Hang Seng Bank FY2011 Results

RNS Number : 1362Y
HSBC Holdings PLC
27 February 2012
 



 

 

 

 

 

 

27 February 2012 

 

HANG SENG BANK LIMITED

2011 RESULTS - HIGHLIGHTS

 

·    Attributable profit up 12% to HK$16,680m (HK$14,917m in 2010).

 

·    Profit before tax up 11% to HK$19,213m (HK$17,345m in 2010).

 

·    Operating profit up 1% to HK$14,181m (HK$14,085m in 2010).

 

·    Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges up 1% to HK$14,621m (HK$14,475m in 2010).

 

·    Return on average shareholders' funds of 22.6% (22.8% in 2010).

 

·    Assets up 6% to HK$975.4bn (HK$916.9bn at 31 December 2010).

 

·    Earnings per share up 12% to HK$8.72 per share (HK$7.80 per share in 2010).

 

·    Fourth interim dividend of HK$1.90 per share; total dividends of HK$5.20 per share for 2011 (HK$5.20 per share in 2010).

 

·    Capital adequacy ratio of 14.3% (13.6% at 31 December 2010); core capital ratio of 11.6% (10.8% at 31 December 2010).

 

·    Cost efficiency ratio of 35.0% (33.7% in 2010).

    

 

Within this document, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China has been referred to as 'Hong Kong'.

 

The abbreviations 'HK$m' and 'HK$bn' represent millions and billions of Hong Kong dollars respectively.



 

Contents

 

The financial information in this news release is based on the audited consolidated financial statements of Hang Seng Bank Limited ('the bank') and its subsidiaries ('the group') for the year ended 31 December 2011.

 

1          Highlights of 2011 Results
2          Contents
4          Chairman's Comment
6          Chief Executive's Review

11        Results Summary

14        Customer Group Performance

19        Mainland Business

21        Consolidated Income Statement

22        Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

23        Consolidated Balance Sheet

24        Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

26        Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

27        Financial Review

27        Net interest income

29        Net fee income

30        Trading income

31        Net (loss)/income from financial instruments designated at fair value

31        Other operating income

32        Analysis of income from wealth management business

34        Loan impairment charges

35        Operating expenses

36        Gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets

37        Tax expense

38        Earnings per share

38        Dividends per share

38        Segmental analysis

40        Analysis of assets and liabilities by remaining maturity

42        Cash and balances with banks and other financial institutions

42        Placings with and advances to banks and other financial institutions

43        Trading assets

44        Financial assets designated at fair value

45        Advances to customers

45        Loan impairment allowances against advances to customers

46        Impaired advances and allowances

47        Overdue advances

48        Rescheduled advances

            48        Segmental analysis of advances to customers by geographical area

            49        Gross advances to customers by industry sector

51        Financial investments

53        Amounts due from/to immediate holding company and fellow subsidiary  

              companies

54        Interest in associates

54        Intangible assets

54        Other assets

55        Current, savings and other deposit accounts

55        Certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue

            56        Trading liabilities

56        Other liabilities

57        Subordinated liabilities

58        Shareholders' funds

59        Capital resources management

61        Liquidity ratio

62        Reconciliation of cash flow statement

63        Contingent liabilities, commitments and derivatives

66        Statutory accounts and accounting policies

66        Comparative figures

66        Property revaluation

67        Foreign currency positions

67        Ultimate holding company

68        Register of shareholders

68        Proposed timetable for 2012 quarterly dividends

68        Code on corporate governance practices

68        Board of Directors

69        News release

 



 

Comment by Raymond Ch'ien, Chairman

 

In the challenging environment of 2011, we built on our trusted brand to enhance long-term growth and achieved a solid operating result.

 

We continued to develop areas of strength and deepened our penetration into segments that offer growth opportunities. Our core strategies of financial prudence and innovating to deliver more value served us in good stead.

 

In the volatile market conditions, we drew on our time-to-market wealth management capabilities to offer comprehensive products catering for the changing financial needs of our customers, targeting mainland China customers among other segments.

 

In our commercial and corporate banking businesses, our good industry knowledge, strong cross-border capabilities and total solutions helped enhance our status as a preferred partner for trade-related services and our franchise in corporate wealth management.

 

The Mainland will remain a major focus for our future expansion. Reflecting our efforts to take advantage of the opening up of the mainland financial sector, the gradual internationalisation of the renminbi and the closer economic integration of Hong Kong and the Mainland, we achieved encouraging growth in our cross-border services and renminbi-related businesses.

 

In an important milestone, Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited moved into new headquarters in Shanghai's Lujiazui financial district in May 2011. The move signifies our long-term commitment to developing our business on the Mainland.

 

Our strengths continued to win recognition. The bank was named the Best Domestic Bank in Hong Kong for the 12th consecutive year by The Asset and the Best Domestic Bank in Hong Kong by Asiamoney.

 

Financial Highlights

 

Profit attributable to shareholders rose by 12% to HK$16,680m and profit before tax was up 11% at HK$19,213m. Earnings per share were up 12% to HK$8.72 per share.

 

The return on average shareholders' funds was 22.6%, compared with 22.8% in 2010. The return on average total assets was 1.8%, compared with 1.7% a year earlier.

 

At 31 December 2011, our capital adequacy ratio was 14.3%, compared with 13.6% at the end of 2010. The core capital ratio was 11.6%, compared with 10.8% a year earlier. The rise in both capital and core capital ratios reflected the combined effect of the increase in profit after accounting for dividends in 2011 and the decrease in risk-weighted assets.

 

The Directors have declared a fourth interim dividend of HK$1.90 per share, payable on 29 March 2012. This brings the total distribution for 2011 to HK$5.20 per share, the same as for 2010.

 

Operating Environment

 

The operating environment in 2011 was affected by growing global economic uncertainties, including the deepening sovereign debt crisis in the eurozone, the continuing fragility of the US economic recovery, and the effects of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan on global supply chains. As a result, the growth momentum in Hong Kong eased in the second half of the year as external demand slowed.

 

China headed towards a soft landing as economic growth moderated due to persistent monetary tightening by the government and weaker external demand. The economy was mainly supported by strong investment and consumption growth. The high inflationary pressure began to ease after peaking in July.

 

In 2012, the prevailing economic uncertainties in the eurozone and the US will continue to dominate globally. The downgrade of the credit ratings of the US and various eurozone countries by credit rating agencies over the past year indicates continued downside risks in the world economic outlook.

 

Given the above, Hong Kong's economic growth is likely to slow this year. Exports will be adversely affected by the difficult global environment, but domestic demand should remain resilient on the back of steady income growth and continued expansion of public sector construction works. Inflation is expected to come down due to the recent easing in global food and commodity prices, and the expected economic slowdown.

 

Economic growth on the Mainland is expected to slow further, although its economy remains among the fastest growing in the world. Since December 2011, China's central bank has cut the reserve requirement ratio for commercial lenders twice in a sign it is easing monetary policy to stimulate domestic demand. Although exports should continue to soften given weakening external demand, consumption growth is expected to remain resilient given the increasing personal wealth of the mainland population. Investment growth is also expected to remain steady as the government gradually eases monetary conditions. Inflation is likely to fall steadily.

 

In the banking sector, loan growth is expected to moderate while competition for deposits will remain keen. Banks will encounter more challenges, including evolving regulatory requirements.

 

Against this backdrop, we will continue our efforts to create sustainable value for our stakeholders.

 

 

Review by Margaret Leung, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive

 

The global economic uncertainties in the second half of 2011 posed significant challenges to the banking sector.

 

Our strong financial fundamentals, relationship building strategies and capture of new business opportunities helped us achieve a solid operating result. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges increased by 1% to HK$14,621m for the year and grew 1% in the second half of the year compared with the first half.

 

Amid intense market competition, our commercial and corporate banking businesses recorded strong growth. The further enhancement of our cross-border operations to support business customers reinforced our leading position in the provision of renminbi financial services. This was offset by lower revenues in Retail Banking and Wealth Management, particularly as income from our wealth management services declined given the weaker investor sentiment in the second half of 2011.

 

Our wholly owned subsidiary Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited ('Hang Seng China') delivered encouraging results as we tapped China's expanding economy and rising personal incomes.

 

At 35.0%, our cost efficiency ratio remained among the lowest in the industry. In order to improve operational efficiency and facilitate customer convenience, internet-based banking platforms were further strengthened. At the year-end, our Personal e-Banking and Business e-Banking customer bases were up 12% and 16% respectively, compared with a year earlier.

 

Financial Performance

 

Total assets rose by 6% to HK$975.4bn. Customer advances increased by 2%, with growth in commercial and corporate lending businesses, while we maintained sound loan quality. Customer deposits, including certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue, rose by 5%, driven in part by strong growth in renminbi deposits.

 

Operating profit rose by 1% to HK$14,181m, while the increased contribution from our associates and higher gains on revaluing investment properties led to an increase in profit attributable to shareholders of 12% to HK$16,680m.

 

Net interest income rose by 10% to HK$15,736m. The net interest margin was maintained at 1.78%, the same level as in 2010. At 1.80% in the second half of the year, the net interest margin was up five basis points from the first half.

 

Affected by the unfavourable investment climate, non-interest income declined by 9%, compared with 2010. Net fee income decreased slightly by 1%, with income from the wealth management business dropping by 6%. Card services income grew by 15% as we increased our market share in terms of card base in this competitive business.

 

While continuing to exercise a high degree of prudence in managing costs, investment for future growth led to a 7% rise in operating expenses, in particular for business expansion on the Mainland.

 

Loan impairment charges registered an increase of HK$50m, or 13%, to HK$440m, mainly due to the increase in collectively assessed impairment charges.

 

Reflecting our good credit risk management, total loan impairment allowances as a percentage of gross advances to customers decreased to 0.35% at the end of 2011, compared with 0.39% a year earlier.

 

Gross impaired advances as a percentage of gross advances to customers fell to 0.33%, compared with 0.42% at the end of 2010.

 

Customer Groups

 

Retail Banking and Wealth Management reported a profit before tax of HK$6,623m, down 16% from 2010. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges was HK$6,441m, a drop of 18% from a year earlier.

 

Net interest income recorded a decline of 4% as market competition levied pressure on deposit income.

 

With a quality credit card customer base, income from unsecured lending remained a key income driver and grew by 11%, compared with 2010. The card base increased by 10% to 2.23 million during the year. Card spending and receivables rose by 16% and 18% respectively.

 

Repricing of our mortgage portfolio affected our market share initially. However, our market share in Hong Kong in terms of new registrations rebounded to reach 19% in December 2011.

 

Life insurance annualised new premiums increased by 12% and total policies in force grew by 8%, compared with 2010. Despite the strong sales, income from insurance fell as market conditions led to lower investment returns on the life insurance fund portfolios.

 

The euro debt problem intensified in the second half of 2011. This severely affected investment appetite leading to lower distribution income from investment services, as reflected by slower fund sales and securities broking activities in the second half of the year. Income from investment services for the year fell by 11% year-on-year.

 

Commercial Banking achieved an increase of 34% in profit before tax to HK$5,031m. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges was up 29% to HK$3,442m.

 

Net interest income increased by 26% while non-interest income grew by 13%. Customer deposits grew by 5% during the year.

 

Various initiatives to grow fee income achieved satisfactory results. Income from corporate wealth management rose by 15% and contributed to 13% of Commercial Banking's net operating income.

 

We continued to take advantage of the growth in renminbi trade settlement. Besides close collaboration between colleagues in Hong Kong and the Mainland, we also cooperate with strategic partners on the Mainland to enhance our cross-border services. This proved to be a valuable source of referral business. At the end of 2011, we had over 70,000 commercial renminbi accounts in Hong Kong and renminbi cross-border trade-related business routed through the bank had increased.

 

Our network of seven Business Banking Centres helped facilitate account acquisition and the Commercial Banking customer base increased by 13% during the year.

 

Corporate Banking achieved growth of 46% in profit before tax to HK$1,843m. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges rose by 42% to HK$1,794m. The strong profit growth was mainly attributable to increases in net interest income and non-interest income, which rose by 39% and 14% respectively.

 

Against a backdrop of tightening market liquidity, we achieved selective growth of 10% in customer advances, partly by taking advantage of the increased cross-border loan demand. Through offering total cash management solutions to customers and capitalising on our efficient cross-border relationship management system, customer deposits grew by 29%.

 

Treasury recorded a 26% increase in profit before tax to HK$4,227m, while operating profit rose by 24% to HK$2,729m.

 

In spite of persistently low interest rates, net interest income rose by 50% to reach HK$2,108m. The increase was attributed to a larger commercial surplus for investment as the bank's balance sheet grew, more positioning taken in balance sheet management and the contribution from funding swap activities. It was also due to better margins for inter-bank lending in both Hong Kong and the Mainland.

 

Trading income fell by 14% to HK$1,001m, affected by the decline in income from funding swap activities.

 

Mainland business

 

Hang Seng China recorded encouraging growth in profit before tax to HK$482m as it increased its foothold on the Mainland.

 

With the opening of its third cross-city sub-branch in Huizhou, Hang Seng China operated a strategically located network of 39 outlets across 14 mainland cities at the year-end. Applications to establish a new branch in Xiamen, a sub-branch each in Beijing and Tianjin, and a cross-city sub-branch each in Guangdong's Shunde, Zhuhai and Jiangmen respectively have been approved.

 

Through focusing on the growing financial needs of target mainland customers with rapidly rising incomes, the mainland personal banking customer base increased by 21%. The enhancement of wealth management services facilitated a 26% rise in the number of Prestige Banking customers. As we capitalised on our good cross-border capabilities, the number of corporate and commercial banking customers also increased by 8%.

 

Driven by the expanded customer base and with continued emphasis on credit quality, advances to customers rose by 23%. Total deposits increased by 34%. Underpinned by strong growth in net interest income and other operating income, total operating income was 46% higher than in 2010.

