 2012 with overall home prices moving higher in many regions as demand increased and the supply of homes for sale remaining tight. However, the sharp decline in the distressed share of home sales currently being experienced, which is contributing to the increase in home sale prices, may not continue as the impact of servicers resuming foreclosure activities and the listing of the underlying properties for sale could slow down future price gains.

In addition, certain courts and state legislatures have issued new rules or statutes relating to foreclosures. Scrutiny of foreclosure documentation has increased in some courts. Also, in some areas, officials are requiring additional verification of information filed prior to the foreclosure proceeding. The combination of these factors has led to a significant backlog of foreclosures which will take time to resolve. If a significant number of foreclosures come to market at the same time, due to the backlog or other delays in processing, it could have an adverse impact on home prices.

Mortgage lending industry trends continued to be affected by the following during the six months ended June 30, 2013:

 


Ÿ


Overall levels of delinquencies remain elevated;






Ÿ


Significant delays in foreclosure proceedings as a result of certain courts and state legislatures issuing new rules or statues relating to foreclosures as well as in some areas officials requiring additional verification of information filed prior to the foreclosure proceedings;






Ÿ


Although levels of properties available for sale have declined, levels of properties in the process of being foreclosed remain elevated which has continued to impact home prices in 2013; and






Ÿ


Tighter lending standards by mortgage lenders continue, which impact the ability of borrowers to refinance existing mortgage loans.

While the economy continued to add jobs in 2013, the pace of new job creation continued to be slower than needed to meaningfully reduce unemployment. As a result, uncertainty remains as to how pronounced the economic recovery will ultimately be. Although unemployment rates, which are a major factor influencing credit quality, fell from 7.8 percent at the beginning of the year to 7.6 percent in June 2013, unemployment remains high based on historical standards. Also, a significant number of U.S. residents are no longer looking for work and, therefore, are not reflected in the U.S. unemployment rates. Unemployment has continued to have an impact on the provision for credit losses in our loan portfolio and in loan portfolios across the industry. Concerns about the future of the U.S. economy, including the pace and magnitude of recovery from the recent economic recession, consumer confidence, fiscal policy, including the ability of the legislature to work collaboratively to address fiscal issues in the U.S., volatility in energy prices, credit market volatility including the ability to resolve the European sovereign debt crisis and trends in corporate earnings will continue to influence the U.S. economic recovery and the capital markets. In particular, continued improvement in unemployment rates, a sustained recovery of the housing markets and stabilization in energy prices remain critical components of a broader U.S. economic recovery. These conditions in combination with the impact of recent regulatory changes, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 ("Dodd-Frank"), will continue to impact our results during the remainder of 2013 and beyond. 

Business Focus  On March 29, 2013, we sold our interest in substantially all of our insurance subsidiaries in our Insurance operations, which had previously been classified as discontinued operations, to Enstar Group Ltd. ("Enstar") for $153 million in cash.  As a result, we recorded a gain on sale of $21 million ($13 million after-tax). Our Insurance operations is reported in discontinued operations. See Note 2, "Discontinued Operations," for additional information. 

As discussed in prior filings, our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio was transferred to held for sale during the second quarter of 2012. On March 5, 2013, we entered into an agreement to sell our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to trusts for which affiliates of Springleaf Finance, Inc. ("Springleaf"), Newcastle Investment Corp. and Blackstone Tactical Opportunities Advisors L.L.C. are the sole beneficiaries (collectively, the "Purchasers"). On March 5, 2013, we also entered into an agreement to sell a loan servicing facility and related assets located in London, Kentucky (the "Facility") to Springleaf. On April 1, 2013, we completed the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio with a carrying value of $2.9 billion at March 31, 2013 to the Purchasers. Total cash consideration received was $3.0 billion. During the second quarter of 2013, we recorded a loss on sale of $11 million primarily related to transaction fees. We will continue to service these personal non-credit card receivables for the Purchasers for a fee for a period of time as the Purchasers convert the receivables to their systems. Upon the conversion of these receivable to their systems, the majority of the employees who are performing these servicing activities are expected to transfer to the Purchaser.  Servicing fee revenues recorded for servicing these personal non-credit card receivables during the second quarter of 2013 totaled $12 million. It is currently expected that this conversion and the sale of the Facility in London, Kentucky will be completed during the second half of 2013. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

On June 1, 2013, we completed the sale of a pool of real estate secured receivables with an unpaid principal balance of $439 million (carrying value of $230 million) at the time of sale to a third-party investor for cash consideration of $229 million, which resulted in a loss on sale of $9 million during the second quarter of 2013 primarily related to transaction fees. On August 1, 2013, we completed the sale of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables with an unpaid principal balance of $685 million (carrying value of $396 million) at the time of sale to a third-party investor for cash consideration of $405 million. As these receivables were carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value at June 30, 2013, we do not expect any significant impact to our earnings will be recorded during the third quarter of 2013. 

The market demand for first lien partially charged-off accounts has been strong throughout the first half of 2013. As a direct result of this increased market demand, in June 2013, we decided we no longer have the intent to hold for investment first lien real estate secured receivables once they have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, subject to certain exceptions, principally receivables associated with secured financings which are not saleable. As a result, we adopted a formal program to initiate sale activities for real estate secured receivables in our held for investment portfolio when a receivable meeting pre-determined criteria is written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies (generally 180 days past due). During the second quarter of 2013, we transferred real estate secured receivables to held for sale with an unpaid principal balance of approximately $2.6 billion at the time of transfer. The net realizable value (carrying value) of these receivables after considering the fair value of the property less cost to sell was approximately $1.8 billion prior to transfer. As a result of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale, during the second quarter of 2013 we recorded a lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment of $99 million to the newly transferred loans, all of which was attributable to non-credit related factors (e.g. differences in overall cost of capital assumptions) and was recorded as a component of total other revenues in the consolidated statement of income (loss). We currently expect additional real estate secured receivables with an aggregate carrying amount of approximately $650 million could be written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies during the remainder of 2013 and, as a result, would be transferred to held for sale. We believe credit losses related to these receivables are substantially covered by our existing credit loss reserves. However, based on the current fair value of our existing receivables held for sale portfolio, the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment for non-credit related factors on these receivables could be in the region of $35 million to $40 million. Our estimate of both the volume of loans which will become 180 days past due as well as the fair value adjustment required for the aforementioned pool of loans is influenced by factors outside our control such as changes in default rates, estimated costs to obtain properties, home prices and investors' required returns amongst others, as well as loans which will not be saleable. There is uncertainty inherent in these estimates making it reasonably possible that they could be significantly different as factors impacting the estimates continually evolve.

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair value of the real estate secured receivables held for sale totaled $5.0 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, including the receivables which were transferred into held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 as discussed above. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we reversed $453 million and $947 million, respectively, of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to an increase in the relative fair value of the real estate secured receivables held for sale during the first half of 2013 largely due to improved conditions in the housing industry driven by increased property values and, to a lesser extent, lower required market yields and increased investor demand for these types of receivables. As noted in the preceding paragraph, these fair value estimates are influenced by numerous factors outside of our control and these factors have been highly volatile in recent years. Accordingly, the improving trend in the fair value of receivables held for sale during the first half of 2013 should not be considered indicative of fair value changes in future periods as deterioration in these factors would likely require increases to our valuation allowance in future periods.

See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

We expect that receivables held for sale at June 30, 2013 will be sold in multiple transactions generally over the next 18 months or, if the foreclosure process is completed prior to sale, the underlying properties acquired in satisfaction of the receivables will be classified as real estate owned ("REO") and sold. As we continue to work with borrowers, we may also agree to a short sale whereby the property is sold by the borrower at a price which has been pre-negotiated with us and the borrower is released from further obligation. The pool of receivables held for sale is comprised of a substantial majority of our real estate receivables which have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies as we considered the collateral as the sole source for repayment. However, as we now plan to sell these receivables, fair value represents the price we believe a third party investor would pay to acquire the receivable portfolios. A third party investor of receivables would incorporate a number of assumptions in predicting future cash flows, such as differences in overall cost of capital assumptions which may result in a lower estimate of fair value for the cash flows associated with the receivables.

Excluding receivables held for sale as discussed above, our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment, which totaled $29.1 billion at June 30, 2013, is currently running off. The timeframe in which this portfolio will liquidate is dependent upon the rate at which receivables pay off or charge-off prior to their maturity, which fluctuates for a variety of reasons such as interest rates, availability of refinancing, home values and individual borrowers' credit profile, all of which are outside our control. In light of the current economic conditions and mortgage industry trends described above, our loan prepayment rates have slowed when compared with historical experience even though interest rates remain low. Additionally, our loan modification programs, which are primarily designed to improve cash collections and avoid foreclosure as determined to be appropriate, are contributing to the slower loan prepayment rates. While difficult to project both loan prepayment rates and default rates, based on current experience we expect our run-off real estate secured receivable portfolio (excluding receivables held for sale) to be less than $20.0 billion by the end of 2016. Attrition will not be linear during this period. Run-off is expected to be slow as charge-offs decline and the remaining real estate secured receivables stay on the balance sheet longer due to the impact of modifications and/or the lack of refinancing alternatives as well as the impact of an elongated foreclosure process.

We continue to evaluate our operations as we seek to optimize our risk profile and cost efficiencies as well as our liquidity, capital and funding requirements. This could result in further strategic actions that may include changes to our legal structure, asset levels, or cost structure in support of HSBC's strategic priorities. We also continue to focus on cost optimization efforts to ensure realization of cost efficiencies. In an effort to create a more sustainable cost structure, a formal review was initiated in 2011 to identify areas where we may be able to streamline or redesign operations within certain functions to reduce or eliminate costs. To date, we have identified various opportunities to reduce costs through organizational structure redesign, vendor spending, discretionary spending and other general efficiency initiatives which have resulted in workforce reductions. The review is continuing and, as a result, we may incur restructuring charges in future periods, the amount of which will depend upon the actions that ultimately are implemented.

Performance, Developments and Trends  We reported net income of $220 million and $446 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a net loss of $258 million and $413 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. 

Income from continuing operations was $271 million and $575 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a loss from continuing operations of $1.5 billion and $2.0 billion during the year-ago periods. We reported income from continuing operations before taxes of $404 million and $860 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a loss from continuing operations before tax of $2.5 billion and $3.2 billion during the year-ago periods. Our results in all periods were impacted by the change in the fair value of own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected the fair value option which distorts comparability of the underlying performance trends of our business. The following table summarizes the impact of this item on our income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax for all periods presented.

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax, as reported.........

$

404



$

(2,451

)


$

860



$

(3,244

)

Fair value movement on own fair value option debt attributable to credit spread............................................................................................................................

(23

)


(18

)


18



461


Underlying income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax(1).......

$

381



$

(2,469

)


$

878



$

(2,783

)

 


(1)        Represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.

Excluding the collective impact of this item in the table above, underlying income from continuing operations before tax for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 improved $2.9 billion and $3.7 billion compared with the year-ago periods. The improvement in both periods reflects significantly lower provisions for credit losses and higher other revenues, partially offset by lower net interest income and in the year-to-date period higher operating expenses. The increase in other revenues during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was driven by a reversal of $453 million and $947 million, respectively, of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to an increase in the relative fair value of the real estate secured receivables held for sale during the first half of 2013 as well as improvements in derivative related income (expense). As discussed above, the increase in the relative fair value of the real estate secured receivables held for sale is largely due to improved conditions in the housing industry driven by increased property values and, to a lesser extent, lower required market yields and increased investor demand for these types of receivables. 

Net interest income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to the following:

Ÿ Overall receivable yields decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as a result of a significant shift in receivable mix to higher levels of lower yielding first lien real estate secured receivables as a result of the sale of our higher yielding  personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and continued run-off in our second lien real estate secured receivables portfolio. While overall receivable yields decreased, receivable yields in our real estate secured receivable portfolio were positively impacted by improvements in credit quality during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. Prior to the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio on April 1, 2013, receivable yields in this portfolio had improved during 2013 due to a lower percentage of nonaccrual receivables as compared with the prior year.  

Ÿ Average receivable levels decreased largely as a result of the sale of our portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables on April 1, 2013 as well as real estate secured receivable liquidation.

Ÿ Interest expense decreased resulting from lower average borrowings and lower average rates.

Net interest margin was 2.33 percent and 3.01 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with 2.93 percent and 2.96 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Net interest margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 has been positively impacted by receivables which we have transferred to held for sale as the carrying amount of these receivables has been reduced by the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment that has been recorded as well as the credit loss reserves associated with the receivables prior to the transfer to held for sale which reduces average receivable balances while interest income otherwise remains the same. Excluding the impact of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale from the calculation of average receivable balances, net interest margin decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 driven by the lower overall receivable yield largely due to the sale of our higher yielding personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as discussed above, partially offset by a lower cost of funds as a percentage of average interest earning assets. See "Results of Operations" for additional discussion regarding net interest income and net interest margin.

Other revenues during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 were impacted by the change in the fair value of own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected the fair value option. Excluding this item, other revenues increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to an increase during the first half of 2013 of the fair value of real estate secured receivables held for sale as discussed above and higher derivative related income (expense). The higher derivative related income (expense) primarily reflects the positive impact of rising long-term interest rates on our portfolio of non-qualifying hedges, partially offset during the six months ended June 30, 2013 by a loss recognized on the termination of hedges on certain debt. See "Results of Operations" for a more detailed discussion of other revenues. 

Our provision for credit losses decreased significantly during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with the year-ago periods reflecting the impact of lower loss estimates due to lower receivable levels, lower dollars of delinquency on real estate secured receivable accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent as compared with the year-ago periods, improved credit quality and lower volumes of new troubled debt restructures ("TDR Loans") during the first half of 2013. The decrease also reflects, in part, the transfer of certain real estate secured receivables and our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables to held for sale during the second quarter of 2012. Subsequent to the transfer to held for sale no further provision for credit losses are recorded on these receivables as receivables held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The decrease in the provision for credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 also reflects lower credit loss reserves on TDR Loans as a greater percentage of TDR Loans are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as there is an overall credit loss reserve release at the time a TDR Loan is first recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as a result of eliminating the discounting of cash flows used when establishing reserves on TDR Loans. The decrease in credit  loss reserves on TDR Loans also reflects lower new TDR Loan volumes and the impact of updates in loss and severity estimates based on recent trends in the portfolio. See "Results of Operations" for a more detailed discussion of our provision for credit losses. 

Credit loss reserves at June 30, 2013 decreased as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 as the provision for credit losses was lower than net charge-offs by $215 million and $517 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The decrease compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflects the transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as previously discussed. Credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to their transfer to held for sale totaled $119 million and was recognized as an additional charge-off at the time of the transfer to held for sale. Excluding the impact on credit loss reserves of the transfer of this pool of receivables to held for sale, credit loss reserves remained lower as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 due to lower receivable levels, lower reserve requirements on TDR Loans and as compared with December 31, 2012, lower levels of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent. Reserve requirements on TDR Loans were lower at June 30, 2013 due to a greater percentage of TDR Loans being carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and lower new TDR Loan volumes as well as the impact of updates in loss and severity estimates based on recent trends in the portfolio. See "Credit Quality" for further discussion of credit loss reserves. 

A significant portion of our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment is considered to be TDR Loans which are reserved for based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans' original effective interest rate which generally results in a higher reserve requirement for these loans. Additionally, a portion of real estate secured receivables in our portfolio are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. The following table summarizes these receivables in comparison to the real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Total real estate secured receivables held for investment....................................................................

$

29,112



$

32,939


Real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell............................................................................................................................

$

871



$

2,109


Real estate secured TDR Loans(1).............................................................................................................

11,765



12,388


Real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell or reserved for using a discounted cash flow methodology...................

$

12,636



$

14,497


Real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell or reserved for using a discounted cash flow methodology as a percentage of real estate secured receivables.........................................................................................

43.4

%


44.0

%

 


(1)        Excludes TDR Loans which are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and included separately in the table.

Total operating expenses decreased $44 million, or 18 percent, during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and increased $9 million, or 2 percent, during the six months ended June 30, 2013. Both periods reflect lower fees for consulting services related to various cost initiatives and foreclosure remediation efforts associated with the requirements of the Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order, including the cessation of the Independent Foreclosure Review, although the lower consulting services fees were more pronounced during the second quarter of 2013. The lower fees for consulting services was partially offset by higher salaries and employee benefits as a result of transferring employees into HSBC Finance Corporation who had previously been centralized within other HSBC affiliates.  See "Results of Operations" for a more detailed discussion of operating expenses.

Our effective income tax rate was an expense of 32.9 percent and 33.1 percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a benefit of 38.3 percent and 37.8 percent during year-ago periods. The effective tax rate during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was impacted by a decrease in valuation allowance on states with net operating loss carryforward periods of 12 to 20 years, items affecting prior periods and, in the year-to-date period, a decrease in tax reserves relating to the conclusion of state audits and expiration of state statutes of limitations, and corrections to the current tax liability account. 

The financial information set forth below summarizes selected financial highlights of HSBC Finance Corporation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and as of June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(dollars are in millions)

Income (loss) from continuing operations..........................................

$

271



$

(1,512

)


$

575



$

(2,017

)

Return on average assets ("ROA"), annualized.................................

2.5

%


(11.3

)%


2.6

%


(7.7

)%

Return on average common shareholder's equity ("ROE"), annualized.............................................................................................

18.1

%


(93.2

)%


19.8

%


(71.8

)%

Net interest margin, annualized.............................................................

2.33

%


2.93

%


3.01

%


2.96

%

Consumer net charge-off ratio, annualized..........................................

6.24

%


9.14

%


5.11

%


8.28

%

Efficiency ratio(1)......................................................................................

22.5

%


(16.2

)%


28.7

%


(36.0

)%

 


June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


December 31, 2012


(dollars are in millions)

Real estate secured receivables............................................................................................

$

29,112



$

31,930



$

32,939


Two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio for real estate secured receivables...........................................................................................................................

18.52

%


17.22

%


17.16

%

 


(1)     Ratio of total costs and expenses from continuing operations to net interest income and other revenues from continuing operations.

Performance Ratios  Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations was 22.5 percent and 28.7 percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with (16.2) percent and (36.0) percent during the year-ago periods. Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations in all periods was impacted by the change in the fair value of own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected the fair value option. Excluding this item from the periods presented, our efficiency ratio improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 driven by significantly higher other revenues driven by an increase in the fair value of real estate secured receivables held for sale as discussed above as well as improvements in derivative related income (expense).

Our return on average common shareholder's equity ("ROE") was 18.1 percent and 19.8 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively,  compared with (93.2) percent and (71.8) percent for the year-ago periods. Our return on average assets ("ROA") was 2.5 percent and 2.6 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with (11.3) percent and (7.7) percent for the year-ago periods. ROE and ROA in all periods were significantly impacted by the change in the fair value of own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected the fair value option. Excluding this item from the periods presented, both ROE and ROA improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 largely due to net income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as discussed above compared with a net loss in the year-ago periods.

