Half-year Report - 2022 Interim Report - Part 4

Our conclusion

We have reviewed HSBC Holdings plc's interim condensed financial statements (the 'interim financial statements') in the interim report of HSBC Holdings plc and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the 6 month period ended 30 June 2022 (the 'period').

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the interim financial statements are not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as issued by the IASB, International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union, and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

What we have reviewed

The interim financial statements comprise:

•    the consolidated balance sheet as at 30 June 2022;

•    the consolidated income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the period then ended;

•    the consolidated statement of cash flows for the period then ended;

•    the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the period then ended; and

•    the notes to the interim financial statements and certain other information¹.

The interim financial statements included in the interim report of the Group have been prepared in accordance with, UK-adopted International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as issued by the IASB, International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union, and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.

Basis for conclusion

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Financial Reporting Council for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures.

A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and, consequently, does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

We have read the other information contained in the interim report of the Group and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the interim financial statements.

Conclusions relating to going concern

Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis for conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that the directors have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that the directors have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed. This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with this ISRE. However, future events or conditions may cause the Group to cease to continue as a going concern.

Our responsibilities and those of the directors

The interim report of the Group, including the interim financial statements, is the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the interim report of the Group in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority. In preparing the interim report of the Group, including the interim financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on the interim financial statements in the interim report of the Group based on our review. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions relating to going concern, is based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for conclusion paragraph of this report. This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and only for the company for the purpose of complying with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority and for no other purpose. We do not, in giving this conclusion, accept or assume responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Chartered Accountants

London

1 August 2022

1     'Certain other information' comprises the following tables: 'Reconciliation of changes in gross carrying/nominal amount and allowances for loans and advances to banks and customers including loan commitments and financial guarantees' and 'Distribution of financial instruments to which the impairment requirements of IFRS 9 are applied, by credit quality and stage allocation'.