 

The mainland business contributed 22% to the bank's total profit before tax, compared with 15% in 2010. This includes the share of profit from our mainland investments, where our share of profit from Industrial Bank increased by about 40% during the year.

 

Positioning for future growth

 

We are likely to see slower economic growth in both Hong Kong and the Mainland in 2012 amid lingering debt problems in Europe and a fragile global recovery.

 

In the banking sector, competition will remain strong, adding pressure to funding costs.

 

In this operating environment, we have charted a course for long-term growth. We will build on our market leadership, service excellence and time-to-market offerings to deepen relationships with our loyal customers and reach out to a new client base.

 

In our personal banking business, we will strengthen our wealth management and private banking services to satisfy customer needs at different life stages, targeting affluent and middle-class customers in particular. We will enhance our status as a preferred partner for trade-related services by building on our trade and corporate wealth management capabilities. Treasury will develop effective hedging solutions and new renminbi-related products.

 

The closer economic integration of Hong Kong and the Mainland, the opening-up of the mainland market and the further liberalisation of offshore renminbi financial services offer vast opportunities. We intend to reinforce our role as a key player and pioneer in the provision of renminbi services.

 

In February 2012, the bank launched the world's first renminbi-denominated gold exchange-traded fund ('ETF') and Hong Kong's first renminbi ETF ─ the Hang Seng RMB Gold ETF. We will continue to design more renminbi products to cater for the growing investor demand in this area.

 

Our wholly owned subsidiary Hang Seng Securities Limited partnered with Guangzhou Securities Company Limited to apply in 2011 to set up the first joint venture securities investment advisory company under CEPA VI in Guangdong province.

 

We will further expand our network on the Mainland. We intend to reach out to more affluent mainland customers who are seeking new investment opportunities at home and in Hong Kong. We will also target mainland business customers with high growth potential in key industries, in particular those supported under China's 12th Five-Year Plan. Our cross-border collaboration between our Hong Kong and mainland teams will be strengthened and our referral partner network will further help us grow our client base.

 

Deposit growth will provide a solid foundation for our business expansion. Leveraging our strong balance sheet and effective credit risk management system, we will prudently grow our quality loan portfolio, including renminbi lending, while maintaining a competitive pricing strategy. Diversification of income streams will remain important.

 

Even as we invest for future growth, cost efficiency will be improved through resource optimisation and technological advancement.

 

In the challenging operating environment, Hang Seng is committed to providing superior financial solutions to our customers as their preferred service provider. As a financially-strong, forward-looking bank, we are confident that our business strategies will drive steady growth in the long-term.

 

 

 



Results summary

 

Hang Seng Bank Limited ('the bank') and its subsidiaries ('the group') reported an audited profit attributable to shareholders of HK$16,680m for 2011, up 11.8% compared with 2010. Earnings per share were HK$8.72, up HK$0.92 from 2010. Profit attributable to shareholders for the second half of 2011 increased by HK$566m, or 7.0%, compared with the first half.

 

Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges grew by HK$146m, or 1.0%, to HK$14,621m. The bank continues to navigate a challenging environment and delivered a solid operating result. Net interest income grew by 10.0%, primarily due to average loan growth coupled with higher loan spreads and increased balance sheet management income. The increasingly uncertain and volatile market as a result of the evolving eurozone sovereign debt concerns and slow recovery of the US economy led to an unfavourable investment climate which did not favour the wealth management business. Non-interest income declined by 8.9% compared with last year. While the bank remains prudent in managing costs, investment for future growth, in particular business expansion in mainland China, led to a 7.4% rise in operating expenses compared with 2010. Riding on the bank's business momentum and leveraging its core strengths, the bank registered a 0.6% increase in operating profit excluding loan impairment charges in the second half of the year compared with the first half.

 

Net interest income rose by HK$1,436m, or 10.0%, to HK$15,736m. Net interest margin for 2011 was 1.78%, the same level as in 2010. Net interest spread narrowed by four basis points to 1.68%, while the contribution from net free funds increased by four basis points to 0.10%. The 10.4% encouraging growth in average interest-earning assets, improved loan spreads and increased income from balance sheet management were partly offset by increased deposit costs.

 

Net fee income was HK$4,836m, broadly at the same level as last year. The wealth management business remained well diversified but was affected by weaker investor sentiment. Against the backdrop of sluggish stock market turnover, income from stockbroking and related services decreased by 12.5%. Volatility in the stock market and an unfavourable investment climate also led to a decline in sales of retail investment funds. As a result, subscription fees and commissions fell, leading to a drop in income from retail investment funds of 12.9%. Private banking service income also fell by 19.4%. Credit card fees were 14.6% higher than in 2010 which was in line with the growth in credit card balances. The credit card business continued to grow and we increased our market share in terms of card base while increased receivables and spending resulted in rising merchant and interchange fee income. Credit facilities fees also recorded strong growth, mainly attributable to higher fees from the corporate lending business.

 

Trading income decreased by HK$263m, or 12.8%, to HK$1,796m. Foreign exchange income rose by HK$75m, or 4.2%, attributable to the bank's efforts to expand customer-driven business and higher customer demand for foreign exchange-linked structured treasury products. The increase in foreign exchange income was largely offset by decreased net interest income from funding swap activities. Income from securities, derivatives and other trading activities also recorded an unfavourable change of HK$338m, or 116.2%, mainly affected by the losses on equity options backing a life endowment product due to unfavourable movements in the underlying equity indices, which resulted in a corresponding decrease in 'Net insurance claims incurred and movement in policyholder liabilities'.

 

Income from the insurance business (included under 'net interest income', 'net fee income', 'trading income', 'net income from financial instruments designated at fair value', 'net earned insurance premiums', 'movement in present value of in-force long-term insurance business' within 'other operating income', and after deducting 'net insurance claims incurred and movement in policyholders' liabilities') fell by HK$242m, or 9.2%, to HK$2,382m. Hang Seng continued to enhance its leading position in life insurance by providing a diverse range of retirement savings and protection products. Net interest income and fee income from the life insurance business grew by 8.1%, due primarily to the increase in the size of the life insurance funds investment portfolio. The investment return on the life insurance funds investment portfolio was, however, affected by the unfavourable movements of the equities market during the second half of 2011. The movement in present value of in-force long-term insurance business ('PVIF') decreased by 47.2%, representing the net effect of the unfavourable experience variance of the investment return assumption, offset by a refinement of the calculation of the PVIF asset to bring greater comparability and consistency across the group's insurance operation and higher sales in 2011 compared with 2010.

 

Operating expensesrose by HK$543m, or 7.4%, to HK$7,898m. While the bank carefully managed its costs, investments were made on the Mainland and for business development in Hong Kong to support the long-term growth of core income streams. Operating expenses of our Hong Kong operations rose by 5.2%, mainly in relation to staff-related costs, marketing expenditure and processing charges following inflationary increases and business growth. Mainland-related operating expenses rose by 20.6%, attributable mainly to the ongoing business expansion of Hang Seng China. Despite the increase in costs, the cost efficiency ratio of the bank remains one of the lowest in the industry and the bank continues to focus on improving operational efficiency while maintaining growth momentum and market leadership.  

 

Loan impairment charges registered an increase of HK$50m, or 12.8%, to HK$440m. Individually assessed impairment charges dropped by HK$83m, or 44.6%, driven by higher releases and recoveries from corporate and commercial banking customers in 2011 although there was an increase in new impairment charges which included a specific impairment charge provided in 2011. Collectively assessed impairment charges rose by HK$133m, or 65.2%, to HK$337m, with higher charges on the expanding credit card and personal loans portfolios. Impairment allowances for loans not individually identified as impaired recorded a net charge compared with a net release in 2010, mainly due to loan growth during the year.  

 

Impairment loss on intangible assets of HK$78m related to certain IT projects.

 

Operating profit rose slightly by HK$96m, or 0.7%, to HK$14,181m.

 

Profit before tax increased by 10.8% to HK$19,213m after taking the following items into account:

 

·    a 55.4% (or HK$62m) fall in gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets;

·    a 103.7% (or HK$505m) increase in net surplus on property revaluation; and

·    a 49.9% (or HK$1,329m) increase in share of profits from associates, mainly from Industrial Bank and a property investment company.

 

Consolidated balance sheet and key ratios

 

Total assets rose by HK$58.5bn, or 6.4%, to HK$975.4bn. Customer advances increased by HK$7.9bn, or 1.7%, with growth in the commercial and corporate lending businesses, largely in mainland China. The trade finance business declined as certain trade finance loans matured in the second half of the year. The bank was strongly positioned to capture cross-border opportunities and prudently grew its Mainland lending during the year while maintaining sound loan quality. Under the vigorous deposit acquisition strategy in both Hong Kong and the Mainland during the year, customer deposits, including certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue, increased by HK$32.9bn, or 4.6%, to HK$743.2bn, driven in part by strong growth in renminbi deposits. At 31 December 2011, the advances-to-deposits ratio was 64.7%, compared with 66.5% at 31 December 2010. Financial investments and trading assets increased by 4.9% and 146.3% respectively, reflecting the deployment of the commercial surplus to high-quality treasury bills and debt securities.

 

At 31 December 2011, shareholders' funds (excluding proposed dividends) were HK$75,122m, an increase of HK$8,743m, or 13.2%. Retained profits rose by HK$5,674m, mainly reflecting the increase in profit after the appropriation of interim dividends. With the growth in the commercial property market through 2011, the premises revaluation reserve increased by HK$2,854m, or 30.3%. The available-for-sale investment reserve recorded a deficit of HK$561m, compared with a surplus of HK$202m at the end of 2010, as a result of the general widening of credit spreads. 

 

The return on average total assets was 1.8% (1.7% for 2010). The return on average shareholders' funds was 22.6% (22.8% for 2010).

 

At 31 December 2011, the capital adequacy ratio was 14.3%, up from 13.6% at the end of 2010. The core capital ratio was 11.6%, compared with 10.8% a year earlier. The rise in both capital and core capital ratios reflected the combined effect of the increase in profit after accounting for dividends in 2011 and the decrease in risk-weighted assets.

 

The bank maintained a strong liquidity position. The average liquidity ratio for 2011 was 33.6% (calculated in accordance with the Fourth Schedule of the Hong Kong Banking Ordinance), compared with 38.1% for 2010.

 

The cost efficiency ratio for 2011 was 35.0% compared with 33.7% in 2010.

 

Dividends

 

The Directors have declared a fourth interim dividend of HK$1.90 per share, which will be payable on 29 March 2012 to shareholders on the register of shareholders as of 14 March 2012. Together with the interim dividends for the first three quarters, the total distribution for 2011 will be HK$5.20 per share.

 

Customer group performance

 

 

Retail















 

Banking









Total


Inter-




 

and Wealth 

Commercial

Corporate






reportable

segment




Figures in HK$m

Management


Banking


Banking


Treasury


Other


segments

elimination


Total



















Year ended

















31 December 2011


































Net interest income

8,150


3,400


1,998


2,108


80


15,736


__


15,736


Net fee income/(expense)

3,298


1,210


219


(34

)

143


4,836


__


4,836


Trading income/(loss)

351


530


13


1,001


(99

)

1,796


__


1,796


Net loss from financial





 


 


 




 




  instruments designated at fair





 


 


 




 




  value

(158

)

(1

)

__


(1

)

__


(160

)

__


(160

)

Dividend income

__


7


__


__


10


17


__


17


Net earned insurance premiums

10,820


239


2


__


__


11,061


__


11,061


Other operating income/(loss)

719


18


(1

)

__


679


1,415


(494

)

921


Total operating income

23,180


5,403


2,231


3,074


813


34,701


(494

)

34,207


Net insurance claims

















  incurred and movement

















  in policyholders' liabilities

(11,487

)

(122

)

(1

)

__


__


(11,610

)

__


(11,610

)

Net operating income before













 




  loan impairment charges

11,693


5,281


2,230


3,074


813


23,091


(494

)

22,597


Loan impairment (charges)/







 


 




 




  releases

(254

)

(233

)

46


1


__


(440

)

__


(440

)

Net operating income

11,439


5,048


2,276


3,075


813


22,651


(494

)

22,157


Operating expenses W

(5,177

)

(1,836

)

(436

)

(346

)

(597

)

(8,392

)

494


(7,898

)

Impairment loss on intangible

















  assets

(75

)

(3

)

__


__


__


(78

)



(78

)

Operating profit

6,187


3,209


1,840


2,729


216


14,181


__


14,181


Gains less losses from financial

















  investments and fixed assets

20


11


3


12


4


50


__


50


Net surplus on property

















  revaluation

__


__


__


__


992


992


__


992


Share of profits from associates

416


1,811


__


1,486


277


3,990


__


3,990


Profit before tax

6,623


5,031


1,843


4,227


1,489


19,213


__


19,213


Share of profit before tax

34.5

%

26.2

%

9.6

%

22.0

%

7.7

%

100.0

%

__


100.0

%



































Operating profit excluding loan

















  impairment charges

6,441


3,442


1,794


2,728


216


14,621


__


14,621



















WDepreciation/amortisation

















   included in operating













 




   expenses

(155

)

(31

)

(5

)

(5

)

(623

)

(819

)

__


(819

)



































At 31 December 2011






























 




Total assets

274,294


185,350


143,734


329,295


42,772


975,445


__


975,445


Total liabilities

596,593


149,416


64,736


51,897


34,048


896,690


__


896,690


Interest in associates

2,115


8,185


__


6,441


2,666


19,407


__


19,407


Non-current assets incurred





 








 




  during the year

160


49


5


4


204


422


__


422


 

 

 

Retail















 

