HSBC Holdings plc FY 2008 Res

RNS Number : 0878O
HSBC Holdings PLC
02 March 2009
 





2 March 2009                                        


HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

2008 FINAL RESULTS - HIGHLIGHTS


Profitable business model


  • Pre-tax profit for 2008, excluding goodwill impairment, of US$19.9 billion, down 18 per cent. On a reported basis, pre-tax profit was US$9.3 billion, down 62 per cent.


  • Diversified business model delivers profits in every region except North America and every customer group except Personal Financial Services.


  • Earnings per ordinary share excluding goodwill impairment down 18 per cent to US$1.36 (2007: US$1.65)On a reported basis, earnings per share was US$0.47, down 72 per cent (2007: US$1.65).


Maintaining our traditional financial strength

 

  • Capital generation remains strong. Tier 1 ratio of 8.3 per cent and total capital ratio of 11.4 per cent at 31 December 2008.

  • Fully underwritten Rights Issue announced to enhance our capital strength.

  • Subject to shareholder approval on 19 March 2009, Rights Issue will add 150 basis points to our capital ratios, strengthening the core equity tier 1 ratio to 8.5 per cent and the tier 1 ratio to 9.8 per cent, both on a pro forma basis as at 31 December 2008. 

  • Enhances our ability to respond to unforeseen events as well as provide opportunities to grow through targeted acquisitions.

  • Total dividends in respect of 2008 of US$0.64 including fourth interim dividend of US$0.10, down 29 per cent, around 15 per cent in sterling terms. Total value of dividends for 2008 of US$7.7 billion.

  • Customer advances to deposits ratio of 84 per cent at 31 December 2008.


Managing our business in a challenging environment


  • Supporting our customers: grew our lending to personal, commercial and corporate customers by 9 per cent on an underlying basis.


  • Writing no further consumer finance business in the US through the HFC and Beneficial brands and closing the majority of the network.


  • Growing in emerging markets:

    -   Mainland China profit before tax of US$1.6 billion, up 25 per cent excluding 2007 dilution gains;

    -   India profit before tax of US$666 million, up 26 per cent;

    -   Middle East profit before tax of US$1.7 billion, up 34 per cent.


  • Emerging markets acquisitions in banking in Taiwan and Indonesia and in retail brokerage in India.


  • Difficult outlook for 2009.


  • Strong performance in January 2009 ahead of expectations, particularly in Global Banking and Markets.


HSBC HOLDINGS REPORTS PRE-TAX PROFIT OF US$9,307 MILLION


HSBC made a profit before tax of US$9,307 million, a decrease of US$14,905 million, or 62 per cent, compared with 2007.


Net interest income of US$42,563 million was US$4,768 million, or 13 per cent, higher than 2007.


Net operating income before loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions of US$81,682 million was US$2,689 million, or 3 per cent, higher than 2007.


Total operating expenses (excluding goodwill impairment) of US$38,535 million declined by US$507 million, or 1 per cent, compared with 2007. On an underlying basis, and expressed in terms of constant currency, operating expenses were broadly unchanged.


HSBC's cost efficiency ratio* was 47.2 per cent compared with 49.4 per cent in 2007.


Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions were US$24,937 million in 2008, US$7,695 million higher than 2007.


The tier 1 ratio and total capital ratio for the Group remained strong at 8.3 per cent and 11.per cent, respectively, at 31 December 2008.


The Group's total assets at 31 December 2008 were US$2,527 billion, an increase of US$173 billion, or 7 per cent, since 31 December 2007.



Excluding goodwill impairment. The cost efficiency ratio including goodwill impairment was 60.1 per cent.



Geographical distribution of results



Year ended 31 December


2008


2007


US$m


%


US$m


%











Europe

10,869


116.7


   8,595


35.5


Hong Kong

5,461


58.7


7,339


30.3


Rest of Asia-Pacific

6,468


69.5


6,009


24.8


North America

(15,528

)

(166.8

)

91


0.4


Latin America

2,037


21.9


2,178


9.0











Profit before tax

9,307


100.0


24,212


100.0











Tax expense

(2,809

)



(3,757

)












Profit for the year

6,498




20,455













Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent 









  company

5,728




19,133




Profit attributable to minority interests

770




1,322





Distribution of results by customer group and global business







Year ended 31 December


2008


2007


US$m


%


US$m


%











Personal Financial Services

(10,974

)

(117.9

)

5,900


24.4


Commercial Banking

7,194 


77.3 


7,145


29.5


Global Banking and Markets

3,483 


37.4 


6,121


25.3


Private Banking

1,447 


15.6 


1,511


6.2


Other

8,157 


87.6 


3,535


14.6











Profit before tax

9,307 


100.0


24,212


100.0




Statement by Stephen Green, Group Chairman


2008 was the most extraordinary year for the global economy and financial services in well over half a century. It marked the first crisis of the era of globalised securitisation. And it also marked the first crisis of the just-in-time global economy as the impact of the financial crisis fed rapidly straight into the performance of the real economy.

Causes of the crisis


The causes of the crisis are complex and interrelated. But we can clearly see that a number of different factors contributed: 


  • First, the global financial imbalances that arose from the accelerating global economic shift towards emerging markets. The rapid growth of emerging economies created a macro-economic triangle, made up of: the major consumer markets, in particular the US but also a number of other Western economies; major producer nations - notably a number of fast-growing emerging markets which have been manufacturing a vast range of goods for consumption in the West; and resource providers whose wealth of hydrocarbons and other commodities have helped power the producer economies and have thus commanded such high prices until recently. This macro-economic triangle delivered high rates of growth, but also created major financial imbalances as producer nations and resource providers accumulated massive reserves whilst the US and other consumer markets ran significant and growing deficits. 


  • Second, cheap credit. A large proportion of the accumulated savings of the producers and resource providers were invested in the world's reserve currency, the US dollar, keeping rates low. This cheap money fuelled a consumer boom and rising house prices. It encouraged increased borrowing by banks and by their customers, fuelling asset price bubbles particularly in housing markets. Loose monetary conditions in the US and in much of the emerging world gave added strength to this already potent cocktail.


  • Third, securitisation based on overly complex product structures. The complexity and opacity of certain financial instruments reached a point where even senior and experienced bankers and professional investors had trouble understanding them. This meant that people were selling and buying assets whose risks they had not properly assessed.


  • And finally, excessive gearing. Many banks became overgeared and too dependent on wholesale funding, which they assumed, incorrectly, would never dry up. Assets were created on the back of ever higher leverage, both direct and indirect. And when the securitisation market began to collapse, banks found themselves with assets that they could neither sell nor fund, so forcing large losses on the asset side and a funding challenge on the liability side for which they were entirely unprepared. 


The result has been unprecedented stress in the financial system, and it has led to a major breakdown in trust. In many countries, huge support from taxpayers has been required in order to stabilise the system.


Failings in the banking industry


The industry has done many things wrong. It is important to remember that many ordinary bankers have always sought to provide good service to their customers; but we must also recognise that there have been too many who have profoundly damaged the industry's reputation.


Inappropriate products were sold inappropriately by many. Compensation practices ran out of control and perverse incentives led to dangerous outcomes. There is genuine and widespread anger that the contributors to the crisis were in some cases amongst the biggest beneficiaries of the system.


Underlying all these events is a question about the culture and ethics of the industry. It is as if, too often, people had given up asking whether something was the right thing to do, and focused only whether it was legal and complied with the rules. The industry needs to recover a sense of what is right and suitable as a key impulse for doing business.


HSBC strategy intact


We at HSBC were not immune from the crisis. But we have built our business on very strong foundations and are able to report results which demonstrate our ability to withstand the storm.


Our strategy has been tested and remains intact. We will continue to build our business by focusing on faster-growing markets around the world and on businesses where international connectivity is important - all from a position of financial strength. If anything, the current crisis validates our renewed focus over the last few years on fast growing economies, since it will accelerate the shift in the world's centre of economic gravity from west to east. 


Our robust balance sheet and liquidity means that we have continued to lend. In 2008, we grew our lending to commercial customers by 10 per cent on an underlying basis. Lending to personal customers increased in all regions except North America. And our brand strength continues to underpin our performance. It was noticeable that, at times of stress in many markets, HSBC was a beneficiary of funds flowing in. Recently, the HSBC brand was recognised as the number one brand in banking by Brand Finance.


Profitable from a broad-based earnings platform


Excluding the goodwill impairment on our North American Personal Financial Services business, HSBC reported a pre-tax profit for 2008 of US$19.9 billion, a decline of 18 per cent. On a reported basis, pre-tax profit was US$9.3 billion, down 62 per cent. Within this were some strong regional and business line performances which are covered in the Group Chief Executive's review. However, there is one area on which I would like to comment.


For North America, we reported a loss of US$15.5 billion including the goodwill impairment charge of US$10.6 billion in Personal Financial Services. The significant deterioration in US employment and economic outlook in the fourth quarter of 2008 were the primary factors in causing us to write off all the remaining goodwill carried on our balance sheet in respect of our Personal Financial Services business in North America.  


The management team has worked tirelessly to address this problem acquisition in the US and we have considered all viable options. We saw the disruption in sub-prime lending as early as 2006 and sharply scaled back in 2007 while others continued to grow. We also devoted considerable resources to helping our customers. Virtually no one then foresaw the subsequent scale of the deterioration in the US economy and financial markets. It is now clear that models of direct personal lending that depend on wholesale markets for funding are no longer viable. In light of this, we have taken the difficult decision that, with the exception of credit cards, we will write no further consumer finance business through the HFC and Beneficial brands in the US and close the majority of the network. Thus, in terms of new business, we are drawing a line and we will run off our existing business, providing all necessary support to HSBC Finance to enable it to do so in a measured way and meet all its commitments.


HSBC has a reputation for telling it as it is. With the benefit of hindsight, this is an acquisition we wish we had not undertaken.


The US remains the world's largest economy and HSBC remains committed to the US, which we see as a core market for HSBC. HSBC Bank in the US is not affected by the restructure. In the immediate future we will focus on those businesses and customers for whom our global connectivity gives us advantage - primarily in corporate and commercial business, and in Private and Premier banking. 


Performance overview and strategic activity 


In this difficult environment, we missed our profitability targets. We hit our capital target with our tier 1 ratio at 8.3 per cent. We maintained a very conservative advances to deposits ratio of 84 per cent. We grew lending in each region outside North America on an underlying basis. And we constrained costs, with the cost efficiency ratio improving to 47.2 per cent, excluding the goodwill impairment mentioned above. We also continued implementation of OneHSBC, our programme to enhance customer experience and improve cost efficiency through standardising products, processes and technology around the world.


We also acquired businesses in strategic areas - we acquired the assets, liabilities and operations of The Chinese Bank in Taiwan in March; IL&FS Investsmart, a retail brokerage in India in May; and, in October, the acquisition of Bank Ekonomi in Indonesia was announced. The first two are complete and being integrated, the last is expected to be completed in the second quarter. The most notable disposal was the sale of our regional branch network in France for a consideration of US$3.2 billion.