Receivables  Receivables held for investment were $29.1 billion at June 30, 2013 compared with $31.9 billion at March 31, 2013 and $32.9 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease since March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflects the continued liquidation of the real estate secured receivable portfolio which will continue going forward as well as the transfer of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables to held for sale (with a net realizable value prior to transfer of approximately $1.8 billion) as discussed above. As compared with December 31, 2012, the decrease also reflects seasonal improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments. Liquidation rates for real estate secured receivables continue to be impacted by low loan prepayments as few refinancing opportunities for our customers exist and the previously discussed trends impacting the mortgage lending industry. See "Receivables Review" for a more detailed discussion of the decreases in receivable balances.

Receivables held for sale  Receivables held for sale were $5.0 billion at June 30, 2013 compared with $6.4 billion at March 31, 2013 and $6.2 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease compared with both periods reflects the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio on April 1, 2013 as discussed above and, to a lesser extent, the sale of a pool of real estate secured receivables with a carrying value of $230 million. This decrease as compared with both periods was partially offset by the transfer of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies into receivables held for sale with a fair value of approximately $1.5 billion at the time of the transfer as discussed above. The decrease was also partially offset by an increase during the quarter in the fair value of the real estate receivables held for sale. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

Credit Quality  Dollars of delinquency for real estate secured receivables and receivables held for sale were $6.3 billion at June 30, 2013 compared with $6.1 billion at March 31, 2013 and $6.2 billion at December 31, 2012. The increase in dollars of delinquency was driven by higher late stage delinquency which largely reflects an increase during the first half of 2013 in the fair value of real estate secured receivables held for sale as previously discussed, which increases the carrying value of these receivables. This increase in late stage dollars of delinquency was partially offset by the impact of a transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had previously been carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell for which the carrying amount of these receivables has now been further reduced by the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer. Dollars of delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent were essentially flat as compared with March 31, 2013 and decreased as compared with December 31, 2012 reflecting lower receivable levels and the continued improvements in economic conditions and, as compared with December  31, 2012, seasonal improvements in collection activities as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments, partially offset by the impact of the move of all closed-end real estate secured receivables onto one servicing platform in April 2013 and a consistent measurement of delinquency being applied to these loans which resulted in an increase in dollars of delinquency for these receivables. The delinquency ratio for real estate secured receivables was 18.52 percent at June 30, 2013 compared with 17.22 percent at March 31, 2013 and 17.16 percent at December 31, 2012. The delinquency ratio for real estate secured receivables increased as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflecting the higher dollars of delinquency as discussed above. See "Credit Quality-Delinquency" for a more detailed discussion of our delinquency ratio.

Overall dollars of net charge-offs for real estate secured receivables increased as compared with the first quarter of 2013. As previously discussed, during the second quarter of 2013, we transferred a pool of real estate secured receivables to held for sale.  Because these receivables were collateral dependent, the credit loss reserves on these receivables at the time of transfer of $119 million was recognized as an additional charge-off at the time of the transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013.  Excluding this additional charge-off for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, net charge-off dollars for real estate secured receivables remained higher as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2013 due to an increase in receivables where we have decided not to pursue foreclosure as well as higher severity on real estate secured receivables greater than 180 days contractual delinquent that are located in areas which have continued to experience declines in home prices during the second quarter of 2013, partially offset by the impact of lower receivable levels  as discussed above. The net charge-off ratio for real estate secured receivables for the three months ended June 30, 2013 increased as compared with the prior quarter due to higher dollars of net charge-offs as discussed above while average receivable levels decreased as previously discussed. See "Credit Quality-Net Charge-offs of Consumer Receivables" for a more detailed discussion of our net charge-off ratio.

Funding and Capital  During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, we did not receive any capital contributions from HINO. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we retired $2.6 billion of term debt as it matured or was redeemed. The maturing and redeemed debt cash requirements were met through funding from cash generated from operations including balance sheet attrition. The balance sheet and credit dynamics described above continue to have an impact on our liquidity and risk management processes. Continued success in reducing the size of our receivable portfolios as discussed above as well as the sale of pools of real estate secured receivables will be the primary driver of our liquidity during the remainder of 2013. However, lower cash flow as a result of declining receivable balances will not provide sufficient cash to fully repay maturing debt over the next four to five years. As we continue to liquidate our receivable portfolios, HSBC's continued support will be required to properly manage our business operations and maintain appropriate levels of capital. HSBC has historically provided significant capital in support of our operations and has indicated that it is fully committed and has the capacity and willingness to continue that support. Any required incremental funding has been integrated into the overall HSBC North America funding plans and will be sourced through HSBC USA Inc. or through direct support from HSBC or its affiliates. HSBC has indicated it remains fully committed and has the capacity to continue to provide such support. 

As discussed above, a portion of our real estate secured receivable portfolio is currently classified as held for sale as we no longer have the intent to hold these receivables for the foreseeable future for capital or operational reasons. In the current market environment, market pricing continues to value the portion of our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment at amounts that would not provide a sufficient economic benefit to us upon sale. Therefore, we have determined that we have the positive intent and ability to hold these remaining real estate secured receivables for the foreseeable future and, as such, continue to classify these real estate secured receivables as held for investment. However, should market pricing improve in the future or if HSBC calls upon us to execute certain strategies in order to address capital considerations, it could result in the reclassification of additional real estate secured receivables to held for sale.

The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 11.86 percent and 9.87 percent at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. This ratio represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial ratio that is used by HSBC Finance Corporation management, certain rating agencies and our credit-providing banks to evaluate capital adequacy and may be different from similarly named measures presented by other companies. See "Basis of Reporting" and "Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for additional discussion and quantitative reconciliation to the equivalent U.S. GAAP basis financial measure.

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations - Significant Trends  Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense, and changes in various trends and activity affecting operations, are summarized in the following table.

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Loss from continuing operations before income tax from prior year...............

$

(2,451

)


$

(337

)


$

(3,244

)


$

(865

)

Increase (decrease) in income from continuing operations before income tax expense attributable to:








Net interest income...........................................................................................

(153

)


(120

)


(167

)


(156

)

Provision for credit losses...............................................................................

359



(43

)


1,126



(126

)

Mark-to-market on derivatives which do not qualify as effective hedges................................................................................................................

586



(230

)


455



(52

)

Derivative loss on termination of hedges.....................................................

-



-



(199

)


-


Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives........

27



(153

)


439



(520

)

Initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables transferred to receivables held for sale during the period..........................

1,560



(1,659

)


1,560



(1,659

)

Subsequent lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale..................................................................................

471



-



925



(1

)

Salaries and employee benefits......................................................................

(16

)


15



(36

)


11


REO expenses....................................................................................................

-



9



7



86


All other activity......................................................................................................

21



67



(6

)


38


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax for current year............................................................................................................................

$

404



$

(2,451

)


$

860



$

(3,244

)

 

 


Basis of Reporting

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Unless noted, the discussion of our financial condition and results of operations included in MD&A are presented on a continuing operations basis of reporting. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

In addition to the U.S. GAAP financial results reported in our consolidated financial statements, MD&A includes reference to the following information which is presented on a non-U.S. GAAP basis:

Equity Ratios  Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure that is used by HSBC Finance Corporation management, certain rating agencies and our credit-providing banks to evaluate capital adequacy. This ratio excludes from equity the impact of unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments, postretirement benefit plan adjustments, unrealized gains (losses) on investments, intangible assets as well as subsequent changes in fair value recognized in earnings associated with debt for which we elected the fair value option and the related derivatives. This ratio may differ from similarly named measures presented by other companies. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure is the common and preferred equity to total assets ratio. For a quantitative reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to our common and preferred equity to total assets ratio, see "Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures."

International Financial Reporting Standards  Because HSBC reports financial information in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") and IFRSs operating results are used in measuring and rewarding performance of employees, our management also separately monitors net income under IFRSs (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure). All purchase accounting fair value adjustments relating to our acquisition by HSBC have been "pushed down" to HSBC Finance Corporation for both U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The following table reconciles our net income (loss) on a U.S. GAAP basis to net income (loss) on an IFRSs basis:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Net income (loss) - U.S. GAAP basis..........................................................................

$

220



$

(258

)


$

446



$

(413

)

Adjustments, net of tax:








Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments on loans held for sale.......

(324

)


1,070



(740

)


1,070


Loan impairment.......................................................................................................

127



19



156



48


Loss on sale of Insurance business......................................................................

-



164



(92

)


164


Litigation expenses..................................................................................................

26



-



26



-


Credit card receivables transferred to held for sale and included in discontinued operations for U.S. GAAP..............................................................

-



403



-



345


Derivatives and hedge accounting (including fair value adjustments)...........

(1

)


(1

)


(1

)


(3

)

Loan origination cost deferrals..............................................................................

-



2



3



5


Interest recognition..................................................................................................

(11

)


-



(11

)


(1

)

Present value of long term insurance contracts..................................................

-



-



1



5


Pension and other postretirement benefit costs..................................................

3



(4

)


7



3


Other...........................................................................................................................

5



(7

)


1



4


Net income (loss) - IFRSs basis...................................................................................

45



1,388



(204

)


1,227


Tax expense (benefit) - IFRSs basis............................................................................

21



(725

)


149



(631

)

Income (loss) before tax - IFRSs basis........................................................................

$

24



$

2,113



$

(353

)


$

1,858


A summary of the significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are presented below:

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on loans held for sale - IFRSs requires loans originated with the intent to sell in the near term to be classified as trading assets and recorded at their fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, loans designated as held for sale are reflected as loans and recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under IFRSs, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported in other operating income. Under U.S. GAAP, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported similarly to loans held for investment.

For receivables transferred to held for sale subsequent to origination, IFRSs requires these receivables to be reported separately on the balance sheet when certain criteria are met which are generally more stringent than those under U.S GAAP, but does not change the recognition and measurement criteria. Accordingly for IFRSs purposes, such loans continue to be accounted for and impairment continues to be measured in accordance with IAS 39, "Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement" ("IAS 39"), with any gain or loss recorded at the time of sale. U.S. GAAP requires loans that meet the held for sale classification requirements be transferred to a held for sale category at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, the component of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to credit risk at the time of transfer is recorded in the statement of income (loss) as provision for credit losses while the component related to interest rates and liquidity factors is reported in the statement of income (loss) in other revenues. There is no similar requirement under IFRSs.

Loan impairment - IFRSs requires a discounted cash flow methodology for estimating impairment on pools of homogeneous customer loans which requires the discounting of cash flows including recovery estimates at the original effective interest rate of the pool of customer loans. The amount of impairment relating to the discounting of future cash flows unwinds with the passage of time, and is recognized in interest income. Also under IFRSs, if the recognition of a write-down to fair value on secured loans decreases because collateral values have improved and the improvement can be related objectively to an event occurring after recognition of the write-down, such write-down is reversed, which is not permitted under U.S. GAAP. Additionally under IFRSs, future recoveries on charged-off loans or loans written down to fair value less cost to obtain title and sell the collateral are accrued for on a discounted basis and a recovery asset is recorded. Subsequent recoveries are recorded to earnings under U.S. GAAP, but are adjusted against the recovery asset under IFRSs. Under IFRSs, interest on impaired loans is recorded at the effective interest rate on the customer loan balance net of impairment allowances, and therefore reflects the collectability of the loans.

Credit loss reserves on TDR Loans are established based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans' original effective interest rate. Under IFRSs, impairment on the residential mortgage loans for which we have granted the borrower a concession as a result of financial difficulty is measured based on the cash flows attributable to the credit loss events which occurred before the reporting date. HSBC's accounting policy under IFRSs is to remove such loans from the category of impaired loans after a defined period of re-performance, although such loans remain segregated from loans that were not impaired in the past for the purposes of collective impairment assessment to reflect their different credit risk profile. Under U.S. GAAP, when a loan is impaired the impairment is measured based on all expected cash flows over the remaining expected life of the loan. Such loans remain impaired for the remainder of their lives under U.S. GAAP.

For loans collectively evaluated for impairment under U.S. GAAP, bank industry practice adopted in the fourth quarter of 2012 generally results in a loss emergence period for these loans using a roll rate migration analysis which results in 12 months of losses in our credit loss reserves.  Under IFRSs, we concluded that the estimated average period of time from last current status to write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis was 10 months which was also adopted in the fourth quarter of 2012. In the second quarter of 2013, we updated our review under IFRSs to reflect the period of time after a loss event that a loan remains current before delinquency is observed which resulted in an estimated average period of time from a loss event occurring and its ultimate migration from current status through to delinquency and ultimately write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis of 12 months.

Loss on sale of Insurance business - Under IFRSs, a disposal group held for sale is measured at its lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. For purposes of measuring the disposal group, assets that are excluded from the measurement provisions of IFRS 5 must be re-measured in accordance with other applicable standards before the fair value less cost to sell of the disposal group is measured. An impairment loss is recognized for any initial or subsequent write down of the disposal group only to the extent of the carrying amount of the assets that are part of the disposal group and within the scope and the measurement provisions of IFRS 5. To the extent the impairment loss on the disposal group as a whole exceeds the carrying amount of such assets, our policy is to not recognize the excess loss until the disposal group is sold. Under U.S. GAAP, similar rules exist excluding certain disposal group assets from the scope of its impairment measurement provisions, however under U.S. GAAP, our policy is to immediately recognize the impairment loss in excess of the assets that are part of the disposal group and within the scope and measurement provisions of the applicable guidance in U.S. GAAP.

Litigation expenses - Under U.S. GAAP litigation accruals are recorded when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable.  Under IFRSs, a present obligation must exist for an accrual to be recorded.  In certain cases, this creates differences in the timing of accrual recognition between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP. 

Credit card receivables transferred to held for sale and included in discontinued operations for U.S. GAAP  - As discussed above, for receivables transferred to held for sale subsequent to origination, IFRSs requires these receivables to be reported separately on the balance sheet but does not change the recognition and measurement criteria. Accordingly for IFRSs purposes, such loans continue to be accounted for in accordance with IAS 39, with any gain or loss recorded at the time of sale. U.S. GAAP requires loans that meet the held for sale classification requirements be transferred to a held for sale category, and subsequently measured at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

Derivatives and hedge accounting (including fair value adjustments) - The historical use of the "shortcut" and "long haul" hedge accounting methods for U.S. GAAP resulted in different cumulative adjustments to the hedged item for both fair value and cash flow hedges. These differences are recognized in earnings over the remaining term of the hedged items. All of the hedged relationships which previously qualified under the shortcut method provisions of derivative accounting principles have been redesignated and are now either hedges under the long-haul method of hedge accounting or included in the fair value option election.

Loan origination cost deferrals - Loan origination cost deferrals under IFRSs are more stringent and generally result in lower costs being deferred than permitted under U.S. GAAP. In addition, all deferred loan origination fees, costs and loan premiums must be recognized based on the expected life of the receivables under IFRSs as part of the effective interest calculation while under U.S. GAAP they may be recognized on either a contractual or expected life basis.

Interest recognition - The calculation of effective interest rates under IAS 39 requires an estimate of changes in estimated contractual cash flows, including fees and points paid or received between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate be included. U.S. GAAP generally prohibits recognition of interest income to the extent the net investment in the loan would increase to an amount greater than the amount at which the borrower could settle the obligation. Also under U.S. GAAP, prepayment penalties are generally recognized when received.

Present value of long-term insurance contracts - Under IFRSs, the present value of an in-force ("PVIF") long-term insurance contract is determined by discounting future cash flows expected to emerge from business currently in force using appropriate assumptions plus a margin in assessing factors such as future mortality, lapse rates and levels of expenses, and a discount rate that reflects the risk free rate plus a margin for operational risk. Movements in the PVIF of long-term insurance contracts are included in other operating income. Under U.S. GAAP, revenue is recognized over the life insurance policy term.

Pension and other postretirement benefit costs - Pension expense under U.S. GAAP is generally higher than under IFRSs as a result of the amortization of the amount by which actuarial losses exceeds the higher of 10 percent of the projected benefit obligation or fair value of plan assets (the "corridor"). As a result of an amendment to the applicable IFRSs effective January 1, 2013, interest cost and expected return on plan assets is replaced by a finance cost component comprising the net interest on the net defined benefit liability.  This has resulted in an increase in pension expense as the net interest does not reflect the benefit from the expectation of higher returns on the riskier plan assets. In 2010, changes to future accruals for legacy participants under the HSBC North America Pension Plan were accounted for as a plan curtailment under IFRSs, which resulted in immediate income recognition. Under U.S. GAAP, these changes were considered to be a negative plan amendment which resulted in no immediate income recognition.

Other - There are other differences between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP including purchase accounting and other miscellaneous items.

Quantitative Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures  For quantitative reconciliations of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures presented herein to the equivalent GAAP basis financial measures, see "Reconciliations to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures."

 


Receivables Review

  

The table below summarizes receivables at June 30, 2013 and increases (decreases) since March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 




Increases (Decreases) From





March 31, 2013



December 31, 2012


  

June 30, 2013


$


%


$


%


(dollars are in millions)


Receivables:










Real estate secured:










First lien...............................................................................

$

25,798



$

(2,663

)


(9.4

)%


$

(3,503

)


(12.0

)%

Second lien..........................................................................

3,314



(155

)


(4.5

)


(324

)


(8.9

)

Total real estate secured receivables(1)..................................

$

29,112



$

(2,818

)


(8.8

)%


$

(3,827

)


(11.6

)%











Receivables held for sale:










First lien real estate secured....................................................

$

4,991



$

1,584



46.5

%


$

1,969



65.2

%

Personal non-credit card..........................................................

-



(2,947

)


(100.0

)


(3,181

)


(100.0

)

Total receivables held for sale(4).............................................

$

4,991



$

(1,363

)


(21.5

)%


$

(1,212

)


(19.5

)%











Total receivables and receivables held for sale:










Real estate secured:










First lien...............................................................................

$

30,789



$

(1,079

)


(3.4

)%


$

(1,534

)


(4.7

)%

Second lien..........................................................................

3,314



(155

)


(4.5

)


(324

)


(8.9

)

Total real estate secured..........................................................

34,103



(1,234

)


(3.5

)


(1,858

)


(5.2

)

Personal non-credit card..........................................................

-



(2,947

)


(100.0

)


(3,181

)


(100.0

)

Total receivables and receivables held for sale(2)(3).............

$

34,103



$

(4,181

)


(10.9

)%


$

(5,039

)


(12.9

)%

 


(1)        At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, real estate secured receivables held for investment includes $871 million, $2.3 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policy.

(2)        At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, receivables and receivables held for sale includes $1.6 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, of stated income loans.

(3)        At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately 59 percent, 59 percent and 58 percent, respectively, of our real estate secured receivables and real estate secured receivables held for sale have been either modified and/or re-aged.

