5 August 2019HSBC HOLDINGS PLC
2019 INTERIM RESULTS – HIGHLIGHTS•

Strong revenue momentum in 1H19 in Retail Banking and Wealth Management (‘RBWM’), as we won new customers andincreased lending, and in Commercial Banking (‘CMB’), with growth in all major products and all regions. Global Banking andMarkets (‘GB&M’) revenue lower.

•

Continuing growth in Asia, although outlook is less certain. Reported revenue in Asia up 7% compared with 1H18. Reported
lending in Asia up $23bn or 5% compared with the end of 2018.

•

Investments of $2.2bn in 1H19, up 17% compared with 1H18, on near- and medium-term initiatives to grow the business andenhance digital capabilities.

•

Improved customer satisfaction in scale markets in RBWM and CMB.

Group Chief Executive•

On 5 August 2019, John Flint stepped down as Group Chief Executive and as a Director of HSBC Holdings. Noel Quinn was
appointed as interim Group Chief Executive and as a Director of HSBC Holdings.

Financial performance (vs 1H18)•

Reported profit after tax up 18.1% to $9.9bn.

•

Reported profit before tax up 15.8% to $12.4bn, including an $828m dilution gain recognised on the completion of the merger of
our associate The Saudi British Bank (‘SABB’) with Alawwal bank in Saudi Arabia. It also included a provision of $615m in respect ofthe mis-selling of payment protection insurance (‘PPI’), and $248m of severance costs arising from cost efficiency measures acrossour global businesses and functions. Adjusted profit before tax up 6.8% to $12.5bn.

•

Reported revenue up 7.6%. Adjusted revenue up 8.0%, with strong performances in RBWM and CMB. Adjusted revenue down
3% in GB&M, which suffered from lower market activity due to ongoing economic uncertainty, and spread compression.

•

Reported operating expenses down 2.3%. Adjusted operating expenses up 3.5%, with significant work undertaken in 1H19 toreduce 2020 run-rate. Positive adjusted jaws of 4.5%, supported by favourable market impacts in insurance manufacturing, thenon-recurrence of a 1H18 adverse swap mark-to-market loss in Corporate Centre and disposal gains in Latin America.

•

Earnings per share of $0.42. Return on average tangible equity (annualised) (‘RoTE’) up 150 basis points (‘bps’) to 11.2%,
including c.120bps favourable impact of the SABB dilution gain.

•

Common equity tier 1 (‘CET1’) ratio up 30bps from 31 December 2018 to 14.3%.

•

We intend to initiate a share buy-back of up to $1bn, which we expect to commence shortly.

Progress on 2020 financial targets•

The outlook has changed. Interest rates in the US dollar bloc are now expected to fall rather than rise, and geopolitical issues
could impact a significant number of our major markets. In the near term, the nature and impact of the UK’s departure from theEuropean Union remain highly uncertain. Given the prevailing outlook for interest rates and revenue headwinds in GB&M and
RBWM, we do not expect to achieve our 6% RoTE target in the US by 2020.

•

We are managing operating expenses and investment spending in line with the increased risks to revenue.

•

We expect some recovery from first-half market conditions in GB&M in the second half of 2019 and into next year, and continue totarget a RoTE above 11% in 2020, but we will not take short-term decisions that could jeopardise the long-term health of thebusiness.

Registered Office and Group Head Office: 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom
Web: www.hsbc.com
Incorporated in England with limited liability. Registered number 617987

Key financial metrics
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

2018

Reported revenue ($m)

29,372

27,287

26,493

Reported profit before tax ($m)

12,407

10,712

9,178

Reported profit after tax ($m)

9,937

8,416

6,609

Profit attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the parent company ($m)

8,507

7,173

5,435

Basic earnings per share ($)

0.42

0.36

0.27

Diluted earnings per share ($)

0.42

0.36

0.27

Return on average ordinary shareholders' equity (annualised) (%)

10.4

8.7

6.7

Footnotes

Reported results

Return on average tangible equity (annualised) (%)

1

11.2

9.7

8.6

Net interest margin (%)

1

1.61

1.66

1.66

Adjusted revenue ($m)

28,495

26,381

26,333Adjusted profit before tax ($m)

12,516

11,723

9,593

Adjusted results

Adjusted jaws (%)

4.5

Cost efficiency ratio (%)

56.7

59.2

62.8

Expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges (‘ECL’) as % of average gross loans andadvances to customers (%)

0.23

0.08

0.27

30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

2018

Total assets ($m)

2,751,273

2,607,314

2,558,124

Net loans and advances to customers ($m)

1,021,632

973,443

981,696

Customer accounts ($m)

1,380,124

1,356,307

1,362,643

1,912,708

1,839,603

1,839,346

74.0

71.8

72.0

192,676

183,607

186,253

At

Balance sheet

Average interest-earning assets ($m)

1Loans and advances to customers as % of customer accounts (%)
Total shareholders’ equity ($m)
Tangible ordinary shareholders’ equity ($m)

145,441

139,754

140,056

Net asset value per ordinary share at period end ($)

2,3

8.35

8.10

8.13

Tangible net asset value per ordinary share at period end ($)

3

7.19

7.00

7.01

Capital, leverage and liquidity
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (%)
Risk-weighted assets ($m)
Total capital ratio (%)

4

14.3

14.2

14.0

885,971865,467

865,318
20.0

20.1

20.4

Leverage ratio (%)

5.4

5.4

5.5

High-quality liquid assets (liquidity value) ($bn)

533

540

567

Liquidity coverage ratio (%)

136

158

154

Share count
Period end basic number of $0.50 ordinary shares outstanding (millions)

20,221

19,963

19,981

Period end basic number of $0.50 ordinary shares outstanding and dilutive potential ordinary shares(millions)

20,286

20,04520,059Average basic number of $0.50 ordinary shares outstanding (millions)20,12419,99819,786

0.31

0.31

0.20

Dividend per ordinary share (declared in the period) ($)

1
2

For these metrics, half-year to 31 December 2018 is calculated on a full-year basis and not a 2H18 basis.
The definition of net asset value per ordinary share is total shareholders’ equity less non-cumulative preference shares and capital securities,
divided by the number of ordinary shares in issue excluding shares the company has purchased and are held in treasury.
Excludes impact of $0.10 per share 1Q19 dividend, following a June 2019 change in accounting practice on the recognition of interim dividends,
from the date of declaration to the date of payment.
Total capital ratio at 30 June 2019 was calculated in accordance with the revisions to the Capital Requirements Regulation (‘CRR II’) on atransitional basis. Prior period ratios were calculated under the Capital Requirements Regulation and Directive (‘CRD IV’) on a transitional basis.

3
4

2

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

Highlights
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun

2019

2018

$m

$m

29,372

27,287

Footnotes

Reported
Revenue1

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges(1,140)(407)

Operating expenses(17,149)(17,549)

Profit before tax

12,407

10,71228,495

26,381

Adjusted
Revenue1

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges(1,140)(357)

Operating expenses(16,163)(15,615)

Profit before tax

12,516

11,723Significant items affecting adjusted performance
Revenue
Customer redress programmes—

46

Disposals, acquisitions and investment in new businesses

827

(142)

Fair value movements on financial instruments

50

(152)

Costs of structural reform

(91)

(211)

Customer redress programmes

(610)

(100)

Operating expenses

Disposals, acquisitions and investment in new businesses
Restructuring and other related costs

—

(3)

(287)

(24)

2

(841)

Settlements and provisions in connection with legal and regulatory matters

1 Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges, also referred to as revenue.

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 20193

Financial summary
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019
$m

2018
$m

2018
$m

12,407

10,712

9,178

8,507

7,173

5,435

4,206

6,205

3,982

Total shareholders’ equity

192,676

183,607

186,253

Total regulatory capital

178,259

176,610173,238

Customer accounts

1,380,124

1,356,307

1,362,643

Total assets

Footnotes

For the period
Profit before tax
Profit attributable to:– ordinary shareholders of the parent company
1

Dividends on ordinary shares
At the period end

2,751,273

2,607,314

2,558,124

Risk-weighted assets

885,971865,467

865,318

Per ordinary share

$

$

$

0.42

0.36

0.27

0.31

0.31

0.20

8.35

8.10

8.13

Basic earnings
2

Dividend per ordinary share (declared in the period)
Net asset value

1 At 30 June 2019, HSBC changed its accounting practice on the recognition of interim dividends to recognise them on the date of payment rather
than the date of declaration, in line with generally accepted accounting practice. Prior periods have not been restated as all the relevant amounts
are clearly disclosed, and the change is not considered material.
2 The dividends per ordinary share of $0.31 shown in the accounts comprise dividends declared during the first half of 2019. This represents the
fourth interim dividend for 2018 and the first interim dividend for 2019.

