Interim Report - 4 of 24

RNS Number : 1988X

HSBC Holdings PLC

26 August 2015

 



Consolidated income statement

Summary consolidated income statement

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
Net interest income		16,444		17,405		17,300
Net fee income		7,725		8,177		7,780
Net trading income		4,573		3,275		3,485
Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value		2,666		1,660		813
Gains less losses from financial investments		1,874		946		389
Dividend income		68		88		223
Net insurance premium income		5,607		6,137		5,784
Other operating income		836		538		593
Total operating income		39,793		38,226		36,367
Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders		(6,850)		(7,059)		(6,286)
Net operating income before loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions		32,943		31,167		30,081
Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions		(1,439)		(1,841)		(2,010)
Net operating income		31,504		29,326		28,071
Total operating expenses		(19,187)		(18,266)		(22,983)
Operating profit		12,317		11,060		5,088
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures		1,311		1,280		1,252
Profit before tax		13,628		12,340		6,340
Tax expense		(2,907)		(2,022)		(1,953)
Profit for the period		10,721		10,318		4,387
Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company		9,618		9,746		3,942
Profit attributable to non-controlling interests		1,103		572		445
Average foreign exchange translation rates to $:
$1: £		0.657		0.599		0.615
$1: €		0.897		0.730		0.777

Reported performance

Reported profit before tax of $13.6bn in the first half of 2015 ('1H15') was $1.3bn or 10% higher than in the first half of 2014 ('1H14'). This was primarily driven by a net favourable movement in significant items partly offset by the adverse effects of currency translation between the periods.

Reported net operating income before loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions ('revenue') of $32.9bn was $1.8bn or 6% higher than in 1H14. Revenue was affected by significant items including, in 1H15, a $1.4bn gain on the partial sale of our shareholding in Industrial Bank Co. Ltd ('Industrial Bank') and positive favourable fair value movements on our own debt designated at fair value of $0.7bn compared with adverse movements of $0.2bn and a gain of $0.4bn recorded on the sale of our shareholding in Bank of Shanghai in 1H14. The overall favourable movement in significant items was largely offset by the adverse effects of currency translation between the periods. Excluding these items, the increase in revenue was primarily driven by growth in client-facing GB&M (see footnote 5 on page 56), Principal RBWM (see page 34) and CMB.

Reported loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions ('LICs') of $1.4bn were $0.4bn or 22% lower than in 1H14, notably in North America and Latin America, partly offset in Middle East and North Africa.

Reported operating expenses of $19.2bn were $0.9bn or 5% higher than in 1H14, with 1H15 significant items, which included $1.1bn relating to settlements and provisions in connection with legal matters, more than offset by the positive effects of currency translation between the periods of $1.5bn.

Income from associates of $1.3bn increased marginally compared with 1H14.

On 3 August 2015, the Board announced the second interim dividend for 2015 of $0.10 per ordinary share.

Adjusted performance

For further information on non-GAAP financial measures, see page 15.

From reported results to adjusted performance To arrive at adjusted performance, we adjust for: ·  the period-on-period effects of currency translation; and ·  the effect of significant items. Reconciliations of our reported and adjusted results are provided on pages 50 to 55.

On an adjusted basis, profit before tax of $13.0bn in 1H15 rose by $0.3bn compared with 1H14. Higher revenue, notably in client-facing GB&M, Principal RBWM and CMB, and lower LICs were partly offset by higher operating expenses.

The following commentary is on an adjusted basis.

Revenue was 4% higher with growth in client-facing GB&M, Principal RBWM and CMB

Revenue rose by $1.3bn to $30.8bn reflecting global business performance as follows:

·   In GB&M, total revenue was $0.9bn or 10% higher. This was driven by an increase of $0.8bn or 10% in client-facing GB&M, mainly in Europe, and an increase of $0.2bn in Balance Sheet Management ('BSM'), in part driven by increased gains on disposal of available-for-sale debt securities. The rise in client-facing GB&M was notably in Markets, where revenue rose in Equities by $0.5bn and in Foreign Exchange by $0.3bn following increased volatility in the period. Equities also benefited from higher client flows and favourable movements on own credit spreads compared with minimal movements in 1H14. By contrast, revenue fell in Principal Investments reflecting lower gains on disposal than in 1H14. Legacy credit also fell from reduced revaluation gains.

·   In RBWM, revenue was $0.2bn or 2% higher driven by Principal RBWM (up $0.5bn) partly offset by the run-off of our US Consumer and Mortgage Lending ('CML') portfolio ($0.2bn lower). In our Principal RBWM business, revenue increased by 4%, mainly driven by higher income across all Wealth Management products, notably in Hong Kong from equities and mutual funds products in Investment Distribution as a result of higher stock market turnover. The increase also reflected a net favourable valuation movement in our life insurance manufacturing business following increasing interest rates in the eurozone compared with falling rates in 1H14, and improved equity market performance in Asia. Current accounts, savings and deposit revenues were up by 2%, mainly due to customer account balances increasing by 4%, principally in the UK and Hong Kong. By contrast, personal lending revenues decreased by 2% despite higher balances, driven lower in the UK by a reduction in overdraft fees reflecting re-pricing and the introduction in November 2014 of a text message alert service for customers, and reduced spreads on mortgages.

·   In CMB, revenue rose by $0.3bn or 4%, primarily due to higher net interest income in Credit and Lending and Payments and Cash Management, mainly in Hong Kong and the UK. In Hong Kong, this reflected average balance sheet growth and wider lending spreads, while in the UK it reflected continued balance sheet growth, notably from lending in our Large Corporate and Middle-Market Enterprises ('MME') segments. In addition, revenue increased in the US, primarily from lending growth to Large Corporate customers, and in Argentina, in part reflecting wider deposit spreads.

