Grupo Financiero HSBC 3Q 2013 Results

31 October 2013

GRUPO FINANCIERO HSBC, S.A. DE C.V.

THIRD QUARTER 2013 FINANCIAL RESULTS - HIGHLIGHTS

· Net income before tax for the nine months to 30 September 2013 was MXN4,121m, a decrease of MXN1,381m or 25.1% compared with MXN5,502m for the same period in 2012.

· Net income for the nine months to 30 September 2013 was MXN3,005m, a decrease of MXN1,408m or 31.9% compared with MXN4,413m for the same period in 2012.

· Total operating income, net of loan impairment charges, for the nine months to 30 September 2013 was MXN20,186m, a decrease of MXN1,674m or 7.7% compared with MXN21,860m for the same period in 2012.

· Loan impairment charges for the nine months to 30 September 2013 were MXN5,817m, an increase of MXN1,558m or 36.6% compared with MXN4,259m for the same period in 2012.

· Administrative and personnel expenses were MXN16,096m, a decrease of MXN297m or 1.8% compared with MXN16,393m for the same period in 2012.

· The cost efficiency ratio was 61.9% for the nine months to 30 September 2013, compared with 62.8% for the same period in 2012.

· Net loans and advances to customers were MXN186.4bn at 30 September 2013, an increase of MXN5.6bn or 3.1% compared with MXN180.8bn at 30 September 2012. Total impaired loans as a percentage of gross loans and advances increased to 5.3% compared with 2.0% at 30 September 2012.

· At 30 September 2013, deposits were MXN255.0bn, a decrease of MXN31.6bn or 11.0% compared with MXN286.5bn at 30 September 2012.

· Return on equity was 7.6% for the nine months to 30 September 2013 compared with 12.3% for the same period in 2012.

· At 30 September 2013, the total capital adequacy ratio of Grupo Financiero HSBC's principal subsidiary, HSBC Mexico S.A. ('the bank') was 15.6% and the tier 1 capital ratio was 12.7% compared with 14.4% and 11.3% respectively at 30 September 2012.

· In the first quarter of 2013, the bank paid a dividend of MXN1,400m, representing MXN0.72 per share, and Grupo Financiero HSBC paid a dividend of MXN2,500m, representing MXN0.89 per share.

2012 results have been restated to reflect the general insurance manufacturing businesses and the bonding company as discontinued operations.

HSBC Mexico S.A. (the bank) is a subsidiary of Grupo Financiero HSBC, S.A. de C.V.'s (Grupo Financiero HSBC) and is subject to supervision by the Mexican Banking and Securities Commission. The bank is required to file financial information on a quarterly basis (in this case for the quarter ended 30 September 2013) and this information is publicly available. Given that this information is available in the public domain, Grupo Financiero HSBC, S.A. de C.V. has elected to file this release. HSBC Seguros, S.A. de C.V. Grupo Financiero HSBC (HSBC Seguros) is Grupo Financiero HSBC's insurance group.

Results are prepared in accordance with Mexican GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).

Overview

The Mexican economy contracted 0.7% quarter-on-quarter in the second quarter of 2013. However, a modest recovery is expected in the second half of 2013, and strengthening during 2014. Inflation is expected to remain low and the monetary policy rate was reduced 25bp to 3.75% in September 2013.

For the nine months to 30 September 2013, Grupo Financiero HSBC's net income was MXN3,005m, a decrease of MXN1,408m or 31.9% compared with the same period in 2012. The reduction was driven mainly by higher loan impairment charges, lower trading and other operating income and a higher effective tax rate, partially offset by an increase in net interest income and net fee income, as well as reduced administrative and personnel expenses.

Net interest income was MXN17,021m, an increase of MXN653m or 4.0% compared with the same period in 2012. The improvement was due to higher average loan portfolio balances, mainly in mortgage, payroll, personal and credit cards loans, partially offset by lower interest income in non-interest bearing deposits due to a decrease in market rates and lower spreads in personal and payroll loans, as well as lower balances in commercial and corporate portfolio loans.

Loan impairment charges were MXN5,817m, an increase of MXN1,558m or 36.6% compared with the same period in 2012. In April 2012, loan impairment charges were negatively impacted by a MXN659m one-off charge relating to a change in the write-off policy for mortgage loans. The resulting increase is mainly explained by the higher loan impairment charges related to specific customers of the home builders' portfolio, and the increase in the impaired consumer loan portfolio arising from loan growth and portfolio deterioration, the latter being in line with general market experience. New CNBV regulations relating to the methodology for calculating loan impairment allowances for commercial lending were implemented on 30 June 2013. The implementation of this new methodology increased loan loss allowances by MXN799m, which were recognised through retained earnings.

