TIDM57HB

RNS Number : 9078U

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp Ld

03 August 2020

3 August 2020

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

2020 Interim Report

In fulfilment of its obligations under sections 4.2.2, 6.3.3(2) and 6.3.5(1) of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules , The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (the "Company") hereby releases the unedited full text of its 2020 Interim Report for the half-year ended 30 June 2020.

The document is now available on the Company's website at: https://www.hsbc.com.hk/legal/regulatory-disclosures .

The document has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism (NSM) and will shortly be available for inspection at:

https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism .

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking

Corporation Limited

Interim Report 2020

 
 Contents 
                                             Page 
 Certain defined terms                          1 
------------------------------------------- 
 Cautionary statement regarding 
  forward-looking statements                    1 
------------------------------------------- 
 Chinese translation                            1 
------------------------------------------- 
 Additional information                         1 
-------------------------------------------  ---- 
 Highlights                                     2 
------------------------------------------- 
 Financial review                               3 
------------------------------------------- 
 Risk                                           8 
------------------------------------------- 
 Capital                                       23 
------------------------------------------- 
 Statement of Directors' responsibilities      24 
------------------------------------------- 
 Independent review report by 
  PricewaterhouseCoopers                       25 
------------------------------------------- 
 Interim condensed consolidated 
  financial statements                         26 
------------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated income statement                 26 
------------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated statement of comprehensive 
  income                                       27 
------------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated balance sheet                    28 
------------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated statement of cash 
  flows                                        29 
------------------------------------------- 
 Consolidated statement of changes 
  in equity                                    30 
------------------------------------------- 
 Notes on the Interim condensed 
  consolidated financial statements            32 
       Basis of preparation and significant 
 1      accounting policies                    32 
 2     Dividends                               33 
----  -------------------------------------  ---- 
 3     Loans and advances to customers         34 
                                             ---- 
 4     Financial investments                   34 
                                             ---- 
       Interests in associates and 
 5      joint ventures                         35 
 6     Customer accounts                       37 
----  -------------------------------------  ---- 
       Fair values of financial instruments 
 7      carried at fair value                  37 
----  -------------------------------------  ---- 
       Fair values of financial instruments 
 8      not carried at fair value              38 
       Contingent liabilities, contractual 
 9      commitments and guarantees             38 
 10    Segmental analysis                      39 
----  -------------------------------------  ---- 
 11    Related party transactions              40 
                                             ---- 
       Legal proceedings and regulatory 
 12     matters                                40 
----  -------------------------------------  ---- 
       Interim Report 2020 and statutory 
 13     accounts                               41 
 14    Ultimate holding company                41 
----  -------------------------------------  ---- 
 
 
 Certain defined terms 
 This document comprises the Interim 
  Report 2020 for The Hongkong and 
  Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited 
  ('the Bank') and its subsidiaries 
  (together 'the group'). References 
  to 'HSBC', 'the Group' or 'the HSBC 
  Group' within this document mean 
  HSBC Holdings plc together with 
  its subsidiaries. Within this document 
  the Hong Kong Special Administrative 
  Region of the People's Republic 
  of China is referred to as 'Hong 
  Kong'. The abbreviations 'HK$m' 
  and 'HK$bn' represent millions and 
  billions (thousands of millions) 
  of Hong Kong dollars respectively. 
  Cautionary statement regarding 
  forward- 
  looking statements 
 

This Interim Report 2020 contains certain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of the group.

Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the group's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'plans', 'believes', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'potential' and 'reasonably possible', variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, and therefore undue reliance should not be placed on them.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited makes no commitment to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring or existing after the date of any forward-looking statement.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that a number of factors could cause actual results to differ, in some instances materially, from those anticipated or implied in any forward-looking statement.

 
 Chinese translation 
 

A Chinese translation of the Interim Report 2020 is available upon request from: Communications (Asia), Level 32, HSBC Main Building, 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong. The report is also available, in English and Chinese, on the Bank's website at www.hsbc.com.hk.

 
 Additional information 
 

The Banking Disclosure Statement at 30 June 2020, which is prepared in accordance with the Banking (Disclosure) Rules made under section 60A of the Banking Ordinance and the Financial Institutions (Resolution) (Loss-absorbing Capacity Requirements - Banking Sector) Rules made under section 19(1) of the Financial Institutions (Resolution) Ordinance, will be published on our website at www.hsbc.com.hk.

 
 Highlights 
 
 
 Financial highlights 
 
   --    Profit before tax down 29% to HK$51,667m (HK$72,867m in the first half of 2019). 
   --    Attributable profit down 26% to HK$40,846m (HK$55,489m in the first half of 2019). 
   --    Return on average ordinary shareholders' equity of 10.2% (14.8% in the first half of 2019). 
   --    Total assets up 5% to HK$9,097bn (HK$8,662bn at the end of 2019). 

-- Common equity tier 1 ratio of 16.7% (17.2% at the end of 2019), total capital ratio of 20.3% (21.0% at the end of 2019).

   --    Cost efficiency ratio of 43.9% (40.7% for the first half of 2019). 

Media enquiries to : Patrick Humphris Telephone no: + 852 2822 2052

                                                      Vinh Tran                                 Telephone no: + 852 2822 4924 
 
 Financial review 
 
 
 Consolidated income statement and balance sheet data by global business(1,2) 
 
 
                                                    Wealth                    Global 
                                              and Personal  Commercial       Banking   Corporate 
                                                   Banking     Banking   and Markets   Centre(3)         Total 
                                                      HK$m        HK$m          HK$m        HK$m          HK$m 
 Half-year to 30 Jun 2020 
 Net interest income/(expense)                     33,332      18,979        12,284      (3,637)     60,958 
                                             ------------ 
 Net fee income                                    10,897       4,717         4,987          77      20,678 
                                             ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Net income/(expense) from financial 
  instruments measured at fair value               (1,268)      1,597        12,848       2,392      15,569 
                                             ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Gains less losses from financial 
  investments                                         644         375           337         (15)      1,341 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Net insurance premium income/(expense)            28,282       2,787             -        (306)     30,763 
 Other operating income/(expense)                   4,941         123           442        (378)      5,128 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Total operating income/(expense)                  76,828      28,578        30,898      (1,867)    134,437 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Net insurance claims and benefits 
  paid and movement in liabilities to 
  policyholders                                   (29,128)     (2,564)            -         201     (31,491) 
 Net operating income/(expense) before 
  change in expected credit losses and 
  other credit impairment charges                  47,700      26,014        30,898      (1,666)    102,946 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 - Of which: external                              37,966      28,721        39,034      (2,775)    102,946 
                    inter-segment                   9,734      (2,707)       (8,136)      1,109           - 
 Change in expected credit losses and 
  other credit impairment charges                  (3,329)     (9,535)       (1,238)        (10)    (14,112) 
 Net operating income/(expense)                    44,371      16,479        29,660      (1,676)     88,834 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Operating expenses                               (22,650)     (9,271)      (11,286)     (2,009)    (45,216) 
 Operating profit/(loss)                           21,721       7,208        18,374      (3,685)     43,618 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Share of profit in associates and 
  joint ventures                                      (82)          -             -       8,131       8,049 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Profit before tax                                 21,639       7,208        18,374       4,446      51,667 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 Balance at 30 Jun 2020 
 Loans and advances to customers (net)          1,402,816   1,228,971     1,044,434       3,143   3,679,364 
 Customer accounts                              3,199,609   1,343,461     1,060,524         473   5,604,067 
-------------------------------------------  ------------   ---------   -----------   ---------   --------- 
 
 
 Half-year to 30 Jun 2019 
----------------------------------------------  ---------- 
 Net interest income/(expense)                     36,124      22,498      13,714   (7,747)     64,589 
                                                --------- 
 Net fee income                                    11,211       5,400       4,921       57      21,589 
 Net income from financial instruments 
  measured at fair value                           10,272       1,262       8,992    6,753      27,279 
 Gains less losses from financial investments         125         110         123        1         359 
                                                ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Net insurance premium income/(expense)            32,975       3,224           -      (13)     36,186 
 Other operating income                             7,166         298         395      462       8,321 
                                                ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Total operating income/(expense)                  97,873      32,792      28,145     (487)    158,323 
----------------------------------------------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Net insurance claims and benefits 
  paid and movement in liabilities to 
  policyholders                                   (43,011)     (3,125)          -        -     (46,136) 
 Net operating income/(expense) before 
  change in expected credit losses and 
  other credit impairment charges                  54,862      29,667      28,145     (487)    112,187 
----------------------------------------------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 - Of which: external                              41,687      31,135      41,664   (2,299)    112,187 
   inter-segment                                   13,175      (1,468)    (13,519)   1,812           - 
----------------------------------------------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Change in expected credit losses and 
  other credit impairment charges                    (855)       (979)       (204)      (1)     (2,039) 
---------------------------------------------- 
 Net operating income/(expense)                    54,007      28,688      27,941     (488)    110,148 
----------------------------------------------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Operating expenses                               (22,555)     (9,318)    (11,783)  (2,028)    (45,684) 
 Operating profit/(loss)                           31,452      19,370      16,158   (2,516)     64,464 
----------------------------------------------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Share of profit in associates and 
  joint ventures                                      282           -           -    8,121       8,403 
                                                ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Profit before tax                                 31,734      19,370      16,158    5,605      72,867 
----------------------------------------------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 Balance at 30 Jun 2019 
---------------------------------------------- 
 Loans and advances to customers (net)          1,372,745   1,275,999   1,048,492    1,253   3,698,489 
 Customer accounts                              3,009,355   1,291,000     988,774      444   5,289,573 
----------------------------------------------  ---------   ---------   ---------   ------   --------- 
 

1 Effective from the second quarter of 2020, the reportable segments have been changed to reflect the merging of Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Global Private Banking to form Wealth and Personal Banking ('WPB'), and the re-allocation of Balance Sheet Management from Corporate Centre to the global businesses. Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to the current year's presentation. Further details on the change in reportable segments are set out in note 10 'Segmental analysis' on the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

2 The financial information included in this table forms part of the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

   3   Includes inter-segment elimination. 
 
 Financial review 
 

The commentary in this financial review compares the group's financial performance for the half-year ended 30 June 2020 with the half-year ended 30 June 2019 unless otherwise stated.

Result commentary

The group reported profit before tax of HK$51,667m, a decrease of HK$21,200m, or 29%.

Net interest income decreased by HK$3,631m, or 6%. Excluding the unfavourable foreign exchange impact, net interest income decreased by HK$2,631m, or 4%, driven by Hong Kong due to narrower customer deposit spreads and lower reinvestment yields as market interest rates decreased, partly offset by balance sheet growth. The decrease in Hong Kong was partly offset by increases in India, primarily from lower funding costs on customer deposits, coupled with balance sheet growth, and in Japan and Taiwan due to lower funding costs as market interest rates decreased.

Net fee income decreased by HK$911m, or 4%, mainly in Commercial Banking ('CMB') from lower trade-related fees, remittance and credit facility fees. Net fee income in Wealth and Personal Banking ('WPB') also decreased, mainly from lower credit cards income due to lower customer spending as a consequence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 ('Covid-19') pandemic, coupled with lower income from unit trusts, account services fee income and insurance agency commissions. These were partly offset by higher securities brokerage revenue, mainly in Hong Kong due to higher equity market turnover in the first half of 2020.

Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis increased by HK$1,149m, or 6%, mainly in Hong Kong from higher Foreign Exchange ('FX') trading, partly offset by lower Rates and Credit trading, and in mainland China from higher revaluation gains on trading bonds and lower interest expense on structured deposits, partly offset by unfavourable movements on FX and interest rate swaps. Increases were also noted in Korea from favourable movement on structured deposits, and in Indonesia and India, mainly from higher FX and Rates trading income, partly offset by decreases in Taiwan and Japan from unfavourable revaluation on funding swaps.

Net income from assets and liabilities of insurance business, including related derivatives, measured at fair value through profit or loss decreased by HK$12,729m, or 146%, driven by the unfavourable equity market performance in Hong Kong in the first half of 2020 as compared to the favourable equity market performance in the first half of 2019, which resulted in revaluation losses on equities held to back insurance liabilities. To the extent that these losses are attributable to policyholders, the losses are offset by a corresponding movement in 'Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders'.

Net insurance premium income decreased by HK$5,423m, or 15%, driven by lower new business sales, partly offset by higher renewals business. This was largely offset by a corresponding movement in 'Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders'.

Other operating income decreased by HK$3,193m, or 38%, driven by the unfavourable movement in the present value of in-force insurance business ('PVIF'), and from the unfavourable revaluation on investment properties, mainly in Hong Kong. The movement in PVIF was partly offset by a corresponding movement in 'Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders'.

Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders decreased by HK$14,645m, or 32%, reflecting lower investment returns to policyholders from the unfavourable equity market performance in the first half of 2020, lower claims from lower business sales and the unfavourable movement in the present value of in-force insurance business.

Change in expected credit losses and other credit risk provisions increased by HK$12,073m, or 592%, with increases across all global businesses, mainly from charges relating to the global impact of Covid-19 and a deteriorating forward economic outlook. The increase also reflected higher charges related to specific wholesale exposures, including a significant charge related to a corporate exposure in Singapore in CMB.

Total operating expenses decreased by HK$468m, or 1%. Excluding the favourable foreign exchange impact, operating expenses increased by HK$230m, or 1%, reflecting an increase in investments, mainly IT-related costs to enhance our digital capabilities. The increase was largely offset by lower employee compensation and benefits, driven by lower performance-related pay and lower average headcount, partly offset by wage inflation across the region.

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures decreased by HK$354m, or 4%, driven by the unfavourable foreign exchange impact. Excluding this impact, share of profit in associates and joint ventures, the largest of which is from Bank of Communications Co., Limited, increased by HK$21m.

Net interest income

 
                                         Half-year to 
                                       30 Jun       30 Jun 
                                         2020         2019 
                                         HK$m         HK$m 
 Net interest income                   60,958     64,589 
                                    --------- 
 Average interest-earning assets    6,729,095  6,437,120 
                                    --------- 
                                            %            % 
 Net interest spread                     1.71       1.86 
                                    ---------  --------- 
 Contribution from net free funds        0.11       0.16 
                                    ---------  --------- 
 Net interest margin                     1.82       2.02 
----------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

Net interest income ('NII') decreased by HK$3,631m, or 6%. Excluding the unfavourable foreign exchange impact, net interest income decreased by HK$2,631m, or 4%, driven by Hong Kong due to narrower customer deposit spreads and lower reinvestment yields as market interest rates decreased, partly offset by balance sheet growth. The decrease in Hong Kong was partly offset by increases in India, primarily from lower funding costs on customer deposits as a result of successive central bank rate cuts, coupled with balance sheet growth, and in Japan and Taiwan due to lower funding costs as market interest rates decreased.

Average interest-earning assets increased by HK$292bn, or 5%, driven by Hong Kong, mainly from an increase in loans and advances to customers, notably in corporate term lending and residential mortgages. Increases were also noted in Singapore and mainland China, driven by balance sheet growth, notably in financial investments and customer advances.

Net interest margin decreased by 20 basis points, driven by Hong Kong and mainland China.

At the Bank's operations in Hong Kong, the net interest margin for the Bank decreased by 26 basis points, primarily from narrower customer deposit spreads and lower reinvestment yields on financial investments as market interest rates decreased.

At Hang Seng Bank, the net interest margin decreased by 30 basis points, mainly from narrower customer deposit spreads and lower reinvestment yields on financial investments as market interest rates decreased, partly offset by a change in the asset portfolio mix due to growth in customer advances.

In mainland China, the decrease in the net interest margin was driven by narrower customer deposit spreads and lower reinvestment yields on financial investments as market interest rates decreased, coupled with the impact from more debt securities issued to support business operations and lower contribution of net free funds.

In India and Taiwan, the net interest margin increased, primarily due to lower cost of funds as market interest rates decreased.

Net fee income

 
                                  Half-year to 
                                30 Jun     30 Jun 
                                  2020       2019 
                                  HK$m       HK$m 
 Funds under management         3,634    3,526 
-----------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Account services               1,049    1,374 
                               ------   ------ 
 Cards                          3,366    4,218 
                               ------   ------ 
 Credit facilities              1,478    1,842 
                               ------   ------ 
 Unit trusts                    3,100    3,812 
                               ------   ------ 
 Broking income                 2,879    1,926 
                               ------   ------ 
 Underwriting                     733      803 
                               ------   ------ 
 Remittances                    1,237    1,435 
                               ------   ------ 
 Global custody                 1,891    1,870 
                               ------   ------ 
 Imports/Exports                1,446    1,656 
                               ------   ------ 
 Insurance agency commission      783      959 
                               ------   ------ 
 Other                          4,104    3,810 
                               ------   ------ 
 Fee income                    25,700   27,231 
-----------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Fee expense                   (5,022)  (5,642) 
-----------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Net fee income                20,678   21,589 
-----------------------------  ------   ------ 
 

Net income from financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss

 
                                                                    Half-year to 
                                                                  30 Jun     30 Jun 
                                                                    2020       2019 
                                                                    HK$m       HK$m 
 Net income/(expense) arising on: 
--------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Net trading activities(1)                                       18,361   21,633 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Other instruments managed on fair value basis(2)                   916   (3,505) 
                                                                          ------ 
 Net income from financial instruments held for trading 
  or managed on a fair value basis(2)                            19,277   18,128 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Financial assets held to meet liabilities under insurance 
  and investment contracts                                       (3,507)  10,081 
---------------------------------------------------------------           ------ 
 Liabilities to customers under investment contracts               (492)  (1,351) 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of insurance 
  businesses, including related derivatives, measured at 
  fair value through profit or loss                              (3,999)   8,730 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Changes in fair value of designated debts issued and 
  related derivatives(2)                                            119      318 
---------------------------------------------------------------           ------ 
 Changes in fair value of other financial instruments 
  mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or 
  loss                                                              172      103 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Net income from financial instruments measured at fair 
  value through profit or loss                                   15,569   27,279 
---------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 

1 The presentation has been updated to align with the presentation in the Annual Report and Accounts 2019. Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to the current year's presentation.

2 In the second half of 2019, the definition of 'Changes in fair value of designated debts issued and related derivatives' has been updated to include debt instruments which are issued for funding purposes and are designated under the fair value option to reduce an accounting mismatch, previously reported as 'Other instruments managed on fair value basis' under 'Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis'. Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to the current year's presentation.

Other operating income

 
                                                                 Half-year to 
                                                                 30 Jun    30 Jun 
                                                                   2020      2019 
                                                                   HK$m      HK$m 
 Movement in present value of in-force long-term insurance 
  business                                                    4,512       6,610 
                                                             ------      ------ 
 Gains/(losses) on investment properties                       (693)        308 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 Other(1)                                                     1,309       1,403 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------      ------ 
 Other operating income                                       5,128       8,321 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------      ------ 
 
   1   Includes mainly recoveries from fellow group companies. 

Insurance business

 
 Results of insurance manufacturing operations and insurance distribution 
  income earned by the group's bank channels 
                                                                    Half-year to 
                                                                  30 Jun      30 Jun 
                                                                    2020        2019 
                                                                    HK$m        HK$m 
                                                                -------- 
 Insurance manufacturing operations(1) 
                                                                -------- 
 Net interest income                                              7,605     7,122 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Net fee expense                                                 (1,668)   (2,606) 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Net income/(expense) from financial instruments measured 
  at fair value                                                  (4,102)    8,339 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Net insurance premium income                                    31,062    36,212 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Change in present value of in-force long-term insurance 
  business                                                        4,512     6,610 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Other operating income/(expenses)                                 (294)      227 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Total operating income                                          37,115    55,904 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in 
  liabilities to policyholders                                  (31,692)  (46,136) 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Net operating income before change in expected credit 
  losses and other credit impairment charges                      5,423     9,768 
 Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment 
  charges                                                          (565)      (19) 
 Net operating income                                             4,858     9,749 
 Total operating expenses                                        (1,094)   (1,018) 
 Operating profit                                                 3,764     8,731 
 Share of profit in associates and joint ventures                   (83)      282 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Profit before tax                                                3,681     9,013 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Annualised new business premiums of insurance manufacturing 
  operations                                                      8,611    14,099 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Distribution income earned by banking operations                 2,424     3,394 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 

1 The results presented for insurance manufacturing operations are shown before elimination of intercompany transactions with the group's

non-insurance operations.