·   In GPB, revenue was broadly unchanged as a decrease arising from the managed reduction in client assets from the ongoing repositioning of our business, notably in
Europe, was offset by an increase in revenue in Hong Kong which reflected a rise in client transaction volumes and higher market volatility, coupled with the effect of positive net new money in 2014. We continued to grow the parts of the business that fit our target model, attracting net new money of $7bn in 1H15, mainly in Hong Kong, the US and the UK, over 45% of which was driven by referrals from our three other global businesses.

LICs fell by 8%, primarily in North America and Latin America, partly offset in Middle East and North Africa, Europe and Asia

LICs reduced by $0.1bn.

·   In North America, LICs continued to fall in the US CML portfolio in RBWM, driven by reduced levels of delinquency and new impaired loans in addition to lower lending balances from the continued run-off and loan sales. The reduction also reflected the non-recurrence of impairment charges recorded in CMB and GB&M in 1H14 following a revision to certain estimates used in our corporate loan impairment calculation. These factors were partly offset by lower favourable market value adjustments of underlying properties in the CML portfolio as improvements in housing market conditions were less pronounced in 1H15 than in 1H14.

·   In Latin America, LICs decreased, mainly due to lower collectively assessed impairment charges in RBWM in Brazil, in part due to the non-recurrence of charges from refinements made in 1H14 to the impairment model for non-restructured loan portfolios, and in Mexico reflecting lower delinquency rates on personal lending, payroll and card portfolios.

However, LICs increased:

·   in Middle East and North Africa, where the adverse movement reflected individually assessed impairment charges in 1H15 compared with a net release in 1H14, primarily on UAE-related exposures in CMB and GB&M;

·   in Europe, primarily in GB&M reflecting lower releases of available-for-sale asset-backed securities ('ABS's) and higher impairment charges relating to Greek exposures, partly offset by lower individually assessed impairment charges notably in GB&M in the UK; and

·   in Asia, mainly reflecting a specific CMB impairment charge in Indonesia in 1H15.

Operating expenses were 7% higher in 1H15

On an adjusted basis, operating expenses increased by $1.2bn or 7% reflecting increases in both 'run-the-bank' and 'change-the-bank' costs. For further information on the categorisation of operating expenses as run-the-bank and change-the-bank costs, see page 26.

The rise in run-the-bank costs of $0.8bn was primarily driven by staff costs, reflecting wage inflation, principally in Latin America and Hong Kong, and a targeted increase in the number of staff to support growth initiatives in the global businesses. The increase in staff numbers included:

·   in GB&M, investment in our Payments and Cash Management business in North America, Asia and Europe;

·   in CMB, investment in Payments and Cash Management in North America and organic growth initiatives in Asia and Europe; and

·   in RBWM, additional FTEs in Asia to support revenue growth.

This investment was in line with our strategic objectives to prioritise growth in Asia and achieve revenue growth above GDP from our international network. Run-the-bank costs also increased due to higher Regulatory Programmes and Compliance costs as a result of our ongoing focus on Global Standards, particularly in the area of financial crime and compliance.

The increase in change-the-bank costs of $0.4bn was also driven by inflation and higher regulatory and compliance costs. This was a result of the continued focus on Global Standards, including the Group-wide roll out of the new AML and sanctions policy procedures and the ongoing parallel deployment of enhanced customer due diligence and financial crime compliance infrastructure. These actions are in line with our strategic target to complete the implementation of Global Standards by the end of 2017.

The number of employees, expressed in full-time equivalent numbers ('FTE's), increased by 2,186 during 1H15 to 259,788. The average number of FTEs adjusted for business disposals increased by 2% compared with 1H14 due to additional FTE requirements for regulatory programmes and compliance and business growth in GB&M.

Income from associates

Income from associates of $1.3bn increased marginally compared with 1H14.

Effective tax rate

The effective tax rate was 21.3% compared with 16.4% in 1H14.

The effective tax rate for 1H14 was significantly lower principally due to prior year adjustments.

Brazil and Turkey

We intend to dispose of our operations in Brazil and Turkey as part of the plans to re-size and simplify the business announced in our Investor Update. A presence in Brazil will be maintained to serve large corporate clients with respect to their international needs. We expect that the sales will have a significant effect on the future trading results of the Group, in particular the disposal of Brazil (see page 47 for further details).

The assets and liabilities relating to Brazil have been classified as 'held for sale' on the Group balance sheet in accordance with IFRS 5 'Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations'.

There is no separate presentation in the income statement.

 

Group performance by income and expense item

For further financial performance data for each geographical region and global business, see pages 33 to 41 and 42 to 49, respectively.

Net interest income

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
Interest income		24,019		25,435		25,520
Interest expense		(7,575)		(8,030)		(8,220)
Net interest income6		16,444		17,405		17,300
Average interest-earning assets		1,730,663		1,801,862		1,771,460
Gross interest yield7		2.80%		2.85%		2.86%
Cost of funds		(1.03%)		(1.03%)		(1.07%)
Net interest spread8		1.77%		1.82%		1.79%
Net interest margin8		1.92%		1.95%		1.94%

For footnotes, see page 56.

Reported net interest income of $16.4bn decreased by $1.0bn or 6% compared with 1H14. This was driven by the currency translation and significant items summarised in the table below. On an adjusted basis, net interest income was broadly unchanged compared with 1H14.

Significant items and currency translation

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
Significant items
- releases/(provisions) arising from the ongoing review of compliance with the Consumer Credit Act in the UK		12		(367)		(265)
- acquisitions, disposals and dilutions		-		34		4
		12		(333)		(261)
Currency translation				1,356		1,069
Total		12		1,023		808

On a reported basis, net interest spread and margin were marginally lower in 1H15 due to reduced yields on customer lending in Europe, Latin America and North America. In addition, there were lower yields on short-term funds and financial investments.