Thank you to our people


This was an extraordinary year and made extraordinary demands on many of our people. I want to express my sincere thanks for all their efforts and achievements. Our industry has rightly been under considerable public scrutiny and banks have been indiscriminately bunched together. It is through our staff that HSBC's distinctive character stands out for our customers and it is they who ensure that not all banks are the same.


Dividend declaration and progressive dividend policy


The directors have declared a fourth interim dividend for 2008 of US$0.10 per ordinary share (in lieu of a final dividend) which, together with the first three interim dividends for 2008 of US$0.18 already paid, will make a total distribution in respect of the year of US$0.64 per ordinary share. The payments in total represent a decrease of 29 per cent in US dollar terms compared with 2007 and of 15 per cent in sterling terms. The dividend will be payable on 6 May 2009, to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 20 March 2009.


After 15 years of double-digit dividend growth, we did not make the decision to lower the dividend lightly. Very careful consideration was given to the current operating environment and the increased uncertainty over both the supply of capital required in an increasingly volatile financial world and a pro-cyclical regulatory capital framework.


For 2009, HSBC has rebased the envisaged dividend per share for the first three interim dividends to US$0.08 to reflect the impact of the enlarged ordinary share capital following the Rights Issue we are announcing today, prevailing business conditions and capital requirements. The dividend payments remain substantial and reflect management's long-term confidence in the business. HSBC will continue to aim to pay progressive dividends in line with the long-term growth of the business. 


Maintaining HSBC's financial strength


The logic of maintaining HSBC's distinctive financial strength which we have applied to our dividend also applies to our capital position. We have announced today a Rights Issue to strengthen further our capital ratios. We propose to raise, on a fully underwritten basis, approximately US$17.7 billion of equity which will increase our capital ratios by 150 basis points, strengthening the core equity tier 1 ratio to 8.5 per cent and the tier 1 ratio to 9.8 per cent, both on a pro-forma basis as at 31 December 2008. I shall be writing to all shareholders with full details.


Over the past 12 months, many of our competitors have received significant government capital injections - something we said we could not envisage - or have raised capital from shareholders and other investors. Higher regulatory capital requirements, in part from the effect of the economic downturn on capital requirements under the Basel II regime, as well as changing market sentiment on appropriate levels of leverage, have also raised expectations regarding capital levels. We are determined that HSBC should maintain its signature financial strength and we are now raising the top of our target range for our tier 1 ratio so that the range will be from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent.


Planned internal capital generation remains strong and this capital raising will enhance our ability to deal with the impact of an uncertain economic environment and to respond to unforeseen events. Importantly, it will also give us options with respect to opportunities which we believe will present themselves to those with superior financial strength. These may involve organic investment in the continued taking of market share from more capital constrained competitors. There may also be opportunities to grow through targeted acquisitions by taking advantage of attractive valuations where the opportunities in question align with our strategy and the risks are understood.


Culture and compensation


We believe in the profound importance of culture and ethics in business. HSBC's longstanding traditions of financial strength, long-term customer relationships and conservative management are as important today as ever. They have not always been fashionable and we have not always been perfect. One of the consequences of the crisis - and rightly - is that we are going to see a fundamental re-evaluation of the rules and regulations that govern our business. But we should remember that no amount of rules and regulation will be sufficient if the culture does not encourage people to do the right thing. It is the responsibility of boards to supervise and management to embed a sustainable culture into the very fibre of the organisation. For HSBC, there is nothing more important. 


We also intend to play our part in rebuilding public trust in our industry. This means we must be willing to take part in and shape the debate on how our industry should evolve in the coming years, based on the lessons which must be learnt from this crisis. In particular, we strongly believe that the industry must respond to the requirement for a more sober and reasonable approach to compensation. At HSBC, we are committed to the principle of sensible market-related pay, structured to align executive actions with long-term shareholder interests. A small number of individuals in a market system will inevitably receive compensation that is high in absolute terms, but this must be genuinely linked to long-term shareholder interests. It is clear that the banking industry got it wrong in the go-go years: we will play our part in helping the industry respond appropriately to the new realities.


It is right therefore that in HSBC's case, I outline our present position. As Chairman I elected in 2007 to no longer receive any cash bonus award; any variable compensation would be delivered through performance share awards - which would only vest if performance hurdles are met. No performance share awards will be made in the Group in respect of 2008. Mike Geoghegan, Group Chief Executive, Stuart Gulliver, Chief Executive of Global Banking and Markets and HSBC Global Asset Management, and Douglas Flint, Group Finance Director have asked the Remuneration Committee not to consider them for any bonus award for 2008. No cash bonus award will be made to any Executive Director for 2008. Full details on Directors' remuneration can be found in the Annual Report.


Learning the lessons 


We are living through a genuinely global crisis; it cannot be solved by one nation alone. Governments need to work together with our industry to tackle the root causes of the crisis, while maintaining the open, globalised markets that have helped spread prosperity in the last two decades. Protectionism, both in trade and in capital flows, is a threat and in all its forms must be resisted.


We must also urgently improve governance and regulation to create a more stable financial framework. The globalisation of financial markets contrasts sharply with the domestic agenda of the regulatory regimes that underpin it. We support intergovernmental efforts to enhance the coordination of regulatory oversight, since we believe that this is essential to the stable development of the international capital markets for the benefit of the common good. 


Continued economic strain 


The coming twelve months will be difficult. We expect parts of Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to continue to outperform Western economies, but to be constrained by the global downturn.


We see unemployment rising through 2009 into 2010 in both the US and the UK, together with continuing declines in housing markets. We should remember that the US is the driver of the global economy and global growth depends on the US recovery. 


We remain confident that HSBC is well-placed in today's environment and that our strength leads to opportunity. Our strategy has served HSBC well and positions it for long-term growth with attractive returns. HSBC continues to combine its position as the world's leading emerging markets bank with an extensive international network across both developed and faster growing markets. At the same time, as the financial system exhibits stress, our competitive position is improving as the capacity and capabilities of financial institutions are constrained by lack of capital and funding; many of them are also focusing more on their domestic markets.


Further strengthening our capital base will enhance our ability to deal with the impact of an uncertain economic environment and to respond to unforeseen events, as well as giving us options regarding opportunities which will undoubtedly present themselves to those with superior financial strength.


Review by Michael Geoghegan, Group Chief Executive Officer


The world today faces exceptionally challenging economic circumstances. 2008 was a very difficult year for the financial sector, and 2009 will be no less so, as the global downturn intensifies.

We have always talked openly about the challenges of the environment we operate in, rather than how we would like it to be. Today those challenges are many. We saw the downturn coming early, so we were able to position ourselves for it early. This has offered us some protection in the current turmoil, as have HSBC's trademark strengths of diversification, financial strength and self-funding. No one market accounts for more than a quarter of our total revenues.

All business lines except Personal Financial Services, and all regions except North America, were profitable in 2008. Many of our businesses have delivered strong results, despite very tough market conditions, and these offset the ongoing difficulties in the US business which the Group Chairman has mentioned. 

Profits in Europe were US$10.9 billion, up 26 per cent. The results included a number of acquisition gains, and fair value gains on own debt, which were offset by write-downs in Global Banking and Markets. There was underlying growth in Personal Financial Services and Private Banking.

Asia produced pre-tax profits of some US$11.9 billion, 11 per cent down on a reported basis from the record performance of 2007, which had benefited from very strong equity market-based revenues and dilution gains from our mainland China and other associates. 

Profits in Hong Kong declined 26 per cent to US$5.5 billion from 2007's record levels, mainly reflecting lower wealth management and insurance income in the deteriorating economic climate, in addition to impairment charges on some investments arising from sharp falls in equity market prices.

Outside Hong Kong, the Rest of Asia-Pacific (including the Middle East), grew pre-tax profits by 27 per cent to US$6.5 billion on an underlying basis. Many individual markets performed strongly, with profits in India some 26 per cent stronger at US$666 million, and our mainland China operations grew 64 per cent to US$319 million (excluding income from associates and dilution gains). Our operations in the Middle East increased pre-tax profits by US$439 million or 34 per cent to US$1.7 billion. 

Pre-tax profits in Latin America were US$2 billion, down by 6 per cent, as a result of higher impairment changes. 

We also reported a gain of US$6.6 billion on the fair value on own debt. As this will be reversed in later years we consider it a special item and it is not attributed to any business line.

Protecting our business and supporting our customers in challenging times

Although we were prepared for a significant global slowdown, it became clear last year that some markets were facing financial meltdown, driven by a lack of confidence in financial institutions not seen before. What began as a financial crisis has turned into a broader economic crisis that will affect virtually every economy in the world.

In this environment, we have taken measures to protect the business. Early on, we introduced more conservative lending criteria, for example, tightening loan-to-value ratios in the UK and reducing unsecured lending. In 2008, we have continued to focus our attention on the core banking principles that are fundamental to HSBC. Maintaining our capital strength and our conservative advances-to-deposits ratio of 84 per cent enables us to be self-funding. We are working hard to reduce non-core wholesale Global Banking and Markets assets and US-based sub-prime consumer assets. We are increasing liquidity and managing our risk-weighted assets carefully to protect our capital position. In many of our businesses, we saw a flight to quality from banks badly affected by the crisis, and in many markets we have helped provide liquidity to the interbank market.

I would like to emphasise that HSBC remains very much open for business. Our strong and diversified deposit base means we can continue to lend when our competitors are withdrawing. With the exception of North America, HSBC grew its lending in support of customers strongly in all regions in 2008. In our key markets of the UK and Hong Kong, we grew personal and commercial lending by 12 per cent and 11 per cent respectively, on an underlying basis. In the UK, where we called the top of the market and reduced our lending in 2006, we came back into the market to assist customers and almost doubled our gross mortgage lending in 2008 to £17 billion. In Hong Kong, savings and deposit balances grew strongly, as did customer lending, particularly in mortgages, cards and commercial lending. We are focusing all our lending growth carefully, to maintain high asset quality and to support our customers across the world.

Commercial Banking - maintained profitability despite difficult economic climate

Commercial Banking continues to be the jewel in the crown for HSBC. We have the broadest and best commercial banking franchise in the world, and our strengths as an international bank remain a compelling proposition for our customers.

In 2008, Commercial Banking profit before tax was modestly up on 2007 at US$7.2 billion, as strong revenue growth of 10 per cent more than offset the rise in loan impairments. To maintain our profitability in such a difficult year is a significant achievement. 

Our international connectivity is driving increasing revenues. We grew international revenues - trade and supply chain and foreign exchange services - by a third. Our Global Links cross-border referral system helped us conclude over 5,600 transactions, almost double the volume in 2007, with an aggregate transaction value of over US$11 billion.

We are also supporting customers and expanding lending responsibly, growing deposits and lending, by 15 and 10 per cent respectively on an underlying basis. To provide extra support to smaller companies at a time when credit is scarce, we have established a US$5 billion global SME fund to support this important customer group. 

Personal Financial Services - North America drives PBT loss, reasonable performance in other markets

Overall our Personal Financial Services business reported a loss before tax of US$11 billion in 2008, driven by loan impairment charges and a goodwill impairment charge related to North America.