Profit before tax from the insurance manufacturing business decreased by HK$5,332m, or 59%, driven by the unfavourable equity market performance and lower new business volumes in the first half of 2020.

Net interest income increased by 7% as net premium inflows from new business and renewals increased fixed income assets held to back insurance liabilities.

Net income from financial instruments measured at fair value decreased significantly, primarily due to adverse equity market performance in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Net insurance premium income decreased, mainly in Hong Kong and Singapore due to lower new business volumes.

The unfavourable movement in the present value of in-force long-term insurance business ('PVIF') reflected a decrease in the value of new business written in the period, primarily in Hong Kong and Singapore in line with the lower business volumes.

To the extent that the above gains or losses are attributable to policyholders, there is an offsetting movement reported under 'Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities to policyholders'.

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges

 
                                                                   Half-year to 
                                                                 30 Jun    30 Jun 
                                                                   2020      2019 
                                                                   HK$m      HK$m 
 Change in expected credit losses 
 Loans and advances to banks and customers                      12,325   1,923 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ----- 
 
   *    new allowances net of releases                          12,646   2,381 
 
   *    recoveries of amounts previously written off              (321)   (458) 
 Loan commitments and guarantees                                   987      45 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ----- 
 Other financial assets                                            800      71 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ----- 
 Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment 
  charges                                                       14,112   2,039 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ----- 
 

The change in expected credit losses ('ECL') as a percentage of average gross customer advances was 0.66% for the first half of 2020 (first half of 2019: 0.11%). The increase in ECL mainly reflected charges related to the global impact of Covid-19 and

a deteriorating forward economic outlook. In addition, ECL in the first half of 2020 also included a significant charge related to a corporate exposure in Singapore in CMB.

Operating expenses

 
                                                       Half-year to 
                                                     30 Jun    30 Jun 
                                                       2020      2019 
                                                       HK$m      HK$m 
 Employee compensation and benefits                  17,453  19,615 
                                                    -------  ------ 
 General and administrative expenses                 21,030  20,859 
                                                    -------  ------ 
 Depreciation of property, plant and equipment        4,657   4,040 
                                                    -------  ------ 
 Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets     2,076   1,170 
                                                    -------  ------ 
 Operating expenses                                  45,216  45,684 
--------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 

Employee compensation and benefits decreased by HK$2,162m, or 11%. Excluding the impact from foreign exchange, employee compensation and benefits decreased by HK$1,759m, or 9%, driven by lower performance-related pay and lower average headcount, partly offset by wage inflation across the region.

General and administrative expenses increased by HK$171m, or 1%. Excluding the impact from foreign exchange, general and administrative expenses increased by HK$411m, or 2%, largely due to an increase in investments, mainly IT-related costs to enhance our digital capabilities. The increase was largely offset by decreases in marketing expenses, professional expenses and premises and equipment costs.

Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets increased by HK$906m, or 77%, driven by impairment on intangible assets and higher amortisation charges, reflecting an increase in investments to enhance our digital capabilities.

Share of profit in associates and joint ventures

At 30 June 2020, an impairment review on the group's investment in Bank of Communications Co., Limited ('BoCom') was carried out and it was concluded that the investment was not impaired based on our value-in-use calculation (see note 5 on the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements for further details). As discussed in that note, in future periods, the value-in-use may increase or decrease depending on the effect of changes to model inputs. It is expected that the carrying amount will increase due to retained profits earned by BoCom. At the point where the carrying amount exceeds the value-in-use, impairment would be recognised. The group would continue to recognise its share of BoCom's profit or loss, but the carrying amount would be reduced to equal the value-in-use, with a corresponding reduction in income. An impairment review would continue to be performed at each subsequent reporting period, with the carrying amount and income adjusted accordingly.

 
 Risk 
 
 
 Principal risks and uncertainties 
 

The group continuously monitors and identifies risks. Our principal risks are credit risk, liquidity and funding risk, pension risk, market risk, resilience risk, regulatory compliance risk, financial crime and fraud risk, model risk, as well as financial and insurance risks from our insurance manufacturing operations. A description of principal risks and a summary of our current policies and practices regarding the management of risk is set out on pages 20 to 21 in the 'Risk' section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

We have maintained a consistent approach to risk management throughout our history, helping to ensure we protect customers' funds, lend responsibly and support economies.

The first half of 2020 has been marked by unprecedented global economic events, leading to banks playing an expanded role to support society and customers. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 ('Covid-19') outbreak and its impact on the global economy have impacted many of our customers' business models and income, requiring significant levels of support from both governments and banks. In response, we have enhanced our approach to the management of risk in this rapidly changing environment.

Throughout the Covid-19 outbreak, we have supported our customers and adapted our operational processes. Our people, processes and systems have responded to the changes needed to serve our customers throughout this time. Operational resilience has been particularly evident in Hong Kong, where we have maintained high levels of service throughout the Covid-19 outbreak and the continuing domestic social unrest.

The performance of our operations has varied in different geographies, but overall the balance sheet and liquidity of the group remain strong. This has helped us to respond to the economic recovery as government lockdowns ease, as seen in mainland China.

Key geopolitical risks also heightened during the first half of 2020, with US-China tensions continuing to escalate, including those in relation to Hong Kong following the passing of the Hong Kong National Security Law, termination of the preferential treatment afforded to Hong Kong under the 1992 Hong Kong Policy Act by the US, and US's issuance of the Hong Kong Autonomy Act. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act provides authority to impose primary sanctions against entities and individuals determined to have undermined Hong Kong's autonomy and can impose secondary sanctions against non-US financial institutions as a result of certain activities. In addition, we further observe heightened corporate and national competition over ownership of technologies.

Prevailing market turmoil and temporary forbearance regulations are causing concerns on model performance and reliability across business and functions, resulting in businesses utilising more professional judgement to interpret outcomes.

To meet the additional challenges, we supplemented our existing approach to risk management with additional tools and practices. We increased our focus on the quality and timeliness of the data used to inform management decisions, through measures such as early warning indicators, prudent active risk management of our risk appetite, and ensuring regular communication with our Board and other key stakeholders.

Our current top and emerging risks are summarised below and discussed in more detail on pages 15 to 18 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

 
 
 Externally driven 
 Geopolitical and          ^   We monitor developments in geopolitical risk 
  macroeconomic risk            and assess what impacts these may have on our 
                                portfolios. Covid-19 has resulted in an unprecedented 
                                global economic slowdown with a significant increase 
                                in credit stress in the portfolio. Across the 
                                group, we have increased the frequency and depth 
                                of the monitoring activities on the portfolios. 
                                We performed stress tests and other sectoral 
                                reviews to identify portfolios or customers who 
                                were experiencing or were likely to experience 
                                financial difficulty as a result of Covid-19. 
                                We are increasing resources to help address the 
                                increased level of credit defaults in the current 
                                environment and are monitoring the impact of 
                                prolonged low interest rates. 
 Cyber threat and          >   We endeavour to protect the group and our customers 
  unauthorised access           by strengthening our cyber defences, helping 
  to systems                    us to execute our business priorities safely 
                                and keep our customers' information secure. Our 
                                data-driven approach, grounded in strong controls 
                                that mitigate advanced cyber threats, enhances 
                                our capability in threat detection, access controls, 
                                and resiliency. 
------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------- 
 Regulatory developments   >   We monitor closely for regulatory developments 
  including conduct,            and engage with regulators as appropriate, to 
  with adverse impact           help ensure that new regulatory requirements, 
  on business model             such as those in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, 
  and profitability             are implemented effectively and in a timely way. 
------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------- 
 Financial crime           >   During the first half of 2020, we continued to 
  risk environment              improve the effectiveness of our financial crime 
                                controls in accordance with our specific regulatory 
                                obligations. The application of both advanced 
                                analytics and artificial intelligence remain 
                                key elements of our next generation of tools 
                                to fight financial crime, and our investment 
                                in these areas is ongoing. As fraudulent activity 
                                is often more prevalent in times of crisis, we 
                                have put in place additional measures to help 
                                minimise and detect fraud. 
------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------- 
 Ibor transition           ^   We are focused on developing near risk-free rates 
                                ('RFRs') along the supporting processes and systems 
                                to make them available to our customers. Our 
                                programme is concurrently developing the capability 
                                to transition, through repapering outstanding 
                                London Interbank Offered Rate ('Libor') and Euro 
                                Overnight Index Average ('Eonia') contracts. 
                                We continue to engage with industry participants 
                                and the official sector to support an orderly 
                                transition. 
------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------- 
 Climate-related           >   We continue to improve how we identify, oversee 
  risks                         and manage climate-related risks, both physical 
                                risks and the transition to a low carbon economy. 
                                Our Board-approved risk appetite statement contains 
                                a qualitative statement, which is being further 
                                enhanced this year. Our risk management priorities 
                                are focusing on: assessing the physical and transition 
                                risk in our wholesale credit portfolio; reviewing 
                                retail mortgage exposures in respect of natural 
                                hazard risk; and developing scenarios internally 
                                for risk management, planning and stress testing. 
                                We continue to engage with our stakeholders, 
                                in particular with regard to how we compile related 
                                data and disclosures. 
------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------- 
 Internally driven 
 Risks arising from        >   We have set up a third-party risk management 
  the receipt of                programme so we can better identify, understand, 
  services from third           mitigate and manage the risks that arise from 
  parties                       the outsourcing of services. The programme, due 
                                to conclude in the second half of 2020, aims 
                                to ensure adherence to our internal third-party 
                                risk policy and framework. We have worked closely 
                                with our third-party service providers, which 
                                have faced constraints and enhanced oversight 
                                on their operations during the Covid-19 outbreak. 
                                There has been no major impact to our services 
                                during the period. 
------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------- 
 Data management           >   We continue to enhance and advance our insights, 
                                data aggregation, reporting and decisions through 
                                ongoing improvement and investments in data governance, 
                                data quality, data privacy, data architecture, 
                                machine learning and artificial intelligence 
                                capabilities. We are continuing to work to modernise 
                                our data infrastructure, leveraging cloud technologies 
                                to increase flexibility and scalability and improve 
                                our fit-for-purpose data. 
------------------------      --------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   ^    Risk heightened during first half 2020 
   >   Risk remained at the same level as 2019 
 
 Key developments in the first half 
  of 2020 
 

There were no material changes to the policies and practices for the management of risk, as described in the Annual Report and Accounts 2019. However, where required, appropriate exceptional handling approaches were exercised in response to Covid-19 developments.

We have been actively managing the risks resulting from Covid-19 and its impacts on our customers and operations during the first half of 2020, as well as other key risks described in this section.

We remain committed to investing in the reliability and resilience of our IT systems and critical services that support all parts of our business. We do so to protect our customers, affiliates and counterparties, and to help ensure that we minimise any disruption to services that could result in reputational and regulatory consequences. We continue to operate in a challenging environment in which cyber threats are prevalent. We continue to invest in business and technical controls to defend against these threats.

In the first half of 2020, we enhanced our risk management in the following areas:

-- In January 2020, we simplified our approach and articulation of risk management, through the combination of the Enterprise Risk Management Framework and the Operational Risk Management Framework to create a single simplified HSBC Risk Management Framework.

-- The global model risk policy and associated standards were revised to improve how we manage model risk and meet enhanced expectations. The new policy, which includes updated controls around model monitoring and model use, will be implemented over a six-month period commencing on

1 May 2020.

   --    We continued to focus on simplifying our approach to 

non-financial risk management. We are driving more effective oversight and better end-to-end identification and management of non-financial risks.

-- We continued to improve the effectiveness of our financial crime controls in accordance with our specific regulatory obligations. We continued to invest in both advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, which remains key components of our next generation of tools to fight financial crime.

 
 Areas of special interest 
 

During the first half of 2020, a number of areas were considered as part of our top and emerging risks because of the effect they have on the group. We place particular focus in this section on geopolitical and macroeconomic risk, risks related to Covid-19, risks to our operations and portfolios and Ibor transition.

Geopolitical and macroeconomic risk

The Covid-19 outbreak has dominated the political and economic landscape for the first six months of 2020. The twin shocks of a public health emergency and the resultant economic fallout have been felt around the world, and hit both advanced and emerging markets. The closure of borders threatened medical and food supplies for many markets, and there is the potential for these countries and territories to focus efforts on building resilient supply chains closer to home to be less vulnerable to global shocks.

The Covid-19 outbreak has heightened existing US-China tensions. US executive branch and congressional action has put pressure on the initial 'phase one' provisions under the trade agreement signed in January 2020. Frictions span an increasing range of issues including trade, technology and human rights. The Covid-19 outbreak has accelerated US's efforts to try to reduce reliance on China in strategic industries such as sensitive technology, pharmaceuticals and precursor chemicals.

Hong Kong has also emerged as an additional source of tension in US-China relations, with potential ramifications for the group, including the impact of sanctions as well as regulatory, reputational and market risks for the group. While Hong Kong has experienced lower levels of social unrest in 2020, disagreements over the interpretation of the 'one country, two systems' model may continue to drive protest activity in the lead-up to the Legislative Council elections.

While UK-China relations have historically been shaped by strong trade and investment, there are also emerging challenges. Following the passage of the Hong Kong National Security Law, the UK government has offered residency rights and a path to citizenship for British National (Overseas) passport holders in Hong Kong. In addition, both UK and Hong Kong have suspended their extradition treaties with each other. The rollout of the UK 5G telecommunications network has also complicated relations. On 14 July, new restrictions on Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd were announced under the Telecoms Security Bill. These issues have the potential to impact bilateral commercial relationships adversely.

Emerging and frontier markets are suffering particularly heavily from the Covid-19 outbreak, in light of healthcare shortcomings, widespread labour informality, exposure to commodities production and often weak policy frameworks and buffers. Multilateral institutions have mobilised support for the weaker frontier markets, with the World Bank and G20 marshalling efforts to implement a standstill on debt to public-sector institutions. The International Monetary Fund has also, to date, lent US$25bn in emergency funds to over 70 countries. However, negotiations on debt to the private sector will prove more difficult, and may result in sovereign debt restructuring and defaults for several countries.

Most developed markets are expected to recover from the crisis, albeit after some permanent business closures and job losses. The majority of developed markets are also expected to not achieve pre-crisis growth rates or activity levels for the foreseeable future. These countries and territories should be able to shoulder the higher public deficits and debt necessary to offset private sector weakness, given the continuing low cost of servicing public debt. However, a group of developed markets entered the Covid-19 crisis on weak economic and fiscal footing and suffered high healthcare and economic costs. Although Eurozone progress in mutualisation of the debt should help to support recoveries and keep debt servicing costs down in the near term, there are concerns that permanently higher debt burdens will eventually lead to economies questioning their sustainability.

The contraction in the global economy has had varying effects on our customers, with many of them experiencing financial difficulties. This has resulted in an increase in expected credit losses ('ECL') as explained further in Credit Risk section.

Risks related to Covid-19

Covid-19 and its effect on the global economy have impacted our customers and our performance, and the future effects are uncertain. The outbreak has necessitated governments to respond at unprecedented levels to protect public health, local economies and livelihoods. It has impacted countries and territories at different times and to varying degrees as it has developed. The varying government measures in response have added challenges, given the rapid pace of change and significant operational demands. The speed at which countries and territories will be able to unwind their lockdown measures and return to pre-Covid-19 economic levels will vary based on levels of infection and local political decisions. There remains a risk of subsequent waves of infection.

Government restrictions on mobility implemented by governments around the world to limit the spread of Covid-19 resulted in a sharp contraction in global economic activity in the first half of this year. At the same time, governments also took steps designed to soften the extent of the damage to investment, trade and labour markets. Economic activity is expected to gradually recover in the second half of the year but there is significant uncertainty associated with the pace and scale of recovery. In our Central scenario, Gross Domestic Product ('GDP') contracts sharply in 2020 in all of our major markets, except mainland China. GDP growth in mainland China is expected to be positive in 2020, although the rate of growth is expected to be significantly lower compared with previous years. Strong recovery in economic activity is expected in 2021, but this is contingent on successful containment of the virus and the evolution of other top risks including political unrest in Hong Kong and tensions between the US and China. It also relies on the willingness and ability of households and businesses to return towards pre-crisis spending levels. While GDP is expected to grow strongly in our major markets in 2021, the Central scenario projects a more gradual decline in the unemployment rate in several of our key markets.

There is a material risk of a renewed drop in economic activity. The economic fallout from Covid-19 risks is increasing inequality across markets that had already suffered from civil unrest. This will leave the burden on governments and central banks to keep up or increase fiscal and monetary stimulus. After financial markets suffered a precipitous fall in the early phases of the spread of Covid-19, they rebounded although remain volatile. Depending on the degree to which global economic growth suffers permanent losses, financial asset prices may suffer a further sharp fall.

Governments and central banks in major economies have deployed extensive measures to support their local populations. Measures implemented by governments included income support to households and funding support to businesses. Central banks' measures included cuts to rates, support to funding markets and asset purchases. These measures are expected to be unwound gradually as government restrictions ease and as activity increases. Central banks are expected to maintain record-low interest rates for a considerable period of time and the debt burden of governments is expected to rise significantly.

We initiated market-specific measures to support our personal and business customers through these challenging times. These included mortgage assistance, payment holidays, the waiving of certain fees and charges, and liquidity relief for businesses facing market uncertainty and supply chain disruption. These measures have been well received and we remain responsive to our customers' changing needs. We are also working closely with governments and supporting national schemes that focus on the parts of the economy most impacted by Covid-19. In Hong Kong, we provided immediate liquidity relief to businesses facing market uncertainty and supply chain pressures. For details of our customer relief programmes, see page 18.

The rapid introduction and varying nature of these government support schemes, as well as customer expectations, can lead to risks as the group implements large-scale changes in a short period of time. This has led to operational issues including complex conduct considerations, increased reputational risks, and a heightened risk of fraud.

At 30 June 2020, our common equity tier 1 ('CET1') ratio was 16.7%, compared with 17.2% at 31 December 2019, and our liquidity coverage ratio ('LCR') was 162.0%. Our capital, funding and liquidity position will help us to continue supporting our customers throughout the Covid-19 outbreak.

In many of our markets, the Covid-19 outbreak has led to a weakening in GDP, a key input used for calculating ECL, and there remains the risk of more adverse economic scenarios given the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. Furthermore, ECL will increase from other parts of our business impacted by the disruption to supply chains. The impact will vary by sectors of the economy, with heightened risk to the oil and gas, transport and discretionary consumer sectors being observed in the first stages of the outbreak. The impact of the outbreak on the long-term prospects of businesses in these sectors is uncertain and may lead to significant ECL charges on specific exposures, which may not be fully captured by ECL modelling techniques. In addition, in times of crisis, fraudulent activity is often more prevalent, leading to potentially significant ECL charges.