Banking








Total

Inter-




 

and Wealth 

Commercial

Corporate






reportable

segment




Figures in HK$m

Management


Banking


Banking


Treasury


Other


segments

elimination


Total



















Year ended

















31 December 2010


































Net interest income

8,485


2,709


1,440


1,403


263


14,300


__


14,300


Net fee income/(expense)

3,423


1,209


188


(29

)

106


4,897


__


4,897


Trading income/(loss)

630


334


11


1,162


(78

)

2,059


__


2,059


Net income/(loss) from





 


 


 




 




  financial instruments





 


 


 




 




  designated at fair value

297


__


__


(1

)

(14

)

282


__


282


Dividend income

__


5


__


__


9


14


__


14


Net earned insurance premiums

11,059


246


2


__


__


11,307


__


11,307


Other operating income/(loss)

1,271


23


1


(1

)

712


2,006


(448

)

1,558


Total operating income

25,165


4,526


1,642


2,534


998


34,865


(448

)

34,417


Net insurance claims

















  incurred and movement

















  in policyholders' liabilities

(12,436

)

(152

)

1


__


__


(12,587

)

__


(12,587

)

Net operating income before













 




  loan impairment charges

12,729


4,374


1,643


2,534


998


22,278


(448

)

21,830


Loan impairment charges

(209

)

(178

)

(3

)

__


__


(390

)

__


(390

)

Net operating income

12,520


4,196


1,640


2,534


998


21,888


(448

)

21,440


Total operating expenses W

(4,864

)

(1,703

)

(379

)

(327

)

(530

)

(7,803

)

448


(7,355

)

Operating profit

7,656


2,493


1,261


2,207


468


14,085


__


14,085


Gains less losses from financial

















  investments and fixed assets

__


__


5


95


12


112


__


112


Net surplus on property

















  revaluation

__


__


__


__


487


487


__


487


Share of profits from associates

216


1,255


__


1,059


131


2,661


__


2,661


Profit before tax

7,872


3,748


1,266


3,361


1,098


17,345


__


17,345


Share of profit before tax

45.4

%

21.6

%

7.3

%

19.4

%

6.3

%

100.0

%

__


100.0

%



































Operating profit excluding loan

















  impairment charges

7,865


2,671


1,264


2,207


468


14,475


__


14,475



















WDepreciation/amortisation

















   included in total operating













 




   expenses

(175

)

(34

)

(5

)

(4

)

(503

)

(721

)

__


(721

)



































At 31 December 2010






























 




Total assets

264,827


180,013


130,148


304,898


37,025


916,911


__


916,911


Total liabilities

581,118


141,518


50,862


39,268


34,133


846,899


__


846,899


Interest in associates

1,384


6,197


__


5,626


2,459


15,666


__


15,666


Non-current assets incurred





 








 




  during the year

128


39


5


4


739


915


__


915


 

 



Retail Banking and Wealth Management ('RBWM') reported a profit before tax of HK$6,623m in 2011, down 15.9% from 2010. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges reached HK$6,441m, representing a drop of 18.1% compared with 2010.

 

Net interest income recorded a year-on-year decline. Intense market competition levied pressure on RBWM's deposit income, while unsecured lending and insurance were able to achieve moderate growth in their respective net interest income. Intense market competition and the resulting high cost of funds hit deposit income. To grow the bank's deposit base, increased interest rates were offered to customers. As a result, net interest income from deposits dropped by 15.8% compared with the same period in 2010.

 

The bank switched its focus from HIBOR-based lending to Prime-based loans in early 2011 in its mortgage business. The bank's mortgage market share dropped initially, but as many competitors followed suit and rationalised their mortgage pricing, our market share in terms of new registrations rebounded to reach 18.7% in December 2011. Net interest income from our Hong Kong mortgage business improved in the second half of the year over the first half.

 

With a quality credit card customer base, total operating income from unsecured lending remained a key income driver and grew by 10.9% year-on-year. The bank grew its market share in terms of card base and remained the second and third largest issuer of VISA and MasterCard cards respectively. As of 31 December 2011, total cards in issue reached 2.23 million and over 342,000 new cards were acquired during the year. The Hang Seng Hong Kong dollar China UnionPay ('CUP') credit card continued to generate strong interest, with the number of cards issued more than doubling since the end of 2010. Effective marketing efforts continued to boost card usage with card spending and card receivables growing by 16.1% and 17.6% year-on-year respectively. Personal loan balances were up by 15.2% year-on-year to HK$5.3bn.

 

Income from investments declined by 10.6% year-on-year as the investment business experienced volatile markets in 2011. Investment fund subscriptions deteriorated in the second half due to the economic uncertainties around the globe. As a result, the income from both retail investment funds and securities broking declined compared with the previous year.

 

The diversification strategy of offering new life insurance plans with improved protection propositions proved to be effective in driving sales momentum later in the year. Annualised new premiums grew by 12.1% compared with 2010 while total policies in force also grew steadily. However, net insurance premium income fell by 2.2% compared to 2010. Income from non-linked insurance business fell as unfavourable market conditions led to lower investment returns. Insurance income was also affected by the decline in the present value of in-force long-term insurance business, representing the net effect of the unfavourable experience variance of the investment return assumption, offset by a refinement of the calculation of the PVIF asset to bring greater comparability and consistency across the group's insurance operation and higher sales in 2011 compared with 2010.

 

Service quality was never compromised and Hang Seng Bank continued to receive recognition in the banking industry. The bank was named 'Best Local Private Bank in Hong Kong' in the Euromoney Private Banking Survey 2011 based on the assessment of business performance and peer nominations. Asiamoney also named Hang Seng Bank the 'Best Domestic Bank in Hong Kong' again in 2011.

 

Commercial Banking ('CMB') achieved a 34.2% increase in profit before tax to HK$5,031m, contributing to more than a quarter of the bank's total. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges was up 28.9% to HK$3,442m. 

 

Against a backdrop of buoyant consumer demand, CMB achieved encouraging growth driven mainly by net interest income from advances and non-interest income. With a strong asset base and strategic re-pricing, net interest income from advances increased by 36.0%, whereas non-interest income grew by 13.0%. Amidst intense competition, healthy growth was achieved in customer deposits of 5.1% compared with 31 December 2010.

 

Various initiatives to grow fee income achieved satisfactory results, notably from loan-related fees and remittances. CMB also provided timely and competitive corporate wealth management products for its customers, focusing particularly on those in the top-end segment. A wide range of products including corporate investment, insurance and treasury products were marketed to customers through different platforms to capture the shift in investment sentiment as well as to meet customers' expectations on yield enhancement or hedging needs. Income from the corporate wealth management business increased by 14.9% and contributed to 13.3% of CMB's net operating income.

 

To assist commercial customers in growing their cross-border business and to establish a dynamic customer referral channel, CMB closely collaborated with Hang Seng China and strategic partners on the Mainland. This collaboration has enhanced the bank's cross-border service proposition and has proven to be a valuable source of referral business.

 

At 31 December 2011, the number of commercial renminbi accounts in Hong Kong exceeded 70,000 and the renminbi cross-border trade-related business routed through the bank had increased. As Hong Kong develops into an important renminbi offshore centre, the bank will capitalise on its growth capabilities by further enhancing renminbi services, especially through the provision of customised renminbi trade solutions and wealth management services as well as capturing the potential of renminbilending in Hong Kong.

 

Cash management capabilities were further enhanced to offer speedy China remittance services to customers. The Express China remittance service was enhanced to provide 'within 3 hours credit' for remittances to beneficiary accounts of Hang Seng China. Hang Seng was one of the pioneer banks to offer a renminbi bill payment service providing a one-stop solution to merchants for collecting renminbi payments from their customers via the bank's automated channels.

 

Seven Business Banking Centres located in areas of high commercial traffic are in operation, enhancing the network and providing high quality and convenient services to customers and referral partners. Those centres facilitated account acquisition and Commercial Banking customer numbers increased by 13.4% over 2010.

 

There were also continuous efforts to encourage customers to use online and automated banking channels. The activation of online investment accounts and e-Statement services were launched on the Business e-Banking platform in July 2011. An online renminbi exchange service was launched in August 2011. As a result, the number of customers using Business e-Banking services increased by 16.2% while the number of online business transactions grew by 13.8%.

 

With prudent risk management, a high quality asset portfolio was maintained and loan impairment allowances against CMB's total portfolio remained at a low level of 0.77%.

 

Corporate Banking ('CIB') achieved a 45.6% growth in profit before tax to HK$1,843m compared with 2010. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges was HK$1,794m, up 41.9%. The strong profit growth was mainly attributable to a rise in net interest income and non-interest income which increased by 38.8% and 14.3% respectively.

 

CIB encountered a challenging operating environment in 2011. On the Mainland, market liquidity tightened significantly following a series of increases in interest rates and the required deposit reserve ratio. Strong loan demand prompted an increasing number of mainland enterprises to come to Hong Kong for bank financing. To meet the loan demand, competition for customer deposits intensified and hence raised funding costs.

 

Against a backdrop of tightening market liquidity, CIB leveraged its strong industry knowledge, effective risk management as well as dedicated business teams in Hong Kong and on the Mainland to achieve strong financial results through selective growth in customer advances, which increased by 10.2% compared with the end of 2010. By offering total cash management solutions to customers and capitalising on an efficient cross-border relationship management system, CIB's customer deposits grew by 29.0% amid intense competition.

 

The return on renminbi deposits and lending also showed positive growth as we took advantage of the increase in cross-border loan demand and the relaxation of foreign direct investment restrictions.

 

Leveraging its well-established business infrastructure, CIB also stepped up efforts to grow non-interest income, offering a wide spectrum of services encompassing treasury, hedging, trade services, cash management, wealth management and insurance.

 

Treasury ('TRY') recorded a 25.8% increase in profit before tax to HK$4,227m, while operating profit increased by 23.7% to HK$2,729m. The growth was mainly driven by increases in net interest income and TRY's share of profits from associates. 

 

In spite of persistently low interest rates, net interest income surged by 50.2% to reach HK$2,108m. The increase was attributed to a number of factors including more commercial surplus for investment as the bank's balance sheet grew, more positioning taken in balance sheet management and more opportunities and better margins for inter-bank lending in both Hong Kong and mainland China. Leveraging opportunities in foreign exchange markets for funding swap activities also contributed to the increase though this was partly offset by the loss on foreign exchange arising from funding swap activities grouped under trading income. 

 

Trading income fell by HK$161m, or 13.9%, to HK$1,001m. Foreign exchange trading income recorded encouraging growth, boosted in part by rising demand for renminbi-denominated products following further liberalisation of renminbi business in Hong Kong. However, overall trading income was impacted by the decline in income from funding swap activities.

 

Mainland business

With the opening of the third cross-city sub-branch in Huizhou under CEPA VI in August 2011, Hang Seng China currently operates a network of 11 branches and 28 sub-branches, covering 14 cities in mainland China. The bank maintains a wholesale branch in Shenzhen for foreign currency business. Applications to establish a new branch in Xiamen, a sub-branch each in Beijing and Tianjin, and a cross-city sub-branch each in Guangdong's Shunde, Zhuhai and Jiangmen respectively have been approved. The establishment of the new outlets will further strengthen Hang Seng's strategic presence in focused areas on the Mainland.

 

Since late 2010, inflationary pressure became the government's major concern and a series of tightening measures was adopted in the first half of 2011. This was followed by transitions in macro-economic policies from credit tightening to selective monetary easing after the consumer price index ('CPI') peaked and worries over international economic conditions that weakened domestic growth surfaced in the latter half of 2011. In the banking sector, competition for deposits remained intense among all banks and costs to attract and retain talent with local experience stayed high.

 

Against such a challenging and highly competitive environment, Hang Seng China continued to target corporate customers with renminbi cross-border trade-related business needs and align credit policies with China's 12th Five-Year Plan. On the retail front, Hang Seng China's leading position in the wealth management business was boosted with the launch of the VIP Prestige Centre in Shanghai to provide tailor-made services for high net worth individuals. 

 

Hang Seng China's strategy has been to grow in both scale and value and this has delivered encouraging results. In 2011, the total number of Corporate and Commercial Banking customers increased by 8.3% while the total number of Retail Banking and Wealth Management customers grew by 21.1% (the number of Prestige Banking customers increased by 25.6%) over December 2010.

 

Driven by the expanded customer base, gross advances to customers rose by 23.0% whereas total deposits increased by 34.1% over the end of 2010. Total operating income was 45.7% higher than 2010, underpinned by strong growth in net interest income and other operating income. Profit before tax recorded an increase of 821.8% compared with 2010.

 


2011 compared with 2010




As reported



Constant currencyW









Total operating income


45.7

%


38.8

%

Profit before tax


821.8

%


778.2

%

Gross advances to customers


23.0

%


17.6

%

Customer deposits


34.1

%


28.3

%








 

The partnership with Industrial Bank continued to support the bank's long-term growth on the Mainland. In March 2011, the bank signed a memorandum of understanding with Industrial Bank to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various business areas. Moreover, more branch-level cooperation initiatives have been launched between Hang Seng and Industrial Bank.

 

In October 2011, Hang Seng Securities Limited ('Hang Seng Securities'), a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank, signed a memorandum of understanding with Guangzhou Securities Company Limited ('Guangzhou Securities') to take an important step in their application to set up Guangzhou GuangZheng Hang Seng Securities Investment Advisory Company Limited. This is the first ever application to set up a joint venture securities investment advisory company in Guangdong province under CEPA VI. Subject to regulatory approval for its establishment, the joint venture aims to become a showcase for cross-border securities investment advisory co-operation under CEPA by combining the strengths of both partners, paving the way for Hang Seng to expand its business on the Mainland.