(4)        See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for detail information related to the movements in the real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivables held for sale balances between periods.

Real estate secured receivables  The decrease since March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflects the continued liquidation of the real estate secured receivable portfolio which will continue going forward as well as the transfer of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables to held for sale (with a net realizable value prior to transfer of approximately $1.8 billion) as discussed above. As compared with December 31, 2012, the decrease also reflects seasonal improvements in our collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments. The liquidation rates in our real estate secured receivable portfolio continue to be impacted by low loan prepayments as few refinancing opportunities for our customers exist and by the trends impacting the mortgage lending industry as discussed above.

Over the past several years, real estate markets in a large portion of the United States have been affected by stagnation or declines in property values. As a result, the loan-to-value ("LTV") ratios for our real estate secured receivable portfolios have generally deteriorated since origination. Receivables that have an LTV greater than 100 percent have historically had a greater likelihood of becoming delinquent, resulting in higher loss severities which could adversely impact our provision for credit losses. Refreshed loan-to-value ratios ("Refreshed LTVs") for our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment are presented in the table below as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012

 



Refreshed LTVs (1)(2)(3)




June 30, 2013



December 31, 2012


  


First

Lien


Second

Lien


First

Lien


Second

Lien

LTV < 80%...........................................................................................................................


37

%


13

%


37

%


13

%

80% ≤ LTV < 90%...............................................................................................................


17



10



17



10


90% ≤ LTV < 100%.............................................................................................................


17



16



16



16


LTV ≥ 100%.........................................................................................................................


29



61



30



61


Average LTV for portfolio................................................................................................


88



107



87



108


Average LTV for LTV>100%............................................................................................


117



123



119



125


 


(1)        Refreshed LTVs for first liens are calculated using the receivable balance as of the reporting date (including any charge-offs recorded to reduce receivables to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies). Refreshed LTVs for second liens are calculated using the receivable balance as of the reporting date (including any charge-offs recorded to reduce receivables to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies) plus the senior lien amount at origination. For purposes of this disclosure, current estimated property values are derived from the property's appraised value at the time of receivable origination updated by the change in the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (formerly known as the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight) house pricing index ("HPI") at either a Core Based Statistical Area ("CBSA") or state level. The estimated value of the homes could vary from actual fair values due to changes in condition of the underlying property, variations in housing price changes within metropolitan statistical areas and other factors. As a result, actual property values associated with loans that end in foreclosure may significantly differ from the estimated values used for purposes of this disclosure.

(2)        For purposes of this disclosure, current estimated property values are calculated using the most current HPI's available and applied on an individual loan basis, which results in an approximate three month delay in the production of reportable statistics for the current period. Therefore, the June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 information in the table above reflects current estimated property values using HPIs as of March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively. 

(3)        Excludes the purchased receivable portfolios which totaled $886 million and $931 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Receivables held for sale  Receivables held for sale were $5.0 billion at June 30, 2013 compared with $6.4 billion at March 31, 2013 and $6.2 billion at December 31, 2012. The decrease compared with both periods reflects the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio on April 1, 2013 as previously discussed and to a lesser extent, the sale of a pool of real estate secured receivables with a carrying value of $230 million. The decrease was partially offset by the transfer of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies into receivables held for sale with a fair value of approximately $1.5 billion at the time transfer as discussed above. The decrease was also partially offset by an increase during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 in the fair value of the real estate receivables held for sale. See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

 


Real Estate Owned

 

We obtain real estate by taking possession of the collateral pledged as security for real estate secured receivables. Prior to taking possession of the pledged collateral, the carrying amounts of receivables held for investment in excess of fair value less cost to sell are generally charged-off at or before the time foreclosure is completed or settlement is reached with the borrower but, in any event, generally no later than the end of the month in which the account becomes six months contractually delinquent. If foreclosure is not pursued (which frequently occurs on loans in the second lien position) and there is no reasonable expectation for recovery (insurance claim, title claim, pre-discharge bankrupt account), the account is generally charged-off no later than the end of the month in which the account becomes six months contractually delinquent. Values are determined based upon broker price opinions or appraisals which are updated every 180 days. During the quarterly period between updates, real estate price trends are reviewed on a geographic basis and additional adjustments are recorded as necessary.

Collateral acquired in satisfaction of a loan is initially recognized at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell and reported as real estate owned ("REO"). Fair values of foreclosed properties at the time of acquisition are initially determined based upon broker price opinions. Subsequent to acquisition, a more detailed property valuation is performed, reflecting information obtained from a walk-through of the property in the form of a listing agent broker price opinion as well as an independent broker price opinion or appraisal. A valuation is determined from this information within 90 days and any additional write-downs required are recorded through charge-off at that time. This value, which includes the impact on fair value from the conditions inside the property, becomes the "Initial REO Carrying Amount."

In determining the appropriate amounts to charge-off when a property is acquired in exchange for a loan, we do not consider losses on sales of foreclosed properties resulting from deterioration in value during the period the collateral is held because these losses result from future loss events which cannot be considered in determining the fair value of the collateral at the acquisition date in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Once a property is classified as real estate owned, we do not consider the losses on past sales of foreclosed properties when determining the fair value of any collateral during the period it is held in REO. Rather, a valuation allowance is created to recognize any subsequent declines in fair value less cost to sell as they become known after the Initial REO Carrying Amount is determined with a corresponding amount reflected in operating expense. Property values are periodically reviewed for impairment until the property is sold and any impairment identified is immediately recognized through the valuation allowance. Recoveries in value are also recognized against the valuation allowance but not in excess of cumulative losses previously recognized subsequent to the date of repossession. Adjustments to the valuation allowance, costs of holding REO and any gain or loss on disposition are credited or charged to operating expense.

The following table provides quarterly information regarding our REO properties:

 


Quarter Ended


  

June 30, 2013


Mar. 31,

2013


Dec. 31,

2012


Sept. 30,

2012


June 30,

2012

Number of REO properties at end of period.............................

3,984



3,242



2,914



2,619



2,792


Number of properties added to REO inventory in the period........................................................................................................

2,659



2,130



1,688



1,458



1,644


Average loss on sale of REO properties(1)...............................

.1

%


3.4

%


5.3

%


4.1

%


3.1

%

Average total loss on foreclosed properties(2)........................

50.3

%


52.5

%


53.4

%


53.3

%


53.5

%

Average time to sell REO properties (in days)........................

150



160



163



168



165


 


(1)        Property acquired through foreclosure is initially recognized at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell ("Initial REO Carrying Amount"). The average loss on sale of REO properties is calculated as cash proceeds less the Initial REO Carrying Amount divided by the unpaid loan principal balance prior to write-down (excluding any accrued finance income) plus certain other ancillary disbursements that, by law, are reimbursable from the cash proceeds (e.g., real estate tax advances) and were incurred prior to our taking title to the property and does not include holding costs on REO properties. This ratio represents the portion of our total loss on foreclosed properties that occurred after we took title to the property.

(2)        The average total loss on foreclosed properties sold each quarter includes both the loss on sale of the REO property as discussed above and the cumulative write-downs recognized on the loans up to the time we took title to the property. This calculation of the average total loss on foreclosed properties uses the unpaid loan principal balance prior to write-down (excluding any accrued finance income) plus certain other ancillary disbursements that, by law, are reimbursable from the cash proceeds (e.g., real estate tax advances) and were incurred prior to the date we took title to the property and does not include holding costs on REO properties.

Our methodology for determining the fair values of the underlying collateral as described above is continuously validated by comparing our net investment in the loan subsequent to charging the loan down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, or our net investment in the property upon completing the foreclosure process, to the updated broker's price opinion and once the collateral has been obtained, any adjustments that have been made to lower the expected selling price, which may be lower than the broker's price opinion. Adjustments in our expectation of the ultimate proceeds that will be collected are recognized as they occur based on market information at that time and consultation with our listing agents for the properties.

As previously reported, beginning in late 2010 we temporarily suspended all new foreclosure proceedings and in early 2011 temporarily suspended foreclosures in process where judgment had not yet been entered while we enhanced foreclosure documentation and processes for foreclosures and re-filed affidavits where necessary. During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we added 4,789 properties to REO inventory. We expect the number of REO properties added to inventory may increase during the remainder of 2013 although the number of new REO properties added to inventory will continue to be impacted by our ongoing refinements to our foreclosure processes as well as the extended foreclosure timelines as discussed below.

In addition, certain courts and state legislatures have issued new rules or statutes relating to foreclosures. Scrutiny of foreclosure documentation has increased in some courts. Also, in some areas, officials are requiring additional verification of information filed prior to the foreclosure proceeding. The combination of these factors has led to a significant backlog of foreclosures which will take time to resolve. If these trends continue, there could be additional delays in the processing of foreclosures, which could have an adverse impact upon housing prices which is likely to result in higher loss severities while foreclosures are delayed.

The number of REO properties at June 30, 2013 increased as compared with March 31, 2013 as the volume of properties added to REO inventory is beginning to increase as we work through the backlog in foreclosure activities driven by the temporary suspension of foreclosures as discussed above. We have resumed processing suspended foreclosure actions in substantially all states and have referred the majority of the backlog of loans for foreclosure. We have also begun initiating new foreclosure activities in substantially all states.  

The average loss on sale of REO properties and the average total loss on foreclosed properties improved during the second quarter of 2013 as compared with the prior quarter due to improvements in home prices during the quarter.

 


Results of Operations

 

Unless noted otherwise, the following discusses amounts from continuing operations as reported in our consolidated statement of income.

Net Interest Income  In the following table which summarizes net interest income, interest expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 includes $7 million and $29 million, respectively, that has been allocated to our discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policies as external interest expense is unaffected by the transfer of businesses to discontinued operations. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, there was no interest expense allocated to our discontinued operations.

 


2013


%(1)


2012


%(1)


(dollars are in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30:








Finance and other interest income............................................................

$

591



5.79

%


$

858



6.54

%

Interest expense...........................................................................................

353



3.46



474



3.61


Net interest income......................................................................................

$

238



2.33

%


$

384



2.93

%









Six Months Ended June 30:








Finance and other interest income............................................................

$

1,364



6.51

%


$

1,765



6.79

%

Interest expense...........................................................................................

732



3.50



995



3.83


Net interest income......................................................................................

$

632



3.01

%


$

770



2.96

%

 


(1)        % Columns: comparison to average interest-earning assets.

Net interest income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to the following:

Ÿ Overall receivable yields decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as a result of a significant shift in receivable mix to higher levels of lower yielding first lien real estate secured receivables as a result of the sale of our higher yielding  personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and continued run-off in our second lien real estate secured receivables portfolio. While overall receivable yields decreased, receivable yields in our real estate secured receivable portfolio were positively impacted by improvements in credit quality during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. Prior to the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio on April 1, 2013, receivable yields in this portfolio had improved during 2013 due to a lower percentage of nonaccrual receivables as compared with the prior year.  

Ÿ Average receivable levels decreased largely as a result of the sale of our portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables on April 1, 2013 as well as real estate secured receivable liquidation.

Ÿ Interest expense decreased resulting from lower average borrowings and lower average rates.

Net interest margin was 2.33 percent and 3.01 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with 2.93 percent and 2.96 percent for the year-ago periods. Net interest margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 has been positively impacted by receivables which we have transferred to held for sale as the carrying amount of these receivables has been reduced by the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment that has been recorded as well as the credit loss reserves associated with the receivables prior to the transfer to held for sale which reduces average receivable balances while interest income otherwise remains the same. Excluding the impact of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale from the calculation of average receivable balances, net interest margin decreased 62 basis points and 2 basis points during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, driven by the lower overall receivable yields largely due to the sale of our higher yielding personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as discussed above, partially offset by a lower cost of funds as a percentage of average interest earning assets. 

The following table reflects the significant trends affecting the comparability of net interest income and net interest margin:

 


Three Months Ended June 30, 2013



Six Months Ended

 June 30, 2013



(in millions)


Net interest income/net interest margin from prior year............................................

$

384



2.93

%


$

770



2.96

%

Impact to net interest income resulting from:








Lower asset levels....................................................................................................

(179

)




(295

)



Receivable yields:.....................................................................................................








Receivable pricing and mix.................................................................................

(99

)




(111

)



Impact of nonaccrual receivables.....................................................................

19





28




Volume and rate impact of modified loans.......................................................

(10

)




(14

)



Non-insurance investment income (rate and volume)........................................

(2

)




(3

)



Cost of funds (rate and volume).............................................................................

122





264




Other...........................................................................................................................

3





(7

)



Net interest income/net interest margin for current year...........................................

$

238



2.33

%


$

632



3.01

%

The varying maturities and repricing frequencies of both our assets and liabilities expose us to interest rate risk. When the various risks inherent in both the asset and the debt do not meet our desired risk profile, we use derivative financial instruments to manage these risks to acceptable interest rate risk levels. See "Risk Management" for additional information regarding interest rate risk and derivative financial instruments.

Provision for Credit Losses  The following table summarizes provision for credit losses by product:

 


2013


2012


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30:




Provision for credit losses:




Real estate secured......................................................................................................................................

$

272



$

598


Personal non-credit card.............................................................................................................................

(5

)


140


Total......................................................................................................................................................................

$

267



$

738






Six Months Ended June 30:




Provision for credit losses:




Real estate secured......................................................................................................................................

$

328



$

1,371


Personal non-credit card.............................................................................................................................

(37

)


158


Total......................................................................................................................................................................

$

291



$

1,529


Our provision for credit losses decreased significantly during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with the year-ago periods as discussed below:

Ÿ The provision for credit losses for real estate secured loans decreased reflecting the impact of lower loss estimates due to lower receivable levels, lower dollars of delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent as compared with the year-ago periods, improved credit quality and lower volumes of new TDR Loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. The decrease also reflects, in part, the transfer of certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale during the second quarter of 2012. Subsequent to the transfer to held for sale no further provision for credit losses are recorded on these receivables as receivables held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The decrease in the provision for credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 also reflects lower credit loss reserves on TDR Loans as a greater percentage of TDR Loans are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as there is an overall credit loss reserve release at the time a TDR Loan is first recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as a result of eliminating the discounting of cash flows used when establishing reserves on TDR Loans. The decrease in credit loss reserves on TDR Loans also reflects lower new TDR Loan volumes and the impact of updates in loss and severity estimates based on recent trends in the portfolio.

 Ÿ As previously discussed, during the second quarter of 2012 we transferred our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to held for sale which resulted in a cumulative lower of cost or fair value adjustment of which $112 million related to credit and was recorded as a component of the provision for credit losses during the second quarter of 2012. As discussed above, subsequent to the transfer to held for sale no further provision for credit losses are recorded on these receivables as receivables held for sale are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value which has resulted in a significant decrease in the provision for credit losses for these receivables during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. The provision for credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 reflects recoveries received from borrowers on fully charged-off personal non-credit card receivables that were not transferred to held for sale because there were no receivable balances outstanding as well as during the six months ended June 30, 2013, $10 million of cash proceeds received from the bulk sale of recovery rights of certain previously charged-off personal non-credit card receivables.

Net charge-offs totaled $482 million and $808 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $1.0 billion and $1.9 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. The decrease reflects the impact of the transfer of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as well as, to a lesser extent, certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale during the second quarter of 2012 as there are no longer any charge-offs associated with the receivables after the transfer to held for sale which impacts comparability between the periods. See "Credit Quality" for further discussion of our net charge-offs.

Credit loss reserves at June 30, 2013 decreased as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 as the provision for credit losses was lower than net charge-offs by $215 million and $517 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The decrease compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflects the transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as previously discussed. Credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to their transfer to held for sale totaled $119 million and was recognized as an additional charge-off at the time of the transfer to held for sale. Excluding the impact on credit loss reserves of the transfer of this pool of receivables to held for sale, credit loss reserves remained lower as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 due to lower receivable levels, lower reserve requirements on TDR Loans and as compared with December 31, 2012, lower levels of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent. Reserve requirements on TDR Loans were lower at June 30, 2013 due to a greater percentage of TDR Loans being carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and lower new TDR Loan volumes as well as the impact of updates in loss and severity estimates based on recent trends in the portfolio. See "Credit Quality" for further discussion of credit loss reserves. 

Other Revenues  The following table summarizes other revenues:

 






Increase (Decrease)


2013


2012


Amount


%


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30:








Derivative related income (expense).................................................................

$

186



$

(424

)


$

610



100+%

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives..........

119



92



27



29.3

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates................................................

6



9



(3

)


(33.3)

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale.........................................................................................................................

372



(1,547

)


1,919



100+

Other income........................................................................................................

(55

)


5



(60

)


(100+)

Total other revenues...........................................................................................

$

628



$

(1,865

)


$

2,493



100+%









Six Months Ended June 30:








Derivative related income (expense).................................................................

$

86



$

(219

)


$

305



100+%

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives..........

135



(304

)


439



100+

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates................................................

13



18



(5

)


(27.8)

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale.........................................................................................................................

826



(1,547

)


2,373



100+

Other income........................................................................................................

(78

)


(8

)


(70

)


(100+)

Total other revenues...........................................................................................

$

982



$

(2,060

)


$

3,042



100+%

Derivative related income (expense)includes realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives which do not qualify as effective hedges under hedge accounting principles, ineffectiveness on derivatives which are qualifying hedges and, in the six months ended June 30, 2013, a derivative loss recognized on the termination of hedges on certain debt as discussed more fully below.  Designation of swaps as effective hedges reduces the volatility that would otherwise result from mark-to-market accounting. All derivatives are economic hedges of the underlying debt instruments regardless of the accounting treatment. Derivative related income (expense) is summarized in the table below: 

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Net realized gains (losses)..........................................................................................

$

(26

)


$

(45

)


$

(53

)


$

(78

)

Mark-to-market on derivatives which do not qualify as effective hedges..........

207



(379

)


317



(138

)

Hedge accounting ineffectiveness............................................................................

5



-



21



(3

)

Derivative loss recognized on termination of hedges............................................

-



-



(199

)


-


Total...............................................................................................................................

$

186



$

(424

)


$

86



$

(219

)

Derivative related income (expense) improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. As previously discussed, our real estate secured receivables are remaining on the balance sheet longer due to lower prepayment rates. At June 30, 2013, we had $3.1 billion of interest rate swaps outstanding for the purpose of offsetting the increase in the duration of these receivables and the corresponding increase in interest rate risk as measured by the present value of a basis point ("PVBP"). While these positions acted as economic hedges by lowering our overall interest rate risk and more closely matching both the structure and duration of our liabilities to the structure and duration of our assets, they did not qualify as effective hedges under hedge accounting principles. As a result, these positions are carried at fair value and are marked-to-market through income while the item being hedged is not carried at fair value and, therefore, no offsetting fair value adjustment is recorded. In January 2013, we terminated $2.4 billion of non-qualifying hedges to better align our overall hedge position with our overall interest rate risk position, which had changed after the issuance of $1.5 billion in fixed rate debt to HSBC Bank USA in December 2012 and revisions in our estimates of the prepayment speeds on the underlying mortgages we are funding. Our remaining non-qualifying hedges at June 30, 2013 were primarily longer-dated pay fixed/receive variable interest rate swaps with an average life of 10.9 years. Market value movements for the longer-dated pay fixed/receive variable interest rate swaps may be volatile during periods in which long-term interest rates fluctuate, but they effectively lock in fixed interest rates for a set period of time which results in funding that is better aligned with longer term assets when considered in conjunction with variable rate borrowings.