Interest income

Reported interest income decreased by $1.4bn compared with 1H14 due to lower interest income on loans and advances to customers. The decrease was driven by currency translation, notably in Latin America and Europe, although this was partly offset in Europe as 1H14 included the effect of UK Consumer Credit Act ('CCA') provisions. Excluding these factors, interest income on loans and advances to customers was broadly unchanged as higher interest income in Asia and Latin America was broadly offset in Europe and North America.

In Asia, the rise in interest income was driven by growth in average term lending balances, the effect of which was partly offset by compressed yields on customer lending in mainland China due to central bank rate reductions. In Latin America, the increase was primarily in Brazil and Argentina driven by average balance sheet growth and, additionally, in Brazil, by the effect of successive increases in central bank interest rates since late 2014.

By contrast, in Europe, the reduction in interest income was driven by lower average balances and yields on mortgages in the UK in line with competitive pricing, and the effect of downward movements in market interest rates in the eurozone. Interest income also decreased in North America as new lending to customers in RBWM and CMB was at reduced yields in the current low interest rate environment, and the CML portfolio continued to decrease from run-off and sales.

Interest income on short-term funds and financial investments in BSM decreased, due to currency translation in Latin America, notably in Brazil, and in Europe. Excluding this, interest income rose, primarily in Latin America due to an increase in average balances and the effect of central bank rate rises in Brazil. These rate rises also drove increased interest income on reverse repurchase agreements. The rise in Latin America was partly offset by falls in Europe due to a managed reduction in average balances and, to a lesser extent, in Asia reflecting movement in central bank interest rates in mainland China and changes in the currency mix of the overall portfolio.

Interest expense

Reported interest expense decreased by $0.5bn compared with 1H14, primarily on customer accounts, reflecting currency translation, primarily in Latin America and Europe. Excluding this, interest expense on customer accounts rose in Latin America notably in Brazil, driven by increases in the central bank interest rate and growth in average balances.

In North America, other interest expense increased as 1H14 benefited from the release of accrued interest associated with uncertain tax positions.

Interest expense on debt issued also increased, excluding the effects of currency translation. This was largely in Latin America, notably Brazil, in line with central bank interest rate rises, coupled with an increase in average balances. These factors were partly offset in Europe, as new debt was issued at lower prevailing rates and average outstanding balances fell as a result of net redemptions.

Net fee income

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Account services		1,383		1,734		1,673
Funds under management		1,310		1,283		1,375
Cards		1,120		1,210		1,250
Credit facilities		989		963		927
Broking income		817		664		707
Unit trusts		595		518		487
Imports/exports		485		558		557
Underwriting		450		536		336
Remittances		387		411		422
Global custody		371		359		367
Insurance agency commission		284		302		214
Other		1,181		1,493		1,199
Fee income		9,372		10,031		9,514
Less: fee expense		(1,647)		(1,854)		(1,734)
Net fee income		7,725		8,177		7,780

Reported net fee income fell by $452m compared with 1H14, primarily reflecting the adverse effects of currency translation of $598m between the periods, notably in Europe and Latin America.

On an adjusted basis, net fee income increased by $156m or 2%. This reflected higher net fee income in Asia and North America, mainly in RBWM, partly offset by a reduction in Europe, primarily within GB&M and RBWM.

Fee income from both broking and unit trusts grew strongly, mainly in Hong Kong, driven by higher sales of equities and mutual funds in RBWM. This reflected higher stock market turnover, in part facilitated by the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect platform following a relaxation of certain restrictions in 1H15 by the regulator in mainland China, and higher investor appetite following improvements in Asian equity markets notwithstanding the weakness experienced in the latter part of June 2015.

Fee income from funds under management also increased in Asia, Europe and North America. In our Global Asset Management business, management fees increased in Hong Kong, France and the US driven by volume growth, in part due to higher net inflows of fixed income products, and stronger equity market performance, notably in Europe and Asia. Fee income from funds under management also increased in Germany reflecting business growth in GB&M.

In addition, fee income from credit facilities increased, mainly in North America, reflecting continued lending growth in CMB through our focus on internationally connected cities.

By contrast, account services fee income decreased, primarily in the UK in RBWM where lower overdraft fees reflected re-pricing and fewer overdrawn balances following the introduction in November 2014 of a text-alert service for customers. Account services fees also reduced in Switzerland due to the continued repositioning of our GPB business.

In addition, underwriting fee income decreased, mainly in Hong Kong in GB&M reflecting reduced activity in equity capital markets, although this was partly offset by higher volumes of debt issuances in the US.

Fee expenses were marginally lower by $15m or 1%, compared with 1H14, primarily in the US reflecting favourable adjustments to mortgage servicing rights valuations following mortgage interest rate increases in 1H15 compared with decreases in 1H14.

Net trading income

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015                              $m		30 June                          2014                              $m		31 December                          2014                              $m
Trading activities		3,553		2,666		2,753
Net interest income on trading activities		1,053		913		994
Gain/(loss) on termination of hedges		(8)		(4)		5
Other trading income/(expense) - hedge ineffectiveness:
- on cash flow hedges		4		15		19
- on fair value hedges		26		22		(3)
Adverse fair value movement on non-qualifying hedges		(55)		(337)		(283)
Net trading income		4,573		3,275		3,485

Reported net trading income of $4.6bn was $1.3bn higher compared with 1H14, predominantly in Asia and Europe. The movement in net trading income in part reflected the following significant items and currency translation summarised in the table below.

Significant items and currency translation

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
Included within trading activities:
- favourable/(adverse) debit valuation adjustment on derivative contracts		165		(155)		(177)
Other significant items:
- adverse fair value movements on non-qualifying hedges		(45)		(322)		(219)
- acquisitions, disposals and dilutions		-		2		-
		120		(475)		(396)
Currency translation				240		207
Total		120		(235)		(189)

On an adjusted basis, excluding the significant items and currency translation tabulated above, net trading income from trading activities increased by $943m compared with 1H14, notably in client-facing GB&M driven by our Equities and Foreign Exchange businesses, primarily in the UK, following a rise in volatility in 1H15. Equities also benefited from increased client activity and favourable movements on own credit spreads compared with minimal movements in 1H14.