 

 

WWhen reference is made to 'constant currency' in commentaries, comparative data reported in the functional currency of Hang Seng's operations on the Mainland have been translated at the appropriate exchange rates applied in the current year in respect of the income statement or balance sheet. Constant currency comparatives in respect of 2010 and 2009 used in the 2011 and 2010 commentaries respectively are computed by translating into HK Dollars:

- the income statement for 2010 and 2009 of renminbi at the average rates of exchange for

  2011 and 2010 respectively; and

- the balance sheet at 31 December 2010 and 2009 for renminbi at the prevailing rates of

  exchange on 31 December 2011 and 2010 respectively.

 

 



 

Consolidated Income Statement

 


Year ended 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010
















Interest income


19,845



16,507


Interest expense


(4,109

)


(2,207

)

Net interest income


15,736



14,300


Fee income


5,923



5,895


Fee expense


(1,087

)


(998

)

Net fee income


4,836



4,897


Trading income


1,796



2,059


Net (loss)/income from financial instruments







  designated at fair value

 

(160

)


282


Dividend income


17



14


Net earned insurance premiums


11,061



11,307


Other operating income


921



1,558


Total operating income


34,207



34,417


Net insurance claims incurred and







  movement in policyholders' liabilities


(11,610

)


(12,587

)

Net operating income before loan impairment







  charges


22,597



21,830


Loan impairment charges


(440

)


(390

)

Net operating income


22,157



21,440


Employee compensation and benefits


(3,888

)


(3,717

)

General and administrative expenses


(3,191

)


(2,917

)

Depreciation of premises, plant and equipment


(700

)


(619

)

Amortisation of intangible assets


(119

)


(102

)

Operating expenses


(7,898

)


(7,355

)

Impairment loss on intangible assets


(78

)


__


Operating profit


14,181



14,085


Gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets


50



112


Net surplus on property revaluation


992



487


Share of profits from associates 


3,990



2,661


Profit before tax


19,213



17,345


Tax expense


(2,533

)


(2,428

)

Profit for the year


16,680



14,917
















Profit attributable to shareholders


16,680



14,917
















Earnings per share (in HK$)


8.72



7.80









Details of dividends payable to shareholders of the bank attributable to the profit for the year are set out


on page 38.

 


 

 

The HSBC Group reports interest income and interest expense arising from financial assets and financial liabilities held for trading as 'Net trading income' and arising from financial instruments designated at fair value through profit and loss as 'Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value' (other than for debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities, together with derivatives managed in conjunction with them).

 

The table below presents the interest income and interest expense of Hang Seng, as included within the HSBC Group accounts:

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Interest income


19,535



16,228


Interest expense


(3,010

)


(1,772

)

Net interest income


16,525



14,456


Net interest income and expense reported as 'Net trading income'


(848

)


(238

)

Net interest income and expense reported as 'Net income from







   financial instruments designated at fair value'


59



82


 

 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income





Year ended 31 December


Figures in HK$m




2011



2010











Profit for the year




                 16,680



14,917











Other comprehensive income









Premises:









- unrealised surplus on revaluation of premises




3,729



2,102


- deferred taxes




(610

)


(343

)

Available-for-sale investment reserve:









- fair value changes taken to equity:









  -- on debt securities




255



774


  -- on equity shares




8



(5

)

- fair value changes transferred to income statement:









  -- on hedged items




(538

)


(272

)

  -- on disposal




(53

)


(105

)

- share of changes in equity of associates:









  -- fair value changes




(646

)


120


- deferred taxes




221



(53

)

Cash flow hedging reserve:









- fair value changes taken to equity




119



291


- fair value changes transferred to income statement




(197

)


(414

)

- deferred taxes




13



21


Defined benefit plans:









- actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit plans




(1,600

)


11


- deferred taxes




264



(2

)

Exchange differences on translation of:









- financial statements of overseas









  branches, subsidiaries and associates




971



687


Others




8



13


Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax




1,944



2,825


Total comprehensive income for the year




18,624



17,742


 


















Total comprehensive income for the year attributable









  to shareholders




18,624



17,742











 



 

Consolidated Balance Sheet

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









ASSETS







Cash and balances with banks and







  other financial institutions


39,533



44,411


Placings with and advances to banks and







  other financial institutions


107,742



110,564


Trading assets


64,171



26,055


Financial assets designated at fair value


8,096



7,114


Derivative financial instruments


4,710



5,593


Advances to customers


480,574



472,637


Financial investments


209,190



199,359


Interests in associates


19,407



15,666


Investment properties


4,314



3,251


Premises, plant and equipment


17,983



14,561


Intangible assets


5,962



5,394


Other assets


13,763



12,306


Total assets


975,445



916,911









LIABILITIES AND EQUITY














Liabilities







Current, savings and other deposit accounts


699,857



683,628


Deposits from banks


14,004



15,586


Trading liabilities


59,712



42,581


Financial liabilities designated at fair value


434



457


Derivative financial instruments


4,848



4,683


Certificates of deposit and other







  debt securities in issue


9,284



3,095


Other liabilities


20,138



17,018


Liabilities to customers under insurance contracts


72,225



64,425


Current tax liabilities


305



344


Deferred tax liabilities


4,037



3,234


Subordinated liabilities


11,846



11,848


Total liabilities


896,690



846,899









Equity







Share capital


9,559



9,559


Retained profits


48,640



42,966


Other reserves


16,923



13,854


Proposed dividends


3,633



3,633


Shareholders' funds


78,755



70,012


Total equity and liabilities


975,445



916,911









 



 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

 





Year ended 31 December






 2011


 2010


Figures in HK$m
















Share capital








  At beginning and end of year




9,559


9,559










Retained profits (including

  proposed dividends)








  At beginning of year




46,599


41,385


  Dividends to shareholders








  - dividends approved in respect of the 

    previous year




(3,633

)

(3,633

)

  - dividends declared in respect of the 

    current year




(6,309

)

(6,309

)

  Transfer




264


218


  Total comprehensive income

    for the year




15,352


14,938






52,273


46,599










Other reserves








Premises revaluation reserve








  At beginning of year




9,426


7,885


  Transfer




(268

)

(218

)

  Total comprehensive income

    for the year




3,122


1,759






12,280


9,426










Available-for-sale investment reserve








  At beginning of year




202


(257

)

  Transfer




(5

)

__


  Total comprehensive income

    for the year




(758

)

459






(561

)

202










Cash flow hedging reserve








  At beginning of year




72


174


  Total comprehensive income

    for the year




(66

)

(102

)





6


72










Foreign exchange reserve








  At beginning of year




2,069


1,382


  Total comprehensive income

  for the year




974


687






3,043


2,069










Other reserve








 At beginning of year




2,085


2,020


Cost of share-based payment

  arrangements




61


64


  Transfer




9


__


  Total comprehensive income

  for the year




__


 1






2,155


2,085


 

 





Year ended 31 December






2011


2010


Figures in HK$m
















Total equity








  At beginning of year




70,012


62,148


  Dividends to shareholders




(9,942

)

(9,942

)

  Cost of share-based payment 

    arrangements




61


64


  Total comprehensive income

    for the year




18,624


17,742






78,755


70,012


 

 

 

 

 

 



Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

 

 

Year ended 31 December



Figures in HK$m


2011




2010



 










 

Net cash outflow from operating activities


(19,577

)



(30,098

)


 










 

Cash flows from investing activities









 










 

Dividends received from associates


488




424



 

Purchase of an interest in an associate


__




(2,626

)


 

Purchase of available-for-sale investments


(44,199

)



(27,401

)


 

Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities


(1,009

)



(1,113

)


 

Proceeds from sale or redemption of









 

  available-for-sale investments


66,367




43,356



 

Proceeds from redemption of









 

  held-to-maturity debt securities


530




260



 

Proceeds from sale of loan portfolio


5,643




__



 

Purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets


(422

)



(915

)


 

Proceeds from sale of fixed assets and assets held for sale


__




19



 

Interest received from available-for-sale investments


2,038




1,632



 

Dividends received from available-for-sale investments


14




12



 

Net cash inflow from investing activities


29,450




13,648



 










 

Cash flows from financing activities









 










 

Dividends paid


(9,942

)



(9,942

)


 

Interest paid for subordinated liabilities


(197

)



(63

)


 

Issue of subordinated liabilities


3,496




6,025



 

Repayment of subordinated liabilities


(3,502

)



(4,516

)


 

Net cash outflow from financing activities


(10,145

)



(8,496

)


 










 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents


(272

)



(24,946

)


 










 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January


118,560




136,759



 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes


2,181




6,747



 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December


120,469




118,560



 










 

 

 

 



Financial Review

 

Net interest income

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Net interest income/(expense) arising from:







- financial assets and liabilities that are not at fair value







  through profit and loss


16,525



14,459


- trading assets and liabilities  


(848

)


(238

)

- financial instruments designated at fair value


59



79




15,736



14,300









Average interest-earning assets


886,156



802,464









Net interest spread


1.68

%


1.72

%

Net interest margin


1.78

%


1.78

%

 

Net interest income rose by HK$1,436m, or 10.0%, with a 10.4% increase in average interest-earning assets. The increase in net interest income was primarily due to the growth in average customer advances with strong loan growth from the latter part of 2010, improved balance sheet management income and loan spreads. This was partly offset by the narrowed deposit spreads under keen market competition on deposit acquisition and the persistently low interest rate environment.  

 

Net interest margin remained intact at 1.78% for 2011, and net interest spread fell by four basis points to 1.68%. The reduction in net interest spread was driven by the combination of the low interest rate environment and narrowing deposit spreads, resulting from keen market competition. There was an improvement in balance sheet management portfolio income as Treasury grasped opportunities in the interbank market and successfully enhanced the portfolio yield on new and existing assets with a larger commercial surplus for investment. The average volume growth in corporate and commercial lending and credit cards also helped to support net interest income revenue streams. The group also grew its life insurance funds investment portfolio and increased its interest income by 10.0% compared with last year. Despite the growth in renminbi business, the dilutive effect of the increase in lower yielding renminbi funds placed with the local clearing bank adversely affected the net interest spread. The contribution from net free funds grew by four basis points to 0.10%.

 

Net interest income in the second half of 2011 grew by HK$462m, or 6.0%, compared with the first half, due mainly to fewer days in the first half of the year and a 1.7% increase in average interest-earning assets. Net interest margin in the second half was 1.80%, up five basis points compared with the first half.

 

The HSBC Group reports interest income and interest expense arising from financial assets and financial liabilities held for trading as 'Net trading income'. Income arising from financial instruments designated at fair value through profit and loss is reported as 'Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value' (other than for debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities, together with derivatives managed in conjunction with them).

 

The table below presents the net interest income of Hang Seng, as included within the HSBC Group accounts:

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Net interest income


16,525



14,456


Average interest-earning assets


840,064



756,110









Net interest spread


1.89

%


1.86

%

Net interest margin


1.97

%


1.91

%



Net fee income

 

Figures in HK$m


2011




2010










- Stockbroking and related services


1,285




1,468


- Retail investment funds


905




1,039


- Structured investment products


13




19


- Insurance agency


242




256


- Account services


371




349


- Private banking service fee


129




160


- Remittances


273




259


- Cards


1,676




1,462


- Credit facilities


253




195


- Trade services


461




452


- Other


315




236


Fee income


5,923




5,895


Fee expense


(1,087

)



(998

)



4,836




4,897










 

Net fee income decreased slightly by HK$61m, or 1.2%, to HK$4,836m compared with 2010.

 

With the weak investment sentiment in Hong Kong in the second half of the year, income from stockbroking and related services decreased by 12.5%, reflecting the decline in stock market trading turnover. Income from retail investment funds fell by 12.9%, as the demand for wealth management products decreased in the second half. The increasingly uncertain and volatile equities market and an unfavourable investment sentiment led to a decline in retail investment funds sales. As a result, subscription fees and commissions decreased. Insurance agency fee income and private banking service fee income fell by 5.5% and 19.4% respectively.

 

Card services income increased by 14.6%, which was in line with the growth in average credit card balances. The 9.8% growth in the card base resulted in rising merchant and interchange fee income. Credit facilities fee income rose by 29.7%, due mainly to higher fees from increased corporate lending.

 

On the back of increased trade activity and the expansion of renminbi cross-border trade settlement volumes, remittances and trade-related fee income grew by 5.4% and 2.0% respectively.    

 

Compared with the first half of 2011, net fee income in the second half fell by HK$236m, or 9.3%, mainly reflecting decreases in income from stockbroking and related services, the sales of retail investment funds and private banking services. Fee income from credit facilities and card services registered growth in the second half of the year.

 

 

Trading income

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Trading income:







- foreign exchange


1,843



1,768


- securities, derivatives and other trading activities


(47

)


291




1,796



2,059


 

Trading income fell by HK$263m, or 12.8%, to HK$1,796m. Foreign exchange income rose by HK$75m, or 4.2%, contributed by higher customer demand for foreign exchange-linked structured products and the bank's efforts to meet the growing demand for renminbi-denominated products. The bank was also successful in capturing higher customer driven activity and achieving wider spreads as volatility increased. This was offset partly by reduced net interest income from funding swapW activities and increased losses on the revaluation of certain US dollar capital funds - maintained in Hang Seng China and subject to regulatory controls - against the renminbi. Excluding the above offsetting items, foreign exchange trading income grew by HK$285m, or 17.8%.  

 

Income from securities, derivatives and other trading activities fell by HK$338m. This was primarily related to the losses on equity options backing a life endowment product due to unfavourable movements in the underlying equity indices, which resulted in a corresponding decrease in 'Net insurance claims incurred and movement in policyholder liabilities'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

WTreasury from time to time employs foreign exchange swaps for its funding activities, which in essence involve swapping a currency ('original currency') into another currency ('swap currency') at the spot exchange rate for short-term placement and simultaneously entering into a forward exchange contract to convert the funds back to the original currency on maturity of the placement. In accordance with HKAS 39, the exchange difference of the spot and forward contracts is required to be recognised as a foreign exchange gain/loss, while the corresponding interest differential between the original and swap funding is reflected in net interest income.

