Financial Commentary
Overview
HSBC Bank Canada recorded profit of C$157m for the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of C$22m, or 16.3%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of C$24m, or 13.3%, compared with the third quarter of 2012. Profit for 2012 was C$761m, an increase of C$57m, or 8.1%, compared with 2011. Profit attributable to common shareholders was C$140m for the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of C$22m, or 18.6%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of C$22m, or 13.6%, compared with the third quarter of 2012. Profit attributable to common shareholders for 2012 was C$690m, an increase of C$57m, or 9%, compared with 2011.
The increase in profit compared with the same quarter of 2011 is mainly due to lower operating expenses as a result of the sale of the full service retail brokerage business and wind-down of the consumer finance business, lower loan impairment charges from a release of collectively assessed loan impairment allowances and lower specific loan impairment charges and higher net trading income from rates and credit products. The increase in profit was partially offset by a reduction in net interest income resulting from a decrease in average loan balances and lower net interest margin. The decrease compared with the prior quarter is mainly due to lower operating income as a result of a write down in the value of investment property, higher operating expenses driven by the write off of internally developed software costs, and a reduction in net interest income resulting from a decrease in average loan balances as well as lower net interest margin. The decrease was partially offset by lower loan impairment charges from a release of collectively assessed loan impairment allowances and lower specific loan impairment charges.
The increase in profit compared with the prior year is primarily due the gain realized on the sale of the full service retail brokerage business. Excluding this sale and restructuring costs on the closure of the Consumer Finance business, profits increased over the prior year from strong net fee income on sales of mutual fund and World Selection portfolios, as well as increased commercial credit facility and debt underwriting fees, and reduced costs from organizational effectiveness initiatives. The increase in profit was partially offset by a reduction in net interest income due to lower average retail and consumer finance loan balances following the strategic refocus of these businesses and lower net interest margin.
Commenting on the results, Paulo Maia, President and Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Canada, said:
"I am very pleased to report that in 2012 HSBC Bank Canada reached an important milestone, for the first time reporting profit before tax of over C$1 billion. Over the course of the last two years, HSBC has been refocusing our businesses to better serve our core clients. Growth in our strategic areas of focus, founded on deeper relationships with our customers, along with a reduction in costs are largely responsible for our results in 2012. My thanks to Lindsay Gordon who retired at the beginning of 2013 after nine successful years as President and CEO. I look forward to continuing to grow HSBC's businesses and brand in Canada as the premier bank for internationally minded businesses and individuals."
Analysis of Consolidated Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter of 2012
Net interest income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was C$348m, a decrease of C$45m, or 11.5%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of C$9m, or 2.5%, compared with the third quarter of 2012. Net interest income was C$1,475m for 2012, a decrease of C$81m, or 5.2%, compared with 2011. The decreases are primarily due to lower average retail and consumer finance loan balances following the strategic refocus of these businesses and reduced net interest margin.
Net fee income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was C$154m, decreases of C$3m, or 1.9%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 and third quarter of 2012. Net fee income for 2012 was C$601m, a decrease of C$43m, or 6.7% compared with 2011.
The sale of the full service retail brokerage business resulted in reductions in fees from funds under management and brokerage commissions in 2012. Excluding fees from the full service retail brokerage business, net fee income for the fourth quarter of 2012 and full year 2012 increased by C$14m and C$47m respectively compared with the same periods last year, as a result of customers investing an additional C$1.4bn through our wealth management business, and higher fees from credit facilities driven by growth in authorized commercial credit facilities and transaction volume. The decrease compared with the prior quarter is due to higher credit card reward program costs associated with increased utilization.
Net trading income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was C$45m, an increase of C$14m, or 45.2%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of C$3m, or 6.3%, compared with the third quarter of 2012. Net trading income for 2012 was C$180m, an increase of C$30m, or 20.0% compared with 2011.
The increase compared with the same quarter last year is due to improved trading performance in rates and credit products, partially offset by a decrease in foreign exchange revenues driven on lower volume in a less volatile market.
The increase in net trading income compared with the prior year is due to improved trading performance in rates and credit products, partially offset by the adverse impact of narrowing credit spreads on the carrying value of our own debt instruments classified as trading.
Net gain/(loss) from financial instruments designated at fair value for the fourth quarter of 2012 was a net loss of C$3m, compared with C$nil for the fourth quarter of 2011, and compared with a net loss of C$8m for the third quarter of 2012. Net loss from financial instruments designated at fair value for 2012 was C$27m, compared with a net gain of C$l6m for 2011.
The bank designates certain subordinated debentures and other liabilities to be recorded at fair value. Gains and losses are largely as a result of the widening or narrowing of credit spreads decreasing or increasing the fair value of these liabilities, respectively. The losses represent the narrowing of credit spreads in 2012 which increased the fair value of these liabilities.