Distribution of results by global business
Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun2019

2018

31 Dec
2018

$m

%

$m

%

$m

%

Retail Banking and Wealth Management

4,441

35.5

3,588

30.6

3,445

35.9

Commercial Banking

4,025

32.1

3,975

33.9

3,545

37.0

Global Banking and Markets

2,824

22.6

3,431

29.3

2,507

26.1

196

1.6

187

1.6

155

1.6

Corporate Centre

1,030

8.2

542

4.6

(59)

(0.6)

Profit before tax

12,516100.0

11,723

100.0

9,593

100.0

Global Private Banking

Distribution of results by geographical region
Reported profit/(loss) before tax
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun2019

2018

31 Dec
2018

$m

%

$m

%

$m

%

Europe

(520)

(4.2)

110

1.0

(925)

(10.1)

Asia

9,780

78.8

9,380

87.6

8,410

91.7

Middle East and North Africa

1,736

14.0

836

7.8

721

7.9

North America

746

6.0

42

0.4

757

8.2

Latin America

665

5.4

344

3.2

215

2.3

12,407100.0

10,712

100.0

9,178

100.0

Profit before tax

4

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

HSBC adjusted profit before tax and balance sheet data
Half-year to 30 Jun 2019

Footnotes

Net operating income/(expense) before change in
expected credit losses and other credit impairment
charges

RetailBanking and
WealthManagement

Commercial
BankingGlobalBanking andMarkets

GlobalPrivateBanking

Corporate
Centre

Total

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

11,919

7,816

7,706

924

130

28,495– external

8,789

7,545

9,493

675

1,993

28,495– inter-segment

3,130

271

(1,787)249(1,863)—of which: net interest income/(expense)

8,155

5,653

2,861

441

(1,870)15,2401Change in expected credit losses and other credit
impairment (charges)/recoveries

(540)

(494)

(95)

(19)

8

(1,140)Net operating income

11,379

7,322

7,611

905

138

27,355

Total operating expenses(6,981)(3,297)(4,787)

(709)

(389)

(16,163)

Operating profit/(loss)

4,398

4,025

2,824

196

(251)

11,192

43

—

—

—

1,281

1,324

Adjusted profit before tax

4,441

4,025

2,824

196

1,030

12,516

%

%

%

%

%

%

Share of HSBC’s adjusted profit before tax

35.5

32.1

22.6

1.6

8.2

100.0

Adjusted cost efficiency ratio

58.6

42.2

62.1

76.7

299.2

56.7

Adjusted balance sheet data

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

376,126

347,387

250,790

45,806

1,523

1,021,632

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures

Loans and advances to customers (net)
Interests in associates and joint ventures

456

—

—

—

23,43623,892

Total external assets

498,045

377,142

1,120,235

50,757705,094

2,751,273

Customer accounts

660,588358,735

289,950

62,2358,616

1,380,124

Adjusted risk-weighted assets

128,957

327,553284,50916,531

127,607885,157

Half-year to 30 Jun 2018

Net operating income/(expense) before change in
expected credit losses and other credit impairment
charges

10,668

7,140

7,916

907

(250)

26,381– external

8,741

7,001

9,181

782

676

26,381– inter-segment

1,927

139

(1,265)

125

(926)

—

of which: net interest income/(expense)

7,389

4,985

2,385

436

(720)

14,475

Change in expected credit losses and other credit
impairment (charges)/recoveries

1

(514)

(37)

103

4

87

(357)

Net operating income/(expense)

10,154

7,103

8,019

911

(163)

26,024

Total operating expenses(6,583)(3,128)(4,588)

(724)

(592)

(15,615)

Operating profit/(loss)

3,571

3,975

3,431

187

(755)

10,409

17

—

—

—

1,297

1,314

Adjusted profit before tax

3,588

3,975

3,431

187

542

11,723

%

%

%

%

%

%

Share of HSBC’s adjusted profit before tax

30.6

33.9

29.3

1.6

4.6

100.0

Adjusted cost efficiency ratio

61.7

43.8

58.0

79.8

(236.8)59.2

Adjusted balance sheet data

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

345,029

324,717

246,900

40,8092,012

959,467

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures

Loans and advances to customers (net)
Interests in associates and joint ventures

393

—

—

—

21,744

22,137

Total external assets

467,809359,329

1,036,945

47,311

659,756

2,571,150

Customer accounts

628,536

351,422286,690

63,164

9,675

1,339,487

Adjusted risk-weighted assets

122,679

310,278

282,439

16,881

121,666

853,943

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 20195

HSBC adjusted profit before tax and balance sheet data (continued)
Half-year to 31 Dec 2018

Footnotes

Net operating income/(expense) before change in
expected credit losses and other credit impairment
charges

RetailBanking and
WealthManagement

Commercial
BankingGlobalBanking andMarkets

GlobalPrivateBanking

Corporate
Centre

Total

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

10,834

7,420

7,230

854

(5)

26,333– external

8,155

7,313

8,483

694

1,688

26,333– inter-segment

2,679

107

(1,253)160(1,693)—of which: net interest income/(expense)

8,135

5,461

2,768

440

(1,472)

15,332

Change in expected credit losses and other credit
impairment (charges)/recoveries

1

(634)

(684)

(70)

3

28

(1,357)

Net operating income

10,200

6,736

7,160

857

23

24,976

Total operating expenses(6,772)(3,191)(4,653)(702)(1,232)(16,550)

Operating profit/(loss)

3,428

3,545

2,507

155

(1,209)

8,426

17

—

—

—

1,150

1,167

3,445

3,545

2,507

155

(59)

9,593

%

%

%

%

%

%

Share of HSBC’s adjusted profit before tax

35.9

37.0

26.1

1.6

(0.6)

100.0

Adjusted cost efficiency ratio

62.5

43.0

64.4

82.2

(24,640.0)

62.8

Adjusted balance sheet data

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

362,262

333,854245,261

39,2652,459

983,101

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures
Adjusted profit/(loss) before tax

Loans and advances to customers (net)
Interests in associates and joint ventures

399

—

—

—

22,04322,442

Total external assets

477,618

361,369

1,011,691

45,140663,5402,559,358

Customer accounts

641,833

358,201

290,964

64,6608,679

1,364,337

Adjusted risk-weighted assets

126,929

321,717281,338

16,811

118,826

865,6211

Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges, also referred to as revenue.

6

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

Consolidated income statement
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

15,24015,10015,389– interest income

27,75023,422

26,187– interest expense(12,510)(8,322)(10,798)

Net fee income

6,124

6,767

5,853

– fee income

7,804

8,469

7,575

– fee expense(1,680)(1,702)(1,722)

Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis

5,331

4,883

4,648

Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of insurance businesses, including related derivatives, measured atfair value through profit or loss

(1,266)

Net interest income

2,196

(222)

Changes in fair value of long-term debt and related derivatives

88

(126)

29

Changes in fair value of other financial instruments mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss

457

345

350

Gains less losses from financial investments

201

124

94

Dividend income

38

41

34

6,323

5,776

4,883

Net insurance premium income
Other operating income

2,034

359

526

Total operating income

38,032

33,04730,540Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders(8,660)(5,760)(4,047)

Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges

29,372

27,287

26,493

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges(1,140)(407)(1,360)Net operating income

28,232

26,88025,133

Employee compensation and benefits(9,255)(8,836)(8,537)

General and administrative expenses(6,372)(7,767)(7,586)

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets1(1,010)

(568)

(551)

(512)

(378)

(436)

Total operating expenses(17,149)(17,549)(17,110)

Operating profit

11,083

9,331

8,023

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures

1,324

1,381

1,155

Profit before tax

12,407

10,7129,178

Tax expense(2,470)(2,296)(2,569)Profit for the period

9,937

8,416

6,609
5,435

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets and goodwill

Attributable to:– ordinary shareholders of the parent company

8,507

7,173

– preference shareholders of the parent company

45

45

45

– other equity holders

664

530

499

– non-controlling interests

721

668

630

Profit for the period

9,937

8,416

6,609

$

$

$

Basic earnings per ordinary share

0.42

0.36

0.27

Diluted earnings per ordinary share

0.42

0.36

0.27

1 The impact of the right-of-use assets recognised under IFRS 16 at the beginning of 2019 is not recognised in 2018.

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 20197

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

9,937

8,416

6,609

Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

1,015

(265)

22

– fair value gains/(losses)

2,141

(658)

490

– fair value (gains)/losses transferred to the income statement on disposal

(794)

329

(424)

(5)

(91)

(3)

– income taxes

(327)

155

(41)

Cash flow hedges

239

(68)

87

– fair value gains/(losses)

241

(276)

9

– fair value losses reclassified to the income statement

68

184

133

– income taxes and other movements

(70)

24

(55)

Share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of associates and joint ventures

73

(57)

(7)

– share for the period

85

(57)

(7)

– fair value gains transferred to the income statement on disposal

(12)

—

—

Exchange differences

109(4,252)(2,904)Remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability

(45)

297

(626)

– before income taxes

(50)

421

(809)

5

(124)

183

Changes in fair value of financial liabilities designated at fair value upon initial recognition arising from changes in
own credit risk

(1,445)

1,345

1,502

– before income taxes(1,816)

1,653

1,953

– income taxes

371

(308)

(451)

Equity instruments designated at fair value through other comprehensive income

268

(30)

3

– fair value gains/(losses)

265

(26)

(45)

Profit for the period
Other comprehensive income/(expense)
Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss when specific conditions are met:

– expected credit losses recognised in income statement

Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:– income taxes– income taxes
Effects of hyperinflation
Other comprehensive expense for the period, net of tax
Total comprehensive income for the period

3

(4)

48

113

—

283

327

(3,030)(1,640)10,264

5,386

4,969
3,854

Attributable to:– ordinary shareholders of the parent company

8,741

4,229

– preference shareholders of the parent company

45

45

45

– other equity holders

664

530

499

– non-controlling interests
Total comprehensive income for the period

8

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

814

582

571

10,264

5,386

4,969

Consolidated balance sheet
At
30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

$m

$m

171,090

162,843

AssetsCash and balances at central banks
Items in the course of collection from other banks

8,673

5,787

Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness

36,49235,859Trading assets

271,424

238,130

Financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily measured at fair value through profit and loss

41,043

41,111

Derivatives

233,621

207,825

Loans and advances to banks

82,397

72,167

1,021,632

981,696

Reverse repurchase agreements – non-trading

233,079

242,804

Financial investments

428,101

407,433

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets

168,880

110,571

Loans and advances to customers

Current tax assets

804

684

Interests in associates and joint ventures

23,892

22,407

Goodwill and intangible assets

25,73324,357

Deferred tax assets

4,412

4,450

2,751,273

2,558,124

Hong Kong currency notes in circulation

36,49235,859Deposits by banks

71,051

56,331

Customer accounts

1,380,124

1,362,643

184,497

165,884

Total assets
Liabilities and equity
Liabilities

Repurchase agreements – non-trading
Items in the course of transmission to other banks

9,178

5,641

Trading liabilities

94,14984,431

Financial liabilities designated at fair value

165,104

148,505

Derivatives

229,903205,835

Debt securities in issue

103,663

85,342

Accruals, deferred income and other liabilities

152,052

97,380Current tax liabilities

1,653

718

Liabilities under insurance contracts

93,79487,330

Provisions

3,025

2,920

Deferred tax liabilities

2,820

2,619

Subordinated liabilities

22,894

22,4372,550,399

2,363,875

Called up share capital

10,281

10,180Share premium account

13,99813,609Other equity instruments

22,36722,367

Other reserves

3,437

1,906

Retained earnings

142,593

138,191

Total shareholders’ equity

192,676

186,253

Total liabilities
EquityNon-controlling interests
Total equity
Total liabilities and equity

