TIDM57HB

RNS Number : 9160F

Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corp Ld

13 March 2020

 
 Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 Consolidated income statement 
 

for the year ended 31 December

 
                                                                      2019        2018 
                                                           Notes      HK$m        HK$m 
 Net interest income                                        2a    130,903   126,463 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------- 
 
   *    interest income                                           191,322   170,065 
 - interest expense                                               (60,419)  (43,602) 
                                                                  -------   ------- 
 Net fee income                                             2b     41,505    44,231 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 - fee income                                                      53,099    54,585 
 
   *    fee expense                                               (11,594)  (10,354) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Net income from financial instruments held for trading 
  or managed on a fair value basis                          2c     36,388    32,070 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of 
  insurance businesses, including related derivatives, 
  measured at fair value through profit or loss             2c     14,257    (5,561) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Changes in fair value of designated debts issued and 
  related derivatives(1)                                    2c       (305)     (327) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Changes in fair value of other financial instruments 
  mandatorily measured at fair value through profit 
  or loss                                                   2c        118      (217) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Gains less losses from financial investments                         638       501 
                                                                  ------- 
 Net insurance premium income                                3     60,275    60,678 
                                                                  -------   ------- 
 Other operating income                                     2d     15,758    10,470 
 Total operating income                                           299,537   268,308 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement 
  in liabilities to policyholders                            3    (80,156)  (57,839) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Net operating income before change in expected credit 
  losses and other credit impairment charges                      219,381   210,469 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Change in expected credit losses and other credit 
  impairment charges                                        2e     (5,672)   (4,720) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Net operating income                                             213,709   205,749 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Employee compensation and benefits                          4    (38,048)  (40,793) 
 General and administrative expenses                        2f    (44,769)  (39,989) 
 Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and 
  equipment                                                 2g     (8,230)   (4,686) 
 Amortisation and impairment of intangible assets                  (2,447)   (1,956) 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Total operating expenses                                         (93,494)  (87,424) 
 Operating profit                                                 120,215   118,325 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Share of profit in associates and joint ventures                  16,218    16,258 
                                                                  ------- 
 Profit before tax                                                136,433   134,583 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Tax expense                                                 5    (21,393)  (22,467) 
                                                                  ------- 
 Profit for the year                                              115,040   112,116 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------            ------- 
 Attributable to: 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  --------  ---------- 
 
   *    ordinary shareholders of the parent company               104,200   102,132 
                                                                  -------   ------- 
 
   *    other equity holders                                        1,522       881 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 
   *    non-controlling interests                                   9,318     9,103 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 Profit for the year                                              115,040   112,116 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  -------   ------- 
 

1 The definition 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 and managed on a fair value basis'. Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to current year's presentation.

 
 Consolidated statement of comprehensive income 
 

for the year ended 31 December

 
                                                                    2019        2018 
                                                                    HK$m        HK$m 
--------------------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 Profit for the year                                            115,040   112,116 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 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                                                          1,674       826 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value gains                                               2,782       908 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value (gains)/losses transferred to the income 
  statement                                                        (606)      142 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - expected credit recoveries/(losses) recognised in the 
  income statement                                                   23        (9) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - income taxes                                                    (525)     (215) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Cash flow hedges                                                     5       131 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value gains                                                 681     1,264 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fair value gains reclassified to the income statement           (673)   (1,125) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - income taxes                                                      (3)       (8) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of associates 
  and joint ventures                                                167      (146) 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Exchange differences                                            (3,606)  (18,098) 
--------------------------------------------------------------            ------- 
 Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit 
  or loss: 
 Property revaluation                                             3,673     8,826 
                                                                          ------- 
 - fair value gains                                               4,426    10,626 
 - income taxes                                                    (753)   (1,800) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Equity instruments designated at fair value through other 
  comprehensive income                                            2,854      (581) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 - fair value gains/(losses)                                      2,859      (576) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - income taxes                                                      (5)       (5) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Changes in fair value of financial liabilities designated 
  at fair value upon initial recognition arising from changes 
  in own credit risk                                             (2,060)     (199) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 - before income taxes                                           (2,467)     (241) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - income taxes                                                     407        42 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability                   192      (910) 
 - before income taxes                                              245    (1,091) 
 - income taxes                                                     (53)      181 
                                                                -------   ------- 
 Other comprehensive income/(expense) for the year, net 
  of tax                                                          2,899   (10,151) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the year                        117,939   101,965 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Attributable to: 
 - ordinary shareholders of the parent company                  106,187    91,915 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    other equity holders                                      1,522       881 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 - non-controlling interests                                     10,230     9,169 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Total comprehensive income for the year                        117,939   101,965 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 
 
 Consolidated balance sheet 
 

at 31 December

 
                                                                      2019         2018 
                                                          Notes       HK$m         HK$m 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  ----------- 
 Assets 
 Cash and balances at central banks                                202,746    205,660 
                                                                 --------- 
 Items in the course of collection from other banks                 21,140     25,380 
                                                                 ---------  --------- 
 Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness                 298,944    280,854 
------------------------------------------------------- 
 Trading assets                                             7      622,761    558,838 
                                                                 --------- 
 Derivatives                                                8      280,642    292,869 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily 
  measured at fair value through profit or loss             9      153,511    132,859 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading                       422,333    406,327 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Loans and advances to banks                                       328,905    338,151 
                                                                 --------- 
 Loans and advances to customers                           10    3,720,875  3,528,702 
                                                                 --------- 
 Financial investments                                     11    1,900,298  1,871,026 
                                                         ------  --------- 
 Amounts due from Group companies                          33       87,632     70,455 
                                                                 ---------  --------- 
 Interests in associates and joint ventures                14      151,917    142,885 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Goodwill and intangible assets                            15       81,643     65,104 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Property, plant and equipment                             16      137,930    112,080 
                                                                 --------- 
 Deferred tax assets                                        5        2,179      2,315 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Prepayments, accrued income and other assets              17      248,258    229,949 
                                                         ------ 
 Total assets                                                    8,661,714  8,263,454 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Liabilities 
 Hong Kong currency notes in circulation                           298,944    280,854 
 Items in the course of transmission to other banks                 25,576     33,806 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Repurchase agreements - non-trading                               106,396     70,279 
 Deposits by banks                                                 179,819    164,664 
                                                                 --------- 
 Customer accounts                                         18    5,432,424  5,207,666 
                                                         ------  --------- 
 Trading liabilities                                       19       87,532     81,194 
                                                                 --------- 
 Derivatives                                                8      292,231    295,553 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial liabilities designated at fair value            20      160,291    161,143 
                                                                 --------- 
 Debt securities in issue                                  21      106,933     58,236 
                                                                 --------- 
 Retirement benefit liabilities                             4        2,595      3,369 
 Amounts due to Group companies                            33      311,111    396,487 
 Accruals and deferred income, other liabilities and 
  provisions                                               22      203,252    196,665 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Liabilities under insurance contracts                      3      528,760    468,589 
                                                                 --------- 
 Current tax liabilities                                            12,614      3,337 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Deferred tax liabilities                                   5       29,889     24,513 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Subordinated liabilities                                  23        4,066      4,081 
                                                                 --------- 
 Preference shares                                         24            -         98 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Total liabilities                                               7,782,433  7,450,534 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Equity 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Share capital                                             25      172,335    172,335 
                                                                 --------- 
 Other equity instruments                                  26       44,615     35,879 
                                                         ------  --------- 
 Other reserves                                                    133,099    114,949 
 Retained earnings                                                 464,629    429,595 
                                                                 --------- 
 Total shareholders' equity                                        814,678    752,758 
 Non-controlling interests                                          64,603     60,162 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 Total equity                                                      879,281    812,920 
 Total liabilities and equity                                    8,661,714  8,263,454 
-------------------------------------------------------  ------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 Consolidated statement of cash flows 
 

for the year ended 31 December

 
                                                                        2019         2018 
                                                                        HK$m         HK$m 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Profit before tax                                                  136,433    134,583 
                                                                   -------- 
 Adjustments for non-cash items: 
                                                                   ---------  ----------- 
 Depreciation and amortisation(1)                                    10,677      6,657 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Net gain from investing activities                                    (790)    (1,071) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Share of profits in associates and joint ventures                  (16,218)   (16,258) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 (Gain)/loss on disposal of subsidiaries, businesses, associates 
  and joint ventures                                                     14        (38) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in expected credit losses gross of recoveries and 
  other credit impairment charges                                     6,535      4,720 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Provisions                                                             568         51 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Share-based payment expense                                            878        881 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Other non-cash items included in profit before tax                 (16,869)    (3,861) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Elimination of exchange differences                                  4,819     15,723 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 
                                                                   ---------  ----------- 
 Change in net trading securities and derivatives                   (78,600)   (65,937) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in loans and advances to banks and customers               (189,346)  (299,137) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading              (33,521)   (61,887) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Change in financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily 
  measured at fair value through profit or loss                     (20,652)     1,176 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in other assets                                               6,146    113,636 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in deposits by banks and customer accounts                  239,913     71,688 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in repurchase agreements - non-trading                       36,117     23,109 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in debt securities in issue                                  48,697     19,842 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in financial liabilities designated at fair value              (852)    (8,605) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Change in other liabilities                                        (28,243)   166,634 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Dividends received from associates                                   4,962      4,948 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Contributions paid to defined benefit plans                           (391)      (576) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Tax paid                                                            (9,420)   (18,216) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Net cash from operating activities                                 100,857     88,062 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Purchase of financial investments                                 (836,492)  (822,067) 
 Proceeds from the sale and maturity of financial investments       762,125    756,630 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                           (3,334)    (1,646) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and 
  assets held for sale                                                1,828     11,820 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Proceeds from disposal of customer loan portfolios                   2,057      2,542 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Net investment in intangible assets                                 (6,019)    (4,691) 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Net cash inflow on sale of subsidiaries                                299          - 
                                                                   --------   -------- 
 Net cash from investing activities                                 (79,536)   (57,412) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Issue of ordinary share capital and other equity instruments         8,617     21,142 
                                                                   -------- 
 Redemption of preference shares and other equity instruments             -    (20,975) 
                                                                   -------- 
 Subordinated loan capital issued(2)                                      -     79,834 
                                                                   -------- 
 Subordinated loan capital repaid(2)                                      -    (42,986) 
                                                                   -------- 
 Dividends paid to shareholders of the parent company and 
  non-controlling interests                                         (74,015)   (52,508) 
                                                                   -------- 
 Net cash from financing activities                                 (65,398)   (15,493) 
                                                                   -------- 
 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents               (44,077)    15,157 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 1 Jan(3)                              721,609    718,038 
                                                                   -------- 
 Exchange differences in respect of cash and cash equivalents           132    (11,586) 
                                                                   -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 Dec(3,4)                           677,664    721,609 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents comprise 
                                                                   --------- 
 - cash and balances at central banks                               202,746    205,660 
                                                                   -------- 
 - items in the course of collection from other banks                21,140     25,380 
                                                                   -------- 
 - loans and advances to banks of one month or less                 217,879    179,952 
                                                                   -------- 
 - net settlement accounts and cash collateral                       18,706          - 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 - reverse repurchase agreements with banks of one month 
  or less                                                           155,587    165,654 
                                                                   -------- 
 - treasury bills, other bills and certificates of deposit 
  less than three months                                             87,182    178,769 
                                                                   -------- 
 - less: items in the course of transmission to other banks         (25,576)   (33,806) 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at 31 Dec(3,4)                           677,664    721,609 
-----------------------------------------------------------------  --------   -------- 
 

Interest received was HK$195,528m (2018: HK$166,441m), interest paid was HK$62,557m (2018: HK$41,583m) and dividends received were HK$5,410m (2018: HK$178m).

1 The impact on right-of-use assets has been recognised from 1 January 2019 following the adoption of HKFRS 16. Comparatives have not been restated.

2 Changes in subordinated liabilities (including those issued to Group companies) during the year included amounts from repayment and re-issuance with no cash movement, and non-cash changes from foreign exchange losses

(HK$1,012m) and fair value gain after hedging             (HK$9,736m). 

3 In 2019, the group included settlement accounts with bank counterparties of one month or less on a net basis. Comparatives have not been re-presented.

4 At 31 December 2019 HK$110,076m (2018: HK$122,899m) was not available for use by the group, of which HK$66,943m (2018: HK$71,783m) related to mandatory deposits at Central banks.

 
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity 
 

for the year ended 31 December

 
                                                                                                                    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 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 year                                               -          -      105,722          -               -      -            -          -  105,722      9,318       115,040 
                                                             -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Other comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  (net of tax)                                                     -          -       (1,949)     3,395           4,006     (5)      (3,469)         9    1,987        912         2,899 
 
   *    debt instruments at fair value through other 
        comprehensive income                                       -          -            -          -           1,676      -            -          -    1,676         (2)        1,674 
 
   *    equity instruments designated at fair value through 
        other comprehensive income                                 -          -            -          -           2,169      -            -          -    2,169        685         2,854 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    cash flow hedges                                           -          -            -          -               -     (5)           -          -       (5)        10             5 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    changes in fair value of financial liabilities 
        designated at fair value upon initial recognition 
        arising from changes in own credit risk                    -          -       (2,058)         -               -      -            -          -   (2,058)        (2)       (2,060) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    property revaluation                                       -          -            -      3,395               -      -            -          -    3,395        278         3,673 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability           -          -          112          -               -      -            -          -      112         80           192 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    share of other comprehensive income/(expense) of 
        associates and joint ventures                              -          -           (3)         -             161      -            -          9      167          -           167 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    exchange differences                                       -          -            -          -               -      -       (3,469)         -   (3,469)      (137)       (3,606) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------       ------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  for the year                                                     -          -      103,773      3,395           4,006     (5)      (3,469)         9  107,709     10,230       117,939 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Other equity instruments 
  issued(2)                                                        -     44,615            -          -               -      -            -          -   44,615          -        44,615 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Other equity instruments 
  repaid(2)                                                        -    (35,879)           -          -               -      -            -          -  (35,879)         -       (35,879) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Dividends paid(3)                                                 -          -      (68,369)         -               -      -            -          -  (68,369)    (5,646)      (74,015) 
                                                             -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------       ------- 
 Movement in respect 
  of share-based payment 
  arrangements                                                     -          -          (42)         -               -      -            -        249      207          2           209 
                                                             -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Transfers and other 
  movements(4)                                                     -          -         (328)    (2,779)              -      -            -      3,261      154       (145)            9 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------      -------   --------       ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------       ------- 
 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 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  ---------  -----      -------   --------  -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 
 
 Consolidated statement of changes in equity (continued) 
 

for the year ended 31 December

 
                                                                                                                   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(7)    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 31 Dec 2017(7)                                           151,360       14,737  406,966     58,381         6,825        (197)      (6,948)   65,356   696,480     56,506       752,986 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Impact on transition 
  to HKFRS 9                                                       -            -   (7,478)         -        (4,512)          -            -         -   (11,990)      (323)      (12,313) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------       -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 At 1 Jan 2018                                               151,360       14,737  399,488     58,381         2,313        (197)      (6,948)   65,356   684,490     56,183       740,673 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Profit for the 
  year                                                             -            -  103,013          -             -           -            -         -   103,013      9,103       112,116 
                                                             -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Other comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  (net of tax)                                                     -            -     (890)     8,050           228          98      (17,701)       (2)  (10,217)        66       (10,151) 
 
   *    debt instruments at fair value through other 
        comprehensive income                                       -            -        -          -           734           -            -         -       734         92           826 
 
   *    equity instruments designated at fair value through 
        other comprehensive income                                 -            -        -          -          (367)          -            -         -      (367)      (214)         (581) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    cash flow hedges                                           -            -        -          -             -          98            -         -        98         33           131 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    changes in fair value of financial liabilities 
        designated at fair value upon initial recognition 
        arising from changes in own credit risk                    -            -     (197)         -             -           -            -         -      (197)        (2)         (199) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    property revaluation                                       -            -        -      8,050             -           -            -         -     8,050        776         8,826 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability           -            -     (688)         -             -           -            -         -      (688)      (222)         (910) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    share of other comprehensive expense of associates 
        and joint ventures                                         -            -       (5)         -          (139)          -            -        (2)     (146)         -          (146) 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    exchange differences                                       -            -        -          -             -           -      (17,701)        -   (17,701)      (397)      (18,098) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 Total comprehensive 
  income/(expense) 
  for the year                                                     -            -  102,123      8,050           228          98      (17,701)       (2)   92,796      9,169       101,965 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Other equity instruments 
  issued(2)                                                        -       21,142        -          -             -           -            -         -    21,142          -        21,142 
                                                             -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Dividends paid(3)                                                 -            -  (47,440)         -             -           -            -         -   (47,440)    (5,068)      (52,508) 
                                                             -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 Movement in respect 
  of share-based 
  payment arrangements                                             -            -     (234)         -             -           -            -       246        12         10            22 
                                                             -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 Transfers and 
  other movements(4,5,6)                                      20,975            -  (24,342)    (8,517)          412           -            -    13,230     1,758       (132)        1,626 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------       -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------       ------- 
 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 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  -----------  -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----      -------   -------   -------   --------  ---  ------- 
 

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 2019, there were US$1,100m additional tier 1 capital instruments issued (2018: US$2,700m). In addition, US$4,600m of additional tier 1 capital instruments were repaid and reissued in 2019 with no actual cash movement (2018: nil).

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

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

5 Ordinary share capital includes preference shares which have been redeemed or bought back via payment out of distributable profits in previous years. In 2018, the Bank redeemed HK$20,975m of preference shares and made a transfer from retained earnings to share capital.

6 The movement from property revaluation reserve to other reserves in 2018 included HK$7,169m relating to transfer of properties to a fellow subsidiary as part of the Recovery and Resolution Plan as set out in the Report of the Directors.

7 The balance at 31 December 2017 represents the HKAS 39 Available-for-sale fair value reserve as at 31 December 2017.

 
 Notes on the Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
 
 1   Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies 
    --------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   1.1     Basis of preparation 
   (a)      Compliance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards 

The consolidated financial statements of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited ('the Bank') and its subsidiaries (together 'the group') have been prepared in accordance with Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards ('HKFRSs') as issued by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants ('HKICPA') and accounting principles generally accepted in Hong Kong. These consolidated financial statements also comply with the requirements of the Hong Kong Companies Ordinance (Cap. 622) which are applicable to the preparation of the financial statements.

Standards adopted during the year ended 31 December 2019

HKFRS 16 'Leases'

On 1 January 2019, the group adopted the requirements of HKFRS 16 and recognised lease liabilities in relation to leases which had previously been classified as 'operating leases' in accordance with HKAS 17 'Leases'. These liabilities were measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments, discounted at the lessee's incremental borrowing rate as at 1 January 2019. The associated right- of-use ('ROU') assets were measured at the amount equal to the lease liability, adjusted by the amount of any prepaid or accrued lease payments or provisions for onerous leases recognised on balance sheet at 31 December 2018. In addition, the following practical expedients permitted by the standard were applied:

   --    Reliance was placed on previous assessments on whether leases were onerous; 

-- Operating leases with a remaining lease term of less than 12 months as at 1 January 2019 were treated as short-term leases; and

-- Initial direct costs were not included in the measurement of ROU assets for leases previously accounted for as operating leases.

The differences between HKAS 17 and HKFRS 16 are summarised in the table below:

 
                HKAS 17                                        HKFRS 16 
 Leases were classified as               Leases are recognised as an ROU asset and 
  either finance or operating             a corresponding liability at the date at 
  leases. Payments made under             which the leased asset is made available 
  operating leases were charged           for use. Lease payments are allocated between 
  to profit or loss on a straight-line    the liability and finance cost. The finance 
  basis over the period of the            cost is charged to profit or loss over the 
  lease.                                  lease term so as to produce a constant period 
                                          rate of interest on the remaining balance 
                                          of the liability. The ROU asset is depreciated 
                                          over the shorter of the ROU asset's useful 
                                          economic life and the lease term on a straight-line 
                                          basis. 
                                          In determining lease term, the group considers 
                                          all facts and circumstances that create 
                                          an economic incentive to exercise an extension 
                                          option or not exercise a termination option 
                                          over the planning horizon of five years. 
                                          In general, it is not expected that the 
                                          discount rate implicit in the lease is available 
                                          so the lessee's incremental borrowing rate 
                                          is used. This is the rate that the lessee 
                                          would have to pay to borrow the funds necessary 
                                          to obtain an asset of a similar value in 
                                          a similar economic environment with similar 
                                          terms and conditions. The rates are determined 
                                          for each economic environment in which the 
                                          group operates by adjusting swap rates with 
                                          funding spreads (own credit spread) and 
                                          cross-currency basis where appropriate. 
--------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------- 
 

The group adopted the requirements of HKFRS 16 retrospectively, with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognised as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at that date. Comparatives were not restated. In relation to the operating leases that were under HKAS 17 'Leases', the adoption of the standard increased assets by HK$9.2bn reported under 'Property, plant and equipment' and increased lease liabilities by the same amount reported under 'Accruals and deferred income, other liabilities and provisions' with no effect on net assets or retained earnings.

In addition, as a consequence of HKFRS 16, properties previously reported under 'Prepayments, accrued income and other assets' as operating leases and held at cost were reclassified to 'Property, plant and equipment' and measured at fair value. The implementation increased 'Property, plant and equipment' by HK$16.3bn and increased deferred tax liabilities by HK$2.7bn, with the net impact taken to the 'Property Revaluation Reserve'.

The overall impact of the above is to increase 'Property, plant and equipment' by HK$25.5bn, increase 'Accruals and deferred income, other liabilities and provisions' by HK$9.2bn, increase 'Deferred tax liabilities' by HK$2.7bn, increase 'Property Revaluation Reserve' by HK$13.5bn and decrease 'Prepayments, accrued income and other assets' by HK$136m.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform: Amendments to HKFRS 9 and HKAS 39 'Financial Instruments'

Amendments to HKFRS 9 and HKAS 39 issued in November 2019 modify specific hedge accounting requirements so that entities apply those hedge accounting requirements assuming that the interest rate benchmark on which the hedged cash flows and cash flows of the hedging instrument are based is not altered as a result of interest rate benchmark reform. These amendments replace the need for specific judgements to determine whether certain hedge accounting relationships that hedge the variability of cash flows or interest rate risk exposures for periods after the interest rate benchmarks are expected to be reformed or replaced continue to qualify for hedge accounting as at 31 December 2019. For example, in the context of cash flow hedging, the amendments require the interest rate benchmark on which the hedged cash flows are based, or on which the cash flows of the hedging instrument are based, to be assumed to be unaltered over the period of the documented hedge relationship, while uncertainty over the interest rate benchmark reform exists. The HKICPA is expected to provide further guidance on the implication for hedge accounting during the reform process and after the reform uncertainty is resolved.

These amendments apply from 1 January 2020 with early adoption permitted. The group has adopted the amendments that apply to HKAS 39 from 1 January 2019 and has made the additional disclosures as required by the amendments. Further information is included in note 8.

   (b)      Future accounting developments 

Minor amendments to HKFRSs

The HKICPA has published a number of minor amendments to HKFRSs which are effective from 1 January 2020. The group expects they will have an insignificant effect, when adopted, on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Major new HKFRSs

HKFRS 17 'Insurance Contracts'

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, the HKICPA is considering delaying the mandatory implementation date by one year and may make additional changes to the standard. The group is in the process of implementing HKFRS 17. Industry practice and interpretation of the standard is still developing and there may be changes to it, therefore the likely impact of its implementation remains uncertain.

   (c)      Foreign currencies 

Items included in each of the group's entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the 'functional currency'). The group's consolidated financial statements are presented in Hong Kong dollars.

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the rate of exchange on the date of the transaction. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date except non-monetary assets and liabilities measured at historical cost which are translated using the rate of exchange at the initial transaction date. Exchange differences are included in other comprehensive income or in the income statement depending on where the gain or loss on the underlying item is recognised.

In the Consolidated Financial Statements, the assets, liabilities and results of foreign operations whose functional currency is not Hong Kong dollars are translated into the group's presentation currency at the reporting date. Exchange differences arising are recognised in other comprehensive income. On disposal of a foreign operation, exchange differences previously recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to the income statement.

   (d)      Presentation of information 

Certain disclosures required by HKFRSs have been included in the sections marked as ('Audited') in this Annual Report and Accounts as follows:

-- Consolidated income statement and balance sheet data by global business are included in the 'Financial Review' on page 8.

-- Disclosures concerning the nature and extent of risks relating to banking and insurance activities are included in the 'Risk' section on pages 20 to 43 and pages 46 to 50 as specified as 'Audited'.

-- Capital disclosures are included in the 'Capital' section on page 51 as specified as 'Audited'.

In accordance with the group's policy to provide disclosures that help investors and other stakeholders understand the group's performance, financial position and changes to them, the information provided in the Risk section and the Capital section goes beyond the minimum levels required by accounting standards, statutory and regulatory requirements. In addition, the group assesses good practice recommendations issued from time to time by relevant regulators and standard setters and will assess the applicability and relevance of such guidance, enhancing disclosures where appropriate.

   (e)      Critical accounting estimates and judgements 

The preparation of financial information requires the use of estimates and judgements about future conditions. In view of the inherent uncertainties and the high level of subjectivity involved in the recognition or measurement of items highlighted as the critical accounting estimates and judgements in note 1.2 below, it is possible that the outcomes in the next financial year could differ from those on which management's estimates are based. This could result in materially different estimates and judgements from those reached by management for the purposes of the Consolidated Financial Statements. Management's selection of the group's accounting policies that contain critical estimates and judgements reflects the materiality of the items to which the policies are applied and the high degree of judgement and estimation uncertainty involved.

   (f)      Segmental analysis 

The group's chief operating decision-maker is the Executive Committee which operates as a general management committee under the direct authority of the Board and operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Executive Committee.

Measurement of segmental assets, liabilities, income and expenses is in accordance with the group's accounting policies. Segmental income and expenses include transfers between segments and these transfers are conducted at arm's length. Shared costs are included in segments on the basis of the actual recharges made.

   (g)      Going concern 

The Consolidated Financial Satements 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 and capital resources.

   1.2     Summary of significant accounting policies 
   (a)      Consolidation and related policies 

Investments in subsidiaries

Where an entity is governed by voting rights, the group consolidates when it holds, directly or indirectly, the necessary voting rights to pass resolutions by the governing body. In all other cases, the assessment of control is more complex and requires judgement of other factors, including having exposure to variability of returns, power to direct relevant activities and whether power is held as agent or principal.

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The amount of non-controlling interest is measured either at fair value or at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. This election is made for each business combination.

The Bank's investments in subsidiaries are stated at cost less impairment losses.

Goodwill

Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units ('CGU') for the purpose of impairment testing, which is undertaken at the lowest level at which goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes. Impairment testing is performed at least annually, or whenever there is an indication of impairment, by comparing the recoverable amount of a CGU with its carrying amount.