 

 

 

Net (loss)/income from financial instruments designated at fair value

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Net (loss)/income on assets designated at fair value







  which back insurance and investment contracts


(160

)


297









Net change in fair value of other financial instruments







  designated at fair value


__



(15

)



(160

)


282


 

Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value reported a revaluation loss of HK$160m, compared with a revaluation gain of HK$282m in 2010, reflecting the fair value changes of assets supporting the linked insurance contracts with offsetting movements in the value of those contracts reported under 'net insurance claims incurred and movement in policyholders' liabilities'.

 

 

Other operating income

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Rental income from investment properties


174



155


Movement in present value of in-force long-term 







  insurance business


595



1,126


Other


152



277




921



1,558


 

 

Other operating income fell by HK$637m, or 40.9%, to HK$921m compared with 2010. The movement in present value of in-force long-term insurance business ('PVIF') decreased by 47.2%, representing the net effect of the unfavourable experience variance of the investment return assumption, offset by a refinement of the calculation of the PVIF asset to bring greater comparability and consistency across the group's insurance operations and higher sales in 2011 compared with 2010.

 

 

Analysis of income from wealth management business

 

Figures in HK$m


2011




2010










Investment income:








- retail investment funds 


905




1,039


- structured investment productsW


661




448


- private banking service feeWW


172




196


- stockbroking and related services


1,285




1,468


- margin trading and others


134




129




3,157




3,280


Insurance income:








- life insurance


2,018




2,282


- general insurance and others


364




342




2,382




2,624


Total


5,539




5,904


 

WIncome from structured investment products includes income reported under net fee income on the sales of third-party structured investment products. It also includes profit generated from the selling of structured investment products in issue, reported under trading income.

 

WWIncome from private banking includes income reported under net fee income on investment services and profit generated from selling of structured investment products in issue, reported under trading income.

 

Eurozone sovereign debt concerns affected the stock market in general and weakened investment sentiment in the second half of 2011. Against this backdrop, wealth management business income decreased by 6.2% compared with 2010. Investment and insurance income fell by 3.8% and 9.2% respectively.  

 

The volatility in the stock market and unfavourable investment sentiment led to a 12.9% decline in income from sales of retail investment funds. Stockbroking and related services income fell by 12.5% as a result of lower stock market turnover recorded by the bank.

 

The bank continued to make good progress in distributing competitive structured products to customers, primarily related to renminbi-denominated products, and recorded a 47.5% growth in structured investment products income. Private banking service income fell by 12.2%, reflecting weaker investment sentiment.

 

Life insurance income decreased by HK$264m, or 11.6%, to HK$2,018m. Hang Seng continued to launch new products catering for customers' investment and protection needs. This included the launch of the 'RewardYou Life Insurance Plan' and '3-Year Target Life Insurance Plan' which were well received. Total policies in-force at 31 December 2011 rose by 8.5% year-on-year.

 

Net interest income and fee income from the life insurance funds investment portfolio rose by 8.1%, due mainly to growth in the size of the life insurance investment portfolio, which held bond investments as its major assets.

 

The investment return on life insurance investment funds reported a loss of HK$361m, compared with a gain of HK$287m in 2010, reflecting changes in the fair value of assets supporting insurance contracts and reported under 'trading income' and 'net income/(loss) from financial instruments designated at fair value', with offsetting movements in policyholders' liabilities. The movement in PVIF decreased by 47.2%, representing the net effect of the unfavourable experience variance of the investment return assumption, offset by a refinement of the calculation of the PVIF asset to bring greater comparability and consistency across the group's insurance operations and higher sales in 2011 compared with last year. 

 

General insurance income increased by 6.4% to HK$364m.

 

 

 

 







Figures in HK$m


2011




2010












Life insurance:









- net interest income and fee income


2,576




2,382



- investment returns on life insurance









  funds


(361

)



287



- net earned insurance premiums


10,723




10,966



- net insurance claims incurred and movement









  in policyholders' liabilitiesW


(11,515

)



(12,479

)


- movement in present value of in-force









  long-term insurance business


595




1,126





2,018




2,282



General insurance and others


364




342



Total


2,382




2,624



 

W Including premium and investment reserves

 

 

Loan impairment charges

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Loan impairment charges:







- individually assessed


(103

)


(186

)

- collectively assessed


(337

)


(204

)



(440

)


(390

)

Of which:







- new and additional


(740

)


(609

)

- releases


222



157


- recoveries


78



62




(440

)


(390

)

 

Loan impairment charges increased by HK$50m, or 12.8%, to HK$440m compared with a year earlier. 

 

Individually assessed impairment charges fell by HK$83m, or 44.6%, mainly due to higher releases and recoveries from commercial and corporate banking customers which offset the increase in new impairment. The increase in new impairment charges was primarily due to a specific impairment charge provided in 2011.

 

Collectively assessed impairment charges rose by HK$133m, due largely to the rise in impairment allowances for loans not individually identified as impaired. Impairment allowances for credit card and personal loans portfolios were also higher as a result of portfolio growth.

 

 

Operating expenses

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010








Employee compensation and benefits:







- salaries and other costs


3,566



3,448


- retirement benefit costs


322



269




3,888



3,717


General and administrative expenses:







- rental expenses


497



464


- other premises and equipment


959



902


- marketing and advertising expenses


559



470


- other operating expenses


1,176



1,081




3,191



2,917


Depreciation of business premises







  and equipment


700



619


Amortisation of intangible assets


119



102




7,898



7,355









Cost efficiency ratio


35.0

%


33.7

%








Full time equivalent staff numbers by region


2011



2010









Hong Kong


7,993



7,960


Mainland


1,784



1,623


Others


57



59


Total


9,834



9,642









 

Operating expenses rose by HK$543m, or 7.4%, compared with 2010. While carefully managing costs, the bank continued to make investments in support of long-term business growth. Operating expenses of our Hong Kong operations rose by 5.2%.

 

Employee compensation and benefits increased by HK$171m, or 4.6%. Salaries and other related costs increased by 3.4%, reflecting the annual salary increment and higher average headcount. General and administrative expenses were up 9.4%, mainly due to the increase in processing charges and marketing expenditure as more branding and promotional activities were conducted during the year to support business growth. Rental expenses rose as a result of increased rents for branches in Hong Kong and new branches on the Mainland. Depreciation charges rose by 13.1%, mainly reflecting higher depreciation charges on business premises following upward property revaluation in Hong Kong.

 

At 31 December 2011, the group's staff numbers had increased by 192 compared with the end of 2010.

 

With the increase in operating expenses outpacing the growth in net operating income before impairment charges, the cost efficiency ratio rose by 1.3 percentage points, compared with 2010, to 35.0%. The bank continues to focus on improving operational efficiency while maintaining growth momentum and market leadership.

 

 

Gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Net gains from disposal of







  available-for-sale equity securities


42



10


Net gains from disposal of







  available-for-sale debt securities


11



95









Gains on disposal of assets held for sale


__



12


Losses on disposal of fixed assets


(3

)


(5

)



50



112









Gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets fell by HK$62m, or 55.4%, compared with last year. Net gains from the disposal of available-for-sale equity securities rose by HK$32m while net gains from the disposal of available-for-sale debt securities fell by HK$84m compared with 2010.

 

 

Tax expense

 

Taxation in the consolidated income statement represents:

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010








Current tax - provision for Hong Kong profits tax







Tax for the year


1,942



1,967


Adjustment in respect of prior year


(14

)


(19

)








Current tax - taxation outside Hong Kong







Tax for the year


76



38









Deferred tax







Origination and reversal of temporary differences


529



442









Total tax expense


2,533



2,428









The current tax provision is based on the estimated assessable profit for 2011, and is determined for the bank and its subsidiaries operating in Hong Kong by using the Hong Kong profits tax rate of 16.5% (same as in 2010). For subsidiaries and branches operating in other jurisdictions, the appropriate tax rates prevailing in the relevant countries are used. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised.

 

 

Earnings per share

 

The calculation of earnings per share in 2011 is based on earnings of HK$16,680m (HK$14,917m in 2010) and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue of 1,911,842,736 shares (unchanged from 2010).

 

 

Dividends per share

 



2011



2010



HK$

HK$m


HK$

HK$m



per share



per share










First interim

1.10

2,103


1.10

2,103


Second interim

1.10

2,103


1.10

2,103


Third interim

1.10

2,103


1.10

2,103


Fourth interim

1.90

3,633


1.90

3,633



5.20

9,942


5.20

9,942


 

 

Segmental analysis

 

The group's business comprises five customer groups. To be consistent with the way in which information is reported internally for the purposes of resource allocation and performance assessment, the group identified the following five reportable segments:

 

·    Retail Banking and Wealth Management provides banking (including deposits, credit cards, mortgages and other retail lending) and wealth management services (including private banking, investment and insurance) to personal customers

·    Commercial Banking manages middle market and smaller corporate relationships and specialises in trade-related financial services

·    Corporate Banking handles relationships with large corporate and institutional customers

·    Treasury engages in balance sheet management. Treasury also manages the funding and liquidity positions of the group and other market risk positions arising from banking activities

·    'Other' mainly represents management of shareholders' funds and investments in premises, investment properties and equity shares

 

(a) Segmental result

 

For the purpose of segmental analysis, the allocation of revenue reflects the benefits of capital and other funding resources allocated to the customer groups by way of internal capital allocation and fund transfer-pricing mechanisms. Cost allocation is based on the direct costs incurred by the respective customer groups and apportionment of management overheads. Rental charges at internal rates for usage of premises are reflected in other operating income for the 'Other' customer group and total operating expenses for the respective customer groups.

 

Profit before tax contributed by the customer groups in 2011 compared with 2010 is set out in the table below. More customer group analysis and discussion is set out in the 'Customer group performance' section on page 14.

 

 

Retail











 

Banking







Total


 

and Wealth

Commercial

Corporate





reportable


Figures in HK$m

Management


Banking


Banking


Treasury


Other

segments















Year ended 31 December 2011












 

Profit before tax

6,623


5,031


1,843


4,227


1,489


19,213


Share of profit before tax

34.5

%

26.2

%

9.6

%

22.0

%

7.7

%

100.0

%

 

Year ended 31 December 2010












 

Profit before tax

7,872


3,748


1,266


3,361


1,098


17,345


Share of profit before tax

45.4

%

21.6

%

7.3

%

19.4

%

6.3

%

100.0

%

 

(b)        Geographic information

 

The geographical regions in this analysis are classified by the location of the principal operations of the subsidiary companies or, in the case of the bank itself, by the location of the branches responsible for reporting the results or advancing the funds.

 

Figures in HK$m

Hong Kong

Americas


Mainland and others


Total












Year ended 31 December 2011




















Income and expense










Total operating income


31,106


1,339


1,762


34,207


Profit before tax


13,629


1,307


4,277


19,213












At 31 December 2011




















Total assets


789,988


58,506


126,951


975,445


Total liabilities


818,966


1,085


76,639


896,690


Interest in associates


1,198


__


18,209


19,407


Non-current assetsW


27,258


__


1,001


28,259












Year ended 31 December 2010


















Income and expense










Total operating income


32,124


1,047


1,246


34,417


Profit before tax


13,722


996


2,627


17,345












At 31 December 2010




















Total assets


752,206


68,216


96,489


916,911


Total liabilities


786,304


1,187


59,408


846,899


Interest in associates


989


__


14,677


15,666


Non-current assetsW


22,262


__


944


23,206


W Non-current assets consist of properties, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.

 

 

Analysis of assets and liabilities by remaining maturity

 

The maturity analysis is based on the remaining contractual maturity at the balance sheet date, with the exception of the trading portfolio that may be sold before maturity and is accordingly recorded as 'Trading'.