Net interest income from trading activities grew, mainly in Asia from increased average balances of trading assets, and in North America from a change in portfolio mix towards higher-yielding debt securities.

Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value

		Half-year to
		30 June		30 June		31 December
		2015		2014		2014
		$m		$m		$m
Net income/(expense) arising from:
-    financial assets held to meet liabilities under insurance and investment contracts		1,615		1,396		904
-    liabilities to customers under investment contracts		(301)		(231)		(204)
-    HSBC's long-term debt issued and related derivatives		1,324		438		70
- change in own credit spread on long-term debt		650		(215)		632
- other changes in fair value		674		653		(562)
-    other instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives		28		57		43
Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value		2,666		1,660		813

Assets and liabilities from which net income from financial instruments designated at fair value arose

		At
		30 June		30 June		31 December
		2015		2014		2014
		$m		$m		$m
Financial assets designated at fair value		25,168		31,823		29,037
Financial liabilities designated at fair value		69,485		82,968		76,153
Including:
Financial assets held to meet liabilities under:
- insurance contracts and investment contracts with DPF		11,341		11,906		10,650
- unit-linked insurance and other insurance and investment contracts		12,297		16,927		16,333
Long-term debt issues designated at fair value		62,962		75,740		69,681

The majority of the financial liabilities designated at fair value are fixed-rate long-term debt issues and are managed in conjunction with interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate management strategy. These liabilities are discussed further on page 50 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2014.

Reported net income from financial instruments designated at fair value was $2.7bn in 1H15, compared with $1.7bn in 1H14. The former included favourable movements in the fair value of our own long-term debt of $650m due to changes in credit spread, compared with adverse movements of $215m in the latter period.

On an adjusted basis, which excludes changes in own credit spread and the net adverse effect of currency translation of $226m, net income from financial instruments designated at fair value increased by $367m.

Net income arising from financial assets held to meet liabilities under insurance and investment contracts of $1.6bn was $387m higher than in 1H14. This primarily
reflected stronger equity market performance, notably in Hong Kong, mainland China and France.

Investment gains or losses arising from equity markets result in a corresponding movement in liabilities to customers, reflecting the extent to which unit-linked policyholders, in particular, participate in the investment performance of the associated asset portfolio. Where these relate to assets held to back investment contracts, the corresponding movement in liabilities to customers is also recorded under 'Net income/(expense) from financial instruments designated at fair value'. This is in contrast to gains or losses related to assets held to back insurance contracts or investment contracts with discretionary participation features ('DPF'), where the corresponding movement in liabilities to customers is recorded under 'Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders'.

Net income from 'Other changes in fair value' increased mainly reflecting a net favourable movement of $73m due to interest and exchange rate hedging ineffectiveness.

Gains less losses from financial investments

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Net gains from disposal of:
- debt securities		310		185		480
- equity securities		1,578		782		255
- other financial investments		4		2		4
		1,892		969		739
Impairment of available-for-sale equity securities		(18)		(23)		(350)
Gains less losses from financial investments		1,874		946		389

In 1H15, gains less losses from financial investments increased by $928m on a reported basis compared with 1H14, driven by the significant items and currency translation tabulated below, notably the gain on the partial sale of our shareholding in Industrial Bank ($1.4bn).

On an adjusted basis, excluding all significant items and currency translation tabulated below, gains less losses from financial investments increased by $46m, driven by an increase from the disposal of available-for-sale debt securities in Europe, Asia and North America. This was partly offset by lower gains on disposal in Principal Investments in the UK.

Significant items and currency translation

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
Significant items
- gain on the partial sale of shareholding in Industrial Bank		1,372		-		-
- gain on sale of shareholding in Bank of Shanghai		-		428		-
- impairment on our investment in Industrial Bank		-		-		(271)
		1,372		428		(271)
Currency translation				62		26
Total		1,372		490		(245)

 

Net insurance premium income

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Gross insurance premium income		5,855		6,358		6,012
Reinsurance premiums		(248)		(221)		(228)
Net insurance premium income		5,607		6,137		5,784

Reported net insurance premium income decreased by $530m compared with 1H14, mainly reflecting the adverse effect of currency translation of $448m. On an adjusted basis, net insurance premium income fell marginally by $82m or 1%, driven by a reduction in Asia partly offset by higher premium income in Europe and Latin America.

In Asia, premium income fell, primarily in Hong Kong from lower unit-linked contract premiums and lower sales of endowment products.

In Europe, premium income increased, driven by France, where there were higher sales of investment contracts with DPF reflecting customer demand, partly offset in the UK by lower pension premiums following a decision to exit the commercial pensions market in 2014.

Net insurance premium income also increased in Latin America, primarily in Brazil due to higher volumes of new business reflecting sales campaigns.

 

Other operating income

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Rent received		84		82		80
Gains recognised on assets held for sale		34		10		210
Gains on investment properties		33		71		49
Gains on disposal of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and non-financial investments		26		3		29
Change in present value of in-force long-term insurance business		438		200		61
Other		221		172		164
Other operating income		836		538		593

Change in present value of in-force long-term insurance business

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Value of new business		438		479		391
Expected return		(279)		(286)		(259)
Assumption changes and experience variances		241		(3)		(113)
Other adjustments		38		10		42
Change in present value of in-force long-term insurance business		438		200		61

Reported other operating income of $836m increased by $298m compared with 1H14. This was in part due to the
significant items and currency translation summarised in the table below.