The significant changes in economic and market drivers, customer behaviours and government actions caused by Covid-19 have also impacted the performance of financial models. These include retail and wholesale credit models such as HKFRS loss models, capital models, traded risk models and models used in the asset/liability management processes. This has required more ongoing monitoring and more frequent testing across the group, particularly for credit models. It has also resulted in the use of compensating controls, specifically as overlays on top of model outputs to provide a more appropriate assessment. By their nature, such compensating controls require a significant degree of management judgement and assumptions to be applied, and there is a risk that future actual results or performance may differ from such judgements and assumptions.

The performance and usage of models over the next 12-18 months will continue to be impacted significantly by the consequences of Covid-19. It is too early in the current situation to be certain of the magnitude of change required for models. However, it is likely that capital, credit risk and HKFRS models will need to be re-calibrated, or in some cases, may need to be replaced with the development of alternative models. The effectiveness of the existing models will depend, in large, on the depth and length of the economic downturn faced by the world's economies.

As a result of Covid-19, business continuity plans have been implemented. Despite high levels of working from home, the majority of service level agreements, both internal and external, are being maintained. We have experienced no major impacts to supply chains from our third-party service providers. The risk of damage or theft of our physical assets or criminal injury to our employees remains unchanged. No significant incidents have impacted our buildings or staff. Expedited decisions to ensure the continuity of critical customer services are being documented through governance.

There remain significant uncertainties in assessing the duration of the Covid-19 outbreak and its impact, and how this will evolve through 2020 and beyond. A prolonged period of significantly reduced economic activity as a result of the impact of the outbreak would have a materially adverse effect on our financial results, prospects, liquidity, capital position and credit ratings. We continue to monitor the situation closely, given the novel and prolonged nature of the outbreak, additional mitigating actions may be required.

Risks to our operations and portfolios

The economic outlook as a result of Covid-19 remains uncertain with a number of industries adversely impacted. Improving trends have been noted for mainland China and New Zealand with regards to the Covid-19 outbreak, whilst cases continue to increase in other jurisdictions such as Hong Kong, Australia, India and Indonesia.

In the first half of 2020, US-China tensions have continued to escalate, including those in relation to Hong Kong. In June 2020, the National People's Congress of China enacted the Hong Kong National Security Law. In response, the US took steps to terminate the preferential treatment afforded to Hong Kong under the 1992 Hong Kong Policy Act. Additionally, the US President signed into law the Hong Kong Autonomy Act and issued an Executive Order, providing authority to impose primary sanctions against entities and individuals determined to have undermined Hong Kong's autonomy. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act also provides authority to impose secondary sanctions against non-US financial institutions determined to have conducted a significant transaction for any individual or entity subject to primary sanctions under the Act. There are other steps that have been taken by the US as well, as tensions with China rise.

Domestic social unrest in Hong Kong remains a risk, with investor and business sentiment in some sectors remaining dampened. There are concerns that ongoing tensions could result in an increasingly fragmented trade and regulatory environment, with the retail and leisure sectors being particularly affected by the lack of tourists. However, the financial services sector in Hong Kong has remained strong and has benefited from stable liquidity conditions.

The plans to rollout 5G telecommunications technology in several countries and its importance to future standard-setting and economic growth is likely to lead to heightened corporate and national competition over ownership of the relevant technologies.

We continue to carefully manage our exposures and conduct regular stress tests to assess the resilience of our balance sheet and our capital adequacy. These are used to consider our risk appetite and provide insights into our financial stability. Our operational resilience has been strongly tested during the Covid-19 outbreak and we have continued to maintain a high level of service to clients during this period in markets that remain at different levels of recovery. Our Hong Kong operations in particular have shown resilience in continuing to operate in times of domestic social unrest, the Covid-19 outbreak and heightened geopolitical risks. However, this will continue to be closely monitored.

We continue to believe in the core elements of our strategy such as targeting growth on the Greater Bay Area and the ASEAN region, and that we are well placed to be able to support opportunities as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 outbreak.

Ibor transition

The Financial Stability Board has observed that the decline in interbank short-term unsecured funding poses structural risks for interest rate benchmarks that reference these markets. In response, regulators and central banks in various jurisdictions have convened national working groups to identify alternative benchmark rates (near risk-free rates or 'RFRs') for these Ibors and, where appropriate, to facilitate an orderly transition to these rates.

Following the announcement by the UK's FCA in July 2017 that it will no longer persuade or require banks to submit rates for the Libor after 2021, the national working groups for the affected currencies were tasked with facilitating an orderly transition of the relevant Libors to their chosen alternative benchmark rates. The euro working group is also responsible for facilitating an orderly transition of the Eonia to the euro short-term rate as a result of Eonia not being made compliant with the EU Benchmark Regulation.

Regulators have reiterated that firms cannot rely on Libor being published after the end of 2021 but acknowledge that Covid-19 may impact on transition plans.

National working groups, regulators and governments have also recognised that certain Libor contracts genuinely have no or inappropriate alternatives and no realistic ability to be renegotiated or amended prior to Libor's cessation. In response, the US government and the European Commission intend to implement legislation that gives market participants the confidence to transition these 'tough legacy' contracts to the recommended benchmark replacement without the fear of legal repercussions. Similarly, in June 2020, the UK government announced that it would grant powers to the FCA to enable continued publication of a Libor number using a different and more robust methodology and inputs, and therefore reduce disruption to any holders of these tough legacy contracts. However, there is no certainty as to whether the FCA will exercise these powers or in what form the revised methodology would take, and the FCA has consequently encouraged users of Libor to renegotiate or amend as many contracts as possible before Libor's cessation.

HSBC established the Ibor transition programme with the objective of facilitating an orderly transition from a number of Ibors for HSBC and its clients. During the first half of 2020, the group's Ibor transition has developed as follows:

We continue to develop our capabilities to offer RFR-based products and the supporting processes and systems. The Covid-19 outbreak has impacted the speed with which we are able to develop these capabilities and many of our customers' readiness to adopt RFR-based products. Consequently, the sale of Libor and Eonia contracts with maturities beyond 2021, known as legacy contracts, will continue for longer than initially anticipated. This is likely to increase the volume of legacy contracts that will need to be transitioned.

The programme is also continuing to develop the capability to transition legacy Libor and Eonia contracts at scale. The Covid-19 outbreak has also affected the pace with which many of our customers will have been preparing to adopt RFR-based products. Therefore, it has likely affected the pace at which they will transition their legacy contracts to RFRs. Consequently, we expect legacy contract transition to occur over a shortened time period. In combination with the greater number of legacy contracts requiring transition, this increases the overall level of execution risk on the transition process, which could potentially increase the level of conduct and operational risks.

In addition to the heightened conduct and operational risks, the process of adopting new reference rates may expose the group to an increased level of financial risk, such as potential earnings volatility resulting from contract modifications and changes in hedge accounting relationships. Furthermore, the transition to alternative reference rates could have a range of adverse impacts on our business, including legal proceedings or other actions regarding the interpretation and enforceability of provisions in Ibor-based contracts, and regulatory investigations or reviews in respect of our preparation and readiness for the replacement of Ibor with alternative reference rates. We continue to engage with industry participants, the official sector and our clients to support an orderly transition and the mitigation of the risks resulting from the transition.

 
 Credit risk 
 

Overview

Credit risk is the risk of financial loss if a customer or counterparty fails to meet an obligation under a contract. Credit risk arises principally from direct lending, trade finance and leasing business, but also from other products, such as guarantees and credit derivatives.

During the first half of 2020, due to the unique market conditions in the Covid-19 crisis, we expanded operational practices to provide short-term support to customers under the current policy framework. For further details of market-specific measures to support our personal and business customers, see page 18. There have been no material changes to credit risk policy.

For the wholesale and retail mentioned in the credit risk section, wholesale mainly refers to Commercial Banking and Global Banking and Markets, whereas retail primarily consists of exposures to individuals under Wealth and Personal Banking.

A summary of our current policies and practices for the management of credit risk is set out in 'Credit risk management' on pages 22 to 23 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

Summary of credit risk

The following table provides an overview of the group's credit risk by stage and industry, and the associated ECL coverage. The financial assets recorded in each stage have the following characteristics:

-- Stage 1: These financial assets are unimpaired and without significant increase in credit risk on which a 12-month allowance for ECL is recognised.

-- Stage 2: A significant increase in credit risk has been experienced on these financial assets since initial recognition for which a lifetime ECL is recognised.

-- Stage 3: There is objective evidence of impairment and the financial assets are therefore considered to be in default or otherwise credit impaired on which a lifetime ECL is recognised.

-- POCI: Financial assets that are purchased or originated at a deep discount are seen to reflect the incurred credit losses on which a lifetime ECL is recognised.

 
 Summary of credit risk (excluding debt instruments measured at fair 
  value through other comprehensive income ('FVOCI')) by stage 
  distribution and ECL coverage by industry sector(3) 
                                              Gross carrying/nominal 
                                                      amount                                 Allowance for ECL                          ECL coverage % 
                                       Stage    Stage   Stage                     Stage    Stage     Stage                   Stage  Stage  Stage 
                                           1        2       3  POCI      Total        1        2         3   POCI     Total      1      2      3   POCI    Total 
                                        HK$m     HK$m    HK$m  HK$m       HK$m     HK$m     HK$m      HK$m   HK$m      HK$m      %      %      %      %        % 
                                              -------  ------  ----  ---------  -------  -------  --------  -----  --------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------- 
 Loans 
  and advances 
  to customers                     3,057,331  621,812  26,298   913  3,706,354  (4,277)  (7,667)  (14,779)  (267)  (26,990)    0.1    1.2   56.2   29.2    0.7 
                                                                                                                             ----- 
 
   *    personal                   1,299,665   87,681   6,618     -  1,393,964  (2,196)  (3,193)   (1,626)     -    (7,015)    0.2    3.6   24.6      -    0.5 
 
   *    corporate(1)               1,556,547  477,535  19,665   910  2,054,657  (1,936)  (4,191)  (13,138)  (264)  (19,529)    0.1    0.9   66.8   29.0    1.0 
--------------------------------- 
 
   *    financial institutions(2)    201,119   56,596      15     3    257,733    (145)    (283)      (15)    (3)     (446)    0.1    0.5  100.0  100.0    0.2 
--------------------------------- 
 Loans 
  and advances 
  to banks                           384,637   17,246       -     -    401,883     (40)     (21)        -      -       (61)    0.0    0.1      -      -      0.0 
--------------------------------- 
 Other 
  financial 
  assets                           1,698,035   35,486     153     1  1,733,675    (530)    (323)      (20)     -      (873)    0.0    0.9   13.1      -    0.1 
--------------------------------- 
 Loan and 
  other 
  credit-related 
  commitments                      1,653,298   80,889     114     -  1,734,301    (265)    (660)      (29)     -      (954)    0.0    0.8   25.4      -    0.1 
--------------------------------- 
 
   *    personal                   1,214,073    8,101      80     -  1,222,254       -        -         -      -         -       -      -      -      -      - 
--------------------------------- 
 
   *    corporate(1)                 351,495   60,040      34     -    411,569    (247)    (639)      (29)     -      (915)    0.1    1.1   85.3      -    0.2 
--------------------------------- 
 
   *    financial institutions(2)     87,730   12,748       -     -    100,478     (18)     (21)        -      -       (39)    0.0    0.2      -      -      0.0 
--------------------------------- 
 Financial 
  guarantee                           20,410   13,879     461     -     34,750     (20)    (105)      (81)     -      (206)    0.1    0.8   17.6      -    0.6 
 
   *    personal                       4,130       10       6     -      4,146       -       (6)       (1)     -        (7)    0.0   60.0   16.7      -    0.2 
 
   *    corporate(1)                  15,092   13,507     455     -     29,054     (18)     (99)      (80)     -      (197)    0.1    0.7   17.6      -    0.7 
--------------------------------- 
 
   *    financial institutions(2)      1,188      362       -     -      1,550      (2)       -         -      -        (2)    0.2      -      -      -    0.1 
--------------------------------- 
 At 30 
  Jun 2020                         6,813,711  769,312  27,026   914  7,610,963  (5,132)  (8,776)  (14,909)  (267)  (29,084)    0.1    1.1   55.2   29.2    0.4 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------  ------  ----  ---------  ------   ------   -------   ----   -------   -----  -----  -----  -----  ----- 
 
 
 Summary of credit risk (excluding debt instruments measured at FVOCI) 
  by stage distribution and ECL coverage by industry sector 
  (continued) 
                                              Gross carrying/nominal 
                                                       amount                                 Allowance for ECL                         ECL coverage % 
                                       Stage    Stage   Stage                      Stage    Stage    Stage                   Stage  Stage  Stage 
                                           1        2       3   POCI      Total        1        2        3   POCI     Total      1      2      3   POCI    Total 
                                        HK$m     HK$m    HK$m   HK$m       HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m   HK$m      HK$m      %      %      %      %        % 
                                   ---------  -------  ------  -----  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -----  --------  -----  -----  -----  -----  ------- 
 Loans 
  and advances 
  to customers                     3,423,956  296,522  16,639  1,152  3,738,269  (3,480)  (4,615)  (8,999)  (300)  (17,394)    0.1    1.6   54.1   26.0      0.5 
 
   *    personal                   1,351,575   45,606   5,575      -  1,402,756  (1,732)  (2,646)  (1,325)     -    (5,703)    0.1    5.8   23.8      -      0.4 
 
   *    corporate(1)               1,850,316  222,819  10,914  1,149  2,085,198  (1,622)  (1,844)  (7,525)  (297)  (11,288)    0.1    0.8   68.9   25.8      0.5 
 
   *    financial institutions(2)    222,065   28,097     150      3    250,315    (126)    (125)    (149)    (3)     (403)    0.1    0.4   99.3  100.0      0.2 
 Loans 
  and advances 
  to banks                           328,355      579       -      -    328,934     (26)      (3)       -      -       (29)    0.0    0.5      -      -      0.0 
--------------------------------- 
 Other 
  financial 
  assets                           1,530,910    9,884     167      2  1,540,963    (214)     (77)     (50)     -      (341)    0.0    0.8   29.9      -      0.0 
--------------------------------- 
 Loan and 
  other 
  credit-related 
  commitments                      1,601,934   27,967     104      -  1,630,005    (303)    (236)     (21)     -      (560)    0.0    0.8   20.2      -      0.0 
--------------------------------- 
 
   *    personal                   1,158,805    5,311      69      -  1,164,185       -       (1)       -      -        (1)      -    0.0      -      -      0.0 
 
   *    corporate(1)                 378,362   18,495      35      -    396,892    (293)    (230)     (21)     -      (544)    0.1    1.2   60.0      -      0.1 
 
   *    financial institutions(2)     64,767    4,161       -      -     68,928     (10)      (5)       -      -       (15)    0.0    0.1      -      -      0.0 
 Financial 
  guarantee                           34,496    6,634      33      -     41,163     (29)     (20)     (13)     -       (62)    0.1    0.3   39.4      -      0.2 
 
   *    personal                       4,377        -       3      -      4,380       -        -       (3)     -        (3)      -      -  100.0      -      0.1 
 
   *    corporate(1)                  28,530    6,410      30      -     34,970     (29)     (20)     (10)     -       (59)    0.1    0.3   33.3      -      0.2 
 
   *    financial institutions(2)      1,589      224       -      -      1,813       -        -        -      -         -       -      -      -      -      - 
 At 31 
  Dec 2019                         6,919,651  341,586  16,943  1,154  7,279,334  (4,052)  (4,951)  (9,083)  (300)  (18,386)    0.1    1.4   53.6   26.0      0.3 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------  ------  -----  ---------  ------   ------   ------   ----   -------   -----  -----  -----  -----  ------- 
 

The above table does not include balances due from Group companies.

   1   Includes corporate and commercial. 
   2   Includes non-bank financial institutions. 

3 The financial information included in this table forms part of the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Measurement uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of ECL estimates

(Reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers)

The recognition and measurement of ECL involves the use of significant judgement and estimation. We form multiple economic scenarios based on economic forecasts, apply these assumptions to credit risk models to estimate future credit losses, and probability-weight the results to determine an unbiased ECL estimate.

Methodology

Our methodology in relation to the adoption and generation of

economic scenarios is described on pages 27 to 30 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019. There have been no significant

changes during the first half of 2020.

Description of consensus economic scenarios

The economic assumptions presented in this section have been formed by HSBC with reference to external forecasts specifically for the purpose of calculating ECL. The emergent nature of the Covid-19 outbreak at the end of 2019 meant that our view of the distribution of risks, as disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts 2019, did not, on a forward-looking basis, consider the impact of the virus. Our consensus Central scenario at the 2019 year-end projected moderate growth over a five-year horizon, with strong prospects for employment and a gradual increase in policy interest rates by central banks in the major economies of Europe and North America. The onset of the virus has led to a fundamental reassessment of our central forecast and the distribution of risks.

Economic forecasts are subject to a high degree of uncertainty in the current environment. Limitations of forecasts and economic models require a greater reliance on management judgement in addressing both the error inherent in economic forecasts and in assessing associated ECL outcomes. The main factors that affect uncertainty across our key markets are:

-- epidemiological concerns, including a possible resurgence of the virus later in 2020 and in 2021;

-- the ability of new or continued restrictions in individual markets to affect global growth due to deep cross-border trade and financial linkages;

-- the ability of governments and central banks to continue to limit the economic damage through support measures;

-- country-specific differences in the progression of Covid-19 and the associated responses by public authorities which imply differentiation in the degree of uncertainty across our key markets;

-- the potential for other geopolitical and macroeconomic risks to affect growth and economic stability as the world recovers from Covid-19-related restrictions.

This volatility in data, and in forecasts is reflected in management's choice of scenarios, in probability weights and in their assessment of ECL outcomes.

The scenarios used to calculate ECL in the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements are described below.

The consensus Central scenario

HSBC's Central scenario features a 'V-shaped' shock to economic activity as characterised by a deep, initial contraction in GDP, followed by a sharp recovery. This 'V-shape' in activity reflects the unique nature of this downturn and is driven by restrictions on mobility and activity imposed by governments to reduce the spread of the virus. The Central scenario further assumes that the stringent restrictions on activity employed across several countries and territories in the first half of 2020 will not be repeated, allowing economic activity to rebound. Minimal long-term damage to economic prospects is expected, allowing economic growth across our key markets to return to their trend rates. Cross-country differences in the depth of the contraction and the speed and scale of subsequent recovery reflect timing differences in the progression of the virus, national level differences in restrictions imposed and the scale of support measures.

Global GDP is expected to contract by 3.9% in 2020 and reach 4.8% in 2021. The average rate of global GDP growth is expected to be 2.7% over the forecast period 2020-2025, which is slightly lower than the average growth rate over the 2015-2019 period.

The unique circumstances surrounding the current fall in economic activity make it difficult to compare current prospects for global economic activity with previous recessions. However, we note that the depth of the contraction in global economic activity and the subsequent recovery are both expected to be sharper than experienced during the last global downturn of 2008-09.

Across the major markets in Asia, we note:

-- Expectations of GDP growth are mostly negative (with the exception of mainland China) in 2020, with the worst quarter expected either in the first or second quarter depending on the timing of the spread of Covid-19 and subsequent restrictions on mobility. GDP is forecast to recover strongly in 2021.

-- The unemployment rate is expected to rise sharply in most of our major markets, before reverting gradually back to pre-crisis levels over the forecast horizon.