Excluding the North America business, PFS remained profitable and we maintained revenue at 2007 levels despite pressure on interest margins and on fee income. Low interest rates are affecting savers, and the economics of running branch networks become more challenging in a low interest-rate environment

We continued to focus on serving affluent customers who value the unique international banking and wealth management services HSBC can provide. We grew our HSBC Premier client base to 2.6m customers, up 22 per cent on 2007. Eight out of ten new Premier clients were new to HSBC. We achieve average income of US$2,000 per Premier customer and our proposition clearly meets the needs of affluent, internationally mobile customers. We launched Premier in six new markets, taking the total to 41. 

In Europe, our Personal Financial Services business performance was resilient. Performance was solid in the UK, where we continued to strengthen our position in the mortgage market with the launch of a RateMatcher promotion to attract quality customers facing interest rate resets. This promotion resulted in new business totalling £5.4 billion, whose quality can be seen in the low LTV ratios which averaged 59 per cent. We have established a £15 billion mortgage fund in the UK for 2009 to build on this success. 

Fee income fell in most regions due to a lack of confidence in investments, which resulted in lower fees from retail securities and investments.

HSBC Finance Corporation

The satisfactory performance of our Personal Financial Services businesses outside the US was obscured by substantial losses in HSBC Finance in the US. Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions in the US were US$16.3 billion, and we incurred a goodwill impairment charge of US$10.6 billion, representing all of our remaining North America Personal Financial Services goodwill. In these tough times, we must be, and we are, prepared to take tough action to work through this troubled business. 

As the Chairman has said, the US economy deteriorated severely towards the end of 2008. Although it serves a large part of the population, it is clear that the sub-prime mortgage refinance model no longer operates effectively. Due to the lack of home equity, the deteriorating outlook for house price appreciation and very limited refinancing opportunities available to this customer segment in the near future, we will cease to write new consumer finance business through the HFC and Beneficial brands in the US, and will concentrate on running-off the outstanding real estate-secured and unsecured portfolio of US$62 billion

As a result, we will close the majority of the HFC and Beneficial-branded US branch network, regrettably with the loss of 6,100 jobs. This will result in a restructuring charge of US$265 million in the first half of 2009, inclusive of closure costs and non-cash charges, and annualised cost savings of approximately US$700 million. With downside risks for unemployment and residential real estate in the US, we expect credit provisioning to remain elevated and operating losses to continue in 2009 and 2010. 

With the future of subprime finance in the US uncertain, we no longer consider sub-prime finance in the US to be a core business to HSBC. We continue to make strenuous efforts to help customers in financial difficulty and avoid foreclosure. We modified almost 100,000 loans in 2008 and our foreclosure rate only increased slightly, despite the deterioration in the economy.

As the Chairman has said, we remain committed to the US. HSBC will continue to offer card finance, with the majority of assets held and funded through HSBC Bank USA. The personal finance operations of HSBC Bank USA, including its network of retail branches, are also unaffected by this decision. 

Global Banking and Markets

Global Banking and Markets posted pre-tax profits of US$3.5 billion. This performance reflects the success of our emerging markets-led and financing-focused strategy, introduced in 2006, which is creating a leading wholesale bank offering global connectivity and a sophisticated range of services.

Global Banking and Markets revenues were affected by US$6.1 billion in write-downs of which US$5.4 billion were in respect of credit trading, leveraged and acquisition financing positions and monoline credit exposures and US$0.7 billion were impairments on available-for-sale asset-backed securities and holdings of debt and preferred shares of financial institutions.

Our focus on connecting emerging and developed markets has helped us grow profits from emerging markets, which now contribute two thirds of Global Banking and Markets profit before tax, up from a half in 2006.

Core businesses such as foreign exchange, Rates, Balance Sheet Management and Financing and Equity Capital Markets achieved record revenues. Foreign exchange revenues rose to a record US$3.8 billion due to increased market volatility and higher levels of customer activity, with notably strong performance in Europe and Rest of Asia-Pacific.

Robust growth in Global Banking was driven by improved margins in the credit and lending business, as well as substantial gains on credit default swaps in certain portfolios.

Loan impairments and other credit risk provisions rose to US$1.5 billion, reflecting the deteriorating credit environment as well as a number of bank failures in 2008.

Global Transaction Banking generated revenues of US$9.1 billion across Commercial Banking and Global Banking and Markets, an increase of 7 per cent over 2007. Trade and Supply Chain and Securities Services performed strongly with growth of 29 per cent and 10 per cent respectively, notably in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Payments & Cash Management revenues remained robust, in spite of global interest rate cuts.

We recognised impairment losses of US$279 million in relation to our portfolio of securities held available for sale during 2008, although the value of these securities declined by some US$16.5 billion. The significant difference between these figures reflects illiquidity for all asset backed securities, and the low level of impairment losses reflects the seniority of the tranches held by HSBC. Please see the 2008 Annual Report and Accounts for more details.

Private Banking - a leading international private bank

In a world where the private banking industry saw major reductions in overall assets, HSBC Private Bank continued to perform strongly. Pre-tax profit held up well at just 4 per cent below 2007's record figure. Strong revenue growth in Europe, especially in Switzerland and the UK, was offset by reduced trading income in Asia, lower fee income, higher staff costs and loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions. 

Client assets decreased 16 per cent to US$352 billion, despite strong net new money flow of US$24 billion of which US$16.5 billion was in Europe. The decline in market values in all regions was the major reason for this decline. Although total client assets under management fell as a result of economic conditions, we attracted net new money of US$30 billion. Intra-Group referrals resulted in US$6.8 billion of net new money, compared with US$5.7 billion in 2007. 

We continued to build our Private Banking franchise, opening offices in GuangzhouShanghai and Beijing, in mainland China, and expanding our domestic business in other emerging markets, especially IndiaPanama and Brazil.

Insurance - strong premium growth but profits affected by reduced investment income

We signalled our intention to grow Insurance to become a more significant contributor to the Group's profits. In 2008, pre-tax profits totalled US$2.6 billion, a decline of 19 per cent driven by lower investment returns and a reduced contribution from Ping An due to the Fortis impairment. Both Latin America and North America achieved higher profits than in 2007. Premiums grew by 20 per cent to US$11 billion, proving the resilience of the bancassurance model in all regions. In Asia, we continued to build our insurance franchise, opening businesses in both India and Korea.

Joining up the Company

Our customers rightly expect a consistently high quality of service wherever they deal with us around the world, consistent with our ranking as the number 1 financial brand. Our programme to 'join up' HSBC aims to make the brand promise a reality. Now in its third year, the positive results of Joining up the Company can be seen in many of our businesses - in Global Links referrals, Private Banking and Premier growth. We are also two years into a five-year plan to develop and deploy common systems throughout the Group under the One HSBC banner. This programme is core to Joining up the Company. It is delivering higher quality IT and Operations at lower cost across the Group. It allows us to service individual and corporate customer needs seamlessly across borders. It means we can deliver a consistently high-quality customer experience.

We cannot Join up the Company without joining up our people, my colleagues who deliver on our brand promise to our customers every day. Throughout the year, the Group Chairman and I visit almost half of the markets in which we operate. We know from the many colleagues we meet how difficult 2008 has been for them, as they have tried to support our customers and our business through the turmoil. I would like to thank them for their commitment and hard work through these tough times. It is a measure of the strength of this company that employee engagement, as recorded in our annual employee survey, rose to a new high in 2008 and exceeds both global and sector norms. As 93 per cent of colleagues completed the survey, this is a tremendous accolade and we are privileged to have such talented and loyal employees.

Operating outlook for 2009

Banks are a leveraged play on the economies they serve, and thus are a reflection of their customers' success. With most developed markets in recession, and emerging markets slowing sharply, we are seeing increased levels of stress in both consumer and commercial books. With the exception of North America, HSBC grew its lending in support of customers strongly in 2008. However, the general lack of international lending is a cause for concern, and will put further pressure on the availability of credit, especially in emerging markets.

As the Chairman has outlined, the outcome for 2009 is extremely hard to predict. In these challenging times, we are focusing on staying close to our loyal customers. We will concentrate on the opportunities our scale, international connectivity and emerging market dominance provide to do profitable, responsible business, despite the downturn. I am pleased to report that our business performance in January 2009 has been strong, and ahead of our expectations.


Financial Overview 


  

Year ended 31 December



Year ended 31 December 

2008



2008


2007


£m


HK$m



US$m


US$m






For the year 





5,072


 

72,474


Profit before tax

9,307


24,212






Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent 





 

3,122


 

44,604


  company

 

5,728


 

19,133


6,159


 

88,001


Dividends

11,301


10,241















At the year-end





 

64,203


 

725,330


 

Total shareholders' equity

 

93,591


 

128,160


90,182


 

1,018,815


Capital resources ***

131,460


152,640


854,352


 

9,651,935


Customer accounts and deposits by banks

1,245,411


1,228,321


 

1,733,841


 

19,587,854


 

Total assets

 

2,527,465


 

2,354,266


787,510


 

8,896,799


Risk-weighted assets ***

1,147,974


1,123,782











£


HK$



US$


US$






Per ordinary share





0.26


3.66


Basic earnings

0.47


1.65


0.26


3.66


Diluted earnings

0.47


1.63


0.74


10.59


Basic earnings excluding goodwill impairment

1.36


1.65


0.51


 

7.24


Dividends *

0.93


0.87


 

5.10


 

57.65


 

Net asset value

 

7.44


 

10.72















Share information









US$0.50 ordinary shares in issue

12,105m


11,829m






Market capitalisation

US$114bn


US$198bn






Closing market price per share

£6.62


£8.42
















Over 1
 year


Over 3 years


Over 5 years

















Total shareholder return to











  31 December 2008 **

84.5


84.5


98.5






Benchmarks: FTSE 100

71.7


88.1


118.3






  MSCI World

81.8


93.6


123.7






  MSCI Banks

63.0


60.8


82.7


 


*        Under IFRSs accounting rules, the dividend per share of US$0.93 shown in the accounts is the     total of the dividends declared during 2008. This represents the fourth interim dividend for 2007 and the first, second and third interim dividends for 2008. As the fourth interim dividend for 2008 was declared in 2009 it will be reflected in the accounts for 2009.

**    Total shareholder return ('TSR') is as defined in the Annual Report and Accounts 2008.

***    The calculation of capital resources, capital ratios and risk-weighted assets for 31 December 2008 is on a Basel II basis. Comparatives are on a Basel I basis.


 



Year ended 31 December


2008


2007


%


%

Performance ratios




Return on average invested capital^

4.0


15.3

 

Return on average total shareholders' equity

4.7


15.9

 

Post-tax return on average total assets

 

0.26


 

0.97

 

Post-tax return on average risk-weighted assets **

 

0.55


 

1.95





Efficiency and revenue mix ratios




Cost efficiency ratio




- reported

60.1


49.4

- excluding goodwill impairment

47.2


49.4





As a percentage of total operating income:




- net interest income

48.1


43.1

- net fee income

22.6


25.1

- net trading income

7.4


11.2





Capital ratios **




- Tier 1 ratio

8.3


9.3

- Total capital ratio

11.4


13.6


^    Return on invested capital is based on the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders. Average invested capital is measured as average total shareholders' equity after adding back goodwill previously written-off directly to reserves, deducting average equity preference shares issued by HSBC Holdings and deducting/(adding) average reserves for unrealised gains/(losses) on effective cash flow hedges and available-for-sale securities. This measure reflects capital initially invested and subsequent profit.