8,198

7,996

200,874

194,249

2,751,273

2,558,124

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 20199

Consolidated statement of cash flows
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

12,407

10,712

9,178

Depreciation and amortisation1

1,522

946

987

Net (gain)/loss from investing activities

(352)

85

(211)
(1,155)

Profit before tax
Adjustments for non-cash items:

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures(1,324)(1,381)Gain on disposal of subsidiaries, businesses, associates and joint ventures

(828)

—

—

Change in expected credit losses gross of recoveries and other credit impairment charges

1,347

680

1,600

Provisions including pensions

1,012

1,244

700

Share-based payment expense

288

274

176

(1,401)

(899)

(404)

Change in operating assets(98,152)(68,860)

14,657

Change in operating liabilities

136,627

71,964(20,708)

Elimination of exchange differences2(9,281)(5,967)

11,168Dividends received from associates

170

126

784

Contributions paid to defined benefit plans

(153)

(103)

(229)

Tax paid(1,347)(1,116)(2,301)

Net cash from operating activities

40,535

7,705

14,242

Purchase of financial investments(234,762)(207,747)(192,824)

Proceeds from the sale and maturity of financial investments

204,600

210,880

175,176

Net cash flows from the purchase and sale of property, plant and equipment

(532)

(520)

(676)

Net cash flows from purchase/(disposal) of customer and loan portfolios

435

(542)

338

Net investment in intangible assets

(951)

(751)

(1,097)

Other non-cash items included in profit before tax

Net cash flow on disposal of subsidiaries, businesses, associates and joint ventures

(75)

(19)

23

(31,285)

1,301(19,060)

Issue of ordinary share capital and other equity instruments

—

4,150

1,851

Cancellation of shares

—

(986)

(1,012)

Net sales of own shares for market-making and investment purposes

27

43

90

Redemption of preference shares and other equity instruments—(6,078)—Subordinated loan capital repaid(4,138)(4,020)(57)

Dividends paid to shareholders of the parent company and non-controlling interests(4,271)(4,965)(5,797)

Net cash from financing activities(8,382)(11,856)(4,925)

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

868(2,850)(9,743)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period3

311,153

333,912324,901

Net cash from investing activities

Exchange differences in respect of cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period3(46)(6,161)(4,005)

311,975

324,901

311,153

1 The impact of the right-of-use assets recognised under IFRS 16 at the beginning of 2019 is not recognised in 2018.
2 The adjustment to bring changes between opening and closing balance sheet amounts to average rates. This is not done on a line-by-line basis, asdetails cannot be determined without unreasonable expense.
3 At 30 June 2019, HSBC changed its accounting practice to include settlement accounts with bank counterparties of one month or less on a net
basis. Comparatives have been re-presented and also include other cash equivalents not included in 2018 cash and cash equivalents. The net
effect of these changes increased cash and cash equivalents by $10.8bn (30 Jun 2018: $15.2bn and 31 Dec 2018: $10.1bn).

10

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
Other reserves
Called up
sharecapitaland share
premium

Other
equityinstruments

Retainedearnings

Financialassets at
FVOCI
reserveCashflowhedging
reserve

Foreignexchangereserve

Mergerandotherreserves

Total
Nonshareholders’ controlling
equityinterests

Total
equity

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

23,78922,367138,191(1,532)(206)(26,133)

29,777

186,253

7,996

194,249

Profit for the period

—

—

9,216

—

—

—

—

9,216

721

9,937

Other comprehensive income (net of tax)——

(1,297)

1,202

237

92

—

234

93

327

– debt instruments at fair value throughother comprehensive income

—

—

—

1,001

—

—

—

1,001

14

1,015

– equity instruments designated at fair value
through other comprehensive income

—

—

—

201

—

—

—

201

67

268

– cash flow hedges

—

—

—

—

237

—

—

237

2

239

– changes in fair value of financial liabilities
designated at fair value upon initialrecognition arising from changes in own
credit risk——

(1,445)

—

—

—

—

(1,445)—(1,445)– remeasurement of defined benefit asset/
liability

—

—

(38)

—

—

—

—

(38)

(7)

(45)

– share of other comprehensive income ofassociates and joint ventures

—

—

73

—

—

—

—

73

—

73

– effects of hyperinflation

—

—

113

—

—

—

—

113

—

113

– exchange differences

—

—

—

—

—

92

—

92

17

109

Total comprehensive income for theperiod

—

—

7,919

1,202

237

92

—

9,450

814

10,264

(475)

—

—

—

—

15

—

15

At 1 Jan 2019

Shares issued under employee remunerationand share plans

490—

Shares issued in lieu of dividends andamounts arising thereon

—

—

1,160

—

—

—

—

1,160

—

1,160

Dividends to shareholders6——(4,915)

—

—

—

—

(4,915)(516)(5,431)

Cost of share-based payment arrangements

—

—

255

—

—

—

—

255

—

255

Other movements

—

—

458

—

—

—

—

458

(96)

362

At 30 Jun 201924,27922,367

142,593(330)

31(26,041)

29,777

192,676

8,198

200,874

At 1 Jan 2018

196,224

20,33722,250139,414(1,371)(222)(19,072)

27,308

188,644

7,580

Profit for the period

—

—

7,748

—

—

—

—

7,748

668

8,416

Other comprehensive income (net of tax)

—

—

1,589

(273)

(66)

(4,194)—(2,944)(86)(3,030)– debt instruments at fair value throughother comprehensive income

—

—

—

(264)

—

—

—

(264)

(1)

(265)

– equity instruments designated at fair value
through other comprehensive income

—

—

—

(9)

—

—

—

(9)

(21)

(30)

– cash flow hedges

—

—

—

—

(66)

—

—

(66)

(2)

(68)

– changes in fair value of financial liabilities
designated at fair value upon initialrecognition arising from changes in own
credit risk

—

—

1,346

—

—

—

—

1,346

(1)

1,345

– remeasurement of defined benefit asset/
liability

—

—

300

—

—

—

—

300

(3)

297

– share of other comprehensive income ofassociates and joint ventures

—

—

(57)

—

—

—

—

(57)

—

(57)

– exchange differences

—

—

—

—

—

(4,194)—(4,194)(58)(4,252)

Total comprehensive income for the period

—

—

9,337

(273)

(66)

(4,194)

—

4,804

582

5,386

Shares issued under employee remunerationand share plans

582

—

(570)

—

—

—

—

12

—

12

Shares issued in lieu of dividends andamounts arising thereon

—

—

606

—

—

—

—

606

—

606

Capital securities issued1

—

4,150

—

—

—

—

—

4,150

—

4,150

Dividends to shareholders——(6,904)

—

—

—

—

(6,904)(461)(7,365)

Redemption of securities2—(5,827)

(237)

—

—

—

—

(6,064)—(6,064)

Cost of share-based payment arrangements

—

—

274

—

—

—

—

274

—

274

(986)

—

(1,014)

—

—

—

—

(2,000)—(2,000)Cancellation of shares3
Other movements
At 30 Jun 2018

—

—

2

83

—

—

—

85

(14)

71

19,933

20,573140,908(1,561)(288)(23,266)

27,308

183,607

7,687

191,294

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 201911

Consolidated statement of changes in equity (continued)
Other reserves
Called up
sharecapitaland share
premium

Other
equityinstruments

Retainedearnings

Financialassets at
FVOCI
reserveCashflowhedging
reserve

Foreignexchangereserve

Mergerandotherreserves

Total
shareholders’equityNoncontrollinginterests

Total
equity

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

$m

19,933

20,573140,908(1,561)(288)(23,266)

27,308

183,607

7,687

191,294

Profit for the period

—

—

5,979

—

—

—

—

5,979

630

6,609

Other comprehensive income(net of tax)

—

—

1,176

28

82

(2,867)—(1,581)(59)(1,640)– debt instruments at fair value through othercomprehensive income

—

—

—

19

—

—

—

19

3

22

– equity instruments designated at fair value
through other comprehensive income

—

—

—

9

—

—

—

9

(6)

3

– cash flow hedges

—

—

—

—

82

—

—

82

5

87

– changes in fair value of financial liabilities
designated at fair value upon initialrecognition arising from changes in own
credit risk

—

—

1,501

—

—

—

—

1,501

1

1,502

– remeasurement of defined benefit asset/
liability

—

—

(601)

—

—

—

—

(601)

(25)

(626)

– share of other comprehensive income ofassociates and joint ventures

—

—

(7)

—

—

—

—

(7)

—

(7)

– effects of hyperinflation

—

—

283

—

—

—

—

283

—

283

– exchange differences

—

—

—

—

—

(2,867)—(2,867)(37)(2,904)

Total comprehensive income for the period

—

—

7,155

28

82

(2,867)

—

4,398

571

4,969

Shares issued under employee remunerationand share plans

139

—

(40)

—

—

—

—

99

—

99

Shares issued in lieu of dividends and amounts
arising thereon

—

—

888

—

—

—

—

888

—

888

Capital securities issued1

—

1,818

—

—

—

—

—

1,818

—

1,818

Dividends to shareholders——(4,643)

—

—

—

—

(4,643)(249)(4,892)

Redemption of securities2

—

(24)

—

—

—

—

—

(24)

—

(24)

Transfers4——(2,200)

—

—

—

2,200

—

—

—

Cost of share-based payment arrangements

—

—

176

—

—

—

—

176

—

176

3,717

—

(3,984)

—

—

—

269

2

—

2

—

—

(69)

1

—

—

—

(68)

(13)

(81)

23,78922,367138,191(1,532)(206)(26,133)

29,777

186,253

7,996

194,249

At 1 Jul 2018

Cancellation of shares5
Other movements
At 31 Dec 2018

1 During 1H18, HSBC Holdings issued $4,150m of perpetual subordinated contingent convertible capital securities, on which there were $8m of
external issuance costs, $34m of intra-Group issuance costs and $8m of tax benefits. During 2H18 HSBC Holdings issued £1,000m and SGD750m
of perpetual subordinated contingent convertible capital securities, on which there were $52m of external issuance costs, $15m of intra-Groupissuance costs and $3m of tax benefits. Under IFRSs these issuance costs and tax benefits are classified as equity.
2 During 1H18, HSBC Holdings redeemed its $2,200m 8.125% perpetual subordinated capital securities and its $3,800m 8.000% perpetual
subordinated capital securities, Series 2, on which there were $172m of external issuance costs. Under IFRSs external issuance costs areclassified as equity.
3 For further details refer to Note 32 in the Annual Report and Accounts 2018. Relates to the $2,000m share buy-back announced in May 2018.
4 Permitted transfers from the merger reserve to retained earnings were made when the investment in HSBC Overseas Holdings (UK) Limited waspreviously impaired. A part reversal of this impairment results in a transfer from retained earnings back to the merger reserve of $2,200m.
5 This includes a re-presentation of the cancellation of shares to retained earnings and capital redemption reserve in respect of the 2017 share buyback, under which retained earnings have been reduced by $3,000m, called up capital and share premium increased by $2,836m and otherreserves increased by $164m. The remaining balance relates to the May 2018 share buy-back which completed in August 2018.
6 At 30 June 2019, HSBC changed its accounting practice on the recognition of interim dividends to recognise them on the date of payment rather
than the date of declaration, in line with generally accepted accounting practice. Prior periods have not been restated as all the relevant amounts
are clearly disclosed, and the impact of the change in practice is not considered material.