Rising long-term interest rates during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 had a positive impact on the mark-to-market for this portfolio of swaps in both periods. Falling long-term interest rates during the second quarter of 2012 had a significant negative impact on the mark-to-market for this portfolio which offset gains recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2012. Net realized losses improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with the year-ago periods due to lower interest settlements during the first half of 2013 as we held fewer hedge positions. Ineffectiveness during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was primarily related to our cross currency cash flow hedges that are approaching maturity.

As discussed in previous filings, we have approximately $1.0 billion of junior subordinated notes issued to HSBC Finance Capital Trust IX ("HFCT IX"). HFCT IX, which is a related but unconsolidated entity, issued trust preferred securities to third party investors to fund the purchase of the junior subordinated notes. Under the Notices of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPR") issued by the U.S. regulators which would implement the capital provisions of Basel III and was largely unchanged by the final rule that was adopted on July 2, 2013, the trust preferred securities would no longer qualify as Tier I capital. As a result of these proposed changes, as well as other recent changes in our assessment of cash flow needs, including long term funding considerations, during the first quarter of 2013 we terminated the associated cash flow hedges associated with these notes, which resulted in the reclassification to net income of $199 million of unrealized losses previously accumulated in other comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Net income volatility, whether based on changes in interest rates for swaps which do not qualify for hedge accounting or ineffectiveness recorded on our qualifying hedges under the long haul method of accounting, impacts the comparability of our reported results between periods. Accordingly, derivative related income (expense) for the six months ended June 30, 2013 or any prior periods should not be considered indicative of the results for any future periods.

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives reflects fair value changes on our fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO as well as the fair value changes and realized gains (losses) on the related derivatives associated with debt designated at fair value. See Note 7, "Fair Value Option," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information, including a break out of the components of the gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives.

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates represents revenue received under service level agreements under which we service real estate secured receivables as well as rental revenue from HSBC Technology & Services (USA) Inc. ("HTSU") for certain office and administrative costs. Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates decreased modestly during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to a decrease in services provided for HSBC affiliates.

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 totaled $372 million and $826 million, respectively, primarily reflecting an increase in the fair value of the real estate receivables held for sale during the first half of 2013, partially offset during the six months ended June 30, 2013 by a decrease in the fair value of the personal non-credit card receivables held for sale during the first quarter of 2013. As previously discussed, the increase in the relative fair value of the real estate secured receivables held for sale is largely due to improved conditions in the housing industry driven by increased property values and, to a lesser extent, lower required market yields and increased investor demand for these types of receivables. The lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 also includes a reduction in fair value of $99 million related to the transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as discussed above, all of which was attributable to non-credit related factors.

During the second quarter of 2012, we transferred certain real estate secured receivables and our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to receivables held for sale. This resulted in a lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment during the second quarter of 2012 of $1.7 billion, of which $1.5 billion was non-credit related and reflects the impact on value caused by current marketplace conditions, including changes in interest rates and liquidity. The non-credit portion was recorded as a component of other revenues.

See Note 6, "Receivables Held for Sale," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion.

Other income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to an increase in the estimated repurchase liability during the periods, primarily related to receivables sold by Decision One Mortgage LLC ("Decision One") in prior years, and lower credit insurance commissions, partially offset by servicing fees received for servicing the personal non-credit card receivables sold on April 1, 2013 as previously discussed. While we also increased the estimated repurchase liability during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the increase was larger during the current year periods. Additionally, the six months ended June 30, 2012 included a reversal of income previously recorded on lender-placed hazard insurance for real estate secured receivable customers which was refunded during the first quarter of 2013.

Our reserve for potential repurchase liability exposures relates primarily to receivables sold by Decision One in previous years. Our repurchase liability of $124 million at June 30, 2013 represents our best estimate of the loss that has been incurred resulting from various representations and warranties in the contractual provisions of our loan sales. Because the level of loan repurchase losses are dependent upon investor strategies for bringing claims or pursuing legal action for losses incurred, primarily related to Decision One loans, the level of the liability for loan repurchase losses requires significant judgment. As we have limited information of the losses incurred by investors, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates making it reasonably possible that they could change. The range of reasonably possible losses in excess of our recorded repurchase liability based on a stressed estimate is between zero and $175 million at June 30, 2013.   

Operating Expenses  The following table summarizes operating expenses. The cost trends in the table below include fixed allocated costs which have not necessarily been reduced in line with the run-off of our loan portfolio, which will continue in future periods.

 






Increase (Decrease)



2013


2012


Amount


%


(in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30:








Salaries and employee benefits..................................................................

$

51



$

35



$

16



45.7

%

Occupancy and equipment expenses, net................................................

9



11



(2

)


(18.2

)

Real estate owned expenses.......................................................................

20



20



-



-


Other servicing and administrative expenses..........................................

48



94



(46

)


(48.9

)

Support services from HSBC affiliates......................................................

67



79



(12

)


(15.2

)

Operating expenses.....................................................................................

$

195



$

239



$

(44

)


(18.4

)%









Six Months Ended June 30:








Salaries and employee benefits..................................................................

$

115



$

79



$

36



45.6

%

Occupancy and equipment expenses, net................................................

18



21



(3

)


(14.3

)

Real estate owned expenses.......................................................................

42



49



(7

)


(14.3

)

Other servicing and administrative expenses..........................................

153



160



(7

)


(4.4

)

Support services from HSBC affiliates......................................................

135



145



(10

)


(6.9

)

Operating expenses.....................................................................................

$

463



$

454



$

9



2.0

%

Compliance costs continued to be a significant component of our operating expenses totaling $13 million and $48 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $57 and $89 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, primarily within other servicing and administrative expenses. While we believe compliance related costs have permanently increased due to the remediation requirements of the Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order, our agreement in the first quarter of 2013 with the Federal Reserve to cease the Independent Foreclosure Review is expected to positively impact our compliance cost trends for the remainder of 2013 as the significant resources working on the Independent Foreclosure Review are no longer required.

Salaries and employee benefits increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 reflecting increased staffing associated with the transfer of certain employees to HSBC Finance Corporation who had previously been centralized in North America and whose salary and employee benefits were previously allocated to us but solely support the activities of HSBC Finance Corporation. Beginning on January 1, 2013, the salary and employee benefits related to these employees are now reported within HSBC Finance Corporation. The increase also reflects higher staff levels since the second quarter of 2012 related to processing foreclosures as well as compliance matters, partially offset by the impact of the continuing reduced scope of our business operations and the impact of entity-wide initiatives to reduce costs. 

Occupancy and equipment expenses, netwere slightly lower during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with the year-ago periods reflecting the continuing reduced scope of our business operations.

Real estate owned expenses were flat during the three months ended June 30, 2013. REO expenses decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2013 reflecting lower estimated losses on REO property as a result of improvements in home prices, partially offset by slightly higher holding costs for REO properties due to a higher average number of REO properties held during the period. 

Other servicing and administrative expenses decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 reflecting lower fees for consulting services related to various cost initiatives and foreclosure remediation efforts associated with the requirements of the Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order, including the cessation of the Independent Foreclosure Review, although the lower consulting services fees were more pronounced during the second quarter of 2013. The decrease also reflects a reduction in an accrual related to mortgage servicing matters of $14 million and the continuing reduction in the scope of our business operations and the impact of entity-wide initiatives to reduce costs, including during the six months ended June 30, 2013, lower third-party collection costs.  These decreases were partially offset by higher expenses for lender-placed hazard insurance.

Support services from HSBC affiliatesdecreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as support services from HSBC affiliates reflects lower technology support costs as well as the impact of certain employees who had previously been centralized in North America and billed to HSBC Finance Corporation now being reported within salaries and employee benefits of HSBC Finance Corporation effective January 1, 2013 as discussed above. 

Efficiency Ratio from continuing operations was 22.5 percent and 28.7 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively, compared with (16.2) percent and (36.0) percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations in both periods was impacted by the change in the fair value of own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected the fair value option. Excluding this item from the periods presented, our efficiency ratio improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 driven by significantly higher other revenues driven by an increase in the fair value of real estate secured receivables held for sale as discussed above as well as improvements in derivative related income (expense).

 


Segment Results - IFRS Basis

 

We have one reportable segment: Consumer. Our Consumer segment consists of our run-off Consumer Lending and Mortgage Services businesses. The Consumer segment provided real estate secured and personal non-credit card loans with both revolving and closed-end terms and with fixed or variable interest rates. Loans were originated through branch locations and direct mail. Products were also offered and customers serviced through the Internet. Our segment results are reported on a continuing operations basis. Prior to the first quarter of 2007, we acquired loans from correspondent lenders and prior to September 2007 we also originated loans sourced through mortgage brokers. While these businesses are operating in run-off, they have not been reported as discontinued operations because we continue to generate cash flow from the ongoing collections of the receivables, including interest and fees.   

Previously we reported our corporate and treasury activities, which included the impact of FVO debt, in the All Other caption in our segment reporting. With the completion of the sale of our Insurance business on March 29, 2013 as more fully discussed in Note 2, "Discontinued Operations," our corporate and treasury activities are now solely supporting our Consumer Lending and Mortgage Services businesses. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2013 we are now reporting these activities within the Consumer Segment and no longer presenting an "All Other" caption within segment reporting. Segment financial information has been restated for all periods presented to reflect this new segmentation. There have been no other changes in measurement or composition of our segment reporting other than the item discussed above as compared with the presentation in our 2012 Form 10-K.

We report financial information to our parent, HSBC, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). Our segment results are presented in accordance with IFRSs (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) on a legal entity basis ("IFRSs Basis") as operating results are monitored and reviewed and trends are evaluated on an IFRSs Basis. However, we continue to monitor liquidity and capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP basis.

Consumer Segment  The following table summarizes the IFRS Basis results for our Consumer segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and as of June 30, 2013 and 2012.

 






Increase (Decrease)



2013


2012


Amount


%


(dollars are in millions)

Three Months Ended June 30,








Net interest income..............................................................................................

$

493



$

622



$

(129

)


(20.7)%

Other operating income.......................................................................................

(116

)


(431

)


315



73.1

Total operating income.......................................................................................

377



191



186



97.4

Loan impairment charges....................................................................................

124



720



596



82.8

Net interest income and other operating income after loan impairment charges..................................................................................................................

253



(529

)


782



100+

Operating expenses.............................................................................................

153



221



68



30.8

Income (loss) before tax......................................................................................

$

100



$

(750

)


$

850



100+%

Net interest margin...............................................................................................

4.80

%


4.81

%


-



-


Efficiency ratio......................................................................................................

40.6



115.7



-



-


Return (after-tax) on average assets ("ROA").................................................

.9



(3.0

)


-



-










Six Months Ended June 30,








Net interest income..............................................................................................

$

1,129



$

1,267



$

(138

)


(10.9)%

Other operating income.......................................................................................

(315

)


(748

)


433



57.9

Total operating income.......................................................................................

814



519



295



56.8

Loan impairment charges....................................................................................

443



1,575



1,132



71.9

Net interest income and other operating income after loan impairment charges..................................................................................................................

371



(1,056

)


1,427



100+

Operating expenses.............................................................................................

408



410



2



.5

Income (loss) before tax......................................................................................

$

(37

)


$

(1,466

)


$

1,429



97.5%

Net interest margin...............................................................................................

5.28

%


4.94

%


-



-

Efficiency ratio......................................................................................................

50.1



79.0



-



-


Return (after-tax) on average assets ("ROA").................................................

.1



(3.2

)


-



-










Balances at end of period:








Customer loans.....................................................................................................

$

34,498



$

44,437



$

(9,939

)


(22.4

)%

Assets....................................................................................................................

43,839



52,696



(8,857

)


(16.8

)

Our Consumer segment reported income before tax during the three months ended June 30, 2013 and a loss before tax during the six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with losses before tax during the year-ago periods. The reported improvements reflect significantly lower loan impairment charges, higher other operating income and, in the three months ended June 30, 2013, lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower net interest income. Higher other operating income was partially offset by the loss on sale of our personal non-credit card loan portfolio as discussed below. Operating expenses were essentially flat during the six months ended June 30, 2013.

Loan impairment charges improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. In the second quarter of 2013, we updated our review under IFRSs to reflect the period of time after a loss event that a loan remains current before delinquency is observed which resulted in an estimated average period of time from a loss event occurring and its ultimate migration from current status through to delinquency and ultimately write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis of 12 months. This resulted in an incremental loan impairment charge of approximately $110 million under IFRSs during the second quarter of 2013. Excluding the impact of this incremental loan impairment charge, loan impairment charges remained lower during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as discussed below.

Ÿ Loan impairment charges for the real estate secured loan portfolio decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with the year-ago periods. The decrease in both periods reflects lower loan balances outstanding as the portfolio continues to liquidate as well as lower loss estimates due to lower delinquency levels as compared with the prior year periods and the impact of the discounting of estimated future amounts to be received on real estate loans which have been written down to fair value less cost to obtain and sell the collateral. The decrease also reflects a decrease in credit loss reserves as a result of significant improvements in market value adjustments on loan collateral driven by improvements in home prices. 

Ÿ Loan impairment charges for personal non-credit card loans decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 as compared with the year-ago periods. As previously discussed, our portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables was sold on April 1, 2013.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, loan impairment charges were lower than net charge-offs by $95 million and $316 million, respectively, compared with loan impairment charges greater than net charge-offs of $11 million during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and loan impairment charges lower than net charge-offs of $100 million during the six months ended June 30, 2012. During the first half of 2013, we decreased credit loss reserves to $3.8 billion from $4.4 billion at December 31, 2012 reflecting significant improvements in market value adjustments on loan collateral driven by improvements in home prices as well as improvements in economic conditions and seasonal improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as customers use their tax refunds to make payments. The decrease also reflects the impact of the transfer of real estate secured loans to held for sale during the first half of 2013 which had credit loss reserves totaling $55 million at the time of transfer. Loans held for sale and the associated credit loss reserves are reported as a component of other assets. However, these loans continue to be accounted for and impairment continues to be measured through loan impairment charges in accordance with IAS 39 with any gain or loss recorded at the time of sale. This decrease in the first half of 2013 was partially offset by an increase in credit loss reserves of $110 million related to the change in the estimated average period of time from a loss event occurring and its ultimate write-off for real estate loans collectively evaluated for impairment as discussed above.

As discussed previously, we have decided to sell a pool of real estate secured loans, although only a portion of this pool of real estate secured loans currently qualifies for classification as held for sale under IFRSs. On June 1, 2013, we completed the sale of a pool of real estate secured loans to a third-party investor with an unpaid principal balance of $439 million and recorded a loss of $1 million as a result of this transaction. On August 1, 2013, we completed the sale of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables with an unpaid principal balance of $685 million (carrying value after impairment allowance of $384 million) at the time of sale to a third-party investor which we do not expect will result in any significant impact to our earnings during the third quarter of 2013. Assuming we had completed the sale of the entire pool of real estate secured loans held for sale under U.S. GAAP on June 30, 2013, based on market values at that time, we would have recorded a loss of approximately $0.1 billion. During July 2013, we commenced the active marketing to sell a further portion of our real estate secured loans. At that time, the sale was considered highly probable and these loans were classified as held for sale under IFRSs.  As of June 30, 2013, the loans had an unpaid principal balance of approximately $1.8 billion and a carrying amount before impairment allowance, but including the effect of write-downs, of approximately $1.1 billion. We expect to complete the sale of these loans by October 2013.

As previously discussed, on April 1, 2013 we sold our portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables which had previously been classified as held for sale. As a result of this transaction, we recorded a loss of $271 million during the second quarter of 2013 which was recorded as a component within other operating income.

Net interest income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to lower average loan levels primarily as a result of the sale of our portfolio of personal non-credit card loans on April 1, 2013 and for the three months ended June 30, 2013 lower overall loan yields, partially offset by lower interest expense. Lower overall loan yields for the three months ended June 30, 2013 reflects the sale of our higher yielding personal non-credit card loan portfolio which resulted in a significant shift in mix to higher levels of lower yielding first lien real estate secured loans. Overall loan yields were slightly higher in the six months ended June 30, 2013 as the significant shift in mix to higher levels of lower yielding first lien real estate secured loans was offset by the impact of improved credit quality for real estate secured loans and lower levels of impaired personal non-credit card loans. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the overall yield in our loan portfolio was positively impacted by higher income recognition associated with the discounting of future estimated cash flows associated with real estate secured loans due to the passage of time. Lower interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 reflects lower average borrowings and a lower cost of funds. Net interest margin was essentially flat during the three months ended June 30, 2013 as the lower overall loan yields discussed above were offset by a lower cost of funds as a percentage of average interest earning assets. For the six months ended June 30, 2013, net interest margin increased reflecting the lower cost of funds as a percentage of average interest earning assets and slightly higher overall loan yields as discussed above.

Other operating income improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013.  The following table summarizes significant components of other income for the periods presented:

 


Three Months Ended
June 30,


Six Months Ended
June 30,


2013


2012


2013


2012


(in millions)

Trading income (loss)(1)..............................................................................................

$

137



$

(434

)


$

12



$

(236

)

Income (loss) from debt designated at fair value....................................................

-



(11

)


(70

)


(513

)

Loss on sale of personal non-credit card loan portfolio........................................

(271

)


-



(271

)


-


Other..............................................................................................................................

18



14



14



1


Total...............................................................................................................................

$

(116

)


$

(431

)


$

(315

)


$

(748

)

 


(1)   Trading income primarily reflects activity on our portfolio of non-qualifying hedges and, for the six months ended June 30, 2013, a derivative loss on the termination of a hedge relationship, as well as provisions for mortgage loan repurchase obligations.

The improvement in other income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 is largely due to improvements in trading income associated with non-qualifying hedges due to rising long-term interest rates, lower losses on debt designated at fair value and lower losses on REO properties, partially offset by the loss on sale of our personal non-credit card loan portfolio as discussed above and lower credit insurance commissions. The improvements in trading income during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 were partially offset by an increase in the estimated repurchase liability for receivables sold as previously discussed and, in the six months ended June 30, 2013, a $199 million derivative loss recognized on the termination of a hedge relationship. The prior year-to-date period includes a reversal of income previously recorded on lender-placed hazard insurance for real estate secured receivable customers which was refunded during the first quarter of 2013 and included as a component of other in the table above. Lower losses on REO properties during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, which are included as a component of other in the table above, reflects lower estimated losses on REO properties reflecting improvements in home prices as compared with the prior year periods.