**  The calculation of capital resources, capital ratios and risk-weighted assests for 31 December 2008 is on a Basel II basis.    Comparatives are on a Basel I basis.



Consolidated Income Statement   

Year ended 31 December



Year ended 31 December


2008



2008


2007


 

£m


 

HK$m



US$m


 

US$m











 

49,759


 

710,961


Interest income 

 

91,301


 

92,359


 

(26,562

 

)

 

(379,523

 

)

Interest expense 

 

(48,738

 

)

 

(54,564

 

)










 

23,197


 

331,438


Net interest income 

 

42,563


 

37,795











 

13,496


 

192,837


Fee income

 

24,764


 

26,337


 

(2,583

 

)

 

(36,910

 

)

Fee expense 

 

(4,740

 

)

 

(4,335

 

)










 

10,913


 

155,927


Net fee income 

 

20,024


 

22,002











 

462


 

6,594


Trading income excluding net interest income

 

847


 

4,458


3,113


44,489


Net interest income on trading activities

5,713


5,376











3,575


51,083


Net trading income 

6,560


9,834











3,640


52,009


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

6,679


2,812


(1,541

)

(22,013

)

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

(2,827

)

1,271






Net income from financial instruments designated at 





2,099


29,996


  fair value

3,852


4,083


107


1,534


Gains less losses from financial investments 

197


1,956


-


-


Gains arising from dilution of interests in associates 

-


1,092


148


2,118


Dividend income

272


324


5,913


84,489


Net earned insurance premiums 

10,850


9,076


1,333


19,039


Gains on disposal of French regional banks

2,445


-


986


14,078


Other operating income 

1,808


1,439











48,271


689,702


Total operating income

88,571


87,601















Net insurance claims incurred and movement in 





(3,754

)

(53,644

)

  liabilities to policyholders

(6,889

)

(8,608

)














Net operating income before loan impairment charges 





44,517


636,058


  and other credit risk provisions

81,682


78,993


(13,591

)

(194,185

)

Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions

(24,937

)

(17,242

)










30,926


441,873


Net operating income 

56,745


61,751











(11,332

)

(161,907

)

Employee compensation and benefits 

(20,792

)

(21,334

)

(8,316

)

(118,829

)

General and administrative expenses 

(15,260

)

(15,294

)





Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and 





(954

)

(13,625

)

  equipment 

(1,750

)

(1,714

)

(5,758

)

(82,265

)

Goodwill impairment

(10,564

)

-


(399

)

(5,708

)

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets

(733

)

(700

)










(26,759

)

(382,334

)

Total operating expenses 

(49,099

)

(39,042

)










4,167


59,539


Operating profit 

7,646


22,709











905


12,935


Share of profit in associates and joint ventures 

1,661


1,503











5,072


72,474


Profit before tax 

9,307


24,212











(1,531

)

(21,874

)

Tax expense 

(2,809

)

(3,757

)










3,541


50,600


Profit for the year 

6,498


20,455















Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent 





3,122


44,604


  company

5,728


19,133











419


5,996


Profit attributable to minority interests 

770


1,322


  

Consolidated Balance Sheet



At 31 December



At 31 December


2008



2008


2007


£m


HK$m



US$m


US$m















ASSETS














35,944


406,069


Cash and balances at central banks 

52,396


21,765


4,118


46,523


Items in the course of collection from other banks 

6,003


9,777


10,536


119,024


Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness 

15,358


13,893


293,148


3,311,800


Trading assets 

427,329


445,968


19,574


221,131


Financial assets designated at fair value

28,533


41,564


339,485


3,835,289


Derivatives 

494,876


187,854


105,483


1,191,687


Loans and advances to banks 

153,766


237,366


639,947


7,229,727


Loans and advances to customers 

932,868


981,548


205,961


2,326,821


Financial investments 

300,235


283,000


7,914


89,412


Interests in associates and joint ventures

11,537


10,384


18,767


212,017


Goodwill and intangible assets 

27,357


39,689


9,621


108,694


Property, plant and equipment 

14,025


15,694


25,945


293,120


Other assets

37,822


39,493


1,751


19,778


Current tax assets

2,552


896


4,810


54,335


Deferred tax assets

7,011


5,284


10,837


122,427


Prepayments and accrued income 

15,797


20,091











1,733,841


19,587,854


Total assets 

2,527,465


2,354,266



  

At 31 December



At 31 December


2008



2008


2007


£m


HK$m



US$m


US$m















LIABILITIES AND EQUITY


















Liabilities





10,536


119,024


Hong Kong currency notes in circulation 

15,358


13,893


89,238


1,008,151


Deposits by banks 

130,084


132,181


765,114


8,643,784


Customer accounts 

1,115,327


1,096,140


4,961


56,048


Items in the course of transmission to other banks 

7,232


8,672


169,889


1,919,303


Trading liabilities 

247,652


314,580


51,167


578,050


Financial liabilities designated at fair value

74,587


89,939


334,123


3,774,715


Derivatives 

487,060


183,393


123,269


1,392,621


Debt securities in issue 

179,693


246,579


2,667


30,132


Retirement benefit liabilities 

3,888


2,893


49,655


560,975


Other liabilities 

72,384


35,013


1,250


14,121


Current tax liabilities

1,822


2,559


29,967


338,543


Liabilities under insurance contracts 

43,683


42,606


10,597


119,722


Accruals and deferred income 

15,448


21,766


1,187


13,408


Provisions

1,730


1,958


1,273


14,376


Deferred tax liabilities

1,855


1,859


20,191


228,106


Subordinated liabilities

29,433


24,819











1,665,084


18,811,079


Total liabilities

2,427,236


2,218,850















Equity





4,152


46,911


Called up share capital

6,053


5,915


5,806


65,588


Share premium account 

8,463


8,134


1,463


16,531


Other equity instruments

2,133


-


(2,570

)

(29,039

)

Other reserves 

(3,747

)

33,014


55,352


625,339


Retained earnings 

80,689


81,097











64,203


725,330


Total shareholders' equity 

93,591


128,160


4,554


51,445


Minority interests 

6,638


7,256











68,757


776,775


Total equity 

100,229


135,416











1,733,841


19,587,854


Total equity and liabilities 

2,527,465


2,354,266



  

Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense




Year ended 31 December


2008


2007



US$m


US$m


Available-for-sale investments:





- fair value gains/(losses) taken to equity

(23,722

)

756


- fair value losses transferred to income statement on disposal 

(1,316

)

(1,826

)

- amounts transferred to the income statement in respect of 





  impairment losses

1,779


86


Cash flow hedges:





- fair value gains/(losses) taken to equity

(1,720

)

625


- fair value (gains)/losses transferred to income statement

1,754


(1,886

)

Share of changes in equity of associates and joint ventures

(559

)

372


Exchange differences 

(12,205

)

5,946


Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit plans

(1,609

)

2,167








(37,598

)

6,240


Tax on items taken directly to equity

1,879


(226

)

Profit for the year 

6,498


20,455







Total recognised income and expense for the year

(29,221

)

26,469







Total recognised income and expense for the year attributable to:





shareholders of the parent company

(29,225

)

24,801


- minority interests 

4


1,668








(29,221

)

26,469



  

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement



Year ended 31 December



2008


2007



US$m


US$m


Cash flows from operating activities





Profit before tax

9,307


24,212







Adjustments for:





Non-cash items included in profit before tax

41,305


21,701


Change in operating assets

18,123


(176,538

)

Change in operating liabilities

(63,413

)

250,095


Elimination of exchange differences

36,132


(18,602

)

Net gain from investing activities

(4,195

)

(2,209

)

Share of profits in associates and joint ventures

(1,661

)

(1,503

)

Dividends received from associates

655


363


Contribution paid to defined benefit plans

(719

)

(1,393

)

Tax paid

(5,114

)

(5,088

)






Net cash from operating activities

30,420


91,038







Cash flows from investing activities





Purchase of financial investments 

(277,023

)

(260,980

)

Proceeds from the sale and maturity





  of financial investments 

223,138


238,647


Purchase of property, plant and equipment

(2,985

)

(2,720

)

Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment

2,467


3,178


Proceeds from the sale of loan portfolios

9,941


1,665


Net purchase of intangible assets

(1,169

)

(950

)

Net cash inflow/(outflow) from acquisition of and increase in stake of subsidiaries

1,313


(623

)

Net cash inflow from disposal of subsidiaries

2,979


187


Net cash outflow from acquisition of and increase in stake of associates

(355

)

(351

)

Net cash inflow from the consolidation of funds

16,500


1,600


Proceeds from disposal of associates

101


69







Net cash used in investing activities

(25,093

)

(20,278

)






Cash flows from financing activities





Issue of ordinary share capital

467


474


Issue of other equity instruments

2,133


-


Net purchases and sales of own shares for market-making 





  and investment purposes

(194

)

126


Purchases of own shares to meet share awards and share option awards

(808

)

(636

)

On exercise of share options

27


104


Subordinated loan capital issued

7,094


5,705


Subordinated loan capital repaid

(350

)

(689

)

Dividends paid to shareholders of the parent company

(7,211

)

(6,003

)

Dividends paid to minority interests

(714

)

(718

)

Dividends paid to holders of other equity instruments

(92

)

-







Net cash generated from/(used in) financing activities

352


(1,637

)






Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 

5,679


69,123







Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January

297,009


215,486


Exchange differences in respect of cash and cash equivalents

(23,816

)

12,400







Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December

278,872


297,009





Additional Information


1. Basis of preparation and accounting policies


The basis of preparation and significant accounting policies applicable to the consolidated financial statements of HSBC and the separate financial statements of HSBC Holdings can be found in Notes 1 and 2 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2008.


The consolidated financial statements of HSBC and the separate financial statements of HSBC Holdings contained within the Annual Report and Accounts 2008 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRSs') as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ('IASB') and as endorsed by the EU. EU-endorsed IFRSs may differ from IFRSs as issued by the IASB if, at any point in time, new or amended IFRSs have not been endorsed by the EU. At 31 December 2008, there were no unendorsed standards effective for the year ended 31 December 2008 affecting these consolidated and separate financial statements, and there was no difference between IFRSs endorsed by the EU and IFRSs issued by the IASB in terms of their application to HSBC. Accordingly, HSBC's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008 are prepared in accordance with IFRSs as issued by the IASB.


IFRSs comprise accounting standards issued by the IASB and its predecessor body as well as interpretations issued by the International Financial Reporting Interpretations Committee ('IFRIC') and its predecessor body.



2. Dividends


On 2 March 2009, the Directors declared a fourth interim dividend for 2008 of US$0.10 per ordinary share. The dividend will be payable on 6 May 2009, to shareholders on the Register at the close of business on 20 March 2009. The dividend will be payable in cash, in US dollars, sterling or Hong Kong dollars, or a combination of these currencies, at the exchange rates quoted by HSBC Bank plc in London at or about 11 am on 27 April 2009, and with a scrip dividend alternative. Particulars of these arrangements will be mailed to shareholders on or about 31 March 2009 and elections will be required to be made by 23 April 2009. As this dividend was declared after the balance sheet date, it has not been included in 'Other liabilities' at 31 December 2008.