 





One
















 





month


One


Three


One










 



Repayable


or less


month


months


year


Over




No




 



on


but not on


to three


to


to five


five




contractual




 

Figures in HK$m


demand


demand


months


one year


 years


years


Trading


maturity


Total


 





















 

Assets




















 

Cash and balances with




 

 

 


 


 


 




 




 

  banks and other




 

 

 


 


 


 




 




 

  financial institutions


39,533


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


__


39,533


 

Placings with and


 












 


 




 

  advances to banks and


 












 


 




 

  other financial institutions


9,089


47,699


43,686


5,639


__


1,629


__


__


107,742


 

Trading assets


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


64,171


__


64,171


 

Financial assets designated




















 

  at fair value


__


140


82


116


3,615


49


__


4,094


8,096


 

Derivative financial
















 




 

  instruments


__


7


13


72


87


__


4,531


__


4,710


 

Advances to customers


11,131


39,239


43,024


89,609


164,318


133,253


__


__


480,574


 

Financial investments


__


11,608


20,731


70,955


69,246


35,516


__


1,134


209,190


 

Interest in associates


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


19,407


19,407


 

Investment properties


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


4,314


4,314


 

Premises, plant and


 








 


 


 


 




 

  equipment


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


17,983


17,983


 

Intangible assets


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


5,962


5,962


 

Other assets


5,185


3,231


3,234


1,616


124


19


__


354


13,763


 

At 31 December 2011


64,938


101,924


110,770


168,007


237,390


170,466


68,702


53,248


975,445


 





















 





















 

Liabilities




















 

Current, savings and other




 

 

 


 


 


 




 




 

  deposit accounts


503,537


93,809

 

69,086


32,401


1,024


__


__


__


699,857


 

Deposits from banks


2,072


8,941

 

2,374


617


__


__


__


__


14,004


 

Trading liabilities


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


59,712


__


59,712


 

Financial liabilities




















 

  designated at fair value


1


__


__


__


__


433


__


__


434


 

Derivative financial
















 




 

  instruments


__


22


4


65


1,046


203


3,508


__


4,848


 

Certificates of deposit and














 


 




 

  other debt securities


 












 






 

  in issue


__


1,596


__


1,475


6,213


__


__


__


9,284


 

Other liabilities


6,629


4,205


3,343


1,817


64


19


__


4,061


20,138


 

Liabilities to customers


 


 

 

 


 


 


 


 






 

 under insurance contracts


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


72,225


72,225


 

Current tax liabilities


__


__

 

__


305


__


__


__


__


305


 

Deferred tax liabilities


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


4,037


4,037


 

Subordinated liabilities


__


__

 

__


2,328


__


9,518


__


__


11,846


 

At 31 December 2011


512,239


108,573


74,807


39,008


8,347


10,173


63,220


80,323


896,690


 





















 

 





One
















 





month


One


Three


One










 



Repayable


or less


month


months


year


Over




No




 



on


but not on


to three


to


to five


five




contractual




 

Figures in HK$m


demand


demand


months


one year


 years


years


Trading


maturity


Total


 





















 

Assets




















 

Cash and balances with




 

 

 


 


 


 




 




 

  banks and other




 

 

 


 


 


 




 




 

  financial institutions


44,411


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


__


44,411


 

Placings with and


 












 


 




 

  advances to banks and


 












 


 




 

  other financial institutions


4,730


51,706


48,475


5,185


__


468


__


__


110,564


 

Trading assets


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


26,055


__


26,055


 

Financial assets designated




















 

  at fair value


__


50


7


384


3,951


48


__


2,674


7,114


 

Derivative financial
















 




 

  instruments


__


20


74


113


288


16


5,082


__


5,593


 

Advances to customers


10,198


65,179


34,733


71,444


151,430


139,653


__


__


472,637


 

Financial investments


__


9,183


12,633


59,389


84,566


32,733


__


855


199,359


 

Interest in associates


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


15,666


15,666


 

Investment properties


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


3,251


3,251


 

Premises, plant and


 








 


 


 


 




 

  equipment


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


14,561


14,561


 

Intangible assets


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


5,394


5,394


 

Other assets


4,980


2,765


2,390


1,708


74


18


__


371


12,306


 

At 31 December 2010


64,319


128,903


98,312


138,223


240,309


172,936


31,137


42,772


916,911


 





















 





















 

Liabilities




















 

Current, savings and other




 

 

 


 


 


 




 




 

  deposit accounts


536,363


78,218

 

37,862


29,611


1,574


__


__


__


683,628


 

Deposits from banks


6,387


7,688

 

1,394


__


117


__


__


__


15,586


 

Trading liabilities


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


42,581


__


42,581


 

Financial liabilities




















 

  designated at fair value


2


__


__


__


__


455


__


__


457


 

Derivative financial
















 




 

  instruments


__


__


__


99


819


56


3,709


__


4,683


 

Certificates of deposit and














 


 




 

  other debt securities


 












 






 

  in issue


__


96


447


112


2,440


__


__


__


3,095


 

Other liabilities


6,954


3,293


2,597


1,598


97


25


__


2,454


17,018


 

Liabilities to customers


 


 

 

 


 


 


 


 






 

 under insurance contracts


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


64,425


64,425


 

Current tax liabilities


__


__

 

__


344


__


__


__


__


344


 

Deferred tax liabilities


__


__

 

__


__


__


__


__


3,234


3,234


 

Subordinated liabilities


__


__

 

__


3,495


2,328


6,025


__


__


11,848


 

At 31 December 2010


549,706


89,295


42,300


35,259


7,375


6,561


46,290


70,113


846,899


 





















 

 

Cash and balances with banks and other financial institutions

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Cash in hand


9,491



6,101


Balances with central banks


7,102



6,591


Balances with banks and other financial institutions


22,940



31,719




39,533



44,411









 

 

Placings with and advances to banks and other financial institutions

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Placings with and advances to banks and







  other financial institutions maturing within one month


56,787



56,437


Placings with and advances to banks and







  other financial institutions maturing after one month







  but less than one year


49,326



53,659


Placings with and advances to banks and







  other financial institutions maturing after one year


1,629



468




107,742



110,564


 

 

Trading assets

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Treasury bills


54,220



20,204


Certificates of deposit


432



18


Other debt securities


9,006



5,101


Debt securities


63,658



25,323


Equity shares


7



8


Total trading securities


63,665



25,331


OtherW


506



724


Total trading assets


64,171



26,055









Debt securities:







- listed in Hong Kong


4,550



3,876


- listed outside Hong Kong


717



170




5,267



4,046


- unlisted


58,391



21,277




63,658



25,323


Equity shares:







- listed in Hong Kong


7



8









Total trading securities


63,665



25,331









Debt securities:







Issued by public bodies:







- central governments and central banks


60,800



24,905


- other public sector entities


82



101




60,882



25,006


Issued by other bodies:







- banks


963



149


- corporate entities


1,813



168




2,776



317




63,658



25,323


Equity shares:







Issued by corporate entities


7



8


Total trading securities


63,665



25,331


 

W This represents amounts receivable from counterparties on trading transactions not yet settled.

 

 

Trading assets increased by HK$38.1bn, or 146.3%, compared with the end of 2010. In light of the evolving eurozone sovereign debt concerns and the turbulence in the financial market, the bank has further strengthened its prudent risk management strategy and preserved its liquidity by deploying its surplus funds to high quality debt securities. Those trading securities are mostly Hong Kong Exchange Fund bills with short tenors.

 

 

Financial assets designated at fair value

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Certificates of deposit


1



__


Other debt securities


3,998



4,440


Debt securities


3,999



4,440


Equity shares


473



583


Investment funds


3,624



2,091




8,096



7,114









Debt securities:







- listed in Hong Kong


15



11


- listed outside Hong Kong


182



184




197



195


- unlisted


3,802



4,245




3,999



4,440


Equity shares:







- listed in Hong Kong


473



583









Investment funds:







- listed in Hong Kong


23



23


- listed outside Hong Kong


150



65




173



88


- unlisted


3,451



2,003




3,624



2,091











8,096



7,114









Debt securities:







Issued by public bodies:







- central governments and central banks


140



148


- other public sector entities


53



105




193



253


Issued by other bodies:







- banks


3,725



4,113


- corporate entities


81



74




3,806



4,187




3,999



4,440


Equity shares:







Issued by banks


109



69


Issued by public sector entities


5



15


Issued by corporate entities


359



499




473



583


Investment funds:







Issued by banks


1,869



2,004


Issued by corporate entities


1,755



87




3,624



2,091











8,096



7,114









 

 

Advances to customers

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Gross advances to customers


482,241



474,473


Less:







Loan impairment allowances:







- individually assessed


(896

)


(1,118

)

- collectively assessed


(771

)


(718

)



480,574



472,637









 

 

Loan impairment allowances against advances to customers

 











 











 



Individually


Collectively





 

Figures in HK$m


assessed


assessed



Total


 











 

At 1 January 2011


1,118



718



1,836


 

Amounts written off


(355

)


(330

)


(685

)

 

Recoveries of advances










  written off in previous years


35



43



78


 

New impairment allowances










 

  charged to income statement

 

359



381



740


 

Impairment allowances released

 

 


 

 



 


 

  to income statement

 

(256

)


(44

)


(300

)

 

Unwinding of discount of loan

 

 


 

 



 


 

  impairment allowances

 



 






 

  recognised as 'interest income'

 

(10

)

 

(3

)


(13

)

 

Exchange

 

5


 

6



11


 

At 31 December 2011


896



771



1,667


 

 

Total loan impairment allowances as a percentage of gross advances to customers are as follows:

 


At 31 December


At 31 December




2011



2010




%



%









Loan impairment allowances:







- individually assessed


0.19



0.24


- collectively assessed


0.16



0.15


Total loan impairment allowances


0.35



0.39
















Total loan impairment allowances as a percentage of gross advances to customers were 0.35% at 31 December 2011 compared with 0.39% at the end of 2010. Individually assessed allowances as a percentage of gross advances fell by 5 basis points to 0.19%, reflecting improved credit quality and the bank's good credit risk management during the year. Collectively assessed allowances as a percentage of gross advances rose slightly by 1 basis point to 0.16%.

 

 

Impaired advances and allowances

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m

2011



2010









Gross impaired advances


1,584



1,990


Individually assessed allowances


(896

)


(1,118

)



688



872









Individually assessed allowances







  as a percentage of







  gross impaired advances


56.6

%


56.2

%



 



 


Gross impaired advances







  as a percentage of







  gross advances to customers


0.33

%


0.42

%



 





 

Impaired advances are those advances where objective evidence exists that full repayment of principal or interest is considered unlikely.

 

Gross impaired advances fell by HK$406m, or 20.4%, to HK$1,584m compared with the end of 2010, with the write-off of irrecoverable balances against impairment allowances and customer repayments offsetting the new credit downgrades of certain Commercial Banking customers. Gross impaired advances as a percentage of gross advances to customers fell to 0.33%, compared with 0.42% at the end of 2010.

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m

2011



2010
















Gross individually assessed







  impaired advances


1,493



1,886


Individually assessed allowances


(896

)


(1,118

)



597



768









Gross individually assessed







  impaired advances







  as a percentage of







  gross advances to customers


0.31

%


0.40

%








Amount of collateral which







  has been taken into account


 



 


  in respect of individually assessed







  impaired advances to customers


423



682











 





 

Collateral includes any tangible security that carries a fair market value and is readily marketable. This includes (but is not limited to) cash and deposits, stocks and bonds, mortgages over properties and charges over other fixed assets such as plant and equipment. Where collateral values are greater than gross advances, only the amount of collateral up to the gross advance is included.

 

 

Overdue advances

 

Advances to customers that are more than three months overdue and their expression as a percentage of gross advances to customers are as follows:

 


At 31 December


At 31 December





2011




2010



HK$m


%


HK$m


%











Gross advances to customers









  which have been overdue









  with respect to either principal









  or interest for periods of:









- more than three months but









  not more than six months

228


__


137


__


- more than six months but









  not more than one year

72


__


89


__


- more than one year

756


0.2


1,147


0.3



1,056


0.2


1,373


0.3


 

Advances with a specific repayment date are classified as overdue when the principal or interest is overdue and remains unpaid at year-end. Advances repayable by regular instalments are treated as overdue when an instalment payment is overdue and remains unpaid at year-end. Advances repayable on demand are classified as overdue either when a demand for repayment has been served on the borrower but repayment has not been made in accordance with the demand notice or when the advances have remained continuously outside the approved limit advised to the borrower for more than the overdue period in question.

 

Overdue advances decreased by HK$317m, or 23.1% to HK$1,056m compared with the end of 2010. Overdue advances as a percentage of gross advances to customers stood at 0.2%, down 0.1 percentage point compared with 2010.

 

 

Rescheduled advances

 

Rescheduled advances and their expression as a percentage of gross advances to customers are as follows:

 


At 31 December


At 31 December





2011




2010



HK$m


%


HK$m


%











Rescheduled advances to customers

180


__


194


__











 

Rescheduled advances are those advances that have been rescheduled or renegotiated for reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties. This will normally involve granting concessionary terms and resetting the overdue account to non-overdue status. A rescheduled advance will continue to be disclosed as such unless the debt has been performing in accordance with the rescheduled terms for a period of six to 12 months. Rescheduled advances that have been overdue for more than three months under the rescheduled terms are reported as overdue advances (page 47).

 

At 31 December 2011, rescheduled advances improved by HK$14m, or 7.2%, to HK$180m, representing 0.04% of gross advances to customers. The improvement was due mainly to the upgrade of and repayments by customers.

 

 

Segmental analysis of advances to customers by geographical area

 

Advances to customers by geographical area are classified according to the location of the counterparties after taking into account the transfer of risk. In general, risk transfer applies when an advance is guaranteed by a party located in an area that is different from that of the counterparty.

Figures in HK$m

At 31 December 2011


Gross advances to customers

Individually

 impaired

advances to customers

Overdue

advances to customers

Individually assessed allowances

Collectively assessed allowances












Hong Kong


404,889


1,315


929


779


603

Rest of Asia-Pacific


70,099


158


127


115


150

Others


7,253


20


-


2


18



482,241


1,493


1,056


896


771

 

 

Figures in HK$m

At 31 December 2010


Gross advances to customers

Individually

 impaired

advances to customers

Overdue

advances to customers

Individually assessed allowances

Collectively assessed allowances












Hong Kong


392,836


1,452


1,112


838


545

Rest of Asia-Pacific


76,308


345


257


234


162

Others


5,329


89


4


46


11



474,473


1,886


1,373


1,118


718

 

 

Gross advances to customers by industry sector

 

The analysis of gross advances to customers by industry sector based on categories and definitions used by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ('HKMA') is as follows:

 

 

At 31 December


At 31 December


 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010

(restated)









Gross advances to customers for







  use in Hong Kong














Industrial, commercial and







  financial sectors







Property development


       27,090



       32,430


Property investment


      102,066



      100,023


Financial concerns


         2,648



         2,907


Stockbrokers


         1,227



            165


Wholesale and retail trade


       11,511



       11,339


Manufacturing


       16,274



       14,628


Transport and transport equipment


         6,309



         7,546


Recreational activities


              62



            532


Information technology


            899



         1,957


Other


       21,859



       20,177




      189,945



      191,704


Individuals







Advances for the purchase of flats under







  the Government Home Ownership







  Scheme, Private Sector Participation







  Scheme and Tenants Purchase Scheme


       14,405



       14,834


Advances for the purchase of other







  residential properties


      107,563



      112,394


Credit card advances


       18,547



       15,735


Other


       13,887



       13,776




      154,402



      156,739


Total gross advances for use in Hong Kong


      344,347



      348,443


Trade finance


49,552



       63,660


Gross advances for use outside Hong Kong


88,342



62,370


Gross advances to customers


482,241



       474,473
















 

 

At 31 December 2011, gross advances to customers were up HK$7.8bn, or 1.6%, at HK$482.2bn compared with the end of 2010.