12

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

1

Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies(a)Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards

Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance andTransparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’, as issued by the International AccountingStandards Board (‘IASB’) and as endorsed by the EU. Therefore, they include an explanation of events and transactions that are
significant to an understanding of the changes in HSBC’s financial position and performance since the end of 2018. These financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts 2018 and the information about the application of IFRS
16 ‘Leases’ set out below.
At 30 June 2019, there were no unendorsed standards effective for the half-year to 30 June 2019 affecting these financial statements,
and there was no difference between IFRSs endorsed by the EU and IFRSs issued by the IASB in terms of their application to HSBC.

Standards applied during the half-year to 30 June 2019
IFRS 16 ‘Leases’
On 1 January 2019, we adopted the requirements of IFRS 16 retrospectively. The cumulative effect of initially applying the standard wasrecognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at that date. Comparatives were not restated. The adoption of
the standard increased assets by $5bn and increased financial liabilities by the same amount with no effect on net assets or retained
earnings.
On adoption of IFRS 16, we recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases that had previously been classified as ‘operating leases’ inaccordance with IAS 17 ‘Leases’. These liabilities were recognised in ’other liabilities’ and measured at the present value of the remaining
lease payments, discounted at the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate at 1 January 2019. The associated right of use (‘ROU’) assets wererecognised in ’other assets’ and measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued
lease payments or provisions for onerous leases recognised on the balance sheet at 31 December 2018. In addition, the following
practical expedients permitted by the standard were applied:• reliance was placed on previous assessments on whether leases were onerous;• operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months at 1 January 2019 were treated as short-term leases; and• initial direct costs were not included in the measurement of ROU assets for leases previously accounted for as operating leases.
The differences between IAS 17 and IFRS 16 are summarised in the table below:
IAS 17IFRS 16

Leases were classified as either
finance or operating leases.
Payments made under operatingleases were charged to profit or loss
on a straight-line basis over theperiod of the lease.

Leases are recognised as a ROU asset and a corresponding liability at the date at which the leased asset is madeavailable for use. Lease payments are allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance cost is charged to
profit or loss over the lease term so as to produce a constant period rate of interest on the remaining balance of theliability. The ROU asset is depreciated over the shorter of the ROU asset’s useful economic life and the lease term ona straight-line basis.
In determining lease term, we consider all facts and circumstances that create an economic incentive to exercise an
extension option or not exercise a termination option over the planning horizon of five years.
In general, it is not expected that the discount rate implicit in the lease is available so the lessee’s incremental
borrowing rate is used. This is the rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary to obtain an
asset of a similar value in a similar economic environment with similar terms and conditions. The rates are
determined for each economic environment in which we operate and for each term by adjusting swap rates withfunding spreads (own credit spread) and cross currency basis where appropriate.

An amendment to IAS 12 was issued in December 2017 as part of the annual improvement cycle. The amendment clarifies that an entity
should recognise the tax consequences of dividends where the transactions or events that generated the distributable profits arerecognised. This amendment was applied on 1 January 2019 and had no material impact. Comparatives have not been restated.

(b)

Use of estimates and judgements

Management believes that our critical accounting estimates and judgements are those that relate to the effect on hedge accounting of
the fundamental review and reform of the major interest rate benchmarks, impairment of amortised cost and FVOCI financial assets,
goodwill impairment, the valuation of financial instruments, deferred tax assets, provisions for liabilities and interests in associates. There
were no changes in the current period to the critical accounting estimates and judgements applied in 2018, which are stated on pages 35
and 226 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2018.

(c)Composition of Group

There were no material changes in the composition of the Group in the half-year to 30 June 2019.

(d)Future accounting developments

IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’ was issued in May 2017 and has not been endorsed for use in the EU. It sets out the requirements that anentity should apply in accounting for insurance contracts it issues and reinsurance contracts it holds. IFRS 17 is currently effective from
1 January 2021. However, the IASB is consulting on delaying the mandatory implementation date by one year and may make additionalchanges to the standard. The Group is in the process of implementing IFRS 17. Industry practice and interpretation of the standard is stilldeveloping and there may be changes to implementation decisions as practice evolves, therefore the likely impact of its implementation
remains uncertain.

(e)Going concern

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, as the Directors are satisfied that the Group and parent company havethe resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment, the Directors have considered a wide range
of information relating to present and future conditions, including future projections of profitability, cash flows, capital requirements andcapital resources.

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

13

(f)

Accounting policies

Except as described above and in footnotes 8 and 9 on page 88 of the Interim Report 2019, the accounting policies that we applied forthese interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those described on pages 224 to 237 of the Annual Reportand Accounts 2018, as are the methods of computation.

2

Dividends

A first interim dividend of $0.10 per ordinary share in respect of the financial year ending 31 December 2019 was declared by the
Directors on 3 May 2019. This distribution, amounting to $2,023m, was paid on 5 July 2019.
On 5 August 2019, the Directors declared a second interim dividend of $0.10 per ordinary share in respect of the financial year ending
31 December 2019. This distribution amounts to approximately $2,028m and will be payable on 26 September 2019. No liability isrecognised in the financial statements in respect of these dividends.
Dividends paid to shareholders of HSBC Holdings plc
Half-year to
30 Jun 2019
Per
share

30 Jun 2018

Total

Settledin scrip

Per share

$

$m

$m

0.21

4,206

– first interim dividend1—– second interim dividend—

31 Dec 2018

Total

Settled inscrip

Per share

Total

Settled in
scrip

$

$m

$m

$

$m

$m

1,160

0.21

4,197

393

—

—

—

—

—

0.10

2,008

213

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.10

1,990

181

Dividends paid on ordinary shares
In respect of previous year:– fourth interim dividend
In respect of current year:– third interim dividend

—

—

—

—

—

—

0.10

1,992

707

Total

0.21

4,206

1,160

0.31

6,205

606

0.20

3,982

888

Total dividends on preference shares classified as equity (paidquarterly)

31.00

Total coupons on capital securities classified as equity
Dividends to shareholders

45

31.00

45

31.00

45

664

654

616

4,915

6,904

4,643

1 At 30 June 2019, HSBC changed its accounting practice on the recognition of interim dividends to recognise them on the date of payment rather
than the date of declaration, in line with generally accepted accounting practice. Prior periods have not been restated as all the relevant amounts
are clearly disclosed, and the change is not considered material.

Second interim dividend for 2019
On 5 August 2019, the Directors declared a second interim dividend in respect of 2019 of $0.10 per ordinary share. The ordinary shares in
London, Hong Kong, Paris and Bermuda, and the American Depositary Shares (‘ADSs’) in New York, will be quoted ex-dividend on
15 August 2019. The dividend will be payable on 26 September 2019 to holders of record on 16 August 2019.
The dividend will be payable in US dollars, sterling or Hong Kong dollars, or a combination of these currencies, at the forward exchange
rates quoted by HSBC Bank plc in London at or about 11.00am on 16 September 2019. A scrip dividend will also be offered. Particularsof these arrangements will be sent to shareholders on or about 28 August 2019 and elections must be received by 12 September 2019.
The dividend will be payable on ordinary shares held through Euroclear France, the settlement and central depositary system for Euronext
Paris, on 26 September 2019 to the holders of record on 16 August 2019. The dividend will be payable in US dollars or as a scrip
dividend. Particulars of these arrangements will be announced through Euronext Paris on 6 August 2019, 23 August 2019 and
27 September 2019.
The dividend will be payable on ADSs, each of which represents five ordinary shares, on 26 September 2019 to holders of record on
16 August 2019. The dividend of $0.50 per ADS will be payable by the depositary in US dollars or as a scrip dividend of new ADSs.
Particulars of these arrangements will be sent to holders on or about 28 August 2019 and elections will be required to be made by
6 September 2019. Alternatively, the cash dividend may be invested in additional ADSs by participants in the dividend reinvestment plan
operated by the depositary.
Any person who has acquired ordinary shares registered on the Principal Register in the UK, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register orthe Bermuda Overseas Branch Register but who has not lodged the share transfer with the Principal Registrar, the Hong Kong or
Bermuda Branch Registrar should do so before 4.00pm local time on 16 August 2019 in order to receive the dividend.
Ordinary shares may not be removed from or transferred to the Principal Register in the UK, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register orthe Bermuda Overseas Branch Register on 16 August 2019. Any person wishing to remove ordinary shares to or from each register must
do so before 4.00pm local time on 15 August 2019.
Transfers of ADSs must be lodged with the depositary by 11.00am local time on 16 August 2019 in order to receive the dividend.

ADS dividend fee
In order to cover costs associated with the management of the American Depositary Receipt programme, which was previously coveredby fees generated from issuance and cancellation, a dividend fee will be introduced on cash dividends paid on ADSs, in line with
common market practice. ADS holders who receive a cash dividend will be charged a fee, which will be deducted by the depositary, of$0.005 per ADS per cash dividend. This will commence from the 2019 third interim cash dividend payment payable on 20 November
2019. No fee will be deducted from the second interim dividend for 2019.

