HSBC Bank Canada First Quarter 2021 Results

Strong start to the year, profits up in all three global businesses

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HSBC Bank Canada:

Linda Seymour, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Canada, said:

“Throughout the pandemic, our priority has been and will continue to be the safety of our employees and financial well-being of our customers. Even as Canada continues under restrictions made necessary by the pandemic, we and our customers are continuously adapting, building and growing. We are using the power of our global network and expanding suite of digital services to support them - whether they are making their business more sustainable, expanding their supply chains or selling to new markets, purchasing a home or managing their savings and investments.

“The year is off to a good start with profits significantly higher than in the first quarter of 2020. As our customers and the economy adjusted to life with COVID-19, we’ve seen customer activity increase across all business lines while market volatility decreased and we benefited from the release of expected credit losses as the economic outlook improved. While total operating income is down compared to the first quarter of 2020 on the back of lower interest rates, it has increased from the fourth quarter. In Commercial Banking, loan balances grew and fee income rose on higher volumes of bankers' acceptances, along with expected credit loss releases. Global Banking and Markets experienced strong growth in advisory fees. Wealth and Personal Banking¹, saw record growth² in real estate secured lending, as well as funds under management and online broker trading in our wealth management services as we grew our client base and the proportion of international clients within it.”

Highlights³

• Profit before tax expense was $232m, up $153m or 194% for the quarter - increasing across all our global businesses, building on the momentum from the second half of 2020. During the first quarter of 2021, we generated higher net fee and trading income as customer activity increased and market volatility reduced. We also benefited from lower expected credit losses as the forward-looking macro-economic outlook improved.
• Total operating income for the quarter was $529m, down $17m or 3.1%. The impact of central bank rate cuts in 2020 had a negative impact on net interest income. This was partly offset by increases in net fee income from higher advisory fees in Global Banking and Markets, higher credit facility fees from higher volumes of bankers' acceptances in Commercial Banking and higher funds under management and activity in our online brokerage business in Wealth and Personal Banking¹. Trading income also improved due to favourable movements in certain credit spreads as the market continues to recover from the pandemic.
• The change in expected credit losses resulted in a release of $16m for the quarter, as forward-looking macro-economic variables improved on performing loans, partly offset by an increase in impairment charges from non-performing loans in the energy and wholesale foods sectors. The prior year's charge of $140m for the quarter was heavily impacted by the significant deterioration in forward-looking economic guidance on performing loans at the onset of the pandemic, coupled with the impairments from non-performing loans due to the decline in oil prices.
• Total operating expenses decreased by $14m or 4.3% for the quarter as we continue to prudently manage costs in response to the current economic environment while strategically making investments to grow our businesses, simplify our processes and provide the digital services our customers are asking for.

Select financial metrics as at 31 March 2021:

• Total assets: $115.0bn (31 Dec 2020: $117.3bn)
• Common equity tier 1 capital ratio: 13.6% (31 Dec 2020: 13.7%)
• Tier 1 ratio: 16.4% (31 Dec 2020: 16.4%)
• Total capital ratio⁴: 18.9%(31 Dec 2020: 19.0%)
• Return on average common equity¹: 11.2% (31 March 2020: 4.1%)

The abbreviations ‘$m’ and ‘$bn’ represent millions and billions of Canadian dollars, respectively.

1. In the second quarter of 2020, HSBC Holdings Group (‘HSBC Group’) combined Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Global Private Banking to form Wealth and Personal Banking. Therefore, going forward, our global business Retail Banking and Wealth Management (‘RBWM’) has been renamed to Wealth and Personal Banking (‘WPB’). HSBC Bank Canada did not have a separate business line for Global Private Banking and there have been no changes in assets or liabilities nor any changes in the income or expenses that were previously attributable to the RBWM business line as a result of the change in structure.
2. Record three months since inception of WPB (previously RBWM) as a single global business in 2011.
3. For the quarter ended 31 March 2021 compared with the same period in the prior year (unless otherwise stated).
4. In measuring our performance, the financial measures that we use include those which have been derived from our reported results. However, these are not presented within the consolidated financial statements and are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'). These are considered non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ('non-GAAP') financial measures and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For further information on non-GAAP measures refer to the ‘Use of non-GAAP financial measures’ section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis ('MD&A') of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended 31 March 2021.