Net fee income was MXN5,184m, an increase of MXN496m or 10.6% compared with the same period in 2012. The improvement was driven by lower fee expenses, mainly as a result of a change in the presentation of certain insurance expenses to administration expenses in the first half of 2013. In addition, higher fee income was explained by an increase in annual fees charged on credit cards and a higher number of transactions, coupled with higher investment funds and account services fees.

Trading income of MXN1,929m decreased by MXN499m or 20.6% compared with the same period in 2012, mainly in bonds and derivatives as a consequence of recent interest rate market volatility.

Other operating income was MXN1,869m, a decrease of MXN766m or 29.1% compared with the same period in 2012. This reduction is mainly due to an impairment provision on a defaulted derivative that is recognised as an account receivable.

Administrative and personnel expenses were MXN16,096m, a decrease of MXN297m or 1.8% compared with the same period in 2012. Excluding the non-recurrence of the MXN379m CNBV fine in 2012, administrative and personnel expenses would have increased by MXN82m or 0.5% compared with the same period of 2012. This increase is largely explained by higher compliance and risk costs as a result of the implementation of HSBC global standards.

The cost efficiency ratio was 61.9% for the nine months to 30 September 2013, compared with 62.8% for the same period in 2012.

The effective tax rate was 35.0% for the nine months to 30 September 2013, compared with 25.2% for the same period in 2012. A large part of this variance is explained by higher inflationary effects which benefited the effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2012, and higher non-deductible provisions in the first nine months of 2013.

HSBC Seguros, Grupo Financiero's insurance subsidiary, reported a net income before tax of MXN1,568m, excluding discontinued operations, for the first nine months of 2013, a decrease of 11.5% compared with the same period of 2012. This was mainly due to an increase in the claims ratio to 36.7% from 31.6% reported in the same period of 2012. In addition, investment income decreased 12.2% mainly due to market volatility in interest rates during 2013 and gross written premiums increased 3.6% in life products (mainly Becahorro).

Net loans and advances to customers were MXN186.4bn at 30 September 2013, an increase of MXN5.6bn or 3.1% compared with MXN180.8bn at 30 September 2012. The performing mortgage loan portfolio increased by 21.1% and the performing consumer loan portfolio increased by 13.5% primarily in personal and payroll loans. The performing commercial loan portfolio decreased by 1.7% due to the ongoing reclassification of certain home builder loans to the impaired portfolio. Government loans decreased 23.6% due to a prepayment in one significant loan in the second quarter of 2013.

At 30 September 2013, total impaired loans increased by 178.1% to MXN10.5bn compared with MXN3.8bn at 30 September 2012. The higher impaired loan portfolio is largely associated with increased impaired commercial loans related to the performance of the home builder market during the second quarter of 2013. Total impaired loans as a percentage of total loans and advances to customers increased to 5.3% compared with 2.0% at 30 September 2012.

Total loan loss allowances at 30 September 2013 were MXN11.7bn, an increase of MXN1.5bn or 14.5% compared with 30 September 2012. A total of MXN799m of the increase in loan loss allowances were recognised through retained earnings in June 2013 as a consequence of applying the new CNBV methodology for commercial loans. The total coverage ratio (allowance for loan losses divided by impaired loans) was 111.3% at 30 September 2013 compared with 270.2% at 30 September 2012. This decrease was primarily a result of the increase in impaired commercial loans.

Total deposits were MXN255.0bn at 30 September 2013, a decrease of MXN31.6bn or 11.0% compared with 30 September 2012. Demand deposits decreased by 9.6% mainly related to a reduction of high interest bearing accounts in Commercial and Global Banking due to re-pricing strategies in order to offset the decrease in market interest rates, while time deposits decreased by 10.7% in part due to customers switching to mutual fund products.

Total assets under management in mutual funds were MXN79,897m, an increase of 4.7% compared with 30 September 2012.

Available-for-sale securities were MXN88.1bn, a decrease of MXN11.0bn or 11.1% compared with 30 September 2012. The decrease was largely as a result of the managed reduction in customer deposits.

At 30 September 2013, the bank's total capital adequacy ratio was 15.6% and the tier 1 capital ratio was 12.7% compared with 14.4% and 11.3% respectively at 30 September 2012.

In the first quarter of 2013, the bank paid a dividend of MXN1,400m representing MXN0.72 per share and Grupo Financiero HSBC paid a dividend of MXN2,500m representing MXN0.89 per share.

