HSBC Bank Canada Third Quarter 2023 Results

VANCOUVER, British Columbia–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Banks–Linda Seymour, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Canada1, said:
“Performance in the third quarter remained resilient. Core business activity remained strong with increased average loan and deposit balances positively impacting the quarter. Total operating income dropped slightly compared to the third quarter of 2022 due to the impact of higher cost of liabilities from rising interest rates and more challenging market conditions. Total operating income increased 10% for the year-to-date.
“While inflation is moderating, and we expect a soft landing for the economy, financial headwinds are getting stronger. As we have for over 40 years, we’ll continue to provide the support that our clients have come to expect through both good and challenging times.”
Highlights3 financial performance (3Q23 vs 3Q22)

Profit before income tax expense was $282m, down $16m or 5.4% primarily driven by costs related to the agreed sale2 of HSBC Bank Canada, partly offset by a lower charge in ECL.

Total operating income remained resilient at $660m, down slightly by $5m or 0.8%.

Change in expected credit losses (‘ECL’) was a charge of $26m compared to a charge of $42m in the prior year. The charge in the current quarter was primarily driven by new charges in non-performing loans and the impact of rising interest rates on the mortgage portfolio.

Total operating expenses were up by $27m or 8.3% mainly due to costs related to the agreed sale2 of HSBC Bank Canada, partly offset by lower investment spend in 2023.

Highlights3 financial performance (YTD 23 vs YTD 22)

Profit before income tax expense was strong at $893m, up $105m or 13% with operating income up $184m or 10%, and a lower ECL charge. Total operating expenses were up $120m or 12% mainly due to costs related to the agreed sale2 of HSBC Bank Canada, partly offset by lower investment spend in 2023.

All business segments were profitable with increases in profit before tax expense and total operating income across three of our four business segments.

Total assets were $120.5bn, down $7.9bn or 6.1%, from 31 December 2022.

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio4 of 13.8%, up 220 bps from 31 December 2022.

Return on average common equity5 of 15.2%, up 70 bps from 31 December 2022.

HSBC Bank Canada and its subsidiary undertakings (together ‘the bank’, ‘we’, ‘our’) is an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (‘HSBC Holdings’). Throughout the document, HSBC Holdings is defined as the ‘HSBC Group’ or the ‘Group’.

On 29 November 2022, HSBC Group announced an agreement to sell its 100% equity stake in HSBC Bank Canada to Royal Bank of Canada (‘RBC’). For further information, refer to the ‘Agreed sale of HSBC Bank Canada’ section of this document.

For the quarter and year-to-date ended 30 September 2023 compared with the same periods in the prior year (unless otherwise stated). The abbreviations ‘$m’ and ‘$bn’ represent millions and billions of Canadian dollars, respectively.

Capital ratios and risk weighted assets are calculated using the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada’s (‘OSFI’) Capital Adequacy Requirements (‘CAR’) guideline, and the Leverage ratio is calculated using OSFI’s Leverage Requirements (‘LR’) guideline. The CAR and LR guidelines are based on the Basel III guidelines.

In evaluating our performance, we use supplementary financial measures which have been calculated from International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) figures. For further information on these financial measures refer to the ‘Use of supplementary financial measures’ section of this document.