Significant items and currency translation

		Half year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
Significant items
Included within gains recognised on assets held for sale:
- gain/(loss) on sale of several tranches of real estate secured accounts in the US		17		(15)		183
Included within the remaining line items:
- acquisitions, disposals and dilutions		-		(14)		(27)
		17		(29)		156
Currency translation				(45)		(28)
Total		17		(74)		128

On an adjusted basis, excluding the significant items and currency translation tabulated above, other operating income increased by $207m compared with 1H14. This was primarily due to higher favourable movements in the present value of in force long-term insurance business ('PVIF') in RBWM, partly offset by lower disposal and revaluation gains on investment properties in 1H15.

The higher favourable movement in the PVIF balance was driven by positive investment assumption changes in France due to rising interest rates in 1H15, compared with falling rates in 1H14. In addition, positive experience variances were reported in Hong Kong, though they were offset by an increase in liabilities to policyholders following a change in the regulatory discount rate. The overall increases were partially offset by a reduction in the value of new business driven mainly by a change in business mix in Hong Kong.

 

Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders:
- gross		7,099		7,212		6,511
- reinsurers' share		(249)		(153)		(225)
Net total		6,850		7,059		6,286

Reported net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders were $209m lower than in 1H14, mainly reflecting the effect of currency translation of $562m. On an adjusted basis, net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders were $353m higher.

The increase was mainly driven by higher investment returns on the assets held to support liabilities under contracts where the policyholder bears investment risk. Notably, this included stronger equity market performance in France. The gains or losses recognised on the financial assets designated at fair value held to support these
insurance and investment contract liabilities are reported in 'Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value'.

In addition, there was a one-off increase in liabilities to policyholders in Hong Kong following a change in the regulatory discount rate applied to the liabilities which is offset by the corresponding PVIF experience variance noted above.

These increases were partially offset by lower net insurance premium income as described above.

 

Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Loan impairment charges
- new allowances net of allowance releases		1,797		2,581		2,429
- recoveries of amounts previously written off		(350)		(556)		(399)
		1,447		2,025		2,030
- individually assessed allowances		480		558		1,222
- collectively assessed allowances		967		1,467		808
Releases of impairment allowances of available-for-sale debt securities		(38)		(214)		(105)
Other credit risk provisions		30		30		85
Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions		1,439		1,841		2,010
		%		%		%
Impairment charges on loans and advances to customers as a percentage of average gross loans and advances to customers (annualised)		0.31		0.44		0.43

Reported loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions ('LICs') of $1.4bn were $402m lower than in 1H14, in part reflecting the favourable effect of currency translation of $267m, notably in Latin America and Europe.

On an adjusted basis, LICs decreased by $133m or 8%, primarily within North America and Latin America, partly offset in Middle East and North Africa, Europe and Asia. The percentage of impairment charges to average gross loans and advances to customers fell to 30bps in 1H15 from 33bps in 1H14.

Collectively assessed impairment charges fell by $303m, mainly in North America and Latin America, partly offset in Europe.

·   In North America, impairment charges continued to fall in the US CML portfolio in RBWM, reflecting reduced levels of delinquency and new impaired loans in addition to lower lending balances from the continued run-off and loan sales. The reduction also reflected the non-recurrence of impairment charges recorded in CMB and GB&M in 1H14 following a revision to certain estimates used in our corporate loan impairment calculation. These factors were partly offset by lower favourable market value adjustments of underlying properties in the CML portfolio as improvements in housing market conditions were less pronounced in 1H15 than in 1H14; and

·   in Latin America, the decrease primarily reflected lower impairment charges in RBWM in Brazil, in part due to the non-recurrence of charges from refinements made in 1H14 to the impairment model for non-restructured loan portfolios, and in Mexico reflecting lower delinquency rates on personal lending, payroll and card portfolios.

These were partly offset:

·   in Europe, where the increase primarily reflected higher impairment charges relating to Greek exposures in GB&M, RBWM and CMB (see page 74 for further details).

Individually assessed impairment charges were broadly unchanged, as increases in Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and Asia were largely offset by a reduction in Europe.

·   In Middle East and North Africa, the increase reflected impairment charges in 1H15 compared with a net release in 1H14, primarily on UAE-related exposures in CMB and GB&M;

·   in Latin America, impairment charges rose, notably in CMB in Brazil; and

·   in Asia, the increase reflected a specific CMB impairment charge in Indonesia in 1H15.

These factors were broadly offset:

·   in Europe, where the reduction primarily reflected lower impairment charges notably in GB&M in the UK.

Net releases of credit risk provisions decreased by $161m, mainly in the UK driven by lower releases of available-for-sale ABSs in the GB&M legacy portfolio.

Operating expenses

In addition to detailing operating expense items by category, as set out in the table below, we also categorise adjusted expenses as follows: ·   run-the-bank costs comprise business as usual running costs that keep operations functioning at the required quality and standard year-on-year, maintain IT infrastructure and support revenue growth; ·   change-the-bank costs comprise expenses relating to the implementation of mandatory regulatory changes and other investment costs incurred relating to projects to change

business as usual activity to enhance future operating capabilities. Change-the-bank costs do not include one-off transformation costs incurred to deliver the cost reduction and productivity outcomes outlined in the Investor Update; and ·   the UK bank levy is reported as a separate category. Run-the-bank costs are split between front office and back office reflecting the way the Group is organised into four global businesses ('front office'), supported by the global functions ('back office').

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015		30 June 2014		31 December 2014
		$m		$m		$m
By expense category
Employee compensation and benefits		10,041		9,978		10,388
Premises and equipment (excluding depreciation and impairment)		1,939		2,092		2,112
General and administrative expenses		6,190		5,035		9,326
Administrative expenses		18,170		17,105		21,826
Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment		604		712		670
Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets		413		449		487
Operating expenses		19,187		18,266		22,983

Staff numbers (full-time equivalent)

		At
		30 June 2015		30 June 2014		31 December 2014
Geographical regions
Europe		69,867		69,642		69,363
Asia		120,588		115,111		118,322
Middle East and North Africa		8,208		8,530		8,305
North America		20,338		20,649		20,412
Latin America		40,787		42,157		41,201
Staff numbers		259,788		256,089		257,603

Reported operating expenses of $19.2bn were $0.9bn or 5% higher than in 1H14, with the increase in significant items in 1H15 more than offset by the positive effects of currency translation.