 

Loans for use in Hong Kong decreased by HK$4.1bn, or 1.2%. Lending to industrial, commercial and financial sectors declined marginally by 0.9%. New financing to corporate customers remained active, reflecting strong growth in property investment lending against the backdrop of the buoyant commercial property market during the year. Stronger partnerships with Commercial Banking customers helped grow lending to the manufacturing industry by 11.3%. Advances to the information technology sector fell by 54.1% mainly due to loan repayments.

 

Trade finance declined substantially as certain trade finance loans matured during the second half of the year.

 

Lending to individuals fell by HK$2.3bn, or 1.5%. Residential mortgage lending to individuals declined by 4.3%, as a result of the bank's focus towards Prime-based mortgage lending. The decrease was also affected by the intense market competition and new government measures to cool the residential property market. The uncertain economic conditions also led to a decline in residential property market activity towards the latter part of the year.

 

The credit card business registered strong growth, with card advances growing by 17.9%. This was supported by a rise of 9.8% in the number of cards in issue and a 16.5% increase in card spending, mainly due to successful card customer acquisition and card utilisation campaigns.

 

Loans for use outside Hong Kong increased strongly by HK$26.0bn, or 41.6%, compared with the end of 2010. This was due largely to the 23.0% expansion of mainland loan portfolios, which reached HK$44.7bn at 31 December 2011. Strong growth was recorded in corporate lending, driven mainly by renminbi loans. The group remained vigilant in assessing credit risk in increasing lending on the Mainland.

 

 

Financial investments

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Available-for-sale at fair value:







- debt securities


149,020



142,732


- equity shares


259



326


Held-to-maturity debt securities at amortised cost


59,911



56,301




209,190



199,359









Fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities


63,396



58,327









Treasury bills


43,296



18,010


Certificates of deposit


9,386



6,713


Other debt securities


156,249



174,310


Debt securities


208,931



199,033


Equity shares


259



326




209,190



199,359


Debt securities:







- listed in Hong Kong


21,141



9,783


- listed outside Hong Kong


40,027



67,139




61,168



76,922


- unlisted


147,763



122,111




208,931



199,033


Equity shares:







- listed in Hong Kong


48



47


- listed outside Hong Kong


18



64




66



111


- unlisted


193



215




259



326




209,190



199,359









Fair value of listed financial investments


61,902



77,403









Debt securities:







Issued by public bodies:







- central governments and central banks


78,659



39,007


- other public sector entities


26,021



23,041




104,680



62,048


Issued by other bodies:







- banks


85,251



119,300


- corporate entities


19,000



17,685




104,251



136,985




208,931



199,033


Equity shares:







Issued by corporate entities


259



326




209,190



199,359


 

 

Debt securities by rating agency designation


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









AA- to AAA


165,370



138,970


A- to A+


35,167



54,927


B+ to BBB+


6,680



3,072


Unrated


1,714



2,064




208,931



199,033


 

Financial investments include treasury bills, certificates of deposit, other debt securities and equity shares intended to be held for an indefinite period of time.

 

Available-for-sale investments may be sold in response to needs for liquidity or changes in the market environment, and are carried at fair value with the gains and losses from changes in fair value recognised through equity reserves. Held-to-maturity debt securities are stated at amortised cost. Where debt securities have been purchased at a premium or discount, the carrying value of the security is adjusted to reflect the effective interest rate of the debt security taking into account such premium or discount.

 

Financial investments rose by HK$9,831m, or 4.9%, compared with the end of 2010. The increase in financial investments was primarily in government treasury bills, reflecting the deployment of funds from matured assets to high quality government debt securities. At 31 December 2011, about 99.0% of the group's holdings of debt securities were assigned with investment grade ratings by rating agencies. The unrated debt securities were issued by subsidiaries of investment-grade banks and were guaranteed by their corresponding holding companies. Those notes rank pari passu with all of the respective guarantor's other senior debt obligations. The group did not hold any investments in structured investment vehicles or any sub-prime related assets.

 

 

Amounts due from/to immediate holding company and fellow subsidiary companies

 

The amounts due from/to the bank's immediate holding company and fellow subsidiary companies included in the assets and liabilities balances of the consolidated balance sheet are as follows:

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Amounts due from:







Cash and balances with banks and







  other financial institutions


5,360



2,544


Placings with and advances to banks







  and other financial institutions


3,412



8,915


Financial assets designated at fair value


3,539



3,541


Derivative financial instruments


284



605


Financial investments


243



334


Other assets


53



64




12,891



16,003









Amounts due to:







Customer accounts


126



332


Deposits from banks


829



2,492


Derivative financial instruments


647



553


Subordinated liabilities


9,518



6,025


Other liabilities


435



393




11,555



9,795









 

 

Interest in associates

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Share of net assets


18,875



15,119


Intangibles


57



84


Goodwill


475



463




19,407



15,666









 

Interest in associates increased by HK$3,741m, or 23.9%, due mainly to the increase in the bank's share of net assets of Industrial Bank.

 

 

Intangible assets

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Present value of in-force long-term







  insurance business


5,188



4,593


Internally developed software


399



429


Acquired software


46



43


Goodwill


329



329




5,962



5,394









 

 

Other assets

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Items in the course of collection







  from other banks


4,513



4,673


Prepayments and accrued income


2,844



2,259


Assets held for sale







- Repossessed assets


3



12


- Other assets held for sale


35



206


Acceptances and endorsements


4,697



3,751


Retirement benefit assets


34



95


Other accounts


1,637



1,310




13,763



12,306









 

 

Current, savings and other deposit accounts

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Current, savings and other deposit accounts:







- as stated in consolidated balance sheet


699,857



683,628


- structured deposits reported as







  trading liabilities


30,923



20,852




730,780



704,480


By type:







- demand and current accounts


57,977



59,116


- savings accounts


431,863



466,158


- time and other deposits


240,940



179,206




730,780


704,480









 

 

Certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Certificates of deposit and 







  other debt securities in issue:







- as stated in consolidated balance sheet


9,284



3,095


- structured certificates of deposit







  and other debt securities in issue







  reported as trading liabilities


3,183



2,738




12,467



5,833









By type:







- certificates of deposit in issue


11,925



3,121


- other debt securities in issue


542



2,712




12,467



5,833









Customer deposits, including current, savings and other deposit accounts and certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue, stood at HK$743.2bn at 31 December 2011, an increase of 4.6% over the end of 2010. In the low interest rate environment with keen market competition, most customers shifted deposits from savings accounts to time deposits. Certificates of deposit and structured deposit instruments with yield enhancement features also gained popularity. Hang Seng China achieved deposit growth of 34.1%, mainly in renminbi deposits.

 

 

Trading liabilities

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Structured certificates of deposit and







  other debt securities in issue


3,183



2,738


Structured deposits


30,923



20,852


Short positions in securities and others


25,606



18,991




59,712



42,581









Trading liabilities include customer deposits and certificates of deposit with embedded options or other derivatives, the market risk of which is managed in the trading book.

 

 

Other liabilities

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Items in the course of transmission







  to other banks


7,027



7,208


Accruals


2,956



2,385


Acceptances and endorsements


4,697



3,751


Retirement benefit liabilities


3,260



1,718


Other


2,198



1,956




20,138



17,018









 

 

Subordinated liabilities

 



At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010










Nominal value

Description















Amount owed to third parties















US$450m

Callable floating rate








  subordinated notes








  due July 2016W


__



3,495










US$300m

Callable floating rate








  subordinated notes








  due July 2017


2,328



2,328




 




 

Amount owed to HSBC Group undertakings


 




 




 



 


US$775m

Floating rate








  subordinated loan debt








  due December 2020


6,022



6,025










US$450m

Floating rate








  subordinated loan debt








  due July 2021W


3,496



__





11,846



11,848










Representing:








- measured at amortised cost


11,846



11,848





11,846



11,848


 

W The bank exercised its option to redeem these subordinated notes at par of US$450m and replenished them with a new issue of US$450m subordinated loan debt in July 2011.   

 

 

The outstanding subordinated notes, which qualify as supplementary capital, help the bank maintain a balanced capital structure and support business growth.

 

 

Shareholders' funds

 


At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Share capital


9,559



9,559


Retained profits


48,640



42,966


Premises revaluation reserve


12,280



9,426


Cash flow hedging reserve


6



72


Available-for-sale investment reserve







- on debt securities


(756

)


(25

)

- on equity securities


195



227


Capital redemption reserve


99



99


Other reserves


5,099



4,055


Total reserves


65,563



56,820




75,122



66,379


Proposed dividends


3,633



3,633


Shareholders' funds


78,755



70,012









Return on average shareholders' funds


22.6

%


22.8

%








 

Shareholders' funds (excluding proposed dividends) grew by HK$8,743m, or 13.2%, to HK$75,122m at 31 December 2011. Retained profits rose by HK$5,674m, mainly reflecting growth as a result of the 2011 profit after the appropriation of interim dividends. The premises revaluation reserve increased by HK$2,854m, or 30.3%, attributable to the buoyant commercial property market.

 

The available-for-sale investment reserve for debt securities recorded a deficit of HK$756m compared with a deficit of HK$25m at the end of 2010, reflecting the general widening of the credit spread. The group assessed that there were no impaired debt securities during the year, and accordingly, no impairment loss has been recognised.

 

The return on average shareholders' funds was 22.6%, compared with 22.8% for 2010.

 

Excluding the redemption of all the US$450m floating rate subordinated notes due 2016 at par on 6 July 2011, there was no purchase, sale or redemption by the bank, or any of its subsidiaries, of the bank's securities during 2011.

 

 

Capital resources management

 

Analysis of capital base and risk-weighted assets

 


At 31 December


At 31 December

 

Figures in HK$m


2011





2010


 












Core capital:











Paid-up ordinary share capital


9,559






9,559














- Reserves per balance sheet


65,563






56,820



- Unconsolidated subsidiaries


(7,234

)





(6,268

)


- Cash flow hedging reserve


(6

)





(72

)


- Regulatory reserve


(4,226

)





(1,654

)


- Reserves arising from revaluation of property











  and unrealised gains on available-for-sale











  equities and debt securities


(15,860

)





(13,585

)













Total reserves included in core capital


38,237






35,241














- Goodwill and intangible assets


(977

)





(1,019

)


- 50% of unconsolidated investments


(11,304

)





(9,725

)


- 50% of securitisation positions and other deductions


(158

)





(158

)


Deductions


(12,439

)





(10,902

)













Total core capital


35,357






33,898














Supplementary capital:











- Term subordinated debt 


11,846








- Property revaluation reserves 1


5,894








- Available-for-sale investments revaluation reserves 2


117








- Regulatory reserve 3


296








- Collective impairment allowances 3


54








- Excess impairment allowances over expected losses 4


1,522






306



Supplementary capital before deductions


19,729






18,703


 











 

- 50% of unconsolidated investments


(11,304

)





(9,725

)


- 50% of securitisation positions and other deductions


(158

)





(158

)


Deductions


(11,462

)





(9,883

)












 

Total supplementary capital


8,267






8,820













 

Capital base


43,624






42,718



 












 

Risk-weighted assets











 

- Credit risk


266,567






274,969



 

- Market risk


2,054






1,615



 

- Operational risk


35,649






36,853



 



304,270






313,437



 











 

Capital adequacy ratio


14.3

%




13.6

%

 

Core capital ratio


11.6

%




10.8

%

 

 

 

Reserves and deductible items

 


At 31 December


At 31 December

 

Figures in HK$m


2011





2010


 












Published reserves


31,640






31,741



Profit and loss account


6,597






3,500














Total reserves included in core capital


38,237






35,241














Total of items deductible 50% from core capital











  and 50% from supplementary capital


22,924






19,766



 

 

1 Includes the revaluation surplus on investment properties which is reported as part of retained profits and adjustments made in accordance with Banking (Capital) Rules.

 

2 Includes adjustments made in accordance with Banking (Capital) Rules.

 

3 Total regulatory reserve and collective impairment allowances are apportioned between the standardised approach and internal ratings-based approach in accordance with Banking (Capital) Rules. Those apportioned to the standardised approach are included in supplementary capital. Those apportioned to the internal ratings-based approach are excluded from supplementary capital.

 

4 Excess impairment allowances over expected losses are applicable to non-securitisation exposures calculated by using the internal ratings-based approach.

 

 

Capital ratios at 31 December 2011 were compiled in accordance with the Banking (Capital) Rules ('the Capital Rules') under section 98A of the Hong Kong Banking Ordinance for the implementation of Basel II, which came into effect on 1 January 2007. The bank used the advanced internal ratings-based approach to calculate its credit risk exposure which was approved by the HKMA on 1 January 2009. The standardised (operational risk) approach and internal models approach were used to calculate the bank's operational risk and market risk respectively.

 

At 31 December 2011, the capital adequacy ratio and core capital ratio were 14.3% and 11.6% respectively, compared with 13.6% and 10.8% at the year-end of 2010.  

 

Capital adequacy and core capital ratios rose slightly by 0.7 percentage point and 0.8 percentage point respectively, mainly due to the combined effect of the increase in profit after accounting for dividends during the year and the decrease in risk-weighted assets.

 

The basis of consolidation for the calculation of capital ratios under the Capital Rules follows the basis of consolidation for financial reporting with the exclusion of subsidiaries which are 'regulated financial entities' (e.g. insurance and securities companies) as defined by the Capital Rules. Accordingly, the investment costs of those unconsolidated regulated financial entities are deducted from the capital base.