-- Inflation is expected to fall sharply in 2020 in line with the slowdown in economic activity, before increasing to gradually converge to central bank targets in our key markets over the forecast period.

-- Governments have provided extensive support to households and corporates across Asia. Fiscal deficits are expected to increase sharply in 2020 before reducing in later years of the projection period. Sovereign indebtedness is expected to increase sharply as a result.

-- Major central banks have lowered their main policy interest rates, implemented emergency support measures for funding markets and either restarted or increased quantitative easing programmes in order to support the economy and the financial system. Interest rates are expected to remain close to the zero lower bound over the projection horizon.

   --    The West Texas Intermediate oil price is forecast to average 

US$37 per barrel over the projection period.

The Central scenario has been created with forecasts available in May. The weight HSBC has chosen to give the Central scenario reflects management's view of the higher degree of uncertainty that currently prevails in key markets. The Central scenario has been assigned a 70% weight across all of our markets.

The following table describes key macroeconomic variables and the probabilities assigned in the consensus Central scenario.

 
 Central scenario (2020 Q3 - 2025 
  Q2) 
                                          Mainland 
                             Hong Kong       China 
 GDP growth (%) 
 Annual average growth 
  rate: 2020                     (4.8)         1.4 
                            ----------  ---------- 
 Annual average growth 
  rate: 2021                       4.2         8.1 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 1Q22-2Q25: average 
  growth                           2.3         5.3 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
                                 (2.6) 
 3Q20-2Q22: worst quarter       (Q320)  3.3 (Q421) 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Unemployment rate 
  (%) 
                            ----------  ---------- 
 Annual average rate: 
  2020                             4.6         4.5 
                            ----------  ---------- 
 Annual average rate: 
  2021                             4.1         4.2 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 1Q22-2Q25: average                3.7         3.9 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 3Q20-2Q22: worst quarter   4.8 (Q320)  4.6 (Q320) 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 House Price Index 
  (%) 
                            ----------  ---------- 
 Annual average growth 
  rate: 2020                     (7.9)         1.8 
                            ----------  ---------- 
 Annual average growth 
  rate: 2021                       0.4         2.6 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 1Q22-2Q25: average 
  growth                           3.4         5.4 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
                                (11.5) 
 3Q20-2Q22: worst quarter       (Q320)  1.3 (Q121) 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 10-year bond yield 
  (%) 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Annual average rate: 
  2020                             1.2      N/A(1) 
                            ----------  ---------- 
 Annual average rate: 
  2021                             1.7      N/A(1) 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 1Q22-2Q25: average                2.2      N/A(1) 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 3Q20-2Q22: worst quarter   1.2 (Q320)      N/A(1) 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Probability (%)                    70          70 
--------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 
   1   N/A - not required in credit models. 

The consensus Upside scenario

Compared to the consensus Central scenario, the consensus Upside scenario features a faster recovery in economic activity during the first two years, before converging to long-run trends. Despite this feature, 2020 continues to be a year of contraction in GDP growth and several quarters elapse before global activity reaches the level attained at the end of 2019, just prior to the onset of the virus.

The scenario is consistent with a number of key upside risk themes. These include orderly global abatement of Covid-19 via successful containment and/or the development of a vaccine,

de-escalation of tensions between the US and China, continued support from fiscal and monetary policy, stronger oil prices and de-escalation of geopolitical tensions in Hong Kong.

Probability weights assigned to the Upside scenario range from 5% to 10%. These weights reflect management's view of the potential for more positive outcomes relative to the Central scenario in our key markets.

The consensus Downside scenario

Global real GDP growth contracts significantly in 2020 in the Downside scenario with a sharp increase in unemployment and falls in asset prices and inflation before gradually recovering towards its long-run trend. Compared with the Central scenario, this recovery is considerably weaker.

The scenario is consistent with our key downside risks. These include renewed outbreaks of Covid-19 and/or slower easing of restriction of travel and activity, an intensification of tensions between the US and China, further risks to economic growth in Hong Kong and weaker commodity prices.

A weight of either 15% or 20% has been assigned to the consensus Downside scenario to reflect management's view of the risks and severity across key markets.

Alternative Downside scenario

A global downside scenario has been created to reflect management's view of extreme risks. This 'U-shaped' scenario assumes that a number of HSBC's top risks crystallise simultaneously and results in an extremely severe and long-lived recession. This scenario has been assigned a 5% probability across all markets.

The range of macroeconomic projections across the various scenarios is shown in the table below:

 
 Outer scenario ranges (3Q20-2Q25) 
                                             Mainland 
                             Hong Kong          China 
                         -------------  ------------- 
 GDP growth (%)               (1.5) to 
                                (15.8)         3.9 to 
                                (Q320)   (7.2) (Q421) 
                                (Q320)         (Q320) 
                         -------------  ------------- 
 Unemployment rate              4.5 to         4.5 to 
  (%)                         8 (Q320)     6.1 (Q320) 
                                (Q121)         (Q122) 
                         -------------  ------------- 
 House price index              (10.3)         3.3 to 
  (%)                        to (26.3)         (25.8) 
                                (Q320)         (Q320) 
                                (Q121)         (Q321) 
                         -------------  ------------- 
 10-year bond yield             1.2 to 
  (%)                     (0.8) (Q320) 
                                (Q121)         N/A(1) 
                         -------------  ------------- 
 Probability consensus 
  Upside (%)                         5             10 
                         -------------  ------------- 
 Probability consensus 
  Downside (%)                      20             15 
                         -------------  ------------- 
 Probability Global 
  Downside (%)                       5              5 
-----------------------  -------------  ------------- 
 

Note: The figures provided represent the range of the worst point across all three outer scenarios.

   1   N/A - not required in credit models. 

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

The calculation of ECL under HKFRS 9 involves significant judgements, assumptions and estimates, as set out in the Annual Report and Accounts 2019 under 'Critical accounting estimates and judgements'. The level of estimation uncertainty and judgement has increased since 31 December 2019 as a result of the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, including significant judgements relating to:

-- the selection and weighting of economic scenarios, given rapidly changing economic conditions in an unprecedented manner, uncertainty as to the effect of government and central bank support measures designed to alleviate adverse economic impacts, and a widening in the distribution of economic forecasts. The key judgement is whether the economic effects of the pandemic are more likely to be temporary or prolonged, and the shape of recovery;

-- estimating the economic effects of those scenarios on ECL, where there is no observable historical trend that can be reflected in the models that will accurately represent the effects of the economic changes of the severity and speed brought about by Covid-19. Modelled assumptions and linkages between economic factors and credit losses may underestimate or overestimate ECL in these conditions, and there is significant uncertainty in the estimation of parameters such as collateral values and loss severity; and

-- the identification of customers experiencing significant increases in credit risk and credit impairment, particularly where those customers have accepted payment deferrals and other reliefs designed to address short-term liquidity issues, or have extended those deferrals, given limitations in the available credit information on these customers. The use of segmentation techniques for indicators of significant increases in credit risk involves significant estimation uncertainty.

How economic scenarios are reflected in ECL

The methodologies for the application of forward economic guidance into the calculation of ECL for wholesale and retail loans and portfolios is set out in pages 29 to 30 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019. These models are based largely on historical observations and correlations with default rates.

The severe projections at 30 June 2020 of macroeconomic variables are outside the historical observations on which HKFRS 9 models have been built and calibrated to operate. Moreover, the complexities of governmental support programmes and regulatory guidance on treatment of customer impacts (such as forbearance and payment holidays) and the unpredictable pathways of the pandemic have never been modelled. Consequently, our impairment models in some cases generate output that appears overly conservative when compared with other economic and credit metrics. Post-model adjustments are required to ensure that an appropriate amount of ECL impairment is recognised.

These data and model limitations have been addressed in the short term using in-model and post-model adjustments. This includes refining model inputs and outputs and using post-model adjustments based on management judgement and higher level quantitative analysis for impacts that are difficult to model. To ensure a consistent framework, Group Credit Risk identified the model segments where results were overly conservative based on historical benchmarks and defined the worst economic inputs where the model output is considered reliable. For example, in the case of Bank and Sovereign PD models, based on the historical calibration data, the model was defined as producing meaningful results when the GDP growth input is not worse than five standard deviations below the long-term average. Re-running the models with these capped economic limits established boundary conditions used by credit experts as a starting point for further overlays based on their own structured judgement and granular analysis. For the wholesale portfolio, this analysis produced a 'credit experts best estimate' to act as a benchmark against the modelled outcomes, and inform post-model adjustments. In the short term, the focus is on refining model inputs and outputs in a consistent and explainable manner, using post-model adjustments. Wider-ranging model changes will take time to develop and need more real data on which models can be trained.

Models will be recalibrated over time once the full impacts of the pandemic are observed but that will not occur in 2020. Therefore, we anticipate significant in-model and post-model adjustments for the foreseeable future.

Post-model adjustments

In the context of HKFRS 9, post-model adjustments are short-term increases or decreases to the ECL at either a customer or portfolio level to account for late breaking events, model deficiencies and expert credit judgement applied following management review and challenge. We have internal governance in place to regularly monitor post-model adjustments and where possible to reduce the reliance on these through model recalibration or redevelopment, as appropriate. Depending on the path of the pandemic and the shape of the economic recovery, we anticipate the composition of modelled ECLs and post-model adjustments may be revised significantly over 2020, particularly when the economy resumes positive GDP growth and the uncertainty over long-term unemployment abates.

The following table quantifies the judgemental adjustments that have been made to modelled ECL at 30 June 2020.

 
 Net post-model             Retail  Wholesale       Total 
  additions/(reductions) 
  in ECL (HK$m) 
-------------------------  -------  ---------  ---------- 
 Low-risk counterparties 
  and economies (banks, 
  sovereigns and 
  government entities)     (1,775)    (1,079)   (2,854) 
-------------------------  ------   --------   ------- 
 Corporate lending 
  adjustments                   -     (9,273)   (9,273) 
-------------------------  ------   --------   ------- 
 Retail lending 
  adjustments                 988          -       988 
-------------------------  ------   --------   ------- 
 Total                       (787)   (10,352)  (11,139) 
-------------------------  ------   --------   ------- 
 

The low-risk counterparties and economies adjustment (including exposures under WPB insurance business) relates to low credit risk exposures to highly rated banks and sovereigns, where modelled credit factors do not fully reflect the effect of government support and economic programmes in the Covid-19 environment. For certain highly rated sovereign exposures, existing models do not produce plausible outputs under current conditions because there is little or no recessionary experience on which to base modelled outcomes.

Adjustments to corporate exposures principally reflect the outcome of the credit expert best estimates ('CEBE') review on wholesale corporate exposures. Post-model adjustments have been made where modelled rating migration and ECL outputs based on historical relationships produced results that were overly conservative, which is often the case when using economic inputs that are well outside the range of historical experience. For retail lending, the net impact of model adjustments was much less significant. The main material post-model adjustment for retail lending was related to Hong Kong and Australia. The adjustment for Hong Kong was taken to neutralise model predicted ECL release. This was partially offset by an underlay in Australia where modelled results included economic forecasts significantly beyond those observed during model development.

Economic scenarios sensitivity analysis of ECL estimates

Management considered the sensitivity of the ECL outcome against the economic forecasts as part of the ECL governance process by recalculating the ECL under each scenario described above for selected portfolios, applying a 100% weighting to each scenario in turn. The weighting is reflected in both the determination of a significant increase in credit risk and the measurement of the resulting ECL.

The ECL calculated for the Upside and Downside scenarios should not be taken to represent the upper and lower limits of possible actual ECL outcomes. The impact of defaults that might occur in future under different economic scenarios is captured by recalculating ECL for loans in stages 1 and 2 at the balance sheet date. The population of stage 3 loans (in default) at the balance sheet date is unchanged in these sensitivity calculations. Stage 3 ECL would only be sensitive to changes in forecasts of future economic conditions if the LGD of a particular portfolio was sensitive to these changes.

There is a particularly high degree of estimation uncertainty in numbers representing tail risk scenarios when assigned a 100% weighting.

For wholesale credit risk exposures, the sensitivity analysis excludes ECL and financial instruments related to defaulted obligors because the measurement of ECL is relatively more sensitive to credit factors specific to the obligor than future economic scenarios, and it is impracticable to separate the effect of macroeconomic factors in individual assessments.

For retail credit risk exposures, the sensitivity analysis includes ECL for loans and advances to customers related to defaulted obligors. This is because the retail ECL for secured mortgage portfolios including loans in all stages is sensitive to macroeconomic variables.

Wholesale and Retail sensitivity

The sensitivity analysis is stated inclusive of post-model adjustments as appropriate to each scenario.

In both the Wholesale and Retail analysis, the comparative period results for Alternative downsides are not directly comparable.

Wholesale analysis

 
 HKFRS 9 ECL sensitivity to future 
  economic conditions(1) 
                                            Mainland 
                               Hong Kong       China 
 ECL coverage of financial 
  instruments subject 
  to significant measurement 
  uncertainty at 30 June 
  2020(2)                           HK$m        HK$m 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------- 
 Reported ECL                      4,162       1,217 
                               ---------  ---------- 
 Consensus scenarios 
-----------------------------  ---------  ---------- 
 Central scenario                  3,480         946 
                               ---------  ---------- 
 Upside scenario                   2,697         589 
                               ---------  ---------- 
 Downside scenario                 5,324     1,635 
                               ---------  -------- 
 Alternative scenarios 
                               ---------  ---------- 
 Global Downside scenario         13,222     9,866 
-----------------------------  ---------  -------- 
 
   1   ECL sensitivities exclude portfolios utilising less complex modelling approaches. 

2 ECL sensitivity includes off-balance sheet financial instruments that are subject to significant measurement uncertainty.

At 30 June 2020, the global downside scenario reflects the most significant level of ECL sensitivity in Hong Kong and mainland China due to the combination of potential for deterioration of the credit quality on those markets and level of exposure.

ECL sensitivities demonstrated an increase from year end 2019, across all countries, primarily due to the deterioration of economic forecasts under all scenarios.

The higher ECL sensitivities can all be observed for the global downside scenario, which represents a prolonged recovery period and sharper impact, comparative to other scenarios.

Retail analysis

 
 HKFRS 9 ECL sensitivity to 
  future economic conditions(1) 
                        Hong 
                        Kong  Malaysia  Singapore    Australia 
 ECL of loans 
  and advances 
  to customers 
  at 30 June 2020(2)    HK$m      HK$m       HK$m         HK$m 
                       -----  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 Reported ECL          2,984       946        543        473 
                       ----- 
 Consensus scenarios 
---------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 Central scenario      2,705       930        543        372 
                       -----  --------  ---------  --------- 
 Upside scenario       2,472       884        519        248 
                       -----  --------  ---------  --------- 
 Downside scenario     3,240       977        620        643 
                       -----  --------  ---------  --------- 
 Alternative 
  scenarios 
                       -----  --------  ---------  ----------- 
 Global Downside 
  scenario             5,983     1,240        922      1,674 
---------------------  -----  --------  ---------  --------- 
 
   1   ECL sensitivities exclude portfolios utilising less complex modelling approaches. 

2 ECL sensitivity includes only on-balance sheet financial instruments to which HKFRS 9 impairment requirements are applied. In Retail during the first half of 2020, there has been a significant increase in reported expected credit losses across all markets, due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

At 30 June 2020, the global downside scenario reflects the most significant level of ECL sensitivity in Hong Kong due to the level of exposures. Across all countries and markets, primarily due to the worsening of the economic forecasts, ECL sensitivities demonstrated an increase from year end 2019.

Customer relief programmes

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, governments around the world have introduced a number of support measures for both personal and wholesale customers. The following table presents the number of personal accounts/wholesale customers and the associated drawn loan values of customers under these schemes and schemes independently implemented by the group at 30 June 2020.

 
                                                                                      Other 
                                                                                      major 
                                                         Hong Kong  Malaysia     markets(1) 
                                                         ---------  --------  ------------- 
 Personal lending 
 Number of customer accounts granted mortgage 
  customer relief schemes                          000s          3        41            7 
                                                  ----- 
 Drawn loan value of customers granted mortgage 
  customer relief schemes                          HK$m      9,542    17,099       12,373 
------------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------  ----------- 
 Customer relief as a proportion of total 
  mortgages                                        %          1.4%     83.4%           3.8% 
------------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------  ------------- 
 Number of customer accounts granted other 
  personal lending customer relief schemes         000s          1        92          101 
                                                  ----- 
 Drawn loan value of customers granted other 
  personal lending customer relief schemes         HK$m        740    14,081        1,915 
                                                  ----- 
 Customer relief as a proportion of total 
  other personal lending                           %          0.3%     63.5%           2.3% 
------------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------  ------------- 
 Wholesale lending 
------------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------  ------------- 
 Number of customers under customer relief 
  schemes                                          000s          9         2            1 
                                                  ----- 
 Drawn loan value of customers under customer 
  relief schemes                                   HK$m    193,195    10,786        8,894 
------------------------------------------------  -----  --------- 
 Customer relief as a proportion of total 
  wholesale loans and advances to customers        %         13.2%     18.3%           1.1% 
------------------------------------------------  -----  ---------  --------  ------------- 
 
   1   Other major markets include Australia, India, Indonesia, mainland China, Singapore and Taiwan. 

The initial granting of customer relief does not automatically trigger a migration to stage 2 or 3. However, information provided by payment deferrals is considered in the context of other reasonable and supportable information, as part of the overall assessment for significant increase in credit risk and for credit impairment, to identify loans for which lifetime ECL is appropriate. An extension in payment deferral does not automatically result in stage 2 or stage 3. The key accounting and credit risk judgement to ascertain whether a significant increase in credit risk has occurred is whether the economic effects of Covid-19 on the customer are likely to be temporary over the lifetime of the loan, and do not indicate that a concession is being made in respect of financial difficulty that would be consistent with stage 3.

Hong Kong

Wholesale

Given the continued challenges encountered by the Hong Kong business community on the back of the Covid-19 outbreak, we have rolled out certain temporary relief measures in 2020 to support our corporate clients during this period. The overarching premise of these initiatives was to support the immediate cash flow and liquidity of our customers, without increasing the overall quantum of exposure/ risk appetite to these clients. Eligible customers were required to meet a set of credit criteria.

These arrangements are more proactive and flexible approaches to commercial restructuring as opposed to forbearance / renegotiated loans / distressed restructuring.

The relief measures are as follows:

-- Programmes implemented in February 2020 for 'eligible clients' including extension of trade loans, conversion of trade facilities to overdraft facilities, and a principal moratorium for commercial loans of up to six months with no change to the existing interest rate charge;

-- A supplemental industry-wide relief programme initiated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ('HKMA') for eligible small and mid-sized corporates with turnover not exceeding HK$800m and no past dues beyond 30 days was launched in May 2020. The Pre-approved Principal Payment Holiday Scheme ('PPPHS') entailed essentially a three-month principal payment holiday for trade facilities and a six-month principal holiday for other loans, with no change to the existing interest rate charge;

-- A special 100% Loan Guarantee under the Small and Medium Enterprise ('SME') Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS100) was launched in April 20. The guarantee covers a maximum tenure of three years and maximum loan size of HK$4m, and involves transfer of title of the loan to the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation, a quasi-government agency, immediately after drawdown.

Retail

Customer relief granted on Hong Kong mortgages consists of deferred principal repayment of up to 12 months. This relief programme is available to existing HSBC mortgage loan customers who have a good repayment record in the past six months.

Malaysia

Wholesale

We have launched a credit support programme by providing a 30-day extension of import trade loans for eligible clients in March 2020, and further extended in April with enhancement to allow up to a 60-day extension of import trade loans.