Operating expenses decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2013 but were essentially flat during the year-to-date period.  Operating expenses in both periods reflect a reduction in an accrual related to mortgage servicing matters of $54 million as well as lower fees for consulting services related to various cost initiatives and foreclosure remediation efforts associated with the requirements of the Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order, including the cessation of the Independent Foreclosure Review, although the lower consulting services fees were more pronounced during the second quarter of 2013. Additionally, the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 includes an increase in pension expense of $6 million and $12 million, respectively, as a result of a change in IAS 19, "Employee Benefits."

The efficiency ratio improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 due to higher other operating income and, in the three months ended June 30, 2013, lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower net interest income as discussed above.

ROA improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 primarily driven by lower loan impairment charges, higher other operating income and, in the three months ended June 30, 2013, lower operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of lower average assets.

Customer loans Customer loans for our Consumer segment can be analyzed as follows:

 

  

June 30, 2013


Increases (Decreases) From


June 30, 2012



December 31, 2012


$


%


$


%


(dollars are in millions)


Loans:










Real estate secured...........................................................

$

34,498



$

(1,523

)


(4.2

)%


$

(3,058

)


(8.1

)%

Total loans..........................................................................

$

34,498



$

(1,523

)


(4.2

)%


$

(3,058

)


(8.1

)%

Loans held for sale:.................................................................










Real estate secured...........................................................

$

406



$

164



67.8

%


$

406



100.0

%

Personal non-credit card..................................................

-



(3,213

)


(100.0

)


(3,420

)


(100.0

)

Total loans held for sale...................................................

$

406



$

(3,049

)


(88.2

)%


$

(3,014

)


(88.1

)%

Total loans and loans held for sale:......................................










Real estate secured...........................................................

$

34,904



$

(1,359

)


(3.7

)%


$

(2,652

)


(7.1

)%

Personal non-credit card..................................................

-



(3,213

)


(100.0

)


(3,420

)


(100.0

)

Total loans and loans held for sale.................................

$

34,904



$

(4,572

)


(11.6

)%


$

(6,072

)


(14.8

)%

Customer loans decreased to $34.5 billion at June 30, 2013 as compared with $36.0 billion at March 31, 2013 and $37.6 billion at December 31, 2012. During the first quarter and second quarter of 2013, a pool of real estate secured loans met the IFRSs criteria to be classified as held for sale with an unpaid principal balance of $490 million and $727 million, respectively, at the time of transfer and are now reported within other assets net of impairment allowances. As discussed previously, on April 1, 2013 we completed the sale of the personal non-credit card loan portfolio. The decrease in our real estate secured loan portfolio also reflects the continued liquidation of this portfolio which will continue going forward. The liquidation rates in our real estate secured loan portfolio continue to be impacted by declines in loan prepayments as fewer refinancing opportunities for our customers exist and the trends impacting the mortgage lending industry as previously discussed. Lower loan balances since December 31, 2012 also reflect seasonal improvements in our collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments. 

See "Receivables Review" for a more detail discussion of the decreases in our receivable portfolios.

 


Credit Quality

 

Credit Loss Reserves  We maintain credit loss reserves to cover probable incurred losses of principal, interest and fees. Credit loss reserves are based on a range of estimates and are intended to be adequate but not excessive. For loans which have been identified as troubled debt restructures, credit loss reserves are maintained based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans' original effective interest rates. We estimate probable losses for consumer receivables which do not qualify as TDR Loans using a roll rate migration analysis that estimates the likelihood that a loan will progress through the various stages of delinquency, or buckets, and ultimately charge-off based upon recent historical performance experience of other loans in our portfolio. This migration analysis incorporates estimates of the period of time between a loss occurring and the confirming event of its charge-off. Loans with different risk characteristics are typically segregated into separate models and may utilize different periods of time for estimating the period of a loss occurring and its confirmation. This analysis also considers delinquency status, loss experience and severity and takes into account whether borrowers have filed for bankruptcy, or loans have been re-aged or are subject to modification. Our credit loss reserves also take into consideration the loss severity expected based on the underlying collateral, if any, for the loan in the event of default based on historical and recent trends, which are updated monthly based on a rolling average of several months' data using the most recently available information. Delinquency status may be affected by customer account management policies and practices, such as the re-age of accounts or modification arrangements. When customer account management policies or changes thereto, shift loans that do not qualify as a TDR Loan from a "higher" delinquency bucket to a "lower" delinquency bucket, this will be reflected in our roll rate statistics. To the extent that re-aged or modified accounts that do not qualify as a TDR Loan have a greater propensity to roll to higher delinquency buckets, this will be captured in the roll rates. Since the loss reserve is computed based on the composite of all of these calculations, this increase in roll rate will be applied to receivables in all respective delinquency buckets, which will increase the overall reserve level. In addition, loss reserves on consumer receivables are maintained to reflect our judgment of portfolio risk factors that may not be fully reflected in the statistical roll rate calculation or when historical trends are not reflective of current inherent losses in the portfolio. Portfolio risk factors considered in establishing loss reserves on consumer receivables include product mix, unemployment rates, bankruptcy trends, the credit performance of modified loans, geographic concentrations, loan product features such as adjustable rate loans, the credit performance of second lien loans where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent, economic conditions, such as national and local trends in housing markets and interest rates, portfolio seasoning, account management policies and practices, current levels of charge-offs and delinquencies, changes in laws and regulations and other factors which can affect consumer payment patterns on outstanding receivables, such as natural disasters and global pandemics.

While our credit loss reserves are available to absorb losses in the entire portfolio, we specifically consider the credit quality and other risk factors for each of our products. We recognize the different inherent loss characteristics in each of our products as well as customer account management policies and practices and risk management/collection practices. We also consider key ratios, including reserves as a percentage of nonaccrual receivables, reserves as a percentage of receivables and reserves as a percentage of net charge-offs. Loss reserve estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments are reported in earnings when they become known. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside our control, such as consumer payment patterns and economic conditions, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change.

Real estate secured receivable carrying amounts in excess of fair value less cost to sell are generally charged-off no later than the end of the month in which the account becomes six months contractually delinquent. Values are determined based upon broker price opinions or appraisals which are updated at least every 180 days. Typically, receivables written down to fair value of the collateral less cost to sell did not require credit loss reserves. However as we began to see a pattern in 2011 for lower estimates of value after the more detailed property valuations are performed which include information obtained from a walk-through of the property after we have obtained title, we carry credit loss reserves for receivables written down to fair value of the collateral less cost to sell to reflect an estimate of the likely additional loss. 

In establishing reserve levels, given the general decline in U.S. home prices that has occurred since 2007, we anticipate that losses in our real estate secured receivable portfolios will continue to be incurred with greater frequency and severity than experienced prior to 2007. As a result of these conditions, lenders have significantly tightened underwriting standards, substantially limiting the availability of alternative and subprime mortgages. As fewer financing options currently exist in the marketplace for home buyers, properties in certain markets are remaining on the market for longer periods of time which contributes to home price depreciation. For many of our customers, the ability to refinance and access equity in their homes is no longer an option. These housing market trends were exacerbated by the recent economic downturn, including high levels of unemployment, and these industry trends continue to impact our portfolio. We have considered these factors in establishing our credit loss reserve levels, as appropriate.

As discussed in Note 4, "Receivables," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, we have historically utilized two different servicing platforms for real estate secured receivables which result in differences relating to how contractual delinquency is measured. In April 2013, we moved all closed-end real estate secured receivables onto one servicing platform and now the substantial majority of our real estate secured receivables utilize the same servicing platform going forward. We had originally anticipated that as a result of this move to the same servicing platform and a consistent measurement of delinquency being applied to these loans, dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency would increase at June 30, 2013 but would return to pre-conversion trends by year-end. While we did experience an increase in dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency as of June 30, 2013 for the receivables that were moved to the different platform, much of the increase has been offset by improvements in credit quality in other parts of our real estate secured receivable portfolio. 

The table below sets forth credit loss reserves and related reserve ratios as of June 30, 2013 compared with March 31, 2013 and  December 31, 2012.   

 


June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


December 31, 2012


(dollars are in millions)

Credit loss reserves:(1)(3).........................................................................................................

$

4,098



$

4,313



$

4,607


Reserves as a percentage of:






Receivables(2)(4).................................................................................................................

12.85

%


12.39

%


12.89

%

Net charge-offs(4)(5)...........................................................................................................

417.8



291.6



445.3


Nonaccrual receivables(2)(4).............................................................................................

236.9



136.7



140.1


 


(1)        At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, credit loss reserves include $63 million, $154 million and $132 million, respectively, related to receivables held for investment which have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell primarily reflecting an estimate of additional loss following an interior appraisal of the property as previously discussed.

(2)        These ratios are significantly impacted at June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 by changes in the level of real estate secured receivables which have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies and are not classified as held for sale. The following table shows these ratios excluding these receivables and any associated credit loss reserves for all periods presented.

 


June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


December 31, 2012

Reserves as a percentage of:






Receivables..................................................................................................................

13.02

%


12.84

%


13.35

%

Nonaccrual receivables.................................................................................................

392.4



369.6



320.5


(3)        Reserves associated with accrued finance charges are reported within our total credit loss reserve balances noted above, although receivables, net charge-offs and nonaccrual receivables as reported generally exclude accrued finance charges. The reserve ratios presented in the table exclude any reserves associated with accrued finance charges.

(4)        Ratios exclude receivables, net charge-offs and nonaccrual receivables associated with receivable portfolios which are considered held for sale as these receivables are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value with no corresponding credit loss reserves.

(5)        Reserves as a percentage of net charge-offs for the quarter, annualized.

Credit loss reserves at June 30, 2013 decreased as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflecting the transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as previously discussed. Credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to their transfer to held for sale totaled $119 million and was recognized as an additional charge-off at the time of the transfer to held for sale. Excluding the impact on credit loss reserves of the transfer of this pool of receivables to held for sale, credit loss reserves remained lower as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 due to lower receivable levels, lower reserve requirements on TDR Loans and as compared with December 31, 2012, lower levels of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent. Reserve requirements on TDR Loans were lower at June 30, 2013 due to a greater percentage of TDR Loans being carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and lower new TDR Loan volumes as well as the impact of updates in loss and severity estimates based on recent trends in the portfolio. 

At June 30, 2013, 80 percent of our credit loss reserves are associated with TDR Loans held for investment which total $12.4 billion and are reserved for using a discounted cash flow analysis which, in addition to considering all expected future cash flows, also takes into consideration the time value of money and the difference between the current interest rate and the original effective interest rate on the loan. This methodology generally results in a higher reserve requirement for TDR Loans than the remainder of our receivable portfolio for which credit loss reserves are established using a roll rate migration analysis that only considers 12 months of losses. This methodology is highly sensitive to changes in volumes of TDR Loans as well as changes in estimates of the timing and amount of cash flows for TDR Loans. As a result, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2013 and provisions for credit losses for TDR Loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future periods. Generally as TDR Loan levels increase, overall credit loss reserves also increase.

At June 30, 2013, approximately $871 million of our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment has been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. In addition, approximately $11.8 billion of real estate secured receivables held for investment which are not carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell are considered TDR Loans which are reserved for using a discounted cash flow analysis that generally results in a higher reserve requirement. As a result, at June 30, 2013, 43 percent of our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell or are reserved for using a discounted cash flow analysis.

Reserve ratios Following is a discussion of changes in the reserve ratios we consider in establishing reserve levels.

Reserves as a percentage of receivables were higher at June 30, 2013 as compared with March 31, 2013 as the decrease in receivables as a result of the transfer of additional receivables into receivables held for sale during the current quarter outpaced the decrease in credit loss reserves. Reserves as a percentage of receivables at June 30, 2013 remained essentially flat as compared with December 31, 2012 as credit loss reserves and receivables decreased at the same pace. 

Reserves as a percentage of net charge-offs at June 30, 2013 were significantly higher as compared with March 31, 2013 and lower as compared with December 31, 2012. As noted above, reserves as a percentage of net charge-offs excludes charge-off associated with receivable portfolios which are considered held for sale as these receivables are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value with no corresponding credit loss reserves. The transfer of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 has created a lack of comparability for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and prior periods.

Reserves as a percentage of nonaccrual receivables at June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were impacted by nonperforming real estate secured receivables carried at fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Excluding receivables carried at fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and any associated credit loss reserves from this ratio, reserves as a percentage of nonperforming loans increased at June 30, 2013 as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 as the decrease in nonaccrual receivables as discussed more fully below outpaced the decrease in credit loss reserves.

See Note 5, "Credit Loss Reserves," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a rollforward of credit loss reserves by product for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

Delinquency  Our policies and practices for the collection of consumer receivables, including our customer account management policies and practices, permit us to modify the terms of loans, either temporarily or permanently (a "modification"), and/or to reset the contractual delinquency status of an account that is contractually delinquent to current (a "re-age"), based on indicia or criteria which, in our judgment, evidence continued payment probability. Such policies and practices vary by product and are designed to manage customer relationships, improve collection opportunities and avoid foreclosure or repossession as determined to be appropriate. If a re-aged account subsequently experiences payment defaults, it will again become contractually delinquent and be included in our delinquency ratios.

The table below summarizes dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency for receivables and receivables held for sale and two-months-and-over contractual delinquency as a percent of consumer receivables and receivables held for sale ("delinquency ratio").  As previously discussed, during the second quarter of 2013, we transferred an additional pool of real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell to receivables held for sale. As a result the carrying value of these receivables has been reduced by the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded at the time of transfer as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer, which creates a lack of comparability between dollars of contractual delinquency and the delinquency ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2013 and prior periods. 

 

  

June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


December 31, 2012


(dollars are in millions)

Dollars of contractual delinquency:






Real estate secured:






Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell(1)(3).......................................................................

$

4,517



$

4,307



$

3,960


Remainder:






Individually evaluated for impairment(2)..........................................................

1,459



1,404



1,714


Collectively evaluated for impairment..............................................................

339



375



496


Total remainder.........................................................................................................

1,798



1,779



2,210


Total real estate secured................................................................................................

6,315



6,086



6,170


Personal non-credit card................................................................................................

-



42



103


Total..................................................................................................................................

$

6,315



$

6,128



$

6,273








Delinquency ratio:






Real estate secured:






Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.............................................................................

77.12

%


75.40

%


77.18

%

Remainder:






Collectively evaluated for impairment..............................................................

2.06



2.13



2.67


Individually evaluated for impairment..............................................................

12.39



11.70



13.95


Total remainder.........................................................................................................

6.37



6.01



7.17


Total real estate secured................................................................................................

18.52



17.22



17.16


Personal non-credit card................................................................................................

-



1.44



3.24


Total..................................................................................................................................

18.52

%


16.01

%


16.03

%

 


(1)        Receivables carried at lower of amortized cost or fair value or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell includes TDR Loans which totaled $2.9 billion, $2.8 billion and $2.6 billion at June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

(2)        This amount represents TDR Loans for which we evaluate reserves using a discounted cash flow methodology. Each loan is individually identified as a TDR Loan and then grouped together with other TDR Loans with similar characteristics. The discounted cash flow impairment analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans. This amount excludes TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies.

(3)        Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell includes $3.8 billion, $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion of real estate secured receivables classified as held for sale as of June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

Dollars of delinquency for real estate secured receivables at June 30, 2013 increased $229 million and $145 million since March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The increase in dollars of delinquency was driven by higher late stage delinquency which largely reflects an increase during the first half of 2013 in the fair value of real estate secured receivables held for sale as previously discussed, which increases the carrying value of these receivables. This increase in late stage dollars of delinquency was partially offset by the impact of a transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 of an additional pool of real estate secured receivables which had previously been carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell for which the carrying amount of these receivables has now been further reduced by the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer. Dollars of delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent were essentially flat as compared with March 31, 2013 and decreased as compared with December 31, 2012 reflecting lower receivable levels and the continued improvements in economic conditions and, as compared with December  31, 2012, seasonal improvements in collection activities as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments, partially offset by the impact of the move of all closed-end real estate secured receivables onto one servicing platform in April 2013 as previously discussed. As discussed above, our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio was sold on April 1, 2013.

The delinquency ratio for real estate secured receivables was 18.52 percent at June 30, 2013 compared with 17.22 percent at March 31, 2013 and 17.16 percent at December 31, 2012. The delinquency ratio for real estate secured receivables increased as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflecting the higher dollars of delinquency as discussed above.

See "Customer Account Management Policies and Practices" regarding the delinquency treatment of re-aged and modified accounts.

Net Charge-offs of Consumer Receivables  The following table summarizes net charge-off of receivables both in dollars and as a percent of average receivables ("net charge-off ratio"). During a quarter that receivables are transferred to receivables held for sale, those receivables continue to be included in the average consumer receivable balances prior to such transfer and any charge-off related to those receivables prior to such transfer remain in our net charge-off totals. However, in the quarter following the transfer to held for sale classification, the receivables are no longer included in average consumer receivables as such loans are carried at fair value and, accordingly, there are no longer any charge-offs associated with these receivables, although in certain circumstances recoveries on these receivables may continue to be reported as a component of net charge-offs. As a result, the amounts and ratios for the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 are not comparable to the amounts and ratios for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

 

Three Months Ended(1)

June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


June 30, 2012


(dollars are in millions)

Net charge-off dollars:






Real estate secured(2).......................................................................................................

$

487



$

358



$

940


Personal non-credit card(3)..............................................................................................

(5

)


(32

)


90


Total....................................................................................................................................

$

482



$

326



$

1,030


Net charge-off ratio:






Real estate secured(2).......................................................................................................

6.31

%


4.42

%


9.29

%

Personal non-credit card(3)..............................................................................................

-



-



7.88


Total....................................................................................................................................

6.24

%


4.02

%


9.14

%

Real estate charge-offs and REO expense as a percent of average real estate secured receivables..........................................................................................................

6.57

%


4.69

%


9.48

%

 


(1)        The net charge-off ratio for all quarterly periods presented is net charge-offs for the quarter, annualized, as a percentage of average consumer receivables for the quarter.

(2)        Net charge-off dollars and the net charge-off ratio for real estate secured receivables for the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 includes $119 million and $333 million, respectively, of credit loss reserves that were recognized as additional charge-off at the time of the transfer of a pool of real estate secured receivables to held for sale which were carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell at the time of the transfer. See our 2012 Form 10-K for additional information.

(3)        While charge-offs are no longer recorded on receivables following the transfer of those receivables to the held for sale classification, during the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 we received recoveries on fully charged-off personal non-credit card receivables which are reflected in the table above. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, recoveries also included $10 million of cash proceeds received from the sale of recovery rights on certain fully charged-off personal non-credit card receivables. As these personal non-credit card receivables were fully charged-off with no carrying value remaining on our consolidated balance sheet, a net charge-off ratio for our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio cannot be calculated for the quarters ended June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013 although these recoveries are reflected in the total net charge-off ratio for these periods.