Analysis of consolidated financial results for the third quarter ended 30 September 20231
Net interest income was $428m for the quarter, a decrease of $21m or 4.7% as a result of higher cost of liabilities due to rising interest rates and change in deposit mix, partly offset by increased asset yields. Net interest income was $1,322m for the year-to-date, an increase of $167m or 14%. This was due to the impact of the central bank rate increases over the past year and higher average loans and advances to customers compared to the first nine months of 2022, partly offset by the same factors described in the quarter.
Net fee income was $187m for the quarter, a decrease of $7m or 3.6% driven by the continued challenging market conditions, resulting in lower credit facility fees from fewer originations and lower brokerage volumes in our Global Banking business. These decreases were partly offset by increased activity in remittances and cards.
For the year-to-date, net fee income was $570m, a decrease of $17m or 2.9% as the challenging market conditions resulted in lower fees on investment funds under management in Wealth and Personal Banking. This was coupled with lower credit facility fees, underwriting fees and brokerage commissions in our Global Banking business. These decreases were partly offset by increased activity in cards and increased transactions in account services across our businesses and higher credit facility fees in Commercial Banking from higher volumes of bankers’ acceptances.
Net income from financial instruments held for trading was $37m for the quarter, an increase of $22m or 147%. The increase was mainly from a favourable change in cash flow hedge instruments and higher income from trading activities.
Net income from financial instruments held for trading was $104m for the year-to-date, an increase of $38m or 58%. The increase was driven by the same factors as in the quarter, coupled with an increase in net interest income from trading activities due to the higher interest rate environment. These increases were partly offset by lower favourable movements in credit and funding fair valuation adjustments compared to the prior year.
The change in ECL for the quarter resulted in a charge of $26m primarily driven by new charges in non-performing loans and the impact of rising interest rates on the mortgage portfolio. This compares to a charge in 2022 of $42m primarily driven by the continued adverse movement in forward-looking macro-economic variables on performing loans at that time.
ECL for the year-to-date resulted in a charge of $41m compared to a charge of $82m in 2022. The charge for the year-to-date was driven by the same factors as in the quarter, partly offset by a release in performing loans due to a relative improvement in forward-looking macro-economic variables. In 2022, the ECL was driven by a significant charge for a material stage 3 loan in the first half of 2022. ECL for performing loans resulted in a release mainly from COVID-19 related allowances in the first quarter, partly offset by a charge driven by an adverse shift in forward-looking macro-economic variables in the second and third quarters of 2022.
Total operating expenses were $352m for quarter, an increase of $27m or 8.3%, and $1,084m for the year-to-date, an increase of $120m or 12%. The increase for both the quarter and year-to-date was mainly due to costs relating to the agreed sale2 of HSBC Bank Canada which includes the re-assessment of the useful life and impairment of intangible assets. Higher staff-related costs also contributed to the increase. This was partly offset by lower investment spend in 2023.
Income tax expense: the effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2023 was 28.0%. The statutory tax rate was 27.8% which incorporates the additional tax on banks and life insurance groups announced in April 2022. Compared to the statutory rate, there has been a nominal increase in tax liabilities. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2022 was 26.6%.

For the quarter and year-to-date ended 30 September 2023 compared with the same periods in the prior year (unless otherwise stated).

On 29 November 2022, the HSBC Group announced an agreement to sell its 100% equity stake in HSBC Bank Canada to Royal Bank of Canada (‘RBC’). For further information, refer to the ‘Agreed sale of HSBC Bank Canada’ section of this document.