Analysis of consolidated financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2021¹

Net interest income for the quarter was $282m, a decrease of $36m or 11% compared with the same period in the prior year, as a result of margin compression due to central bank rate cuts in 2020.

Net fee income for the quarter was $196m, an increase of $18m or 10% compared with the same period in the prior year. This was mainly a result of higher advisory fees in Global Banking and Markets and an increase in credit facility fees from higher volumes of bankers’ acceptances in Commercial Banking. Higher funds under management and activity in our online brokerage business in Wealth and Personal Banking also contributed to the increase.

Net income from financial instruments held for trading for the quarter was $30m, an increase of $4m or 15% compared with the same period in the prior year. The increase was driven by reduced market volatility and tightening credit spreads. This was partly offset by lower trading activities and lower net interest income due to the lower interest rate environment.

Other items of income for the quarter were $21m, a decrease of $3m or 13% compared with the same period in the prior year. The decrease was driven by balance sheet management activities in other operating income and lower gains on the disposal of financial investments from re-balancing the bank’s liquid asset portfolio.

Change in expected credit losses for the first quarter of 2021 resulted in a release of $16m compared to a charge of $140m for the same period in the prior year. The release for the quarter was primarily driven by improvement in forward-looking macro-economic variables related to performing loans, partly offset by impairment charges from non-performing loans in the energy and wholesale foods sectors. In 2020, the charge was related to a significant adverse shift in forward-looking economic scenarios driven by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the performing loan portfolio, coupled with the impairments from non-performing loans due to the decline in oil prices.

Total operating expenses for the quarter were $313m, a decrease of $14m or 4.3% compared with the same period in the prior year. The decrease was mainly due to lower staff costs and reduced discretionary costs in response to the current economic environment. This was partly offset by strategic investments to grow our business, simplify our processes and provide the digital services our customers are asking for.

Income tax expense: the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2021 was 26.9% which is higher than the statutory tax rate of 26.5% due to an increase in tax provisions. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 was 17.0%.

1. For the quarter ended 31 March 2021 compared with the same period in the prior year (unless otherwise stated).

Dividends

Dividends declared in the first quarter 2021

The bank declared a final dividend of $195m on HSBC Bank Canada common shares in respect of the financial year ending 31 December 2020 and regular quarterly dividends of $11m for the first quarter of 2021 on all series of outstanding HSBC Bank Canada Class 1 preferred shares.

Dividends declared in the second quarter 2021

On 23 April 2021, the bank declared regular quarterly dividends for the second quarter of 2021 on all series of outstanding HSBC Bank Canada Class 1 preferred shares, to be paid in accordance with their terms in the usual manner on 30 June 2021 or the first business day thereafter to the shareholder of record on 15 June 2021.

On 23 April 2021, the bank also declared a first interim dividend of $60m on HSBC Bank Canada common shares in respect of the fiscal year ending 31 December 2021, which will be paid on or before 30 June 2021 to the shareholder of record on 23 April 2021.

As the quarterly dividends on preferred shares for the second quarter of 2021 and the first interim dividend on common shares for 2021 were declared after 31 March 2021, the amounts have not been included in the balance sheet as a liability.

Business performance in the first quarter ended 31 March 2021^{1, 2}

Commercial Banking ('CMB')

Total operating income for the first quarter of 2021 was $239m, a decrease of $27m or 10% compared with the first quarter of 2020. Results were primarily impacted by lower interest rates, lower average loan balances and lower foreign exchange and derivative income. Despite the year-on-year revenue decline, CMB has maintained positive momentum in 2021 with loans and acceptances increasing by $0.6bn in the first three months and loan margins improving as the cost of liquidity declined from the beginning of year.

Our ambition is to maintain our leadership position as the preferred international financial partner for our clients and to support their plans to prioritize sustainable finance and transition to a net zero carbon economy. Taking advantage of our international network and with continued investments in our front-end platforms for Global Liquidity and Cash Management (‘GLCM’) and Global Trade and Receivable Finance (‘GTRF’), we are well positioned to support our customers with both their domestic and cross-border banking requirements. We continue to invest and improve our customers’ digital experiences while ensuring security and resilience and are ready to serve our customers on their path to recovery as the economy reopens.

Profit before income tax for the first quarter of 2021 was $151m, an increase of $104m or 221% compared with the first quarter of 2020. This was primarily due to a significant decrease in expected credit losses and lower operating expenses.