Interests in associates

The group classifies investments in entities over which it has significant influence, and that are neither subsidiaries nor joint arrangements, as associates.

Investments in associates are recognised using the equity method. The attributable share of the results and reserves of associates are included in the consolidated financial statements of the group based on either financial statements made up to 31 December or pro-rated amounts adjusted for any material transactions or events occurring between the date the financial statements are available and 31 December.

Investments in associates are assessed at each reporting date and tested for impairment when there is an indication that the investment may be impaired. Goodwill on acquisitions of interests in associates is not tested separately for impairment but is assessed as part of the carrying amount of the investment.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

 
 The most significant critical accounting judgements and estimates relate 
  to the assessment of impairment of our investment in Bank of Communications 
  Co. Limited ('BoCom'), which involves estimations of value in use: 
 
 
     *    Management's best estimate of BoCom's earnings are 
          based on management's explicit forecasts over the 
          short to medium term and the capital maintenance 
          charge which is management's forecast of the earnings 
          that need to be withheld in order for BoCom to meet 
          regulatory requirements over the forecast period, 
          both of which are subject to uncertain factors 
 
 
     *    Key assumptions used in estimating BoCom's value in 
          use, the sensitivity of the value in use calculations 
          to different assumptions and a sensitivity analysis 
          that shows the changes in key assumptions that would 
          reduce the excess of value in use over the carrying 
          amount (the 'headroom') to nil are described in note 
          14 
  ============================================================================= 
 
   (b)      Income and expenses 

Operating income

Interest income and expense

Interest income and expense for all financial instruments, excluding those classified as held for trading or designated at fair value are recognised in 'Interest income' and 'Interest expense' in the income statement using the effective interest method. However, as an exception to this, interest on debt instruments issued by the group for funding purposes that are designated under the fair value option to reduce accounting mismatch and on derivatives managed in conjunction with those debt instruments is included in interest expense.

Interest on credit impaired financial assets is recognised using the rate of interest used to discount the future cash flows for the purpose of measuring the impairment loss.

Non-interest income and expense

The group generates fee income from services provided at a fixed price over time, such as account service and card fees, or when the group delivers a specific transaction at a point in time such as broking services and import/export services. With the exception of certain fund management and performance fees, all other fees are generated at a fixed price. Fund management and performance fees can be variable depending on the size of the customer portfolio and the group's performance as fund manager. Variable fees are recognised when all uncertainties are resolved. Fee income is generally earned from short term contracts with payment terms that do not include a significant financing component.

The group acts as principal in the majority of contracts with customers, with the exception of broking services. For most brokerage trades the group acts as agent in the transaction and recognises broking income net of fees payable to other parties in the arrangement.

The group recognises fees earned on transaction-based arrangements at a point in time when we have fully provided the service to the customer. Where the contract requires services to be provided over time, income is recognised on a systematic basis over the life of the agreement.

Where the group offers a package of services that contains multiple non-distinct performance obligations, such as those included in account service packages, the promised services are treated as a single performance obligation. If a package of services contains distinct performance obligations, such as those including both account and insurance services, the corresponding transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the estimated stand-alone selling prices.

Dividend income is recognised when the right to receive payment is established. This is the ex-dividend date for listed equity securities, and usually the date when shareholders approve the dividend for unlisted equity securities.

Net income/(expense) from financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss includes the following:

-- 'Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis'. This comprises net trading income, which includes all gains and losses from changes in the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities held for trading and other financial instruments managed on a fair value basis, together with the related interest income, expense and dividends, excluding the effect of changes in the credit risk of liabilities managed on a fair value basis. It also includes all gains and losses from changes in the fair value of derivatives that are managed in conjunction with financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss.

-- 'Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of insurance businesses, including related derivatives, measured at fair value through profit or loss'. This includes interest income, interest expense and dividend income in respect of financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss; and those derivatives managed in conjunction with the above that can be separately identifiable from other trading derivatives.

-- 'Changes in fair value of designated debt instruments and related derivatives'. Interest paid on debt instruments and interest cash flows on related derivatives is presented in interest expense where doing so reduces an accounting mismatch.

-- 'Changes in fair value of other financial instruments mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss'. This includes interest on instruments that fail the solely payments of principal and interest ('SPPI') test. See (d) below.

The accounting policies for insurance premium income are disclosed in note 1.2(j).

   (c)      Valuation of financial instruments 

All financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value of a financial instrument on initial recognition is generally its transaction price (that is, the fair value of the consideration given or received). However, if there is a difference between the transaction price and the fair value of financial instruments whose fair value is based on a quoted price in an active market or a valuation technique that uses only data from observable markets, the group recognises the difference as a trading gain or loss at inception ('a day 1 gain or loss'). In all other cases, the entire day 1 gain or loss is deferred and recognised in the income statement over the life of the transaction until the transaction matures, is closed out, the valuation inputs become observable or the group enters into an offsetting transaction.

The fair value of financial instruments is generally measured on an individual basis. However, in cases where the group manages a group of financial assets and liabilities according to its net market or credit risk exposure, the fair value of the group of financial instruments is measured on a net basis but the underlying financial assets and liabilities are presented separately in the Consolidated Financial Statements, unless they satisfy the HKFRSs offsetting criteria.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

 
 The majority of valuation techniques employ only observable market 
  data. However, certain financial instruments are classified on the 
  basis of valuation techniques that feature one or more significant 
  market inputs that are unobservable, and for them, the measurement 
  of fair value is more judgemental: 
 Judgements                                                    Estimates 
============================================================  =========================================================== 
 
  *    An instrument in its entirety is classified as valued    *    Details on the group's level 3 financial instruments 
       using significant unobservable inputs if, in the              are set out in note 34 
       opinion of management, a significant proportion of 
       the instrument's inception profit or greater than 5% 
       of the instrument's valuation is driven by 
       unobservable inputs 
 
 
  *    'Unobservable' in this context means that there is 
       little or no current market data available from which 
       to determine the price at which an arm's length 
       transaction would be likely to occur. It generally 
       does not mean that there is no data available at all 
       upon which to base a determination of fair value 
       (consensus pricing data may, for example, be used) 
============================================================  =========================================================== 
 
   (d)      Financial instruments measured at amortised cost 

Financial assets that are held to collect the contractual cash flows and which contain contractual terms that give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest are measured at amortised cost. Such financial assets include, most loans and advances to banks and customers and some debt securities. In addition, most financial liabilities are measured at amortised cost. The group accounts for regular way amortised cost financial instruments using trade date accounting. The carrying value of these financial assets at initial recognition includes any directly attributable transactions costs. If the initial fair value is lower than the cash amount advanced, such as in the case of some leveraged finance and syndicated lending activities, the difference is deferred and recognised over the life of the loan through the recognition of interest income.

The group may commit to underwriting loans on fixed contractual terms for specified periods of time. When the loan arising from the lending commitment is expected to be held for trading, the commitment to lend is recorded as a derivative. When the group intends to hold the loan, the loan commitment is included in the impairment calculations set out below.

Non-trading reverse repurchase, repurchase and similar agreements

When debt securities are sold subject to a commitment to repurchase them at a predetermined price ('repos'), they remain on the balance sheet and a liability is recorded in respect of the consideration received. Securities purchased under commitments to resell ('reverse repos') are not recognised on the balance sheet and an asset is recorded in respect of the initial consideration paid. Non-trading repos and reverse repos are measured at amortised cost. The difference between the sale and repurchase price or between the purchase and resale price is treated as interest and recognised in net interest income over the life of the agreement.

Contracts that are economically equivalent to reverse repo or repo agreements (such as sales or purchases of debt securities entered into together with total return swaps with the same counterparty) are accounted for similarly to, and presented together with, reverse repo or repo agreements.

   (e)      Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income ('FVOCI') 

Financial assets held for a business model that is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling and which contain contractual terms that give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest are measured at FVOCI. These comprise primarily debt securities. They are recognised on the trade date when the group enters into contractual arrangements to purchase and are normally derecognised when they are either sold or redeemed. They are subsequently remeasured at fair value and changes therein (except for those relating to impairment, interest income and foreign currency exchange gains and losses) are recognised in other comprehensive income until the assets are sold. Upon disposal, the cumulative gains or losses in other comprehensive income are recognised in the income statement as 'Gains less losses from financial instruments'. Financial assets measured at FVOCI are included in the impairment calculations set out below and impairment is recognised in profit or loss.

   (f)      Equity securities measured at fair value with fair value movements presented in OCI 

The equity securities for which fair value movements are shown in OCI are business facilitation and other similar investments where the group holds the investments other than to generate a capital return. Gains or losses on the derecognition of these equity securities are not transferred to profit or loss. Dividend income is recognised in profit or loss.

   (g)      Financial instruments designated at fair value through profit or loss 

Financial instruments, other than those held for trading, are classified in this category if they meet one or more of the criteria set out below and are so designated irrevocably at inception:

   --    the use of the designation removes or significantly reduces an accounting mismatch; 

-- when a group of financial assets and liabilities or a group of financial liabilities is managed and its performance is evaluated on a fair value basis, in accordance with a documented risk management or investment strategy; and

   --    where the financial liability contains one or more non-closely related embedded derivatives. 

Designated financial assets are recognised when the group enters into contracts with counterparties, which is generally on trade date, and are normally derecognised when the rights to the cash flows expire or are transferred.

Designated financial liabilities are recognised when the group enters into contracts with counterparties, which is generally on settlement date, and are normally derecognised when extinguished. Subsequent changes in fair values are recognised in the income statement in 'Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis' or 'Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of insurance businesses, including related derivatives, measured at fair value through profit or loss' except for the effect of changes in the liabilities' credit risk which is presented in OCI, unless that treatment would create or enlarge an accounting mismatch in profit or loss.

Under the above criterion, the main classes of financial instruments designated by the group are:

   --    Debt instruments for funding purposes that are designated to reduce an accounting mismatch. 

The interest and/or foreign exchange exposure on certain fixed rate debt securities issued has been matched with the interest and/or foreign exchange exposure on certain swaps as part of a documented risk management strategy.

-- Financial assets and financial liabilities under unit-linked and non-linked investment contracts.

A contract under which the group does not accept significant insurance risk from another party is not classified as an insurance contract, other than investment contracts with discretionary participation features ('DPF'), but is accounted for as a financial liability. Customer liabilities under linked and certain non-linked investment contracts issued by insurance subsidiaries are determined based on the fair value of the assets held in the linked funds. If no fair value designation was made for the related assets, at least some of the assets would otherwise be measured at either fair value through other comprehensive income or amortised cost. The related financial assets and liabilities are managed and reported to management on a fair value basis. Designation at fair value of the financial assets and related liabilities allows changes in fair values to be recorded in the income statement and presented in the same line.

-- Financial liabilities which contain both deposit and derivative components: These financial liabilities are managed and their performance evaluated on a fair value basis.

   (h)      Derivatives 

Derivatives are financial instruments that derive their value from the price of underlying items such as equities, interest rates or other indices. Derivatives are recognised initially and are subsequently measured at fair value, with changes in fair value generally recorded in the income statement. Derivatives are classified as assets when their fair value is positive or as liabilities when their fair value is negative. This includes embedded derivatives in financial liabilities which are bifurcated from the host contract when they meet the definition of a derivative on a stand-alone basis.

Where the derivatives are managed with debt securities issued by the group that are designated at fair value, the contractual interest is shown in 'Interest expense' together with the interest payable on the issued debt.

Hedge accounting

When derivatives are held for risk management purposes, they are designated in hedge accounting relationships where the required criteria for documentation and hedge effectiveness are met. The group enters into fair value hedges, cash flow hedges or hedges of net investments in foreign operations as appropriate to the risk being hedged.

Fair value hedge

Fair value hedge accounting does not change the recording of gains and losses on derivatives and other hedging instruments, but results in recognising changes in the fair value of the hedged assets or liabilities attributable to the hedged risk that would not otherwise be recognised in the income statement. If a hedge relationship no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, hedge accounting is discontinued; the cumulative adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item is amortised to the income statement on a recalculated effective interest rate, unless the hedged item has been derecognised, in which case it is recognised in the income statement immediately.

Cash flow hedge

The effective portion of gains and losses on hedging instruments is recognised in other comprehensive income; the ineffective portion

of the change in fair value of derivative hedging instruments that are part of a cash flow hedge relationship is recognised immediately

in the income statement within 'Net income from financial instruments held for trading or managed on a fair value basis'. The accumulated gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive income are reclassified to the income statement in the same periods in which the hedged item affects profit or loss. In hedges of forecast transactions that result in recognition of a non-financial asset or liability, previous gains and losses recognised in other comprehensive income are included in the initial measurement of the asset or liability. When a hedge relationship is discontinued, or partially discontinued, any cumulative gain or loss recognised in other comprehensive income remains in equity until the forecast transaction is recognised in the income statement. When a forecast transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in other comprehensive income is immediately reclassified to the income statement.

Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting

Non-qualifying hedges are derivatives entered into as economic hedges of assets and liabilities for which hedge accounting was not applied.

   (i)       Impairment of amortised cost and FVOCI financial assets 

Expected credit losses ('ECL') are recognised for loans and advances to banks and customers, non-trading reverse repurchase agreements, other financial assets held at amortised cost, debt instruments measured at FVOCI, and certain loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts. At initial recognition, allowance (or provision in the case of some loan commitments and financial guarantees) is required for ECL resulting from default events that are possible within the next 12 months (or less, where the remaining life is less than 12 months) ('12-month ECL'). In the event of a significant increase in credit risk, allowance (or provision) is required for ECL resulting from all possible default events over the expected life of the financial instrument ('lifetime ECL'). Financial assets where 12-month ECL is recognised are considered to be 'stage 1'; financial assets that are considered to have experienced a significant increase in credit risk are in 'stage 2'; and financial assets for which there is objective evidence of impairment so are considered to be in default or otherwise credit-impaired are in 'stage 3'. Purchased or originated credit-impaired financial assets ('POCI') are treated differently as set out below.

Credit-impaired (stage 3)

The group determines that a financial instrument is credit-impaired and in stage 3 by considering relevant objective evidence, primarily whether:

   --    contractual payments of either principal or interest are past due for more than 90 days; 

-- there are other indications that the borrower is unlikely to pay such as when a concession has been granted to the borrower for economic or legal reasons relating to the borrower's financial condition; and

   --    the loan is otherwise considered to be in default. 

If such unlikeliness to pay is not identified at an earlier stage, it is deemed to occur when an exposure is 90 days past due, even where regulatory rules permit default to be defined based on 180 days past due. Therefore, the definitions of credit-impaired and default are aligned as far as possible so that stage 3 represents all loans that are considered defaulted or otherwise credit-impaired.

Interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate to the amortised cost amount, i.e. gross carrying amount less ECL allowance.

Write-off

Financial assets (and the related impairment allowances) are normally written off, either partially or in full, when there is no realistic prospect of recovery. Where loans are secured, this is generally after receipt of any proceeds from the realisation of security. In circumstances where the net realisable value of any collateral has been determined and there is no reasonable expectation of further recovery, write-off may be earlier.

Renegotiation

Loans are identified as renegotiated and classified as credit-impaired when we modify the contractual payment terms due to significant credit distress of the borrower. Renegotiated loans remain classified as credit-impaired until there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate a significant reduction in the risk of non-payment of future cash flows and retain the designation of renegotiated until maturity or derecognition.

A loan that is renegotiated is derecognised if the existing agreement is cancelled and a new agreement is made on substantially different terms or if the terms of an existing agreement are modified such that the renegotiated loan is a substantially different financial instrument. Any new loans that arise following derecognition events in these circumstances are considered to be POCI and will continue to be disclosed as renegotiated loans.

Other than originated credit-impaired loans, all other modified loans could be transferred out of stage 3 if they no longer exhibit any evidence of being credit-impaired and, in the case of renegotiated loans, there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate a significant reduction in the risk of non-payment of future cash flows, over the minimum observation period, and there are no other indicators of impairment. These loans could be transferred to stage 1 or 2 based on the mechanism as described below by comparing the risk of a default occurring at the reporting date (based on the modified contractual terms) and the risk of a default occurring at initial recognition (based on the original, unmodified contractual terms). Any amount written off as a result of the modification of contractual terms would not be reversed.

Loan modifications that are not credit-impaired

Loan modifications that are not identified as renegotiated are considered to be commercial restructuring. Where a commercial restructuring results in a modification (whether legalised through an amendment to the existing terms or the issuance of a new loan contract) such that the group's rights to the cash flows under the original contract have expired, the old loan is derecognised and the new loan is recognised at fair value. The rights to cash flows are generally considered to have expired if the commercial restructure is at market rates and no payment-related concession has been provided.

Significant increase in credit risk (stage 2)

An assessment of whether credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition is performed at each reporting period by considering the change in the risk of default occurring over the remaining life of the financial instrument. The assessment explicitly or implicitly compares the risk of default occurring at the reporting date compared with that at initial recognition, taking into account reasonable and supportable information, including information about past events, current conditions and future economic conditions. The assessment is unbiased, probability-weighted, and to the extent relevant, uses forward-looking information consistent with that used in the measurement of ECL. The analysis of credit risk is multifactor. The determination of whether a specific factor is relevant and its weight compared with other factors depends on the type of product, the characteristics of the financial instrument and the borrower, and the geographical region. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a single set of criteria that will determine what is considered to be a significant increase in credit risk and these criteria will differ for different types of lending, particularly between retail and wholesale.

However, unless identified at an earlier stage, all financial assets are deemed to have suffered a significant increase in credit risk when

30 days past due. In addition, wholesale loans that are individually assessed, typically corporate and commercial customers, and included on a watch or worry list are included in stage 2.

For wholesale portfolios, the quantitative comparison assesses default risk using a lifetime probability of default ('PD') which encompasses a wide range of information including the obligor's customer risk rating ('CRR'), macroeconomic condition forecasts and credit transition probabilities. For origination CRRs up to 3.3, significant increase in credit risk is measured by comparing the average PD for the remaining term estimated at origination with the equivalent estimation at the reporting date. The quantitative measure of significance varies depending on the credit quality at origination as follows:

 
 
 0.1-1.2   15bps 
 2.1-3.3   30bps 
--------  ------ 
 

For CRRs greater than 3.3 that are not impaired, a significant increase in credit risk is considered to have occurred when the origination PD has doubled. The significance of changes in PD was informed by expert credit risk judgement, referenced to historical credit migrations and to relative changes in external market rates.

For loans originated prior to the implementation of HKFRS 9, the origination PD does not include adjustments to reflect expectations of future macroeconomic conditions since these are not available without the use of hindsight. In the absence of this data, origination PD must be approximated assuming through-the-cycle ('TTC') PDs and TTC migration probabilities, consistent with the instrument's underlying modelling approach and the CRR at origination. For these loans, the quantitative comparison is supplemented with additional CRR deterioration based thresholds as set out in the table below:

 
 
 0.1       5 notches 
--------  ---------- 
 1.1-4.2   4 notches 
--------  ---------- 
 4.3-5.1   3 notches 
--------  ---------- 
 5.2-7.1   2 notches 
          ---------- 
 7.2-8.2   1 notch 
--------  ---------- 
 8.3       0 notch 
--------  ---------- 
 

Further information about the 23-grade scale used for CRR can be found on page 23.

For certain portfolios of debt securities where external market ratings are available and credit ratings are not used in credit risk management, the debt securities will be in stage 2 if their credit risk increases to the extent they are no longer considered investment grade. Investment grade is where the financial instrument has a low risk of incurring losses, the structure has a strong capacity to meet its contractual cash flow obligations in the near term and adverse changes in economic and business conditions in the longer term may, but will not necessarily, reduce the ability of the borrower to fulfil their contractual cash flow obligations.

For retail portfolios, default risk is assessed using a reporting date 12-month PD derived from credit scores which incorporates all available information about the customer. This PD is adjusted for the effect of macroeconomic forecasts for periods longer than 12 months and is considered to be a reasonable approximation of a lifetime PD measure. Retail exposures are first segmented into homogeneous portfolios, generally by country, product and brand. Within each portfolio, the stage 2 accounts are defined as accounts with an adjusted 12-month PD greater than the average 12-month PD of loans in that portfolio 12 months before they become 30 days past due. The expert credit risk judgement is that no prior increase in credit risk is significant. This portfolio-specific threshold identifies loans with a PD higher than would be expected from loans that are performing as originally expected and higher than what would have been acceptable at origination. It therefore approximates a comparison of origination to reporting date PDs.

Unimpaired and without significant increase in credit risk - (stage 1)

ECL resulting from default events that are possible within the next 12 months ('12-month ECL') are recognised for financial instruments that remain in stage 1.

Purchased or originated credit-impaired ('POCI')

Financial assets that are purchased or originated at a deep discount that reflects the incurred credit losses are considered to be POCI. This population includes the recognition of a new financial instrument following a renegotiation where concessions have been granted for economic or contractual reasons relating to the borrower's financial difficulty that otherwise would not have been considered. The amount of change-in-lifetime ECL is recognised in profit or loss until the POCI is derecognised, even if the lifetime ECL are less than the amount of ECL included in the estimated cash flows on initial recognition.

Movement between stages

Financial assets can be transferred between the different categories (other than POCI) depending on their relative increase in credit risk since initial recognition. Financial instruments are transferred out of stage 2 if their credit risk is no longer considered to be significantly increased since initial recognition based on the assessments described above. Except for renegotiated loans, financial instruments are transferred out of stage 3 when they no longer exhibit any evidence of credit impairment as described above. Renegotiated loans that are not POCI will continue to be in stage 3 until there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate a significant reduction in the risk of non-payment of future cash flows, observed over a minimum one-year period and there are no other indicators of impairment. For loans that are assessed for impairment on a portfolio basis, the evidence typically comprises a history of payment performance against the original or revised terms, as appropriate to the circumstances. For loans that are assessed for impairment on an individual basis, all available evidence is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Measurement of ECL

The assessment of credit risk, and the estimation of ECL, are unbiased and probability-weighted, and incorporate all available information that is relevant to the assessment including information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future events and economic conditions at the reporting date. In addition, the estimation of ECL should take into account the time value of money.

In general, the group calculates ECL using three main components, a probability of default, a loss given default ('LGD') and the exposure at default ('EAD').

The 12-month ECL is calculated by multiplying the 12-month PD, LGD and EAD. Lifetime ECL is calculated using the lifetime PD instead. The 12-month and lifetime PDs represent the probability of default occurring over the next 12 months and the remaining maturity of the instrument respectively.

The EAD represents the expected balance at default, taking into account the repayment of principal and interest from the balance sheet date to the default event together with any expected drawdowns of committed facilities. The LGD represents expected losses on the EAD given the event of default, taking into account, among other attributes, the mitigating effect of collateral value at the time it is expected to be realised and the time value of money.

The group leverages the Basel II IRB framework where possible, with recalibration to meet the differing HKFRS 9 requirements as set out in the following table:

 
 
 PD 
          *    Through the cycle (represents long-run average PD        *    Point in time (based on current conditions, adjusted 
               throughout a full economic cycle)                             to take into account estimates of future conditions 
                                                                             that will impact PD) 
 
          *    The definition of default includes a backstop of 90+ 
               days past due                                            *    Default backstop of 90+ days past due for all 
                                                                             portfolios 
                                                                     ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 EAD 
           *    Cannot be lower than current balance                    *    Amortisation captured for term products 
------  -----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 LGD 
           *    Downturn LGD (consistent losses expected to be         *    Expected LGD (based on estimate of loss given default 
                suffered during a severe but plausible economic             including the expected impact of future economic 
                downturn)                                                   conditions such as changes in value of collateral) 
 
 
           *    Regulatory floors may apply to mitigate risk of        *    No floors 
                underestimating downturn LGD due to lack of 
                historical data 
                                                                       *    Discounted using the original effective interest rate 
                                                                            of the loan 
           *    Discounted using cost of capital 
 
                                                                       *    Only costs associated with obtaining/selling 
           *    All collection costs included                               collateral included 
------  -----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 Other 
                                                                        *    Discounted back from point of default to balance 
                                                                             sheet date 
------  -----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------------------------------ 
 

While 12-month PDs are re-calibrated from Basel models where possible, the lifetime PDs are determined by projecting the 12-month PD using a term structure. For the wholesale methodology, the lifetime PD also takes into account credit migration, i.e. a customer migrating through the CRR bands over its life.

The ECL for wholesale stage 3 is determined on an individual basis using a discounted cash flow ('DCF') methodology. The expected future cash flows are based on the credit risk officer's estimates as at the reporting date, reflecting reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections of future recoveries and expected future receipts of interest. Collateral is taken into account if it is likely that the recovery of the outstanding amount will include realisation of collateral based on the estimated fair value of collateral at the time of expected realisation, less costs for obtaining and selling the collateral. The cash flows are discounted at a reasonable approximation of the original effective interest rate. For significant cases, cash flows under four different scenarios are probability-weighted by reference to the economic scenarios applied more generally by the group and the judgement of the credit risk officer in relation to the likelihood of the workout strategy succeeding or receivership being required. For less significant cases, the effect of different economic scenarios and work-out strategies is approximated and applied as an adjustment to the most likely outcome.

Period over which ECL is measured

Expected credit loss is measured from the initial recognition of the financial asset. The maximum period considered when measuring ECL (be it 12-month or lifetime ECL) is the maximum contractual period over which the group is exposed to credit risk. For wholesale overdrafts, credit risk management actions are taken no less frequently than on an annual basis and therefore this period is to the expected date of the next substantive credit review. The date of the substantive credit review also represents the initial recognition of the new facility. However, where the financial instrument includes both a drawn and undrawn commitment and the contractual ability to demand repayment and cancel the undrawn commitment does not serve to limit the group's exposure to credit risk to the contractual notice period, the contractual period does not determine the maximum period considered. Instead, ECL is measured over the period the group remains exposed to credit risk that is not mitigated by credit risk management actions. This applies to retail overdrafts and credit cards, where the period is the average time taken for stage 2 exposures to default or close as performing accounts, determined on a portfolio basis and ranging from between two and six years. In addition, for these facilities it is not possible to identify the ECL on the loan commitment component separately from the financial asset component. As a result, the total ECL is recognised in the loss allowance for the financial asset unless the total ECL exceeds the gross carrying amount of the financial asset, in which case the ECL is recognised as a provision.