Dividends
Dividends declared in the third quarter 2023
During the third quarter of 2023, the bank declared regular quarterly dividends of $19m on all series of outstanding HSBC Bank Canada Class 1 preferred shares and paid such dividends in accordance with their terms. No dividends were declared or paid on HSBC Bank Canada common shares during the third quarter of 2023.
Deemed dividend recorded in the third quarter 2023
On 18 September 2023, HSBC Global Services (Canada) Limited (‘ServCo’), which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings, transferred certain shared services to the bank. The transfer was not designed to deliver economic benefits from changes in business activities, but represents a rearrangement of the organization of business activities across legal entities under the common control of HSBC Holdings plc in its capacity as the ultimate shareholder. The transfer of people and other supporting assets have no significant impact on the overall financial results, position or operations of the bank.
The consideration paid to ServCo as part of the transaction was $2m. The combination of the net liabilities assumed and the consideration paid is recognized in equity as a deemed dividend of $4m to the ultimate shareholder.
Dividends declared in the fourth quarter 2023
On 26 October 2023, the bank declared regular quarterly dividends for the fourth quarter of 2023 on all series of outstanding HSBC Bank Canada Class 1 preferred shares, to be paid in accordance with their terms in the usual manner on 31 December 2023 or the first business day thereafter to the shareholder of record on 15 December 2023.
As the quarterly dividends on preferred shares for the fourth quarter of 2023 were declared after 30 September 2023, the amounts have not been included in the balance sheet as a liability. At this time, no dividends have been declared on HSBC Bank Canada common shares during the fourth quarter.
Business performance in the third quarter ended 30 September 20231
Commercial Banking (‘CMB’)
Profit before income tax expense for the quarter was $185m, a decrease of $10m or 5.1% mainly due to increased charges in ECL compared to the prior year and a decrease in net interest income. Profit before income tax expense for the year-to-date was $587m, an increase of $59m or 11% primarily due to an increase in operating income and lower charges in ECL compared to the prior year.
Total operating income for the quarter was $304m, a decrease of $4m or 1.3% and $925m for the year-to-date, an increase of $44m or 5%. CMB has maintained positive momentum in 2023 with average loan balances increasing by $2.5bn or 7.2% and average deposit balances increasing by $1.3bn or 4.8% compared to the first nine months of 2022. For the quarter, the decrease was a result of lower net interest income as a result of higher cost of liabilities due to rising interest rates and change in deposit mix, partly offset by increased asset yields. For the year-to-date, net interest income improved due to the impact of the central bank rate increases over the past year and higher average loan volumes. Non-interest income has similarly improved with higher volumes of bankers’ acceptances and increased activity in corporate credit cards.
Wealth and Personal Banking (‘WPB’)
Profit before income tax expense for the quarter was $98m, an increase of $15m or 18% due to higher operating income and lower charge in ECL, partly offset by higher operating expenses. Profit before income tax expense for the year-to-date was a record2 $307m, an increase of $99m or 48% primarily a result of record2 operating income, which was partly offset by higher operating expenses and higher ECL.
Total operating income for the quarter was $279m, an increase of $9m or 3.3% and a record2 $855m for the year-to-date, an increase of $136m or 19%. The increase in both periods was driven by improved margins as a result of the central bank rate increases over the past year, growth in average deposit balances and higher income from our online brokerage business, partly offset by changes in deposit mix and lower treasury related income.
Global Banking (‘GB’)
Profit before income tax expense for the quarter remained flat at $32m. Profit before income tax expense for the year-to-date was $107m, an increase of $37m or 53% as a result of higher operating income and a favourable change in ECL.
Total operating income for the quarter was $49m, a decrease of $9m or 16% mainly due to higher cost of liabilities due to rising interest rates and change in deposit mix decreasing net interest income. Total operating income for the year-to-date was $158m, an increase of $14m or 9.7%. Results from transaction banking activities remain strong, due mainly to higher spreads and higher income from trading activities compared to the adverse movement in the value of a loan syndication facility in the prior year. These increases were partly offset by lower revenues from capital markets reflecting, in part, slower client activity levels and challenging market conditions.
Markets and Securities Services (‘MSS’)
Profit before income tax expense for the quarter remained flat at $13m and $30m for the year-to-date, a decrease of $14m or 32% mainly due to lower operating income.
Total operating income for the quarter was $24m, a decrease of $2m or 7.7% and $66m for the year-to-date, a decrease of $17m or 20%. The decrease was driven mainly by fixed income trading, partly offset by higher net interest income driven by the central bank rate increases over the past year.
Corporate Centre3
Profit before income tax expense for the quarter was a loss of $46m, compared to a loss of $25m in the prior year. Profit before income tax for the year-to-date was a loss of $138m, compared to a loss of $62m for the same period in the prior year. This was mainly due to increased costs relating to the agreed sale4 of HSBC Bank Canada which includes the re-assessment of the useful life and impairment of intangible assets. This was partly offset by lower investment spend in 2023 and higher non-interest income.

1.

For the quarter and year-to-date ended 30 September 2023 compared with the same periods in the prior year (unless otherwise stated).

2.

Record for the nine months since inception of WPB as a single global business in 2011.

3.

Corporate Centre is not an operating segment of the bank. The numbers included above provides a reconciliation between operating segments and the entity results.

4.

On 29 November 2022, the HSBC Group announced an agreement to sell its 100% equity stake in HSBC Bank Canada to Royal Bank of Canada (‘RBC’). For further information, refer to the ‘Agreed sale of HSBC Bank Canada’ section of this document.