During the second quarter of 2013, we transferred a pool of real estate secured receivables to held for sale which consisted of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.  Because these receivables were collateral dependent, the credit loss reserves on these receivables at the time of transfer of $119 million was recognized as an additional charge-off at the time of the transfer to held for sale. Excluding this additional charge-off for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, net charge-off dollars for real estate secured receivables remained higher as compared with the quarter ended March 31, 2013 due to an increase in receivables where we have decided not to pursue foreclosure as well as higher severity on real estate secured receivables greater than 180 days contractual delinquency which are located in areas which have continued to experience declines in home prices during the second quarter of 2013, partially offset by the impact of lower receivable levels and lower delinquency levels for accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent as discussed above.

The net charge-off ratio for real estate secured receivables for the three months ended June 30, 2013 increased as compared with the prior quarter due to higher dollars of net charge-offs as discussed above while average receivable levels decreased as previously discussed. 

As discussed above, dollars of net charge-offs and the net charge-off ratio at June 30, 2013 are not comparable to June 30, 2012 as a result of the transfer of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables to receivables held for sale during the second quarter of 2012. 

Real estate charge-offs and REO expenses as a percentage of average real estate secured receivables for June 30, 2013 increased as compared with March 31, 2013 due to higher dollars of net charge-offs as discussed above and the impact of lower average receivable levels, partially offset by lower REO expenses. See "Results of Operations" for further discussion of REO expenses.

Nonperforming Assets  Nonperforming assets are summarized in the following table.

 


June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


December 31, 2012


(dollars are in millions)

Nonaccrual real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment:(1)






Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell(2)............................................................................................................................

$

642



$

1,865



$

1,748


Remainder:






Individually evaluated for impairment(3)........................................................................

767



780



958


Collectively evaluated for impairment............................................................................

170



249



326


Total remainder..................................................................................................................

937



1,029



1,284


Total nonaccrual real estate secured receivables held for investment(4)..............................

1,579



2,894



3,032


Real estate owned.........................................................................................................................

298



246



227


Nonaccrual receivables held for sale(1)......................................................................................

3,726



2,332



2,161


Total nonperforming assets(5).....................................................................................................

$

5,603



$

5,472



$

5,420


 


(1)        Nonaccrual receivables reflect all loans which are 90 or more days contractually delinquent as well as second lien loans (regardless of delinquency status) where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent. Nonaccrual receivables do not include receivables which have made qualifying payments and have been re-aged and the contractual delinquency status reset to current as such activity, in our judgment, evidences continued payment probability. If a re-aged loan subsequently experiences payment default and becomes 90 or more days contractually delinquent, it will be reported as nonaccrual.

(2)        This amount includes TDR Loans which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $408 million, $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion at June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

(3)        This amount represents TDR Loans for which we evaluate reserves using a discounted cash flow methodology. Each loan is individually identified as a TDR Loan and then grouped together with other TDR Loans with similar characteristics. The discounted cash flow impairment analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans. This amount excludes TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

(4)        At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nonaccrual second lien real estate secured receivables totaled $215 million, $246 million and $284 million, respectively.

(5)        At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, nonaccrual receivable held for sale includes $2.4 billion, $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively, of real estate secured receivables held for sale which are also classified as TDR Loans.

Nonaccrual real estate secured receivables held for investment at June 30, 2013 decreased as compared with March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 due to lower receivable levels, including the transfer of additional receivables to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013, improvements in economic conditions and, as compared with December 31, 2012, seasonal improvements in collection activities as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments. The increase in nonaccrual receivables held for sale reflects the transfer of additional receivables to held for sale during the second quarter of 2013 as well as an increase during the first half of 2013 in the fair value of real estate secured receivable held for sale as previously discussed which impacts the carrying value of these receivables. 

The following table below summarizes TDR Loans and TDR Loans that are held for sale, some of which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies, that are shown as nonaccrual receivables in the table above. 

 


June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Real estate secured...........................................................................................................

$

3,528



$

3,564



$

3,510


Personal non-credit card..................................................................................................

-



51



67


Total....................................................................................................................................

$

3,528



$

3,615



$

3,577


See Note 4, "Receivables," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further details regarding TDR Loan balances.

Customer Account Management Policies and Practices  Our policies and practices for the collection of consumer receivables, including our customer account management policies and practices, permit us to take action with respect to delinquent or troubled accounts based on criteria which, in our judgment, evidence continued payment probability, as well as, in the case of real estate secured receivables, a continuing desire for borrowers to stay in their homes. The policies and practices are designed to manage customer relationships, improve collection opportunities and avoid foreclosure as determined to be appropriate. From time to time we re-evaluate these policies and procedures and make changes as deemed appropriate.

Currently, we utilize the following account management actions:

•       Modification - Management action that results in a change to the terms and conditions of the loan either temporarily or permanently without changing the delinquency status of the loan. Modifications may include changes to one or more terms of the loan including, but not limited to, a change in interest rate, extension of the amortization period, reduction in payment amount and partial forgiveness or deferment of principal.

•       Collection Re-age - Management action that results in the resetting of the contractual delinquency status of an account to current but does not involve any changes to the original terms and conditions of the loan. If an account which has been re-aged subsequently experiences a payment default, it will again become contractually delinquent. We use collection re-aging as an account and customer management tool in an effort to increase the cash flow from our account relationships, and accordingly, the application of this tool is subject to complexities, variations and changes from time to time.  

•       Modification Re-age - Management action that results in a change to the terms and conditions of the loan, either temporarily or permanently, and also resets the contractual delinquency status of an account to current as discussed above. If an account which has been re-aged subsequently experiences a payment default, it will again become contractually delinquent.

Generally, in our experience, we have found that the earlier in the default cycle we have been able to utilize account management actions, the lower the rate of recidivism is likely to be. Additionally, we have found that for loan modification, modifications with significant amounts of payment reduction experience lower levels of recidivism.

Our policies and practices for managing accounts are continually reviewed and assessed to assure that they meet the goals outlined above, and accordingly, we make exceptions to these general policies and practices from time to time. In addition, exceptions to these policies and practices may be made in specific situations in response to legal agreements, regulatory agreements or orders.

Since January 2007, we have cumulatively modified and/or re-aged approximately 393,000 real estate secured loans with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $45.2 billion at the time of modification and/or re-age under our foreclosure avoidance programs which are described below. The following provides information about the subsequent performance of all real estate secured loans granted a modification and/or re-age since January 2007, some of which may have received multiple account management actions:

 

Status as of June 30, 2013:

Number

of Loans


Based on Outstanding

Receivable Balance at

Time of Account

Modification Action

Current or less than 30-days delinquent.......................................................................

33

%


31

%

30- to 59-days delinquent................................................................................................

5



5


60-days or more delinquent.............................................................................................

15



20


Paid-in-full..........................................................................................................................

10



10


Charged-off, transferred to real estate owned or sold................................................

37



34



100

%


100

%

The following table shows the number of real estate secured accounts remaining in our portfolio (including receivables held for sale) as well as the outstanding receivable balance of these accounts as of the period indicated for loans that we have taken an account management action by the type of action taken. A significant portion of our real estate secured receivable portfolio has received multiple accounting management actions and real estate secured receivables included in the table below may have received multiple account management actions.

 

Number of Accounts(1)


Outstanding Receivable Balance (1)(3)


(accounts are in thousands)              


(dollars are in millions)

June 30, 2013:




Collection re-age only.....................................................................................................

111.5



$

8,875


Modification only............................................................................................................

9.4



929


Modification re-age.........................................................................................................

98.7



10,478


Total loans modified and/or re-aged(2).........................................................................

219.6



$

20,282


March 31, 2013:




Collection re-age only.....................................................................................................

113.5



$

9,111


Modification only............................................................................................................

10.2



983


Modification re-age.........................................................................................................

103.3



10,734


Total loans modified and/or re-aged(2).........................................................................

227.0



$

20,828


December 31, 2012:




Collection re-age only.....................................................................................................

115.3



$

9,129


Modification only............................................................................................................

10.9



1,033


Modification re-age.........................................................................................................

105.4



10,649


Total loans modified and/or re-aged(2).........................................................................

231.6



$

20,811


 


(1)        See Note 4, "Receivables," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information describing modified and /or re-aged loans which are accounted for as trouble debt restructurings.

(2)        The following table provides information regarding the delinquency status of loans remaining in the portfolio that were granted modifications of loan terms and/or re-aged as of June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 in the categories shown above:

 

  

Number of Accounts



Outstanding Receivable Balance



Current or less than 30-days delinquent


30- to 59-days delinquent


60-days or more delinquent


Current or less than 30-days delinquent


30- to 59-days delinquent


60-days or more delinquent

June 30, 2013:












Collection re-age only...........

68

%


9

%


23

%


68

%


10

%


22

%

Modification only.................

76



3



21



78



3



19


Modification re-age...............

58



8



34



58



9



33


Total loans modified and/or re-aged..................................

64

%


8

%


28

%


63

%


9

%


28

%

March 31, 2013:












Collection re-age only...........

70

%


8

%


22

%


70

%


8

%


21

%

Modification only.................

76



2



22



80



3



17


Modification re-age...............

58



7



35



61



8



31


Total loans modified and/or re-aged..................................

65

%


7

%


28

%


66

%


8

%


26

%

December 31, 2012:












Collection re-age only...........

67

%


9

%


24

%


68

%


10

%


22

%

Modification only.................

74



3



23



80



3



17


Modification re-age...............

55



8



37



60



9



31


Total loans modified and/or re-aged..................................

62

%


8

%


30

%


65

%


9

%


26

%

(3)         The outstanding receivable balance included in this table reflects the principal amount outstanding on the loan net of any charge-off recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies but excludes any basis adjustments to the loan such as unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, purchase accounting fair value adjustments and premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Additionally, the balance in this table related to receivables which have been classified as held for sale has been reduced by the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer.

The following table provides additional information regarding real estate secured modified and/or re-aged loans during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013:

 


Three Months Ended

 June 30, 2013


Six Months Ended

 June 30, 2013


(in millions)

Balance at beginning of period..................................................................................

$

20,828



$

20,811


Additions due to an account management action(1)..............................................

277



529


Payments(2)...................................................................................................................

(310

)


(574

)

Net charge-offs............................................................................................................

(437

)


(761

)

Transfer to real estate owned....................................................................................

(150

)


(268

)

Receivables held for sale that have subsequently been sold...............................

(186

)


(186

)

Change in lower of amortized cost or fair value on receivables held for sale.....

260



731


Balance at end of period.............................................................................................

$

20,282



$

20,282


 


(1)        Includes collection re-age only, modification only, or modification re-ages.

(2)        Includes amounts received under a short sale whereby the property is sold by the borrower at a price which has been pre-negotiated with us and the borrower is released from further obligation. 

In addition to the account management techniques discussed above, we have also increased the use of deed-in-lieu and short sales in recent years to assist our real estate secured receivable customers. In a deed-in-lieu, the borrower agrees to surrender the deed to the property without going through foreclosure proceedings and we release the borrower from further obligation. In a short sale, the property is offered for sale to potential buyers at a price which has been pre-negotiated between us and the borrower. This pre-negotiated price is based on updated property valuations and overall loss exposure given liquidation through foreclosure. Short sales also release the borrower from further obligation. From our perspective, total losses on deed-in-lieu and short sales are lower than expected total losses from foreclosed loans, or loans where we have previously decided not to pursue foreclosure, and provide resolution to the delinquent receivable over a shorter period of time. We currently anticipate the use of deed-in-lieu and short sales will continue to be elevated in future periods as we continue to work with our customers.

Modification programs We actively use account modifications to reduce the rate and/or payment on a number of qualifying loans and generally re-age certain of these accounts upon receipt of two or more modified payments and other criteria being met. This account management practice is designed to assist borrowers who may have purchased a home with an expectation of continued real estate appreciation or whose income has subsequently declined. Additionally, our loan modification programs are designed to improve cash collections and avoid foreclosure as determined to be appropriate. A significant portion of our real estate secured receivable portfolio has received multiple modifications. In this regard, multiple modifications have remained consistent as a percentage of total modifications in a range of 75 percent to 80 percent.

Based on the economic environment and expected slow recovery of housing values, during 2008 we developed additional analytical review tools leveraging industry best practices to assist us in identifying customers who are willing to pay, but are expected to have longer term disruptions in their ability to pay. Using these analytical review tools, we expanded our foreclosure avoidance programs to assist customers who did not qualify for assistance under prior program requirements or who required greater assistance than available under the programs. The expanded program required certain documentation as well as receipt of two qualifying payments before the account could be re-aged. Prior to July 2008, for our Consumer Lending customers, receipt of one qualifying payment was required for a modified account before the account would be re-aged. We also increased the use of longer term modifications to provide assistance in accordance with the needs of our customers which may result in higher credit loss reserve requirements. For selected customer segments, this expanded program lowered the interest rate on fixed rate loans and for adjustable rate mortgage ("ARM") loans the expanded program modified the loan to a lower interest rate than scheduled at the first interest rate reset date. The eligibility requirements for this expanded program allow more customers to qualify for payment relief and in certain cases can result in a lower interest rate than allowed under other existing programs. During the third quarter of 2009, in order to increase the long-term success rate of our modification programs we increased certain documentation requirements for participation in these programs. Late in the third quarter of 2011 the modification program was enhanced to improve underwriting and achieve a better balance between economics and customer-driven variables. The enhanced program offers a longer modification duration to select borrowers facing a temporary hardship and expands the treatment options to include term extension and principal deferral or forgiveness. As a result, the loans remaining in our portfolio are comprised of a growing composition of longer dated or permanent modification. 

The volume of loans that have qualified for a new modification has fallen significantly in recent years. We expect the volume of new modifications to continue to decline as we believe a smaller percentage of our customers with unmodified loans will benefit from loan modification in a way that will not ultimately result in a repeat default on their loans. Additionally, volumes of new loan modifications are expected to decrease due to the impact of improvements in economic conditions over the long-term and the continued seasoning of a liquidating portfolio.

We will continue to evaluate our consumer relief programs as well as all aspects of our account management practices to ensure our programs benefit our customers in accordance with their financial needs in ways that are economically viable for both our customers and our stakeholders. We elected not to participate in the U.S. Treasury sponsored programs as we believe our long-standing home preservation programs provide more meaningful assistance to our customers. Loans modified under these programs are only included in the re-aging statistics table ("Re-age Table") that is included in our discussion of our re-age programs if the delinquency status of a loan was reset as a part of the modification or was re-aged in the past for other reasons. Not all loans modified under these programs have the delinquency status reset and, therefore, are not considered to have been re-aged.

The following table summarizes loans modified during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, some of which may have also been re-aged:

 

  

Number of Accounts Modified


Outstanding Receivable Balance at Time of Modification


(accounts are in thousands,                         dollars are in billions)

Foreclosure avoidance programs(1)(2):




Six months ended June 30, 2013...................................................................................

6.9



$

1.0


Six months ended June 30, 2012...................................................................................

10.6



1.5


 


(1)        Includes all loans modified during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 regardless of whether the loan was also re-aged.

(2)        If qualification criteria are met, loan modification may occur on more than one occasion for the same account. For purposes of the table above, an account is only included in the modification totals once in an annual period and not for each separate modification in an annual period.

A primary tool used during account modification involves modifying the monthly payment through lowering the rate on the loan on either a temporary or permanent basis. The following table summarizes the weighted-average contractual rate reductions and the average amount of payment relief provided to customers that entered an account modification (including receivables currently classified as held for sale) for the first time during the quarter indicated.

 


Quarter Ended


  

June 30,

2013


Mar. 31,

2013


Dec. 31,

2012


Sept. 30,

2012


June 30,

2012

Weighted-average contractual rate reduction in basis points on account modifications during the period(1)(2)......

383



351



342



341



341


Average payment relief provided on account modifications as a percentage of total payment prior to modification(2)............................................................................

29.4

%


26.3

%


25.7

%


25.7

%


25.8

%

 


(1)        The weighted-average rate reduction was determined based on the rate in effect immediately prior to the modification, which for ARMs may be lower than the rate on the loan at the time of origination.

(2)        Excludes any modifications on purchased receivable portfolios which totaled $872 million, $911 million and $917 million at June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

Re-age programs  Our policies and practices include various criteria for an account to qualify for re-aging, but do not, however, require us to re-age the account. The extent to which we re-age accounts that are eligible under our existing policies will vary depending upon our view of prevailing economic conditions and other factors which may change from period to period. In addition, exceptions to our policies and practices may be made in specific situations in response to legal or regulatory agreements or orders. It is our practice to defer past due interest on re-aged real estate secured and personal non-credit card accounts to the end of the loan period. We do not accrue interest on these past due interest payments consistent with our 2002 settlement agreement with the State Attorneys General.

We continue to monitor and track information related to accounts that have been re-aged. First lien real estate secured products generally have less loss severity exposure than other products because of the underlying collateral. Credit loss reserves, including reserves on TDR Loans, take into account whether loans have been re-aged or are subject to modification, extension or deferment. Our credit loss reserves, including reserves on TDR Loans, also take into consideration the expected loss severity based on the underlying collateral, if any, for the loan. TDR Loans are typically reserved for using a discounted cash flow methodology.

We used certain assumptions and estimates to compile our re-aging statistics. The systemic counters used to compile the information presented below exclude from the reported statistics loans that have been reported as contractually delinquent but have been reset to a current status because we have determined that the loans should not have been considered delinquent (e.g., payment application processing errors). When comparing re-aging statistics from different periods, the fact that our re-age policies and practices will change over time, that exceptions are made to those policies and practices, and that our data capture methodologies have been enhanced, should be taken into account.

The following tables provide information about re-aged receivables and receivables held for sale and includes both Collection Re-ages and Modification Re-ages, as discussed above.

Re-age Table(1)(2)

 


June 30, 2013


March 31, 2013


December 31, 2012

Never re-aged..................................................................................................................

44.9

%


47.0

%


47.9

%

Re-aged:






Re-aged in the last 6 months(3)..............................................................................

10.3



10.1



10.4


Re-aged in the last 7-12 months(3).........................................................................

10.7



9.5



9.6


Previously re-aged beyond 12 months.................................................................

34.1



33.4



32.1


Total ever re-aged....................................................................................................

55.1



53.0



52.1


Total.................................................................................................................................

100.0

%


100.0

%


100.0

%

Re-aged by Product(1)(2)

 


June 30, 2013



March 31, 2013



December 31, 2012



(dollars are in millions)


Real estate secured......................................................

$

18,798



55.1

%


$

19,259



54.5

%


$

19,340



53.8

%

Personal non-credit card.............................................

-



-



1,039



35.3



1,069



33.6


Total...............................................................................