Business highlights

Retail Banking and Wealth Management (RBWM)

RBWM increased demand deposits average balances by 4.2% compared with the previous year, mainly driven by higher balances in Advance, Payroll and Flexible accounts.

RBWM's assets under management decreased by 0.1% compared with the same period of the previous year largely as a result of lower fund returns in recent months. New campaigns were launched in August to retain and attract new customer for time deposits and mutual funds, including a special money market repo product offer for new money to the bank.

Personal loans continued to experience strong sales compared to the prior year, with sales volumes higher by 101.8%. During the third quarter of 2013, the 'Back to school' campaign was launched to enhance sales performance during the period. Payroll loans balances allocated through direct channels improved 27.3% compared to the previous year, particularly through the contact centre and Personal Internet Banking.

Mortgage sales volumes increased by 110.0% compared with the same period of 2012, largely as a result of a mortgage campaign launched on April 2013 which at the time was the most competitive mortgage rate in the market of 8.70%. In September 2013, new prices for mortgages of 8.45% were launched for premier customers, which is the lowest rate in the market.

Credit cards average balances increased 7.5% compared with the same period of the prior year; credit card sales have increased 16.0% versus last year and activation rates have improved consistently throughout the quarter.Commercial Banking (CMB)

CMB results for the nine months to 30 September 2013 were impacted by loan impairment charges, mainly related to provisions on exposures to home builders.

Aligned to our global strategy of becoming the leading international trade and business bank, CMB is increasing connectivity with global customers throughout the world. It is important to highlight the following points:

• Appetite for renminbi ('RMB') denominated transactions continues to grow, with in excess of 20 Global Trade & Receivable Finance transactions executed year to date and continued pipeline build. The first peso/RMB forward transaction was closed in August.

• Further action taken to support international SMEs through the US$1bn International Growth Fund, with market leading pricing for this key target customer segment.

• Continued progress in collaboration with Global Banking and Markets and Global Private Banking, with strong year-on-year growth in sales of Global Markets products. An increasing number of corporate clients has been on-boarded onto the HSBCnet platform, which is supporting growth of foreign exchange flow business.

Global Banking and Markets (GBM)

Global Markets trading income was MXN1,929m, down MXN499m compared with the same period of 2012. The decrease was mainly in bonds and derivatives as a consequence of recent interest rate market volatility.

During the third quarter of 2013, Debt Capital Markets maintained its status as one of the top three leading Mexican underwriters[1]. Some of the most relevant deals during this quarter were acting as Lead Arranger & Bookrunner in a financing facility for Alsea and as Joint Lead Manager and Bookrunner on a new MXN10.4bn (USD770m) Cebures issuance by Pemex due September 2024. This transaction represents the first fixed rate Global Depository Note issuance of the year, diversifying the client's investor base and extending its amortisation curve in the long-term.

Global Banking average customer deposits decreased 8.3%, however the lower balances were offset by higher deposit spreads resulting in higher net interest income of 9.0%.

The Project Finance Business closed new deals related to the wind renewable energy sector parks which will be located in Oaxaca. The Credit and Lending Business participated in the credit facility for the Prudential/Terrafina acquisition of KIMCO/American Industries industrial real estate portfolio. With this transaction Terrafina became the largest Real Estate Investment Trust (Fideicomiso de Inversiones de Bienes Raices FIBRAS) in Mexico. Sale of HSBC Fianzas to Afianzadora ASERTA

On 22 August 2013, Grupo Financiero HSBC entered into an agreement to sell HSBC Fianzas, its subsidiary which undertakes bonding and surety business, to Afianzadora Aserta. This transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. The sale represents further progress in the execution of the HSBC Group's strategy.

Grupo Financiero HSBC's financial results for the nine months to 30 September 2013 as reported to HSBC Holdings plc, our ultimate parent company, are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

For the nine months to 30 September 2013, on an IFRS basis, Grupo Financiero HSBC reported a net income before tax of MXN1,899m, a decrease of MXN5,656m or 74.8% compared with MXN7,555m for the same period of 2012.

The higher net income before tax reported under Mexican GAAP is largely due to higher loan impairment charges under IFRS mainly as a result of recognising through the income statement the home builders loan impairment charges that were recognised through retained earnings in Mexican GAAP, and a reduction of the present value of in-force long-term insurance business, a concept which is only recognised under IFRS. A reconciliation and explanation between the Mexican GAAP and IFRS results is included with the financial statements of this document.

About HSBC

HSBC Mexico S.A. was the winning company in the category of Community Engagement at the Incluye Awards 2013 for the inclusion program, 'Sumando Valor'.