In evaluating our performance, we use supplementary financial measures which have been calculated from International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRS’) figures. Following is a glossary of the relevant measures used throughout this document but not presented within the consolidated financial statements. The following supplementary financial measures include average balances and annualized income statement figures, as noted, are used throughout this document.
Return on average common shareholder’s equity is calculated as annualized profit attributable to the common shareholder for the period divided by average1 common equity.
Return on average risk-weighted assets is calculated as the annualized profit before income tax expense divided by the average1 risk-weighted assets.
Cost efficiency ratio is calculated as total operating expenses as a percentage of total operating income.
Operating leverage ratio is calculated as the difference between the rates of change for operating income and operating expenses.
Net interest margin is net interest income expressed as an annualized percentage of average1 interest earning assets.
Change in expected credit losses to average gross loans and advances and acceptances is calculated as the annualized change in expected credit losses2 as a percentage of average1 gross loans and advances to customers and customers’ liabilities under acceptances.
Change in expected credit losses on stage 3 loans and advances and acceptances to average gross loans and advances and acceptances is calculated as the annualized change in expected credit losses2 on stage 3 assets as a percentage of average1 gross loans and advances to customers and customers’ liabilities under acceptances.
Total stage 3 allowance for expected credit losses to gross stage 3 loans and advances and acceptances is calculated as the total allowance for expected credit losses2 relating to stage 3 loans and advances to customers and customers’ liabilities under acceptances as a percentage of stage 3 loans and advances to customers and customers’ liabilities under acceptances.
Net write-offs as a percentage of average customer advances and acceptances is calculated as annualized net write-offs as a percentage of average1 net customer advances and customers’ liabilities under acceptances.
Ratio of customer advances to customer accounts is calculated as loans and advances to customers as a percentage of customer accounts.

The net interest margin is calculated using daily average balances. All other financial measures use average balances that are calculated using quarter-end balances.

Change in expected credit losses relates primarily to loans, acceptances and commitments.

HSBC Bank Canada
Financial highlights

(Figures in $m, except where otherwise stated)
Financial performance and position

Quarter ended

Nine months ended

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

Financial performance for the period

Total operating income

660

665

2,018

1,834

Profit before income tax expense

282

298

893

788

Profit attributable to the common shareholder

184

206

587

542

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges – (charge)

(26)

(42)

(41)

(82)

Operating expenses

(352)

(325)

(1,084)

(964)

Basic and diluted earnings per common share ($)

0.33

0.38

1.07

0.99

Financial ratios %1

Return on average common shareholder’s equity

13.8

17.6

15.2

14.5

Return on average risk-weighted assets

2.6

2.7

2.7

2.5

Cost efficiency ratio

53.3

48.9

53.7

52.6

Operating leverage ratio2

n/a

18.1

n/a

12.1

Net interest margin

1.58

1.62

1.62

1.42

Change in expected credit losses to average gross loans and advances and acceptances

0.13

0.21

0.07

0.14

Change in expected credit losses on stage 3 loans and advances and acceptances to average gross loans and advances and acceptances

0.12

0.08

0.12

0.15

Total stage 3 allowance for expected credit losses to gross stage 3 loans and advances and acceptances

32.0

29.0

32.0

29.0

Net write-offs as a percentage of average loans and advances and acceptances

—

0.01

0.01

0.23

Financial and capital measures

30 Sep 2023

31 Dec 2022

Financial position at period end

Total assets

120,452

128,302

Loans and advances to customers

73,721

74,862

Customer accounts

80,057

82,253

Ratio of customer advances to customer accounts (%)1

92.1

91.0

Common shareholder’s equity

5,398

4,818

Capital, leverage and liquidity measures

Common equity tier 1 capital ratio (%)3

13.8

11.6

Tier 1 ratio (%)3

16.3

14.1

Total capital ratio (%)3

18.7

16.4

Leverage ratio (%)3

5.4

4.7

Risk-weighted assets ($m)3

43,216

44,656

Liquidity coverage ratio (%)4

156

164

Refer to the ‘Use of supplementary financial measures’ section of this document for a glossary of the measures used.

n/a is shown where the ratio has resulted in a negative ratio.