Forward-looking economic inputs

The group applies multiple forward-looking global economic scenarios determined with reference to external forecast distributions representative of our view of forecast economic conditions. This approach is considered sufficient to calculate unbiased expected loss in most economic environments. In certain economic environments, additional analysis may be necessary and may result in additional scenarios or adjustments, to reflect a range of possible economic outcomes sufficient for an unbiased estimate. The detailed methodology is disclosed in 'Measurement uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of ECL estimates' on page 27.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

 
 The calculation of the group's ECL under HKFRS 9 requires the group 
  to make a number of judgements, assumptions and estimates. The most 
  significant are set out below: 
 
 
  *    Defining what is considered to be a significant       *    The sections marked as audited on pages 27 to 30, 
       increase in credit risk                                    'Measurement uncertainty and sensitivity analysis of 
                                                                  ECL estimates' set out the assumptions used in 
                                                                  determining ECL and provide an indication of the 
  *    Determining the lifetime and point of initial              sensitivity of the result to the application of 
       recognition of overdrafts and credit cards                 different weightings being applied to different 
                                                                  economic assumptions 
 
  *    Selecting and calibrating the PD, LGD and EAD mode 
 ls, 
       which support the calculations, including making 
       reasonable and supportable judgements about how 
       models react to current and future economic 
       conditions 
 
 
  *    Selecting model inputs and economic forecasts, 
       including determining whether sufficient and 
       appropriately weighted economic forecasts are 
       incorporated to calculate unbiased expected loss 
=========================================================  =========================================================== 
 
   (j)      Insurance contracts 

A contract is classified as an insurance contract where the group accepts significant insurance risk from another party by agreeing to compensate that party on the occurrence of a specified uncertain future event. An insurance contract may also transfer financial risk, but is accounted for as an insurance contract if the insurance risk is significant. In addition, the group issues investment contracts with discretionary participation features ('DPF') which are also accounted for as insurance contracts as required by HKFRS 4 'Insurance Contracts'.

Net insurance premium income

Premiums for life insurance contracts are accounted for when receivable, except in unit-linked insurance contracts where premiums are accounted for when liabilities are established.

Reinsurance premiums are accounted for in the same accounting period as the premiums for the direct insurance contracts to which they relate.

Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movements in liabilities to policyholders

Gross insurance claims for life insurance contracts reflect the total cost of claims arising during the year, including claim handling costs and any policyholder bonuses allocated in anticipation of a bonus declaration.

Maturity claims are recognised when due for payment. Surrenders are recognised when paid or at an earlier date on which, following notification, the policy ceases to be included within the calculation of the related insurance liabilities. Death claims are recognised when notified.

Reinsurance recoveries are accounted for in the same period as the related claim.

Liabilities under insurance contracts

Liabilities under non-linked life insurance contracts are calculated by each life insurance operation based on local actuarial principles. Liabilities under unit-linked life insurance contracts are at least equivalent to the surrender or transfer value, which is calculated by reference to the value of the relevant underlying funds or indices.

Future profit participation on insurance contracts with DPF

Where contracts provide discretionary profit participation benefits to policyholders, liabilities for these contracts include provisions for the future discretionary benefits to policyholders. These provisions reflect the actual performance of the investment portfolio to date and management's expectation of the future performance of the assets backing the contracts, as well as other experience factors such as mortality, lapses and operational efficiency, where appropriate. The benefits to policyholders may be determined by the contractual terms, regulation, or past distribution policy.

Investment contracts with DPF

While investment contracts with DPF are financial instruments, they continue to be treated as insurance contracts as required by

HKFRS 4. The group therefore recognises the premiums for these contracts as revenue and recognises as an expense the resulting increase in the carrying amount of the liability.

In the case of net unrealised investment gains on these contracts, whose discretionary benefits principally reflect the actual performance of the investment portfolio, the corresponding increase in the liabilities is recognised in either the income statement or other comprehensive income, following the treatment of the unrealised gains on the relevant assets. In the case of net unrealised losses, a deferred participating asset is recognised only to the extent that its recoverability is highly probable. Movements in the liabilities arising from realised gains and losses on relevant assets are recognised in the income statement.

Present value of in-force long-term insurance business

The group recognises the value placed on insurance contracts and investment contracts with DPF, which are classified as long-term and in-force at the balance sheet date, as an asset. The PVIF asset is presented gross of attributable tax in the balance sheet and movements in the PVIF asset are included in 'Other operating income' on a gross of tax basis.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

 
 The valuation of the PVIF is dependent on economic assumptions (e.g. 
  future investment returns) and non-economic assumptions (e.g. related 
  to policyholder behaviour or demographics 
 
 
  *    The PVIF asset represents the value of the equity        *    The assumptions are reassessed at each reporting date 
       holders' interest in the issuing insurance companies'         and changes in the estimates which affect the value 
       profits expected to emerge from these contracts               of PVIF are reflected in the income statement. More 
       written at the balance sheet date. It is determined           information is included in note 15. 
       by discounting those expected future profits using 
       appropriate assumptions in assessing factors such as 
       future mortality, lapse rates and levels of expenses, 
       and a risk discount rate that reflects the risk 
       premium attributable to the respective contracts. The 
       PVIF incorporates allowances for both non-market risk 
       and the value of financial options and guarantees. 
============================================================  ============================================================ 
 
   (k)      Property 

Land and buildings

Land and buildings held for own use are carried at their revalued amount, being the fair value at the date of the revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and impairment losses.

Revaluations are performed by professional qualified valuers, on a market basis, with sufficient regularity to ensure that the net carrying amount does not differ materially from the fair value. Surpluses arising on revaluation are credited firstly to the income statement, to the extent of any deficits arising on revaluation previously charged to the income statement in respect of the same land and buildings, and are thereafter taken to the 'Property revaluation reserve'. Deficits arising on revaluation are first set off against any previous revaluation surpluses included in the 'Property revaluation reserve' in respect of the same land and buildings, and are thereafter recognised in the income statement.

Leasehold land and buildings are depreciated over the shorter of the unexpired terms of the leases or the remaining useful lives.

The Government of Hong Kong owns all the land in Hong Kong and permits its use under leasehold arrangements. Similar arrangements exist in mainland China. The group accounts for its interests in own use leasehold land and land use rights in accordance with HKFRS 16 but discloses these as owned assets when the right of use are considered sufficient to constitute control.

Investment properties

The group holds certain properties as investments to earn rentals or for capital appreciation, or both, and those investment properties are included on balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value being recognised in the income statement.

   (l)       Employee compensation and benefits 

Post-employment benefit plans

The group operates a number of pension schemes including defined benefit and defined contribution, and post-employment benefit schemes.

Payments to defined contribution schemes are charged as an expense as the employees render service.

Defined benefit pension obligations are calculated using the projected unit credit method. The net charge to the income statement mainly comprises the service cost and the net interest on the net defined benefit asset or liability, and is presented in operating expenses.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit asset or liability, which comprise actuarial gains and losses, return on plan assets excluding interest and the effect of the asset ceiling (if any, excluding interest), are recognised immediately in other comprehensive income. The net defined benefit asset or liability represents the present value of defined benefit obligations reduced by the fair value of plan assets, after applying the asset ceiling test, where the net defined benefit surplus is limited to the present value of available refunds and reductions in future contributions to the plan.

   (m)     Tax 

Income tax comprises current tax and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the income statement except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, in which case the tax is recognised in the same statement as the related item appears.

Current tax is the tax expected to be payable on the taxable profit for the year and on any adjustment to tax payable in respect of previous years. The group provides for potential current tax liabilities that may arise on the basis of the amounts expected to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred tax is recognised on temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the balance sheet, and the amounts attributed to such assets and liabilities for tax purposes. Deferred tax is calculated using the tax rates expected to apply in the periods in which the assets will be realised or the liabilities settled.

Current and deferred tax are calculated based on tax rates and laws enacted, or substantively enacted, by the balance sheet date.

   (n)      Provisions, contingent liabilities and guarantees 

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required to settle a present legal or constructive obligation that has arisen as a result of past events and for which a reliable estimate can be made.

Critical accounting estimates and judgements

 
 The recognition and measurement of provisions requires the group to 
  make a number of judgements, assumptions and estimates. The most significant 
  are set out below: 
 
 
  *    Determining whether a present obligation exists.         *    Provisions for legal proceedings and regulatory 
       Professional advice is taken on the assessment of             matters remain very sensitive to the assumptions used 
       litigation, property (including onerous contracts)            in the estimate. There could be a wider range of 
       and similar obligations.                                      possible outcomes for any pending legal proceedings, 
                                                                     investigations or inquiries. As a result, it is often 
                                                                     not practicable to quantify a range of possible 
  *    Provisions for legal proceedings and regulatory               outcomes for individual matters. It is also not 
       matters typically require a higher degree of                  practicable to meaningfully quantify ranges of 
       judgement than other types of provisions. When                potential outcomes in aggregate for these types of 
       matters are at an early stage, accounting judgements          provisions because of the diverse nature and 
       can be difficult because of the high degree of                circumstances of such matters and the wide range of 
       uncertainty associated with determining whether a             uncertainties involved. 
       present obligation exists, and estimating the 
       probability and amount of any outflows that may 
       arise. As matters progress, management and legal         *    Provisions for customer remediation also require 
       advisers evaluate on an ongoing basis whether                 significant levels of estimation. The amounts of 
       provisions should be recognised, revising previous            provisions recognised depend on a number of different 
       estimates as appropriate. At more advanced stages, it         assumptions, such as the volume of inbound complaints 
       is typically easier to make estimates around a better   , 
       defined set of possible outcomes.                             the projected period of inbound complaint volumes, 
                                                                     the decay rate of complaint volumes, the populations 
                                                                     identified as systemically mis-sold and the number of 
                                                                     policies per customer complaint. 
============================================================  ============================================================ 
 

Contingent liabilities, contractual commitments and guarantees

Contingent liabilities

Contingent liabilities, which include certain guarantees and letters of credit pledged as collateral security, and contingent liabilities related to legal proceedings or regulatory matters, are not recognised in the Consolidated Financial Statements but are disclosed unless the probability of settlement is remote.

Financial guarantee contracts

Liabilities under financial guarantee contracts that are not classified as insurance contracts are recorded initially at their fair value, which is generally the fee received or present value of the fee receivable.

The Bank has issued financial guarantees and similar contracts to other group entities. The group elects to account for certain guarantees as insurance contracts in the Bank's financial statements, in which case they are measured and recognised as insurance liabilities. This election is made on a contract-by-contract basis, and is irrevocable.

 
 2   Operating profit 
    ----------------- 
 
   (a)     Net interest income 
 
 Net interest income includes: 
                                                                     2019        2018 
                                                                     HK$m        HK$m 
 Interest income recognised on impaired financial assets             309       276 
                                                                 -------   ------- 
 Interest income recognised on financial assets measured 
  at amortised cost                                              160,387   143,709 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Interest income recognised on financial assets measured 
  at FVOCI                                                        30,974    26,412 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Interest expense on financial instruments, excluding interest 
  on financial liabilities held for trading or designated 
  or otherwise mandatorily measured at fair value                (56,493)  (41,259) 
---------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 
   (b)     Net fee income 
 
 Net fee income by global 
  business 
                                    Retail 
                                   Banking                Global 
                                       and               Banking    Global 
                                    Wealth  Commercial       and   Private   Corporate 
                                Management     Banking   Markets   Banking   Centre(1)       Total 
                                      HK$m        HK$m      HK$m      HK$m        HK$m        HK$m 
 Account services                   1,281         893       340        23           1     2,538 
-----------------------------  ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Funds under management             3,779         646     1,694     1,095           1     7,215 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Cards                              6,755       1,726        85         -           1     8,567 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Credit facilities                    223       1,693     1,367         9           1     3,293 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Broking income                     2,441          43       696       380           -     3,560 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Imports/exports                        -       2,590       690         -           -     3,280 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Unit trusts                        6,318         158         -       674           -     7,150 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Underwriting                           2           2     1,557         -          (6)    1,555 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Remittances                          284       1,945       665         3         (14)    2,883 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Global custody                       657          51     2,936        98           -     3,742 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Insurance agency commission        1,463         131         2       139           -     1,735 
                               ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Other                              1,758       2,145     5,294       761      (2,377)    7,581 
                               ----------   ---------   -------             ---------   ------- 
 Fee income                        24,961      12,023    15,326     3,182      (2,393)   53,099 
-----------------------------  ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Fee expense                       (6,314)     (2,063)   (5,349)     (343)      2,475   (11,594) 
-----------------------------  ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 Year ended 31 Dec 2019            18,647       9,960     9,977     2,839          82    41,505 
-----------------------------  ----------   ---------   -------   -------   ---------   ------- 
 
 
 Account services               1,434      979      337      55        3     2,808 
-----------------------------  ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Funds under management         4,122      724    1,749     910        1     7,506 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Cards                          6,552    1,788       74       -        -     8,414 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Credit facilities                242    1,568    1,360       9        1     3,180 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Broking income                 3,397       73      702     507        -     4,679 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Imports/exports                    -    2,909      723       -        -     3,632 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Unit trusts                    6,381      172        -     558       (4)    7,107 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Underwriting                       5        3    1,111       -       (7)    1,112 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Remittances                      333    2,183      625       3       (6)    3,138 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Global custody                   713       51    3,025      95      (18)    3,866 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Insurance agency commission    1,510      142        4      94       (9)    1,741 
                               ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Other                          1,816    2,020    5,087     719   (2,240)    7,402 
                               ------   ------   ------           ------   ------- 
 Fee income                    26,505   12,612   14,797   2,950   (2,279)   54,585 
-----------------------------  ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Fee expense                   (5,418)  (2,014)  (5,003)   (300)   2,381   (10,354) 
-----------------------------  ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 Year ended 31 Dec 2018        21,087   10,598    9,794   2,650      102    44,231 
-----------------------------  ------   ------   ------   -----   ------   ------- 
 
   1   Includes inter-segment elimination. 
 
 Net fee income includes: 
                                                                  2019       2018 
                                                                  HK$m       HK$m 
 Fees earned on financial assets that are not at fair 
  value through profit and loss (other than amounts included 
  in determining the effective interest rate)                  11,400   11,583 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 - fee income                                                  16,324   16,368 
------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fee expense                                                 (4,924)  (4,785) 
                                                               ------   ------ 
 Fee earned on trust and other fiduciary activities             9,234    9,653 
                                                                        ------ 
 - fee income                                                  10,421   10,787 
------------------------------------------------------------- 
 - fee expense                                                 (1,187)  (1,134) 
-------------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 
   (c)     Net income from financial instruments measured at fair value through profit or loss 
 
                                                                2019       2018 
                                                                HK$m       HK$m 
 Net income/(expense) arising on: 
----------------------------------------------------------- 
 Net trading activities                                      42,813   32,583 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Other instruments managed on a fair value basis             (6,425)    (513) 
                                                             ------   ------ 
 Net income from financial instruments held for trading 
  or managed on a fair value basis                           36,388   32,070 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Financial assets held to meet liabilities under insurance 
  and investment contracts                                   16,245   (6,104) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------ 
 Liabilities to customers under investment contracts         (1,988)     543 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Net income/(expense) from assets and liabilities of 
  insurance businesses, including related derivatives, 
  measured at fair value through profit or loss              14,257   (5,561) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Changes in fair value of designated debts issued and 
  related derivatives(1)                                       (305)    (327) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Changes in fair value of other financial instruments 
  mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or 
  loss                                                          118     (217) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Year ended 31 Dec                                           50,458   25,965 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 

1 The definition 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 'Net trading activities' under 'Net income from financial instruments held for trading and managed on a fair value basis'. Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to the current year's presentation.

   (d)     Other operating income 
 
                                                               2019       2018 
                                                               HK$m       HK$m 
 Movement in present value of in-force insurance business   12,546    4,629 
                                                            ------   ------ 
 Gains on investment properties                                154      639 
                                                            ------   ------ 
 Losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
  and assets held for sale                                      (2)     (69) 
----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Gains/(losses) on disposal of subsidiaries, associates 
  and business portfolios                                      (14)      38 
                                                            ------   ------ 
 Rental income from investment properties                      423      416 
----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Dividend income                                               161      164 
----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Other(1)                                                    2,490    4,653 
----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Year ended 31 Dec                                          15,758   10,470 
----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 

1 In 2019, the group transferred shared services and operations to a separate service company, HSBC Global Services (Hong Kong) Limited ('ServCo'), a fellow subsidiary which provides functional support services to the group. As a result of the transfer, costs incurred relating to services provided to fellow group companies are reflected in the financial statements of ServCo instead of the group, and so are recoveries on these costs.

There was a loss on disposal of loans and receivables of HK$3m in the year (2018: loss of HK$5m). There were no gains or losses on disposal of financial liabilities measured at amortised cost in the year (2018: nil).

   (e)      Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges 
 
                                                    2019      2018 
                                                    HK$m      HK$m 
 Loans and advances to banks and customers        5,420   4,611 
------------------------------------------------  ----- 
 - new allowances net of allowance releases       6,283   5,551 
 - recoveries of amounts previously written off    (863)   (940) 
 Loan commitments and guarantees                     95     123 
------------------------------------------------  ----- 
 Other financial assets                             157     (14) 
------------------------------------------------  -----   ----- 
 Year ended 31 Dec                                5,672   4,720 
------------------------------------------------  -----   ----- 
 

Change in expected credit losses as a percentage of average gross customer advances was 0.15% for 2019 (2018: 0.13%).

   (f)      General and administrative expenses 
 
                                             2019      2018 
                                             HK$m      HK$m 
 Premises and equipment                     3,246   8,208 
                                           ------  ------ 
 - rental expenses                            794   4,134 
----------------------------------------- 
 - other premises and equipment expenses    2,452   4,074 
-----------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Marketing and advertising expenses         2,815   2,940 
-----------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Other administrative expenses(1)          38,708  28,841 
-----------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Year ended 31 Dec                         44,769  39,989 
-----------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

1 In 2019, over 8,500 employees performing shared services and operations in Hong Kong were transferred from the group to ServCo as part of recovery and resolution planning to provide services to the group. The group recognises management charges for the services provided by ServCo, which is reported under 'general administrative expenses'. For further details, please refer to note 33 'Related party transactions'.

Included in operating expenses were direct operating expenses of HK$34m (2018: HK$35m) arising from investment properties that generated rental income in the year. Direct operating expenses arising from investment properties that did not generate rental income amounted to HK$2m (2018: HK$3m).

   (g)     Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment 
 
                                        2019     2018 
                                        HK$m     HK$m 
 Owned property, plant and equipment   5,620  4,686 
                                       -----  ----- 
 Other right-of-use assets(1)          2,610      N/A 
-------------------------------------  ----- 
 Year ended 31 Dec                     8,230  4,686 
-------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

1 The impact on right-of-use assets has been recognised from 1 January 2019 following the adoption of HKFRS 16. Comparatives have not been restated.

   (h)     Auditors' remuneration 

Auditors' remuneration amounted to HK$125m (2018: HK$125m).

 
 3   Insurance business 
    ------------------- 
 
 
 Net insurance premium Income 
                                                       Non-linked 
                                                        insurance  Unit-linked       Total 
                                                             HK$m         HK$m        HK$m 
                                                       ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Gross insurance premium income                           69,719        1,381    71,100 
                                                       ---------   ----------   ------- 
 Reinsurers' share of gross insurance premium income     (10,798)         (27)  (10,825) 
----------------------------------------------------- 
 Year ended 31 Dec 2019                                   58,921        1,354    60,275 
-----------------------------------------------------  ---------   ----------   ------- 
 
 Gross insurance premium income                           63,462        1,586    65,048 
 Reinsurers' share of gross insurance premium income      (4,349)         (21)   (4,370) 
-----------------------------------------------------  ---------   ----------   ------- 
 Year ended 31 Dec 2018                                   59,113        1,565    60,678 
-----------------------------------------------------  ---------   ----------   ------- 
 
 
 Net insurance claims and benefits paid and movement in liabilities 
  to policyholders 
                                                     Non-linked 
                                                      insurance  Unit-linked       Total 
                                                           HK$m         HK$m        HK$m 
                                                     ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Gross claims and benefits paid and movement in 
  liabilities to policyholders                          84,921        5,910    90,831 
 - claims, benefits and surrenders paid                 26,960        6,095    33,055 
 - movement in liabilities                              57,961         (185)   57,776 
                                                     ---------   ----------   ------- 
 Reinsurers' share of claims and benefits paid and 
  movement in liabilities                              (10,677)           2   (10,675) 
 - claims, benefits and surrenders paid                 (2,658)        (107)   (2,765) 
 - movement in liabilities                              (8,019)         109    (7,910) 
                                                     ---------   ----------   ------- 
 Year ended 31 Dec 2019                                 74,244        5,912    80,156 
---------------------------------------------------  ---------   ----------   ------- 
 
 Gross claims and benefits paid and movement in 
  liabilities to policyholders                          65,002       (3,080)   61,922 
 - claims, benefits and surrenders paid                 27,086        7,598    34,684 
 - movement in liabilities                              37,916      (10,678)   27,238 
 Reinsurers' share of claims and benefits paid and 
  movement in liabilities                               (4,155)          72    (4,083) 
 - claims, benefits and surrenders paid                 (1,930)      (1,394)   (3,324) 
 - movement in liabilities                              (2,225)       1,466      (759) 
 Year ended 31 Dec 2018                                 60,847       (3,008)   57,839 
---------------------------------------------------  ---------   ----------   ------- 
 
 
 Liabilities under insurance contracts 
                                                    2019                              2018 
                                                Reinsurers'                      Reinsurers' 
                                         Gross     share(2)       Net     Gross     share(2)         Net 
                                          HK$m         HK$m      HK$m      HK$m         HK$m        HK$m 
                                      --------  -----------  -------- 
 Non-linked insurance 
 At 31 Dec                            433,668      (17,758)  415,910   391,348      (15,624)  375,724 
                                      -------   ----------   ------- 
 Impact on transition to HKFRS 
  9                                        N/A          N/A       N/A     (535)           -      (535) 
                                      --------  -----------  --------            ---------- 
 At 1 Jan                             433,668      (17,758)  415,910   390,813      (15,624)  375,189 
------------------------------------  -------   ----------   -------   -------   ----------   ------- 
 Claims and benefits paid             (26,960)       2,658   (24,302)  (27,086)       1,930   (25,156) 
                                      -------   ----------   ------- 
 Increase/(decrease) in liabilities 
  to policyholders                     84,921      (10,677)   74,244    65,002       (4,155)   60,847 
                                      -------   ----------   ------- 
 Exchange differences and other 
  movements(1)                          2,552         (470)    2,082     4,939           91     5,030 
------------------------------------  -------   ----------   -------   -------   ----------   ------- 
 At 31 Dec                            494,181      (26,247)  467,934   433,668      (17,758)  415,910 
------------------------------------  -------   ----------   -------   -------   ----------   ------- 
 Unit-linked 
 At 1 Jan                              34,921          (34)   34,887    46,669         (110)   46,559 
                                      -------   ----------   ------- 
 Claims and benefits paid              (6,095)         107    (5,988)   (7,598)       1,394    (6,204) 
------------------------------------ 
 Increase/(decrease) in liabilities 
  to policyholders                      5,910            2     5,912    (3,080)          72    (3,008) 
------------------------------------ 
 Exchange differences and other 
  movements(1)                           (157)        (110)     (267)   (1,070)      (1,390)   (2,460) 
------------------------------------ 
 At 31 Dec                             34,579          (35)   34,544    34,921          (34)   34,887 
------------------------------------  -------   ----------   -------   -------   ----------   ------- 
 Total liabilities to policyholders   528,760      (26,282)  502,478   468,589      (17,792)  450,797 
------------------------------------  -------   ----------   -------   -------   ----------   ------- 
 

1 'Exchange differences and other movements' includes movements in liabilities arising from net unrealised investment gains recognised in other comprehensive income.

2 Amounts recoverable from reinsurance of liabilities under insurance contracts are included in the consolidated balance sheet in 'Prepayment, accrued income and other assets'.

The key factors contributing to the movement in liabilities to policyholders included movements in the market value of assets supporting policyholder liabilities, death claims, surrenders, lapses, liabilities to policyholders created at the initial inception of the policies, the declaration of bonuses and other amounts attributable to policyholders.

 
 4   Employee compensation and benefits 
    ----------------------------------- 
 
 
                                          2019      2018 
                                          HK$m      HK$m 
 Wages and salaries(1)                  34,674  36,972 
                                        ------ 
 Social security costs                   1,264   1,249 
                                        ------  ------ 
 Post-employment benefits                2,110   2,572 
                                        ------ 
 - defined contribution pension plans    1,516   1,804 
 - defined benefit pension plans           594     768 
                                        ------ 
 Year ended 31 Dec(2)                   38,048  40,793 
--------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

1 'Wages and salaries' includes the effect of share-based payments arrangements of HK$882m (2018: HK$968m).

2 In 2019, over 8,500 employees performing shared services and operations in Hong Kong were transferred from the group to ServCo as part of recovery and resolution planning to provide services to the group. The group recognises management charges for the services provided by ServCo, which is reported under 'general administrative expenses'. For further details, please refer to note 33 'Related party transactions'.

Post-employment benefit plans

The group operates a number of post-employment benefit plans for its employees. 'Pension risk management' in the Risk section contains details of the policies and practices associated with these benefit plans. Some of these plans are defined benefit plans, of which the largest plan is The HSBC Group Hong Kong Local Staff Retirement Benefit Scheme (the 'Principal Plan').

The group's balance sheet includes the net surplus or deficit, being the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the discounted value of scheme liabilities at the balance sheet date for each plan. Surpluses are only recognised to the extent that they are recoverable through reduced contributions in the future or through potential future refunds from the schemes. In assessing whether a surplus is recoverable, the group has considered its current right to obtain a future refund or a reduction in future contributions.

Defined benefit pension plans

 
 Net asset/(liability) under defined benefit pension plans 
                                                                             Present 
                                                                            value of 
                                                            Fair value       defined    Net defined 
                                                               of plan       benefit        benefit 
                                                                assets   obligations      liability 
                                                                  HK$m          HK$m           HK$m 
                                                                        ------------  ------------- 
 At 1 Jan 2019                                                 13,856       (17,197)      (3,341) 
                                                            ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 Service cost                                                       -          (511)        (511) 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 
   *    current service cost                                        -          (511)        (511) 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 Net interest income/(expense) on the net defined 
  benefit asset/(liability)                                       206          (274)         (68) 
                                                            ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 Re-measurement effects recognised in other comprehensive 
  income                                                          927          (682)         245 
                                                            ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 
   *    return on plan assets (excluding interest income)         927             -          927 
 
   *    actuarial losses                                            -          (682)        (682) 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 Contributions by the group                                       391             -          391 
                                                            ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 Benefits paid                                                 (1,290)        1,376           86 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 Exchange differences and other movements(1)                   (3,788)        4,440          652 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 At 31 Dec 2019                                                10,302       (12,848)      (2,546) 
----------------------------------------------------------  ---------   -----------   ---------- 
 Retirement benefit liabilities recognised on 
  the balance sheet                                                                       (2,595) 
---------------------------------------------------------- 
 Retirement benefit assets recognised on the 
  balance sheet (within 'Prepayment, accrued income 
  and other assets')                                                                          49 
----------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ------------  ---------- 
 
 
 At 1 Jan 2018                                                  15,167   (17,308)  (2,141) 
                                                                ------   -------   ------ 
 Service cost                                                        -      (697)    (697) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   -------   ------ 
 
   *    current service cost                                         -      (684)    (684) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    past service cost and gains/(losses) from settlements        -       (13)     (13) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   -------   ------ 
 Net interest income/(expense) on the net defined 
  benefit asset/(liability)                                        289      (338)     (49) 
                                                                ------   -------   ------ 
 Re-measurement effects recognised in other comprehensive 
  income                                                          (692)     (399)  (1,091) 
                                                                ------   -------   ------ 
 
   *    return on plan assets (excluding interest income)         (692)        -     (692) 
 
   *    actuarial losses                                             -      (399)    (399) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   -------   ------ 
 Contributions by the group                                        576         -      576 
                                                                ------   -------   ------ 
 Benefits paid                                                  (1,404)    1,471       67 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   -------   ------ 
 Exchange differences and other movements(1)                       (80)       74       (6) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   -------   ------ 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                                 13,856   (17,197)  (3,341) 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ------   -------   ------ 
 Retirement benefit liabilities recognised on 
  the balance sheet                                                                (3,369) 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
 Retirement benefit assets recognised on the 
  balance sheet (within 'Prepayment, accrued income 
  and other assets')                                                                   28 
--------------------------------------------------------------  -------  --------  ------ 
 

1 Other movements in 2019 included the impact from transfer of employees from the group to HSBC Global Services (Hong Kong) Limited (the 'ServCo'), which is a fellow subsidiary of the Group.