Global Banking and Markets ('GBM')

Total operating income for the first quarter of 2021 was $81m, an increase of $5m or 6.6% compared with the first quarter of 2020. This was a result of strong advisory fees along with favourable movements in certain credit spreads as the market continues to recover from the pandemic. This was partly offset by a weaker performance in Market and Securities Services sales and trading activities.

As the Canadian economy continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, our Banking and Markets teams continue to work closely with our clients to understand their unique challenges and support them as they look to return to growth.

GBM continues to pursue its well-established strategy to provide tailored, wholesale banking solutions, leveraging HSBC’s extensive distribution network to provide products and solutions to meet our global clients’ needs.

Profit before income tax for the first quarter of 2021 was $58m, an increase of $39m or 205% compared with the first quarter of 2020. This was mainly due to the decreased charge in expected credit losses on performing loans from the improvement in forward-looking macro-economic variables, along with higher operating income and lower operating expenses due to prudent cost management.

Wealth and Personal Banking ('WPB')³

Total operating income for the first quarter of 2021 was $207m, flat compared with the first quarter of 2020 as strong volume growth in total relationship balances⁴ was offset by lower spreads due to central bank rate decreases in 2020. Growth in total relationship balances⁴ was led by record net sales⁵ in funds under management and real estate secured lending.

We grew our overall and international client base as we continue to invest in our distribution channels, along with market-competitive products. We continued to make it easier for our clients to bank with us and improve client experience through digital enhancements, such as chat bot integration with web messaging, streamlining digital account opening journeys and allowing clients to retrieve additional documents digitally at their convenience.

Profit before income tax for the first quarter of 2021 was $37m, an increase of $8m or 28% compared with the first quarter of 2020. This was primarily due to strong volume growth in total relationship balances⁴, lower expected credit losses and lower operating expenses, partly offset by lower spreads due to central bank rate decreases in 2020.

Corporate Centre

Profit before income tax for the first quarter of 2021 was a loss of $14m, an increase in profit before income tax of $2m compared with the first quarter of 2020. This was primarily the result of a decrease in liquidity costs improving net interest income, partly offset by an increase in operating expenses from the cost of initiatives to support future growth.

1. For the quarter ended 31 March 2021 compared with the same period in the prior year (unless otherwise stated).
2. Effective from the second quarter of 2020, we have made a change in reportable segments by reallocating Balance Sheet Management from Corporate Centre to the global businesses to better align the income and expenses to the businesses generating or utilizing these activities and as a result Corporate Centre is no longer considered an operating segment. All comparatives have been restated.
3. In the second quarter of 2020, HSBC Holdings Group (‘HSBC Group’) combined Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Global Private Banking to form Wealth and Personal Banking. Therefore, going forward, our global business Retail Banking and Wealth Management (‘RBWM’) has been renamed to Wealth and Personal Banking (‘WPB’). HSBC Bank Canada did not have a separate business line for Global Private Banking and there have been no changes in assets or liabilities nor any changes in the income or expenses that were previously attributable to the RBWM business line as a result of the change in structure.
4. Total relationship balances includes lending, deposits and wealth balances.
5. Record three months since inception of WPB (previously RBWM) as a single global business in 2011.

HSBC Bank Canada	Financial highlights
(Figures in $m, except where otherwise stated)
Financial performance and position
	Quarter ended
	31 Mar 2021		31 Mar 2020
Financial performance for the period
Total operating income	529		546
Profit before income tax expense	232		79
Profit attributable to the common shareholder	158		54
Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges - release/(charge)	16		(140	)
Operating expenses	(313	)	(327	)
Basic and diluted earnings per common share ($)	0.29		0.11
Financial measures %^1
Return on average common shareholder’s equity	11.2		4.1
Return on average risk-weighted assets^2	2.4		0.7
Cost efficiency ratio	59.2		59.9
Operating leverage ratio	1.2		0.5
Net interest margin	1.12		1.33
Change in expected credit losses to average gross loans and advances and acceptances^3	n	/a	0.84
Change in expected credit losses on stage 3 loans and advances and acceptances to average gross loans and advances and acceptances	0.11		0.21
Total stage 3 allowance for expected credit losses to gross stage 3 loans and advances and acceptances	32.4		39.5
Net write-offs as a percentage of average loans and advances and acceptances	0.06		0.11
Financial and capital measures
	At
	31 Mar 2021		31 Dec 2020
Financial position at period end
Total assets	115,033		117,347
Loans and advances to customers	62,459		61,002
Customer accounts	69,603		71,950
Ratio of customer advances to customer accounts (%)^1	89.7		84.8
Common shareholder’s equity	5,658		5,782
Capital measures^2
Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (%)	13.6		13.7
Tier 1 ratio (%)	16.4		16.4
Total capital ratio (%)	18.9		19.0
Leverage ratio (%)	5.9		6
Risk-weighted assets ($m)	39,522		40,014
Liquidity coverage ratio (%)^4	176		188