Significant items and currency translation

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
Significant items
- charge in relation to the settlement agreement with Federal Housing Finance Authority		-		-		550
- settlements and provisions in connection with legal matters		1,144		-		1,187
- regulatory provisions in GPB		147		-		65
- UK customer redress programmes		137		234		1,041
- restructuring and other related costs		117		82		196
- acquisitions, disposals and dilutions		-		35		5
		1,545		351		3,044
Currency translation				1,479		1,287
Total		1,545		1,830		4,331

		Half-year to
		30 June                          2015		30 June                          2014		31 December                          2014
		$m		$m		$m
By expense group
Run-the-bank - front office		8,027		7,448		7,746
Run-the-bank - back office		7,924		7,680		8,273
Change-the-bank		1,736		1,353		1,525
Bank levy		(45)		(45)		1,108
Significant items		1,545		351		3,044
Currency translation		-		1,479		1,287
Operating expenses		19,187		18,266		22,983

On an adjusted basis, excluding the significant items and currency translation tabulated above, operating expenses in 1H15 were $1.2bn or 7% higher than in 1H14 reflecting increases in both run-the-bank and change-the-bank costs.

Front office run-the-bank costs totalled $8.0bn in 1H15, an increase of $0.6bn (8%) on 1H14. This was primarily driven by higher staff costs reflecting wage inflation, principally in Argentina, Brazil and Hong Kong, and a targeted increase in the number of staff to support growth as follows:

·   in line with our strategic target to achieve revenue growth above GDP from our international network, in CMB and GB&M we invested in Payments and Cash Management in North America, Asia and Europe; and

·   in RBWM we invested in additional FTEs, mainly in Asia to support revenue growth.

Back office run-the-bank costs totalled $7.9bn in 1H15, an increase of $0.2bn (3%) on 1H14 in part driven by both wage inflation and non-wage inflation such as rental costs in Asia.

Regulatory Programmes and Compliance costs increased as a result of our ongoing focus on Global Standards, as part of which we continue to improve our compliance capabilities, particularly in the area of financial crime compliance. Additionally, we are delivering infrastructure changes and systems enhancements that support the effective and efficient operation of our financial crime controls. This supports ongoing delivery of HSBC's external commitments and enhances the quality of customer data and the operation of our financial crime control environment. We also continued our investment to strengthen the identification, analysis and mitigation of risk.

Change-the-bank costs totalled $1.7bn in 1H15, an increase of $0.4bn (28%) on 1H14. The increase was primarily driven by higher regulatory and compliance costs which included the bank-wide roll out of the new AML and sanctions policy procedures and the ongoing parallel deployment of enhanced customer due diligence and financial crime compliance infrastructure. These actions were in line with our strategic target to complete the implementation of Global Standards by the end of 2017.

The number of employees, expressed in FTEs, increased by 2,185 during 1H15 to 259,788. The average number of FTEs adjusted for business disposals increased by 2% compared with 1H14, primarily due to additional FTE requirements for regulatory programmes and compliance.

Reported cost efficiency ratios

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015		30 June 2014		31 December 2014
		%		%		%
HSBC		58.2		58.6		76.4
Geographical regions
Europe		78.3		76.8		110.9
Asia		38.8		41.4		46.8
Middle East and North Africa		48.4		47.4		48.0
North America		79.7		69.8		87.9
Latin America		67.6		67.8		75.8
Global businesses
Retail Banking and Wealth Management9		67.1		67.6		75.8
Commercial Banking9		44.1		42.5		46.1
Global Banking and Markets		56.4		50.6		88.5
Global Private Banking		85.0		70.6		79.3

For footnote, see page 56.

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures

		Half-year to
		30 June 2015 $m		30 June 2014 $m		31 December 2014 $m
Associates
Bank of Communications Co., Limited		1,021		978		996
The Saudi British Bank		240		239		216
Other		25		37		27
Share of profit in associates		1,286		1,254		1,239
Share of profit in joint ventures		25		26		13
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures		1,311		1,280		1,252

HSBC's share of profit in associates and joint ventures of $1.3bn increased marginally compared with 1H14 driven by a higher contribution from Bank of Communications Co., Limited ('BoCom').

Our share of profit from BoCom rose as a result of balance sheet growth, increased fee income and a reduction in loan impairment charges, partly offset by higher operating expenses.

At 30 June 2015, we performed an impairment review of our investment in BoCom and concluded that it was not impaired based on our value in use calculation (see Note 14 in the Financial Statements for further details). The continued uncertainty regarding future movements in the value in use and the expectations around increases in the carrying amount are discussed further on page 55 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2014.

Tax expense

		Half-year to
		30 June		30 June		31 December
		2015 $m		2014 $m		2014 $m
Profit before tax		13,628		12,340		6,340
Tax expense		(2,907)		(2,022)		(1,953)
Profit after tax		10,721		10,318		4,387
Effective tax rate		21.3%		16.4%		30.8%

The effective tax rate for the first half of the year of 21.3% was slightly higher than the UK corporation tax rate of 20.25% principally due to non-deductible regulatory settlements and provisions.
The effective tax rate for 1H14 was significantly lower, principally due to prior year adjustments.