 
 Fair value of plan assets by asset classes 
                            At 31 Dec 2019               At 31 Dec 2018 
                                 Quoted                      Quoted 
                                 market                      market 
                               price in                    price in 
                                 active  Thereof             active    Thereof 
                       Value     market     HSBC   Value     market       HSBC 
                        HK$m       HK$m     HK$m    HK$m       HK$m       HK$m 
 Fair value of plan 
  assets              10,302     10,302      177  13,856     13,856      454 
                      ------  ---------  ------- 
 - equities            3,076      3,076        -   3,519      3,519        - 
 - bonds               6,034      6,034        -   7,380      7,380        - 
 - other(1)            1,192      1,192      177   2,957      2,957      454 
--------------------  ------  ---------  -------  ------  ---------  ------- 
 

1 Other mainly consists of alternative investments (previously included within equities and bonds) and cash and cash deposits. Comparatives have been re-presented to conform to current year's presentation.

The Principal Plan

In Hong Kong, the HSBC Group Hong Kong Local Staff Retirement Benefit Scheme ('LSRBS'), the Principal Plan, covers employees of the Bank and HSBC Global Services (Hong Kong) Limited (the 'ServCo'), which is a fellow subsidiary of the Group set up in Hong Kong as part of the recovery and resolution planning to provide functional support services to the group, as well as certain other local employees of the Group. The Principal Plan comprises a funded defined benefit scheme (which provides a lump sum benefit on retirement and is now closed to new members) and a defined contribution scheme. The latter was established on 1 January 1999 for new employees, and the group has been providing defined contribution plans to all new employees. Since the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan is a final salary lump sum scheme, its exposure to longevity risk and interest rate risk is limited compared to a scheme that provides annuity payments.

The Principal Plan is a funded plan with assets which are held in trust funds separate from the group. The investment strategy of the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan is to hold the majority of assets in fixed income investments, with a smaller portion in equities. The target asset allocation for the portfolio has been updated in December 2019 to: Fixed income investments 75% and Equity 25% following an update to the investment strategy to de-risk the investment portfolio. Each investment manager has been assigned a benchmark applicable to their respective asset class. The actuarial funding valuation of the Principal Plan is conducted at least on a triennial basis in accordance with the local practice and regulations. The actuarial assumptions used to conduct the actuarial funding valuation of the Principal Plan vary according to the economic conditions.

The trustee, which is a subsidiary of the Bank, assumes the overall responsibility for the Principal Plan and the group has established a management committee and a number of sub-committees to broaden the governance and manage the concomitant issues.

During 2019, over 1,400 employees covered under the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan were transferred from the group to ServCo as part of the recovery and resolution planning. There were no changes to employment terms and conditions or retirement benefits as a result of these transfers. Both the group and ServCo participate in the Principal Plan that shares risks between the entities which are under common control of the Group. As agreed between the group and ServCo, the net defined benefit cost of the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan shall be charged separately. Details on the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan are disclosed below.

 
 Net asset/(liability) under the defined benefit scheme of the Principal 
  Plan 
                                                                     Included within                      Included within 
                                                                           HBAP                                ServCo 
                                                                          Present                 Fair        Present 
                                                              Fair          value                value          value 
                                                             value     of defined  Net defined      of     of defined  Net defined 
                                                           of plan        benefit      benefit    plan        benefit      benefit 
                                                            assets    obligations    liability  assets    obligations    liability 
                                                              HK$m           HK$m         HK$m    HK$m           HK$m         HK$m 
                                                           -------  -------------  -----------  ------  -------------  ----------- 
 At 1 Jan 2019                                              8,402     (9,749)       (1,347)       478       (618)       (140) 
--------------------------------------------------------- 
 Service cost                                                   -       (194)         (194)         -       (182)       (182) 
--------------------------------------------------------- 
 
   *    current service cost                                    -       (194)         (194)         -       (182)       (182) 
---------------------------------------------------------  ------   --------                    -----                  ----- 
 Net interest income/(expense) on the 
  net defined benefit asset/(liability)                        68        (80)          (12)        63        (73)        (10) 
                                                           ------   --------       -------      -----   --------       ----- --- 
 Re-measurement effects recognised 
  in other comprehensive income                               390       (255)          135        416       (168)        248 
                                                           ------   --------       -------      -----   --------       -----  ---- 
 
   *    return on plan assets (excluding interest income)     390          -           390        416          -         416 
 
   *    actuarial losses                                        -       (255)         (255)         -       (168)       (168) 
---------------------------------------------------------  ------   --------       -------      -----   --------       ----- --- 
 Contributions by the group                                   198          -           198        184          -         184 
                                                           ------   --------  ---  -------      -----   --------  ---  -----  ---- 
 Benefits paid                                               (637)       637             -       (460)       460           - 
---------------------------------------------------------  ------   --------  ---  -------      -----   --------  ---  -----  ---- 
 Exchange differences and other movements(1)               (3,767)     4,389           622      3,764     (4,379)       (615) 
---------------------------------------------------------  ------   --------  ---  -------      -----   --------       ----- --- 
 At 31 Dec 2019                                             4,654     (5,252)         (598)     4,445     (4,960)       (515) 
---------------------------------------------------------  ------   --------       -------      -----   --------       ----- --- 
 Retirement benefit liabilities recognised 
  on the balance sheet                                                                (598)                             (515) 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------  -------------  -------      ------  -------------  ----- --- 
 
 
 At 1 Jan 2018                                              9,094   (10,096)  (1,002)  510   (640)  (130) 
                                                            -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 Service cost                                                   -      (372)    (372)    -    (25)   (25) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 
   *    current service cost                                    -      (372)    (372)    -    (25)   (25) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 Net interest income/ (expense) on 
  the net defined benefit asset/(liability)                   153      (167)     (14)    9    (11)    (2) 
                                                            -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 Re-measurement effects recognised 
  in other comprehensive income                              (386)       70     (316)  (22)    17     (5) 
                                                            -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 
   *    return on plan assets (excluding interest income)    (386)        -     (386)  (22)     -    (22) 
 
   *    actuarial gains                                         -        70       70     -     17     17 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 Contributions by the group                                   373         -      373    23      -     23 
                                                            -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 Benefits paid                                               (832)      832        -   (42)    42      - 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 Exchange differences and other movements                       -       (16)     (16)    -     (1)    (1) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                             8,402    (9,749)  (1,347)  478   (618)  (140) 
----------------------------------------------------------  -----   -------   ------   ---   ----   ---- 
 Retirement benefit liabilities recognised 
  on the balance sheet                                                        (1,347)               (140) 
----------------------------------------------------------  ------  --------  ------   ----  -----  ---- 
 

1 Other movements in 2019 included the impact from transfer of employees from the group to ServCo.

The group expects to make HK$402m of contributions to the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan during 2020, which is determined separately for the group and ServCo by reference to the actuarial funding valuation carried out by the Principal Plan's local actuary.

Benefits expected to be paid from the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan over each of the next five years, and in aggregate for the five years thereafter, are as follows:

 
 Benefits expected to be paid from the defined benefit scheme of the 
  Principal Plan(1) 
                                    2020    2021    2022   2023   2024    2025-2029 
 As reported by:                    HK$m    HK$m    HK$m   HK$m   HK$m         HK$m 
 - HBAP                              377     650     545    507    438      1,926 
--------------------------------  ------  ------  ------  -----  -----  --------- 
 - ServCo                            332     475     546    366    411      1,987 
--------------------------------  ------  ------  ------  -----  -----  --------- 
 

1 The duration of the defined benefit obligation is seven years for the Principal Plan under the disclosure assumptions adopted (2018: seven years).

 
 Fair value of plan assets of the defined benefit scheme of the Principal 
  Plan by asset classes 
                                           At 31 Dec 2019                 At 31 Dec 2018 
                                                 Quoted                        Quoted 
                                                 market                        market 
                                               price in                      price in 
                                                 active  Thereof               active    Thereof 
                                       Value     market     HSBC     Value     market       HSBC 
                                        HK$m       HK$m     HK$m      HK$m       HK$m       HK$m 
 Fair value of plan 
  assets                               9,099      9,099       66     8,880      8,880      348 
                                   ---------  ---------  ------- 
 - equities                            2,228      2,228        -     2,234      2,234        - 
 - bonds                               5,433      5,433        -     4,228      4,228        - 
 - other(1)                            1,438      1,438       66     2,418      2,418      348 
---------------------------------  ---------  ---------  -------  --------  ---------  ------- 
 
   1   Other mainly consists of alternative investments and cash and cash deposits. 

The Principal Plan's key actuarial financial assumptions

The group determines the discount rate to be applied to the defined benefit scheme's obligations in consultation with the Principal Plan's local actuary, on the basis of the current average yields of Hong Kong Government bonds and Hong Kong Exchange Fund Notes, with maturities consistent with that of the defined benefit obligations.

The key actuarial assumptions used to calculate the group's obligations for the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan for the year, and used as the basis for measuring the expenses were as follows:

 
 Key actuarial assumptions for the defined benefit scheme of the Principal 
  Plan 
                                    Discount        Rate of                  Mortality 
                                        rate   pay increase                      table 
                                      % p.a.         % p.a. 
 At 31 Dec 2019                         1.75           3.00               HKLT 2018(1) 
                                   ---------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 At 31 Dec 2018                         1.95           3.00               HKLT 2017(2) 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------------------- 
 
   1   HKLT 2018 - Hong Kong Life Tables 2018. 
   2   HKLT 2017 - Hong Kong Life Tables 2017. 

Actuarial assumption sensitivities

The discount rate and rate of pay increase are sensitive to changes in market conditions arising during the reporting period. The following table shows the financial impact of assumption changes on the defined benefit scheme of the Principal Plan at year end:

 
 The effect of changes in key assumptions on the defined benefit scheme 
  of the Principal Plan 
                                                                Impact on HSBC Group Hong 
                                                               Kong Local Staff Retirement 
                                                                Benefit Scheme obligation 
                                                        Financial impact         Financial impact 
                                                           of increase              of decrease 
                                                               2019    2018         2019        2018 
                                                               HK$m    HK$m         HK$m        HK$m 
                                                    ---------------  ------  -----------  ---------- 
 Discount rate - increase/decrease of 0.25%              (173)        (179)      178          185 
                                                    ---------   ---  -----   ------- 
 Pay - increase/decrease of 0.25%                         183          189      (178)        (184) 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----  -----   -------      ------- 
 

Directors' emoluments

The aggregate emoluments of the Directors of the Bank disclosed pursuant to section 4 of the Companies (Disclosure of Information about Benefits of Directors) Regulation were HK$110m (2018: HK$115m). This comprises fees of HK$11m (2018: HK$10m) and other emoluments of HK$99m (2018: HK$105m) which includes contributions to pension schemes of HK$1m (2018: HK$1m). Non-cash benefits which are included in other emoluments mainly relate to share-based payment awards, and the provision of housing and furnishing. Details on loans to directors are set out in note 33.

 
 5   Tax 
    ---- 
 

The Bank and its subsidiaries in Hong Kong have provided for Hong Kong profits tax at the rate of 16.5% (2018: 16.5%) on the profits for the year assessable in Hong Kong. Overseas branches and subsidiaries have similarly provided for tax in the countries in which they operate at the appropriate rates of tax in force in 2019. Deferred taxation is provided for in accordance with the group's accounting policy in note 1.2(m).

 
 Tax expense 
                                                             2019       2018 
                                                             HK$m       HK$m 
 Current tax                                              19,461   20,413 
                                                          ------   ------ 
 - Hong Kong taxation - on current year profit            11,058   12,155 
 - Hong Kong taxation - adjustments in respect of prior 
  years                                                       (7)     (11) 
 - overseas taxation - on current year profit              8,813    8,471 
 - overseas taxation - adjustments in respect of prior 
  years                                                     (403)    (202) 
                                                          ------   ------ 
 Deferred tax                                              1,932    2,054 
                                                          ------   ------ 
 - origination and reversal of temporary differences       1,975    1,938 
 - effect of changes in tax rates                              -       62 
 - adjustments in respect of prior years                     (43)      54 
                                                          ------   ------ 
 Year ended 31 Dec                                        21,393   22,467 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 

Tax reconciliation

The tax charged to the income statement differs from the tax charge that would apply if all profits had been taxed at the applicable tax rates in the countries concerned as follows:

 
 Reconciliation between taxation charge and accounting profit at applicable 
  tax rates 
                                                                  2019        2018 
                                                                  HK$m        HK$m 
 Profit before tax                                            136,433   134,583 
 Notional tax on profit before tax, calculated at the 
  rates applicable to profits in the countries concerned       25,855    25,232 
 Effects of profits in associates and joint ventures           (2,676)   (2,683) 
 Non-taxable income and gains                                  (3,969)   (3,412) 
 Local taxes and overseas withholding taxes                     2,503     1,470 
 Permanent disallowables                                          606     1,132 
 Others                                                          (926)      728 
 Year ended 31 Dec                                             21,393    22,467 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 
 
 Movements of deferred tax assets and liabilities 
                                                               Impairment 
                     Accelerated                                allowance 
                         capital  Insurance      Expense     on financial     Revaluation 
                      allowances   business   provisions      instruments   of properties    Other       Total 
                            HK$m       HK$m         HK$m             HK$m            HK$m     HK$m        HK$m 
 At 31 Dec 2018         (472)       (8,057)       1,419         1,314            (13,673)  (2,729)  (22,198) 
-----------------  ---------      --------   ----------   -----------      -------------   ------   ------- 
 Impact on 
  transition 
  to HKFRS 16              -             -            -             -             (2,664)       -    (2,664) 
 At 1 Jan 2019          (472)       (8,057)       1,419         1,314            (16,337)  (2,729)  (24,862) 
-----------------  ---------      --------   ----------   -----------      -------------   ------   ------- 
 Exchange and 
  other 
  adjustments             (1)            -            7          (107)                25      118        42 
 Charge/(credit) 
  to income 
  statement              324        (2,083)        (138)          271                603     (909)   (1,932) 
----------------- 
 Charge/(credit) 
  to other 
  comprehensive 
  income                   -             -            2             -               (753)    (207)     (958) 
----------------- 
 At 31 Dec 2019         (149)      (10,140)       1,290         1,478            (16,462)  (3,727)  (27,710) 
-----------------  ---------      --------   ----------   -----------      -------------   ------   ------- 
 Assets(1)               183             -        1,290         1,478                  -    2,280     5,231 
 Liabilities(1)         (332)      (10,140)           -             -            (16,462)  (6,007)  (32,941) 
-----------------  ---------      --------   ----------   -----------      -------------   ------   ------- 
 
 
 At 31 Dec 2017            (658)  (7,417)  1,296     491   (13,667)  (2,281)  (22,236) 
-------------------------  ----   ------   -----   -----   -------   ------   ------- 
 Impact on transition 
  to HKFRS 9                 (2)     103      (2)    873         -    1,321     2,293 
-------------------------  ----   ------   -----   -----   -------   ------   ------- 
 At 1 Jan 2018             (660)  (7,314)  1,294   1,364   (13,667)    (960)  (19,943) 
-------------------------  ----   ------   -----   -----   -------   ------   ------- 
 Exchange and other 
  adjustments                 3       27     (60)    117     1,484       51     1,622 
 Charge/(credit) 
  to income statement       185     (770)    185    (167)      310   (1,797)   (2,054) 
 Charge/(credit) 
  to other comprehensive 
  income                      -        -       -       -    (1,800)     (23)   (1,823) 
 At 31 Dec 2018            (472)  (8,057)  1,419   1,314   (13,673)  (2,729)  (22,198) 
-------------------------  ----   ------   -----   -----   -------   ------   ------- 
 Assets(1)                  111        -   1,419   1,314         -    1,870     4,714 
 Liabilities(1)            (583)  (8,057)      -       -   (13,673)  (4,599)  (26,912) 
-------------------------  ----   ------   -----   -----   -------   ------   ------- 
 

1 After netting off balances within countries, the balances as disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements are as follows: deferred tax assets HK$2,179m (2018: HK$2,315m); and deferred tax liabilities HK$29,889m (2018: HK$24,513m).

The amount of unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognised in the balance sheet is HK$3,497m (2018: HK$3,626m). Of this amount, HK$1,939m (2018: HK$1,950m) has no expiry date and the remaining will expire within 10 years.

Deferred tax of HK$3,197m (2018: HK$2,261m) has been provided in respect of distributable reserves or post-acquisition reserves of associates that, on distribution or sale, would attract withholding tax.

Deferred tax is not recognised in respect of the group's investments in subsidiaries and branches where remittance or other realisation is not probable, and for those associates and interests in joint ventures where it has been determined that no additional tax will arise.

 
 6   Dividends 
    ---------- 
 
 
 Dividends to shareholders of the parent company 
                                                   2019              2018 
                                             HK$ per          HK$ per 
                                               share    HK$m    share      HK$m 
 Dividends paid on ordinary shares 
 In respect of previous year: 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  -------- 
 
   *    fourth interim dividend                 0.47  21,958     0.36  16,559 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 In respect of current year: 
 - first interim dividend paid                  0.32  14,963     0.22  10,000 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 - second interim dividend paid                 0.32  14,963     0.22  10,000 
                                             -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 - third interim dividend paid                  0.32  14,963     0.22  10,000 
                                             -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Total                                          1.43  66,847     1.02  46,559 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Distributions on other equity instruments             1,522              881 
 Dividends to shareholders                            68,369           47,440 
-------------------------------------------  -------  ------  -------  ------ 
 

The Directors have declared a fourth interim dividend in respect of the financial year ended 31 December 2019 of HK$0.58 per ordinary share (HK$27,026m) (2018: HK$0.47 per ordinary share (HK$21,958m)).

 
 Total coupons on capital securities classified as equity 
                                                                2019    2018 
                                                                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   881 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ---- 
 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$900m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan (interest 
  rate fixed at 6.51%)(2)                                        150     - 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ---- 
 US$900m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan (interest 
  rate fixed at 6.03%)(2)                                        110     - 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ---- 
 Total                                                         1,522   881 
-------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ---- 
 

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 May and June 2019. 
 
 7   Trading assets 
    --------------- 
 
 
                                        2019       2018 
                                        HK$m       HK$m 
 Treasury and other eligible bills   131,967  140,050 
 Debt securities                     281,555  283,506 
 Equity securities                   177,463  119,475 
 Other(1)                             31,776   15,807 
 At 31 Dec                           622,761  558,838 
-----------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
   1   'Other' includes reverse repos, stock borrowing and other accounts with banks and customers. 
 
 8   Derivatives 
    ------------ 
 
 
 Notional contract amounts and fair values of derivatives by product 
  contract type 
                      Notional contract 
                            amount            Fair value - Assets          Fair value - Liabilities 
                        Trading  Hedging  Trading  Hedging      Total    Trading  Hedging         Total 
                           HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m       HK$m       HK$m     HK$m          HK$m 
                                 -------                               ---------  ------- 
 Foreign Exchange    20,494,866   75,324  150,019      800   150,819     164,831      279    165,110 
 Interest rate       30,656,367  342,609  236,110    3,436   239,546     226,951    3,495    230,446 
 Equity                 657,760        -   13,666        -    13,666      17,751        -     17,751 
 Credit                 664,590        -    6,500        -     6,500       7,170        -      7,170 
 Commodity and 
  other                 140,553        -    2,983        -     2,983       4,626        -      4,626 
 Gross total         52,614,136  417,933  409,278    4,236   413,514     421,329    3,774    425,103 
------------------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  --------   ---------  -------  --------- 
 Offset                                                     (132,872)                       (132,872) 
 At 31 Dec 2019                                              280,642                         292,231 
------------------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  --------   ---------  -------  --------- 
 
 Foreign Exchange    21,492,856   91,274  187,746      909   188,655     186,776    1,529    188,305 
                                                                                  ------- 
 Interest rate       32,926,700  365,130  196,720    2,924   199,644     197,904    2,790    200,694 
 Equity                 574,411        -   17,302        -    17,302      18,619        -     18,619 
                                                                       --------- 
 Credit                 926,082        -    5,967        -     5,967       5,904        -      5,904 
                                                                       --------- 
 Commodity and 
  other                 112,386        -    1,710        -     1,710       2,440        -      2,440 
                                 -------           -------             --------- 
 Gross total         56,032,435  456,404  409,445    3,833   413,278     411,643    4,319    415,962 
------------------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  --------   ---------  -------  --------- 
 Offset                                                     (120,409)                       (120,409) 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                              292,869                         295,553 
------------------  -----------  -------  -------  -------  --------   ---------  -------  --------- 
 

Use of derivatives

The group transacts derivatives for three primary purposes: to create risk management solutions for clients, to manage the portfolio risk arising from client business, and to manage and hedge the group's own risks. Derivatives (except for derivatives which are designated as effective hedging instruments) are held for trading. Within the held for trading classification are two types of derivative instruments: those used in sales and trading activities, and those used for risk management purposes but which for various reasons do not meet the qualifying criteria for hedge accounting. The second category includes derivatives managed in conjunction with financial instruments designated at fair value. These activities are described more fully below.

The group's derivative activities give rise to significant open positions in portfolios of derivatives. These positions are managed constantly to ensure that they remain within acceptable risk levels. When entering into derivative transactions, the group employs the same credit risk management framework to assess and approve potential credit exposures that it uses for traditional lending.

Trading derivatives

Most of the group's derivative transactions relate to sales and trading activities. Sales activities include the structuring and marketing of derivative products to customers to enable them to take, transfer, modify or reduce current or expected risks. Trading activities include market-making and risk management. Market-making entails quoting bid and offer prices to other market participants for the purpose of generating revenues based on spread and volume. Risk management activity is undertaken to manage the risk arising from client transactions, with the principal purpose of retaining client margin. Other derivatives classified as held for trading include non-qualifying hedging derivatives.

Derivatives valued using models with unobservable inputs

Any initial gain or loss on financial instruments where the valuation is dependent on unobservable parameters is deferred over the life of the contract or until the instrument is redeemed, transferred or sold or the fair value becomes observable. All derivatives that are part of qualifying hedging relationships have valuations based on observable market parameters.

The aggregate unobservable inception profit yet to be recognised in the income statement is immaterial.

Hedge accounting derivatives

The group applies hedge accounting to manage the following risks: interest rate, foreign exchange and net investment in foreign operations. The group uses derivatives (principally interest rate and currency swaps) for hedging purposes in the management of its own asset and liability portfolios and structural positions. This enables the group to optimise the overall costs to the group of accessing debt capital markets, and to mitigate the market risk which would otherwise arise from structural imbalances in the maturity and other profiles of its assets and liabilities. The accounting treatment of hedging transactions varies according to the nature of the instrument hedged and the type of hedging transaction. Derivatives may qualify as hedges for accounting purposes if they are fair value hedges, cash flow hedges, or hedges of net investments in foreign operations.

Fair value hedges

The group enters into to fixed-for-floating-interest-rate swaps to manage the exposure to changes in fair value due to movements in market interest rates on certain fixed rate financial instruments which are not measured at fair value through profit or loss, including debt securities held and issued.

Sources of hedge ineffectiveness may arise from basis risk including but not limited to the discount rates used for calculating the fair value of derivatives, hedges using instruments with a non-zero fair value and notional and timing differences between the hedged items and hedging instruments.

For some debt securities held, the group manages interest rate risk in a dynamic risk management strategy. The assets in scope of this strategy are high quality fixed-rate debt securities, which may be sold to meet liquidity and funding requirements.

The interest rate risk of the group's fixed rate debt securities issued is managed in a non-dynamic risk management strategy.

Cash flow hedges

The group's cash flow hedging instruments consist principally of interest rate swaps and cross-currency swaps that are used to manage the variability in future interest cash flows of non-trading financial assets and liabilities, arising due to changes in market interest rates and foreign-currency basis.

The group applies macro cash flow hedging for interest-rate risk exposures on portfolios of replenishing current and forecasted issuances of non-trading assets and liabilities that bear interest at variable rates, including rolling such instruments. The amounts and timing of future cash flows, representing both principal and interest flows, are projected for each portfolio of financial assets and liabilities on the basis of their contractual terms and other relevant factors, including estimates of prepayments and defaults. The aggregate cash flows representing both principal balances and interest cash flows across all portfolios are used to determine the effectiveness and ineffectiveness. Macro cash flow hedges are considered to be dynamic hedges.

The group also hedges the variability in future cash-flows on foreign-denominated financial assets and liabilities arising due to changes in foreign exchange market rates with cross-currency swaps; these are considered non-dynamic hedges.

Interest rate benchmark reform: Amendments to HKFRS 9 and HKAS 39 'Financial Instruments'

Following the request received by the Financial Stability Board from the G20, a fundamental review and reform of the major interest rate benchmarks is under way across the world's largest financial markets. This reform was not contemplated when HKAS 39 was published, and consequently, the International Accounting Standards Board has published a set of temporary exceptions from applying specific hedge accounting requirements to provide clarification on how the standard should be applied in these circumstances.

Amendments to HKFRS 9 and HKAS 39 were issued in November 2019 and modify specific hedge accounting requirements. Under these temporary exceptions, Inter-Bank Offered Rates ('IBORs') are assumed to continue unaltered for the purposes of hedge accounting until such time as the uncertainty is resolved.

The application of this set of temporary exceptions is mandatory for accounting periods starting on or after 1 January 2020, but early adoption is permitted and the group has elected to apply these exceptions for the year ended 31 December 2019. Significant judgement will be required in determining when uncertainty is expected to be resolved and therefore when the temporary exceptions will cease to apply. However, at 31 December 2019, the uncertainty continued to exist and so the temporary exceptions apply to all of the group's hedge accounting relationships that reference benchmarks subject to reform or replacement.