The dividend on shares held through Euroclear France, the settlement and central depositary system for Euronext Paris, will be payable on 6 May 2009 to the holders of record on 20 March 2009. The dividend will be payable in cash, in euros at the exchange rate on 27 April 2009, or as a scrip dividend. Particulars of these arrangements will be announced through Euronext Paris on 16 March 2009 and 25 March 2009.


The dividend on American Depositary Shares ('ADSs'), each of which represents five ordinary shares, will be payable on 6 May 2009 to holders of record on 20 March 2009. The dividend of US$0.50 per ADS will be payable in cash in US dollars or as a scrip dividend of new ADSs. Particulars of these arrangements will be mailed to holders on or about 31 March 2009, and elections will be required to be made by 17 April 2009. Alternatively, the cash dividend may be invested in additional ADSs for participants in the dividend reinvestment plan operated by the depositary.


The Company's shares will be quoted ex-dividend in London, Hong Kong, Paris and Bermuda on 18 March 2009. The ADSs will be quoted ex-dividend in New York on 18 March 2009.





Dividends declared on HSBC Holdings shares during 2008 were as follows:



2008


2007


Per share US


Total US$m


Settled     in scrip US$m


    Per share US$


Total US$m


Settled     in scrip    US$m













Dividends declared on ordinary shares












In respect of previous year: 












 - fourth interim dividend

0.390


4,620


2,233


0.360


4,161


2,116

In respect of current year: 












 - first interim dividend

0.180


2,158


256


0.170


1,986


712

 - second interim dividend 

0.180


2,166


727


0.170


1,997


912

 - third interim dividend

0.180


2,175


380


0.170


2,007


614














0.930


11,119


3,596


0.870


10,151


4,354













Quarterly dividends on preference shares 












  classified as equity












   March dividend 

15.50


22




15.50


22



   June dividend

15.50


23




15.50


23



   September dividend

15.50


22




15.50


22



   December dividend

15.50


23




15.50


23
















62.00


90




62.00


90















Quarterly coupons on capital securities 












  classified as equity^












July coupon

0.541


47




-


-



October coupon

0.508


45




-


-
















1.049


92




-


-















        During April 2008, HSBC Holdings issued US$2,200 million of Perpetual Subordinated Capital Securities which are classified as equity under IFRSs.


On 11 February 2009, the Directors declared a dividend of US$15.50 per non-cumulative US dollar preference share (Series A dollar preference share), equivalent to a dividend of US$0.3875 per Series A American Depository Share, each of which represents one-fortieth of a Series A dollar preference share. The dividend is payable on 16 March 2009 to the holder of record on 27 February 2009.


On 15 January 2009, HSBC paid a coupon on the Capital Securities of US$0.508 per security, a distribution of US$45 million. No liability is recorded in the balance sheet at 31 December 2008 in respect of this coupon payment.



 



3. Earnings and dividends per ordinary share



Year ended 31 December


2008


2007



US$


US$







Basic earnings per ordinary share

0.47


1.65


Diluted earnings per ordinary share

0.47


1.63


Basic earnings per ordinary share excluding goodwill impairment

1.36


1.65


Dividends per ordinary share

0.93


0.87


Net asset value at year-end

7.44


10.72







Dividend pay out ratio^





   - reported

197.9%


52.7%


   - excluding goodwill impairment

68.4%


52.7%







^    Dividends per ordinary share expressed as a percentage of basic earnings per ordinary share.


Basic earnings per ordinary share was calculated by dividing the profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent company of US$5,546 million (2007: US$19,043 million) by the weighted average number of ordinary shares, excluding own shares held, outstanding in 2008 of 11,812 million (2007: 11,545 million).



Year ended 31 December



2008


2007



US$m


US$m







Profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company

5,728


19,133


Dividend payable on preference shares classified as equity

(90

)

(90

)

Coupon payable on capital securities classified as equity

(92

)

-







Profit attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the parent company

5,546


19,043



Diluted earnings per ordinary share was calculated by dividing the basic earnings, which require no adjustment for the effects of dilutive potential ordinary shares (including share options outstanding not yet exercised), by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, excluding own shares held, plus the weighted average number of ordinary shares that would be issued on ordinary conversion of dilutive potential ordinary shares in 2008 of 11,915 million shares (2007: 11,661 million shares).




4. Tax expense







Year ended 31 December



2008


2007



US$m


US$m







UK corporation tax charge

1,671


1,326


Overseas tax

1,703


3,879







Current tax

3,374


5,205


Deferred tax

(565

)

(1,448

)






Tax expense

2,809


3,757







Effective tax rate

30.2%


15.5%



HSBC Holdings and its subsidiaries in the United Kingdom provided for UK corporation tax at 28.5 per cent (2007: 30 per cent). Overseas tax included Hong Kong profits tax of US$846 million (2007: US$1,137 million) provided at the rate of 16.5 per cent (2007: 17.5 per cent) on the profits for the year assessable in Hong Kong. Other overseas subsidiaries and overseas branches provided for taxation at the appropriate rates in the countries in which they operate.


Analysis of tax expense

Year ended 31 December



2008


2007



US$m


US$m







Taxation at UK corporation tax rate of 28.5 per cent (2007: 30 per cent)

2,652


7,264


Goodwill impaired

3,010


-


Effect of taxing overseas profit in principal locations at different rates

(1,339

)

(1,460

)

Tax-free gains

(1,016

)

(296

)

Adjustments in respect of prior period liabilities

(67

)

(309

)

Low income housing tax credits

(103

)

(107

)

Effect of profit in associates and joint ventures

(473

)

(450

)

Effect of previously unrecognised temporary differences

(98

)

(485

)

Release of deferred tax consequent on restructuring of Group interests

-


(359

)

Impact of gains arising from dilution of interests in associates 

-


(253

)

Other items

243


212







Overall tax expense

2,809


3,757




5. Capital resources



2008


2007


2007



Basel II


Basel II


Basel I



Actual


Pro-forma


Actual



US$m


US$m


US$m


Composition of regulatory capital







Tier 1 capital 







Shareholders' equity

93,591


128,160


128,160


Minority interests

6,638


7,256


7,256


Less:







  Preference share premium

(1,405

)

(1,405

)

(1,405

)

  Preference share minority interests

(2,110

)

(2,181

)

(2,181

)

  Goodwill capitalised and intangible assets

(26,861

)

(38,855

)

(38,855

)

  Unrealised losses on available-for-sale debt securities

21,439


2,445


2,445


  Other regulatory adjustments

(8,222

)

(3,325

)

(4,551

)

  50% of excess of expected losses over impairment allowances

(2,660

)

(4,508

)

-









Core equity tier 1 capital

80,410


87,587


90,869


Preference share premium

1,405


1,405


1,405


Preference share minority interests

2,110


2,181


2,181


Innovative tier 1 securities

11,411


10,512


10,512









Tier 1 capital

95,336


101,685


104,967









Tier 2 capital







Reserves arising from revaluation of property and unrealised 







  gains on available-for-sale equities

1,726


4,393


4,393


Collective impairment allowances

3,168


2,176


14,047


Perpetual subordinated debt

2,996


3,114


3,114


Term subordinated debt

41,204


37,658


37,658


Minority and other interests in tier 2 capital 

300


300


300









Total qualifying tier 2 capital before deductions

49,394


47,641


59,512









Unconsolidated investments 

(9,613

)

(11,092

)

(11,092

)

50% of excess of expected losses over impairment allowances

(2,660

)

(4,508

)

-


Other deductions

(997

)

(747

)

(747

)









(13,270

)

(16,347

)

(11,839

)








Total regulatory capital

131,460


132,979


152,640









Risk-weighted assets







Credit and counterparty risk

956,596


1,011,343


-


Market risk

70,264


45,840


-


Operational risk

121,114


107,466


-


Banking book

-


-


1,020,747


Trading book

-


-


103,035










1,147,974


1,164,649


1,123,782













2008


2007


2007



Basel II


Basel II


Basel I



Actual


Pro-forma


Actual



%


%


%


Capital ratios







Core equity tier 1 ratio

7.0


7.5


8.1


Tier 1 ratio

8.3


8.7


9.3


Total capital ratio

11.4


11.4


13.6















6. Notes on the cash flow statement







Year ended 31 December



2008


2007



US$m


US$m







Non-cash items included in profit before tax





Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

13,367


2,522


Gain arising from dilution of interests in associates

-


(1,092

)

Revaluations on investment property

92


(152

)

Share-based payment expense

819


870


Loan impairment losses gross of recoveries and other credit risk provisions

25,034


18,182


Provisions 

591


989


Impairment of financial investments

1,779


104


Charge for defined benefit plans

490


727


Accretion of discounts and amortisation of premiums

(867

)

(449

)







41,305


21,701







Change in operating assets





Change in prepayments and accrued income

4,178


(5,069

)

Change in net trading securities and net derivatives

(23,293

)

(4,972

)

Change in loans and advances to banks

22,596


(8,922

)

Change in loans and advances to customers

7,279


(131,886

)

Change in financial assets designated at fair value

12,757


(13,360

)

Change in other assets

(5,394

)

(12,329

)







18,123


(176,538

)






Change in operating liabilities





Change in accruals and deferred income

(6,169

)

5,119


Change in deposits by banks

(3,038

)

32,594


Change in customer accounts

32,372


199,806


Change in debt securities in issue

(67,152

)

(12,489

)

Change in financial liabilities designated at fair value

(15,352

)

12,304


Change in other liabilities

(4,074

)

12,761








(63,413

)

250,095








Cash and cash equivalents





Cash and balances at central banks

52,396


21,765


Items in the course of collection from other banks

6,003


9,777


Loans and advances to banks of one month or less

165,066


232,320


Treasury bills, other bills and certificates of deposit 





  less than three months

62,639


41,819


Less: items in the course of transmission to other banks

(7,232

)

(8,672

)






Total cash and cash equivalents

278,872


297,009







Interest and dividends





Interest paid

(60,342

)

(63,626

)

Interest received

107,019


103,393


Dividends received

1,876


1,833


















7. Loan impairment charges







Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Individually assessed impairment allowances:













  - Net new allowances

390


1,787


2,177


442


483


925


  - Recoveries

(58

)

(55

)

(113

)

(57

)

(72

)

(129

)















332


1,732


2,064


385


411


796


Collectively assessed impairment allowances:













  - Net new allowances

10,046


12,742


22,788


6,230


11,027


17,257


  - Recoveries

(421

)

(300

)

(721

)

(287

)

(589

)

(876

)















9,625


12,442


22,067


5,943


10,438


16,381


Total charge for













  impairment losses

9,957


14,174


24,131


6,328


10,849


17,177















Customers

9,957


14,120


24,077


6,328


10,849


17,177


Banks

-


54


54


-


-


-















  