Gains less losses from financial investments for the fourth quarter of 2012 was C$4m, marginally higher compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2012. Gains less losses from financial investments for 2012 were C$52m, an increase of C$9m, or 20.9% compared with 2011, due to a higher net gain on the disposals of available-for-sale financial investments.
Other operating income for the fourth quarter of 2012 was a loss of C$26m, compared to a loss of C$22m for the fourth quarter of 2011, and compared with an income of C$15m for the third quarter of 2012. Other operating income for 2012 was C$24m, an increase of C$11m compared with 2011.
The decrease in other operating income compared with the prior quarter is due to a write down in the value of investment property of C$42m in the fourth quarter of 2012. The increase compared with the prior year is mainly due to a higher write down by C$17m in the value of investment property in 2011.
Gain on the sale of the full service retail brokerage business. The sale of the full service retail brokerage business closed effective 1 January, 2012. The bank recorded a gain of C$84m in the first quarter of 2012, net of assets disposed of and directly related costs. In the fourth quarter of 2012, the bank satisfied certain conditions relating to the sale which allowed the recognition of a further amount of C$4m.
Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions for the fourth quarter of 2012 were C$33m, a decrease of C$21m, or 38.9% compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of C$38m, or 53.5%, compared with the third quarter in 2012. Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions for the year ended 31 December 2012 were C$211m, an increase of C$14m, or 7.1% compared with 2011.
The decreases in loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions compared with the same quarter last year and the prior quarter was mainly due to a release of collectively assessed loan impairment allowances due to improved credit quality. Also contributing to the decrease compared with the prior quarter were lower levels of specific loan impairment charges within the commercial loan portfolio.
The increase compared with the prior year was due to higher levels of specific loan impairment charges within retail loan portfolios and the reversal of impairment charges relating to an available-for-sale investment within 2011.
Total operating expenses (excluding restructuring charges) for the fourth quarter of 2012 were C$275m, a decrease of C$48m, or 14.9%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and an increase of C$19m, or 7.4% compared with the third quarter of 2012. Total operating expenses for 2012 were C$1,113m, a decrease of C$146m, or 11.6% compared with 2011.
The decrease compared with the same quarter last year is mainly due to cost reductions relating to the sale of the full service retail brokerage business and wind-down of the consumer finance business in 2012. Additionally, as a result of cost management initiatives, employee compensation and benefits as well as activities and expenses related to the delivery of technology services to HSBC Group companies were reduced. The increase compared with the prior quarter is mainly due to a write off of internally developed software costs of C$5m and product support costs in the fourth quarter of 2012.
The decrease compared with the prior year is due to cost reductions relating to the sale of the full service retail brokerage business and wind-down of the consumer finance business in 2012. Additionally, as a result of cost management initiatives, employee compensation and benefits as well as activities and expenses related to the delivery of technology services to HSBC Group companies were reduced. The reduction is partially offset by a C$47m recovery of fees from an HSBC affiliate in 2011.
Restructuring charges of C$36m were recognized in 2012 mainly relating to the wind-down of the consumer finance business compared with C$14m in 2011 relating to sale of the full service retail brokerage business.
Income tax expense. The effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of 2012 was 29.5%, compared with 27.0% in the fourth quarter of 2011 and 26.4% in the third quarter of 2012. The effective tax rate for the year ended 31 December 2012 was 26.9%, compared with 26.4% in 2011.
The higher effective tax rates for the fourth quarter of 2012 and full year 2012 were mainly due to the negative impact of temporary differences reversing at a lower rate following a decrease in the statutory tax rate in 2012. In addition, the increase in the full year 2012 effective tax rate was partially offset by a lower statutory tax rate and a lower effective tax rate applied to the gain of the sale of the full service retail brokerage business.
Statement of Financial Position
Total assets at 31 December 2012 were C$80.7bn, an increase of C$0.6bn from C$80.1bn at 31 December 2011, mainly due to increases of C$1.2bn in financial investments, C$1.2bn in loans and advances to customers, C$0.7bn in trading assets, and C$0.6bn in acceptances offset by a decrease in loans and advances to banks of C$3bn. Excluding the movement in reverse repurchase agreements, loans and advances to banks and loans and advances to customers decreased by C$0.8bn and C$1.0bn respectively.
Liquid assets comprise high grade financial investments and reverse repurchase agreements. Liquid assets increased to C$24.3bn at 31 December 2012, compared with C$23.1bn at 31 December 2011 mainly as a result of growth in financial investments.
Total customer accounts at 31 December 2012 were C$48.3bn, an increase of C$1.7bn from C$46.6bn at 31 December 2011, mainly due to increases in repurchase agreements. Debt securities in issue at 31 December 2012 were C$12bn, a decrease of C$1.3bn from C$13.3bn at 31 December 2011, primarily due to lower balances held in bearer note deposits of C$1.7bn, partially offset by an increase of C$0.5bn in wholesale funding.