The Bank has also supported SME clients through the following measures:

-- Special Relief Facility ('SRF') of up to MYR5bn in aggregate - to help alleviate short-term cash flow problems faced by SMEs adversely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak;

-- SME Automation and Digitization Facility ('ADF') of up to MYR300m in aggregate - to incentivise SMEs to automate processes and digitalise operations to increase productivity and efficiency;

-- Agrofood Facility ('AF') of up to MYR1bn in aggregate - to increase food production for both domestic consumption and exports;

-- Government Guarantee Scheme ('GGS') - Prihatin, of up to MYR5bn in aggregate since the funds allotted to the above SRF scheme have been exhausted, and this scheme was launched to further assist SMEs negatively affected by the Covid-19 outbreak to obtain financing facilities.

These support measures were further supplemented by an industry-wide relief programme in April 2020 initiated by the government for all SME corporates (except those opting out from the programme) by way of a pre-approved six-month principal and interest moratorium in conventional or Islamic financing payment obligations for loans/financing that meet a set of credit criteria.

Retail

In Malaysia, the relief programmes are mandated by Bank Negara's Guideline dated 24 March 2020. HSBC offers a deferment of all loan/financing repayments for a period of six months, with effect from 1 April 2020 for customers who are not in arrears exceeding 90 days. For credit card balances not exceeding 60 days past due as of 1 April 2020, customers can

opt-in for conversion to a term loan/financing of up to a three-year tenure, while accounts between 60 days past due to 89 days past due are automatically converted. These customers also have the option of a six-month moratorium subject to the Bank's assessment.

 
 Liquidity and funding risk 
 

Overview

Liquidity risk is the risk that we do not have sufficient financial resources to meet our obligations as they fall due. Liquidity risk arises from mismatches in the timing of cash flows.

Funding risk is the risk that we cannot raise funding or can only do so at excessive cost.

We maintain a comprehensive liquidity and funding risk management framework ('LFRF'), which aims to allow us to withstand severe liquidity stresses. It is based on global policies that are designed to be adaptable to different business models, markets and regulations. The LFRF comprises policies, metrics and controls designed to ensure that group and entity management have oversight of our liquidity and funding risks in order to manage them appropriately.

We manage liquidity and funding risk at an operating entity level to ensure that obligations can be met in the jurisdiction where they fall due, generally without reliance on other parts of the group. Operating entities are required to meet internal minimum requirements and any applicable regulatory requirements at all times. These requirements are assessed through the individual liquidity adequacy assessment process, which is used to ensure that operating entities have robust strategies, policies, processes and systems for the identification, measurement, management and monitoring of liquidity risk over an appropriate set of time horizons, including intra-day, so as to ensure they maintain adequate levels of liquidity buffers. It informs the validation of risk tolerance and the setting of risk appetite.

The LFRF requires all operating entities to monitor material single currency Liquidity Coverage Ratio ('LCR'). Limits are set to ensure that outflows can be met, given assumptions on stressed capacity in the FX swap markets.

There were no material changes to the policies and practices for the management of liquidity risk in the first half of 2020.

A summary of our current policies and practices for the management of liquidity and funding risk is set out in 'Liquidity and funding risk' on pages 40 to 41 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

Sources of funding

Our primary sources of funding are customer current accounts and savings deposits payable on demand or at short notice. We issue secured and unsecured wholesale securities to supplement customer deposits, meet regulatory obligations and to change the currency mix, maturity profile or location of our liabilities.

Additional collateral obligations

Under the terms of our current collateral obligations under derivative contracts (which are International Swaps and Derivatives Association ('ISDA') compliant Credit Support Annex ('CSA') contracts), the additional collateral required to post in the event of a one-notch and two-notch downgrade in credit ratings is not significant.

Liquidity and funding risk in the first half of 2020

The management of liquidity risk was enhanced during the first half of 2020 in response to the Covid-19 outbreak to ensure the bank anticipated, monitored and responded to the impacts both at group and entity level.

The group is required to calculate its LCR and Net Stable Funding Ratio ('NSFR') on a consolidated basis in accordance with rule 11(1) of The Banking (Liquidity) Rules ('BLR'). The group is required to maintain both LCR and NSFR of not less than 100%.

The average LCR of the group for the period is as follows:

 
                  Quarter ended 
                 30 Jun    31 Dec 
                   2020      2019 
                      %         % 
 Average LCR      162.0   163.5 
-------------  --------  ------ 
 
 

The liquidity position of the group remained strong in the first half of 2020. The average LCR decreased slightly by 1.5% from 163.5% for the quarter ended 31 December 2019 to 162.0% for the quarter ended 30 June 2020.

The majority of high quality liquid assets ('HQLA') included in the LCR are Level 1 assets as defined in the BLR, which consist mainly of government debt securities. From 1 January 2020, listed ordinary shares and triple-B rated marketable debt securities that meet HKMA requirements are also included in HQLA as Level 2B assets.

The total weighted amount of HQLA of the group for the period are as follows:

 
                       Weighted amount 
                       (average value) 
                          at quarter 
                            ended 
                      30 Jun       31 Dec 
                        2020         2019 
                        HK$m         HK$m 
 Level 1 assets    1,605,095  1,528,908 
                   --------- 
 Level 2A assets      90,526     80,174 
 Level 2B assets      35,249     10,788 
----------------- 
 Total             1,730,870  1,619,870 
-----------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The NSFR of the group for the period is as follows:

 
                                   At 
                            30 Jun    31 Dec 
                              2020      2019 
                                 %         % 
 Net stable funding ratio    150.4   145.8 
--------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
 

The funding position of the group remained robust in the first half of 2020, highlighting a surplus of stable funding available relative to stable funding requirement. The NSFR increased by 4.6% from 145.8% for the quarter ended 31 December 2019 to 150.4% for the quarter ended 30 June 2020.

Interdependent assets and liabilities included in the group's NSFR are certificates of indebtedness held and legal tender notes issued.

Further details of the group's liquidity information disclosures can be viewed in the Banking Disclosure Statement at 30 June 2020, which will be available in the Regulatory Disclosure Section of our website: www.hsbc.com.hk.

 
 Market Risk 
 

Overview

Market risk is the risk that movements in market factors, such as foreign exchange rates, interest rates, credit spreads, equity prices and commodity prices, will reduce our income or the value of our portfolios. Exposure to market risk is separated into two portfolios: trading portfolios and non-trading portfolios.

There were no material changes to our policies and practices for the management of market risk in the first half of 2020.

A summary of our current policies and practices for the management of market risk is set out in 'Market risk management' on pages 41 to 42 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

Market risk in the first half of 2020

Global financial conditions worsened rapidly with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic from mid-February. Market volatility reached extreme levels across most asset classes and equity prices fell sharply from the previous historic peak levels. The costs of US dollar funding in the foreign exchange markets surged sharply. In credit markets, spread and yields reached multi-year highs. The gold market experienced disruption related to Covid-19, with refining and transportation affecting the relative pricing of gold futures contracts, and oil prices collapsed due to rising over-supply as demand reduced materially due to the economic slowdown. Financial markets stabilised from April onwards, as governments in major developed countries announced economic recovery programmes and key central banks intervened to provide liquidity and support asset prices.

We managed market risk prudently in the first half of 2020. Key sensitivity exposures remained within appetite as the business pursued its core market-making activity in support of our customers during the pandemic. Market risk continued to be managed using a complementary set of exposure measures and limits, including stress and scenario analysis.

The fixed income business continued to be the key driver of trading value at risk ('VaR') from its interest rate and credit risk sensitivity exposures. The equity and foreign exchange components provided marginal contributions to overall market risk in the trading book.

Trading portfolios

Value at risk of the trading portfolios

Trading VaR predominantly resides within Global Markets. Total trading VaR was higher as at 30 June 2020 compared to

31 December 2019, mainly contributed by Interest Rate VaR and Credit VaR with higher market volatility.

The trading VaR for the period is shown in the table below.

 
 Trading value at risk, 99% 1 day(1) 
                                   Foreign 
                                  exchange  Interest           Credit              Portfolio 
                             and commodity      rate  Equity   spread     diversification(2)  Total(3) 
                                      HK$m      HK$m    HK$m     HK$m                   HK$m      HK$m 
                            --------------  --------  ------  -------  ---------------------  -------- 
 Half-year to 30 Jun 2020 
                            --------------  --------  ------  -------  ---------------------  -------- 
 Period end                             40       184      38       39              (116)           209 
                            --------------  --------  ------  -------  ----------------       -------- 
 Average                                48       143      41       52                              185 
                            --------------  --------  ------  -------  ---------------------  -------- 
 Maximum                                96       248      83       90                              251 
--------------------------  --------------  --------  ------  -------  ---------------------  -------- 
 
 Half-year to 31 Dec 2019 
                            --------------  --------  ------  -------  ---------------------  -------- 
 Period end                             48        90      50       24              (110)           140 
                            --------------  --------  ------  -------  ----------------       -------- 
 Average                                41        93      36       34                              149 
                            --------------  --------  ------  -------  ---------------------  -------- 
 Maximum                                58       126      59       81                              185 
--------------------------  --------------  --------  ------  -------  ---------------------  -------- 
 

1 Trading portfolios comprise positions arising from the market-making and warehousing of customer-derived positions.

2 Portfolio diversification is the market risk dispersion effect of holding a portfolio containing different risk types. It represents the reduction in unsystematic market risk that occurs when combining a number of different risk types, for example, interest rate, equity and foreign exchange, together in one portfolio. It is measured as the difference between the sum of the VaR by individual risk type and the combined total VaR. A negative number represents the benefit of portfolio diversification. As the maximum and minimum occur on different days for different risk types, it is not meaningful to calculate a portfolio diversification benefit for these measures.

3 The total VaR includes HK$24m Risk not in VaR ('RNIV') for half-year end 2020 and HK$38m Risk not in VaR ('RNIV') for year end 2019.

 
 Insurance manufacturing operations 
  risk 
  management 
 

Overview

The majority of the risk in our insurance business derives from manufacturing activities and can be categorised as financial risk and insurance risk. Financial risks include market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. Insurance risk is the risk, other than financial risk, of loss transferred from the holder of the insurance contract to HSBC, the issuer. The cost of claims and benefits can be influenced by many factors, including mortality and morbidity experience, as well as lapses and surrender rates.

A summary of our policies and practices regarding the risk management of insurance operations, our insurance model and the main contracts we manufacture is provided on pages 46 to 47 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

There have been no material changes to the policies and practices for the management of risks arising in our insurance operations described in the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

Insurance manufacturing operations risk profile in the first half of 2020

The risk profile of our insurance manufacturing businesses is measured using an economic capital approach. Assets and liabilities are measured on a market value basis, and a capital requirement is defined to ensure that there is a less than one in 200 chance of insolvency over a one-year time horizon, given the risks to which the businesses are exposed. The methodology for the economic capital calculation is largely aligned to the

pan-European Solvency II insurance capital regulations. A key risk appetite metric is the economic capital coverage ratio, which is calculated by dividing the economic net asset value by the economic capital requirement.

Covid-19 impacts on financial markets have in turn impacted the profitability of manufactured insurance products and have caused overall capital levels to fall in several of the insurance entities. At 30 June 2020 regulatory capital levels were above risk appetite and the group economic capital level was above risk tolerance. A variety of management actions was taken during the period to actively manage the risk profile of the insurance entities and enhanced risk management and oversight will continue.

Insurance entities in the group manage their economic capital cover ratios against their appetite and tolerance as approved by their respective Boards. The tables below show the composition of assets and liabilities by contract type and 93% (2019: 92%) of both assets and liabilities are derived from Hong Kong.

 
 Balance sheet of insurance manufacturing subsidiaries by type of contract 
                                                                              Shareholders' 
                                                                                     assets 
                                                  Non-linked  Unit-linked   and liabilities      Total 
                                                        HK$m         HK$m              HK$m       HK$m 
 At 30 Jun 2020 
 Financial assets                                    535,348       38,626            39,260  613,234 
 - financial assets designated and otherwise 
  mandatorily measured at fair value                  95,952       37,363               369  133,684 
 - derivatives                                         2,224           35                10    2,269 
 - financial investments measured at amortised 
  cost                                               405,692          207            31,118  437,017 
 - financial investments measured at fair 
  value through other comprehensive income             4,003            -               405    4,408 
 - other financial assets(1)                          27,477        1,021             7,358   35,856 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Reinsurance assets                                   28,624           34                 -   28,658 
 PVIF(2)                                                   -            -            65,510   65,510 
 Other assets and investment properties               12,913           12             4,849   17,774 
                                                  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Total assets                                        576,885       38,672           109,619  725,176 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Liabilities under investment contracts 
  designated at fair value                            31,185        6,786                 -   37,971 
                                                  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Liabilities under insurance contracts               515,187       31,342                 -  546,529 
                                                  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Deferred tax(3)                                         392          116            10,466   10,974 
                                                  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Other liabilities                                         -            -            35,140   35,140 
                                                  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Total liabilities                                   546,764       38,244            45,606  630,614 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Total equity                                              -            -            94,562   94,562 
 Total equity and liabilities                        546,764       38,244           140,168  725,176 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 
 At 31 Dec 2019 
 Financial assets                                    501,625       41,893            34,940  578,458 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 - financial assets designated at fair 
  value                                              103,902       40,563               124  144,589 
 - derivatives                                           957            4                 4      965 
 - financial investments measured at amortised 
  cost                                               374,630          342            31,508  406,480 
 - financial investments measured at fair 
  value through other comprehensive income             4,126            -               395    4,521 
 - other financial assets(1)                          18,010          984             2,909   21,903 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Reinsurance assets                                   28,031           44                 -   28,075 
 PVIF(2)                                                   -            -            61,075   61,075 
 Other assets and investment properties               13,015            2             3,898   16,915 
 Total assets                                        542,671       41,939            99,913  684,523 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 Liabilities under investment contracts 
  designated at fair value                            30,231        6,793                 -   37,024 
 Liabilities under insurance contracts               494,181       34,579                 -  528,760 
 Deferred tax(3)                                          20          118             9,780    9,918 
 Other liabilities                                         -            -            17,116   17,116 
 Total liabilities                                   524,432       41,490            26,896  592,818 
 Total equity                                              -            -            91,705   91,705 
 Total equity and liabilities                        524,432       41,490           118,601  684,523 
------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------------  ------- 
 

1 Comprise mainly loans and advances to banks, cash and inter-company balances with other non-insurance legal entities.

   2   Present value of in-force long-term insurance business. 
   3   'Deferred tax' includes the deferred tax liabilities arising on recognition of PVIF. 

Market risk

Description and exposure

Market risk is the risk of changes in market factors affecting

capital or profit. Market factors include interest rates, equity and growth assets and foreign exchange rates.

Our exposure varies depending on the type of contract issued.

Our most significant life insurance products are contracts with

discretionary participating features ('DPF') issued in Hong Kong. These products typically include some form of capital guarantee or guaranteed return on the sums invested by the policyholders, to which discretionary bonuses are added if allowed by the overall performance of the funds. These funds are primarily invested in bonds, with a proportion allocated to other asset classes to provide customers with the potential for enhanced

returns.

DPF products expose the group to the risk of variation in asset returns, which will impact our participation in the investment performance. In addition, in some scenarios the asset returns can become insufficient to cover the policyholders' financial guarantees, in which case the shortfall has to be met by the group. Reserves are held against the cost of such guarantees, calculated by stochastic modelling.

Where local rules require, these reserves are held as part of liabilities under insurance contracts. Any remainder is accounted for as a deduction from PVIF on the relevant product.

For unit-linked contracts, market risk is substantially borne by the policyholders, but some market risk exposure typically remains as fees earned are related to the market value of the linked assets.

Sensitivities

Where appropriate, the effects of the sensitivity tests on profit after tax and total equity incorporate the impact of the stress on the PVIF. The relationship between the profit and total equity, and the risk factors is non-linear; therefore the results disclosed should not be extrapolated to measure sensitivities to different levels of stress. For the same reason, the impact of the stress is not symmetrical on the upside and downside. The sensitivities reflect the established risk sharing mechanism with policyholders for participating products, and are stated before allowance for management actions which may mitigate the effect of changes in the market environment. The sensitivities presented allow for adverse changes in policyholders' behaviour that may arise in response to changes in market rates. The following table illustrates the effects of selected interest rate, equity price and foreign exchange rate scenarios on our profit for the period and the total equity of our insurance manufacturing subsidiaries.

 
 Sensitivity of the group's insurance manufacturing subsidiaries to 
  market risk factors 
                                                   30 Jun 2020             31 Dec 2019 
                                                  Effect     Effect      Effect       Effect 
                                               on profit   on total   on profit     on total 
                                               after tax     equity   after tax       equity 
                                                    HK$m       HK$m        HK$m         HK$m 
 +100 basis points parallel shift in 
  yield curves                                   (1,717)    (2,150)       (538)      (929) 
 -100 basis points parallel shift in 
  yield curves                                      894      1,328          38        429 
 10% increase in equity prices                    1,596      1,596       1,814      1,814 
 10% decrease in equity prices                   (1,596)    (1,596)     (1,840)    (1,840) 
 10% increase in USD exchange rate compared 
  to all currencies                                  45         45         327        327 
 10% decrease in USD exchange rate compared 
  to all currencies                                 (45)       (45)       (327)      (327) 
--------------------------------------------  ---------   --------   ---------   -------- 
 
 
 Capital 
 

The following tables show the capital ratios, risk-weighted assets ('RWAs') and capital base on a consolidated basis, in accordance with the Banking (Capital) Rules:

 
 Capital ratios and RWAs 
                                                 At 
                                          30 Jun       31 Dec 
                                            2020         2019 
                                               %            % 
 Capital ratios 
 Common equity tier 1 ('CET1') ratio        16.7       17.2 
                                       --------- 
 Tier 1 ratio                               18.3       18.8 
                                       --------- 
 Total capital ratio                        20.3       21.0 
                                       ---------  --------- 
                                            HK$m         HK$m 
 RWAs                                  2,942,719  2,851,380 
-------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The following table sets out the composition of the group's capital base under Basel III at 30 June 2020.