 

To satisfy the provisions of the Hong Kong Banking Ordinance and regulatory requirements for prudent supervision purposes, the group has earmarked a regulatory reserve from retained profits. In accordance with updated guidance from the HKMA, the regulatory reserve has been increased to HK$4,226m (HK$1,654m at 31 December 2010).

 

 

Liquidity ratio

 

The average liquidity ratio for the year, calculated in accordance with the Fourth Schedule of the Hong Kong Banking Ordinance, is as follows:

 



2011



2010









The bank and its subsidiaries







  designated by the HKMA


33.6

%


38.1

%








 

 

Reconciliation of cash flow statement

 

(a)        Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities

 

Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Operating profit


14,181



14,085


Net interest income


(15,736

)


(14,300

)

Dividend income


(17

)


(14

)

Loan impairment charges


440



390


Impairment loss of intangible assets


78



__


Depreciation


700



619


Amortisation of intangible assets


119



102


Amortisation of available-for-sale investments


(24

)


80


Amortisation of held-to-maturity debt securities


5



5


Advances written off net of recoveries


(607

)


(510

)

Interest received


18,403



15,219


Interest paid


(4,439

)


(2,301

)

Operating profit before changes in working capital


13,103



13,375


Change in treasury bills and certificates of deposit







  with original maturity more than three months


(24,344

)


32,409


Change in placings with and advances to banks







  maturing after one month


4,801



(26,155

)

Change in trading assets


(34,947

) )


24,451


Change in financial assets designated at fair value


150



501


Change in derivative financial instruments


1,048



(111

)

Change in advances to customers


(13,419

)


(127,906

)

Change in other assets


(7,715

)


(15,680

)

Change in financial liabilities designated at fair value


__



(2

)

Change in current, savings and other deposit accounts


16,229



47,259


Change in deposits from banks


(1,582

)


10,716


Change in trading liabilities


17,131



4,190


Change in certificates of deposit and







  other debt securities in issue


6,189



1,269


Change in other liabilities


10,659



15,448


Elimination of exchange differences







  and other non-cash items


(4,836

)


(8,158

)

Cash used in operating activities


(17,533

)


(28,394

)

Taxation paid


(2,044

)


(1,704

)

Net cash outflow from operating activities


(19,577

)


(30,098

)








 

 

(b)        Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents

 

 

At 31 December


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2011



2010









Cash and balances with banks and







  other financial institutions


39,533



44,411


Placings with and advances to banks and other







  financial institutions maturing within one month


54,049



53,457


Treasury bills


23,738



20,692


Certificates of deposit


3,149



__




120,469



118,560


 

 

Contingent liabilities, commitments and derivatives

 





Credit


Risk-



Contract

equivalent

weighted


Figures in HK$m


amount


amount


amount










At 31 December 2011
















Direct credit substitutes


5,438


5,308


3,426


Transaction-related contingencies


1,220


138


72


Trade-related contingencies


9,807


979


532


Forward asset purchases


35


35


35


Undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines








  and other commitments to lend:








- not unconditionally cancellableW


31,311


15,081


5,384


- unconditionally cancellable


232,469


76,890


23,420




280,280


98,431


32,869










Exchange rate contracts:








Spot and forward foreign exchange


493,588


2,441


1,169


Other exchange rate contracts


91,963


2,475


1,766




585,551


4,916


2,935










Interest rate contracts:








Interest rate swaps


342,801


2,624


950


Other interest rate contracts


__


__


__




342,801


2,624


950










Other derivative contracts


5,473


371


114










 

W The contract amount for undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines and other commitments to lend with an original maturity of 'not more than one year' and 'more than one year' were HK$11,487m and HK$19,824m respectively.

 

 





Credit


Risk-



Contract

equivalent

weighted


Figures in HK$m


amount


amount


amount










At 31 December 2010
















Direct credit substitutes


4,365


4,220


3,231


Transaction-related contingencies


455


337


168


Trade-related contingencies


10,593


3,516


2,008


Forward asset purchases


51


51


51


Undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines








  and other commitments to lend:








- not unconditionally cancellable


38,273


17,788


7,479


- unconditionally cancellable


198,724


66,852


20,649




252,461


92,764


33,586










Exchange rate contracts:








Spot and forward foreign exchange


431,732


2,738


1,417


Other exchange rate contracts


59,222


1,258


712




490,954


3,996


2,129










Interest rate contracts:








Interest rate swaps


340,076


2,522


602


Other interest rate contracts


25


__


__




340,101


2,522


602










Other derivative contracts


7,729


505


137










The tables above give the nominal contract, credit equivalent and risk-weighted amounts of off-balance-sheet transactions. The credit equivalent amounts are calculated for the purpose of deriving the risk-weighted amounts. The nominal contract amounts, credit equivalent amounts, risk-weighted amounts and the consolidation basis for the periods indicated were calculated in accordance with the Banking (Capital) Rules issued by the HKMA.

 

For the above analysis, contingent liabilities and commitments are credit-related instruments that include acceptances and endorsements, letters of credit, guarantees and commitments to extend credit. The risk involved is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers. Those transactions are, therefore, subject to the same credit origination, portfolio management and collateral requirements as for customers applying for loans. As the facilities may expire without being drawn upon, the total of the contract amounts does not represent future liquidity requirements.

 

Derivative financial instruments are held for trading, or financial instruments designated at fair value, or designated as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. The following table shows the nominal contract amounts and marked-to-market value of assets and liabilities by class of derivatives.

 

 

At 31 December 2011


At 31 December 2010


Figures in HK$m

Trading


Designated at fair value


Hedging


Trading


Designated at fair value


Hedging















Contract amounts:













Interest rate contracts

275,776


140


75,431


236,030


140


105,511


Exchange rate contracts

706,521


__


__

 

601,220


769


__


Other derivative contracts

21,032


__


__

 

16,891


__


__



1,003,329


140


75,431


854,141


909


105,511















Derivative assets:













Interest rate contracts

2,043


__


179


1,748


__


511


Exchange rate contracts

2,246


__


__

 

2,721


__


__


Other derivative contracts

242


__


__

 

613


__


__



4,531


__


179


5,082


__


511















Derivative liabilities:













Interest rate contracts

1,590


3


1,340


1,557


9


974


Exchange rate contracts

1,582


__


__

 

2,031


3


__


Other derivative contracts

333


__


__

 

109


__


__



3,505


3


1,340


3,697


12


974


 

The above derivative assets and liabilities, being the positive or negative marked-to-market value of the respective derivative contracts, represent gross replacement costs.

 

 

Additional information

 

1. Statutory accounts and accounting policies

 

The information in this news release does not constitute statutory accounts.

 

Certain financial information in this news release is extracted from the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2011 ('2011 accounts'), which will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the HKMA. The auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those statutory accounts in their report dated 27 February 2012.

 

Disclosures required by the Banking (Disclosure) Rules issued by the HKMA are contained in the bank's Annual Report which will be published on the websites of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the bank on the date of issue of this news release.

 

The 2011 accounts and this news release have been prepared on a basis consistent with the accounting policies adopted in 2010.

 

The group adopted a number of Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards ('HKFRSs') or amendments to HKFRSs which had an insignificant or no effect on the consolidated financial statements. Those are described under note 5 of the 2011 Annual Report and Accounts.

 

 

2. Comparative figures

 

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the current year's presentation.

 

 

3. Property revaluation

 

The group's premises and investment properties were revalued at 30 November 2011 and updated for any material changes at 31 December 2011 by DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Limited. The valuation was carried out by qualified persons who are members of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. The basis of the valuation of premises was open market value for existing use and the basis of valuation for investment properties was open market value. The net revaluation surplus for group premises amounted to HK$3,731m, of which HK$3,729m was credited to premises revaluation reserve and HK$2m was credited to the income statement. Revaluation gains of HK$982m on investment properties were recognised through the income statement. The related deferred tax provisions for group premises and investment properties were HK$610m and HK$162m respectively.

 

The revaluation exercise also covered business premises/investment properties reclassified as properties held for sale. The revaluation gain of HK$8m was recognised through the income statement.

 

 

4. Foreign currency positions

 

Foreign currency exposures include those arising from trading, non-trading and structural positions. Net option position is calculated on the basis of delta-weighted positions of all foreign exchange options contracts. At 31 December 2011, the US dollar ('US$'), Chinese renminbi ('RMB') and Euro ('EUR') were the currencies in which the group had non-structural foreign currency positions that were not less than 10% of the total net position in all foreign currencies. The group also had a RMB structural foreign currency position, which was not less than 10% of the total net structural position in all foreign currencies.

Figures in HK$m

US$


RMB


JPY


EUR


CAD


GBP


CHF


AUD


NZD


GOL


Other foreign currencies


Total foreign currencies









 


 

 

 














At 31 December 2011







 


 

 

 





















 


 

 

 














Non-structural position







 


 

 

 














Spot assets

149,152


123,061


32,344


9,119


13,405


12,922


117


46,562


7,576


4,341


941


399,540


Spot liabilities

(128,778

)

(124,005

)

(1,930

)

(11,097

)

(16,447

)

(15,234

)

(601

)

(48,899

)

(10,897

)

(4,524

)

(1,397

)

(363,809

)

Forward purchases

265,328


87,981


4,122


4,699


3,358


4,121


1,089


9,464


5,134


2,248


1,393


388,937


Forward sales

(284,172

)

(85,934

)

(34,510

)

(3,061

)

(313

)

(1,783

)

(635

)

(7,265

)

(1,829

)

(2,014

)

(956

)

(422,472

)

Net option position

147


(124

)

2


(24

)

__


__


__


20


(18

)

__

 

__


3


Net long/(short)

























  non-structural position

1,677


979


28


(364

)

3


26


(30

)

(118

)

(34

)

51


(19

)

2,199



























Structural positions

206


24,850


__


__


__

 

__


__


__


__

 

__

 

305


25,361







 


 


 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 


 


At 31 December 2010







 


 

 

 





















 


 

 

 














Non-structural position







 


 

 

 














Spot assets

246,638


93,067


8,985


11,068


13,933


13,026


191


43,643


9,017


2,169


974


442,711


Spot liabilities

(155,377

)

(88,666

)

(1,912

)

(12,393

)

(14,882

)

(15,470

)

(549

)

(41,953

)

(11,658

)

(3,404

)

(3,034

)

(349,298

)

Forward purchases

228,982


72,661


8,932


3,735


2,431


7,130


1,347


8,340


3,909


2,919


3,423


343,809


Forward sales

(319,494

)

(77,799

)

(16,151

)

(2,497

)

(1,449

)

(4,810

)

(964

)

(9,885

)

(1,341

)

(1,559

)

(1,359

)

(437,308

)

Net option position

133


(41

)

(5

)

(55

)

(7

)

__


__


(71

)

60

 

__

 

__


14


Net long/(short)

























  non-structural position

882


(778

)

(151

)

(142

)

26


(124

)

25


74


(13

)

125


4


(72

)


























Structural positions

206


20,124


__


__


__

 

__


__


__


__

 

__

 

238


20,568









 


 

 

 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 


 


 

 

5. Ultimate holding company

 

Hang Seng Bank is an indirectly held, 62.14%-owned, subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc.

 

 

6. Register of shareholders

 

The register of shareholders of the bank will be closed on Wednesday, 14 March 2012, during which no transfer of shares can be registered. In order to qualify for the fourth interim dividend for 2011, all transfers, accompanied by the relevant share certificates, must be lodged with the bank's registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, for registration no later than 4:30 pm on Tuesday, 13 March 2012. The fourth interim dividend will be payable on Thursday, 29 March 2012 to shareholders whose names appear on the register of shareholders of the bank on Wednesday, 14 March 2012. Shares of the bank will be traded ex-dividend as from Monday, 12 March 2012.

 

 

7. Proposed timetable for 2012 quarterly dividends

 


First

Second

Third

Fourth


interim dividend

interim dividend

interim dividend

interim dividend






Announcement

30 April 2012

30 July 2012

9 October 2012

4 March 2013

Book close and





  record date

17 May 2012

15 August 2012

26 October 2012

20 March 2013

Payment date

31 May 2012

30 August 2012

13 November 2012

3 April 2013

 

 

8. Code on Corporate Governance Practices

 

The bank is committed to high standards of corporate governance. The bank has followed the module on 'Corporate Governance of Locally Incorporated Authorised Institutions' under the Supervisory Policy Manual issued by the HKMA and has fully complied all the code provisions and most of the recommended best practices set out in the Code on Corporate Governance Practices contained in Appendix 14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited throughout the year ended 31 December 2011.

 

The Audit Committee of the bank has reviewed the results for the year ended 31 December 2011.

 

 

9. Board of Directors

 

At 27 February 2012, the Board of Directors of the bank comprises Dr Raymond K F Ch'ien* (Chairman), Mrs Margaret Leung (Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive), Dr John C C Chan*, Dr Marvin K T Cheung*, Ms L Y Chiang*, Mr Andrew H C Fung, Ms Anita Y M Fung#, Dr Fred Zuliu Hu*, Mr Jenkin Hui*, Ms Sarah C Legg#, Dr Eric K C Li*, Dr Vincent H S Lo#, Mrs Dorothy K Y P Sit#, Mr Richard Y S Tang*, Mr Peter T S Wong# and Mr Michael W K Wu*.

 

 

*   Independent Non-executive Directors

#   Non-executive Directors

 

 

10. News release

 

This news release is available on the bank's website www.hangseng.com.

 

The 2011 Annual Report and Financial Statements, which contains all disclosures required by the Banking (Disclosure) Rules issued by the HKMA, will be published on the websites of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the bank on the date of issue of this news release. Printed copies of the 2011 Annual Report will be sent to shareholders in late-March 2012.

 

Media enquiries to:

Walter Cheung                                     Telephone: (852) 2198 4020

Ruby Chan                                           Telephone: (852) 2198 4236

 


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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