Grupo Financiero HSBC is one of the leading financial groups in Mexico with 1,001 branches, 6,252 ATMs and approximately 17,500 employees. For more information, visit www.hsbc.com.mx.

Grupo Financiero HSBC is a 99.99% directly owned subsidiary of HSBC Latin America Holdings (UK) Limited, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, and a member of the HSBC Group. With around 6,600 offices in over 80 countries and territories in Europe, Hong Kong, Rest of Asia-Pacific, North and Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa and with assets of US$2,645bn at 30 June 2013, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.

For further information contact:

Consolidated Balance Sheet

Consolidated Balance Sheet (continued)

Consolidated Balance Sheet (continued)

Consolidated Income Statement

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

GROUP

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (continued)

BANK

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

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Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (continued)

BANK

Differences between Mexican GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Grupo Financiero HSBC

HSBC Holdings plc, the ultimate parent of Grupo Financiero HSBC, reports its results under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Set out below is a reconciliation of the results of Grupo Financiero HSBC from Mexican GAAP to IFRS for the third quarter of 2013 and an explanation of the key reconciling items.

W Net of tax at 30%.

Summary of key differences between Grupo Financiero HSBC's results as reported under Mexican GAAP and IFRS

Valuation of defined benefit pensions and post-retirement healthcare benefits

Mexican GAAP

Defined benefit pension costs and the present value of defined benefit obligations are calculated at the reporting date by the schemes' actuaries using the Projected Unit Credit Method and real interest rates.

IFRS

Defined benefit pension costs and the present value of defined benefit obligations are calculated at the reporting date by the schemes' actuaries using the Projected Unit Credit Method. The net charge to the income statement mainly comprises the current service cost, plus the unwinding of the discount rate on plan liabilities, less the expected return on plan assets, and is presented in operating expenses. Past service costs are charged immediately to the income statement to the extent that the benefits have vested, and are otherwise recognised on a straight-line basis over the average period until the benefits vest. Actuarial gains and losses comprise experience adjustments (the effects of differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has actually occurred), as well as the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised in other comprehensive income in the period in which they arise.

Deferral of fees paid and received on the origination of loans and other effective interest rate adjustments

Mexican GAAP

From 1 January 2007, loan origination fees are required to be deferred and amortised over the life of the loan on a straight line basis. Prior to 2007, loan origination fees were recognised up-front.

IFRS

Effective interest rate method is used for the recognition of fees and expenses received or paid that are directly attributable to the origination of a loan and for other transaction costs, premiums or discounts.

Loan impairment charges and other differences in presentation under IFRS

Mexican GAAP

Loan impairment charges are calculated following the rules issued by the Mexican Ministry of Finance and the National Banking and Securities Commission. Such rules establish methodologies for determining the amount of provision for each type of loan.

IFRS

Impairment losses on collectively assessed loans are calculated as follows:

· When appropriate empirical information is available, the Bank utilises roll rate methodology. This methodology employs statistical analysis of historical data and experience of delinquency and default to estimate the amount of loans that will eventually be written off as a result of events occurring before the balance sheet date which the Bank is not able to identify on an individual loan basis, and that can be reliably estimated.

· In other cases, loans are grouped together according to their credit risk characteristics for the purpose of calculating an estimated collective loss.

Impairment losses on individually assessed loans are calculated by discounting the expected future cash flows of a loan at its original effective interest rate, and comparing the resultant present value with the loans current carrying value.

Present value of in-force long-term life insurance contracts

Mexican GAAP

The present value of future earnings is not recognised. Premiums are accounted for on a received basis and reserves are calculated in accordance with guidance as set out by the Insurance Regulator (Comisión Nacional de Seguros y Fianzas).

IFRS

The value placed on insurance contracts that are classified as long-term insurance business or long-term investment contracts with discretionary participating features ('DPF') and are in force at the balance sheet date is recognised as an asset. The asset represents the present value of the equity holders' interest in the issuing insurance companies' profits expected to emerge from these contracts written at the balance sheet date.

The present value of in-force long-term insurance business and long-term investment contracts with DPF, referred to as 'PVIF', is determined by discounting the equity holders' interest in future profits expected to emerge from business currently in force 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. 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.

Differences in tax criteria

IFRS

On 31 May 2013 the Mexican Tax Authorities issued a criterion related to deductions on loan portfolio sales. The impact was to reduce the amount of deferred tax assets recognised under IFRS. There is no impact under Mexican GAAP as the related deferred tax assets were not previously recognised.