8. Analysis of net fee income



Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Cards

3,089


2,755


5,844


3,092 


3,404 


6,496


Account services

2,260


2,093


4,353


1,961  


2,398 


4,359


Funds under management

1,572


1,185


2,757


1,390 


1,585 


2,975


Insurance

942


829


1,771


804 


1,032 


1,836


Broking income

954


784


1,738


928 


1,084 


2,012


Credit facilities

639


674


1,313


 672 


466 


1,138


Global custody

757


554


1,311


557 


847 


1,404


Imports/Exports

496


518


1,014


407 


459 


866


Remittances

307


303


610


273 


283 


556


Unit trusts

337


165


502


420 


455 


875


Corporate finance

232


149


381


220 


189 


409


Underwriting

204


121


325


196 


171 


367


Trust income

164


161


325


146 


153 


299


Taxpayer financial services 

154


14


168


234  


18 


252


Maintenance income on













  operating leases

70


60


130


69 


70 


139


Mortgage servicing

56


64


120


53 


56 


109


Other

1,148


954


2,102


1,066 


1,179 


2,245















Total fee income

13,381


11,383


24,764


12,488 


13,849 


26,337


Less: fee expense

(2,390

)

(2,350

)

(4,740

)

(1,993

)

(2,342

)

(4,335

)














Net fee income

10,991


9,033


20,024


10,495 


11,507 


22,002




  

9. Distribution of results by customer group and global business


Personal Financial Services










Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Net interest income

15,217


14,202


29,419 


13,998


15,071


29,069


Net fee income

5,626


4,481


10,107 


5,523


6,219


11,742















Net trading income

184


70


254 


93


85


178


Net income/(expense) from 













  financial instruments designated 













  at fair value

(1,135

)

(1,777

)

(2,912

)

796


537


1,333


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

585


78


663 


60


291


351


Dividend income

15


75


90 


41


14


55


Net earned insurance premiums

4,746


5,337


10,083 


3,735


4,536


8,271


Other operating income/(expense)

390


(131

)

259 


255


132


387















Total operating income

25,628


22,335


47,963 


24,501


26,885


51,386















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(3,206

)

(3,268

)

(6,474

)

(3,605

)

(4,542

)

(8,147

)

Net operating income before loan













  impairment charges and other













  credit risk provisions

22,422


19,067


41,489 


20,896


22,343


43,239















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

(9,384

)

(11,836

)

(21,220

)

(5,928

)

(10,244

)

(16,172

)














Net operating income

13,038


7,231


20,269 


14,968


12,099


27,067















Net operating expenses













  excluding goodwill impairment

(10,572

)

(10,568

)

(21,140

)

(10,452

)

(11,305

)

(21,757

)

Goodwill impairment

(527

)

(10,037

)

(10,564

)

-


-


-















Operating profit/(loss)

1,939


(13,374

)

(11,435

)

4,516


794


5,310















Share of profit in associates and













  joint ventures

374


87


461 


213


377


590















Profit/(loss) before tax

2,313


(13,287

)

(10,974

)

4,729


1,171


5,900



  

Commercial Banking










Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Net interest income

4,747


4,747


9,494 


4,286


4,769


9,055


Net fee income

2,165


1,932


4,097 


1,904


2,068


3,972















Net trading income

221


165


386 


134


162


296


Net income/(expense) from  













  financial instruments 













  designated at fair value

(59

)

(165

)

(224

)

(24

)

46


22


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

191


2


193 


25


65


90


Dividend income

3


85


88 


4


4


8


Net earned insurance premiums

360


319


679 


205


528


733


Other operating income

718


221


939 


2


163


165















Total operating income

8,346


7,306


15,652 


6,536


7,805


14,341















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(190

)

(145

)

(335

)

44


(435

)

(391

)

Net operating income before loan













  impairment charges and other













  credit risk provisions

8,156


7,161


15,317 


6,580


7,370


13,950















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

(563

)

(1,610

)

(2,173

)

(431

)

(576

)

(1,007

)














Net operating income

7,593


5,551


13,144 


6,149


6,794


12,943















Net operating expenses

(3,280

)

(3,301

)

(6,581

)

(2,907

)

(3,345

)

(6,252

)














Operating profit

4,313


2,250


6,563 


3,242


3,449


6,691















Share of profit in associates and













  joint ventures

298


333


631 


180


274


454















Profit before tax

4,611


2,583


7,194 


3,422


3,723


7,145





  

Global Banking and Markets









Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Net interest income

3,737


4,804


8,541 


1,847


2,583


4,430


Net fee income

2,354


1,937


4,291 


2,264


2,637


4,901















Net trading income/(expense)

633


(152

)

481


2,897


370


3,267


Net income/(expense) from  













  financial instruments designated 













  at fair value

(211

)

(227

)

(438

)

11


(175

)

(164

)

Gains less losses from financial













  investments

244


(571

)

(327

)

768


545


1,313


Dividend income

49


27


76 


175


47


222


Net earned insurance premiums

62


43


105 


46


47


93


Other operating income

551


317


868 


529


689


1,218















Total operating income

7,419


6,178


13,597 


8,537


6,743


15,280















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(40

)

(39

)

(79

)

(38

)

(32

)

(70

)

Net operating income before loan













  impairment charges and other













  credit risk provisions

7,379


6,139


13,518 


8,499


6,711


15,210















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk recoveries

(115

)

(1,356

)

(1,471

)

24


(62

)

(38

)














Net operating income

7,264


4,783


12,047


8,523


6,649


15,172















Net operating expenses

(4,827

)

(4,265

)

(9,092

)

(4,479

)

(4,879

)

(9,358

)














Operating profit

2,437


518


2,955 


4,044


1,770


5,814















Share of profit in associates and













  joint ventures

253


275


528 


114


193


307















Profit before tax

2,690


793


3,483 


4,158


1,963


6,121





  

Private Banking









Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Net interest income

783


829


1,612 


567


649


1,216


Net fee income

814


662


1,476 


811


804


1,615















Net trading income

218


204


422 


259


275


534


Net income/(expense) from  













  financial instruments designated 













  at fair value

1


(1

)

-


-


(1

)

(1

)

Gains less losses from financial













  investments

80


(16

)

64 


45


74


119


Dividend income

4


4



5


2


7


Other operating income

16


33


49 


31


27


58















Net operating income before 













   loan impairment charges and 













  other credit risk provisions

1,916


1,715


3,631 


1,718


1,830


3,548















Loan impairment (charges)/ 













  recoveries and other credit













  risk provisions

4


(72

)

(68

)

(9

)

(5

)

(14

)














Net operating income

1,920


1,643


3,563 


1,709


1,825


3,534















Net operating expenses

(1,098

)

(1,018

)

(2,116

)

(929

)

(1,096

)

(2,025

)














Operating profit

822


625


1,447 


780


729


1,509















Share of profit in associates and













  joint ventures

-


-


-


-


2


2















Profit before tax

822


625


1,447 


780


731


1,511





  

Other









Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Net interest income/(expense)

(375

)

(581

)

(956

)

(291

)

(251

)

(542

)

Net fee income/(expense)

32


21


53 


(7

)

(221

)

(228

)














Net trading income/(expense)

(353

)

(177

)

(530

)

(49

)

175


126


Changes in fair value of long-term













  debt issued and related 













  derivatives

577


6,102


6,679


284


2,528


2,812


Net income from other













  financial instruments 













  designated at fair value

243


504


747


(193)


274


81















Net income from financial













  instruments designated 













  at fair value

820


6,606


7,426 


91


2,802


2,893


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

(283

)

(113

)

(396

)

101


(18

)

83


Gains arising from dilution of 













  interests in associates

-


-


-


1,076


16


1,092


Dividend income

17


(7

)

10 


27


5


32


Net earned insurance premiums

(15

)

(2

)

(17

)

(9

)

(12

)

(21

)

Gains on disposal of French













  regional banks

-


2,445


2,445


-


-


-


Other operating income

1,943


2,318


4,261


1,667


1,856


3,523















Total operating income

1,786


10,510


12,296 


2,606


4,352


6,958















Net insurance claims incurred













  and movement in liabilities













  to policyholders

(1

)

-


(1

)

-


-


-


Net operating income before 













   loan impairment charges and 













   other credit risk provisions

1,785


10,510


12,295 


2,606


4,352


6,958















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

-


(5

)

(5

)

(2

)

(9

)

(11

)














Net operating income

1,785


10,505


12,290 


2,604


4,343


6,947















Net operating expenses

(2,019

)

(2,155

)

(4,174

)

(1,650

)

(1,912

)

(3,562 

)














Operating profit/(loss)

(234

)

8,350


8,116 


954


2,431


3,385















Share of profit/(loss) in associates 













  and joint ventures

45


(4

)

41 


116


34


150















Profit/(loss) before tax

(189

)

8,346


8,157 


1,070


2,465


3,535



  

10. Geographical distribution of results


Europe










Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Interest income

18,126


16,991


35,117


15,217


17,927


33,144


Interest expense

(13,651

)

(11,770

)

(25,421

)

(11,297

)

(14,101

)

(25,398

)














Net interest income

4,475


5,221


9,696


3,920


3,826


7,746















Fee income

5,666


4,559


10,225


5,382


5,591


10,973


Fee expense

(1,443

)

(1,290

)

(2,733

)

(1,238

)

(1,304

)

(2,542

)














Net fee income

4,223


3,269


7,492


4,144


4,287


8,431















Net trading income

3,649


1,708


5,357


3,338


3,605


6,943


Changes in fair value of long-term 













  debt issued and related derivatives

207


2,732


2,939


203


856


1,059


Net income/(expense) from 













  other financial instruments 













  designated at fair value 

(866

)

(960

)

(1,826

)

145


22


167















Net income/(expense) from 













  financial instruments 













  designated at fair value

(659

)

1,772


1,113


348


878


1,226


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

608


(190

)

418


790


536


1,326


Dividend income

20


110


130


161


10


171


Net earned insurance premiums

2,286


3,013


5,299


1,480


2,530


4,010


Gains on disposal of French













  regional banks

-


2,445


2,445


-


-


-


Other operating income

1,427


669


2,096


262


931


1,193















Total operating income

16,029


18,017


34,046


14,443


16,603


31,046















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(1,388

)

(1,979

)

(3,367

)

(1,146

)

(2,333

)

(3,479

)

Net operating income before loan













  impairment charges and other













  credit risk provisions

14,641


16,038


30,679


13,297


14,270


27,567















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

(1,272

)

(2,482

)

(3,754

)

(1,363

)

(1,179

)

(2,542

)














Net operating income

13,369


13,556


26,925


11,934


13,091


25,025















Net operating expenses

(8,193

)

(7,879

)

(16,072

)

(7,972

)

(8,553

)

(16,525

)














Operating profit

5,176


5,677


10,853


3,962


4,538


8,500















Share of profit in associates 













  and joint ventures

1


15


16


88


7


95















Profit before tax

5,177


5,692


10,869


4,050


4,545


8,595



  

Hong Kong










Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Interest income

4,984


4,546


9,530


6,214


6,366


12,580


Interest expense

(2,149

)

(1,683

)

(3,832

)

(3,646

)

(3,451

)

(7,097

)