Total assets under administration
Total assets under administration were C$19.5bn at 31 December 2012, a decrease of C$7.9bn from C$27.4bn at 31 December 2011, primarily due to sale of the full service retail brokerage business. Excluding the full service retail brokerage business' funds under management, total assets under administration increased by C$2.7bn compared with 31 December 2011.
Business Performance in the Fourth Quarter of 2012
Commercial Banking
Profit before income tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2012 was C$121m, an increase of C$11m compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of C$24m compared with the third quarter of 2012. Profit before income tax expense increased compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 due to lower loan impairment charges from a release of collectively assessed loan impairment allowances and lower specific loan impairment charges following improved credit quality within loan portfolios, higher net fee income driven by growth in authorized credit facilities and transaction volume, partially offset by lower net interest income as a result of lower net interest margin in a prolonged low interest rate environment, and increased operating expenses driven by higher marketing and product support costs. Profit before income tax expense decreased compared with the prior quarter due a write down of the value of an investment property and increased operating expenses driven by higher marketing and product support costs, partially offset by a reduction in loan impairment charges from a release of collectively assessed loan impairment provisions and lower specific loan impairment charges following improved credit quality within loan portfolios.
Profit before income tax expense for 2012 was C$573m, an increase of C$42m, or 7.9%, compared with 2011. Profit before income tax expense increased due to higher net fee income from credit facilities, higher net operating income as a result of a larger write down by C$17m in the value of investment property in 2011 and reduced operating expenses driven by cost reduction efforts. The increase was partially offset by reduced net interest income as a result of lower net interest margin in a prolonged low interest rate environment.
Global Banking and Markets
Profit before income tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2012 was C$69m, an increase of C$2m compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and little changed compared with the third quarter of 2012. Profit before income tax expense increased compared with the same quarter of 2011 due to improved trading performance in rates and credit products, partially offset by a decrease in foreign exchange revenues driven by lower volume in a less volatile market and higher operating expenses resulting from increased product support costs.
Profit before income tax expense for 2012 was C$309m, an increase of C$35m, or 12.8%, compared with 2011. The increase in profit before income tax expense is due to higher net trading income driven by improved trading performance in rates and credit products, higher gains on the disposal of available-for-sale financial investments, improved net fee income driven by higher debt underwriting and derivative sales fees, partially offset by increased operating expenses resulting from increased product support costs.
Retail Banking and Wealth Management
Profit before income tax expense for the fourth quarter of 2012 was C$4m, an increase of C$11m compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, and a decrease of C$10m compared with the third quarter of 2012. Profit before income tax expense increased compared with the same quarter of 2011 due to the inclusion of a C$14m restructuring provision for the sale of the full service retail brokerage business in the fourth quarter of 2011. The increase in profit was offset by lower net interest income as a result of lower net interest margin in a prolonged low interest rate environment and higher net interest income and net fee income in the fourth quarter of 2011 attributable to the full service retail brokerage business. Profit before income tax expense decreased compared with the prior quarter primarily as a result of a C$5m write off of internally developed software costs.
Profit before income tax expense for 2012 was C$118m, an increase of C$44m, or 59.5%, compared with 2011. Profit before income tax for 2012 included a gain on sale of C$80m and restructuring charges of C$2m attributable to the full service retail brokerage business, and a write off of internally developed software costs of C$4m. Profit before income tax expense for 2011 included a recovery of fees from an HSBC affiliate of C$28m, restructuring charges of C$14m and an operating loss of C$3m attributable to the full service retail brokerage business, and a write off of internally developed software costs of C$16m. Excluding the effect of these items, profit before income tax expense for 2012 was C$44m, a decrease of C$35m compared with 2011 mainly due a reduction in net interest income as a result of lower average retail loan balances following the strategic refocus of the business and lower net interest margin.
Consumer Finance
In March 2012, HSBC Financial Corporation Limited announced the wind-down of its consumer finance business in Canada and, except for existing commitments, ceased origination of loans. Accordingly, C$34m in restructuring costs were incurred in the first quarter of 2012 relating to employee severance and other staff related costs, onerous leases as well as other contracts, and impairment of fixed assets including leasehold improvements.
Profit before income tax expense was C$30m for the fourth quarter of 2012, an increase of C$13m, or 76.5%, compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 and an increase of C$2m, or 7.1%, compared with the third quarter of 2012. Profit before income tax expense increased compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 mainly as a result of lower operating expenses driven by the wind-down of the business including reduced staff, infrastructure charges and other overhead expenses and lower loan impairment charges, partially offset by lower net interest income on declining customer loan balances. Profit before income tax expense increased compared with the prior quarter mainly due to reduced loan impairment charges driven by an improvement in credit quality, offset by lower net interest income and net fee income as a result of declining customer loan balances and diminishing business activity.