 
 Capital base 
                                                                        At 
                                                                 30 Jun       31 Dec 
                                                                   2020         2019 
                                                                   HK$m         HK$m 
------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Common equity tier 1 ('CET1') capital 
 Shareholders' equity                                          685,616    690,104 
                                                              --------   -------- 
 - shareholders' equity per balance sheet                      813,007    814,678 
 - revaluation reserve capitalisation issue                     (1,454)    (1,454) 
 - other equity instruments                                    (44,615)   (44,615) 
 - unconsolidated subsidiaries                                 (81,322)   (78,505) 
 Non-controlling interests                                      27,701     27,459 
 - non-controlling interests per balance sheet                  63,460     64,603 
 - non-controlling interests in unconsolidated subsidiaries    (10,357)   (10,316) 
 - surplus non-controlling interests disallowed in CET1        (25,402)   (26,828) 
 Regulatory deductions to CET1 capital                        (221,723)  (225,922) 
 - valuation adjustments                                        (1,536)    (1,554) 
 - goodwill and intangible assets                              (20,478)   (20,132) 
 - deferred tax assets net of deferred tax liabilities          (3,085)    (2,214) 
 - cash flow hedging reserve                                       (33)        41 
 - changes in own credit risk on fair valued liabilities        (1,745)     2,013 
 - defined benefit pension fund assets                             (26)       (45) 
 - significant Loss-absorbing capacity ('LAC') investments 
  in unconsolidated financial sector entities                 (109,767)  (105,426) 
 - property revaluation reserves(1)                            (68,897)   (74,626) 
 - regulatory reserve                                          (16,156)   (23,979) 
 Total CET1 capital                                            491,594    491,641 
------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Additional tier 1 ('AT1') capital 
 Total AT1 capital before regulatory deductions                 45,942     45,819 
 - perpetual subordinated loans                                 44,615     44,615 
 - allowable non-controlling interests in AT1 capital            1,327      1,204 
 Regulatory deductions to AT1 capital                              (29)         - 
 - significant LAC investments in unconsolidated financial 
  sector entities                                                  (29)         - 
------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Total AT1 capital                                              45,913     45,819 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 Total tier 1 capital                                          537,507    537,460 
------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Tier 2 capital 
------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Total tier 2 capital before regulatory deductions              66,907     68,340 
                                                                         -------- 
 - perpetual subordinated debt(2)                                3,100      3,114 
 - term subordinated debt                                       15,121     14,839 
 - property revaluation reserves(1)                             31,658     34,236 
 - impairment allowances and regulatory reserve eligible 
  for inclusion in tier 2 capital                               16,328     16,151 
 - allowable non-controlling interests in tier 2 capital           700          - 
                                                              --------   -------- 
 Regulatory deductions to tier 2 capital                        (7,599)    (6,866) 
 - significant LAC investments in unconsolidated financial 
  sector entities                                               (7,599)    (6,866) 
 Total tier 2 capital                                           59,308     61,474 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 Total capital                                                 596,815    598,934 
------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 

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

2 This Tier 2 capital instrument is grandfathered under Basel III and will be phased out in full after 31 December 2021.

 
 Statement of Directors' responsibilities 
 

The Directors, the names of whom are set out below, confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

-- the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Accounting Standard ('HKAS') 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'; and

-- the Interim Report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook issued by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year ending 31 December 2020 and their impact on the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the financial year.

Laura May Lung Cha*, GBM (Chairman)

Peter Tung Shun Wong (Deputy Chairman & Chief Executive)

Zia Mody* (Deputy Chairman)

Graham John Bradley*

Louisa Wai Wan Cheang

Dr Christopher Wai Chee Cheng*, GBS, OBE

Dr Raymond Kuo Fung Ch'ien*, GBS, CBE

Yiu Kwan Choi*

Irene Yun-lien Lee*

Jennifer Xinzhe Li*

Victor Tzar Kuoi Li(#)

Bin Hwee Quek (née Chua)*, PBM, BBM, JP

Kevin Anthony Westley*, BBS

Tan Sri (Sir) Francis Sock Ping Yeoh*, KBE, CBE

* independent non-executive Director

(#) non-executive Director

On behalf of the Board

Laura Cha

Chairman

3 August 2020

 
 Independent review report by PricewaterhouseCoopers 
 
 
 Report On Review of the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements 
  To the Board of Directors of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation 
  Limited 
 

(incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability)

Introduction

We have reviewed the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements set out on pages 26 to 41, which comprise the consolidated balance sheet of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (the 'Bank') and its subsidiaries (together, the 'group') as at 30 June 2020 and the consolidated income statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the six-month period then ended, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory notes(1) . The directors of the Bank are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with Hong Kong Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on this Interim condensed consolidated financial statements based on our review and to report our conclusion solely to you, as a body, in accordance with our agreed terms of engagement and for no other purpose. We do not assume responsibility towards or accept liability to any other person for the contents of this report.

1 Certain required disclosures as described in note 1(g) on the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements, have been presented elsewhere in the Interim Report 2020 rather than in the notes on the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements. These are cross-referenced from the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements and is identified as reviewed.

Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the United Kingdom's Auditing Practices Board. A review of interim financial information consists of making inquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the group are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with Hong Kong Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Certified Public Accountants

Hong Kong

3 August 2020

 
 Interim condensed consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 Consolidated income statement 
 
 
                                                                        Half-year to 
                                                                      30 Jun      30 Jun 
                                                                        2020        2019 
                                                                        HK$m        HK$m 
 Net interest income                                                 60,958    64,589 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
   *    interest income                                              83,617    95,534 
 - interest expense                                                 (22,659)  (30,945) 
                                                                    -------   ------- 
 Net fee income                                                      20,678    21,589 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 - fee income                                                        25,700    27,231 
 
   *    fee expense                                                  (5,022)   (5,642) 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Net income from financial instruments held for trading 
  or managed on a fair value basis(1)                                19,277    18,128 
 Net (expense)/income from assets and liabilities of insurance 
  businesses, including related derivatives, measured at 
  fair value through profit or loss                                  (3,999)    8,730 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Changes in fair value of designated debts issued and related 
  derivatives(1)                                                        119       318 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Changes in fair value of other financial instruments mandatorily 
  measured at fair value through profit or loss                         172       103 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Gains less losses from financial investments                         1,341       359 
 Net insurance premium income                                        30,763    36,186 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Other operating income                                               5,128     8,321 
 Total operating income                                             134,437   158,323 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in 
  liabilities to policyholders                                      (31,491)  (46,136) 
 Net operating income before change in expected credit 
  losses and other credit impairment charges                        102,946   112,187 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment 
  charges                                                           (14,112)   (2,039) 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Net operating income                                                88,834   110,148 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Employee compensation and benefits                                 (17,453)  (19,615) 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 General and administrative expenses                                (21,030)  (20,859) 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment        (4,657)   (4,040) 
------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets                    (2,076)   (1,170) 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Total operating expenses                                           (45,216)  (45,684) 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Operating profit                                                    43,618    64,464 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Share of profit in associates and joint ventures                     8,049     8,403 
 Profit before tax                                                   51,667    72,867 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Tax expense                                                         (7,395)  (12,266) 
 Profit for the period                                               44,272    60,601 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Attributable to: 
------------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 
   *    ordinary shareholders of the parent company                  39,270    54,227 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 
   *    other equity holders                                          1,576     1,262 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 
   *    non-controlling interests                                     3,426     5,112 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Profit for the period                                               44,272    60,601 
------------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 

1 In the second half of 2019, the definition of 'Changes in fair value of designated debts issued and related derivatives' has been updated to include debt instruments which are issued for funding purposes and are designated under the fair value option to reduce an accounting mismatch, previously reported under 'Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis'. Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to the current year's presentation.

 
 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
 
 
                                                                   Half-year to 
                                                                 30 Jun     30 Jun 
                                                                   2020       2019 
                                                                   HK$m       HK$m 
 Profit for the period                                          44,272   60,601 
 Other comprehensive income/(expense) 
 Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit 
  or loss when specific conditions are met: 
 Debt instruments at fair value through other comprehensive 
  income                                                         3,161    1,485 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value gains(1)                                           5,010    6,864 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value gains transferred to the income statement 
  on disposal(1)                                                (1,343)  (4,965) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - expected credit recoveries recognised in the income 
  statement                                                        262       23 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - income taxes                                                   (768)    (437) 
                                                                ------   ------ 
 Cash flow hedges                                                  913      (10) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value gains                                              1,708      192 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value gains reclassified to the income statement          (618)    (206) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - income taxes                                                   (177)       4 
 Share of other comprehensive (expense)/income of associates 
  and joint ventures                                              (267)     207 
 Exchange differences                                           (9,949)    (725) 
 Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit 
  or loss: 
 Property revaluation                                           (4,464)   3,307 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 - fair value (losses)/gains                                    (5,344)   3,972 
 - income taxes                                                    880     (665) 
 Equity instruments designated at fair value through other 
  comprehensive income                                            (910)   2,059 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 - fair value (losses)/gains                                      (903)   2,063 
 - income taxes                                                     (7)      (4) 
 Changes in fair value of financial liabilities designated 
  at fair value upon initial recognition arising from changes 
  in own credit risk                                             3,602     (809) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 - before income taxes                                           4,303     (969) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - income taxes                                                   (701)     160 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability                 (866)    (295) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 - before income taxes                                          (1,030)    (351) 
 - income taxes                                                    164       56 
                                                                ------   ------ 
 Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the period, net 
  of tax                                                        (8,780)   5,219 
 Total comprehensive income for the period                      35,492   65,820 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Attributable to: 
 - ordinary shareholders of the parent company                  31,266   58,618 
 - other equity holders                                          1,576    1,262 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 - non-controlling interests                                     2,650    5,940 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Total comprehensive income for the period                      35,492   65,820 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 

1 At 30 June 2020, the impact from fair value hedge on debt instruments was included in 'fair value gains'. This was previously included in 'fair value gains transferred to the income statement on disposal'. Comparatives have not been re-presented.

 
 Consolidated balance sheet 
 
 
                                                                           At 
                                                                    30 Jun       31 Dec 
                                                                      2020         2019 
                                                          Notes       HK$m         HK$m 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------- 
 Assets 
 Cash and balances at central banks                                214,250    202,746 
                                                                 ---------  --------- 
 Items in the course of collection from other banks                 35,137     21,140 
                                                                 ---------  --------- 
 Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness                 306,284    298,944 
------------------------------------------------------- 
 Trading assets                                                    516,308    622,761 
                                                                            --------- 
 Derivatives                                                       374,251    280,642 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily 
  measured at fair value through profit or loss                    140,898    153,511 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading                       491,343    422,333 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Loans and advances to banks                                       401,822    328,905 
                                                                 ---------  --------- 
 Loans and advances to customers                            3    3,679,364  3,720,875 
                                                                            --------- 
 Financial investments                                      4    2,090,518  1,900,298 
                                                         ------             --------- 
 Amounts due from Group companies                                  148,670     87,632 
                                                                 ---------  --------- 
 Interests in associates and joint ventures                 5      156,009    151,917 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Goodwill and intangible assets                                     87,308     81,643 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Property, plant and equipment                                     130,254    137,930 
                                                                 ---------  --------- 
 Deferred tax assets                                                 3,175      2,179 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Prepayments, accrued income and other assets                      321,747    248,258 
                                                         ------ 
 Total assets                                                    9,097,338  8,661,714 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Liabilities 
 Hong Kong currency notes in circulation                           306,284    298,944 
 Items in the course of transmission to other banks                 40,959     25,576 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Repurchase agreements - non-trading                               111,322    106,396 
 Deposits by banks                                                 233,635    179,819 
                                                                            --------- 
 Customer accounts                                          6    5,604,067  5,432,424 
                                                         ------             --------- 
 Trading liabilities                                                74,985     87,532 
                                                                            --------- 
 Derivatives                                                       360,616    292,231 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial liabilities designated at fair value                    159,381    160,291 
                                                                            --------- 
 Debt securities in issue                                          102,972    106,933 
                                                                            --------- 
 Retirement benefit liabilities                                      3,635      2,595 
 Amounts due to Group companies                                    333,467    311,111 
 Accruals and deferred income, other liabilities and 
  provisions                                                       301,648    203,252 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Liabilities under insurance contracts                             546,529    528,760 
                                                                            --------- 
 Current tax liabilities                                             5,523     12,614 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Deferred tax liabilities                                           31,844     29,889 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Subordinated liabilities                                            4,004      4,066 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Total liabilities                                               8,220,871  7,782,433 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Equity 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------- 
 Share capital                                                     172,335    172,335 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Other equity instruments                                           44,615     44,615 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Other reserves                                                    122,093    133,099 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Retained earnings                                                 473,964    464,629 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Total shareholders' equity                                        813,007    814,678 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Non-controlling interests                                          63,460     64,603 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Total equity                                                      876,467    879,281 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Total liabilities and equity                                    9,097,338  8,661,714 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 Consolidated statement of cash flows 
 
 
                                                                     Half-year to 
                                                                   30 Jun       30 Jun 
                                                                     2020         2019 
                                                                     HK$m         HK$m 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Profit before tax                                                51,667     72,867 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Adjustments for non-cash items: 
                                                                ---------  ----------- 
 Depreciation and amortisation                                     6,733      5,210 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Net gain from investing activities                                 (648)      (673) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Share of profits in associates and joint ventures                (8,049)    (8,403) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Loss on disposal of subsidiaries, businesses, associates 
  and joint ventures                                                   1         13 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Change in expected credit losses gross of recoveries and 
  other credit impairment charges                                 14,433      2,039 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Provisions                                                         (235)        19 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Share-based payment expense                                         328        409 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Other non-cash items included in profit before tax               (5,067)    (6,314) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Change in operating assets                                     (160,147)  (293,035) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Change in operating liabilities                                 370,792    325,976 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Elimination of exchange differences                              12,577        953 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Dividends received from associates                                   83         84 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Contributions paid to defined benefit plans                        (167)      (176) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Tax paid                                                        (14,390)    (4,922) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Net cash from operating activities                              267,911     94,047 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Purchase of financial investments                              (446,254)  (457,815) 
 Proceeds from the sale and maturity of financial investments    409,753    372,990 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                        (1,711)    (1,421) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and 
  assets held for sale                                                27      1,824 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Proceeds from disposal of customer loan portfolios                2,920      1,066 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Net investment in intangible assets                              (2,894)    (2,321) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Net cash inflow on sale of subsidiaries                               -        299 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Net cash from investing activities                              (38,159)   (85,378) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Issue of other equity instruments                                     -      8,617 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Dividends paid to shareholders of the parent company and 
  non-controlling interests                                      (38,107)   (41,802) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Net cash from financing activities                              (38,107)   (33,185) 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents            191,645    (24,516) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 Jan                              677,664    721,609 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Exchange differences in respect of cash and cash equivalents     (8,901)     2,798 
                                                                --------   -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 30 Jun(2,3)                        860,408    699,891 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 

Interest received in the first half of 2020 was HK$87,960m (first half of 2019: HK$94,234m), and interest paid in the first half of 2020 was

HK$29,940m (first half of 2019: HK$29,218m).

Dividends received in the first half of 2020, which included dividend income from trading activities to align with Group's presentation, were HK$1,165m (first half of 2019: HK$2,017m). Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to the current year's presentation.

1 There is no change in subordinated loan capital during the first half of 2020. During the first half of 2019, the change in subordinated liabilities included amounts from repayment of HK$92,384m and re-issuance of HK$92,343m to Group companies with no cash movement. Changes in subordinated liabilities included non-cash changes from foreign exchange loss of HK$972m in the first half of 2020 (first half of 2019: HK$359m) and fair value gain after hedging of HK$7,466m in the first half of 2020 (first half of 2019: fair value loss HK$120m).

2 The amount of cash and cash equivalents that are subject to exchange control and regulatory restrictions amounted to HK$128,039m at 30 June 2020 (at 30 June 2019: HK$102,325m).

3 From the fourth quarter of 2019, settlement accounts with bank counterparties of one month or less are included on a net basis to align with Group's presentation. Comparatives have not been re-presented.

 
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
 
 
                                                                                                                  Half-year to 30 Jun 2020 
                                                                                                                      Other reserves 
                                                                                                                 Financial       Cash                         Total 
                                                                               Other                 Property       assets       flow   Foreign              share-           Non- 
                                                               Share          equity  Retained    revaluation     at FVOCI      hedge  exchange            holders'    controlling       Total 
                                                             capital    instru-ments  earnings        reserve      reserve    reserve   reserve  Other(1)    equity      interests      equity 
                                                                HK$m            HK$m      HK$m           HK$m         HK$m       HK$m      HK$m      HK$m      HK$m           HK$m        HK$m 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  --------------  --------  -------------  -----------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -------------  ---------- 
 At 1 Jan 2020                                               172,335     44,615       464,629     72,013        6,959        (104)     (28,118)   82,349   814,678     64,603       879,281 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Profit for the 
  period                                                           -          -        40,846          -            -           -            -         -    40,846      3,426        44,272 
 Other comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  (net of tax)                                                     -          -         2,870     (4,128)       2,278         826       (9,778)      (72)   (8,004)      (776)       (8,780) 
 
   *    debt instruments at fair value through other 
        comprehensive income                                       -          -             -          -        3,047           -            -         -     3,047        114         3,161 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    equity instruments designated at fair value through 
        other comprehensive income                                 -          -             -          -         (581)          -            -         -      (581)      (329)         (910) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    cash flow hedges                                           -          -             -          -            -         826            -         -       826         87           913 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    changes in fair value of financial liabilities 
        designated at fair value upon initial recognition 
        arising from changes in own credit risk                    -          -         3,601          -            -           -            -         -     3,601          1         3,602 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    property revaluation                                       -          -             -     (4,128)           -           -            -         -    (4,128)      (336)       (4,464) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability           -          -          (724)         -            -           -            -         -      (724)      (142)         (866) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    share of other comprehensive expense of associates 
        and joint ventures                                         -          -            (7)         -         (188)          -            -       (72)     (267)         -          (267) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    exchange differences                                       -          -             -          -            -           -       (9,778)        -    (9,778)      (171)       (9,949) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  for the period                                                   -          -        43,716     (4,128)       2,278         826       (9,778)      (72)   32,842      2,650        35,492 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------       ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Dividends to shareholders(3)                                      -          -       (34,416)         -            -           -            -         -   (34,416)    (3,695)      (38,111) 
                                                             -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 Movement in respect 
  of share-based 
  payment arrangements                                             -          -            79          -            -           -            -       276       355         10           365 
                                                             -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Transfers and other 
  movements(4)                                                     -          -           (44)    (1,482)           2           -            -     1,072      (452)      (108)         (560) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------       ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 At 30 Jun 2020                                              172,335     44,615       473,964     66,403        9,239         722      (37,896)   83,625   813,007     63,460       876,467 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 
                                                                                                                  Half-year to 30 Jun 2019 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                              172,335     35,879       429,595     57,914        2,953         (99)     (24,649)   78,830   752,758     60,162       812,920 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Impact on transition 
  to HKFRS 16                                                      -          -             -     13,483            -           -            -         -    13,483          -        13,483 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 At 1 Jan 2019                                               172,335     35,879       429,595     71,397        2,953         (99)     (24,649)   78,830   766,241     60,162       826,403 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Profit for the 
  period                                                           -          -        55,489          -            -           -            -         -    55,489      5,112        60,601 
 Other comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  (net of tax)                                                     -          -        (1,079)     3,014        3,213         (36)        (713)       (8)    4,391        828         5,219 
 
   *    debt instruments at fair value through other 
        comprehensive income                                       -          -             -          -        1,462           -            -         -     1,462         23         1,485 
 
   *    equity instruments designated at fair value through 
        other comprehensive income                                 -          -             -          -        1,536           -            -         -     1,536        523         2,059 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    cash flow hedges                                           -          -             -          -            -         (36)           -         -       (36)        26           (10) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    changes in fair value of financial liabilities 
        designated at fair value upon initial recognition 
        arising from changes in own credit risk                    -          -          (810)         -            -           -            -         -      (810)         1          (809) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    property revaluation                                       -          -             -      3,014            -           -            -         -     3,014        293         3,307 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability           -          -          (269)         -            -           -            -         -      (269)       (26)         (295) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of 
        associates and joint ventures                              -          -             -          -          215           -            -        (8)      207          -           207 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    exchange differences                                       -          -             -          -            -           -         (713)        -      (713)       (12)         (725) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  for the period                                                   -          -        54,410      3,014        3,213         (36)        (713)       (8)   59,880      5,940        65,820 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Other equity instruments 
  issued(2)                                                        -     44,615             -          -            -           -            -         -    44,615          -        44,615 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Other equity instruments 
  repaid(2)                                                        -    (35,879)            -          -            -           -            -         -   (35,879)         -       (35,879) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------       -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Dividends to shareholders(3)                                      -          -       (38,183)         -            -           -            -         -   (38,183)    (3,619)      (41,802) 
                                                             -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 Movement in respect 
  of share-based 
  payment arrangements                                             -          -           (75)         -            -           -            -        68        (7)         -            (7) 
                                                             -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Transfers and other 
  movements(4)                                                     -          -        (1,247)    (1,355)           -           -            -     2,672        70       (162)          (92) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------       ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 At 30 Jun 2019                                              172,335     44,615       444,500     73,056        6,166        (135)     (25,362)   81,562   796,737     62,321       859,058 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------  ---  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 
 