1. In measuring our performance, the financial measures that we use include those which have been derived from our reported results. However, these are not presented within the consolidated financial statements and are not defined under International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS'). These are considered non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ('non-GAAP') financial measures and are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For further information on non-GAAP measures refer to the ‘Use of non-GAAP financial measures’ section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis ('MD&A') of the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended 31 March 2021.
2. The bank assesses capital adequacy against standards established in guidelines issued by Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada ('OSFI') in accordance with the Basel III capital adequacy framework.
3. n/a is shown where the bank is in a net release position resulting in a negative ratio.
4. The liquidity coverage ratio (‘LCR’) in this table has been calculated using averages of the three month-end figures in the quarter.

HSBC Bank Canada	Consolidated income statement
(Figures in $m, except per share amounts)	Quarter ended
	31 Mar 2021		31 Mar 2020
Interest income	451		668
Interest expense	(169	)	(350	)
Net interest income	282		318
Fee income	225		201
Fee expense	(29	)	(23	)
Net fee income	196		178
Net income from financial instruments held for trading	30		26
Gains less losses from financial investments	15		16
Other operating income	6		8
Total operating income	529		546
Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges - release/(charge)	16		(140	)
Net operating income	545		406
Employee compensation and benefits	(159	)	(169	)
General and administrative expenses	(128	)	(130	)
Depreciation	(17	)	(20	)
Amortization and impairment of intangible assets	(9	)	(8	)
Total operating expenses	(313	)	(327	)
Profit before income tax expense	232		79
Income tax expense	(63	)	(13	)
Profit for the period	169		66
Profit attributable to the common shareholder	158		54
Profit attributable to the preferred shareholder	11		12
Profit attributable to shareholder	169		66
Average number of common shares outstanding (000’s)	548,668		499.767
Basic and diluted earnings per common share ($)	0.29		0.11

HSBC Bank Canada	Consolidated balance sheet
	At
(Figures in $m)	31 Mar 2021	31 Dec 2020
ASSETS
Cash and balances at central banks	13,024	15,750
Items in the course of collection from other banks	11	13
Trading assets	4,217	1,719
Other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss	10	9
Derivatives	3,680	5,447
Loans and advances to banks	1,260	1,270
Loans and advances to customers	62,459	61,002
Reverse repurchase agreements – non-trading	6,268	5,996
Financial investments	16,448	19,879
Other assets	3,240	1,430
Prepayments and accrued income	212	196
Customers’ liability under acceptances	3,591	4,043
Current tax assets	62	28
Property, plant and equipment	267	277
Goodwill and intangible assets	165	167
Deferred tax assets	119	121
Total assets	115,033	117,347
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Liabilities
Deposits by banks	1,279	1,139
Customer accounts	69,603	71,950
Repurchase agreements – non-trading	4,074	3,227
Items in the course of transmission to other banks	315	181
Trading liabilities	3,812	1,831
Derivatives	3,868	5,647
Debt securities in issue	14,490	17,387
Other liabilities	5,469	3,097
Acceptances	3,606	4,062
Accruals and deferred income	398	523
Retirement benefit liabilities	287	310
Subordinated liabilities	1,011	1,011
Provisions	63	81
Current tax liabilities	—	19
Total liabilities	108,275	110,465
Equity
Common shares	1,725	1,725
Preferred shares	1,100	1,100
Other reserves	145	249
Retained earnings	3,788	3,808
Total shareholder's equity	6,758	6,882
Total liabilities and equity	115,033	117,347