The Liquidity coverage ratio is calculated using OSFI’s Liquidity Adequacy Requirements (‘LAR’) guideline, which incorporates the Basel liquidity standards. The LCR in this table has been calculated using averages of the three month-end figures in the quarter.

HSBC Bank Canada
Consolidated income statement (unaudited)

(Figures in $m, except per share amounts)

Quarter ended

Nine months ended

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

30 Sep 2023

30 Sep 2022

Interest income

1,322

934

3,869

2,035

Interest expense

(894)

(485)

(2,547)

(880)

Net interest income

428

449

1,322

1,155

Fee income

218

223

664

669

Fee expense

(31)

(29)

(94)

(82)

Net fee income

187

194

570

587

Net income from financial instruments held for trading

37

15

104

66

Changes in fair value of other financial instruments mandatorily measured at fair value through profit and loss

—

—

—

(1)

Gains less losses from financial investments

4

—

6

2

Other operating income

4

7

16

25

Total operating income

660

665

2,018

1,834

Change in expected credit losses and other credit impairment charges – (charge)

(26)

(42)

(41)

(82)

Net operating income

634

623

1,977

1,752

Employee compensation and benefits

(173)

(148)

(504)

(451)

General and administrative expenses

(141)

(146)

(435)

(426)

Depreciation and impairment of property, plant and equipment

(14)

(18)

(42)

(49)

Amortization and impairment of intangible assets

(24)

(13)

(103)

(38)

Total operating expenses

(352)

(325)

(1,084)

(964)

Profit before income tax expense

282

298

893

788

Income tax expense

(79)

(79)

(249)

(210)

Profit for the period

203

219

644

578

Profit attributable to the common shareholder

184

206

587

542

Profit attributable to the preferred shareholder

19

13

57

36

Profit attributable to shareholder

203

219

644

578

Average number of common shares outstanding (000’s)

548,668

548,668

548,668

548,668

Basic and diluted earnings per common share ($)

0.33

0.38

1.07

0.99

(Figures in $m)

30 Sep 2023

31 Dec 2022

ASSETS

Cash and balances at central bank

4,828

6,326

Items in the course of collection from other banks

26

9

Trading assets

2,408

4,296

Other financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss

20

18

Derivatives

6,081

6,220

Loans and advances to banks

331

344

Loans and advances to customers

73,721

74,862

Reverse repurchase agreements – non-trading

3,437

6,003

Financial investments

22,904

23,400

Other assets

2,885

2,591

Prepayments and accrued income

407

351

Customers’ liability under acceptances

2,916

3,147

Current tax assets

38

172

Property, plant and equipment

334

332

Goodwill and intangible assets

57

160

Deferred tax assets

59

71

Total assets

120,452

128,302

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

Liabilities

Deposits by banks

572

712

Customer accounts

80,057

82,253

Repurchase agreements – non-trading

4,335

4,435

Items in the course of transmission to other banks

654

227

Trading liabilities

1,639

3,732

Derivatives

6,602

6,575

Debt securities in issue

10,493

15,735

Other liabilities

4,291

3,577

Acceptances

2,919

3,156

Accruals and deferred income

1,070

713

Retirement benefit liabilities

190

203

Subordinated liabilities

1,011

1,011

Provisions

42

54

Current tax liabilities

78

—

Deferred tax liability

1

1

Total liabilities

113,954

122,384

Equity

Common shares

1,125

1,125

Preferred shares

1,100

1,100

Other reserves

(803)

(786)

Retained earnings

5,076

4,479

Total shareholder’s equity

6,498

5,918

Total liabilities and equity

120,452

128,302

Contacts
Media enquiries:Sharon Wilks
647-388-1202
sharon_wilks@hsbc.ca
Caroline Creighton416-868-8282caroline.x.creighton@hsbc.ca
Investor relations enquiries:investor_relations@hsbc.ca Read full story here