Net interest income

2,835


2,863


5,698


2,568


2,915


5,483















Fee income

1,724


1,338


3,062


1,659


2,201


3,860


Fee expense

(255

)

(227

)

(482

)

(220

)

(278

)

(498

)














Net fee income

1,469


1,111


2,580


1,439


1,923


3,362















Net trading income

314


879


1,193


469


773


1,242


Changes in fair value of 













  long-term debt issued 













  and related derivatives

1


2


3


-


2


2


Net income/(expense) from













  other financial instruments













  designated at fair value

(362

)

(832

)

(1,194

)

210


464


674















Net income/(expense) from 













  financial instruments 













  designated at fair value

(361

)

(830

)

(1,191

)

210


466


676


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

(98

)

(211

)

(309

)

32


62


94


Dividend income

20


21


41


17


14


31


Net earned insurance premiums

1,650


1,597


3,247


1,426


1,371


2,797


Other operating income

448


369


817


413


432


845















Total operating income

6,277


5,799


12,076


6,574


7,956


14,530















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(1,169

)

(753

)

(1,922

)

(1,512

)

(1,696

)

(3,208

)

Net operating income before 













   loan impairment charges and 













   other credit risk provisions

5,108


5,046


10,154


5,062


6,260


11,322















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

(81

)

(684

)

(765

)

(80

)

(151

)

(231

)














Net operating income

5,027


4,362


9,389


4,982


6,109


11,091















Net operating expenses

(1,975

)

(1,968

)

(3,943

)

(1,665

)

(2,115

)

(3,780

)














Operating profit

3,052


2,394


5,446


3,317


3,994


7,311















Share of profit/(loss) in associates 













  and joint ventures

21


(6

)

15


13


15


28















Profit before tax

3,073


2,388


5,461


3,330


4,009


7,339




  

Rest of Asia-Pacific (including 








   Middle East)

Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Interest income

5,747


5,770


11,517


4,662


5,496


10,158


Interest expense

(3,114

)

(2,910

)

(6,024

)

(2,761

)

(3,254

)

(6,015

)














Net interest income

2,633


2,860


5,493


1,901


2,242


4,143















Fee income

1,686


1,468


3,154


1,174


1,535


2,709


Fee expense

(348

)

(248

)

(596

)

(164

)

(299

)

(463

)














Net fee income

1,338


1,220


2,558


1,010


1,236


2,246















Net trading income

1,329


1,115


2,444


797


846


1,643


Changes in fair value of













  long-term debt issued and













  related derivatives

-


1


1


1


-


1


Net income/(expense) from













  other financial instruments













  designated at fair value

(88

)

(84

)

(172

)

77


33


110















Net income/(expense) from  













  financial instruments 













  designated at fair value

(88

)

(83

)

(171

)

78


33


111


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

33


(1

)

32


26


12


38


Gains arising from dilution of 













  interests in associates 

-


-


-


1,076


5


1,081


Dividend income

2


2


4


4


4


8


Net earned insurance premiums

114


83


197


109


117


226


Other operating income

484


580


1,064


360


438


798















Total operating income

5,845


5,776


11,621


5,361


4,933


10,294















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(4

)

32


28


(141

)

(112

)

(253

)

Net operating income before loan













  impairment charges and other













  credit risk provisions

5,841


5,808


11,649


5,220


4,821


10,041















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

(369

)

(762

)

(1,131

)

(308

)

(308

)

(616

)














Net operating income

5,472


5,046


10,518


4,912


4,513


9,425















Net operating expenses

(2,784

)

(2,879

)

(5,663

)

(2,075

)

(2,689

)

(4,764

)














Operating profit

2,688


2,167


4,855


2,837


1,824


4,661















Share of profit in associates and













  joint ventures

936


677


1,613


507


841


1,348















Profit before tax

3,624


2,844


6,468


3,344


2,665


6,009




  

North America









Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Interest income

13,797


12,100


25,897


14,958


15,225


30,183


Interest expense

(5,924

)

(4,755

)

(10,679

)

(7,651

)

(7,685

)

(15,336

)














Net interest income

7,873


7,345


15,218


7,307


7,540


14,847















Fee income

3,245


3,047


6,292


3,307


3,426


6,733


Fee expense

(423

)

(642

)

(1,065

)

(403

)

(520

)

(923

)














Net fee income

2,822


2,405


5,227


2,904


2,906


5,810















Net trading income/(expense)

(1,816

)

(1,319

)

(3,135

)

622


(1,164

)

(542

)

Changes in fair value of













  long-term debt issued 













  and related derivatives

369


3,367


3,736


81


1,669


1,750


Net income/(expense) from













  other financial instruments













  designated at fair value

(1

)

2


1


-


-


-















Net income from 













  financial instruments 













  designated at fair value

368


3,369


3,737


81


1,669


1,750


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

106


(226

)

(120

)

53


192


245


Dividend income

40


37


77


64


41


105


Net earned insurance premiums

203


187


390


231


218


449


Other operating income/(expense)

115


(92

)

23


342


18


360















Total operating income

9,711


11,706


21,417


11,604


11,420


23,024















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(112

)

(126

)

(238

)

(124

)

(117

)

(241

)

Net operating income before loan













  impairment charges and other













  credit risk provisions

9,599


11,580


21,179


11,480


11,303


22,783















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

(7,166

)

(9,629

)

(16,795

)

(3,820

)

(8,336

)

(12,156

)














Net operating income

2,433


1,951


4,384


7,660


2,967


10,627















Net operating expenses













  excluding goodwill impairment

(4,807

)

(4,552

)

(9,359

)

(5,235

)

(5,321

)

(10,556

)

Goodwill impairment

(527

)

(10,037

)

(10,564

)

-


-


-















Operating profit/(loss)

(2,901

)

(12,638

)

(15,539

)

2,425


(2,354

)

71















Share of profit in associates 













  and joint ventures

8


3


11


10


10


20















Profit/(loss) before tax

(2,893

)

(12,635

)

(15,528

)

2,435


(2,344

)

91




  

Latin America









Half-year to




Half-year to





30 June 

31 December




30 June

31 December





2008


2008


2008


2007


2007


2007



US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m


US$m















Interest income

5,785


5,847


11,632


4,376


5,095


9,471


Interest expense

(2,423

)

(2,751

)

(5,174

)

(1,842

)

(2,053

)

(3,895

)














Net interest income

3,362


3,096


6,458


2,534


3,042


5,576















Fee income

1,418


1,298


2,716


1,234


1,413


2,647


Fee expense

(279

)

(270

)

(549

)

(236

)

(258

)

(494

)














Net fee income

1,139


1,028


2,167


998


1,155


2,153















Net trading income

358


343


701


285


263


548


Changes in fair value of













  long-term debt issued 













  and related derivatives

-


-


-


-


-


-


Net income from other  













  financial instruments













  designated at fair value

156


208


364


157


163


320















Net income from financial 













   instruments designated at 













  fair value

156


208


364


157


163


320


Gains less losses from financial













  investments

168


8


176


98


155


253


Gains arising from dilution of 













  interests in associates 

-


-


-


-


11


11


Dividend income

6


14


20


6


3


9


Net earned insurance premiums

900


817


1,717


731


863


1,594


Other operating income

130


170


300


153


75


228















Total operating income

6,219


5,684


11,903


4,962


5,730


10,692















Net insurance claims incurred and













  movement in liabilities to













  policyholders

(764

)

(626

)

(1,390

)

(676

)

(751

)

(1,427

)

Net operating income before loan













   impairment charges and other













  credit risk provisions

5,455


5,058


10,513


4,286


4,979


9,265















Loan impairment charges and













  other credit risk provisions

(1,170

)

(1,322

)

(2,492

)

(775

)

(922

)

(1,697

)














Net operating income

4,285


3,736


8,021


3,511


4,057


7,568















Net operating expenses

(3,023

)

(2,967

)

(5,990

)

(2,516

)

(2,886

)

(5,402

)














Operating profit

1,262


769


2,031


995


1,171


2,166















Share of profit in associates and













  joint ventures

4


2


6


5


7


12















Profit before tax

1,266


771


2,037


1,000


1,178


2,178




  

11. Registers of shareholders


The Overseas Branch Register of shareholders in Hong Kong will be closed for one day, on Friday 20 March 2009. Any person who has acquired shares registered on the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register but who has not lodged the share transfer with the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Registrar should do so before 4.00pm on Thursday 19 March 2009 in order to receive the fourth interim dividend for 2008, which will be payable on Wednesday 6 May 2009. Transfers may not be made to or from the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register while the Branch Register is closed.


Any person who has acquired shares registered on the Principal Register in the United Kingdom but who has not lodged the share transfer with the Principal Registrar should do so before 4.00pm on Friday 20 March 2009 in order to receive the dividend.


Transfers of American Depositary Shares should be lodged with the depositary by 12 noon on Friday 20 March 2009 in order to receive the dividend.



12. Foreign currency amounts


The sterling and Hong Kong dollar equivalent figures in the consolidated income statement and balance sheet are for information only. These are translated at the average rate for the period for the income statement and the closing rate for the balance sheet as follows:




Year ended 31 December




2008


2007








Closing :

HK$/US$

7.750


7.798



£/US$

0.686


0.498








Average :

HK$/US$

7.787


7.801



£/US$

0.545


0.500










13. Litigation 


On 27 July 2007, the UK Office of Fair Trading ('OFT') issued High Court legal proceedings against a number of UK financial institutions, including HSBC Bank, to determine the legal status and enforceability of certain of the charges applied to their personal customers in relation to unauthorised overdrafts (the 'charges'). Pending the resolution of the proceedings, the Financial Services Authority ('FSA') has granted firms (including HSBC Bank) a waiver enabling them to place relevant complaints about the charges on hold and the County Courts have stayed all individual customer claims.


Certain preliminary issues in these proceedings have been heard in the Commercial Division of the High Court. This has confirmed that HSBC Bank's current and historic charges are capable of being tested for fairness but are not capable of being penalties. HSBC Bank (and all the other financial institutions involved in the legal proceedings) appealed the finding that the current charges are capable of being tested for fairness. The Court of Appeal delivered its judgement on 26 February 2009, confirming the decision of the High Court that the charges of HSBC Bank (and all of the other financial institutions involved in the legal proceedings) are capable of being tested for fairness. HSBC Bank is considering applying for leave to appeal to the House of Lords. 


The proceedings remain at an early stage and may, allowing for appeals on the issues, take some time to conclude. A wide range of outcomes is possible, depending upon the outcome of any appeal to the House of Lords and, to the extent applicable, upon the Court's assessment of the fairness of each charge across the period under review. Since July 2001, there have been a variety of charges applied by HSBC Bank across different charging periods under the then existing contractual arrangements. HSBC Bank considers the charges to be and to have been valid and enforceable, and intends strongly to defend its position. 


If, contrary to HSBC Bank's current assessment, the Court should ultimately (after appeals) reach an adverse decision that results in a liability, a large number of different outcomes is possible, each of which would have a different financial impact. Given that there is limited authority on how an assessment of fairness should be conducted, HSBC Bank's estimate of the potential financial impact is that it could be in the order of approximately £350 million (US$510 million), as published in the Interim Report 2008. To make an estimate of the potential financial impact at this stage with any precision is extremely difficult, owing to (among other things) the complexity of the issues, the number of permutations of possible outcomes, and the early stage of the proceedings. In addition, the assumptions made by HSBC Bank may prove to be incorrect.