14

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

Dividend on preference shares
A quarterly dividend of $15.50 per 6.20% non-cumulative US dollar preference share, Series A (‘Series A dollar preference share’),(equivalent to a dividend of $0.3875 per Series A American Depositary Share, each of which represents one-fortieth of a Series A dollar
preference share), and £0.01 per Series A sterling preference share is payable on 15 March, 15 June, 15 September and 15 December
2019 for the quarter then ended at the sole and absolute discretion of the Board of HSBC Holdings plc. Accordingly, the Board of HSBC
Holdings plc has declared a quarterly dividend be payable on 16 September 2019 to holders of record on 30 August 2019.

3

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per ordinary share is calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent company by theweighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, excluding own shares held. Diluted earnings per ordinary share is calculatedby dividing the basic earnings, which require no adjustment for the effects of dilutive potential ordinary shares, by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding, excluding own shares held, plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be
issued on conversion of dilutive potential ordinary shares.
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent company
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019
$m

2018
$m

2018
$m

Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company

9,216

7,748

5,979

Dividend payable on preference shares classified as equity

(45)

(45)

(45)

Coupon payable on capital securities classified as equity

(664)

(530)

(499)

Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent company

8,507

7,173

5,435

Basic and diluted earnings per shareHalf-year to
30 Jun 2019

Footnotes

Basic

ProfitNumberof shares

1

4

Amountper share

ProfitNumberof shares

31 Dec 2018
Amountper share

ProfitNumberof shares

Amountper share$m(millions)$$m(millions)$$m(millions)

$

1

8,507

20,124

0.42

7,173

19,998

0.36

5,435

19,786

0.27

1

8,507

20,189

0.42

7,173

20,084

0.36

5,435

19,869Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares
Diluted30 Jun 2018

65

86

83
0.27

Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding (basic) or assuming dilution (diluted).

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges
Half-year to
30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

2018

$m

$m

$m

Loans and advances to banks and customers

1,180

508

1,388

– new allowances net of allowance releases

1,381

769

1,535

– recoveries of amounts previously written off

(201)

(261)

(147)

Loan commitments and guarantees

(44)

(7)

4

9

(5)

(16)

Other financial assets
Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

(5)

(89)

(16)

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges

1,140

407

1,360

5

Adjusted balance sheet reconciliationAt
30 Jun 2019

Loans and advances to customers (net)
Interests in associates and joint ventures

31 Dec 2018

Reported
and adjusted

Adjusted

Currencytranslation

$m

$m

$m

$m

1,021,632

983,101(1,405)

981,696

Reported

23,892

22,442(35)

22,407

Total external assets

2,751,273

2,559,358(1,234)2,558,124

Customer accounts

1,380,124

1,364,337(1,694)

1,362,643

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 201915

6

Reconciliation of reported and adjusted items
Half-year toFootnotes

30 Jun30 Jun31 Dec

2019
$m

2018
$m

2018
$m

29,372

27,287

26,493(1,160)

(75)

(877)

254

(85)

—

(46)

(7)

(827)

142

(29)

(50)

152

(52)

1

Revenue
Reported
Currency translation
Significant items– customer redress programmes– disposals, acquisitions and investment in new businesses– fair value movements on financial instruments

2– currency translation on significant items
Adjusted

6

3

28,495

26,381

26,333(1,140)(407)(1,360)ECL
Reported
Currency translation
Adjusted

50

3(1,140)(357)(1,357)(17,149)(17,549)(17,110)

Operating expenses
Reported
Currency translation
Significant items– costs of structural reform

770

72

986

1,164

488

3

91

211

150

610

100

46

– disposals, acquisitions and investment in new businesses

—

3

49

– past service costs of guaranteed minimum pension benefits equalisation

—

—

228

– customer redress programmes– restructuring and other related costs

287

24

42

(2)

841

(25)

(15)

(2)

(16,163)(15,615)(16,550)

1,324

1,381

1,155

– settlements and provisions in connection with legal and regulatory matters– currency translation on significant items
Adjusted
Share of profit in associates and joint ventures
Reported
Currency translation
Adjusted

(67)

12

1,324

1,314

1,167

12,407

10,712

9,178

Profit before tax
Reported
Currency translation

(407)

12

1,418

403

Significant items

109– revenue

(877)

254

(85)

– operating expenses

986

1,164

488

12,516

11,723

9,593

Adjusted

1
2
3

Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges, also referred to as revenue.
Fair value movements on financial instruments include non-qualifying hedges and debit value adjustments on derivatives.
Comprises costs associated with preparations for the UK’s exit from the European Union, costs to establish the UK ring-fenced bank (including
the UK ServCo group) and costs associated with establishing an intermediate holding company in Hong Kong.

7

Contingent liabilities, contractual commitments and guarantees
At
30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

$m

$m

– financial guarantees

21,29023,518– performance and other guarantees

74,614

71,484– other contingent liabilities

1,471

1,408

At the end of the period

97,37596,410Footnotes

Guarantees and contingent liabilities:

Commitments:

1– documentary credits and short-term trade-related transactions

6,671

7,083

– forward asset purchases and forward deposits placed

99,20867,265– standby facilities, credit lines and other commitments to lend

711,989

705,918

At the end of the period

817,868

780,266

1 Includes $629,891m of commitments at 30 June 2019 (31 December 2018: $592,008m), to which the impairment requirements in IFRS 9 areapplied where HSBC has become party to an irrevocable commitment.

16

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

The preceding table discloses the nominal principal amounts of off-balance sheet liabilities and commitments for the Group, which
represent the maximum amounts at risk should the contracts be fully drawn upon and the clients default. As a significant portion ofguarantees and commitments are expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total of the nominal principal amounts is notindicative of future liquidity requirements. The expected credit loss provision relating to guarantees and commitments is disclosed in
Note 10 of the Interim Report 2019.
Approximately half the guarantees have a term of less than one year, while guarantees with terms of more than one year are subject to
HSBC’s annual credit review process.
Contingent liabilities arising from legal proceedings, regulatory and other matters against Group companies are disclosed in Note 8 below
and Note 10 of the Interim Report 2019.

8

Legal proceedings and regulatory matters

HSBC is party to legal proceedings and regulatory matters in a number of jurisdictions arising out of its normal business operations.
Apart from the matters described below, HSBC considers that none of these matters are material. The recognition of provisions isdetermined in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2018. While the outcome oflegal proceedings and regulatory matters is inherently uncertain, management believes that, based on the information available to it,
appropriate provisions have been made in respect of these matters as at 30 June 2019 (see Note 10 of the Interim Report 2019). Wherean individual provision is material, the fact that a provision has been made is stated and quantified, except to the extent that doing sowould be seriously prejudicial. Any provision recognised does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or legal liability. It is notpracticable to provide an aggregate estimate of potential liability for our legal proceedings and regulatory matters as a class of contingent
liabilities.

Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC
Bernard L. Madoff (‘Madoff’) was arrested in December 2008 and later pleaded guilty to running a Ponzi scheme. His firm, Bernard L.
Madoff Investment Securities LLC (‘Madoff Securities’), is being liquidated in the US by a trustee (the ‘Trustee’).
Various non-US HSBC companies provided custodial, administration and similar services to a number of funds incorporated outside theUS whose assets were invested with Madoff Securities. Based on information provided by Madoff Securities as at 30 November 2008,
the purported aggregate value of these funds was $8.4bn, including fictitious profits reported by Madoff.
Based on information available to HSBC, the funds’ actual transfers to Madoff Securities minus their actual withdrawals from Madoff
Securities during the time HSBC serviced the funds are estimated to have totalled approximately $4bn. Various HSBC companies havebeen named as defendants in lawsuits arising out of Madoff Securities’ fraud.
US litigation: The Trustee has brought lawsuits against various HSBC companies and others in the US Bankruptcy Court for theSouthern District of New York (the ‘US Bankruptcy Court’), seeking recovery of transfers from Madoff Securities to HSBC in an amount
not yet pleaded or determined. HSBC and other parties to the actions have moved to dismiss the Trustee’s claims. The US Bankruptcy
Court granted HSBC’s motion to dismiss with respect to certain of the Trustee’s claims in November 2016. In February 2019, the US
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit (the ‘Second Circuit Court of Appeals’) reversed that dismissal and remanded the cases to the US
Bankruptcy Court. Further proceedings in the US Bankruptcy Court have been stayed pending the filing and disposition of a petition by
HSBC and other parties to the US Supreme Court.
Fairfield Sentry Limited, Fairfield Sigma Limited and Fairfield Lambda Limited (together, ‘Fairfield’) (in liquidation since July 2009) havebrought a lawsuit in the US against fund shareholders, including HSBC companies that acted as nominees for clients, seeking restitutionof redemption payments. In December 2018, the US Bankruptcy Court issued an opinion, which ruled in favour of the defendants’ motion
to dismiss in respect of certain claims by the liquidators for Fairfield and granted a motion by the liquidators to file amended complaints.
As a result of that opinion, all claims against one of the HSBC companies have been dismissed, and certain claims against the remaining
HSBC defendants have also been dismissed. In May 2019, the liquidators appealed certain issues from the US Bankruptcy Court opinion
to the US District Court for the Southern District of New York (the ’New York District Court’).
UK litigation: The Trustee has filed a claim against various HSBC companies in the High Court of England and Wales, seeking recoveryof transfers from Madoff Securities to HSBC in an amount not yet pleaded or determined. The deadline for service of the claim has been
extended to September 2019 for UK-based defendants and November 2019 for all other defendants.
Bermuda litigation: In January 2009, Kingate Global Fund Limited and Kingate Euro Fund Limited (together, ‘Kingate’) brought anaction against HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited (‘HBBM’) for recovery of funds held in Kingate’s accounts, fees and dividends. In June 2019,
the Trustee, Kingate and HBBM entered into a global settlement agreement pursuant to which the Trustee and Kingate released HBBM
from any and all claims arising out of or relating to Kingate including all pending litigation in the US, UK and Bermuda. This settlement issubject to final approval from courts in the US and British Virgin Islands.
Cayman Islands litigation: In February 2013, Primeo Fund Limited (‘Primeo’) (in liquidation since April 2009) brought an action against
HSBC Securities Services Luxembourg (‘HSSL’) and Bank of Bermuda (Cayman) Limited (now known as HSBC Cayman Limited), alleging
breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty and claiming damages and equitable compensation. The trial concluded in February 2017
and, in August 2017, the court dismissed all claims against the defendants. In September 2017, Primeo appealed to the Court of Appealof the Cayman Islands and, in June 2019, the Court of Appeal of the Cayman Islands dismissed Primeo’s claims against HSSL and HSBC
Cayman Limited. Primeo has the right to appeal to the UK Privy Council.
Luxembourg litigation: In April 2009, Herald Fund SPC (‘Herald’) (in liquidation since July 2013) brought an action against HSSL before
the Luxembourg District Court, seeking restitution of cash and securities that Herald purportedly lost because of Madoff Securities’ fraud,or money damages. The Luxembourg District Court dismissed Herald’s securities restitution claim, but reserved Herald’s cash restitution
claim and its claim for money damages. Herald has appealed this judgment to the Luxembourg Court of Appeal, where the matter ispending. In late 2018, Herald brought additional claims against HSSL and HSBC Bank plc (‘HSBC Bank’) before the Luxembourg District
Court, seeking further restitution and damages.
In October 2009, Alpha Prime Fund Limited (‘Alpha Prime’) brought an action against HSSL before the Luxembourg District Court,
seeking the restitution of securities, or the cash equivalent, or money damages. This action has been temporarily suspended at theplaintiffs’ request. In December 2018, Alpha Prime brought additional claims before the Luxembourg District Court seeking damages
against various HSBC companies.
HSBC Holdings plc News Release 201917