The group has cash flow and fair value hedge accounting relationships that are exposed to different IBORs, predominantly US dollar Libor. Derivatives, loans, bonds, and other financial instruments designated in relationships referencing these benchmarks will transition to new risk-free rates ('RFRs') in different ways and at different times. External progress on the transition to RFRs is being monitored, with the objective of ensuring a smooth transition for the group's hedge accounting relationships. The specific issues arising will vary with the details of each hedging relationship, but may arise due to the transition of existing products included in the designation, a change in expected volumes of products to be issued, a change in contractual terms of new products issued, or a combination of these factors. Some hedges may need to be de-designated and new relationships entered into, while others may survive the market-wide benchmarks reform.

The hedge accounting relationships that are affected by the adoption of the temporary exceptions hedge items presented in the balance sheet as 'Financial investments', 'Loans and advances to customers', 'Debt securities in issue', and 'Deposits by banks'.

At 31 December 2019, HK$252,443 million of the notional amounts of interest rate derivatives designated in hedge accounting relationships represent the extent of the risk exposure managed by the group that is directly affected by market-wide benchmarks reform and impacted by the temporary exceptions. The group has also designated hedge accounting relationships which involve cross currency swaps, although the amount is not significant.

The notional contract amounts of interest rate derivatives designated in qualifying hedge accounting relationships indicate the nominal value of transactions outstanding at the balance sheet date; they do not represent amounts at risk.

Risks and governance regarding the impact of the market-wide benchmarks reform is set out in the Risk section of the Annual Report and Accounts 2019.

 
 9   Financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily measured at 
      fair value through profit 
      or loss 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
 
                                             2019                               2018 
                                           Mandatorily                       Mandatorily 
                               Designated     measured           Designated     measured 
                                  at fair      at fair              at fair      at fair 
                                    value        value    Total       value        value      Total 
                                     HK$m         HK$m     HK$m        HK$m         HK$m       HK$m 
                                                                 ---------- 
 Treasury and other eligible 
  bills                                 -          234      234         107          220      327 
                                           ----------- 
 Debt securities                   13,350        6,733   20,083      13,380        6,134   19,514 
                                           ----------- 
 Equity securities                      -      120,047  120,047           -       99,836   99,836 
-----------------------------              ----------- 
 Other(1)                               -       13,147   13,147           -       13,182   13,182 
-----------------------------  ----------  -----------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------- 
 At 31 Dec                         13,350      140,161  153,511      13,487      119,372  132,859 
-----------------------------  ----------  -----------  -------  ----------  -----------  ------- 
 
   1   'Other' primarily includes loans and advance to banks and customers. 
 
 10   Loans and advances to customers 
---  -------------------------------- 
 
 
                                               2019          2018 
                                               HK$m          HK$m 
 Gross loans and advances to customers   3,738,269   3,545,258 
 Expected credit loss allowances           (17,394)    (16,556) 
                                         --------- 
 At 31 Dec                               3,720,875   3,528,702 
---------------------------------------  ---------   --------- 
 

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

 
 Analysis of gross loans and advances to customers 
                                        2019         2018 
                                        HK$m         HK$m 
---------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Residential mortgages             1,027,087    937,666 
 Credit card advances                 94,582     93,200 
 Other personal                      281,087    236,133 
---------------------------------  --------- 
 Total personal                    1,402,756  1,266,999 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Real estate                         666,380    626,120 
 Wholesale and retail trade          418,669    433,734 
 Manufacturing                       418,822    424,813 
 Transportation and storage           86,912     95,773 
 Other                               494,416    484,186 
                                   ---------  --------- 
 Total corporate and commercial    2,085,199  2,064,626 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Non-bank financial institutions     250,314    213,633 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 At 31 Dec                         3,738,269  3,545,258 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 By geography(1) 
---------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Hong Kong                         2,399,867  2,282,909 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Rest of Asia Pacific              1,338,402  1,262,349 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

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

Finance lease receivables and hire purchase contracts

The group leases a variety of assets to third parties under finance leases. At the end of lease terms, assets may be sold to third parties or leased for further terms. Rentals are calculated to recover the cost of assets less their residual value, and earn finance income. Loans and advances to customers include receivables under finance leases and hire purchase contracts having the characteristics of finance leases.

 
 Net investment in finance leases and hire purchase contracts 
                                               2019                           2018 
                                       Total                         Total 
                                      future  Unearned              future  Unearned 
                                     minimum   finance  Present    minimum   finance    Present 
                                    payments    income    value   payments    income      value 
                                        HK$m      HK$m     HK$m       HK$m      HK$m       HK$m 
 Amounts receivable 
 - within one year                     3,214     (639)   2,575       2,990     (640)   2,350 
 - after one year but within 
  five years                             N/A       N/A      N/A      8,622   (2,097)   6,525 
                                              --------  ------- 
 - one to two years                    2,955     (572)   2,383         N/A       N/A        N/A 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------   ------   ---------  --------  --------- 
 - two to three years                  2,593     (529)   2,064         N/A       N/A        N/A 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------   ------   ---------  --------  --------- 
 - three to four years                 2,204     (496)   1,708         N/A       N/A        N/A 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------   ------   ---------  --------  --------- 
 - four to five years                  1,936     (464)   1,472         N/A       N/A        N/A 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------   ------   ---------  --------  --------- 
 - after five years                   23,195   (3,567)  19,628      23,346   (3,819)  19,527 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------   ------   ---------  -------   ------ 
                                      36,097   (6,267)  29,830      34,958   (6,556)  28,402 
---------------------------------  ---------  -------   ------   ---------  -------   ------ 
 Expected credit loss allowances                          (175)                         (117) 
 At 31 Dec                                              29,655                        28,285 
---------------------------------  ---------  --------  ------   ---------  --------  ------ 
 
 
 11   Financial investments 
---  ---------------------- 
 
 
                                                             2019         2018 
                                                             HK$m         HK$m 
 Financial investments measured at fair value through 
  other comprehensive income                            1,465,998  1,503,625 
                                                        ---------  --------- 
 - treasury and other eligible bills                      606,738    660,871 
 - debt securities                                        850,623    836,896 
 - equity securities                                        8,637      5,858 
------------------------------------------------------  --------- 
 Debt instruments measured at amortised cost              434,300    367,401 
                                                        ---------  --------- 
 - treasury and other eligible bills                        5,049      3,624 
 - debt securities                                        429,251    363,777 
------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 At 31 Dec                                              1,900,298  1,871,026 
------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 Equity instruments measured at fair value through other 
  comprehensive income 
                                                                            ----------  ------------- 
                                                             2019                      2018 
                                                                 Dividends                  Dividends 
                                                   Fair value   recognised  Fair value     recognised 
 Type of equity instruments                              HK$m         HK$m        HK$m           HK$m 
                                                   ----------  -----------  ----------  ------------- 
 Business facilitation                                  7,906          141       5,137          155 
 Investments required by central institutions             376            7         356            3 
                                                   ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------- 
 Others                                                   355            5         365            5 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------- 
 At 31 Dec                                              8,637          153       5,858          163 
-------------------------------------------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 
 12   Assets pledged, assets transferred and collateral received 
---  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 

Assets pledged

 
 Financial assets pledged to secure liabilities 
                                                   2019       2018 
                                                   HK$m       HK$m 
 Treasury bills and other eligible securities    88,365   66,706 
 Loans and advances to banks                        228      893 
 Loans and advances to customers                 12,806   15,813 
 Debt securities                                 76,019   65,784 
 Equity securities                               11,648    3,894 
 Other                                           52,473   42,598 
 Assets pledged at 31 Dec                       241,539  195,688 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Amount of liabilities secured                  208,436  162,036 
----------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The table above shows assets where a charge has been granted to secure liabilities on a legal and contractual basis. These transactions are conducted under terms that are usual and customary to collateralised transactions including sale and repurchase agreements, securities lending, derivative margining, and include assets pledged to cover short positions and to facilitate settlement processes with clearing houses.

Hong Kong currency notes in circulation are secured by the deposit of funds in respect of which the Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness are held.

Financial assets pledged as collateral which the counterparty has the right to sell or repledge was HK$63,194m (2018: HK$54,953m).

Assets transferred

 
 Transferred financial assets not qualifying for full derecognition 
  and associated financial liabilities 
                                                   2019                         2018 
                                        --------------------------  --------------------------- 
                                              Carrying amount             Carrying amount 
                                                    of:                          of: 
                                         Transferred    Associated  Transferred      Associated 
                                              assets   liabilities       assets     liabilities 
                                                HK$m          HK$m         HK$m            HK$m 
 Repurchase agreements                        98,929        94,296       70,492        59,118 
 Securities lending agreements                15,270           114        6,702           870 
                                             114,199        94,410       77,194        59,988 
--------------------------------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
 

The financial assets shown above include amounts transferred to third parties that do not qualify for derecognition, notably debt securities held by counterparties as collateral under repurchase agreements and equity securities lent under securities lending agreements. As the substance of these transactions is secured borrowings, the collateral assets continue to be recognised in full and the related liabilities, reflecting the group's obligation to repurchase the transferred assets for a fixed price at a future date, are also recognised on the balance sheet. As a result of these transactions, the group is unable to use, sell or pledge the transferred assets for the duration of the transactions. The group remains exposed to interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk on these pledged instruments. The counterparty's recourse is not limited to the transferred assets.

Collateral received

Assets accepted as collateral relate primarily to standard securities lending, reverse repurchase agreements and derivative margining. These transactions are conducted under terms that are usual and customary to standard securities lending, reverse repurchase agreements and derivative margining.

 
 Fair value of collateral accepted as security for assets 
                                                             2019       2018 
                                                             HK$m       HK$m 
 Fair value of collateral permitted to sell or repledge 
  in the absence of default                               556,634  512,242 
 Fair value of collateral actually sold or repledged       95,154  112,832 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 
 13   Investments in subsidiaries 
---  ---------------------------- 
 
 
 Main subsidiaries of the Bank 
                                                                                                The group's 
                                                                                                interest in 
                                                                                               issued share 
                                                                                         capital/registered 
                                                                                                 or charter 
                                         Place of incorporation   Principal activity                capital 
 Hang Seng Bank Limited                               Hong Kong              Banking           62.14% 
                                                                                      -------------- ---- 
                                         People's Republic 
 HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited        of China                           Banking             100% 
                                                                                      -------------- ---- 
 HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad                             Malaysia              Banking             100% 
                                                                                      -------------- ---- 
 HSBC Bank Australia Limited(1)                       Australia              Banking             100% 
                                                                                      -------------- ---- 
 HSBC Bank (Taiwan) Limited(1)                           Taiwan              Banking             100% 
                                                                                      -------------- ---- 
 HSBC Bank (Singapore) Limited                        Singapore              Banking             100% 
                                                                                      -------------- ---- 
                                                                          Retirement 
                                                                        benefits and 
 HSBC Life (International) Limited(1)                   Bermuda       life insurance             100% 
--------------------------------------  -----------------------  -------------------  -------------- ---- 
 
   1   Held indirectly. 

All the above subsidiaries are included in the group's consolidated financial statements. All these subsidiaries make their financial statements up to 31 December.

The principal places of business are the same as the places of incorporation except for HSBC Life (International) Limited which operates mainly in Hong Kong.

The proportion of voting rights held is the same as the proportion of ownership interest held.

The main subsidiaries are regulated banking and insurance entities in the Asia-Pacific region and, as such, are required to maintain certain minimum levels of capital and liquid assets to support their operations. The effect of these regulatory requirements is to limit the extent to which the subsidiaries may transfer funds to the Bank in the form of repayment of shareholder loans or cash dividends.

 
 Subsidiary with significant non-controlling interest 
                                                                2019         2018 
---------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Hang Seng Bank Limited 
 Proportion of ownership interests and voting rights 
  held by non-controlling interests                           37.86%       37.86% 
                                                                HK$m         HK$m 
 Profit attributable to non-controlling interests              9,386      9,144 
 Accumulated non-controlling interests of the subsidiary      63,363     58,750 
 Dividends paid to non-controlling interests                   5,646      5,066 
 Summarised financial information (before intra-group 
  eliminations): 
 - total assets                                            1,676,721  1,571,297 
 - total liabilities                                       1,497,804  1,409,190 
 - net operating income before change in expected credit 
  losses and other credit impairment charges                  43,549     41,493 
 - profit for the year                                        24,822     24,188 
 - other comprehensive income for the year                     2,376        400 
                                                           ---------  --------- 
 - total comprehensive income for the year                    27,198     24,588 
---------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 14   Interests in associates and joint ventures 
---  ------------------------------------------- 
 

Associates

 
                           2019        2018 
                           HK$m        HK$m 
 Share of net assets   148,154   139,052 
                       ------- 
 Goodwill                3,787     3,857 
 Impairment                (24)      (24) 
---------------------  -------   ------- 
 At 31 Dec             151,917   142,885 
---------------------  -------   ------- 
 

The above balance represented the group's interests in associates.

Principal associate

 
                                                                 The group's interest 
                                                                      in issued share 
                                        Place of incorporation                capital 
                                        People's Republic 
 Bank of Communications Co., Limited     of China                              19.03% 
-------------------------------------  ------------------------  -------------------- 
 

Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. is listed on recognised stock exchanges. The fair value represents valuation based on the quoted market price of the shares held (Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy) and amounted to HK$78,311m at 31 December 2019

(2018: HK$86,086m).

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 Technical Cooperation and Exchange Programme ('TCEP'). Under the TCEP, a number of 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 31 December 2019, 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 31 December 2019 as the recoverable amount as determined by a value-in-use ('VIU') calculation was higher than the carrying value.

 
                                At 
               31 Dec 2019              31 Dec 2018 
                Carrying    Fair         Carrying    Fair 
           VIU     value   value    VIU     value   value 
         HK$bn     HK$bn   HK$bn  HK$bn     HK$bn   HK$bn 
                                  -----  --------  ------ 
 BoCom   167.8     148.4    78.3  141.3     139.6    86.1 
-------  -----  --------  ------  -----  --------  ------ 
 
 

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% (2018: 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% (2018: 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% (2018: 11.82%) 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 10.0% to 15.0% (2018: 10.4% to 15.0%) indicated by external sources.

-- Expected credit losses as a percentage of customer advances: 0.95% (2018: ranges from 0.73% to 0.79%) in the short to medium term and reflect increases due to the US-China trade tensions and BoCom's actual results. For periods after 2023, the ratio is 0.76% (2018: 0.70%). This ratio was increased to provide greater weighting to the most recent data points and analyst forecasts.

-- Risk-weighted assets as a percentage of total assets: 61% (2018: 62%) for all forecast periods. This is consistent with BoCom's actual results and slightly higher than the forecasts disclosed by external analysts.

-- Cost - income ratio: ranges from 37.1% to 38.8% (2018: 38.7% to 39.0%) in the short to medium term. This is slightly above BoCom's actual results in recent years and within the range of forecasts disclosed by external analysts.

-- Effective tax rate: ranges from 12.0% to 17.0% (2018: 13.8% to 22.3%) 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% (2018: 22.5%) which is slightly higher than the historical average.

-- Capital requirements: Capital adequacy ratio: 11.5% (2018: 11.5%) and Tier 1 capital adequacy ratio: 9.5% (2018: 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 96 basis points 
 
   *    Long-term asset growth rate 
                                                                 *    Increase by 78 basis points 
 
   *    Discount rate 
                                                                 *    Increase by 118 basis points 
 
   *    Expected credit losses as a percentage of customer 
        advances                                                 *    Increase by 15 basis points 
 
 
   *    Risk-weighted assets as a percentage of total assets     *    Increase by 607 basis points 
 
 
   *    Cost-income ratio                                        *    Increase by 363 basis points 
 
 
   *    Long-term effective tax rate                             *    Increase by 875 basis points 
 
 
   *    Capital requirements - capital adequacy ratio            *    Increase by 114 basis points 
 
 
   *    Capital requirements - tier 1 capital adequacy ratio     *    Increase by 187 basis points 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------------------------------------ 
 

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 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 
                                        ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 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 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 Earnings in short to medium 
  term - compound annual growth 
  rate (1)                                         +107     3.8      171.6                 -346    (18.9)  148.9 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 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 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 
 At 31 December 2018 
 Long-term profit growth rate                      +100    20.2      161.5                  -10     (1.7)  139.6 
                                        --------------- 
 Long-term asset growth rate                        -10     2.0      143.3                 +100    (21.7)  119.6 
                                                                                --------------- 
 Discount rate                                     -142    25.4      166.7                  +28     (4.0)  137.3 
                                                                                --------------- 
                                                2018 to                                 2018 to 
                                               2022: 70                                2022: 83 
 Expected credit losses as a              2023 onwards:                           2023 onwards: 
  percentage of customer advances                    65     7.0      148.3                   77     (7.9)  133.4 
--------------------------------------                   ------ 
 Risk-weighted assets as a percentage 
  of total assets                                  -140     4.1      145.4                  +80     (2.3)  139.0 
 Cost-income ratio                                 -160     8.8      150.1                 +200    (10.9)  130.4 
                                        ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 Long-term effective tax rate                      -280     5.3      146.6                 +250     (4.6)  136.7 
                                        ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 Earnings in short to medium 
  term - compound annual growth 
  rate (1,2)                                       +204     8.1      149.4                 -366    (14.2)  127.1 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 Capital requirements - capital 
  adequacy ratio                                      -       -      141.3                 +258    (39.4)  101.9 
                                        ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 Capital requirements - tier 
  1 capital adequacy ratio                            -       -      141.3                 +243    (25.2)  116.1 
--------------------------------------  ---------------  ------      -----      ---------------  -------   ----- 
 
   1   Based on management's explicit forecasts over the short to medium term. 

2 Comparatives on 31 December 2018 have been updated to align with the 2019 approach to describe the impact of the change in isolation.

Considering the interrelationship of the changes set out in the table above, management estimates that the reasonably possible range of VIU is HK$144.3bn to HK$177.2bn (2018: HK$121.4bn to HK$153.5bn). 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.

Selected financial information of BoCom

The statutory accounting reference date of BoCom is 31 December. For the year ended 31 December 2019, the group included the associate's results on the basis of financial statements made up for the 12 months to 30 September 2019, but taking into account the financial effect of significant transactions or events in the period from 1 October 2019 to 31 December 2019.

 
 Selected balance sheet information of BoCom 
                                                                ----------  ------------ 
                                                                        At 30 Sep 
                                                                      2019          2018 
                                                                      HK$m          HK$m 
                                                                ---------- 
 Cash and balances at central banks                                874,238     982,268 
 Loans and advances to banks and other financial institutions      841,420     806,561 
 Loans and advances to customers                                 5,689,981   5,380,339 
 Other financial assets                                          3,394,004   3,196,602 
 Other assets                                                      315,310     332,795 
 Total assets                                                   11,114,953  10,698,565 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Deposits by banks and other financial institutions              2,262,654   2,384,086 
 Customer accounts                                               6,765,782   6,497,116 
 Other financial liabilities                                     1,026,377     743,278 
 Other liabilities                                                 179,723     284,560 
 Total liabilities                                              10,234,536   9,909,040 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 Total equity(1)                                                   880,417     789,525 
--------------------------------------------------------------  ----------  ---------- 
 

1 Due to the adoption of HKFRS 16, the equity balance of BoCom as at 1 January 2019 was reduced by HK$709m.

 
 Reconciliation of BoCom's net assets to carrying amount in the group's 
  consolidated financial statements 
                                                                  At 30 Sep 
                                                                  2019        2018 
                                                                  HK$m        HK$m 
                                                          ------------  ---------- 
 The group's share of ordinary shareholders' equity        144,727      135,871 
 Goodwill                                                    3,687        3,753 
 Carrying amount                                           148,414      139,624 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------      ------- 
 
 Selected income statement information of BoCom 
                                                              For the 12 months 
                                                                 ended 30 Sep 
                                                                  2019        2018 
                                                                  HK$m        HK$m 
 Net interest income                                       161,079      151,223 
 Net fee and commission income                              50,233       48,949 
 Change in expected credit losses                          (58,603)     (43,907) 
 Depreciation and amortisation                             (15,152)      (6,012) 
 Tax expense                                               (12,822)     (12,178) 
 - profit for the year                                      87,556       87,122 
 - other comprehensive income                                2,470        1,490 
 Total comprehensive income                                 90,026       88,612 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------      ------- 
 Dividends received from BoCom                               4,810        4,792 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------      ------- 
 

At 31 December 2019, the group's share of associates' contingent liabilities was HK$305,291m (2018: HK$319,469m).

 
 15   Goodwill and intangible assets 
---  ------------------------------- 
 

Goodwill and intangible assets include goodwill arising on business combinations, the present value of in-force long-term insurance business, and other intangible assets.

 
                                                            2019      2018 
                                                            HK$m      HK$m 
 Goodwill                                                  6,315   5,932 
 Present value of in-force long-term insurance business   61,075  48,522 
 Other intangible assets(1)                               14,253  10,650 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 Dec                                                81,643  65,104 
--------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

1 Included within other intangible assets is internally generated software with a net carrying value of HK$11,851m (2018: HK$8,010m). During the year, capitalisation of internally generated software was HK$6,219m (2018: HK$4,499m) and amortisation was HK$2,264m (2018: HK$1,566m).

The present value of in-force long-term insurance business

When calculating the present value of in-force long term ('PVIF') insurance business, expected cash flows are projected after adjusting for a variety of assumptions made by each insurance operation to reflect local market conditions and management's judgement of future trends, and uncertainty in the underlying assumptions is reflected by applying margins (as opposed to a cost of capital methodology). Variations in actual experience and changes to assumptions can contribute to volatility in the results of the insurance business.

Actuarial Control Committees of each key insurance entity meet on a quarterly basis to review and approve PVIF assumptions. All changes to non-economic assumptions, economic assumptions that are not observable and model methodology must be approved by the Actuarial Control Committee.

 
 Movements in PVIF 
                                                                2019       2018 
                                                                HK$m       HK$m 
 As at 31 Dec                                                48,522   44,621 
 Impact on transition to HKFRS 9                                 N/A    (616) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------ 
 At 1 Jan                                                    48,522   44,005 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Changes in PVIF of long-term insurance business             12,546    4,629 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 - value of new business written during the year              8,779    8,138 
 - expected return(1)                                        (5,531)  (4,650) 
 - assumption changes and experience variances (see below)    9,386    1,153 
 - other adjustments                                            (88)     (12) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 Exchange differences and other                                   7     (112) 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 At 31 Dec                                                   61,075   48,522 
-----------------------------------------------------------  ------   ------ 
 

1 'Expected return' represents the unwinding of the discount rate and reversal of expected cash flows for the period.

Assumption changes and experience variances

Included within this line item are:

-- HK$8,829m (2018: HK$(439)m), directly offsetting regulatory-driven changes to the valuation of liabilities under insurance contracts.

-- HK$282m (2018: HK$3,566m), reflecting the future expected sharing of returns with policyholders on contracts with discretionary participation features ('DPF'), to the extent this sharing is not already included in liabilities under insurance contracts.

   --    HK$275m (2018: HK$(1,974)m), driven by other assumptions changes and experience variances. 

Key assumptions used in the computation of PVIF for the main life insurance operations

Economic assumptions are set in a way that is consistent with observable market values. The valuation of PVIF is sensitive to observed market movements. The following are the key long-term assumptions used in the computation of PVIF for Hong Kong insurance entities, being the main life insurance operations:

 
                                       2019  2018 
                                          %     % 
 Weighted average risk free rate       1.84  2.29 
                                       ---- 
 Weighted average risk discount rate   5.44  5.90 
                                       ---- 
 Expense inflation                     3.00  3.00 
-------------------------------------  ----  ---- 
 

Sensitivity to changes in economic assumptions

The group sets the risk discount rate applied to the PVIF calculation by starting from a risk-free rate curve and adding explicit allowances for risks not reflected in the best-estimate cash flow modelling. Where the insurance operations provide options and guarantees to policyholders, the cost of these options and guarantees is an explicit reduction to PVIF, unless it is already allowed for as an explicit addition to the technical provisions required by regulators. See page 49 for further details of these guarantees and the impact of changes in economic assumptions on our insurance manufacturing subsidiaries.

Sensitivity to changes in non-economic assumptions

Policyholder liabilities and PVIF are determined by reference to non-economic assumptions, including mortality and/or morbidity, lapse rates and expense rates. See page 50 for further details on the impact of changes in non-economic assumptions on our insurance manufacturing operations.

 
 16   Property, plant and equipment 
---  ------------------------------ 
 
 
                                             2019       2018 
                                             HK$m       HK$m 
 Owned property, plant and equipment(1)   128,603  112,080 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Other right-of-use assets(2)               9,327        N/A 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------- 
 At 31 Dec                                137,930  112,080 
----------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

1 Included leasehold land and buildings of HK$119,264m for which the rights of use are considered sufficient to constitute control. They are therefore presented as owned assets.

2 The group adopted the requirements of HKFRS 16 on 1 January 2019 and recognised lease liabilities and the associated right-of-use assets in relation to leases which had previously been classified as 'operating leases' in accordance with HKAS 17 'Leases'.

 
 Movement in owned property, plant and equipment 
                                                                                                     ---------- 
                                         2019                                          2018 
                          Land                                          Land 
                           and    Investment                             and  Investment 
                     buildings    properties  Equipment     Total  buildings  properties  Equipment       Total 
                          HK$m          HK$m       HK$m      HK$m       HK$m        HK$m       HK$m        HK$m 
 Cost or valuation 
 At 31 Dec of prior 
  year                 94,037     12,875        22,728   129,640     97,619      12,617     22,617   132,853 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------   --------   ---------   --------   ------- 
 Impact on 
  transition 
  to HKFRS 16          16,284          -             -    16,284         N/A         N/A        N/A         N/A 
-------------------  --------   --------      --------   -------              ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 1 Jan             110,321     12,875        22,728   145,924     97,619      12,617     22,617   132,853 
-------------------  --------   --------      --------   -------   --------   ---------   --------   ------- 
 Exchange and other 
  adjustments            (119)       (12)         (152)     (283)      (497)          1       (342)     (838) 
                     --------   --------      --------   ------- 
 Additions              1,034        447         1,853     3,334        271         278      1,097     1,646 
                     --------   --------      --------   ------- 
 Disposals                 (2)         -          (903)     (905)      (361)          -       (644)   (1,005) 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------              --------- 
 Transfers(1)               -          -        (6,604)   (6,604)   (11,126)       (464)         -   (11,590) 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------              ---------   --------   ------- 
 Elimination of 
  accumulated 
  depreciation on 
  revalued 
  land and 
  buildings            (4,306)         -             -    (4,306)    (2,613)          -          -    (2,613) 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------              ---------   --------   ------- 
 Surplus on 
  revaluation           4,426        154             -     4,580     10,626         639          -    11,265 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------                          --------   ------- 
 Reclassifications        119       (129)            -       (10)       118        (196)         -       (78) 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------                          --------   ------- 
 At 31 Dec            111,473     13,335        16,922   141,730     94,037      12,875     22,728   129,640 
-------------------  --------   --------      --------   -------   --------   ---------   --------   ------- 
 
 Accumulated 
 depreciation 
 At 1 Jan                  73          -        17,487    17,560        210           -     16,307    16,517 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------              --------- 
 Exchange and other 
  adjustments               6          -           (56)      (50)        (2)          -       (251)     (253) 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------              --------- 
 Charge for the 
  year                  4,312          -         1,308     5,620      2,643           -      2,043     4,686 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------              --------- 
 Disposals                 (1)         -          (874)     (875)      (165)          -       (612)     (777) 
-------------------  --------   --------      --------   -------   --------   ---------   --------   ------- 
 Transfers(1)               -          -        (4,822)   (4,822)        N/A         N/A        N/A         N/A 
-------------------  --------   --------      --------   -------   ---------  ----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Elimination of 
  accumulated 
  depreciation on 
  revalued 
  land and 
  buildings            (4,306)         -             -    (4,306)    (2,613)          -          -    (2,613) 
                     --------   --------      --------   -------              ---------   --------   ------- 
 At 31 Dec                 84          -        13,043    13,127         73           -     17,487    17,560 
-------------------  --------   --------      --------   -------   --------   ---------   --------   ------- 
 Net book value at 
  31 
  Dec                 111,389     13,335         3,879   128,603     93,964      12,875      5,241   112,080 
-------------------  --------   --------      --------   -------   --------   ---------   --------   ------- 
 

1 In both 2018 and 2019, certain properties and equipment have been transferred to a fellow subsidiary as part of the Recovery and Resolution Plan as set out in the Report of the Directors. The balance represented the carrying value of these properties on the date of transfer.