$

18,798



55.1

%


$

20,298



53.0

%


$

20,409



52.1

%

 


(1)        The outstanding balance included in this table reflects the principal amount outstanding on the loan net of unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, purchase accounting fair value adjustments and premiums or discounts on purchased loans as well as net of any charge-off recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies as well as lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments recorded on receivables held for sale.

(2)        The tables above exclude any accounts re-aged without receipt of a payment which only occurs under special circumstances, such as re-ages associated with disaster or in connection with a bankruptcy filing. At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the unpaid principal balance of re-ages without receipt of a payment totaled $733 million, $747 million and $760 million, respectively.

(3)        During the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, approximately 65 percent and 60 percent, respectively, of real estate secured receivable re-ages occurred on accounts that were less than 60 days contractually delinquent.

At June 30, 2013, March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $5.1 billion (27 percent of total re-aged loans in the Re-age Table), $5.0 billion (25 percent of total re-aged loans in the Re-age Table) and $5.1 billion (25 percent of total re-aged loans in the Re-age Table), respectively, of re-aged accounts have subsequently experienced payment defaults and are included in our two-months-and-over contractual delinquency at the period indicated.

We continue to work with advocacy groups in select markets to assist in encouraging our customers with financial needs to contact us. We have also implemented new training programs to ensure that our customer service representatives are focused on helping the customer through difficulties, are knowledgeable about the available re-aging and modification programs and are able to advise each customer of the best solutions for their individual circumstance.

We also support a variety of national and local efforts in homeownership preservation and foreclosure avoidance.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

HSBC Related Funding  We work with our affiliates under the oversight of HSBC North America to maximize funding opportunities and efficiencies in HSBC's operations in the United States. 

Due to affiliates totaled $8.3 billion and $9.1 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The interest rates on funding from HSBC subsidiaries are market-based and comparable to those available from unaffiliated parties.

We have a $1.5 billion uncommitted secured credit facility from HSBC Bank USA, a $2.0 billion committed credit facility and a $4.0 billion uncommitted credit facility from HSBC USA Inc. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there was a total of $2.0 billion outstanding under the $4.0 billion credit facility.  There were no balances outstanding at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012 under the other credit facilities. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we also have a credit facility totaling $100 million with an HSBC affiliate to provide funding for corporate purposes.

In February 2012, HSBC North America extended to us a $455 million, 364-day uncommitted revolving credit facility.  In January 2013, the facility was extended until January 2014. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility.

We have derivative contracts with a notional amount of $20.4 billion, or approximately 99.6 percent of total derivative contracts, outstanding with HSBC affiliates at June 30, 2013 and $26.0 billion, or approximately 99.7 percent at December 31, 2012.

Interest Bearing Deposits with Banks and Other Short-Term Investments  Interest bearing deposits with banks totaled $434 million and $1.4 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Securities purchased under agreements to resell totaled $5.3 billion and $2.2 billion at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Interest bearing deposits with banks and securities purchased under agreements to resell increased as compared with December 31, 2012 as a result of the proceeds from the sale of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio on April 1, 2013, the sale of a pool of real estate secured receivables, the run-off of our liquidating receivable portfolios, the sale of REO properties and a requirement to post collateral with us under our derivative agreements, partially offset by the retirement of long term debt.

Long-Term Debt decreased to $25.3 billion at June 30, 2013 from $28.4 billion at December 31, 2012. The following table summarizes issuances and repayments of long-term debt for continuing operations during the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012:

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

2013


2012


(in millions)

Long-term debt issued.......................................................................................................................................

$

-



$

-


Repayments of long-term debt.........................................................................................................................

(2,574

)


(6,192

)

Net long-term debt retired from continuing operations................................................................................

$

(2,574

)


$

(6,192

)

At December 31, 2012, we had a third-party back-up line of credit totaling $2.0 billion principally to support our commercial paper program which we terminated in 2012. We eliminated this third-party back-up line of credit in 2013. As discussed above, at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we also have a credit facility totaling $100 million with HSBC affiliates to provide funding for corporate purposes. 

During the third quarter of 2012, we called $512 million of senior long-term debt. This transaction was funded through a $512 million loan agreement with HSBC USA Inc. which matures in September 2017. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $512 million was outstanding under this loan agreement. 

During the second quarter of 2011, we entered into a $600 million loan agreement with HSBC North America which provided for three $200 million borrowings with maturities between 2034 and 2035. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $600 million was outstanding under this loan agreement.

During 2011, the shelf registration statement, under which we have historically issued long-term debt, expired and we chose not to renew it.  Third-party long-term debt is not currently a source of funding for us given the run-off nature of our business subsequent to the sale of our Card and Retail Services business as previously discussed. 

Secured financings of $2.6 billion at June 30, 2013 are secured by $4.6 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables. Secured financings previously issued under public trusts of $2.9 billion at December 31, 2012 were secured by $4.9 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables.

In order to eliminate future foreign exchange risk, currency swaps were used at the time of issuance to fix in U.S. dollars substantially all foreign-denominated notes previously issued.

We use derivatives for managing interest rate and currency risk and have received loan commitments from third parties and affiliates,  but we do not otherwise enter into off balance sheet transactions.

Common Equity  During the six months ended June 30, 2013, we did not receive any capital contributions from HINO. However, as we continue to liquidate our receivable portfolios, HSBC's continued support will be required to properly manage our business and maintain appropriate levels of capital. HSBC has historically provided significant capital in support of our operations and has indicated that they remain fully committed and have the capacity to continue that support.

Selected capital ratios  In managing capital, we develop a target for tangible common equity to tangible assets. This ratio target is based on discussions with HSBC and rating agencies, risks inherent in the portfolio and the projected operating environment and related risks. Additionally, we are required by our credit-providing banks to maintain a minimum tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 6.75 percent. Our targets may change from time to time to accommodate changes in the operating environment or other considerations such as those listed above.

Selected capital ratios are summarized in the following table:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012

Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)..........................................................................................

11.86

%


9.87

%

Common and preferred equity to total assets...........................................................................................

15.60



13.05


 


(1)        Tangible common equity to tangible assets represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial ratio that is used by HSBC Finance Corporation management and applicable rating agencies to evaluate capital adequacy and may differ from similarly named measures presented by other companies. See "Basis of Reporting" for additional discussion on the use of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures and "Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for quantitative reconciliations to the equivalent U.S. GAAP basis financial measure.

2013 Funding Strategy  Our current range of estimates for funding needs and sources for 2013 are summarized in the following table:

 


Actual January 1 through

June 30, 2013


Estimated July 1 through December 31, 2013



Estimated Full Year 2013



(in billions)


Funding needs:










Term debt maturities..................................................................

$

3



$

4


-

5



$

7


-

8


Secured financing maturities....................................................

-



1


-

1



1


-

1


     Litigation bond.............................................................................

-



3


-

4



3


-

4


Total funding needs.........................................................................

$

3



$

8


-

10



$

11


-

13


Funding sources:










Net asset attrition(1)....................................................................

$

2



$

1


-

1



$

3


-

3


Liquidation of short-term investments....................................

(2

)


5


-

6



3


-

4


Asset sales and transfers..........................................................

3



1


-

1



4


-

4


HSBC and HSBC subsidiaries, including capital infusions.

-



1


-

1



1


-

1


Other(2) ........................................................................................

-



-


-

1



-


-

1


Total funding sources...............................................................

$

3



$

8


-

10



$

11


-

13


 


(1)        Net of receivable charge-offs.

(2)        Primarily reflects cash provided by operating activities and sales of REO properties.

For the remainder of 2013, the combination of cash generated from operations including balance sheet attrition, funding from affiliates and asset sales will generate the liquidity necessary to meet our maturing debt obligations.

 


Fair Value

 

Net income volatility arising from changes in either interest rate or credit components of the mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives affects the comparability of reported results between periods. Accordingly, gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2013 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future period.

Fair Value Hierarchy  Accounting principles related to fair value measurements establish a fair value hierarchy structure that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to determine the fair value of an asset or liability (the "Fair Value Framework"). The Fair Value Framework distinguishes between inputs that are based on observed market data and unobservable inputs that reflect market participants' assumptions. It emphasizes the use of valuation methodologies that maximize market inputs. For financial instruments carried at fair value, the best evidence of fair value is a quoted price in an actively traded market (Level 1). Where the market for a financial instrument is not active, valuation techniques are used. The majority of valuation techniques use market inputs that are either observable or indirectly derived from and corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the financial instrument (Level 2). Because Level 1 and Level 2 instruments are determined by observable inputs, less judgment is applied in determining their fair values. In the absence of observable market inputs, the financial instrument is valued based on valuation techniques that feature one or more significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The determination of the level of fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement of an asset or a liability is classified often requires judgment. We consider the following factors in developing the fair value hierarchy:

Ÿ whether the pricing quotations vary substantially among independent pricing services;

 Ÿ whether the asset or liability is transacted in an active market with a quoted market price that is readily available;

 Ÿ the size of transactions occurring in an active market;

Ÿ the level of bid-ask spreads;

 Ÿ a lack of pricing transparency due to, among other things, the complexity of the product structure and market liquidity;

 Ÿ whether only a few transactions are observed over a significant period of time;

 Ÿ whether the inputs to the valuation techniques can be derived from or corroborated with market data; and

 Ÿ whether significant adjustments are made to the observed pricing information or model output to determine the fair value.

Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that the reporting entity has the ability to access for the identical assets or liabilities. A financial instrument is classified as a Level 1 measurement if it is listed on an exchange or is an instrument actively traded in the OTC market where transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume. We regard financial instruments that are listed on the primary exchanges of a country, such as equity securities and derivative contracts, to be actively traded. Non-exchange-traded instruments classified as Level 1 assets include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury.

Level 2 inputs are inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. We generally classify derivative contracts, corporate debt including asset-backed securities as well as our own debt issuance for which we have elected fair value option which are not traded in active markets, as Level 2 measurements. These valuations are typically obtained from a third party valuation source which, in the case of derivatives, includes valuations provided by an affiliate, HSBC Bank USA.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs incorporate market participants' assumptions about risk and the risk premium required by market participants in order to bear that risk. We develop Level 3 inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our Level 3 assets recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis included receivables held for sale totaling $5.0 billion and $6.2 billion, respectively. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had no Level 3 assets in our continuing operations recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on whether the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is observable. As such, the classification within the fair value hierarchy is dynamic and can be transferred to other hierarchy levels in each reporting period. Transfers between leveling categories are assessed, determined and recognized at the end of each reporting period.

Transfers between leveling categories are recognized at the end of each reporting period.

Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2 Measurements  There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012

Transfers Between Level 2 and Level 3 Measurements  Securities are classified as using Level 3 measurements when one or both of the following conditions are met:

Ÿ An asset-backed security is downgraded below a AAA credit rating; or

Ÿ An individual security fails the quarterly pricing comparison test with a variance greater than 5 percent.

There were no available-for-sale securities for continuing operations reported as Level 3 at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012 as we liquidated our remaining securities available-for-sale portfolio during the first quarter of 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we transferred our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio held for sale from Level 3 to Level 2. We did not have any transfers into or out of Level 3 classifications during the three months ended June 30, 2013. We did not have any transfer into or out of Level 3 classifications in our continuing operations during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

See Note 15, "Fair Value Measurements," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further details including our valuation techniques as well as the classification hierarchy associated with assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

 


Risk Management

 

Credit Risk Management  Day-to-day management of credit risk is administered by the HSBC North America Chief Retail Credit Officer who reports to the HSBC North America Chief Risk Officer. The HSBC North America Chief Risk Officer reports to the HSBC North America Chief Executive Officer, Group Managing Director, and to the Group Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer of HSBC. We have established detailed policies to address the credit risk that arises from our lending activities. Our credit and portfolio management procedures currently focus on effective collections and customer account management efforts for each loan. Prior to the sale of our Card and Retail Services business on May 1, 2012, our lending guidelines, which delineate the credit risk we were willing to take and the related terms, were specific not only for each product, but also took into consideration various other factors including borrower characteristics, return on equity, capital deployment and our overall risk appetite. We also have specific policies to ensure the establishment of appropriate credit loss reserves on a timely basis to cover probable losses of principal, interest and fees. Our customer account management policies and practices are described under the caption "Credit Quality - Customer Account Management Policies and Practices" in MD&A. Also see Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements," in the 2012 Form 10-K for further discussion of our policies surrounding credit loss reserves. Our policies and procedures are consistent with HSBC standards and are regularly reviewed and updated both on an HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC level. The credit risk function continues to refine "early warning" indicators and reporting, including stress testing scenarios on the basis of current experience. These risk management tools are embedded within our business planning process.

Counterparty credit risk is our primary exposure on our interest rate swap portfolio. Counterparty credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a transaction fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. Currently the majority of our existing derivative contracts are with HSBC subsidiaries, making them our primary counterparty in derivative transactions. Most swap agreements, both with non-affiliated and affiliated parties, require that payments be made to, or received from, the counterparty when the fair value of the agreement reaches a certain level. Generally, we provide non-affiliate swap counterparties collateral in the form of cash which is recorded in our balance sheet as derivative financial assets or derivative related liabilities. The fair value of our agreements with a non-affiliate counterparty has not required us or the non-affiliate to provide collateral at June 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012. The fair value of our agreements with an affiliate counterparty required the affiliate to provide collateral to us of $661 million and $75 million at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, all of which was received in cash.  These amounts are offset against the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting arrangement.

There has been no significant change in our approach to credit risk management since December 31, 2012.

Liquidity Risk Management  Continued success in reducing the size of our run-off real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivable portfolios, including the proceeds of receivables held for sale, will be the primary driver of our liquidity management process going forward. However, lower cash flow as a result of declining receivable balances will not provide sufficient cash to fully cover maturing debt over the next four to five years. During 2011, the shelf registration statement under which we have historically issued long-term debt expired and we chose not to renew it. We currently do not expect third-party long-term debt to be a source of funding for us in the future given the run-off nature of our business. We have shifted our funding toward longer term sources with the sale of our credit card business and the termination of our commercial paper program. We anticipate any required incremental funding will be integrated into the overall HSBC North America funding plans and will be sourced through HSBC USA Inc., or will be obtained through direct support from HSBC or its affiliates. HSBC has indicated it remains fully committed and has the capacity to continue to provide such support. Should HSBC North America call upon us to execute certain strategies in order to address capital considerations, our intent may change and a portion of this required funding could be generated through additional selected receivable portfolio sales in our run-off portfolios.

In January 2013, the Bank for International Settlements, Basel Committee on Bank Supervision (the "Basel Committee"), issued revised Basel III liquidity rules and HSBC North America is in the process of evaluating the Basel III framework for liquidity risk management. The framework consists of two liquidity metrics: the liquidity coverage ratio ("LCR"), designed to be a short-term measure to ensure banks have sufficient high-quality assets to survive a significant stress scenario lasting 30 days, and the net stable funding ratio ("NSFR"), which is a longer term measure with a 12-month time horizon to ensure a sustainable maturity structure of assets and liabilities. The ratios are subject to an observation period and are expected to become established standards by 2015 and 2018, respectively. We anticipate a formal notice of proposed rulemaking ("NPR") will be issued in 2013 with an observation period beginning in 2013. Based on the results of the observation periods, the Basel Committee and U.S. banking regulators may make further changes. It is anticipated that HSBC North America will meet these requirements prior to their formal introduction. The actual impact will be dependent on the specific regulations issued by the U.S. regulators to implement these standards. HSBC Finance Corporation may need to increase its liquidity profile to support HSBC North America's compliance with the new rules. We are unable at this time, however, to determine the extent of changes we will need to make to our liquidity position, if any.

Maintaining our credit ratings is an important part of maintaining our overall liquidity profile. As indicated by the major rating agencies, our credit ratings are directly dependent upon the continued support of HSBC. A credit rating downgrade would increase future borrowing costs only for new debt obligations, if any. As discussed above, we do not currently expect to need to raise funds from the issuance of third party, long-term debt going forward, but instead any required funding has been integrated into HSBC North America's funding plans and will be sourced through HSBC USA Inc. or through direct support from HSBC or its affiliates.  HSBC has historically provided significant capital in support of our operations and has indicated that they remain fully committed and have the capacity to continue that support. 

The following summarizes our credit ratings at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

  

Standard &

Poor's

Corporation


Moody's

Investors

Service


Fitch, Inc.

As of June 30, 2013:






Senior debt............................................................................................................................

A


Baa1


A+

Senior subordinated debt...................................................................................................

A-


Baa2


A

Short-term borrowings........................................................................................................

A-1


P-2


F1

Series B preferred stock......................................................................................................

BBB+


Baa3


-

As of December 31, 2012:






Senior debt............................................................................................................................

A


Baa1


A+

Senior subordinated debt...................................................................................................

A-


Baa2


A

Short-term borrowings........................................................................................................

A-1


P-2


F1

Series B preferred stock......................................................................................................

BBB+


Baa3


-

As of June 30, 2013, there were no pending actions from these rating agencies in terms of changes to the ratings presented in the table above for HSBC Finance Corporation.  

Separately, on May 1, 2013, Moody's Investor Service ("Moody's") announced that they were placing the debt securities issued by our secured financing trusts under review for possible down grade due to errors in the cash flow models previously used by Moody's in rating these securities. 

There has been no significant change in our approach to liquidity risk management since December 31, 2012.

Market Risk Management  We maintain an overall risk management strategy that primarily uses standard interest rate and currency derivative financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations caused by changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. We managed our exposure to interest rate risk primarily through the use of interest rate swaps. We do not use leveraged derivative financial instruments.

We manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk primarily through the use of currency swaps. Our financial statements are affected by movements in exchange rates on our foreign currency denominated debt, movements in exchange rates between the Great Britain pound and the U.S. dollar related to certain legacy assets maintained in Ireland prior to the closure of this foreign legal entity as well as movements in exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar related to specialty insurance products offered in Canada prior to the sale of our Insurance business on March 29, 2013.

There has been no significant change in our approach to market risk management since December 31, 2012. 

Interest rate risk  HSBC has certain limits and benchmarks that serve as additional guidelines in determining the appropriate levels of interest rate risk. One such limit is expressed in terms of the Present Value of a Basis Point, which reflects the change in value of the balance sheet for a one basis point movement in all interest rates without considering other correlation factors or assumptions. At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our absolute PVBP limit was $3.5 million, which included the risk associated with the hedging instruments we employed. Thus, for a one basis point change in interest rates, the policy at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 dictated that the value of the balance sheet could not increase or decrease by more than $3.5 million. 

The following table shows the components of our absolute PVBP position at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 broken down by currency risk:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

USD....................................................................................................................................................................

$

2.145



$

1.566


JPY.....................................................................................................................................................................

.009



.010


Absolute PVBP risk(1)......................................................................................................................................

$

2.154



$

1.576


 


(1)      As previously discussed, in January 2013, we terminated $2.4 billion of our non-qualifying interest rate swaps which were outstanding for the purpose of offsetting the increase in the duration of our receivables and the corresponding increase in interest rate risk as measured by PVBP. Assuming that these terminations had occurred on December 31, 2012, our absolute PVBP risk would have been approximately $1.846 million.