In December 2014, Senator Fund SPC (‘Senator’) brought an action against HSSL before the Luxembourg District Court, seeking
restitution of securities, or the cash equivalent, or money damages. In April 2015, Senator commenced a separate action against the
Luxembourg branch of HSBC Bank asserting identical claims before the Luxembourg District Court. In December 2018, Senator brought
additional claims against HSSL and HSBC Bank Luxembourg branch before the Luxembourg District Court, seeking restitution of
Senator’s securities or money damages.
Ireland litigation: In November 2013, Defender Limited brought an action against HSBC Institutional Trust Services (Ireland) Limited(‘HTIE’) and others, based on allegations of breach of contract and claiming damages and indemnification for fund losses. The trial
commenced in October 2018. In December 2018, the Irish High Court issued a judgment in HTIE’s favour on a preliminary issue, holdingthat Defender Limited had no effective claim against HTIE. This judgment concluded the trial without further issues in dispute being
heard. In February 2019, Defender Limited appealed the judgment.
There are many factors that may affect the range of possible outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of the various Madoff-related
proceedings described above, including but not limited to the multiple jurisdictions in which the proceedings have been brought. Basedupon the information currently available, management’s estimate of the possible aggregate damages that might arise as a result of all
claims in the various Madoff-related proceedings is up to or exceeding $500m, excluding costs and interest. Due to uncertainties andlimitations of this estimate, the ultimate damages could differ significantly from this amount.

Anti-money laundering and sanctions-related matters
In December 2012, among other agreements, HSBC Holdings plc (‘HSBC Holdings’) agreed to an undertaking with the UK Financial
Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) and consented to a cease-and-desist order with the US Federal Reserve Board (‘FRB’), both of which contained
certain forward-looking anti-money laundering (‘AML’) and sanctions-related obligations. HSBC also agreed to retain an independent
compliance monitor (who is, for FCA purposes, a ‘Skilled Person’ under section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act and, for
FRB purposes, an ‘Independent Consultant’) to produce periodic assessments of the Group’s AML and sanctions compliance programme(the ‘Skilled Person/Independent Consultant’). In December 2012, HSBC Holdings also entered into an agreement with the Office ofForeign Assets Control (‘OFAC’) regarding historical transactions involving parties subject to OFAC sanctions. The Skilled Person/
Independent Consultant will continue to conduct country reviews and provide periodic reports for a period of time at the FCA’s and FRB’s
discretion. The role of the Skilled Person/Independent Consultant is discussed on page 85 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2018.
Through the Skilled Person/Independent Consultant’s country-level reviews, as well as internal reviews conducted by HSBC, certain
potential AML and sanctions compliance issues have been identified that HSBC is reviewing further with the FRB, FCA and/or OFAC. The
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the US Treasury Department, as well as the Civil Division of the US Attorney’s Office for theSouthern District of New York, are investigating the collection and transmittal of third-party originator information in certain payments
instructed over HSBC’s proprietary payment systems. The FCA is also conducting an investigation into HSBC Bank’s compliance with UK
money laundering regulations and financial crime systems and controls requirements. HSBC is cooperating with all of theseinvestigations.
In May 2014, a shareholder derivative action was filed by a shareholder of HSBC Holdings purportedly on behalf of HSBC Holdings,
HSBC Bank USA N.A. (‘HSBC Bank USA’), HSBC North America Holdings Inc. and HSBC USA Inc. (the ‘Nominal Corporate Defendants’)in New York state court against certain current and former directors and officers of the Nominal Corporate Defendants (the ‘Individual
Defendants’). The complaint alleges that the Individual Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the Nominal Corporate Defendants
and caused a waste of corporate assets by allegedly permitting and/or causing the conduct underlying the five-year deferred prosecutionagreement with the US Department of Justice (‘DoJ’), entered into in December 2012. In November 2015, the New York state court
granted the Nominal Corporate Defendants’ motion to dismiss. In November 2018, the appellate court reversed the New York state
court’s decision and reinstated the action; furthermore, in March 2019, the appellate court denied the Nominal Corporate Defendants’
motion for reargument or for leave to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals. In February 2019, the Nominal Corporate Defendants andmost of the Individual Defendants filed a further motion to dismiss in New York state court, where the matter is pending.
In July 2014, a claim was filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice against HSBC Holdings and a former employee purportedly
on behalf of a class of persons who purchased HSBC common shares and American Depositary Shares between July 2006 and July
2012. The complaint, which seeks monetary damages of up to CA$20bn, alleges that the defendants made statutory and common law
misrepresentations in documents released by HSBC Holdings and its wholly-owned indirect subsidiary, HSBC Bank Canada, relating to
HSBC’s compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act, AML, sanctions and other laws. In September 2017, the Ontario Superior Court of Justicedismissed the statutory claims against HSBC Holdings and the former employee for lack of jurisdiction, and stayed the common law
misrepresentation claim against HSBC Holdings on the basis of forum non conveniens. In October 2017, the plaintiff appealed to the
Court of Appeal for Ontario and, in July 2018, that appeal was dismissed. In October 2018, the plaintiff applied for leave to appeal to theSupreme Court of Canada and, in March 2019, the plaintiff’s application for leave to appeal was denied.
Since November 2014, a number of lawsuits have been filed in federal courts in the US against various HSBC companies and others onbehalf of plaintiffs who are, or are related to, victims of terrorist attacks in the Middle East or of cartel violence in Mexico. In each case, it
is alleged that the defendants aided and abetted the unlawful conduct of various sanctioned parties in violation of the US Anti-Terrorism
Act. Currently, 10 actions are pending in federal court in New York, with one on appeal. In July 2018, in one case, the New York District
Court granted HSBC’s motion to dismiss, while in a different case, the magistrate judge issued a recommendation that the New York
District Court should deny the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs appealed the decision in the case granting dismissal and thatappeal is pending. Motions to dismiss were filed in two other cases; the court in one of those cases granted HSBC’s motion in March
2019. The plaintiffs in that case are now seeking to amend their complaint. The six remaining actions are at a very early stage.
In July 2018, a claim was issued against HSBC Holdings in the High Court of England and Wales alleging that HSBC Holdings madeuntrue and/or misleading statements and/or omissions in public statements between 2007 and 2012 regarding compliance by HSBC with
AML, anti-terrorist financing and sanctions laws, regulations and requirements, and the regulatory compliance of HSBC more generally.
There are many factors that may affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of these matters, which could besignificant.

Tax-related investigations
Various tax administration, regulatory and law enforcement authorities around the world, including in the US, Belgium, Argentina, India
and Spain, are conducting investigations and reviews of HSBC Private Bank (Suisse) SA (‘HSBC Swiss Private Bank’) and other HSBC
companies in connection with allegations of tax evasion or tax fraud, money laundering and unlawful cross-border banking solicitation.

18

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

HSBC continues to cooperate in ongoing investigations by the DoJ and the US Internal Revenue Service regarding whether certain HSBC
companies and employees, including those associated with HSBC Swiss Private Bank and an HSBC company in India, acted
appropriately in relation to certain customers who may have had US tax reporting obligations. In connection with these investigations,
HSBC Swiss Private Bank, with due regard for Swiss law, has produced records and other documents to the DoJ. In August 2013, theDoJ informed HSBC Swiss Private Bank that it was not eligible for the ‘Program for Non-Prosecution Agreements or Non-Target Letters
for Swiss Banks’ since a formal investigation had previously been authorised. These investigations remain pending.
In November 2014, HSBC Swiss Private Bank was placed under formal criminal examination in Belgium for alleged historical tax-related
offences. In June 2017, Belgian authorities also placed HSBC Holdings and HSBC Private Bank Holdings (Suisse) SA, a Swiss holding
company, under formal criminal examination. In June 2019, HSBC Swiss Private Bank reached a settlement in principle to resolve theBelgian authorities’ investigation. The settlement in principle is subject to court approval, and there can be no assurance that the
proposed resolution will be approved. Management’s estimate of the expected outflow under the settlement in principle is alreadycovered by the existing amount provisioned for this matter.
In November 2014, the Argentine tax authority initiated a criminal action against various individuals, including current and former HSBC
employees. The criminal action includes allegations of tax evasion, conspiracy to launder undeclared funds and an unlawful association
among HSBC Swiss Private Bank, HSBC Bank Argentina, HSBC Bank USA and certain HSBC employees, which allegedly enabled
numerous HSBC customers to evade their Argentine tax obligations. HSBC is cooperating with this ongoing investigation.
In February 2015, the Indian tax authority issued a summons and request for information to an HSBC company in India. In August 2015
and November 2015, HSBC companies received notices issued by two offices of the Indian tax authority, alleging that the Indian tax
authority had sufficient evidence to initiate prosecution against HSBC Swiss Private Bank and an HSBC company in Dubai for allegedly
abetting tax evasion of four different Indian individuals and/or families and requesting that the HSBC companies show cause as to whysuch prosecution should not be initiated. HSBC Swiss Private Bank and the HSBC company in Dubai have responded to the show cause
notices. HSBC is cooperating with this ongoing investigation.
As at 30 June 2019, HSBC has recognised a provision for these various matters in the amount of $629m. There are many factors that may
affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of these investigations and reviews. Due to uncertainties and limitationsof these estimates, the ultimate penalties could differ from this amount.
In light of the media attention regarding these matters, it is possible that other tax administration, regulatory or law enforcement
authorities will also initiate or enlarge similar investigations or regulatory proceedings.