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity (continued) 
 
 
                                                                                                                Half-year to 31 Dec 2019 
                                                                                                                   Other reserves 
                                                                                                              Financial       Cash                         Total 
                                                                            Other                 Property       assets       flow   Foreign              share-           Non- 
                                                               Share       equity  Retained    revaluation     at FVOCI      hedge  exchange            holders'    controlling       Total 
                                                             capital  instruments  earnings        reserve      reserve    reserve   reserve  Other(1)    equity      interests      equity 
                                                                HK$m         HK$m      HK$m           HK$m         HK$m       HK$m      HK$m      HK$m      HK$m           HK$m        HK$m 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  --------  -------------  -----------  ---------  --------  --------  --------  -------------  ---------- 
 At 1 Jul 2019                                               172,335       44,615  444,500     73,056        6,166        (135)     (25,362)    81,562  796,737     62,321       859,058 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Profit for the 
  period                                                           -            -   50,233          -            -           -            -          -   50,233      4,206        54,439 
 Other comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  (net of tax)                                                     -            -     (870)       381          793          31       (2,756)        17   (2,404)        84        (2,320) 
 
   *    debt instruments at fair value through other 
        comprehensive income                                       -            -        -          -          214           -            -          -      214        (25)          189 
 
   *    equity instruments designated at fair value through 
        other comprehensive income                                 -            -        -          -          633           -            -          -      633        162           795 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    cash flow hedges                                           -            -        -          -            -          31            -          -       31        (16)           15 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    changes in fair value of financial liabilities 
        designated at fair value upon initial recognition 
        arising from changes in own credit risk                    -            -   (1,248)         -            -           -            -          -   (1,248)        (3)       (1,251) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    property revaluation                                       -            -        -        381            -           -            -          -      381        (15)          366 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability           -            -      381          -            -           -            -          -      381        106           487 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of 
        associates and joint ventures                              -            -       (3)         -          (54)          -            -         17      (40)         -           (40) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    exchange differences                                       -            -        -          -            -           -       (2,756)         -   (2,756)      (125)       (2,881) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------       ------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  for the period                                                   -            -   49,363        381          793          31       (2,756)        17   47,829      4,290        52,119 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Dividends to shareholders(3)                                      -            -  (30,186)         -            -           -            -          -  (30,186)    (2,027)      (32,213) 
                                                             -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------       ------- 
 Movement in respect 
  of share-based 
  payment arrangements                                             -            -       33          -            -           -            -        181      214          2           216 
                                                             -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Transfers and 
  other movements(4)                                               -            -      919     (1,424)           -           -            -        589       84         17           101 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------       ------  ---  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 At 31 Dec 2019                                              172,335       44,615  464,629     72,013        6,959        (104)     (28,118)    82,349  814,678     64,603       879,281 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  ------  ---  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 

1 The other reserves mainly comprise share of associates' other reserves, purchase premium arising from transfer of business from fellow subsidiaries, property revaluation reserve relating to transfer of properties to a fellow subsidiary and the share-based payment reserve. The

share-based payment reserve is used to record the amount relating to share awards and options granted to employees of the group directly by HSBC Holdings plc.

2 In the first half of 2019, there were US$1,100m additional tier 1 capital instruments issued. In addition, US$4,600m of additional tier 1 capital instruments were repaid and re-issued in the first half of 2019 with no actual cash movement.

   3   Including distributions paid on perpetual subordinated loans classified as equity under HKFRS. 

4 The movement from retained earnings to other reserves includes the relevant transfers in associates according to local regulatory requirements, and from the property revaluation reserve to retained earnings in relation to depreciation of revalued properties.

 
 Notes on the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements 
 
 
 1   Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies 
    --------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   (a)     Compliance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards 

The Interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the group have been prepared in accordance with HKAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants ('HKICPA'). These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

Standards applied during the half-year to 30 June 2020

There were no new standards or amendments to standards that had a material effect on these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

   (b)     Use of estimates and judgements 

Management believes that the group's critical accounting estimates and judgements are those which relate to the impairment of amortised cost and FVOCI debt financial assets, the valuation of financial instruments, the provisions for liabilities, interests in associates and the present value of in-force long-term insurance business. There were no changes in the current period to the critical accounting estimates and judgements applied in 2019, which are stated in note 1 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019. However, the level of estimation uncertainty and judgement for the calculation of expected credit losses has increased since 31 December 2019 as a result of the economic effects of the Covid-19 outbreak as set out in 'Measurement uncertainty and sensitivity analysis' on pages 14 to 17.

   (c)     Composition of the group 

There were no material changes in the composition of the group in the half-year to 30 June 2020.

   (d)     Future accounting developments 

HKFRS 17 'Insurance Contracts' was issued in January 2018 and sets out the requirements that an entity should apply in accounting for insurance contracts it issues and reinsurance contracts it holds. HKFRS 17 is currently effective from 1 January 2021. However, amendments to the standard are expected, including to delay the mandatory effective date to 1 January 2023. The group is in the process of implementing HKFRS 17. Industry practice and interpretation of the standard are still developing. Therefore, the likely impact of its implementation remains uncertain.

   (e)     Going concern 

The interim condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, as the Directors are satisfied that the group and parent company have the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment, the Directors have considered a wide range of information relating to present and future conditions, including future projections of profitability, cash flows, capital requirements and capital resources. These considerations include stressed scenarios that reflect the increasing uncertainty that Covid-19 has had on the group's operations, as well as considering potential impacts from other top and emerging risks, and the related impact on profitability, capital and liquidity.

   (f)      Accounting policies 

The accounting policies applied by the group for the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those described in note 1 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019, as are the methods of computation.

   (g)     Presentation of information 

Certain disclosures required by HKFRSs have been included in the sections marked as 'Reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers' in this Interim Report 2020 as follows:

-- Consolidated income statement and balance sheet data by global business are included in the 'Financial Review' on page 3.

-- 'Summary of credit risk (excluding debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income ('FVOCI')) by stage distribution and ECL coverage by industry sector' included in 'Risk' section on pages 13 to 14.

-- 'Measurement uncertainty and sensitivity analysis' included in 'Risk' section on pages 14 to 17.

 
 2   Dividends 
    ---------- 
 
 
                                                                           Half-year to 
                                                                  30 Jun 2020       30 Jun 2019 
                                                                HK$ per          HK$ per 
                                                                  share    HK$m    share      HK$m 
 Dividends paid on ordinary shares 
 
   *    fourth interim dividend in respect of the previous 
        financial year approved and paid during the half-year      0.58  27,026     0.47  21,958 
 - first interim dividend paid                                     0.13   5,814     0.32  14,963 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Total                                                             0.71  32,840     0.79  36,921 
                                                                -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Total coupons on other equity instruments                                1,576            1,262 
                                                                -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Dividends to shareholders                                               34,416           38,183 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 

The Directors declared a second interim dividend in respect of the half-year ended 30 June 2020 of HK$0.19 per ordinary share

(HK$8,915m) (half-year ended 30 June 2019 of HK$0.32 per ordinary share (HK$14,963m)).

 
 Total coupons on other equity instruments 
                                                                  Half-year to 
                                                                 30 Jun    30 Jun 
                                                                   2020      2019 
                                                                   HK$m      HK$m 
 US$1,900m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loans 
  (interest rate at one year US dollar LIBOR plus 3.84%)(1)           -     497 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 US$1,400m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loans 
  (interest rate at three months US dollar LIBOR plus 
  3.51%)(1)                                                           -     373 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 US$600m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan (interest 
  rate at three months US dollar LIBOR plus 3.62%)(1)                 -     178 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 US$700m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan (interest 
  rate at three months US dollar LIBOR plus 4.98%)(1)                 -     214 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 US$1,000m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan (interest 
  rate fixed at 6.09%)(2)                                           370       - 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 US$1,200m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loans (interest 
  rate fixed at 6.172%)(2)                                          445       - 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 US$600m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan (interest 
  rate fixed at 5.91%)(2)                                           249       - 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 US$1,100m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan (interest 
  rate fixed at 6%)(2)                                              512       - 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 Total                                                            1,576   1,262 
-------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ------ 
 

1 These subordinated loans were early repaid in the first half of 2019 and distributions were made on repayment.

   2   These subordinated loans were issued in June 2019. 
 
 3   Loans and advances to customers 
    -------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                    At 
                                             30 Jun        31 Dec 
                                               2020          2019 
                                               HK$m          HK$m 
 Gross loans and advances to customers   3,706,354   3,738,269 
 Expected credit loss allowances           (26,990)    (17,394) 
                                         --------- 
                                         3,679,364   3,720,875 
---------------------------------------  ---------   --------- 
 

The following table provides an analysis of loans and advances to customers by industry sector based on the Statistical Classification of economic activities in the European Community ('NACE') codes.

 
 Analysis of gross loans and advances to customers 
                                             At 
                                      30 Jun       31 Dec 
                                        2020         2019 
                                        HK$m         HK$m 
---------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Residential mortgages             1,039,368  1,027,087 
 Credit card advances                 83,072     94,582 
 Other personal                      271,524    281,087 
---------------------------------  --------- 
 Total personal                    1,393,964  1,402,756 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Real estate                         648,108    666,380 
 Wholesale and retail trade          400,127    418,669 
 Manufacturing                       403,278    418,822 
 Transportation and storage           91,723     86,912 
 Other                               511,421    494,416 
                                   ---------  --------- 
 Total corporate and commercial    2,054,657  2,085,199 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Non-bank financial institutions     257,733    250,314 
                                   3,706,354  3,738,269 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 By geography(1) 
---------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Hong Kong                         2,403,956  2,399,867 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Rest of Asia Pacific              1,302,398  1,338,402 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

1 The geographical information shown above has been classified by the location of the principal operations of the subsidiary and by the location of the branch responsible for advancing the funds.

Gross loans and advances to customers decreased by HK$32bn, or 1%, which included unfavourable foreign exchange translation effects of HK$39bn. Excluding this impact, the underlying increase of HK$7bn was driven by an increase in residential mortgages of HK$21bn mainly in Hong Kong and Australia, partly offset by a decrease in credit card advances of HK$11bn mainly in Hong Kong. Non-bank financial institution lending also increased by HK$11bn, partly offset by a decrease in corporate and commercial lending of HK$8bn.

 
 4   Financial investments 
    ---------------------- 
 
 
 Carrying amounts of financial investments 
                                                                  At 
                                                           30 Jun       31 Dec 
                                                             2020         2019 
                                                             HK$m         HK$m 
 Financial investments measured at fair value through 
  other comprehensive income                            1,629,300  1,465,998 
                                                        ---------  --------- 
 - treasury and other eligible bills                      774,802    606,738 
 - debt securities                                        846,863    850,623 
 - equity securities                                        7,635      8,637 
                                                        ---------  --------- 
 Debt instruments measured at amortised cost              461,218    434,300 
                                                        ---------  --------- 
 - treasury and other eligible bills                        4,351      5,049 
 - debt securities                                        456,867    429,251 
                                                        ---------  --------- 
                                                        2,090,518  1,900,298 
------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 5   Interests in associates and joint ventures 
    ------------------------------------------- 
 

Bank of Communications Co., Limited ('BoCom')

The group's investment in BoCom is classified as an associate. Significant influence in BoCom was established via representation on BoCom's Board of Directors and participation in a Resource and Experience Sharing agreement ('RES'). Under the RES, HSBC staff have been seconded to assist in the maintenance of BoCom's financial and operating policies. Investments in associates are recognised using the equity method of accounting in accordance with HKAS 28 whereby the investment is initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter for the post-acquisition change in the group's share of BoCom's net assets. An impairment test is required if there is any indication of impairment.

Impairment testing

At 30 June 2020, the fair value of the group's investment in BoCom had been below the carrying amount for approximately eight years. As a result, the group performed an impairment test on the carrying amount, which confirmed that there was no impairment at 30 June 2020 as the recoverable amount, as determined by a value-in-use ('VIU') calculation, was higher than the carrying value.

 
                                 At 
               30 Jun 2020               31 Dec 2019 
                Carrying    Fair         Carrying      Fair 
           VIU     value   value    VIU     value     value 
         HK$bn     HK$bn   HK$bn  HK$bn     HK$bn     HK$bn 
                                  -----  --------  -------- 
 BoCom   159.0     152.7    67.6  167.8     148.4    78.3 
-------  -----  --------  ------  -----  --------  ------ 
 
 

The decrease in VIU for the first half of 2020 was principally driven by BoCom's actual performance which was lower than earlier forecasts due to the impact of Covid-19 and the disruption to global economic activity, and downward revisions to management's best estimates of BoCom's future earnings.

In future periods, the VIU may increase or decrease depending on the effect of changes to model inputs. The main model inputs are described below and are based on factors observed at period-end. The factors that could result in a change in the VIU and an impairment include a short-term under-performance by BoCom, a change in regulatory capital requirements, or an increase in uncertainty regarding the future performance of BoCom resulting in a downgrade of the future asset growth or profitability. An increase in the discount rate as a result of an increase in the risk premium or risk-free rates could also result in a reduction of VIU and an impairment. At the point where the carrying value exceeds the VIU, impairment would be recognised.

If the group did not have significant influence in BoCom, the investment would be carried at fair value rather than the current carrying value.

Basis of recoverable amount

The impairment test was performed by comparing the recoverable amount of BoCom, determined by a VIU calculation, with its carrying amount. The VIU calculation uses discounted cash flow projections based on management's best estimates of future earnings available to ordinary shareholders prepared in accordance with HKAS 36. Significant management judgement is required in arriving at the best estimate. There are two main components to the VIU calculation. The first component is management's best estimate of BoCom's earnings which is based on explicit forecasts over the short to medium term. This results in forecast earnings growth that is lower than recent historical actual growth and also reflects the uncertainty arising from the current economic outlook. Earnings beyond the short to medium term are then extrapolated in perpetuity using a long-term growth rate to derive a terminal value, which comprises the majority of the VIU. The second component is the capital maintenance charge ('CMC') which is management's forecast of the earnings that need to be withheld in order for BoCom to meet regulatory capital requirements over the forecast period (i.e. CMC is deducted when arriving at management's estimate of future earnings available to ordinary shareholders). The principal inputs to the CMC calculation include estimates of asset growth, the ratio of risk-weighted assets to total assets, and the expected minimum regulatory capital requirements. An increase in the CMC as a result of a change to these principal inputs would reduce VIU. Additionally, management considers other factors (including qualitative factors) to ensure that the inputs to the VIU calculation remain appropriate.

Key assumptions in value-in-use calculation

We used a number of assumptions in our VIU calculation, in accordance with the requirements of HKAS 36:

-- Long-term profit growth rate: 3% (31 December 2019: 3%) for periods after 2023, which does not exceed forecast GDP growth in mainland China and is consistent with forecasts by external analysts.

-- Long-term asset growth rate: 3% (31 December 2019: 3%) for periods after 2023, which is the rate that assets are expected to grow to achieve long-term profit growth of 3%.

-- Discount rate: 11.24% (31 December 2019: 11.24%) which is based on a Capital Asset Pricing Model ('CAPM') calculation for BoCom, using market data. Management also compares the rate derived from the CAPM with discount rates from external sources. The discount rate used is within the range of 10.3% to 15.0% (31 December 2019: 10.0% to 15.0%) indicated by external sources.

-- Expected credit losses as a percentage of customer advances: ranges from 0.95% to 1.10% (31 December 2019: 0.95%) in the short to medium term and reflect increases due to Covid-19 and BoCom's actual results. For periods after 2023, the ratio is 0.76% (31 December 2019: 0.76%) which is slightly higher than the historical average.

-- Risk-weighted assets as a percentage of total assets: ranges from 61% to 62% (31 December 2019: 61%) in the short to medium term and reflect increases which may arise from higher expected credit losses as a percentage of customer advances. For periods after 2023, the ratio is 61% (31 December 2019: 61%). These rates are similar to BoCom's actual results in recent years and forecasts disclosed by external analysts.

-- Operating income: ranges from 1.3% to 6.2% (31 December 2019: 4.9% to 9.4%) in the short to medium term, and are lower than BoCom's actual results in recent years and the forecasts disclosed by external analysts, reflecting pressures from Covid-19 and industry developments in mainland China.

-- Cost-income ratio: ranges from 36.2% to 36.6% (31 December 2019: 37.1% to 38.8%) in the short to medium term. These rates are similar to BoCom's actual results and slightly higher than the forecasts disclosed by external analysts.

-- Effective tax rate: ranges from 11.0% to 17.9% (31 December 2019: 12.0% to 17.0%) in the short to medium term reflecting BoCom's actual results and an expected increase towards the long-term assumption. For periods after 2023, the rate is 22.5% (31 December 2019: 22.5%) which is slightly higher than the historical average.

-- Capital requirements: Capital adequacy ratio: 11.5% (31 December 2019: 11.5%) and tier 1 capital adequacy ratio: 9.5% (31 December 2019: 9.5%), based on the minimum regulatory requirements.

The following table shows the change to each key assumption in the VIU calculation that on its own would reduce the headroom to nil:

 
 
 
   *    Long-term profit growth rate                             *    Decrease by 33 basis points 
 
 
   *    Long-term asset growth rate                              *    Increase by 29 basis points 
 
 
   *    Discount rate                                            *    Increase by 38 basis points 
 
 
   *    Expected credit losses as a percentage of customer       *    Increase by 5 basis points 
        advances 
 
                                                                 *    Increase by 216 basis points 
   *    Risk-weighted assets as a percentage of total assets 
 
                                                                 *    Decrease by 57 basis points 
   *    Operating income 
 
                                                                 *    Increase by 128 basis points 
   *    Cost-income ratio 
 
                                                                 *    Increase by 294 basis points 
   *    Long-term effective tax rate 
 
                                                                 *    Increase by 41 basis points 
   *    Capital requirements - capital adequacy ratio 
 
                                                                 *    Increase by 134 basis points 
   *    Capital requirements - tier 1 capital adequacy ratio 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------ 
 

The following table further illustrates the impact on VIU of reasonably possible changes to key assumptions. This reflects the sensitivity of the VIU to each key assumption on its own and it is possible that more than one favourable and/or unfavourable change may occur at the same time. The selected rates of reasonably possible changes to key assumptions are largely based on external analysts' forecasts which can change period to period.