On 11 December 2008 Bernard L Madoff ('Madoff') was arrested and charged in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York with one count of securities fraud. That same day, the US Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') filed securities fraud charges against Madoff and his firm Bernard L Madoff Investment Securities LLC ('Madoff Securities'), a broker dealer and investment advisor registered with the SEC. The criminal complaint and SEC complaint each alleged that Madoff had informed senior Madoff Securities employees, in substance, that his investment advisory business was a fraud. On 15 December 2008, on the application of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York appointed a trustee for the liquidation of the business of Madoff Securities, and removed the liquidation proceeding to the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. On 9 February 2009, on Madoff's consent, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York entered a partial judgement in the SEC action, permanently enjoining Madoff from violating certain antifraud provisions of the US securities laws, ordering Madoff to pay disgorgement, prejudgement interest and a civil penalty in amounts to be determined at a later time, and continuing certain other relief previously imposed, including a freeze on Madoff's assets. The relevant US authorities are continuing their investigations into the alleged fraud. There remains significant uncertainty as to the facts of the alleged fraud and the extent of any assets of, and remaining within, Madoff Securities.


Various non-US HSBC group companies provide custodial, administration and similar services to a number of funds incorporated outside the United States of America whose assets were invested with Madoff Securities. Based on information provided by Madoff Securities, as at 30 November 2008, the aggregate net asset value of these funds (which would include principal amounts invested and unrealised gains) was US$8.4 billion.


Proceedings concerning Madoff and Madoff Securities have already been issued in various jurisdictions against numerous defendants and HSBC expects further proceedings to be brought, including by the Madoff Securities trustee. Various HSBC group companies have been named as defendants in suits in the United States anticipated to seek class action status and cases in the Commercial List of the Irish courts. All of the cases where HSBC group companies are named as a defendant are at a very early stage. HSBC considers that it has good defences to these claims and will continue to defend them vigorously. HSBC is unable reliably to estimate the liability, if any, that might arise as a result of such claims.


Various HSBC group companies have also received requests for information from various regulatory authorities in connection with the alleged fraud by Madoff. HSBC group companies are co-operating with these requests for information.


These actions apart HSBC is party to legal actions in a number of jurisdictions including the UK, Hong Kong and the US arising out of its normal business operation. HSBC considers that none of the actions is material, and none is expected to result in a significant adverse effect on the financial position of HSBC, either individually or in the aggregate. Management believes that adequate provisions have been made in respect of the litigation arising out of its normal business operations. HSBC has not disclosed any contingent liability associated with these legal actions because it is not practical to do so.



14. Goodwill impairment


It is HSBC's policy to test goodwill for impairment annually, and to perform an impairment test more frequently for cash generating units ('CGUs') when there are indications that conditions have changed for those CGUs since the last goodwill impairment test that would result in a different outcome.


At 31 December 2008, HSBC recognised an impairment charge of US$10,564 million (2007: nil) in respect of Personal Financial Services - North America. This was a result of the very significant deterioration in the economic and credit conditions in North America and the resulting further restructuring in the Personal Financial Services - North America CGU in the latter part of 2008. The reduction in the recoverable amount of the main business lines was driven by higher losses than were expected for 2008, including higher levels of impairment charges, contraction in new business from lending activities and a delay in the expected return to profitability of the business. The deterioration in the financial performance was particularly severe in the fourth quarter of 2008. In addition, the discount rate used increased as observed market discount rates increased for US consumer finance and banking businesses.



15. Events after the balance sheet date


A fourth interim dividend for 2008 of US$0.10 per ordinary share (US$1,214 million) (2007: US$0.39 per ordinary share, US$4,628 million) was declared by the Directors after 31 December 2008.


In late February 2009, HSBC decided to discontinue all originations by the branch-based consumer lending business of HSBC Finance. HSBC Finance will continue to service and collect the existing portfolio as it runs off. Closure costs of approximately US$265 million are expected to be incurred, mainly relating to one-off termination and other employee benefit costs, and charges for impairment 

of fixed assets associated with the consumer lending branch network, a substantial portion of which will be recorded in the first half of 2009.


On 2 March 2009, HSBC Holdings plc announced its proposal to raise £12.5 billion (US$17.7 billion) (net of expenses) by way of a fully underwritten rights issue of 5,060 million new ordinary shares at a price of 254 pence per share on the basis of 5 new ordinary shares for every 12 existing ordinary shares. The proposal is subject to authorisation by the shareholders at a general meeting on 19 March 2009. 


These accounts were approved by the Board of Directors on 2 March 2009 and authorised for issue.



16. Dealings in HSBC Holdings plc shares


Except for dealings as intermediaries by HSBC Bank plc, HSBC Financial Products (France) and The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, which are members of a European Economic Area exchange, neither HSBC Holdings nor any subsidiaries has bought, sold or redeemed any securities of HSBC Holdings during the year ended 31 December 2008.



17. Statutory accounts


The information in this news release does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985 (the Act). The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2008 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies in England and Wales in accordance with Section 242 of the Act. The auditor has reported on those accounts. Its report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or (3) of the Act.



18. Forward-looking statements


This news release contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of HSBC. These forward-looking statements represent HSBC's expectations or beliefs concerning future events and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainty that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Certain statements, such as those that include the words 'potential', 'estimated', and similar expressions or variations on such expressions may be considered 'forward-looking statements'.


Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.



19. Corporate governance


HSBC is committed to high standards of corporate governance. HSBC Holdings plc has complied throughout 2008 with the applicable code provisions of the Combined Code on Corporate Governance issued by the Financial Reporting Council and the Code on Corporate Governance Practices in Appendix 14 to the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited.


The Board of HSBC Holdings plc has adopted a code of conduct for transactions in HSBC Group securities by Directors that complies with The Model Code in the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority and with The Model Code for Securities Transactions by Directors of Listed Issuers ('Hong Kong Model Code') set out in the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited save that The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong has granted certain waivers from strict compliance with the Hong Kong Model Code, primarily to take into account accepted practices in the UK, particularly in respect of employee share plans. Following a specific enquiry, each Director has confirmed he or she has complied with the code of conduct for transactions in HSBC Group securities throughout 2008. 


The Directors of HSBC Holdings plc as at the date of this announcement are:

S K Green, M F Geoghegan, S A Catz, M K T Cheung, V H C Cheng, J D Coombe, J L Durán, R A Fairhead, D J FlintA A Flockhart, W K L Fung*, S T Gulliver, J W J Hughes-Hallett

W S H LaidlawJ R LomaxSir Mark Moody-Stuart, G MorganN R N MurthyS M Robertson, J L Thornton and Sir Brian Williamson.



* Non-executive Director

† Independent non-executive Director


The Group Audit Committee has reviewed the annual results for 2008.



20. Annual Review and Annual Report and Accounts


The Annual Review 2008 and/or Annual Report and Accounts 2008 will be mailed to shareholders on or about Tuesday 31 March 2009. Copies may be obtained from Group Communications, HSBC Holdings plc, 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom; Group Public Affairs, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong; Internal Communications, HSBC - North America, 26525 N Riverwoods Boulevard, Mattawa, Illinois, 60045,USA; HSBC France, Direction de la Communication, 103 avenue des Champs Elysées, 75419 Paris Cedex 08, France; or from the HSBC Group website - www.hsbc.com. Chinese translations of the Annual Review and Annual Report and Accounts may be obtained on request from Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, Hopewell Centre, Rooms 1806-07, 18th Floor, 183 Queen's Road East, Hong Kong.


A French translation of the Annual Review may be obtained on request from HSBC France, Direction de la Communication, 103 avenue des Champs Elysées, 75419 Paris Cedex 08, France.


The Annual Report and Accounts will be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.


The Annual Review and Annual Report and Accounts will be available on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong's website - www.hkex.com.hk.


Custodians or nominees that wish to distribute copies of the Annual Review and/or Annual Report and Accounts to their clients may request copies for collection by writing to Group Communications at the address given above. 



21. Annual General Meeting


The 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre, London EC2 on Friday 22 May 2009 at 11 am.


Notice of the meeting will be mailed to shareholders on or about Tuesday 31 March 2009.



22. Interim Management Statements and Interim results for 2009


Interim Management Statements are expected to be issued on 8 May 2009 and 5 November 2009, respectively. The interim results for the six months to 30 June 2009 will be announced on Monday 3 August 2009.



23. Proposed interim dividends for 2009 


The Board has adopted a policy of paying quarterly interim dividends on the ordinary shares. Under this policy it is intended to have a pattern of three equal interim dividends with a variable fourth interim dividend. It is envisaged that the first interim dividend in respect of 2009 will be US$0.08 per ordinary share. The proposed timetables for the dividends in respect of 2009 are:





Interim dividends on the ordinary shares for 2008


First


Second


Third


Fourth











Announcement

5 May 2009


3 August 2009


2 November 2009


1 March 2010


ADSs quoted ex-dividend in 









   New York

20 May 2009


19 August 2009


18 November 2009


17 March 2010


Shares quoted ex-dividend in 









   London, Hong Kong, Paris









  and Bermuda

20 May 2009


19 August 2009


18 November 2009


17 March 2010


Record date in Hong Kong

22 May 2009


21 August 2009


19 November 2009


18 March 2010


Record date in London,









   Paris and Bermuda

22 May 2009


21 August 2009


*20 November 2009


*19 March 2010


Closure of the Overseas









  Branch Register of









  shareholders in Hong Kong 









  for one day

22 May 2009


21 August 2009


-


-











Payment date

8 July 2009


7 October 2009


13 January 2010


5 May 2010



Removals to and from the Overseas Branch Register of shareholders in Hong Kong will not be permitted on these dates



24. News release


Copies of this news release may be obtained from Group Comunications, HSBC Holdings plc, 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom; The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong; HSBC North America, 26525 N Riverwoods Boulevard, Mettawa, Illinois 60045, USA; HSBC France, Direction de la Communication, 103 avenue des Champs Elysées, 75419 Paris Cedex 08, France. The news release will also be available on the HSBC Group website - www.hsbc.com. 



25. For further information contact:


London    Hong Kong

Richard Beck    David Hall

Group General Manager and Director    Head of Group Communications (Asia)

of Group Comunications    Telephone: +852 2822 1133

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7991 0633    


Danielle Neben    Gareth Hewett

Manager Investor Relations    Deputy Head, Group Communications (Asia)

Telephone: +44 (0)20 7992 1938    Telephone: +852 2822 4929



Chicago    Paris

Lisa Sodeika    Chantal Nedjib

Executive Vice President    Managing Director, Corporate Communications

Corporate Affairs    Telephone: +33 1 40 70 7729

Telephone: +1 224 544 3299


Diane Bergan    Gilberte Lombard

Senior Vice President     Investor Relations Director

Public Affairs     Telephone: +33 1 40 70 2257 

Telephone: +1 224 544 3310



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