London interbank offered rates, European interbank offered rates and other benchmark interest rate
investigations and litigation
Euro interest rate derivatives: In December 2016, the European Commission (the ‘EC’) issued a decision finding that HSBC, among
other banks, engaged in anti-competitive practices in connection with the pricing of euro interest rate derivatives in early 2007. The EC
imposed a fine on HSBC based on a one-month infringement. HSBC has appealed the decision.
US dollar Libor: Beginning in 2011, HSBC and other panel banks have been named as defendants in a number of private lawsuits filed
in the US with respect to the setting of US dollar Libor. The complaints assert claims under various US laws, including US antitrust andracketeering laws, the US Commodity Exchange Act (‘US CEA’) and state law. The lawsuits include individual and putative class actions,most of which have been transferred and/or consolidated for pre-trial purposes before the New York District Court.
In 2017 and 2018, HSBC reached agreements with plaintiffs to resolve putative class actions brought on behalf of the following fivegroups of plaintiffs: persons who purchased US dollar Libor-indexed bonds; persons who purchased US dollar Libor-indexed exchangetraded instruments; US-based lending institutions that made or purchased US dollar Libor-indexed loans (the ‘Lender class’); persons
who purchased US dollar Libor-indexed interest rate swaps and other instruments directly from the defendant banks and their affiliates(the ‘OTC class’); and persons who purchased US dollar Libor-indexed interest rate swaps and other instruments from certain financial
institutions that are not the defendant banks or their affiliates. During 2018, the New York District Court granted final approval of thesettlements with the OTC and Lender classes. The remaining settlements are subject to final court approval. Additionally, a number ofother US dollar Libor-related actions remain pending against HSBC in the New York District Court and the Second Circuit Court ofAppeals.
Intercontinental Exchange (‘ICE’) Libor: Between January and March 2019, HSBC and other panel banks were named as defendants
in three putative class actions filed in the New York District Court on behalf of persons and entities who purchased instruments paying
interest indexed to US dollar ICE Libor from a panel bank. The complaints allege, among other things, misconduct related to the
suppression of this benchmark rate in violation of US antitrust and state law. In July 2019, the three putative class actions wereconsolidated, and the plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended complaint. This matter is at a very early stage.
Singapore interbank offered rate (‘Sibor’), Singapore swap offer rate (‘SOR’) and Australia bank bill swap rate (‘BBSW’):In
July and August 2016, HSBC and other panel banks were named as defendants in two putative class actions filed in the New York
District Court on behalf of persons who transacted in products related to the Sibor, SOR and BBSW benchmark rates. The complaints
allege, among other things, misconduct related to these benchmark rates in violation of US antitrust, commodities and racketeering laws,
and state law.
In the Sibor/SOR litigation, following a decision on the defendants’ motion to dismiss in October 2018, the claims against a number of
HSBC entities were dismissed, and the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (‘HBAP’) remains the only HSBC defendantin this action. In October 2018, HBAP filed a motion for reconsideration of the decision based on the issue of personal jurisdiction; thismotion was denied in April 2019. Also in October 2018, the plaintiff filed a third amended complaint naming only the Sibor panel
members, including HBAP, as defendants; the court dismissed the third amended complaint in its entirety in July 2019.
In the BBSW litigation, in November 2018, the court dismissed all foreign defendants, including all the HSBC entities, on personal
jurisdiction grounds. In April 2019, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint, which the defendants have moved to dismiss.
There are many factors that may affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of these matters, which could besignificant.

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 201919

Foreign exchange-related investigations and litigation
Various regulators and competition authorities around the world, including in the EU, Switzerland, Brazil and South Africa, are conducting
investigations and reviews into trading by HSBC and others on the foreign exchange markets. HSBC is cooperating with theseinvestigations and reviews.
In January 2018, HSBC Holdings entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the Criminal Division of the DoJ (the ‘FXDPA’), regarding fraudulent conduct in connection with two particular transactions in 2010 and 2011. This concluded the DoJ’s
investigation into HSBC’s historical foreign exchange activities. Under the terms of the FX DPA, HSBC has a number of ongoingobligations, including implementing enhancements to its internal controls and procedures in its Global Markets business, which will be
the subject of annual reports to the DoJ. In addition, HSBC agreed to pay a financial penalty and restitution.
In December 2016, Brazil’s Administrative Council of Economic Defense (‘CADE’) initiated an investigation into the onshore foreignexchange market and identified a number of banks, including HSBC, as subjects of its investigation.
In February 2017, the Competition Commission of South Africa referred a complaint for proceedings before the South African
Competition Tribunal against 18 financial institutions, including HSBC Bank, for alleged misconduct related to the foreign exchange
market in violation of South African antitrust laws. In April 2017, HSBC Bank filed an exception to the complaint based on a lack ofjurisdiction and statute of limitations. In January 2018, the South African Competition Tribunal approved the provisional referral of
additional financial institutions, including HSBC Bank USA, to the proceedings. In June 2019, the South African Competition Tribunal
issued a decision requiring the Competition Commission to revise its complaint. Several financial institutions named in the complaint,
including HSBC Bank USA, have appealed part of the decision to the Competition Appeal Court of South Africa, and the Competition
Commission has cross-appealed.
In October 2018, HSBC Holdings and HSBC Bank received an information request from the EC concerning potential coordination inforeign exchange options trading. This matter is at an early stage.
In late 2013 and early 2014, various HSBC companies and other banks were named as defendants in various putative class actions
consolidated in the New York District Court. The consolidated complaint alleged, among other things, that the defendants conspired tomanipulate the WM/Reuters foreign exchange benchmark rates. In September 2015, HSBC reached an agreement with the plaintiffs
to resolve the consolidated action, and the court granted final approval of the settlement in August 2018.
A putative class action complaint making similar allegations on behalf of retail customers of foreign exchange products was filed in the
US District Court for the Northern District of California in 2015, and was subsequently transferred to the New York District Court where it
remains pending. In 2017, putative class action complaints making similar allegations on behalf of purported ‘indirect’ purchasers of
foreign exchange products were filed in New York and were subsequently consolidated in the New York District Court, where they remain
pending.
In September 2018, various HSBC companies and other banks were named as defendants in two motions for certification of class actions
filed in Israel alleging foreign exchange-related misconduct. In July 2019, the Tel Aviv Court allowed the plaintiffs to consolidate theirclaims and file a motion for certification of the consolidated class action. In November and December 2018, complaints alleging foreignexchange-related misconduct were filed in the New York District Court and the High Court of England and Wales against HSBC and otherdefendants, by certain plaintiffs that opted out of the US class action settlement. These matters are at an early stage. It is possible that
additional civil actions will be initiated against HSBC in relation to its historical foreign exchange activities.
There are many factors that may affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of these matters, which could besignificant.

Precious metals fix-related litigation
Gold: Beginning in March 2014, numerous putative class actions were filed in the New York District Court and the US District Courts forthe District of New Jersey and the Northern District of California, naming HSBC and other members of The London Gold Market Fixing
Limited as defendants. The complaints allege that, from January 2004 to June 2013, the defendants conspired to manipulate the price ofgold and gold derivatives for their collective benefit in violation of US antitrust laws, the US CEA and New York state law. The actions
were consolidated in the New York District Court. The defendants’ motion to dismiss the consolidated action was granted in part anddenied in part in October 2016. In June 2017, the court granted the plaintiffs leave to file a third amended complaint, naming a new
defendant. The court has denied the pre-existing defendants’ request for leave to file a joint motion to dismiss, and discovery is
proceeding.
Beginning in December 2015, numerous putative class actions under Canadian law were filed in the Ontario and Quebec Superior Courtsof Justice against various HSBC companies and other financial institutions. The plaintiffs allege that, among other things, from January
2004 to March 2014, the defendants conspired to manipulate the price of gold and gold derivatives in violation of the CanadianCompetition Act and common law. These actions are at an early stage.
Silver: Beginning in July 2014, numerous putative class actions were filed in the US District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districtsof New York, naming HSBC and other members of The London Silver Market Fixing Limited as defendants. The complaints allege that,from January 2007 to December 2013, the defendants conspired to manipulate the price of silver and silver derivatives for their collective
benefit in violation of US antitrust laws, the US CEA and New York state law. The actions were consolidated in the New York District
Court. The defendants’ motion to dismiss the consolidated action was granted in part and denied in part in October 2016. In June 2017,
the court granted the plaintiffs leave to file a third amended complaint, which names several new defendants. The court has denied thepre-existing defendants’ request for leave to file a joint motion to dismiss, and discovery is proceeding.
In April 2016, two putative class actions under Canadian law were filed in the Ontario and Quebec Superior Courts of Justice against
various HSBC companies and other financial institutions. The plaintiffs in both actions allege that, from January 1999 to August 2014, thedefendants conspired to manipulate the price of silver and silver derivatives in violation of the Canadian Competition Act and common
law. The Ontario action is at an early stage. The Quebec action has been temporarily stayed.
Platinum and palladium: Between late 2014 and early 2015, numerous putative class actions were filed in the New York District Court,
naming HSBC and other members of The London Platinum and Palladium Fixing Company Limited as defendants. The complaints allege
that, from January 2008 to November 2014, the defendants conspired to manipulate the price of platinum group metals (‘PGM’) andPGM-based financial products for their collective benefit in violation of US antitrust laws and the US CEA. In March 2017, the defendants’
motion to dismiss the second amended consolidated complaint was granted in part and denied in part. In June 2017, the plaintiffs filed athird amended complaint. The defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss, which remains pending.
20

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these matters, including thetiming or any possible impact on HSBC, which could be significant.