We also monitor the impact that an immediate hypothetical increase or decrease in interest rates of 25 basis points applied at the beginning of each quarter over a 12 month period would have on our net interest income assuming for 2013 and 2012 a declining balance sheet and the current interest rate risk profile. These estimates include the impact on net interest income of debt and related derivatives carried at fair value and also assume we would not take any corrective actions in response to interest rate movements and, therefore, exceed what most likely would occur if rates were to change by the amount indicated. The following table summarizes such estimated impact:

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(in millions)

Increase (decrease) in net interest income following a hypothetical 25 basis points rise in interest rates applied at the beginning of each quarter over the next 12 months.................................................

$

(15

)


$

(2

)

Increase (decrease) in net interest income following a hypothetical 25 basis points fall in interest rates applied at the beginning of each quarter over the next 12 months.................................................

23



(1

)

The decrease in net interest income following a hypothetical rate rise and increase in net interest income following a hypothetical rate fall as compared with December 31, 2012 reflect updates of economic stress scenarios including housing price index assumptions, regular adjustments of asset and liability behavior assumptions, updates of economic stress scenarios including housing price index assumptions, and model enhancements, sale of the personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and termination of nonqualifying hedges.

A principal consideration supporting both of the PVBP and margin at risk analysis is the projected prepayment of loan balances for a given economic scenario. Individual loan underwriting standards in combination with housing valuations, loan modification program, changes to our foreclosure processes and macroeconomic factors related to available mortgage credit are the key assumptions driving these prepayment projections. While we have utilized a number of sources to refine these projections, we cannot currently project precise prepayment rates with a high degree of certainty in all economic environments given recent, significant changes in both subprime mortgage underwriting standards and property valuations across the country.

There has been no significant change in our approach to interest rate risk management since December 31, 2012.

Operational Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to operational risk management since December 31, 2012.

Compliance Risk  There has been no significant change in our approach to compliance risk management since December 31, 2012.

Reputational Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to reputational risk management since December 31, 2012.

Strategic Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to strategic risk management since December 31, 2012.

Security and Fraud Risk Management There has been no significant change in our approach to security and fraud risk management since December 31, 2012.

Model Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to model risk management since December 31, 2012.

Pension Risk  There has been no significant change in our approach to pension risk management since December 31, 2012.

 


RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). In addition to the U.S. GAAP financial results reported in our consolidated financial statements, MD&A includes reference to the following information which is presented on a non-U.S. GAAP basis:

IFRS Basis A non-U.S. GAAP measure of reporting results in accordance with IFRSs. For a reconciliation of IFRS Basis results to the comparable owned basis amounts, see Note 13, "Business Segments," to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Equity Ratios In managing capital, we develop targets for tangible common equity to tangible assets. This ratio target is based on discussions with HSBC and rating agencies, risks inherent in the portfolio, the projected operating environment and related risks, and any acquisition objectives. We, certain rating agencies and our credit providing banks monitor ratios excluding the equity impact of unrealized gains losses on cash flow hedging instruments, postretirement benefit plan adjustments and unrealized gains on investments as well as subsequent changes in fair value recognized in earnings associated with debt and the related derivatives for which we elected the fair value option. Our targets may change from time to time to accommodate changes in the operating environment or other considerations such as those listed above.

Quantitative Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliations of selected equity ratios follow.

 


June 30, 2013


December 31, 2012


(dollars are in millions)

Tangible common equity:




Common shareholder's equity.........................................................................................................................

$

4,984



$

4,530


Exclude:................................................................................................................................................................




Fair value option adjustment.....................................................................................................................

(173

)


(182

)

Unrealized (gains) losses on cash flow hedging instruments..............................................................

152



358


Postretirement benefit plan adjustments, net of tax...............................................................................

25



26


Unrealized (gains) losses on investments and interest-only strip receivables..................................

-



(116

)

Tangible common equity...................................................................................................................................

$

4,988



$

4,616


Tangible shareholders' equity:




Tangible common equity...................................................................................................................................

$

4,988



$

4,616


Preferred stock....................................................................................................................................................

1,575



1,575


Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of Household Capital Trusts.............................................

1,000



1,000


Tangible shareholders' equity.........................................................................................................................

$

7,563



$

7,191


Tangible assets:




Total assets.........................................................................................................................................................

$

42,047



$

46,778


Exclude:




Derivative financial assets.........................................................................................................................

-



-


Tangible assets...................................................................................................................................................

$

42,047



$

46,778


Equity ratios:




Common and preferred equity to total assets................................................................................................

15.60

%


13.05

%

Tangible common equity to tangible assets..................................................................................................

11.86



9.87


Tangible shareholders' equity to tangible assets.........................................................................................

17.99



15.37


 


Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 


 

See Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," under the caption "Liquidity and Capital Resources" and "Risk Management" of this Form 10-Q.

 


Item 4.    Controls and Procedures.

 


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We maintain a system of internal and disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by HSBC Finance Corporation in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act"), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Board of Directors, operating through its Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of independent outside directors, provides oversight to our financial reporting process.

We conducted an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report so as to alert them in a timely fashion to material information required to be disclosed in reports we file under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 


PART II     OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.

 


See "Litigation and Regulatory Matters" in Note 16, "Litigation and Regulatory Matters," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements beginning on page 59 for our legal proceedings disclosure, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 


Item 5.    Other Information.  

 


Disclosures Pursuant to Section 13(R) of the Securities Exchange Act   Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 added a new subsection (r) to section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act, requiring each issuer registered with the SEC to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports whether it or any of its affiliates have knowingly engaged in specified activities or transactions with persons or entities targeted by U.S. sanctions programs relating to Iran, terrorism, or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, even if those activities are not prohibited by U.S. law and are conducted outside the U.S. by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with local laws and regulations. 

In order to comply with this requirement, HSBC Holdings plc (together with its affiliates, "HSBC") has requested relevant information from its affiliates globally. During the period covered by this Form 10-Q, HSBC Finance Corporation did not engage in any activities or transactions requiring disclosure pursuant to Section 13(r).  The following activities conducted by our affiliates are disclosed in response to Section 13(r):

Loans in repayment Between 2001 and 2005, the Project and Export Finance ("PEF") division of HSBC arranged or participated in a portfolio of loans to Iranian energy companies and banks. All of these loans were guaranteed by European and Asian export credit agencies, and they have varied maturity dates with final maturity in 2018. For those loans that remain outstanding, HSBC continues to seek repayment in accordance with its obligations to the supporting export credit agencies and, in all cases, with appropriate regulatory approvals. Details of these loans follow.

HSBC has 13 loans outstanding to an Iranian petrochemical and energy company. These loans are supported by the official Export Credit Agencies of the following countries: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, South Korea and Japan. HSBC continues to seek repayments from the company under the existing loans in accordance with the original maturity profiles. All repayments made by the Iranian company have received a license or an authorization from relevant authorities.  Repayments have been received under a number of the loans during the second quarter of 2013. 

Bank Melli and Bank Saderat acted as sub-participants in three of the aforementioned loans. In the second quarter of 2013, the repayments due to these banks under the loan agreements were paid into frozen accounts under licenses or authorizations from relevant European governments.

In 2002, HSBC provided a loan to Bank Tejarat with a guarantee from the Government of Iran to fund the construction of a petrochemical plant undertaken by a U.K. contractor. This loan was supported by the U.K. Export Credit Agency. One repayment was received in the second quarter of 2013 under license from the relevant Europe Government. 

HSBC also maintains sub-participations in five loans provided by other international banks to Bank Tejarat and Bank Mellat with guarantees from the Government of Iran. These sub-participations were supported by the Export Credit Agencies of Italy, The Netherlands, France, and Spain. The repayments due under the sub-participations were not received during the second quarter of 2013, and claims are being processed and settled by the relevant European Export Credit Agencies. Licenses and relevant authorizations have been obtained from the competent authorities of the European Union in respect of the transactions.

Estimated gross revenue to HSBC generated by these loans in repayment for the second quarter of 2013, which includes interest and fees, was $307,000. Estimated net profit for HSBC during the second quarter of 2013 was $133,000. While HSBC intends to continue to seek repayment, it does not intend to extend any new loans.

Legacy contractual obligations related to guarantees Between 1996 and 2007, HSBC provided guarantees to a number of its non-Iranian customers in Europe and the Middle East for various business activities in Iran. In a number of cases, HSBC issued counter indemnities in support of guarantees issued by Iranian banks as the Iranian beneficiaries of the guarantees required that they be backed directly by Iranian banks. The Iranian banks to which HSBC provided counter indemnities included Bank Tejarat, Bank Melli, and the Bank of Industry and Mine.

HSBC worked with relevant regulatory authorities to obtain licenses where required and ensure compliance with laws and regulations while seeking to cancel the guarantees and counter indemnities. None were canceled during the second quarter of 2013.

Estimated gross revenue to HSBC for the second quarter of 2013, which includes fees and/or commissions, was $3,000. HSBC does not allocate direct costs to fees and commissions and therefore has not disclosed a separate profits measure. HSBC is seeking to cancel all relevant guarantees and does not intend to provide any new guarantees involving Iran.

Check clearing Certain Iranian banks sanctioned by the United States continue to participate in official clearing systems in the UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Qatar, and Turkey. HSBC has a presence in these countries and, as such, participates in the clearing systems. The Iranian banks participating in the clearing systems vary by location and include Bank Saderat, Bank Melli, Future Bank, and Bank Mellat.

While HSBC has attempted to restrict or terminate its role as paying or collecting bank, some check transactions with U.S.-sanctioned Iranian financial institutions have been settled. HSBC's ability to effectively terminate or implement check-clearing restrictions is dependent on the relevant central banks permitting it to do so unilaterally. Where permitted, HSBC has terminated the activity altogether, implementing both automated and manual controls. There was no measurable gross revenue or net profit generated by this activity in the second quarter of 2013.

Other relationships with Iranian banks  Activity related to U.S.-sanctioned Iranian banks not covered elsewhere in this disclosure includes the following:

 Ÿ     HSBC maintains a frozen account in the U.K. for an Iranian-owned, FSA-regulated financial institution. In April 2007, the U.K. government issued a license to allow HSBC to handle certain transactions (operational payments and settlement of pre-sanction transactions) for this institution. There was some licensed activity in the second quarter of 2013.

Ÿ      HSBC acts as the trustee and administrator for pension schemes involving three employees of a U.S.-sanctioned Iranian bank in Hong Kong. Under the rules of these schemes, HSBC accepts contributions from the Iranian bank each month and allocates the funds into the pension accounts of the three Iranian bank employees. HSBC runs and operates these pension schemes in accordance with Hong Kong laws and regulations.

Ÿ      In 2010, HSBC closed its representative office in Iran. HSBC maintains a local account with a U.S.-sanctioned Iranian bank in Tehran in order to facilitate residual activity related to the closure. There was no activity in the second quarter of 2013.

Estimated gross revenue to HSBC for the second quarter of 2013 for all Iranian bank-related activity described in this section, which includes fees and/or commissions, was $2,000. HSBC does not allocate direct costs to fees and commissions and therefore has not disclosed a separate profits measure. HSBC intends to continue to wind down this Iranian bank-related activity and not enter into any new such activity.

Iranian embassy-related activity HSBC maintained a bank account in London for the Iranian embassy in London, which was used to support Iranian students studying in the U.K. This account was closed in the second quarter of 2013, and the funds were moved into unclaimed balances. 

2013 Activity related to U.S. Executive Order 13224 HSBC maintained a frozen personal account for an individual sanctioned under Executive Order 13224, and by the U.K. and the U.N. Security Council. Activity on this account in the second quarter of 2013 was permitted by a license issued by the U.K. There was no measurable gross revenue or net profits generated to HSBC in the second quarter of 2013.

2013 Activity related to U.S. Executive Order 13382 HSBC held an account for a customer in the United Arab Emirates that was sanctioned under Executive Order 13382 in the second quarter of 2013.  HSBC has notified the customer that the account is being closed, and there has been minimal activity in the second quarter of 2013. There was no measurable gross revenue or net profits generated to HSBC in the second quarter of 2013.

Frozen accounts and transactions HSBC maintains several accounts that are frozen under relevant sanctions programs and on which no activity took place during the second quarter of 2013. In the second quarter of 2013, HSBC also froze payments where required under relevant sanctions programs. There was no gross revenue or net profit to HSBC.

 


Item 6.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

 


Exhibits included in this Report:

 

12

  

Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

31

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1)

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document(2)

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(2)

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(2)

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(2)

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(2)

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(2)

 


(1)        This exhibit shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

(2)        Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, includes the following financial information included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language ("XBRL") interactive data files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii)  the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of  June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


Index

 

Account management policies and practices 


Fair value measurements:

Assets:


assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis

by business segment 


assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis 

fair value of financial assets 


fair value adjustments 

fair value measurements 


financial instruments 

nonperforming 


hierarchy

Balance sheet (consolidated) 


transfers into/out of Level 1 and Level 2 

Basel III 


transfers into/out of Level 2 and Level 3 

Basis of reporting 


valuation control framework 

Business:


valuation techniques 

consolidated performance review


Financial highlights metrics 

focus 


Financial liabilities:

Capital:


designated at fair value 

2013 funding strategy 


fair value of financial liabilities 

common equity movements 


Forward looking statements 

consolidated statement of changes 


Funding 

selected capital ratios 


Gain (loss) from debt designated at fair value and related derivatives 

Cash flow (consolidated) 


Geographic concentration of receivables 

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements 


Impairment:

Compliance risk 


credit losses 

Consumer business segment 


nonaccrual receivables 

Controls and procedures 


nonperforming receivables 

Credit quality 


Income tax expense

Credit risk:


Interest income:

concentration 


net interest income 

management 


sensitivity 

Current environment 


Interest rate risk 

Deferred tax assets 


Key performance indicators

Derivatives:


Legal proceedings 

cash flow hedges 


Liabilities:

fair value hedges 


financial liabilities designated at fair value 

income (expense) 


lines of credit 

non-qualifying hedges 


long-term debt 

notional amount


Liquidity and capital resources 

Discontinued operations 


Liquidity risk

Equity:


Litigation and regulatory matters 

consolidated statement of changes 


Loans and advances - see Receivables

ratios 


Loan impairment charges - see Provision for credit losses

Estimates and assumptions 



Executive overview






 

Market risk 


Repurchase liability 

Market turmoil - see Current environment


Reputational risk 

Model risk 


Results of operations 

Mortgage Lending products 


Risk elements in the loan portfolio by product 

Net interest income


Risk management:

New accounting pronouncements


credit 

Operating expenses


compliance 

Operational risk 


interest rate 

Other revenues 


liquidity 

Pension and other postretirement benefits 


market 

Pension risk 


model 

Performance, developments and trends 


operational 

Profit (loss) before tax:


pension 

by segment - IFRSs basis 


reputational

consolidated 


strategic 

Provision for credit losses 


security and fraud

Ratios:


Securities 

capital 


Security and fraud risk

charge-off (net) 


Segment results - IFRSs basis:

credit loss reserve related 


consumer 

delinquency 


overall summary 

earnings to fixed charges - Exhibit 12


Selected financial data 

efficiency 


Sensitivity:

financial 


projected net interest income 

Re-aged receivables


Statement of cash flows 

Real estate owned


Statement of changes in shareholders' equity 

Receivables:


Statement of comprehensive income (loss) 

by category 


Statement of income (loss) 

by charge-off (net) 


Strategic initiatives and focus

by delinquency


Strategic risk

geographic concentration


Table of content 

held for sale 


Tangible common equity to tangible assets 

modified and/or re-aged 


Tax expense 

nonaccrual 


Troubled debt restructures 

overall review 


Variable interest entities 

risk concentration



troubled debt restructures 



Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to U.S. GAAP financial measures 



Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP results to IFRSs 



Related party transactions 












 


Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Date:       August 5, 2013

 

HSBC FINANCE CORPORATION




By:


/s/ MICHAEL A. REEVES



Michael A. Reeves



Executive Vice President



and Chief Financial Officer

 

 


Exhibit Index

 


 

 

 

12

  

Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

31

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32

  

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1)

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document(2)

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(2)

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(2)

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(2)

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(2)

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(2)

 


(1)        This exhibit shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

(2)        Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, includes the following financial information included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language ("XBRL") interactive data files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii)  the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of  June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and (v) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 



 

 

EXHIBIT 12

HSBC FINANCE CORPORATION

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS (LOSS) TO FIXED CHARGES AND TO

COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

2013


2012


(dollars are in millions)(dollars are in millions)

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations      
















$

575



$

(2,017

)


Income tax (expense) benefit....................................................................................................................

(285

)


1,227


Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax (expense) benefit..............................

860



(3,244

)

Fixed charges:




Interest expense....................................................................................................................................

732



966


Interest portion of rentals(1)..........................................................................................................................

3



4


Total fixed charges.....................................................................................................................................

735



970


Total earnings from continuing operations as defined........................................................................

$

1,595



$

(2,274

)

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges...........................................................................................................

2.17



(2.34

)

Preferred stock dividends(2)..........................................................................................................................

$

97



$

94


Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends...................................

1.92



(2.14

)

 


(1)   Represents one-third of rentals, which approximates the portion representing interest.

(2)   Preferred stock dividends are grossed up to their pretax equivalents.



 

 

EXHIBIT 31

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

I, Patrick J. Burke, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Finance Corporation, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of HSBC Finance Corporation;

2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.   The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a.     designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.     designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.     disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.     all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.     any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 5, 2013

 

/s/ PATRICK J. BURKE

Patrick J. Burke

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive

Officer

 

 


Certification of Chief Financial Officer

I, Michael A. Reeves, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HSBC Finance Corporation, certify that:

1.     I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of HSBC Finance Corporation;

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and we have:

a.     designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.     designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c.     evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d.     disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.     The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.     all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal controls over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.     any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 5, 2013 

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. REEVES

Michael A. Reeves

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

 



 

 

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The certification set forth below is being submitted in connection with the HSBC Finance Corporation (the "Company") Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report") for the purpose of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

I, Patrick J. Burke, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify that:

1.     the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

2.     the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of HSBC Finance Corporation.

Date: August 5, 2013

 

 

/s/ PATRICK J. BURKE

Patrick J. Burke

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 


Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

The certification set forth below is being submitted in connection with the HSBC Finance Corporation (the "Company") Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending June 30, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report") for the purpose of complying with Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

I, Michael A. Reeves, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify that:

1.     the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and

2.     the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of HSBC Finance Corporation.

Date: August 5, 2013 

 

/s/ MICHAEL A. REEVES

Michael A. Reeves

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

These certifications accompany each Report pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and shall not, except to the extent required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, be deemed filed by HSBC Finance Corporation for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Signed originals of these written statements required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 have been provided to HSBC Finance Corporation and will be retained by HSBC Finance Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

 

 


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