The carrying amount of land and buildings, had they been stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, would have been as follows:

 
                                        2019      2018 
                                        HK$m      HK$m 
 Cost less accumulated depreciation   16,895  16,281 
------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
 

Valuation of land and buildings and investment properties

The group's land and buildings and investment properties were revalued as at 31 December 2019. The basis of valuation for land and buildings and investment properties was open market value. The resultant values are Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values for land and buildings are determined by using a direct comparison approach which values the properties in their respective existing states and uses, assuming sale with immediate vacant possession and by making reference to comparable sales evidence. The valuations take into account the characteristics of the properties (unobservable inputs) which include the location, size, shape, view, floor level, year of completion and other factors collectively. The premium or discount applied to the characteristics of the properties is within minus 20% and plus 20%. In determining the open market value of investment properties, expected future cash flows have been discounted to their present values. The net book value of 'Land and buildings' includes HK$7,859m (2018: HK$8,374m) in respect of properties which were valued using the depreciated replacement cost method.

Valuation of land and buildings and investment properties in Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China were largely carried out by Cushman & Wakefield Limited, who have recent experience in the location and type of properties and who are members of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. This represents 93% by value of the group's properties subject to valuation. Other properties were valued by different independent professionally qualified valuers.

 
 17   Prepayments, accrued income and other assets 
---  --------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                                 2019       2018 
                                                                 HK$m       HK$m 
 Prepayments and accrued income                                28,326   27,897 
                                                              ------- 
 Bullion                                                       53,163   50,058 
                                                              ------- 
 Acceptances and endorsements                                  47,302   44,401 
                                                              ------- 
 Reinsurers' share of liabilities under insurance contracts 
  (note 3)                                                     26,282   17,792 
                                                              ------- 
 Current tax assets                                             1,521    1,517 
                                                              ------- 
 Settlement accounts                                           27,289   23,683 
 Cash collateral and margin receivables                        35,824   30,378 
                                                              ------- 
 Other assets                                                  28,551   34,223 
                                                              ------- 
 At 31 Dec                                                    248,258  229,949 
------------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Prepayments, accrued income and other assets included HK$165,497m (2018: HK$159,483m) of financial assets, the majority of which were measured at amortised cost.

 
 18   Customer accounts 
---  ------------------ 
 
 
 Customer accounts by country/territory 
                            2019          2018 
                            HK$m          HK$m 
 Hong Kong             3,894,175   3,797,807 
 Mainland China          376,390     358,026 
------------------- 
 Singapore               378,303     331,479 
------------------- 
 Australia               180,637     161,726 
 India                   116,330     111,297 
------------------- 
 Malaysia                113,907     108,899 
------------------- 
 Taiwan                  114,250     106,537 
 Indonesia                36,861      29,843 
 Other                   221,571     202,052 
-------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 At 31 Dec             5,432,424   5,207,666 
-------------------  -----------  ---------- 
 
 
 19   Trading liabilities 
---  -------------------- 
 
 
                                       2019      2018 
                                       HK$m      HK$m 
 Deposits by banks(1)                   159   1,162 
-----------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Customer accounts(1)                 1,150     773 
-----------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Net short positions in securities   86,223  79,259 
-----------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 Dec                           87,532  81,194 
-----------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
   1   'Deposits by banks' and 'Customer accounts' include repos, stock lending and other amounts. 
 
 20   Financial liabilities designated at fair value 
---  ----------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                          2019       2018 
                                                          HK$m       HK$m 
 Deposits by banks and customer accounts                74,761   82,136 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Debt securities in issue                               48,506   42,369 
                                                       ------- 
 Liabilities to customers under investment contracts    37,024   36,638 
 At 31 Dec                                             160,291  161,143 
-----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

The carrying amount of financial liabilities designated at fair value was HK$1,216m higher than the contractual amount at maturity (2018: HK$2,232m lower). The cumulative loss in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk was HK$6m loss (2018: HK$177m gain).

 
 21   Debt securities in issue 
---  ------------------------- 
 
 
                                                              2019        2018 
                                                              HK$m        HK$m 
 Bonds and medium-term note                                90,365    75,980 
                                                          ------- 
 Other debt securities in issue                            65,074    24,625 
                                                          ------- 
 Total debt securities in issue                           155,439   100,605 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 Included within: 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------  ---------- 
 - financial liabilities designated at fair value (note 
  20)                                                     (48,506)  (42,369) 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 At 31 Dec                                                106,933    58,236 
--------------------------------------------------------  -------   ------- 
 
 
 22   Accruals and deferred income, other liabilities and provisions 
---  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                         2019       2018 
                                                         HK$m       HK$m 
                                                      ------- 
 Accruals and deferred income                          25,600   26,932 
                                                      ------- 
 Acceptances and endorsements                          47,355   44,438 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Settlement accounts                                   35,807   37,833 
                                                      ------- 
 Cash collateral and margin payables                   40,299   36,613 
                                                      ------- 
 Share-based payment liability to HSBC Holdings plc     1,417    1,923 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Lease liabilities                                      9,291        N/A 
                                                      ------- 
 Other liabilities                                     41,687   47,521 
                                                      ------- 
 Provisions for liabilities and charges                 1,796    1,405 
                                                      ------- 
 At 31 Dec                                            203,252  196,665 
----------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

Accruals and deferred income, other liabilities and provisions included HK$195,122m (2018: HK$184,221m) of financial liabilities which were measured at amortised cost.

 
 Movement in provisions 
                                                      Restructuring 
                                                              costs  Other     Total 
 Provisions (excluding contractual commitments)                HK$m   HK$m      HK$m 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------------  -----  -------- 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                              74       640     714 
 Additions                                                  563       383     946 
 Amounts utilised                                          (402)      (85)   (487) 
 Unused amounts reversed                                    (29)     (254)   (283) 
 Exchange and other movements                                 2       128     130 
 At 31 Dec 2019                                             208       812   1,020 
--------------------------------------------------  -----------      ----   ----- 
 Contractual commitments 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                                               691 
 Net change in expected credit loss provision and 
  other movements                                                              85 
 At 31 Dec 2019                                                               776 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------------  -----  ----- 
 Total Provisions at 31 Dec 2019                                            1,796 
--------------------------------------------------  ---------------  -----  ----- 
 
 
 At 31 Dec 2017                                     192   380     572 
 Additions                                           11   469     480 
 Amounts utilised                                   (97)  (91)   (188) 
 Unused amounts reversed                            (37)  (83)   (120) 
 Exchange and other movements                         5   (35)    (30) 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                      74   640     714 
--------------------------------------------------  ---   ---   ----- 
 Contractual commitments(1) 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  ----  -------- 
 At 31 Dec 2017                                                    54 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  ----  ----- 
 Impact on transition to HKFRS 9                                  487 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  ----  ----- 
 Net change in expected credit loss provision and 
  other movements                                                 150 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  ----  ----- 
 At 31 Dec 2018                                                   691 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  ----  ----- 
 Total Provisions at 31 Dec 2018                                1,405 
--------------------------------------------------  ----  ----  ----- 
 

1 The contractual commitments provision at 31 December 2017 represented HKAS 37 provisions on off-balance sheet loan commitments and guarantees, for which expected credit losses are provided following transition to HKFRS 9 on 1 January 2018.

 
 23   Subordinated liabilities 
---  ------------------------- 
 

Subordinated liabilities issued to third parties measured at amortised cost consist of undated primary capital notes and other loan capital having an original term to maturity of five years or more. Subordinated liabilities issued to Group entities are not included in the below.

 
                                                               2019     2018 
                                                               HK$m     HK$m 
                                                              -----  ------- 
 US$400m    Undated floating rate primary capital notes       3,114  3,133 
            Fixed rate (5.05%) subordinated bonds due 2027, 
 MYR500m     callable from 2022(1)                              952    948 
                                                              ----- 
 At 31 
  Dec                                                         4,066  4,081 
------------------------------------------------------------  -----  ----- 
 

1 The interest rate on the MYR500m 5.05% callable subordinated bonds due 2027 will increase by 1% from November 2022.

 
 24   Preference shares 
---  ------------------ 
 
 
 Irredeemable preference shares, issued and fully paid 
                                             2019        2018 
                                             HK$m        HK$m 
                                             ---- 
 At 1 Jan                                     98    21,037 
                                             --- 
 Converted / bought back during the year     (96)  (20,975) 
-------------------------------------------  ---   ------- 
 Exchange and other movements                 (2)       36 
                                             ---   ------- 
 At 31 Dec                                     -        98 
-------------------------------------------  ---   ------- 
 

At the beginning of the year, there was INR870m (2018: INR870m) of authorised preference share capital, comprising 8.7m compulsorily convertible preference shares ('CCPS') of INR100 each in the share capital of a subsidiary, HSBC InvestDirect Securities (India) Private Limited ('HSBC InvestDirect'). The CCPS were issued and fully paid in 2009 at a nominal value of INR100 each. During the year, all CCPS were converted into fully paid equity shares of HSBC InvestDirect at par.

 
 25   Share capital 
---  -------------- 
 
 
 
                                      2019       2018 
                                      HK$m       HK$m 
                                   ------- 
 Paid up share capital in HK$      116,103  116,103 
                                   -------  ------- 
 Paid up share capital in US$(1)    56,232   56,232 
 At 31 Dec                         172,335  172,335 
---------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 
 Ordinary shares issued and fully paid 
                                                    2019                      2018 
                                             HK$m          Number     HK$m            Number 
----------------------------------------  ------- 
 At 1 Jan                                 172,335  46,440,991,798  151,360  46,440,991,798 
                                          -------  -------------- 
 Redemption / bought back of preference 
  shares                                        -               -   20,975               - 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------------  -------  -------------- 
 At 31 Dec                                172,335  46,440,991,798  172,335  46,440,991,798 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------------  -------  -------------- 
 

1 Paid up share capital in US$ represents preference shares which were redeemed or bought back via payment out of distributable profits and for which the amount was transferred from retained earnings to share capital in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Ordinance.

There were no new ordinary shares issued in 2019 (2018: nil). The holder of the ordinary shares is entitled to receive dividends as declared from time to time, rank equally with regard to the Bank's residual assets and are entitled to one vote per share at shareholder meetings of the Bank.

 
 26   Other equity instruments 
---  ------------------------- 
 

Other equity instruments comprise additional tier 1 capital instruments in issue which are accounted for as equity.

 
                                                                2019      2018 
                                                                HK$m      HK$m 
 US$1,000m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan, 
  callable from Dec 2019(1)                                        -   7,756 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$900m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan, 
  callable from Dec 2019(1)                                        -   6,981 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$900m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan, 
  callable from Nov 2023(1)                                        -   7,048 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$500m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan, 
  callable from Nov 2023(1)                                        -   3,915 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$700m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan, 
  callable from Dec 2023(1)                                        -   5,481 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$600m Floating rate perpetual subordinated loan, 
  callable from Nov 2024(1)                                        -   4,698 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$1,000m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan, callable 
  from Mar 2025(2)                                             7,834       - 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$900m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan, callable 
  from Sep 2026(3)                                             7,063       - 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$700m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan, callable 
  from Mar 2025(4)                                             5,467       - 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$500m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan, callable 
  from Mar 2025(4)                                             3,905       - 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$600m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan, callable 
  from May 2027(5)                                             4,685       - 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$900m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan, callable 
  from Sep 2024(6)                                             7,044       - 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 US$1,100m Fixed rate perpetual subordinated loan, callable 
  from Jun 2024(7)                                             8,617       - 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 Dec                                                    44,615  35,879 
------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
   1   These subordinated loans were early repaid in the first half of 2019 
   2   Interest rate fixed at 6.09% 
   3   Interest rate fixed at 6.51% 
   4   Interest rate fixed at 6.172% 
   5   Interest rate fixed at 5.91% 
   6   Interest rate fixed at 6.03% 
   7   Interest rate fixed at 6% 

The additional tier 1 capital instruments are perpetual subordinated loans on which coupon payments may be cancelled at the sole discretion of the Bank. The subordinated loans will be written down at the point of non-viability on the occurrence of a trigger event as defined in the Banking (Capital) Rules. They rank higher than ordinary shares in the event of a wind-up.

 
 27   Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities 
---  -------------------------------------------- 
 

The following table provides an analysis of consolidated total assets and liabilities by residual contractual maturity at the balance sheet date. These balances are included in the maturity analysis as follows:

-- Trading assets and liabilities (including trading derivatives but excluding reverse repos, repos and debt securities in issue) are included in the 'Due not more than 1 month' time bucket, because trading balances are typically held for short periods of time.

-- Financial assets and liabilities with no contractual maturity (such as equity securities) are included in the 'Due over 5 years' time bucket. Undated or perpetual instruments are classified based on the contractual notice period which the counterparty of the instrument is entitled to give. Where there is no contractual notice period, undated or perpetual contracts are included in the 'Due over 5 years' time bucket.

-- Non-financial assets and liabilities with no contractual maturity are included in the 'Due over 5 years' time bucket.

-- Liabilities under insurance contracts are included in the 'Due over 5 years' time bucket. Liabilities under investment contracts are classified in accordance with their contractual maturity. Undated investment contracts are included in the 'Due over 5 years' time bucket, however, such contracts are subject to surrender and transfer options by the policyholders.

 
 Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities 
                                          Due      Due 
                                 Due     over     over      Due 
                                over        3        6     over      Due 
                             1 month   months   months        9     over 
                                 but      but      but   months   1 year   Due over 
                                 not      not      not      but      but    2 years 
                    Due not     more     more     more      not      not    but not 
                       more     than     than     than     more     more       more 
                      than1        3        6        9     than     than       than   Due over 
                      month   months   months   months   1 year  2 years    5 years    5 years        Total 
                       HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m       HK$m       HK$m         HK$m 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Financial 
 assets 
 Cash and 
  balances 
  at central 
  banks             202,746        -        -        -        -        -          -          -    202,746 
 Items in the 
  course 
  of collection 
  from 
  other banks        21,140        -        -        -        -        -          -          -     21,140 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 Hong Kong 
  Government 
  certificates 
  of 
  indebtedness      298,944        -        -        -        -        -          -          -    298,944 
 Trading assets     618,856    2,253    1,219        -        -      433          -          -    622,761 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Derivatives        279,698      115       96       28       81      324        300          -    280,642 
 Financial 
  assets 
  designated 
  and otherwise 
  mandatorily 
  measured at 
  fair value 
  through profit 
  or 
  loss                8,883      393    1,330      938      706    4,605     10,273    126,383    153,511 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Reverse 
  repurchase 
  agreements - 
  non-trading       260,716   97,168   32,322    6,856   11,772    9,624      3,875          -    422,333 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to banks          180,357   46,565   23,409   19,174   15,502   30,018     10,097      3,783    328,905 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to customers      643,208  356,953  285,049  144,180  141,465  404,131    795,421    950,468  3,720,875 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial 
  investments       201,596  406,723  186,055   70,922   89,852  197,506    310,398    437,246  1,900,298 
 Amounts due 
  from Group 
  companies          79,091    3,043    1,318       79        -        -      3,911        190     87,632 
 Accrued income 
  and 
  other 
  financial 
  assets            108,167   30,046   15,491    3,935    1,947    1,265        572      4,074    165,497 
 Financial 
  assets at 
  31 Dec 2019     2,903,402  943,259  546,289  246,112  261,325  647,906  1,134,847  1,522,144  8,205,284 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Non-financial 
  assets                  -        -        -        -        -        -          -    456,430    456,430 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total assets at 
  31 
  Dec 2019        2,903,402  943,259  546,289  246,112  261,325  647,906  1,134,847  1,978,574  8,661,714 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Financial 
 liabilities 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Hong Kong 
  currency 
  notes in 
  circulation       298,944        -        -        -        -        -          -          -    298,944 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Items in the 
  course 
  of 
  transmission 
  to 
  other banks        25,576        -        -        -        -        -          -          -     25,576 
 Repurchase 
  agreements 
  - non-trading      90,565    3,131    2,713    1,566      447        -          -      7,974    106,396 
----------------             -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 Deposits by 
  banks             169,344    8,474    1,888       30        5       52         26          -    179,819 
 Customer 
  accounts        4,657,422  467,294  190,460   45,681   42,479   18,388     10,700          -  5,432,424 
 Trading 
  liabilities        87,532        -        -        -        -        -          -          -     87,532 
 Derivatives        290,808      113       15       41       73      339        662        180    292,231 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial 
  liabilities 
  designated at 
  fair 
  value              38,524   24,493   12,173    4,833    4,694   18,962     12,703     43,909    160,291 
 Debt securities 
  in 
  issue               5,113   31,769   18,816    5,614    7,757   17,038     17,640      3,186    106,933 
 Amounts due to 
  Group 
  companies          88,108   32,414      246       37      118       35     79,308    110,808    311,074 
                             -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Accruals and 
  other 
  financial 
  liabilities       114,974   38,591   18,130    5,573    4,846    3,704      4,626      4,678    195,122 
----------------                                                 -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Subordinated 
  liabilities(1)          -        -        -        -        -        -          -      4,066      4,066 
 Preference 
 shares                   -        -        -        -        -        -          -          -          - 
 Total financial 
  liabilities 
  at 31 Dec 2019  5,866,910  606,279  244,441   63,375   60,419   58,518    125,665    174,801  7,200,408 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Non-financial 
  liabilities             -        -        -        -        -        -          -    582,025    582,025 
---------------- 
 Total 
  liabilities 
  at 31 Dec 2019  5,866,910  606,279  244,441   63,375   60,419   58,518    125,665    756,826  7,782,433 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 
 Maturity analysis of assets and liabilities (continued) 
                                          Due      Due 
                                 Due     over     over      Due 
                                over        3        6     over      Due        Due 
                             1 month   months   months        9     over       over 
                                 but      but      but   months   1 year    2 years 
                        Due      not      not      not      but      but        but 
                        not     more     more     more      not      not        not 
                       more     than     than     than     more     more       more        Due 
                      than1        3        6        9     than     than       than       over 
                      month   months   months   months   1 year  2 years    5 years    5 years        Total 
                       HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m     HK$m       HK$m       HK$m         HK$m 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  ----------- 
 Financial 
 assets 
 Cash and 
  balances at 
  central banks     205,660        -        -        -        -        -          -          -    205,660 
                  --------- 
 Items in the 
  course 
  of collection 
  from 
  other banks        25,380        -        -        -        -        -          -          -     25,380 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 Hong Kong 
  Government 
  certificates 
  of 
  indebtedness      280,854        -        -        -        -        -          -          -    280,854 
                  --------- 
 Trading assets     554,886    1,359    1,723        -        -      870          -          -    558,838 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Derivatives        291,515       83      117      247       17      324        318        248    292,869 
                                                                 ------- 
 Financial 
  assets 
  designated 
  and otherwise 
  mandatorily 
  measured at 
  fair value 
  through profit 
  or loss             9,308       24    1,108      615    1,121    3,839     11,210    105,634    132,859 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Reverse 
  repurchase 
  agreements - 
  non-trading       250,550   87,939   15,059    4,326    7,771   37,682      3,000          -    406,327 
                                                                 ------- 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to banks          177,476   56,118   17,869   11,374   19,247   22,912     26,835      6,320    338,151 
                                                                 ------- 
 Loans and 
  advances 
  to customers      638,718  323,164  268,711  159,123  145,495  350,859    767,323    875,309  3,528,702 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Financial 
  investments       235,488  409,356  185,205   84,225   75,210  218,508    297,627    365,407  1,871,026 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Amounts due 
  from Group 
  companies          63,150    6,477      649       28        -        2        149          -     70,455 
                                                                 ------- 
 Accrued income 
  and 
  other 
  financial 
  assets            102,461   33,492   14,830    2,189    1,178    1,071        584      3,678    159,483 
 Financial 
  assets at 
  31 Dec 2018     2,835,446  918,012  505,271  262,127  250,039  636,067  1,107,046  1,356,596  7,870,604 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Non-financial 
  assets                  -        -        -        -        -        -          -    392,850    392,850 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total assets at 
  31 
  Dec 2018        2,835,446  918,012  505,271  262,127  250,039  636,067  1,107,046  1,749,446  8,263,454 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 
 Financial 
 liabilities 
 Hong Kong 
  currency 
  notes in 
  circulation       280,854        -        -        -        -        -          -          -    280,854 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 Items in the 
  course 
  of 
  transmission 
  to 
  other banks        33,806        -        -        -        -        -          -          -     33,806 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Repurchase 
  agreements 
  - non-trading      63,273      723    1,159    4,555      569        -          -          -     70,279 
----------------                      -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 Deposits by 
  banks             154,915    2,415    3,923    2,018    1,260       53         80          -    164,664 
                  ---------  -------                             ------- 
 Customer 
  accounts        4,547,352  342,264  150,739   72,992   61,663   16,011     16,570         75  5,207,666 
                                                                 -------                        --------- 
 Trading 
  liabilities        81,194        -        -        -        -        -          -          -     81,194 
                                                                 ------- 
 Derivatives        294,112      304      157      250      207      209        314          -    295,553 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Financial 
  liabilities 
  designated at 
  fair 
  value              22,524   23,447   21,021    7,873   10,014   18,541     18,314     39,409    161,143 
                             -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Debt securities 
  in 
  issue               2,631    6,287    9,810      859      519   15,913     19,053      3,164     58,236 
                                                                 -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Amounts due to 
  Group 
  companies         120,904   93,361    1,299       50       27       15     77,508    103,323    396,487 
                                                                 ------- 
 Accruals and 
  other 
  financial 
  liabilities       115,539   40,894   16,241    3,542    4,423    1,718      1,154        710    184,221 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Subordinated 
  liabilities(1)          -        -        -        -        -        -        948      3,133      4,081 
                  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  --------- 
 Preference 
  shares                  -        -        -        -        -        -          -         98         98 
 Financial 
  liabilities 
  at 31 Dec 2018  5,717,104  509,695  204,349   92,139   78,682   52,460    133,941    149,912  6,938,282 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Non-financial 
  liabilities             -        -        -        -        -        -          -    512,252    512,252 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 Total 
  liabilities at 
  31 Dec 2018     5,717,104  509,695  204,349   92,139   78,682   52,460    133,941    662,164  7,450,534 
----------------  ---------  -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ---------  ---------  --------- 
 

1 The maturity for subordinated liabilities is based on the earliest date on which the group is required to pay, i.e. the callable date.

 
 28   Analysis of cash flows payable under financial liabilities by remaining 
       contractual 
       maturities 
---  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
 
 
                                                 Due over 
                                                  1 month 
                                      Due not     but not  Due between  Due between 
                                    more than   more than        3 and        1 and  Due after 
                                      1 month    3 months    12 months      5 years    5 years         Total 
                                         HK$m        HK$m         HK$m         HK$m       HK$m          HK$m 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ------------ 
 At 31 Dec 2019 
 Hong Kong currency notes in 
  circulation                         298,944           -            -            -          -     298,944 
                                   ---------- 
 Items in the course of 
  transmission 
  to other banks                       25,576           -            -            -          -      25,576 
                                   ---------- 
 Repurchase agreements - 
  non-trading                          90,675       3,131        4,857            -      8,068     106,731 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Deposits by banks                    169,744       8,474        1,960           84          -     180,262 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Customer accounts                  4,664,306     467,294      283,081       31,564          -   5,446,245 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Trading liabilities                   87,532           -            -            -          -      87,532 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Derivatives                          290,016         113            2          846        180     291,157 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Financial liabilities designated 
  at fair value                        39,636      24,493       22,589       32,873     44,188     163,779 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Debt securities in issue               5,418      31,769       33,538       36,214      3,892     110,831 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Amounts due to Group companies        98,361      32,414        5,344      100,805    126,697     363,621 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Other financial liabilities          109,482      38,591       25,715        8,313      4,756     186,857 
                                   ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Subordinated liabilities                  29           -           86          457      5,789       6,361 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
                                    5,879,719     606,279      377,172      211,156    193,570   7,267,896 
 Loan and other credit-related 
  commitments                       2,750,332           -            -            -          -   2,750,332 
                                   ---------- 
 Financial guarantees                  49,199           -            -            -          -      49,199 
                                   ---------- 
                                    8,679,250     606,279      377,172      211,156    193,570  10,067,427 
 Proportion of cash flows payable 
  in period                               86%          6%           4%           2%         2% 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ------------ 
 
 At 31 Dec 2018 
 Hong Kong currency notes in 
  circulation                         280,854           -            -            -          -     280,854 
 Items in the course of 
  transmission 
  to other banks                       33,806           -            -            -          -      33,806 
                                   ---------- 
 Repurchase agreements - 
  non-trading                          63,360         723        6,464            -          -      70,547 
                                   ----------  ---------- 
 Deposits by banks                    155,763       2,415        7,221          137          -     165,536 
 Customer accounts                  4,552,138     342,264      289,185       34,197         80   5,217,864 
 Trading liabilities                   81,194           -            -            -          -      81,194 
 Derivatives                          294,448         304          403        1,754          -     296,909 
 Financial liabilities designated 
  at fair value                        23,410      23,447       40,498       39,723     39,474     166,552 
 Debt securities in issue               3,042       6,287       12,028       37,140      3,521      62,018 
 Amounts due to Group companies       121,089      93,361          885       88,418    137,417     441,170 
 Other financial liabilities          109,254      40,894       22,377        2,850      1,194     176,569 
 Subordinated liabilities                  22           -           65        1,294      3,995       5,376 
 Preference shares                          -           -           98            -          -          98 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
                                    5,718,380     509,695      379,224      205,513    185,681   6,998,493 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
 Loan and other credit-related 
  commitments                       2,562,972           -          237            -          -   2,563,209 
                                   ---------- 
 Financial guarantees                  57,964           -            -            -          -      57,964 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ---------- 
                                    8,339,316     509,695      379,461      205,513    185,681   9,619,666 
 Proportion of cash flows payable 
  in period                               87%          5%           4%           2%         2% 
---------------------------------  ----------  ----------  -----------  -----------  ---------  ------------ 
 

The balances in the above tables incorporate all cash flows relating to principal and future coupon payments on an undiscounted basis (except for trading liabilities and trading derivatives). Trading liabilities and trading derivatives have been included in the 'On demand' time bucket as they are typically held for short periods of time. The undiscounted cash flows payable under hedging derivative liabilities are classified according to their contractual maturity. Investment contract liabilities have been included in financial liabilities designated at fair value, whereby the policyholders have the options to surrender or transfer at any time, and are reported in the 'Due after 5 years' time bucket. A maturity analysis prepared on the basis of the earliest possible contractual repayment date (assuming that all surrender and transfer options are exercised) would result in all investment contracts being presented as falling due within one year or less. The undiscounted cash flows potentially payable under loan commitments and financial guarantee contracts are classified on the basis of the earliest date they can be called. Cash flows payable in respect of customer accounts are primarily contractually repayable on demand or at short notice.