 
                                               Favourable change                       Unfavourable change 
                                                        Increase                                Decrease 
                                                          in VIU        VIU                       in VIU        VIU 
                                                 bps       HK$bn      HK$bn                bps     HK$bn      HK$bn 
 At 30 June 2020 
 Long-term profit growth rate                      -       -      159.0                    -50     (9.5)  149.5 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Long-term asset growth rate                     -50     9.9      168.9                      -        -   159.0 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Discount rate                                   -24     4.4      163.4                    +86    (13.7)  145.3 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
                                             2020 to                                   2020 to 
                                            2023: 93                                 2023: 108 
 Expected credit losses as a           2024 onwards:                             2024 onwards: 
  percentage of customer advances                 75     3.4      162.4                     92    (17.4)  141.6 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Risk-weighted assets as a 
  percentage 
  of total assets                               -190     4.0      163.0                    +93     (4.1)  154.9 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Operating income                                +64     7.5      166.5                    -69     (7.4)  151.6 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Cost-income ratio                              -205    11.8      170.8                   +179    (10.1)  148.9 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Long-term effective tax rate                   -433     9.4      168.4                   +250     (5.4)  153.6 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Capital requirements - capital 
  adequacy ratio                                   -       -      159.0                   +266    (46.8)  112.2 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Capital requirements - tier 
  1 capital adequacy ratio                         -       -      159.0                   +289    (35.0)  124.0 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 
 At 31 December 2019 
 Long-term profit growth rate                      -       -      167.8                    -50    (10.6)  157.2 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Long-term asset growth rate                     -50    10.6      178.4                      -        -   167.8 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Discount rate                                   -54    10.9      178.7                    +56     (9.9)  157.9 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
                                             2019 to                                   2019 to 
                                            2023: 90                                 2023: 108 
 Expected credit losses as a           2024 onwards:                             2024 onwards: 
  percentage of customer advances                 70     7.5      175.3                     81     (9.4)  158.4 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Risk-weighted assets as a 
  percentage 
  of total assets                                -96     2.9      170.7                    +12     (0.4)  167.4 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Operating income                                +14     1.9      169.7                   -102    (14.1)  153.7 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Cost-income ratio                              -175     7.7      175.5                    +95     (9.4)  158.4 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Long-term effective tax rate                   -352     7.8      175.6                   +250     (5.6)  162.2 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Capital requirements - capital 
  adequacy ratio                                   -       -      167.8                   +337    (64.1)  103.7 
                                   -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 Capital requirements - tier 
  1 capital adequacy ratio                         -       -      167.8                   +322    (47.2)  120.6 
---------------------------------  -----------------  ------      -----      -----------------  -------   ----- 
 

Considering the interrelationship of the changes set out in the table above, management estimates that the reasonably possible range of VIU is HK$134.2bn to HK$169.8bn (31 December 2019: HK$144.3bn to HK$177.2bn). The range is based on the favourable/unfavourable change in the earnings in the short-to medium-term and long-term expected credit losses as a percentage of customer advances as set out in the table above. All other long-term assumptions, the discount rate and the basis of the CMC have been kept unchanged when determining the reasonably possible range of the VIU.

 
 6   Customer accounts 
    ------------------ 
 
 
 Customer accounts by country/territory 
                                 At 
                          30 Jun        31 Dec 
                            2020          2019 
                            HK$m          HK$m 
 Hong Kong             3,986,633   3,894,175 
                     ----------- 
 Singapore               413,999     378,303 
-------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 Mainland China          368,587     376,390 
-------------------  ----------- 
 Australia               197,230     180,637 
                     ----------- 
 India                   139,870     116,330 
-------------------  ----------- 
 Malaysia                113,839     113,907 
-------------------  ----------- 
 Taiwan                  114,084     114,250 
                     ----------- 
 Indonesia                34,617      36,861 
                     ----------- 
 Other                   235,208     221,571 
-------------------  -----------  ---------- 
                       5,604,067   5,432,424 
-------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 
 7   Fair values of financial instruments carried at fair value 
    ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 

The accounting policies, control framework and hierarchy used to determine fair values at 30 June 2020 are consistent with those applied for the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments carried at fair value and bases of valuation.

 
                                          Fair value hierarchy 
                                           Level    Level   Level  Third-party       Inter- 
                                               1        2       3        total   company(2)        Total 
                                            HK$m     HK$m    HK$m         HK$m         HK$m         HK$m 
                                       --------- 
 At 30 Jun 2020 
------------------------------------- 
 Assets 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Trading assets(1)                       324,870  190,393   1,045      516,308            -    516,308 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Derivatives                               3,377  300,189   1,070      304,636       69,615    374,251 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Financial assets designated 
  and otherwise mandatorily measured 
  at fair value through profit 
  or loss                                 72,635   30,960  37,303      140,898            -    140,898 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Financial investments                 1,273,522  350,843   4,935    1,629,300            -  1,629,300 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Liabilities 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Trading liabilities(1)                   68,263    6,722       -       74,985            -     74,985 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Derivatives                               3,050  274,322   2,376      279,748       80,868    360,616 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Financial liabilities designated 
  at fair value(1)                             -  139,332  20,049      159,381            -    159,381 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 
 At 31 Dec 2019 
------------------------------------- 
 Assets 
------------------------------------- 
 Trading assets(1)                       426,072  196,132     557      622,761            -    622,761 
 Derivatives                               2,282  213,242     833      216,357       64,285    280,642 
 Financial assets designated 
  and otherwise mandatorily measured 
  at fair value through profit 
  or loss                                 89,152   32,068  32,291      153,511            -    153,511 
 Financial investments                 1,096,572  363,804   5,622    1,465,998            -  1,465,998 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Liabilities 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
 Trading liabilities(1)                   78,111    9,421       -       87,532            -     87,532 
                                       ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 Derivatives                               2,892  219,498   2,422      224,812       67,419    292,231 
 Financial liabilities designated 
  at fair value(1)                             -  139,720  20,571      160,291            -    160,291 
-------------------------------------  ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 
   1   Amounts with HSBC Group entities are not reflected here. 
   2   Derivatives balances with HSBC Group entities are largely under 'Level 2'. 
 
 Transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair values 
                                      Assets                                     Liabilities 
                                          Designated 
                                       and otherwise 
                                         mandatorily 
                                            measured                             Designated 
                   Financial  Trading        at fair                    Trading     at fair 
                 investments   assets          value  Derivatives   liabilities       value    Derivatives 
                        HK$m     HK$m           HK$m         HK$m          HK$m        HK$m           HK$m 
                ------------ 
 At 30 Jun 
 2020 
-------------- 
 Transfers 
  from Level 
  1 to Level 2         9,081   10,315          1,684            -           130           -            - 
                                       -------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 Transfers 
  from Level 
  2 to Level 1        18,025   16,050            516            5            80           -            - 
--------------  ------------  -------  -------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 
 At 31 Dec 2019 
---------------------- 
 Transfers from Level 
  1 to Level 2          32,281   9,198      -  -131  -- 
                        ------  ------  -----   --- 
 Transfers from Level 
  2 to Level 1          16,872  15,069  2,359  -599  -- 
----------------------  ------  ------  -----   --- 
 

Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are deemed to occur at the end of each quarterly reporting period. Transfers into and out of Levels of the fair value hierarchy are primarily attributable to changes in observability of valuation inputs and price transparency.

Movements in Level 3 financial instruments

There were no material transfers from Level 3 to Levels 1 and 2, and vice versa, as a result of change in observability of valuation inputs, purchases, sales, issues or settlement, nor gains/losses recognised in the income statement/other comprehensive income during the first half of 2020 in relation to financial instruments carried at fair value in Level 3 (first half of 2019: immaterial).

 
 8   Fair values of financial instruments not carried at fair value 
    --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                                     At 
                                                    30 Jun 2020             31 Dec 2019 
                                                Carrying               Carrying 
                                                  amount  Fair value     amount    Fair value 
                                                    HK$m        HK$m       HK$m          HK$m 
                                               ---------  ----------  ---------  ------------ 
 Assets 
 Reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading     491,343     491,730    422,333     422,679 
---------------------------------------------             ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Loans and advances to banks                     401,822     402,267    328,905     328,805 
 Loans and advances to customers               3,679,364   3,663,671  3,720,875   3,711,191 
---------------------------------------------                         ---------  ---------- 
 Financial investments - at amortised cost       461,218     509,060    434,300     459,832 
---------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Liabilities 
 Repurchase agreements - non-trading             111,322     111,325    106,396     106,398 
---------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Deposits by banks                               233,635     233,640    179,819     179,823 
--------------------------------------------- 
 Customer accounts                             5,604,067   5,607,903  5,432,424   5,432,803 
---------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Debt securities in issue                        102,972     103,708    106,933     107,641 
--------------------------------------------- 
 Subordinated liabilities                          4,004       3,886      4,066       3,951 
---------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 

Other financial instruments not carried at fair value are typically short term in nature or re-priced to current market rates frequently. Accordingly, their carrying amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value. Details of how the fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value on the balance sheet are calculated can be found in note 35 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

 
 9   Contingent liabilities, contractual commitments and guarantees 
    --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                   At 
                                            30 Jun       31 Dec 
                                              2020         2019 
                                              HK$m         HK$m 
---------------------------------------             ----------- 
 Guarantees and contingent liabilities     310,050    318,770 
---------------------------------------  --------- 
 Commitments                             2,875,910  2,750,332 
---------------------------------------  --------- 
                                         3,185,960  3,069,102 
---------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

The above table discloses the nominal principal amounts of commitments (excluding capital commitments), guarantees and other contingent liabilities, which represents the amounts at risk should contracts be fully drawn upon and clients default. The amount of commitments shown above reflects, where relevant, the expected level of take-up of pre-approved facilities. As a significant portion of guarantees and commitments is expected to expire without being drawn upon, the total of the nominal principal amounts is not indicative of future liquidity requirements.

Contingent liabilities at 30 June 2020 included amounts in relation to legal and regulatory matters as set out in note 12.

 
 10   Segmental analysis 
---  ------------------- 
 

The Executive Committee ('EXCO') is considered the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM') for the purpose of identifying the group's reportable segments. The global businesses are considered our reportable segments under HKFRS 8 'Operating Segments'. The basis of identifying segments and measuring segmental results is set out in note 32 'Segmental Analysis' of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

Our operations are closely integrated and, accordingly, the presentation of data includes internal allocations of certain items of income and expense. These allocations include the costs of certain support services and global functions to the extent that they can be meaningfully attributed to global businesses. While such allocations have been made on a systematic and consistent basis, they necessarily involve a degree of subjectivity. Costs that are not allocated to global businesses are included in Corporate Centre.

Where relevant, income and expense amounts presented include the results of inter-segment funding along with inter-company and inter-business line transactions. All such transactions are undertaken on arm's length terms. The intra-group elimination items for the global businesses are presented in Corporate Centre.

Change in reportable segments

Effective from the second quarter of 2020, we made the following realignments within our internal reporting to the CODM:

-- Simplification of our matrix organisational structure by merging Retail Banking and Wealth Management ('RBWM') and Global Private Banking ('GPB') to form Wealth and Personal Banking ('WPB').

   --    Re-allocation of Balance Sheet Management from Corporate Centre to the global businesses. 

Our global businesses

The group provides a comprehensive range of banking and related financial services to its customers in its three global businesses. The products and services offered to customers are organised by these global businesses.

-- Wealth and Personal Banking ('WPB') offers a full range of products and services to meet the personal banking and wealth management needs of customers from personal banking to ultra-high net worth individuals. Typically, customer offerings include retail banking products, such as current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit cards, debit cards and local and international payment services. We also provide wealth management services, including insurance and investment products, global asset management services, investment management and Private Wealth Solutions for customers with more sophisticated and international requirements.

-- Commercial Banking ('CMB') offers a broad range of products and services to serve the needs of our commercial customers, including small and medium-sized enterprises, mid-market enterprises and corporates. These include credit and lending, international trade and receivables finance, treasury management and liquidity solutions (payments and cash management and commercial cards), commercial insurance and investments. CMB also offers its customers access to products and services offered by other global businesses, such as Global Banking and Markets, which include foreign exchange products, raising capital on debt and equity markets and advisory services.

-- Global Banking and Markets ('GBM') provides tailored financial solutions to major government, corporate and institutional clients and private investors worldwide. The client-focused business lines deliver a full range of banking capabilities including financing, advisory and transaction services, a markets business that provides services in credit, rates, foreign exchange, equities, money markets and securities services, and principal investment activities.

Financial performance by global business is set out in the Financial Review on page 3, which forms part of the Interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
 Geographical regions 
 
                                                                  Rest of  Intra-segment 
                                                 Hong Kong   Asia-Pacific    elimination        Total 
                                                      HK$m           HK$m           HK$m         HK$m 
 Half-year to 30 Jun 2020 
----------------------------------------------- 
 Total operating income                             95,357         39,152           (72)    134,437 
                                                 ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 Profit before tax                                  35,987         15,680             -      51,667 
                                                 ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 At 30 Jun 2020 
                                                 ---------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total assets                                    6,489,110      3,295,482      (687,254)  9,097,338 
 Total liabilities                               5,999,611      2,908,514      (687,254)  8,220,871 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 Credit commitments and contingent liabilities 
  (contract amounts)                             1,800,026      1,385,934             -   3,185,960 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 
 Half-year to 30 Jun 2019 
----------------------------------------------- 
 Total operating income                            116,843         41,728          (248)    158,323 
                                                 ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 Profit before tax                                  47,964         24,903             -      72,867 
                                                 ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 At 30 Jun 2019 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  ----------- 
 Total assets                                    6,203,675      3,125,360      (656,242)  8,672,793 
                                                 ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 Total liabilities                               5,716,131      2,753,846      (656,242)  7,813,735 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 Credit commitments and contingent liabilities 
  (contract amounts)                             1,642,648      1,303,733             -   2,946,381 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 
 
 11   Related party transactions 
---  --------------------------- 
 

There were no changes in the related party transactions as described in the Annual Report and Accounts 2019 that have had a material effect on the financial position or performance of the group in the half-year to 30 June 2020. All related party transactions that took place in the half-year to 30 June 2020 were similar in nature to those described in the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

 
 12   Legal proceedings and regulatory matters 
---  ----------------------------------------- 
 

The group is party to legal proceedings and regulatory matters in a number of jurisdictions arising out of its normal business operations. Apart from the matters described below, the group considers that none of these matters are material. The recognition of provisions is determined in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1.2(n) of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019. While the outcomes of legal proceedings and regulatory matters are inherently uncertain, management believes that, based on the information available to it, appropriate provisions have been made in respect of these matters as at 30 June 2020. Any provision recognised does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing or legal liability. It is not practicable to provide an aggregate estimate of potential liability for our legal proceedings and regulatory matters as a class of contingent liabilities.

Anti-money laundering and sanctions-related matters

In December 2012, among other agreements, HSBC Holdings plc ('HSBC Holdings') agreed to an undertaking with the UK Financial Services Authority, which was replaced by a Direction issued by the UK Financial Conduct Authority ('FCA') in 2013, and again in July 2020, and consented to a cease-and-desist order with the US Federal Reserve Board ('FRB'), both of which contained certain forward-looking anti-money laundering ('AML') and sanctions-related obligations. HSBC also agreed to retain an independent compliance monitor (who is, for FCA purposes, a 'Skilled Person' under section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act and, for FRB purposes, an 'Independent Consultant') to produce periodic assessments of the Group's AML and sanctions compliance programme (the 'Skilled Person/Independent Consultant'). In December 2012, HSBC Holdings also entered into an agreement with the Office of Foreign Assets Control ('OFAC') regarding historical transactions involving parties subject to OFAC sanctions. HSBC's engagement with the Skilled Person appointed pursuant to the 2013 Direction was terminated in February 2020 and a new Skilled Person with a narrower mandate has been appointed to assess the remaining areas that require further work in order for HSBC to

transition fully to business-as-usual financial crime risk management. The Independent Consultant will continue to carry out an annual OFAC compliance review at the FRB's discretion.

Through the Skilled Person/Independent Consultant's prior reviews, as well as internal reviews conducted by HSBC, certain potential AML and sanctions compliance issues have been identified that HSBC is reviewing further with the FRB, FCA and/or OFAC. The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network of the US Treasury Department, as well as the Civil Division of the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York are investigating the collection and transmittal of third-party originator information in certain payments instructed over HSBC's proprietary payment systems. HSBC is cooperating with all of these investigations.

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

Singapore Interbank Offered Rate ('Sibor'), Singapore Swap Offer Rate ('SOR') and Australia Bank Bill Swap Rate ('BBSW')

In July and August 2016, HSBC and other panel banks were named as defendants in two putative class actions filed in the New York District Court on behalf of persons who transacted in products related to the Sibor, SOR and BBSW benchmark rates. The complaints allege, among other things, misconduct related to these benchmark rates in violation of US antitrust, commodities and racketeering laws, and state law.

In the Sibor/SOR litigation, following a decision on the defendants' motion to dismiss in October 2018, the claims against a number of HSBC entities were dismissed, and the Bank remained as the only HSBC defendant in this action. In October 2018, the Bank filed a motion for reconsideration of the decision based on the issue of personal jurisdiction. This motion was denied in April 2019. Also in October 2018, the plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint, naming only the Sibor panel members, including the Bank, as defendants. The court dismissed the third amended complaint in its entirety in July 2019 against all defendants. In August 2019, the plaintiffs filed an appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which remains pending.

In the BBSW litigation, in November 2018, the court dismissed all foreign defendants, including all the HSBC entities, on personal jurisdiction grounds. In April 2019, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, which the defendants moved to dismiss. In February 2020, the court again dismissed the plaintiffs' amended complaint against all the HSBC entities.

There are many factors that may affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of these matters, which could be significant.

United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York litigation

In June 2018, a claim was issued against the Bank in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York by the Chapter 11 Trustee of CFG Peru Investments Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) (the 'Trustee Complaint'). The Trustee Complaint makes allegations under the Peruvian Civil Code, Hong Kong and U.S. common law and the Bankruptcy Code concerning the Bank's alleged conduct in commencing the winding-up proceedings and pursuing the appointment of joint provisional liquidators for affiliates of CFG Peru Investments Pte. Ltd. The Trustee is seeking damages and equitable subordination or disallowance of the Bank's Chapter 11 claims in a related bankruptcy proceeding.

The Bank is seeking to dismiss the Trustee Complaint. Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this time to predict the resolution of this matter, including the timing or any possible impact, which could be significant.

Foreign exchange rate investigations

In January 2018, HSBC Holdings entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement with the Criminal Division of the

US Department of Justice ('DoJ') (the 'FX DPA'), regarding fraudulent conduct in connection with two particular transactions in 2010 and 2011. This concluded the DoJ's investigation into HSBC's historical foreign exchange activities. Under the terms of the FX DPA, HSBC has a number of ongoing obligations, including implementing enhancements to its internal controls and procedures in its Global Markets business, which will be the subject of annual reports to the DoJ. In addition, HSBC agreed to pay a financial penalty and restitution.

There are many factors that may affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact of this matter, which could be significant.

Other regulatory investigations, reviews and litigation

The Bank and/or certain of its affiliates are subject to a number of other investigations and reviews by various regulators and competition and law enforcement authorities, as well as litigation, in connection with various matters relating to the firm's businesses and operations, including:

-- investigations by tax administration, regulatory and law enforcement authorities in India and elsewhere in connection with allegations of tax evasion or tax fraud, money laundering and unlawful cross-border banking solicitation.

There are many factors that may affect the range of outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of these matters, which could be significant.

 
 13   Interim Report 2020 and statutory accounts 
---  ------------------------------------------- 
 

The information in this Interim Report 2020 is unaudited and does not constitute statutory accounts. The Interim Report 2020 was approved by the Board of Directors on 3 August 2020. The Bank's statutory annual consolidated accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. The auditor has reported on those financial statements in their report dated 18 February 2020. The auditor's report was unqualified; did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying its report; and did not contain a statement under sections 406(2), 407(2) or (3) of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622).

 
 14   Ultimate holding company 
---  ------------------------- 
 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is an indirectly-held, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, which is incorporated in England.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

END

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August 03, 2020 05:00 ET (09:00 GMT)

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