Film finance litigation
In July and November 2015, two actions were brought by individuals against HSBC Private Bank (UK) Limited (‘PBGB’) in the High Courtof England and Wales seeking damages on various alleged grounds, including breach of duty to the claimants, in connection with their
participation in certain Ingenious film finance schemes. These actions are ongoing.
In December 2018, a separate action was brought against PBGB in the High Court of England and Wales by multiple claimants seeking
damages for alleged unlawful means conspiracy and dishonest assistance in connection with lending provided by PBGB to third parties inrespect of certain Ingenious film finance schemes in which the claimants participated. In June 2019, a similar claim was issued against
PBGB in the High Court of England and Wales by additional claimants. These matters are at early stages.
In February 2019, PBGB received a letter before claim by investors in Eclipse film finance schemes asserting various claims against PBGB
and others in connection with their roles in facilitating the design, promotion and operation of such schemes. This matter is at an earlystage.
It is possible that additional actions or investigations will be initiated against PBGB as a result of its historical involvement in the provisionof certain film finance-related services.
Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable to predict the resolution of these matters, including the timing or possible
aggregate impact, which could be significant.

Other regulatory investigations, reviews and litigation
HSBC Holdings and/or certain of its affiliates are subject to a number of other investigations and reviews by various regulators andcompetition and law enforcement authorities, as well as litigation, in connection with various matters relating to the firm’s businesses
and operations, including:• an investigation by the DoJ regarding US Treasury securities trading practices;• investigations by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission regarding (a) certain swap dealer trading conduct; and (b) swap
data reporting and other regulatory issues related to prior periods;• an investigation by the Swiss Competition Commission in connection with the setting of Euribor and Japanese yen Libor;• an information request from the UK Competition and Markets Authority concerning the financial services sector;• putative individual and class actions brought in the New York District Court relating to the credit default swap market, the Mexican
government bond market and the US government-sponsored enterprise bond market, and putative class actions brought in the New
York District Court and in the Superior and Federal Courts in Canada relating to the market for US dollar-denominated supranationalsovereign and agency bonds;• putative class actions brought in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas and a claim issued in the High Court ofEngland and Wales in connection with HSBC Bank’s role as a correspondent bank to Stanford International Bank Ltd from 2003 to
2009; and• litigation brought against various HSBC companies in the US courts relating to residential mortgage-backed securities, based primarilyon (a) claims brought against HSBC Bank USA in connection with its role as trustee on behalf of various securitisation trusts; and (b)claims against several HSBC companies seeking that the defendants repurchase various mortgage loans.
There are many factors that may affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of these matters, which could besignificant.

9

Events after the balance sheet date

In its assessment of events after the balance sheet date, HSBC considered, among other risks, the events related to the process of the
UK’s withdrawal from the European Union that occurred between 30 June 2019 and the date when the financial statements wereauthorised for issue, and concluded that no adjustments to the financial statements were required.
A second interim dividend in respect of the financial year ending 31 December 2019 was declared by the Directors on 5 August 2019, as
described in Note 3 of the Interim Report 2019.
On 5 August 2019, the Board approved a share buy-back of up to $1.0bn.

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

21

10

Capital structure

Capital ratios
At
30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

%

%

Common equity tier 1 ratio

14.3

14.0

Tier 1 ratio

17.2

17.0

Total capital ratio

20.1

20.0

Common equity tier 1 ratio

14.3

14.0

Tier 1 ratio

16.9

16.6

Total capital ratio

18.7

19.4

Transitional basis

End point basis

Total regulatory capital and risk-weighted assets
At
30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

$m

$m

Common equity tier 1 capital

126,949

121,022

Additional tier 1 capital

25,87826,120Tier 2 capital

25,432

26,096

Total regulatory capital

178,259

173,238

Risk-weighted assets

885,971865,318

Common equity tier 1 capital

126,949

121,022

Additional tier 1 capital

22,36322,525Tier 2 capital

16,107

24,511

Total regulatory capital

165,419

168,058

Risk-weighted assets

885,971865,318

Transitional basis

End point basis

Leverage ratioAt
30 Jun31 Dec

2019

2018

$bn

$bn

149.3

143.5

2,786.5

2,614.9

Ref*
20

Tier 1 capital

21

Total leverage ratio exposure

22

Leverage ratio

EU-23

Choice of transitional arrangements for the definition of the capital measure
UK leverage ratio exposure – quarterly average1

%

%

5.4

5.5

Fully phased-in

Fully phased-in

2,550.1

2,464.4%%

UK leverage ratio – quarterly average

5.8

5.8

UK leverage ratio – quarter end

5.8

6.0

* The references identify the lines prescribed in the European Banking Authority (‘EBA’) template.
1 UK leverage ratio here and below denotes the Group’s leverage ratio calculated under the PRA’s UK leverage framework.

Unless otherwise stated, all figures are calculated using the EU's regulatory transitional arrangements for IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’in article 473a of the Capital Requirements Regulation.

11

Statutory accounts

The information in this media release does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act
2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies in England andWales in accordance with section 447 of the Companies Act 2006. The Group’s auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (‘PwC’), hasreported on those accounts. Its report was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which PwC drew attention by way ofemphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The information in this media release does not constitute the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements which are contained in
the Interim Report 2019. The Interim Report 2019 was approved by the Board of Directors on 5 August 2019. The unaudited interim
consolidated financial statements have been reviewed by the Group’s auditor, PwC, in accordance with the guidance contained in theInternational Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410: Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the
Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board. The full report of its review, which was unmodified, is includedin the Interim Report 2019.
22

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

12

Dealings in HSBC Holdings plc listed securities

HSBC has policies and procedures that, except where permitted by statute and regulation, prohibit it undertaking specified transactions
in respect of its securities listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (‘HKEx’). Except for the share buy-back and dealings asintermediaries or as trustees by subsidiaries of HSBC Holdings, neither HSBC Holdings nor any of its subsidiaries has purchased, sold orredeemed any of its securities listed on HKEx during the half-year ended 30 June 2019.

13

Proposed interim dividends for 2019

The Board has adopted a policy of paying quarterly dividends on ordinary shares, under which it is intended to have a pattern of threeequal interim dividends with a variable fourth interim dividend. The proposed timetables for dividends payable on ordinary shares inrespect of 2019 that have not yet been declared are as follows:
Interim dividends for 2019 not yet declared
Third interim
dividend for 2019

Fourth interim
dividend for 2019

Announcement

2 Oct 201918 Feb 2020

Shares quoted ex-dividend in London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda

10 Oct 201927 Feb 2020

11 Oct 201928 Feb 2020

20 Nov 201914 Apr 2020

Footnotes

Record date in London, Hong Kong, New York, Paris and Bermuda

1Payment date1

Removals from or transfers to the Principal Register in the UK, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch
Register will not be permitted on these dates.

14

Earnings release and final results

An earnings release for the three-month period ending 30 September 2019 is expected to be issued on 28 October 2019. The results forthe year to 31 December 2019 are expected to be announced on 18 February 2020.

15

Corporate governance

We are subject to corporate governance requirements in both the UK and Hong Kong. Throughout the six months ended 30 June 2019,
we complied with the applicable provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code and also the requirements of the Hong Kong
Corporate Governance Code. The UK Corporate Governance Code is available at www.frc.org.uk and the Hong Kong Corporate
Governance Code is available at www.hkex.com.hk.
Under the Hong Kong Code, the audit committee should be responsible for the oversight of all risk management and internal control
systems, unless expressly addressed by a separate risk committee. Our Group Risk Committee is responsible for oversight of internal
control, other than internal financial controls, and risk management systems.
The Board has codified obligations for transactions in HSBC Group securities in accordance with the requirements of the Market Abuse
Regulation and the rules governing the listing of securities on the HKEx, save that the HKEx has granted waivers from strict compliancewith the rules that take into account accepted practices in the UK, particularly in respect of employee share plans.
Following specific enquiries, all Directors have confirmed that they have complied with their obligations in respect of transacting in Groupsecurities throughout the period.
There have been no material changes to the information disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts 2018 in respect of the remunerationof employees, remuneration policies, bonus and share option plans and training schemes. Details of the number of employees areprovided on page 25 of the Interim Report 2019.
The remuneration policy for our Directors, as disclosed on pages 176 to 194 of our Annual Report and Accounts 2018, along with thechange to the maximum pension allowance for our current and new executive Directors from 30% to 10% of salary, announced on
15 March 2019, was approved by our shareholders at the Annual General Meeting on 12 April 2019.
The Board of Directors of HSBC Holdings plc as at the date of this announcement comprises:
Mark Tucker*, Kathleen Casey†, Laura Cha†, Henri de Castries†, Irene Lee†, José Meade†, Heidi Miller†, Marc Moses, David Nish†, Noel
Quinn, Ewen Stevenson, Jonathan Symonds†, Jackson Tai† and Pauline van der Meer Mohr†.
* Non-executive Group Chairman†

Independent non-executive Director

16Interim Report 2019

The Interim Report 2019 will be made available to shareholders on or about 28 August 2019. Copies of the Interim Report 2019 and thisMedia Release may be obtained from Global Communications, HSBC Holdings plc, 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom;from Communications (Asia), The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, 1 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong; or from
US Communications, HSBC Bank USA, N.A., 1 West 39th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10018, USA. The Interim Report 2019 and thisNews Release may also be downloaded from the HSBC website, www.hsbc.com.
A Chinese translation of the Interim Report 2019 is available upon request from Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited,
Rooms 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Hong Kong.
The Interim Report 2019 will be available on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited’s website www.hkex.com.hk.

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019

23

17

For further information contact:

Media Relations
Heidi Ashley
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7992 2045

Investor Relations
United Kingdom
Richard O’Connor
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7991 6590

Patrick Humphris
Telephone: +852 2822 2052

Hong Kong
Hugh Pye
Telephone: +852 2822 4908

Robert Sherman
Telephone: +1 212 525 6901

24

HSBC Holdings plc News Release 2019