 
 29   Contingent liabilities, contractual commitments and guarantees 
---  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                               2019         2018 
                                                               HK$m         HK$m 
--------------------------------------------------------  ---------  ----------- 
 Guarantees and contingent liabilities 
 - financial guarantees(1)                                   49,199     57,964 
                                                          --------- 
 - performance & other guarantees(2)                        266,272    234,265 
                                                          --------- 
 - other contingent liabilities                               3,299      3,416 
                                                          --------- 
 At 31 Dec                                                  318,770    295,645 
--------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Commitments(3) : 
 - documentary credits and short-term trade-related 
  transactions                                               22,455     23,258 
                                                          --------- 
 - forward asset purchases and forward forward deposits 
  placed                                                     30,268     14,087 
--------------------------------------------------------  --------- 
 - undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines and 
  other commitments to lend                               2,697,609  2,525,863 
-------------------------------------------------------- 
 At 31 Dec                                                2,750,332  2,563,208 
--------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

1 Financial guarantees are contracts that require the issuer to make specified payments to reimburse the holder for a loss incurred because a specified debtor fails to make payment when due in accordance with the original or modified terms of a debt instrument. The amounts in the above table are nominal principal amounts.

2 Performance and other guarantees include re-insurance letters of credit related to particular transactions, trade-related letters of credit issued without provision for the issuing entity to retain title to the underlying shipment, performance bonds, bid bonds, standby letters of credit and other transaction-related guarantees.

3 Includes HK$1,630,005m of commitments at 31 December 2019 (2018: HK$1,490,711m) to which the impairment requirements in HKFRS 9 are applied where the group has become party to an irrevocable commitment.

The above table discloses the nominal principal amounts of commitments (excluding capital commitments), guarantees and other contingent liabilities, which represent the amounts at risk should contracts be fully drawn upon and clients default. The amount of the 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 representative of future liquidity requirements.

It also reflects the group's maximum exposure under a large number of individual guarantee undertakings. The risks and exposures from guarantees are captured and managed in accordance with HSBC's overall credit risk management policies and procedures. Guarantees are subject to an annual credit review process.

Other contingent liabilities at 31 December 2019 included provisions made in relation to legal and regulatory matters as set out in

note 38.

 
 30   Other commitments 
---  ------------------ 
 

Capital commitments

At 31 December 2019, capital commitments, mainly related to the commitment for purchase of premises, were HK$7,413m

(2018: HK$7,912m).

 
 31   Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities 
---  --------------------------------------------------------- 
 

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount is reported in the balance sheet when there is a legally enforceable right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously ('the offset criteria').

The 'Amounts not set off in the balance sheet' include transactions where:

-- the counterparty has an offsetting exposure with the group and a master netting or similar arrangement is in place with a right to set off only in the event of default, insolvency or bankruptcy, or the offset criteria are otherwise not satisfied; and

-- in the case of derivatives and reverse repurchase/repurchase, stock borrowing/lending and similar agreements, cash and non-cash collateral has been received/pledged.

For risk management purposes, the net amounts of loans and advances to customers are subject to limits, which are monitored and the relevant customer agreements are subject to review and updated, as necessary, to ensure that the legal right to set off remains appropriate.

 
 Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities 
                                      Amounts subject to enforceable netting 
                                                   arrangements 
                                                             Amounts not offset in 
                                                                       the 
                                                                  balance sheet 
                                           Net 
                                       amounts                                                           Amounts 
                                      reported                                                       not subject 
                                        in the                                                    to enforceable    Balance 
                    Gross    Amounts   balance      Financial    Non-cash          Cash     Net          netting      sheet 
                  amounts     offset     sheet    instruments  collateral    collateral  amount  arrangements(1)      total 
                     HK$m       HK$m      HK$m           HK$m        HK$m          HK$m    HK$m             HK$m       HK$m 
                  -------  ---------  --------  -------------  ----------  ------------  ------  ---------------  --------- 
 At 31 Dec 2019 
 Financial 
 assets(2) 
 Derivatives      384,173  (132,872)   251,301   (213,466)        (8,155)   (15,070)     14,610           29,341  280,642 
 Reverse repos, 
  stock 
  borrowing and 
  similar 
  agreements 
  classified 
  as:             470,307   (17,667)   452,640          -       (451,866)      (125)        649           20,387  473,027 
                  -------  --------   --------  ---------      ---------   --------      ------  ---------------  ------- 
 - trading 
  assets           28,779       (90)    28,689          -        (28,680)         -           9                -   28,689 
 - non-trading 
  assets          441,528   (17,577)   423,951          -       (423,186)      (125)        640           20,387  444,338 
                  -------  --------   --------  ---------      ---------   --------      ------  ---------------  ------- 
                  854,480  (150,539)   703,941   (213,466)      (460,021)   (15,195)     15,259           49,728  753,669 
----------------  -------  --------   --------  ---------      ---------   --------      ------  ---------------  ------- 
 Financial 
 liabilities(3) 
 Derivatives      396,052  (132,872)   263,180   (213,466)       (13,444)   (14,238)     22,032           29,051  292,231 
                  -------  --------   --------  ---------      ---------   --------      ------  ---------------  ------- 
 Repos, stock 
  lending 
  and similar 
  agreements 
  classified as:  148,626   (17,667)   130,959          -       (130,399)       (37)        523           43,022  173,981 
 - trading 
  liabilities       1,978       (90)     1,888          -         (1,823)         -          65                -    1,888 
 - non-trading 
  liabilities     146,648   (17,577)   129,071          -       (128,576)       (37)        458           43,022  172,093 
                  -------  --------   --------  ---------      ---------   --------      ------  ---------------  ------- 
                  544,678  (150,539)   394,139   (213,466)      (143,843)   (14,275)     22,555           72,073  466,212 
----------------  -------  --------   --------  ---------      ---------   --------      ------  ---------------  ------- 
 
 At 31 Dec 2018 
                  -------  ---------  -------- 
 Financial 
 assets(2) 
                  -------  ---------  -------- 
 Derivatives      380,939  (120,409)   260,530   (208,893)        (5,637)   (31,801)     14,199           32,339  292,869 
 Reverse repos, 
  stock 
  borrowing and 
  similar 
  agreements 
  classified 
  as:             444,711   (31,283)   413,428          -       (413,374)       (42)         12           29,862  443,290 
- trading assets   23,112         -     23,112          -        (23,100)         -          12                -   23,112 
- non-trading 
 assets           421,599   (31,283)   390,316          -       (390,274)       (42)          -           29,862  420,178 
                  825,650  (151,692)   673,958   (208,893)      (419,011)   (31,843)     14,211           62,201  736,159 
---------------- 
 Financial 
 liabilities(3) 
 Derivatives      391,064  (120,409)   270,655   (208,893)        (9,558)   (18,754)     33,450           24,898  295,553 
 Repos, stock 
  lending 
  and similar 
  agreements 
  classified as:  146,026   (31,283)   114,743          -       (114,548)        (4)        191           26,560  141,303 
- trading 
 liabilities        2,023         -      2,023          -         (2,007)         -          16                -    2,023 
- non-trading 
 liabilities      144,003   (31,283)   112,720          -       (112,541)        (4)        175           26,560  139,280 
                  537,090  (151,692)   385,398   (208,893)      (124,106)   (18,758)     33,641           51,458  436,856 
---------------- 
 

1 These exposures continue to be secured by financial collateral, but the group may not have sought or been able to obtain a legal opinion evidencing enforceability of the offsetting right.

2 Amounts presented in the balance sheet included balances due from Group companies of HK$85,124m (2018: HK$103,358m).

3 Amounts presented in the balance sheet included balances due to Group companies of HK$133,693m (2018: HK$139,410m).

 
 32   Segmental analysis 
---  ------------------- 
 

The group's Executive Committee ('EXCO') reviews operating activities on a number of bases, including by global business and by countries. Global businesses are our reportable segments under HKFRS 8 'Operating Segments'.

Basis of preparation

The Executive Committee ('EXCO') is considered the Chief Operating Decision Maker ('CODM') for the purpose of identifying the group's reportable segments. Global business results are assessed by the CODM on the basis of performance measured in accordance with HKFRSs. Although the CODM reviews information on a number of bases, business performance is assessed and capital resources are allocated by global business, and the segmental analysis is presented on that basis. The global businesses are therefore considered our reportable segments under HKFRS 8 'Operating Segments'.

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

Our global businesses

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

-- Retail Banking and Wealth Management ('RBWM') offers a broad range of products and services to meet the personal banking and wealth management needs of individual customers. Typically, customer offerings include personal banking products (current and savings accounts, mortgages and personal loans, credit cards, debit cards and local and international payment services) and wealth management services (insurance and investment products, global asset management services and financial planning services).

-- 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, for example Global Banking and Markets ('GB&M'), which include foreign exchange products, raising capital on debt and equity markets and advisory services.

-- GB&M 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.

-- Global Private Banking ('GPB') provides a range of services to high net worth individuals and families with complex and international needs within the Group's priority markets.

-- The Corporate Centre was established to align certain functions of the group. The Corporate Centre includes Balance Sheet Management, certain interests in associates and joint ventures, as well as the results of our financing operations and central support costs with associated recoveries.

Performance by global business is presented in the 'Financial Review' section.

 
 Information by geographical region 
 
                                                                  Rest of  Intra-segment 
                                                 Hong Kong   Asia-Pacific    elimination        Total 
                                                      HK$m           HK$m           HK$m         HK$m 
 For the year ended 31 Dec 2019 
 Total operating income                            218,525         81,030           (18)    299,537 
 Profit before tax                                  88,957         47,476             -     136,433 
 At 31 Dec 2019 
 Total assets                                    6,221,486      3,155,935      (715,707)  8,661,714 
 Total liabilities                               5,724,204      2,773,936      (715,707)  7,782,433 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 Credit commitments and contingent liabilities 
  (contract amounts)                             1,705,308      1,363,794             -   3,069,102 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  ------------   --------- 
 
 For the year ended 31 Dec 2018 
 Total operating income                            195,249         75,297        (2,238)    268,308 
 Profit before tax                                  88,017         46,566              -    134,583 
 At 31 Dec 2018 
 Total assets                                    6,036,854      2,939,955      (713,355)  8,263,454 
 Total liabilities                               5,590,770      2,573,119      (713,355)  7,450,534 
----------------------------------------------- 
 Credit commitments and contingent liabilities 
  (contract amounts)                             1,584,981      1,273,872              -  2,858,853 
-----------------------------------------------  ---------  -------------  -------------  --------- 
 
 
 Information by country/territory 
                       Revenue(1)          Non-current assets(2) 
                 ---------------------  -------------------------- 
                   For the year ended 
                         31 Dec                  At 31 Dec 
                       2019       2018         2019           2018 
                       HK$m       HK$m         HK$m           HK$m 
Hong Kong           147,456    142,665      132,935      110,125 
                 ---------- 
Mainland China       18,153     17,653      158,215      147,444 
                 ----------             ----------- 
Australia             7,337      7,658        2,130          825 
                 ---------- 
India                 9,339      7,880        2,339        1,934 
                 ---------- 
Indonesia             3,701      3,702        3,932        3,566 
                 ---------- 
Malaysia              6,107      6,330        1,820          962 
                 ---------- 
Singapore            10,776     10,053        2,820        1,415 
                 ---------- 
Taiwan                3,064      3,509        2,802        2,201 
                 ---------- 
Other                13,448     11,019        3,421        3,075 
                 ----------  ---------  -----------  ----------- 
Total               219,381    210,469      310,414      271,547 
                 ----------  ---------  -----------  ----------- 
 

1 Revenue (defined as 'Net operating income before change in expected credit losses and other impairment charges') is attributable to countries based on the location of the principal operations of the branch, subsidiary, associate or joint venture.

2 Non-current assets consist of property, plant and equipment, goodwill, other intangible assets, interests in associates and joint ventures and certain other assets.

 
 33   Related party transactions 
---  --------------------------- 
 

The group's related parties include the parent, fellow subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures, post-employment benefit plans for the group's employees, Key Management Personnel ('KMP') as defined by HKAS 24, close family members of KMP and entities that are controlled or jointly controlled by KMP or their close family members.

Particulars of transactions with related parties are set out below.

   (a)     Inter-company 

The group is wholly owned by HSBC Asia Holdings Limited, which in turn is a wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (incorporated in England).

During 2019, over 8,500 employees performing shared services in Hong Kong have been transferred from the group to a separate service company, HSBC Global Services (Hong Kong) Limited (the 'ServCo'), which is a fellow subsidiary of the Group set up in Hong Kong as part of recovery and resolution planning to provide functional support services to the group. There were no changes to employment terms and conditions or pension benefits as a result of these transfers. For the year ended 31 December 2019, the group recognised a management charge of HK$15,718m for the services provided by ServCo, which is reported under 'General and administrative expenses' (2018: HK$1,098m), mainly in relation to the remuneration and other costs associated with employees and assets transferred to ServCo.

During the year, the Bank has completed the restructuring of its internal regulatory capital and loss-absorbing capacity ('LAC')-eligible debt and equity instruments such that they are all held by its immediate parent, HSBC Asia Holdings Limited, in order to comply with

the Financial Institutions (Resolution) (Loss-absorbing Capacity Requirements - Banking Sector) Rules which came into operation on

14 December 2018.

The group entered into transactions with its fellow subsidiaries in the normal course of business, including the acceptance and placement of interbank deposits, correspondent banking transactions and off-balance sheet transactions. The activities were on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security, as for comparable transactions with third-party counterparties.

The group shared the costs of certain IT projects with its fellow subsidiaries and also used certain processing services of fellow subsidiaries. The Bank also acted as agent for the distribution of retail investment funds for fellow subsidiaries and paid professional fees for services provided by fellow subsidiaries. These transactions and services are priced on an arm's length basis.

The aggregate amount of income and expenses arising from these transactions during the year and the balances of amounts due to and from the relevant parties at the year end were as follows:

 
                                                   2019                                 2018 
                                    Immediate  Ultimate                 Immediate  Ultimate 
                                      holding   holding         Fellow    holding   holding           Fellow 
                                      company   company   subsidiaries    company   company     subsidiaries 
                                         HK$m      HK$m           HK$m       HK$m      HK$m             HK$m 
Income and expenses for 
 the year 
Interest income                             1         6          1,450          -         -          1,220 
                                    --------- 
Interest expense(1)                     3,678     3,967          2,022      1,563     5,545          1,681 
                                               -------- 
Fee income                                  -         -          2,383          -        43          2,547 
Fee expense                                 -         -          1,296          -         -          1,153 
Net income from financial 
 instruments held for 
 trading or managed on 
 a fair value basis                         -         2            152          -         5          1,289 
                                                                        ---------  --------  ------------- 
Other operating income                      -       976            773          -     1,348          2,531 
Other operating expenses(2)                 -     3,846         31,657          -     3,405         13,682 
                                    ---------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------  ------------- 
At 31 Dec 
Assets                                      -       823        151,094          -       327        149,122 
- trading assets(3)                         -        67          1,989          -       123         11,586 
- derivative assets                         -       633         63,652          -         -         78,994 
- other assets(3,6)                         -       123         85,453          -       204         58,542 
 
Liabilities                           189,690     1,290        187,550          -   254,547        212,358 
- trading liabilities(3)                    -         -            622          -        15             97 
- financial liabilities 
 designated at fair value(3,4)        126,237         -              9          -    87,065            298 
- derivative liabilities                    -         -         67,419          -         -         70,320 
- other liabilities(3,6)                1,492     1,221        119,500          -    96,000        120,551 
- subordinated liabilities(3,5,6)      61,961        69              -          -    71,467         20,994 
- preference shares                         -         -              -          -         -             98 
                                    ---------  --------  -------------  --------- 
Guarantees                                  -         -         19,179          -         -         17,763 
                                                         ------------- 
Commitments                                 -         -          2,388          -         -         14,319 
                                    ---------  --------  -------------  ---------  --------  ------------- 
 

1 Interest expense included distribution on preference shares and interest on subordinated liabilities.

2 In 2019, payments of HK$428m (2018: HK$459m) were made for software costs which were capitalised as intangible assets in the balance sheet of the group.

3 These balances are presented under 'Amounts due from/to Group companies' in the consolidated balance sheet.

4 The balance at 31 December 2019 included subordinated liabilities of HK$126,237m to meet Total Loss Absorbing Capacity ('TLAC') requirements (2018: HK$87,065m). The carrying amount of financial liabilities designated at fair value was HK$7,482m higher than the contractual amount at maturity (2018: HK$1,289m). The cumulative loss in fair value attributable to changes in credit risk was HK$2,313m (2018: HK$310m). The balances are largely under Level 2.

5 The balance at 31 December 2019 included subordinated liabilities of HK$61,961m to meet TLAC requirements (2018: HK$78,450m).

6 The fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities at amortised cost are under level 2 and the fair value has no material difference with carrying value.

   (b)     Share option and share award schemes 

The group participates in various share option and share plans operated by HSBC whereby share options or shares of HSBC are granted to employees of the group. The group recognises an expense in respect of these share options and share awards. The cost borne by the ultimate holding company in respect of share options is treated as a capital contribution and is recorded within 'Other reserves'. In respect of share awards, the group recognises a liability to the ultimate holding company over the vesting period. This liability is measured at the fair value of the shares at each reporting date, with changes since the award dates adjusted through the capital contribution account within 'Other reserves'. The balances of the capital contribution and the liability at 31 December 2019 amounted to HK$3,396m and HK$1,417m respectively (2018: HK$3,147m and HK$1,923m respectively).

   (c)      Post-employment benefit plans 

At 31 December 2019, HK$9.1bn (2018: HK$12.3bn) of the group's post-employment plan assets were under management by group companies, earning management fees of HK$22m in 2019 (2018: HK$29m). At 31 December 2019, the group's post-employment benefit plans had placed deposits of HK$581m (2018: HK$486m) with its banking subsidiaries, earning interest payable to the schemes of HK$3m (2018: HK$2m). The above outstanding balances arose from the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security, as comparable transactions with third-party counterparties.

   (d)     Associates and joint ventures 

The group provides certain banking and financial services to associates and joint ventures, including loans, overdrafts, interest and non-interest bearing deposits and current accounts. Details of interests in associates and joint ventures are set out in note 14.

The disclosure of the year-end balance and the highest amounts outstanding during the year is considered to be the most meaningful information to represent the amount of transactions and outstanding balances during the year.

 
Transactions and balances during the year with associates and joint 
 ventures 
                                                          2019                      2018 
                                                  Highest                  Highest 
                                                  balance       Balance    balance         Balance 
                                                   during            at     during              at 
                                                 the year   31 December   the year     31 December 
                                                     HK$m          HK$m       HK$m            HK$m 
 Amounts due from associates - unsubordinated      34,813        16,001     30,411        23,487 
                                                ---------  ------------ 
 Amounts due to associates                         19,602         4,016     15,821         2,141 
                                                ---------  ------------ 
 Commitments                                            1             1          1             1 
----------------------------------------------  ---------  ------------  ---------  ------------ 
 

The above outstanding balances arose in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security, as comparable transactions with third -- party counterparties.

   (e)      Key Management Personnel 

Key Management Personnel are defined as those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Bank and the group. It includes members of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Bank and the Board of Directors and Group Managing Directors of HSBC Holdings plc.

 
 Compensation of Key Management Personnel 
                                          2019    2018 
                                          HK$m    HK$m 
 Salaries and other short-term benefits    336   337 
 Post employment benefits                    9    10 
 Termination benefits                        1     - 
----------------------------------------  ----  ---- 
 Share-based payments                      104    92 
----------------------------------------  ----  ---- 
 Total                                     450   439 
----------------------------------------  ----  ---- 
 
 
 Transactions, arrangements and agreements involving Key Management 
  Personnel 
                                                           2019       2018 
                                                           HK$m       HK$m 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  --------- 
 During the year 
 Highest average assets(1)                               48,944   47,132 
                                                        -------  ------- 
 Highest average liabilities(1)                          47,211   48,251 
                                                        -------  ------- 
 Contribution to group's profit before tax                1,144      936 
                                                        ------- 
 At the year end 
 Guarantees                                               7,177    7,060 
                                                        ------- 
 Commitments                                              5,275    3,841 
------------------------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 

1 The disclosure of the highest average balance during the year is considered the most meaningful information to represent transactions during the year.

Transactions, arrangements and agreements are entered into by the group with companies that may be controlled by Key Management Personnel of the group and their immediate relatives. These transactions are primarily loans and deposits, and were entered into in the ordinary course of business and on substantially the same terms, including interest rates and security, as comparable transactions with persons or companies of a similar standing or, where applicable, with other employees. The transactions did not involve more than the normal risk of repayment or present other unfavourable features.

Change in expected credit losses recognised for the year, and expected credit loss allowances against balances outstanding at the end of the year, in respect of Key Management Personnel were insignificant (2018: insignificant).

On 8 October 2019, HBAP acted as Joint Global Co-ordinator and Underwriter on aggregated EUR4.25bn and GBP800m Senior Note issuances for CK Hutchison Group Telecom Finance S.A. in 6 tranches, with tenors of 4 to 15 years and coupon rates of 0.375% to 2.625%. CK Hutchison Group Telecom Finance S.A. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of an associated body corporate (CK Hutchison Holdings Limited) of Mr Victor Li, a non-executive Director of the Bank.

   (f)      Loans to directors 

Directors are defined as the Directors of the Bank, its ultimate holding company, HSBC Holdings plc and intermediate holding companies. Loans to directors also include loans to companies that are controlled by, and entities that are connected with these directors. Particulars of loans to directors disclosed pursuant to section 17 of the Companies (Disclosure of Information about Benefits of Directors) Regulation are as follows:

 
                    Aggregate amount      Maximum aggregate 
                     outstanding at       amount outstanding 
                         31 Dec            during the year 
                       2019      2018        2019         2018 
                       HK$m      HK$m        HK$m         HK$m 
 By the Bank(1)       4,530     1,231       4,730      8,360 
 By subsidiaries          6         8           8         10 
-----------------  --------            ---------- 
                      4,536     1,239       4,738      8,370 
-----------------  --------  --------  ----------  --------- 
 
   1   Comparatives have been re-presented to include certain balances previously not included. 

These amounts include principal and interest, and the maximum liability that may be incurred under guarantees.

 
 34   Fair values of financial instruments carried at fair value 
---  ----------------------------------------------------------- 
 

Control framework

Fair values are subject to a control framework designed to ensure that they are either determined, or validated, by a function independent of the risk taker.

Where fair values are determined by reference to externally quoted prices or observable pricing inputs to models, independent price determination or validation is utilised. For inactive markets, the group sources alternative market information, with greater weight given to information that is considered to be more relevant and reliable. Examples of the factors considered are price observability, instrument comparability, consistency of data sources, underlying data accuracy and timing of prices.

Fair value of investment funds are sourced from the underlying fund managers which are based upon an assessment of the underlying investees' financial positions, results, risk profile and prospects.

For fair values determined using valuation models, the control framework includes development or validation by independent support functions of the model logic, inputs, model outputs and adjustments. Valuation models are subject to a process of due diligence before becoming operational and are calibrated against external market data on an ongoing basis.

Changes in fair value are generally subject to a profit and loss analysis process and are disaggregated into high-level categories including portfolio changes, market movements and other fair value adjustments.

The majority of financial instruments measured at fair value are in GB&M. GB&M's fair value governance structure comprises its Finance function and Valuation Committees. Finance is responsible for establishing procedures governing valuation and ensuring fair values are in compliance with accounting standards. The fair values are reviewed by the group's Valuation Committees, which consist of independent support functions. Within GB&M, these Committees are overseen by the Group's Valuation Committee Review Group, which considers all material subjective valuations. The insurance business also holds portfolios of financial instruments for which the valuations are subjective and an Investment Valuation Committee oversees those fair values.

Financial liabilities measured at fair value

In certain circumstances, the group records its own debt in issue at fair value, based on quoted prices in an active market for the specific instrument. When quoted market prices are unavailable, the own debt in issue is valued using valuation techniques, the inputs for which are either based on quoted prices in an inactive market for the instrument or are estimated by comparison with quoted prices in an active market for similar instruments. In both cases, the fair value includes the effect of applying the credit spread which is appropriate to the group's liabilities. The change in fair value of issued debt securities attributable to the group's own credit spread is computed as follows: for each security at each reporting date, an externally verifiable price is obtained or a price is derived using credit spreads for similar securities for the same issuer. Then, using discounted cash flow, each security is valued using a Libor-based discount curve. The difference in the valuations is attributable to the group's own credit spread. This methodology is applied consistently across all securities.

Structured notes issued and certain other hybrid instruments are included within 'Financial liabilities designated at fair value' and are measured at fair value. The credit spread applied to these instruments is derived from the spreads at which the group issues structured notes.

Gains and losses arising from changes in the credit spread of liabilities issued by the group reverse over the contractual life of the debt, provided that the debt is not repaid at a premium or a discount.

Fair value hierarchy

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities are determined according to the following hierarchy:

-- Level 1 - valuation technique using quoted market price: financial instruments with quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets that the group can access at the measurement date.

-- Level 2 - valuation technique using observable inputs: financial instruments with quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in inactive markets and financial instruments valued using models where all significant inputs are observable.