Consolidated balance sheet

Summary consolidated balance sheet

		At 30 June 2015 $m		At 30 June 2014 $m		At 31 December 2014 $m
ASSETS
Cash and balances at central banks		144,324		132,137		129,957
Trading assets		283,138		347,106		304,193
Financial assets designated at fair value		25,168		31,823		29,037
Derivatives		296,942		269,839		345,008
Loans and advances to banks		109,405		127,387		112,149
Loans and advances to customers		953,985		1,047,241		974,660
Reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading		149,384		198,301		161,713
Financial investments		404,682		423,710		415,467
Assets held for sale		60,929		10,248		7,647
Other assets		143,756		165,801		154,308
Total assets		2,571,713		2,753,593		2,634,139
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits by banks		71,140		92,764		77,426
Customer accounts		1,335,800		1,415,705		1,350,642
Repurchase agreements - non-trading		81,506		165,506		107,432
Trading liabilities		181,435		228,135		190,572
Financial liabilities designated at fair value		69,485		82,968		76,153
Derivatives		289,984		263,494		340,669
Debt securities in issue		102,656		96,397		95,947
Liabilities under insurance contracts		69,494		75,223		73,861
Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale		53,226		12,361		6,934
Other liabilities		115,605		122,318		114,525
Total liabilities		2,370,331		2,554,871		2,434,161
Equity
Total shareholders' equity		192,427		190,281		190,447
Non-controlling interests		8,955		8,441		9,531
Total equity		201,382		198,722		199,978
Total liabilities and equity		2,571,713		2,753,593		2,634,139

Selected financial information

		At                     30 June                          2015                              $m		At                     30 June                          2014                              $m		At          31 December                          2014                              $m
Called up share capital		9,758		9,535		9,609
Total regulatory capital		195,110		192,834		190,730
Undated subordinated loan capital		2,771		2,777		2,773
Preferred securities and dated subordinated loan capital		44,852		49,644		47,208
Risk-weighted assets		1,193,154		1,248,572		1,219,765
Financial statistics
Loans and advances to customers as a percentage of customer accounts		71.4		74.0		72.2
Average total shareholders' equity to average total assets		7.1		6.9		7.0
Net asset value per ordinary share at period-end ($)		9.11		9.64		9.28
Number of $0.50 ordinary shares in issue (millions)		19,516		19,071		19,218
Closing foreign exchange translation rates to $:
$1: £		0.635		0.586		0.642
$1: €		0.893		0.732		0.823

A more detailed consolidated balance sheet is contained in the Financial Statements on page 101.

Combined view of customer lending and customer deposits

		At
		30 Jun 2015 $m		30 Jun 2014 $m		31 Dec 2014 $m
Loans and advances to customers		953,985		1,047,241		974,660
Loans and advances to customers reported in 'Assets held for sale'		21,024		1,658		577
- Brazil		20,827		-		-
- other		197		1,658		577
Combined customer lending		975,009		1,048,899		975,237
Customer accounts		1,335,800		1,415,705		1,350,642
Customer accounts reported in 'Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale'		19,432		4,880		145
- Brazil		19,432		-		-
- other		−		4,880		145
Combined customer deposits		1,355,232		1,420,585		1,350,787

Movement from 31 December 2014 to 30 June 2015

Total reported assets of $2.6 trillion were 2% lower than at 31 December 2014. On a constant currency basis, total assets were broadly unchanged.

Our ratio of customer advances to customer accounts was 71%. Both customer loans and customer accounts were lower on a reported basis with these movements including:

·   adverse currency translation movements of $12bn and $14bn, respectively;

·   the transfer to 'Assets held for sale' and 'Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale' of balances relating to the planned disposal of our operations in Brazil of $21bn and $19bn, respectively; and

·   a $10bn reduction in corporate overdraft and current account balances relating to a small number of clients in our Payments and Cash Management business in the UK who settled their overdraft and deposit balances on a net basis. During 2014 we made our approach to our Payments and Cash Management business more globally consistent, with customers increasing the frequency with which they settled their overdraft and deposit positions.

Excluding these movements, customer lending grew by $22bn and customer accounts grew by $29bn, notably in Asia in each case.

Assets

Cash and balances at central banks increased by $14bn, primarily in Asia, notably Hong Kong, and in Europe, partly offset by a fall in North America as we managed the balance of our liquid asset portfolios across our regions.

Trading assets decreased by $21bn despite a rise in settlement accounts of $12bn, driven by reduced holdings of debt securities across Europe, Asia and North America, as we looked to maximise the effectiveness of our asset deployment.

Derivative assets decreased by $48bn or 14%, notably in Europe relating to interest rate contracts reflecting movements in yield curves.

Loans and advances to customers decreased by $21bn driven by Latin America and Europe. This included the following items:

·   adverse currency translation movements of $12bn;

·   reclassification of $21bn to 'Assets held for sale' relating to Brazil; and

·   a $10bn reduction in corporate overdraft balances in Europe, with a corresponding fall in corporate customer accounts.

Excluding these factors, customer lending balances grew by $22bn or 3%, largely from growth in Asia of $12bn, North America $5bn and Europe $3bn.

In Asia, term lending to GB&M and CMB customers grew, primarily in Hong Kong, which included growth in lending to the property sector. Residential mortgage balances also increased, mainly in Hong Kong and mainland China. In North America the growth in balances was driven by increased term lending to corporate and commercial customers in CMB and GB&M, and in Europe, the growth in CMB was mainly driven by an increase in term lending, notably in the UK and Germany.

Liabilities

Repurchase agreements decreased by $26bn or 24%, driven by falls in Europe, notably in the UK and France, and in North America. We continued to closely manage these balances, as we reassessed the overall returns on these activities in light of new regulatory requirements.

Customer accounts decreased by $15bn and included the following items:

·   adverse currency translation movements of $14bn;

·   reclassification of over $19bn to 'Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale' relating to Brazil; and

·   a $10bn reduction in corporate current account balances, in line with the fall in corporate overdraft positions.

Excluding these factors, customer accounts grew by $29bn, notably in Asia in the second quarter, reflecting growth in our Payments and Cash Management and Securities Services businesses in CMB and GB&M, respectively, together with a rise in RBWM from increased savings balances by new and existing Premier customers.