HSBC Bank Canada	Global business segmentation (unaudited)^1
(Figures in $m)	Quarter ended
	31 Mar 2021		31 Mar 2020
Commercial Banking
Net interest income	127		157
Non-interest income	112		109
Total operating income	239		266
Change in expected credit losses charges - release/(charge)	8		(117	)
Net operating income	247		149
Total operating expenses	(96	)	(102	)
Profit before income tax expense	151		47
Global Banking and Markets
Net interest income	27		39
Non-interest income	54		37
Total operating income	81		76
Change in expected credit losses charges - release/(charge)	11		(14	)
Net operating income	92		62
Total operating expenses	(34	)	(43	)
Profit before income tax expense	58		19
Wealth and Personal Banking^2
Net interest income	128		132
Non-interest income	79		75
Total operating income	207		207
Change in expected credit losses charges - (charge)	(3	)	(9	)
Net operating income	204		198
Total operating expenses	(167	)	(169	)
Profit before income tax expense	37		29
Corporate Centre
Net interest income	—		(10	)
Non-interest income	2		7
Net operating income/(loss)	2		(3	)
Total operating expenses	(16	)	(13	)
Profit/(loss) before income tax expense	(14	)	(16	)

1. Effective from the second quarter of 2020, we have made a change in reportable segments by reallocating Balance Sheet Management from Corporate Centre to the global businesses to better align the income and expenses to the businesses generating or utilizing these activities and as a result Corporate Centre is no longer considered an operating segment. All comparatives have been restated.
2. In the second quarter of 2020, HSBC Holdings Group (‘HSBC Group’) combined Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Global Private Banking to form Wealth and Personal Banking. Therefore, going forward, our global business Retail Banking and Wealth Management (‘RBWM’) has been renamed to Wealth and Personal Banking (‘WPB’). HSBC Bank Canada did not have a separate business line for Global Private Banking and there have been no changes in assets or liabilities nor any changes in the income or expenses that were previously attributable to the RBWM business line as a result of the change in structure. 

About HSBC Bank Canada

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in Canada. We help companies and individuals across Canada to do business and manage their finances here and internationally through three global business lines: Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Wealth and Personal Banking. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of HSBC Bank Canada, is headquartered in London. HSBC serves customers worldwide from offices in 64 countries and territories in Europe, Asia, North America, Latin America, and Middle East and North Africa. With assets of US$2,959bn at 31 March 2021, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.

For more information visit www.hsbc.ca or follow us on Twitter: @hsbc_ca or Facebook: @HSBCCanada

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

This document contains forward-looking information, including statements regarding the business and anticipated actions of the bank. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not pertain strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often include words such as 'anticipates', 'estimates', 'expects', 'projects', 'intends', 'plans', 'believes' and words and terms of similar substance in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance. By their very nature, these statements require us to make a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you to not place undue reliance on these statements as a number of risk factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. The 'Risk management' section in the Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report and Accounts 2020 describes the most significant risks to which the bank is exposed and, if not managed appropriately, could have a material impact on our future financial results. These risk factors include: credit risk, capital management, liquidity and funding risk, market risk, resilience risks, regulatory compliance risk, financial crime risk, model risk and pension risk. Additional factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements include: general economic and market conditions, fiscal and monetary policies, changes in laws, regulations and approach to supervision, level of competition and disruptive technology, cyber threat and unauthorized access to systems, changes to our credit rating, climate change risk, interbank offered rate ('IBOR') transition and other risks such as changes in accounting standards, changes in tax rates, tax law and policy, and its interpretation of tax authorities, risk of fraud by employees or others, unauthorized transactions by employees and human error. Our success in delivering our strategic priorities and proactively managing the regulatory environment depends on the development and retention of our leadership and high-performing employees. The ability to continue to attract, develop and retain competent individuals in an employment market impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic proves challenging. We are monitoring people risks with attention to employee mental health and well-being, particularly in the face of the pandemic. Despite contingency plans we have in place for resilience in the event of sustained and significant operational disruption, our ability to conduct business may be adversely affected by disruption in the infrastructure that supports both our operations and the communities in which we do business, including but not limited to disruption caused by public health emergencies, pandemics, environmental disasters and terrorist acts. Refer to the ‘Factors that may affect future results’ section of the Management's Discussion and Analysis in our Annual Report and Accounts 2020 for a description of these risk factors. We caution you that the risk factors disclosed above are not exhaustive, and there could be other uncertainties and potential risk factors not considered here which may adversely affect our results and financial condition. Any forward-looking statements in this document speak only as of the date of this document. We do not undertake any obligation to, and expressly disclaim any obligation to, update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities legislation.