-- Level 3 - valuation technique with significant unobservable inputs: financial instruments valued using valuation techniques where one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

 
 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 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 
                                   ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  --------- 
 
At 31 Dec 2018 
Assets 
Trading assets(1)                    395,769  162,841     228      558,838            -    558,838 
Derivatives                            3,219  209,450   1,206      213,875       78,994    292,869 
Financial assets designated 
 and otherwise mandatorily 
 measured at fair value 
 through profit or loss               75,105   36,599  21,155      132,859            -    132,859 
Financial investments              1,146,426  352,490   4,709    1,503,625            -  1,503,625 
 
Liabilities 
                                   ---------  -------  ------  -----------  -----------  ----------- 
Trading liabilities(1)                74,376    6,818       -       81,194            -     81,194 
Derivatives                            3,348  220,043   1,842      225,233       70,320    295,553 
Financial liabilities designated 
 at fair value(1)                          -  139,782  21,361      161,143            -    161,143 
 
 
   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 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           -            - 
--------------  ------------  -------  -------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 
 At 31 Dec 
 2018 
 Transfers 
  from Level 
  1 to Level 2         9,955    1,389              -            -           349           -            - 
                ------------           -------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 Transfers 
  from Level 
  2 to Level 1       121,667   18,109              -            -           376           -            - 
--------------  ------------           -------------  -----------  ------------  ----------  ----------- 
 

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 between Level 3 and Level 1 or Level 2 as a result of change in observability of valuation inputs, settlement, nor material gains/loss recognised in the income statement/other comprehensive income during the year in relation to financial instruments carried at fair value in Level 3 (2018: immaterial). The increase in Level 3 assets was mainly due to the purchase of private equity fund and other alternative investments of HK$11,463m (2018: HK$12,200m) to back policyholder liabilities to support growth in the insurance business.

Fair value adjustments

Fair value adjustments are adopted when the group determines there are additional factors considered by market participants that are not incorporated within the valuation model. Movements in the level of fair value adjustments do not necessarily result in the recognition of profits or losses within the income statement, such as when models are enhanced and therefore fair value adjustments may no longer be required.

Bid-offer

HKFRS 13 requires use of the price within the bid-offer spread that is most representative of fair value. Valuation models will typically generate mid-market values. The bid-offer adjustment reflects the extent to which bid-offer costs would be incurred if substantially all residual net portfolio market risks were closed using available hedging instruments or by disposing of, or unwinding the position.

Uncertainty

Certain model inputs may be less readily determinable from market data, and/or the choice of model itself may be more subjective. In these circumstances, an adjustment may be necessary to reflect the likelihood that market participants would adopt more conservative values for uncertain parameters and/or model assumptions, than those used in the group's valuation model.

Credit valuation adjustment ('CVA') and debit valuation adjustment ('DVA')

The CVA is an adjustment to the valuation of over-the-counter ('OTC') derivative contracts to reflect the possibility that the counterparty may default and the group may not receive the full market value of the transactions.

The DVA is an adjustment to the valuation of OTC derivative contracts to reflect the possibility that the group may default, and that the group may not pay the full market value of the transactions.

The group calculates a separate CVA and DVA for each legal entity, and for each counterparty to which the entity has exposure. With the exception of central clearing parties, all third-party counterparties are included in the CVA and DVA calculations, and these adjustments are not netted across group entities.

The group calculates the CVA by applying the probability of default ('PD') of the counterparty, conditional on the non-default of the group, to the group's expected positive exposure to the counterparty and multiplying the result by the loss expected in the event of default. Conversely, the group calculates the DVA by applying the PD of the group, conditional on the non-default of the counterparty, to the expected positive exposure of the counterparty to the group and multiplying the result by the loss expected in the event of default. Both calculations are performed over the life of the potential exposure.

For most products the group uses a simulation methodology, which incorporates a range of potential exposures over the life of the portfolio, to calculate the expected positive exposure to a counterparty. The simulation methodology includes credit mitigants, such as counterparty netting agreements and collateral agreements with the counterparty.

The methodologies do not, in general, account for 'wrong-way risk' which arises when the underlying value of the derivative prior to any CVA is positively correlated to the PD of the counterparty. When there is significant wrong-way risk, a trade-specific approach is applied to reflect this risk in the valuation.

Funding fair value adjustment ('FFVA')

The FFVA is calculated by applying future market funding spreads to the expected future funding exposure of any uncollateralised component of the OTC derivative portfolio. The expected future funding exposure is calculated by a simulation methodology, where available and is adjusted for events that may terminate the exposure, such as the default of the group or the counterparty. The FFVA and DVA are calculated independently.

Model limitation

Models used for portfolio valuation purposes may be based upon a simplifying set of assumptions that do not capture all material market characteristics. In these circumstances, model limitation adjustments are adopted.

Inception profit (Day 1 profit or loss reserves)

Inception profit adjustments are adopted when the fair value estimated by a valuation model is based on one or more significant unobservable inputs.

Effects of changes in significant unobservable assumptions to reasonably possible alternatives

The key unobservable inputs to Level 3 financial instruments include volatility and correlation for structured notes and deposits valued using option models, bid quotes for corporate bonds valued using approaches that take into account market comparables, and multiple items for private equity and strategic investments. In the absence of an active market, the fair value of private equity and strategic investments is estimated on the basis of an analysis of the investee's financial position and results, risk profile, prospects and other factors, as well as by reference to market valuations for similar entities quoted in an active market, or the price at which similar companies have changed ownership. The change in fair values due to changes in reasonably possible alternative assumptions for these unobservable inputs is not significant.

Favourable and unfavourable changes are determined on the basis of sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity analysis aims to measure a range of fair values consistent with the application of a 95% confidence interval. Methodologies take account of the nature of the valuation technique employed, the availability and reliability of observable proxies and historical data. When the available data is not amenable to statistical analysis, the quantification of uncertainty is judgemental, but remains guided by the 95% confidence interval. The sensitivity of Level 3 fair values to reasonably possible alternative assumptions is not significant.

 
 35   Fair values of financial instruments not carried at fair value 
---  --------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 Fair values of financial instruments not carried at fair value and 
  bases of valuation 
                                                         Fair Value Hierarchy 
                                                   Quoted                Significant 
                                                   market  Observable   unobservable 
                                                    price      inputs         inputs 
                                        Carrying    Level       Level          Level 
                                          amount        1           2              3        Total 
                                            HK$m     HK$m        HK$m           HK$m         HK$m 
At 31 Dec 2019 
Assets 
Reverse repurchase agreements - 
 non-trading                             422,333        -     417,294          5,385    422,679 
 
Loans and advances to banks              328,905        -     323,304          5,501    328,805 
 
Loans and advances to customers        3,720,875        -      56,475      3,654,716  3,711,191 
 
Financial investments - at amortised 
 cost                                    434,300   77,108     382,368            356    459,832 
 
Liabilities 
Repurchase agreements - non-trading      106,396        -     106,398              -    106,398 
 
Deposits by banks                        179,819        -     179,823              -    179,823 
 
Customer accounts                      5,432,424        -   5,432,803              -  5,432,803 
 
Debt securities in issue                 106,933        -     107,641              -    107,641 
 
Subordinated liabilities                   4,066        -         952          2,999      3,951 
 
 
At 31 Dec 2018 
Assets 
Reverse repurchase agreements - 
 non-trading                             406,327        -     396,061         10,723    406,784 
 
Loans and advances to banks              338,151        -     322,443         15,531    337,974 
 
Loans and advances to customers        3,528,702        -      52,262      3,473,497  3,525,759 
 
Financial investments - at amortised 
 cost                                    367,401    8,543     356,836              -    365,379 
 
Liabilities 
Repurchase agreements - non-trading       70,279        -      70,282              -     70,282 
 
Deposits by banks                        164,664        -     164,662              -    164,662 
 
Customer accounts                      5,207,666        -   5,207,871              -  5,207,871 
 
Debt securities in issue                  58,236        -      58,808              -     58,808 
 
Subordinated liabilities                   4,081        -         960          2,919      3,879 
 
Preference shares                             98        -           -             98         98 
 
 

The fair values above are stated at a specific date and may be significantly different from the amounts which will actually be paid on the maturity or settlement dates of the instruments. In many cases, it would not be possible to realise immediately the estimated fair values given the size of the portfolios measured. Accordingly, these fair values do not represent the value of these financial instruments to the group as a going concern.

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. They include cash and balances at central banks, items in the course of collection from and transmission to other banks, Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness and Hong Kong currency notes in circulation, all of which are measured at amortised cost.

Valuation

Fair value is an estimate of the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It does not reflect the economic benefits and costs that the group expects to flow from an instrument's cash flow over its expected future life. Our valuation methodologies and assumptions in determining fair values for which no observable market prices are available may differ from those of other companies.

Repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading

Fair values approximate carrying amounts as these balances are generally short dated.

Loans and advances to banks and customers

To determine the fair value of loans and advances to banks and customers, loans are segregated, as far as possible, into portfolios of similar characteristics. Fair values are based on observable market transactions, when available. When they are unavailable, fair values are estimated using valuation models incorporating a range of input assumptions. These assumptions may include: value estimates from third-party brokers reflecting over-the-counter trading activity; forward-looking discounted cash flow models, taking account of expected customer prepayment rates, using assumptions that the group believes are consistent with those that would be used by market participants in valuing such loans; new business rates estimates for similar loans; and trading inputs from other market participants including observed primary and secondary trades. From time to time, we may engage a third-party valuation specialist to measure the fair value of a pool of loans.

The fair value of loans reflects expected credit losses at the balance sheet date and estimates of market participants' expectations of credit losses over the life of the loans, and the fair value effect of repricing between origination and the balance sheet date. For credit impaired loans, fair value is estimated by discounting the future cash flows over the time period they are expected to be recovered.

Financial investments

The fair values of listed financial investments are determined using bid market prices. The fair values of unlisted financial investments are determined using valuation techniques that incorporate the prices and future earnings streams of equivalent quoted securities.

Deposits by banks and customer accounts

The fair values of on-demand deposits are approximated by their carrying value. For deposits with longer-term maturities, fair values are estimated using discounted cash flows, applying current rates offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities

Fair values are determined using quoted market prices at the balance sheet date where available, or by reference to quoted market prices for similar instruments.

 
 36   Structured entities 
---  -------------------- 
 

The group is involved with both consolidated and unconsolidated structured entities through the securitisation of financial assets, conduits and investment funds, established either by the group or a third party.

Consolidated structured entities

The group uses consolidated structured entities to securitise customer loans and advances it originates to diversify its sources of funding for asset origination and capital efficiency purposes. The loans and advances are transferred by the group to the structured entities for cash or synthetically through credit default swaps, and the structured entities issue debt securities to investors. The group's transactions with these entities are not significant.

Unconsolidated structured entities

The term 'unconsolidated structured entities' refers to all structured entities not controlled by the group. The group enters into transactions with unconsolidated structured entities in the normal course of business to facilitate customer transactions and for specific investment opportunities.

 
Nature and risks associated with the group's interests in unconsolidated 
 structured entities 
                                                                                      HSBC    Non-HSBC 
                                                                                   managed     managed 
                                                               Securitisations       funds       funds     Other      Total 
Total asset values of the entities 
 (HK$bn) 
0-4                                                                       58          47          95        40        240 
4-15                                                                       8          25          89         2        124 
15-39                                                                      -           6          41         -         47 
39-196                                                                     -           1          26         -         27 
196+                                                                       -           1           4         -          5 
Number of entities at 31 Dec 2019                                         66          80         255        42        443 
                                                             --------------- 
                                                                          HK$m        HK$m        HK$m      HK$m       HK$m 
                                                             ----------------- 
Total assets in relation to the 
 group's interests in the unconsolidated 
 structured entities                                                  27,636      24,258      50,241    13,140    115,275 
 
 
  *    trading assets                                                      -         774           -         -        774 
 
 *    financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily 
      measured at fair value through profit or loss                        -      23,484      50,241         -     73,725 
 
  *    derivatives                                                         -           -           -         -          - 
 
  *    loans and advances to customers                                27,636           -           -    12,742     40,378 
 
  *    financial investments                                               -           -           -         -          - 
 
  *    other assets                                                        -           -           -       398        398 
Total liabilities in relation 
 to the group's interests in the 
 unconsolidated structured entities                                        -           -           -         -          - 
                                                             --------------- 
Other off balance sheet commitments                                      857       1,797      14,664     3,958     21,276 
                                                             --------------- 
The group's maximum exposure at 
 31 Dec 2019                                                          28,493      26,055      64,905    17,098    136,551 
                                                             --------------- 
 
 
 Nature and risks associated with the group's interests in unconsolidated 
  structured entities (continued) 
                                                                                      HSBC    Non-HSBC 
                                                                                   managed     managed 
                                                               Securitisations       funds       funds     Other      Total 
Total asset values of the entities 
 (HK$bn) 
0-4                                                                       38          39          97        36        210 
4-15                                                                       7          18          84         1        110 
15-39                                                                      1           4          38         -         43 
39-196                                                                     -           1          21         -         22 
196+                                                                       -           1           5         -          6 
 
Number of entities at 31 Dec 2018                                         46          63         245        37        391 
                                                             --------------- 
                                                                          HK$m        HK$m        HK$m      HK$m       HK$m 
                                                             ----------------- 
Total assets in relation to the 
 group's interests in the unconsolidated 
 structured entities                                                  17,907      20,540      40,101    15,598     94,146 
 
  *    trading assets                                                      -          76           -         -         76 
 
 *    financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily 
      measured at fair value through profit or loss                        -      19,292      40,101         -     59,393 
 
  *    derivatives                                                         -           -           -         -          - 
 
  *    loans and advances to customers                                17,907           -           -    15,253     33,160 
 
  *    financial investments                                               -       1,172           -         -      1,172 
 
  *    other assets                                                        -           -           -       345        345 
 
Total liabilities in relation 
 to the group's interests in the 
 unconsolidated structured entities                                        -           -           -         -          - 
Other off balance sheet commitments                                       19           -       8,905     6,877     15,801 
                                                             --------------- 
The group's maximum exposure at 
 31 Dec 2018                                                          17,926      20,540      49,006    22,475    109,947 
                                                             --------------- 
 

The maximum exposure to loss from the group's interests in unconsolidated structured entities represents the maximum loss it could incur as a result of its involvement with these entities regardless of the probability of the loss being incurred.

-- For commitments, guarantees and written credit default swaps, the maximum exposure to loss is the notional amount of potential future losses.

-- For retained and purchased investments in and loans to unconsolidated structured entities, the maximum exposure to loss is the carrying value of these interests at the balance sheet reporting date.

The maximum exposure to loss is stated gross of the effects of hedging and collateral arrangements entered into to mitigate the group's exposure to loss.

Securitisations

The group has interests in unconsolidated securitisation vehicles through holding notes issued by these entities.

HSBC managed funds

The group establishes and manages money market funds and non-money market investment funds to provide customers with investment opportunities. The group, as fund manager, may be entitled to receive management and performance fees based on the assets under management. The group may also retain units in these funds.

Non-HSBC managed funds

The group purchases and holds units of third-party managed funds in order to facilitate business and meet customer needs. In addition to entities, asset and liability classes disclosed above, the group enters into derivative contracts with non-HSBC managed funds.

Other

The group has established structured entities in the normal course of business, such as structured credit transactions for customers, to provide finance to public and private sector infrastructure projects, and for asset and structured finance transactions. In addition to the interest disclosed above, the group enters into derivative contracts, reverse repos and stock borrowing transactions with structured entities. These interests arise in the normal course of business for the facilitation of third-party transactions and risk management solutions.

Structured entities sponsored by the group

The amount of assets transferred to and income received from such sponsored entities during 2019 and 2018 were not significant.

 
 37   Bank balance sheet and statement of changes in equity 
---  ------------------------------------------------------ 
 

Bank balance sheet at 31 December 2019

 
                                                                       2019         2018 
                                                                       HK$m         HK$m 
                                                                  ---------  ----------- 
Assets 
 Cash and balances at central banks                                 156,273    147,447 
                                                                  --------- 
 Items in the course of collection from other banks                  15,437     18,021 
 Hong Kong Government certificates of indebtedness                  298,944    280,854 
 Trading assets                                                     496,660    439,155 
 Derivatives                                                        267,018    276,558 
 Financial assets designated and otherwise mandatorily 
  measured at fair value through profit or loss                       7,087      6,298 
 Reverse repurchase agreements - non-trading                        235,823    243,203 
 Loans and advances to banks                                        184,429    159,636 
 Loans and advances to customers                                  2,024,194  1,947,307 
 Financial investments                                              830,648    866,566 
 Amounts due from Group companies                                   332,865    347,652 
 Investments in subsidiaries                                         93,355     88,169 
 Interests in associates and joint ventures                          39,830     39,830 
 Goodwill and intangible assets                                      11,242      8,419 
 Property, plant and equipment                                       79,208     75,897 
---------------------------------------------------------------- 
Deferred tax assets                                                     819        682 
 Prepayments, accrued income and other assets                       131,368    130,057 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total assets                                                     5,205,200  5,075,751 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
Liabilities 
 Hong Kong currency notes in circulation                            298,944    280,854 
                                                                  --------- 
 Items in the course of transmission to other banks                  17,878     22,786 
                                                                  --------- 
 Repurchase agreements - non-trading                                 61,793     55,142 
                                                                  --------- 
 Deposits by banks                                                  129,703    121,618 
                                                                  --------- 
 Customer accounts                                                3,287,463  3,186,542 
                                                                  --------- 
 Trading liabilities                                                 49,399     47,491 
                                                                  --------- 
 Derivatives                                                        277,421    279,056 
                                                                  --------- 
 Financial liabilities designated at fair value                      44,748     42,545 
                                                                  --------- 
 Debt securities in issue                                            53,584     41,398 
                                                                  --------- 
 Retirement benefit liabilities                                       1,426      2,085 
                                                                  --------- 
 Amounts due to Group companies                                     384,490    439,262 
                                                                  --------- 
 Accruals and deferred income, other liabilities and provisions     110,893     98,983 
                                                                  --------- 
 Current tax liabilities                                              7,556      1,600 
                                                                  --------- 
 Deferred tax liabilities                                             9,199      8,836 
                                                                  --------- 
 Subordinated liabilities                                             3,114      3,133 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 Total liabilities                                                4,737,611  4,631,331 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
Equity 
 Share capital                                                      172,335    172,335 
                                                                  --------- 
 Other equity instruments                                            44,615     35,879 
                                                                  --------- 
 Other reserves                                                      27,101     23,346 
                                                                  --------- 
 Retained earnings                                                  223,538    212,860 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
Total equity                                                        467,589    444,420 
 Total equity and liabilities                                     5,205,200  5,075,751 
----------------------------------------------------------------  ---------  --------- 
 

Bank statement of changes in equity for the year ended 31 December 2019

 
                                                                                                                    Other reserves 
                                                                                                                Financial       Cash 
                                                                             Other                 Property        assets       flow   Foreign 
                                                              Share         equity  Retained    revaluation      at FVOCI      hedge  exchange                 Total 
                                                            capital    instruments  earnings        reserve    reserve(7)    reserve   reserve  Other(1)      equity 
                                                               HK$m           HK$m      HK$m           HK$m          HK$m       HK$m      HK$m      HK$m        HK$m 
                                                            -------  -------------  --------  -------------  ------------  ---------            --------  ---------- 
At 1 Jan 2019                                               172,335     35,879      212,860     39,506         1,037         (84)     (12,846)   (4,267)  444,420 
Profit for the year                                               -          -       79,694          -             -           -            -         -    79,694 
Other comprehensive 
 income/(expense) (net 
 of tax)                                                          -          -       (1,993)     2,836         2,467         (35)        (481)        -     2,794 
 
  *    debt instruments at fair value through other 
       comprehensive income                                       -          -            -          -         1,438           -            -         -     1,438 
 
  *    equity instruments designated at fair value through 
       other comprehensive income                                 -          -            -          -         1,029           -            -         -     1,029 
 
  *    cash flow hedges                                           -          -            -          -             -         (35)           -         -       (35) 
 
  *    changes in fair value of financial liabilities 
       designated at fair value upon initial recognition 
       arising from changes in own credit risk                    -          -       (2,007)         -             -           -            -         -    (2,007) 
 
  *    property revaluation                                       -          -            -      2,836             -           -            -         -     2,836 
 
  *    remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability           -          -           14          -             -           -            -         -        14 
 
  *    exchange differences                                       -          -            -          -             -           -         (481)        -      (481) 
                                                            -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----                ------- 
Total comprehensive 
 income/(expense) for 
 the year                                                         -          -       77,701      2,836         2,467         (35)        (481)        -    82,488 
                                                                                                        ---           ---  -----                ------- 
Other equity instruments 
 issued(2)                                                        -     44,615            -          -             -           -            -         -    44,615 
                                                            -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----                ------- 
Other equity instruments 
 repaid(2)                                                        -    (35,879)           -          -             -           -            -         -   (35,879) 
                                                            -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----                ------- 
Dividends paid(3)                                                 -          -      (68,369)         -             -           -            -         -   (68,369) 
                                                            -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----                ------- 
Movement in respect 
 of share-based payment 
 arrangements                                                     -          -          (30)         -             -           -            -       227       197 
Transfers and other 
 movements                                                        -          -        1,376     (1,366)            -           -            -       107       117 
                                                            -------  ---------      -------   --------       -------  ---  -----                ------- 
At 31 Dec 2019                                              172,335     44,615      223,538     40,976         3,504        (119)     (13,327)   (3,933)  467,589 
                                                            -------  ---------      -------   --------  ---  -------  ---  -----                ------- 
 
At 31 Dec 2017(7)                                           151,360     14,737      205,582     39,799         1,688        (118)      (9,473)  (13,041)  390,534 
Impact on transition 
 to HKFRS 9                                                       -              -     (896)              -     (356)              -         -         -   (1,252) 
At 1 Jan 2018                                               151,360     14,737      204,686     39,799         1,332        (118)      (9,473)  (13,041)  389,282 
                                                                                                        ---           --- 
Profit for the year                                               -              -   75,742               -             -          -         -         -   75,742 
                                                                                                                           ---------            -------- 
Other comprehensive 
 income/(expense) (net 
 of tax)                                                          -              -     (535)     8,410          (295)         34       (3,373)         -    4,241 
 
  *    debt instruments at fair value through other 
       comprehensive income                                       -              -         -              -     (261)              -         -         -     (261) 
 
  *    equity instruments designated at fair value through 
       other comprehensive income                                 -              -         -              -      (34)              -         -         -      (34) 
 
  *    cash flow hedges                                           -              -         -              -             -     34             -         -       34 
 
  *    changes in fair value of financial liabilities 
       designated at fair value upon initial recognition 
       arising from changes in own credit risk                    -              -     (208)              -             -          -         -         -     (208) 
 
  *    property revaluation                                       -              -         -     8,410                  -          -         -         -    8,410 
 
  *    remeasurement of defined benefit asset/liability           -              -     (327)              -             -          -         -         -     (327) 
 
  *    exchange differences                                       -              -         -              -             -          -   (3,373)         -   (3,373) 
Total comprehensive 
 income/(expense) for 
 the year                                                         -              -   75,207      8,410          (295)         34       (3,373)         -   79,983 
Other equity instruments 
 issued(2)                                                        -     21,142             -              -             -          -         -         -   21,142 
                                                            -------                                                        ---------            -------- 
Dividends paid(3)                                                 -              -  (47,440)              -             -          -         -         -  (47,440) 
                                                            -------                                                        ---------            -------- 
Movement in respect 
 of share-based payment 
 arrangements                                                     -              -     (213)              -             -          -         -      215         2 
Transfers and other 
 movements(4,6)                                              20,975              -  (19,380)    (8,703)                 -          -         -    8,559     1,451 
                                                                                                                           --------- 
At 31 Dec 2018                                              172,335     35,879      212,860     39,506         1,037         (84)     (12,846)   (4,267)  444,420 
                                                                                                        ---           --- 
 

For footnotes, please refer to page 65.

 
 38   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 Bank 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). While the outcome of legal proceedings and regulatory matters is inherently uncertain, management believes that, based on the information available to it, appropriate provisions have been made in respect of these matters as at 31 December 2019. 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 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 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 plc also entered into an agreement with the Office of Foreign Assets Control ('OFAC') regarding historical transactions involving parties subject to OFAC sanctions. Reflective of HSBC's significant progress in strengthening its financial crime risk management capabilities, HSBC's engagement with the current Skilled Person will be terminated and a new Skilled Person with a narrower mandate will be 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.

Tax-related investigations

Various tax administration, regulatory and law enforcement authorities around the world have been conducting investigations and reviews of HSBC companies in connection with allegations of tax evasion or tax fraud, money laundering and unlawful cross-border banking solicitation.

HSBC continues to cooperate with tax-related investigations by tax administration, regulatory or law enforcement authorities. Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this time for HSBC to predict the resolution of these ongoing matters, including the timing or any possible impact on HSBC.

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 have moved to dismiss.

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

 
 39   Ultimate holding company 
---  ------------------------- 
 

The ultimate holding company of the Bank is HSBC Holdings plc, which is incorporated in England.

The largest group in which the accounts of the Bank are consolidated is that headed by HSBC Holdings plc. The consolidated accounts of HSBC Holdings plc are available to the public on the HSBC Group's website at www.hsbc.com or may be obtained from 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, United Kingdom.

 
 40   Events after the balance sheet date 
---  ------------------------------------ 
 

The Directors of the Group approved a 2020 business update after 31 December 2019, setting out a plan that aims to reallocate capital to areas that can deliver stronger returns, to reduce costs across the Group, and to simplify the business. One change as part of this plan is a change to the global businesses that form the group's reportable segments as described in note 32. The existing Retail Banking & Wealth Management and Global Private Banking global businesses will be merged to create one new global business, Wealth and Personal Banking, which will become a reportable segment during 2020.

The ECL at 31 December 2019 was estimated based on a range of forecast economic conditions as at that date. Since early January 2020, the coronavirus outbreak has spread across mainland China and beyond, causing disruption to business and economic activity. The impact on GDP and other key indicators will be considered when determining the severity and likelihood of downside economic scenarios that will be used to estimate ECL under HKFRS 9 in 2020.

 
 41   Approval of financial statements 
---  --------------------------------- 
 

The Consolidated Financial Statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 18 February 2020.

 
(c) The Hongkong and Shanghai 
 Banking 
 Corporation Limited 2020 
Printed by Asia One Printing 
 Limited, Hong Kong, 
 on Nautilus SuperWhite board 
 and paper using 
 vegetable oil-based inks. Made 
 in Austria, the 
 paper comprises 100% de-inked 
 post-consumer 
 waste. Pulps used are totally 
 chlorine-free. 
The FSC(TM) recycled label 
 means that the materials 
 used for this product come 
 from recycled material 
 certified in accordance with 
 the rules of the Forest 
 Stewardship Council(R). 
 
 

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited

HSBC Main Building

1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong

Telephone: (852) 2822 1111

Facsimile: (852) 2810 1112

www.hsbc.com.hk

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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March 13, 2020 06:02 ET (10:02 GMT)

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