Profit before income tax expense for 2012 was C$77m, an increase of C$16m, or 26.2%, compared with 2011. Excluding the restructuring costs, profit before income tax expense was C$111m, an increase of C$50m compared with 2011. The increase is mainly due to lower operating expenses driven by reduced staff, infrastructure charges and other overhead expenses, which is partially offset by lower net interest income on declining customer loan balances and higher loan impairment charges.
Other
Activities or transactions which do not relate directly to the above global business segments are reported in "Other". The main items reported under "Other" include gains and losses from the impact of changes in credit spreads on our own debt designated at fair value, revenue and expense related to information technology services provided to HSBC Group companies on an arm's length basis. A loss before income tax expense of C$3m was recorded for the fourth quarter of 2012, compared with a loss of C$2m for the fourth quarter of 2011 and a loss of C$11m for the third quarter of 2012. Profit before income tax expense for 2012 was a loss of C$39m, compared with a profit of C$16m for 2011. The variances from comparative periods are primarily due to the impact of the items noted above.
Dividends
During the fourth quarter of 2012, the bank declared and paid C$82m in dividends on HSBC Bank Canada common shares, an increase of C$7m from the same period in 2011. The bank declared and paid C$330m in dividends on common shares during the year ended 31 December 2012, an increase of C$30m from the same period in 2011.
Regular quarterly dividends of 31.875 cents per share have been declared on HSBC Bank Canada Class 1 Preferred Shares - Series C, 31.25 cents per share on Class 1 Preferred Shares - Series D, 41.25 cents per share on Class 1 Preferred Shares - Series E and 7.75 cents per share on Class 2 Preferred Shares - Series B. Dividends will be paid on 31 March 2013, to shareholders of record on 15 March 2013.
IFRS and related non-IFRS measures
HSBC Bank Canada uses both IFRS and certain non-IFRS financial measures to assess performance. Securities regulators require that companies caution readers that earnings and other measures that have been adjusted to a basis other than IFRS do not have a standardized meaning under IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures used by other companies. The following outlines various non-IFRS measures that are regularly monitored by management:
Return on average common equity - Profit attributable to common shareholders on an annualized basis divided by average common equity, which is calculated using month-end balances of common equity for the period.
Post-tax return on average assets - Profit attributable to common shareholders on an annualized basis divided by average assets, which is calculated using average daily balances for the period.
Post-tax return on average risk weighted assets - Profit attributable to common shareholders on an annualized basis divided by the average monthly balances of risk weighted assets for the period. Risk weighted assets are calculated using guidelines issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada in accordance with the Basel II capital adequacy framework.
Cost efficiency ratio - Calculated as total operating expenses for the period divided by net operating income before loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions for the period.
Adjusted cost efficiency ratio - Cost efficiency ratio adjusted to exclude gains and losses from financial instruments designated at fair value from net operating income before loan impairment charges.
Net interest income, net fee income and net trading income as a percentage of total operating income - Net interest income, net fee income and net trading income for the period divided by net operating income before loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions for the period.
Ratio of customer advances to customer accounts - Loans and advances to customers divided by customer accounts, using period-end balances.
Average total shareholders' equity to average total assets - average shareholders' equity is calculated using month-end balances of total shareholders' equity for the period and average total assets are calculated using average daily balances for the period.
Core tier 1 capital - Tier 1 capital less non-controlling interests and preferred shares.
Core tier 1 capital ratio - Core tier 1 capital as a percentage of risk-weighted assets.
Caution concerning forward-looking statements
This document may contain forward-looking information, including statements regarding the business and anticipated actions of HSBC Bank Canada. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not pertain strictly to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements often include words such as "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," and words and terms of similar substance in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance. These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause such differences include legislative or regulatory developments, technological change, global capital market activity, changes in government monetary and economic policies, changes in prevailing interest rates, inflation levels and general economic conditions in geographic areas where HSBC Bank Canada operates. Canada is an extremely competitive banking environment and pressures on the bank's net interest margin may arise from actions taken by individual banks or other financial institutions acting alone. Varying economic conditions may also affect equity and foreign exchange markets, which could also have an impact on the bank's revenues. The factors disclosed above are not exhaustive and there could be other uncertainties and potential risk factors not considered here which may impact the bank's results and financial condition. Any forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The bank undertakes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.
About HSBC Bank Canada
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 6,600 offices in 81 countries and territories and assets of US$2,693bn at 31 December 2012, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.
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Copies of HSBC Bank Canada's Annual Report and Accounts 2012 will be sent to shareholders in March 2013.