Balances in Europe were broadly unchanged. Growth in our Payments and Cash Management business in CMB and a rise in RBWM balances reflecting customers' continued preference for holding balances in current and savings accounts were broadly offset by a fall in GB&M relating to a small number of clients.

The decrease in derivative liabilities was in line with that of Derivative assets' as the underlying risk is broadly matched.

Equity

Total shareholders' equity rose by $2bn driven by profits generated in the period which were partly offset by dividends paid. In addition, shareholders' equity increased from the issue of new contingent convertible securities of $2.5bn. These movements were partly offset by a reduction of $3.2bn in our foreign exchange reserve reflecting the weakening of a number of global currencies, notably the euro, partly offset by the strengthening of sterling against the US dollar.

Customer accounts by country

		At
		30 Jun 2015 $m		30 Jun 2014 $m		31 Dec 2014 $m
Europe		536,251		614,776		545,959
- UK		435,958		499,295		439,313
- France		35,713		47,347		40,750
- Germany		15,741		15,912		15,757
- Switzerland		10,887		11,073		11,058
- other		37,952		41,149		39,081
Asia		599,940		570,221		577,491
- Hong Kong		412,652		381,058		389,094
- Australia		18,214		20,803		19,312
- India		11,372		12,155		11,678
- Indonesia		6,087		5,979		5,788
- Mainland China		47,348		41,198		46,588
- Malaysia		15,942		17,570		16,292
- Singapore		43,889		45,885		43,731
- Taiwan		13,014		14,609		14,901
- other		31,422		30,964		30,107
Middle East and North Africa (excluding Saudi Arabia)		38,186		40,082		39,720
- Egypt		6,638		6,945		7,663
- United Arab Emirates		19,864		19,840		19,771
- other		11,684		13,297		12,286
North America		137,296		136,774		138,884
- US		85,360		79,536		84,894
- Canada		40,548		46,197		43,871
- other		11,388		11,041		10,119
Latin America		24,127		53,852		48,588
- Mexico		17,112		20,112		18,360
- other		7,015		33,740		30,228
included in other: Brazil10		-		27,068		23,204
At end of period		1,335,800		1,415,705		1,350,642

For footnote, see page 56.

Risk-weighted assets

Risk-weighted assets totalled $1,193bn at 30 June 2015, a decrease of $27bn or 2% from 31 December 2014, reflecting targeted RWA initiatives and the effects of currency translation, partly offset by business growth. In 1H15, RWA initiatives resulted in a reduction of $50bn and included asset sales in the GB&M legacy book, the sale of part of our shareholding in Industrial Bank, and recognition of collateral and more detailed mapping in RWA calculations. Excluding associates, we achieved business growth in RWAs of $22bn, primarily in corporate lending across CMB and GB&M across Asia, Europe and North America.

Reconciliation of RoRWA measures

Performance Management We target a return on average ordinary shareholders' equity of greater than 10% by the end of 2017. For internal management purposes we monitor global businesses and geographical regions by pre-tax return on average risk-weighted assets ('RoRWA'), a metric which combines return on equity and regulatory capital efficiency objectives.

In addition to measuring RoRWA, we measure our performance internally using the non-GAAP measure of adjusted RoRWA, which is adjusted profit before tax as a percentage of average risk-weighted assets ('RWA's) which are adjusted for the effects of foreign currency translation differences and acquisitions and disposals. Excluded from adjusted RoRWA are certain items which distort period-on-period performance as explained on page 15.

We also present the non-GAAP measure of adjusted RoRWA excluding run-off portfolios, in which adjusted RoRWA is further amended to exclude the run-off portfolios and the Card and Retail Services ('CRS') business which was sold in May 2012.

The CRS average RWAs as at 30 June 2014 in the table below represent the average of the associated operational risk RWAs that were not immediately released on disposal and were not adjusted for as part of the adjusted RoRWA calculation. These RWAs are now fully amortised.

Reconciliation of adjusted RoRWA (excluding run-off portfolios and Card and Retail Services)

		Half-year to 30 June 2015
		Pre-tax                return		Average                RWAs		RoRWA11
		$m		$bn		%
Reported		13,628		1,208		2.3
Adjusted11		13,002		1,203		2.2
Run-off portfolios		275		91		0.6
- legacy credit in GB&M		71		38		0.4
- US CML and other		204		53		0.8
Card and Retail Services		-		-		-
Adjusted (excluding run-off portfolios and Card and Retail Services)		12,727		1,112		2.3

 

		Half-year to 30 June 2014						Half-year to 31 December 2014
		Pre-tax                 return		Average                 RWAs		RoRWA11		Pre-tax                 return		Average                 RWAs		RoRWA11
		$m		$bn		%		$m		$bn		%
Reported		12,340		1,200		2.1		6,340		1,232		1.0
Adjusted11		12,722		1,146		2.2		9,387		1,190		1.6
Run-off portfolios		528		122		0.9		318		110		0.6
- legacy credit in GB&M		286		48		1.2		(138)		49		(0.6)
- US CML and other		242		74		0.7		456		61		1.5
												-
Card and Retail Services		-		1		-		-		-		-
Adjusted (excluding run-off portfolios and Card and Retail Services)		12,194		1,023		2.4		9,069		1,080		1.7

For footnote, see page 56.

Reconciliation of reported and adjusted average risk-weighted assets

		Half-year to
		30 Jun                   2015		30 Jun                   2014		Change		30 Jun                   2015		31 Dec                   2014		Change
		$bn		$bn		%		$bn		$bn		%
Average reported RWAs		1,208		1,200		1		1,208		1,232		(2)
Currency translation adjustment12		-		(46)		(100)		-		(32)		(100)
Acquisitions, disposals and dilutions		(5)		(8)		(38)		(5)		(10)		(50)
Average adjusted RWAs		1,203		1,146		5		1,203		1,190		1

For footnote, see page 56.

 

END

 

 

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