Movement in 2014
Total reported assets were US$2.6 trillion, 1% lower than at 31 December 2013. On a constant currency basis, total assets were US$85bn or 3% higher.
Our balance sheet remains strong with a ratio of customer advances to customer accounts of 72%. Although customer loans and customer accounts have fallen on a reported basis, both have increased on a constant currency basis, notably rising in Asia.
The following commentary is on a reported basis unless otherwise stated.
Assets
Cash and balances at central banks decreased by US$37bn, notably in Europe, in part reflecting net reductions in repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements.
Trading assets were broadly unchanged. Excluding adverse foreign exchange movements of US$18bn, trading assets grew, primarily from the holdings of debt securities in Asia to support GB&M's Rates business. In Europe, trading assets were broadly unchanged as increased holdings of equity securities were broadly offset by reductions in several other asset classes.
Financial assets designated at fair value decreased by US$9bn, notably in Europe, largely from the transfer to 'Assets held for sale' of balances relating to the UK Pension business of HSBC Life (UK) Limited.
Derivative assets increased by 22%, notably in Europe relating to interest rate and foreign exchange derivative contracts reflecting market movements, including changes in yield curves and foreign exchange rates.
Loans and advances to customers marginally decreased by US$17bn or 2% including adverse foreign exchange movements of US$45bn. Excluding these movements, customer lending grew by US$28bn, or 3%, largely from growth in Asia of US$32bn and, to a lesser extent, in North America and Latin America. By contrast, balances decreased in Europe by US$15bn, as term lending growth in CMB and GB&M was more than offset by a fall in corporate overdraft balances relating to a small number of customers, as explained further below.
In Asia, term lending to CMB and GB&M customers grew, which included growth in commercial real estate and other property-related lending. Mortgage balances also increased, mainly in Hong Kong. In North America, the growth in balances was driven by increased term lending to corporate and commercial customers in CMB and GB&M, partly offset by a decline in RBWM from the continued reduction in the US run-off portfolio and the transfer to 'Assets held for sale' of US first lien mortgage balances. Balances also rose in Latin America, mainly in CMB in Brazil and GB&M in Mexico.
The fall in lending in Europe of US$15bn was driven by a reduction in corporate overdraft balances. In the UK, a small number of clients benefit from the use of net interest arrangements across their overdraft and deposit positions. During the year, as we aligned our approach in our Payments and Cash Management business to be more globally consistent, many of these clients increased the frequency with which they settled these balances, reducing their overdraft and deposit balances which fell by US$28bn. Other customer loans and advances increased by US$13bn, mainly in CMB and GB&M, driven by an increase in term lending to corporate and commercial customers, notably in the second half of the year.
Reverse repurchase agreements decreased by US$18bn, driven by a managed reduction in Europe as we reassessed the overall returns of these activities in light of new regulatory requirements. This decrease was partly offset by increases in Asia and North America.
Liabilities
Repurchase agreements decreased by US$57bn or 35%, driven by a decrease in Europe, notably in the UK and France, reflecting the managed reduction in reverse repurchase agreements in Europe as noted above.
Customer accounts decreased marginally by US$11bn, and included adverse foreign exchange movements of US$58bn. Excluding these movements, balances increased by US$47bn or 4%, with growth in all regions, notably Asia, of US$36bn. The increase in Asia reflected growth in our Payments and Cash Management business in CMB and GB&M, an increase in balances in Securities Services in GB&M and a rise in RBWM, in part reflecting successful deposit campaigns. In Europe, balances increased marginally despite a US$28bn fall in corporate current accounts, mainly in GB&M, in line with the fall in corporate overdraft balances, and a reduction in client deposits in GPB. These factors were more than offset by growth in CMB and, to a lesser extent, in GB&M as deposits from our Payments and Cash Management business increased together with a rise in RBWM balances reflecting customers' continued preference for holding balances in current and savings accounts.
Trading liabilities fell by US$16bn including adverse foreign exchange movements of US$12bn. Excluding these, balances fell reflecting changes in client demand.
Financial liabilities designated at fair value reduced by US$13bn, mainly in Europe reflecting the transfer to 'Liabilities held for sale' of balances relating to the UK Pension business of HSBC Life (UK) Limited.
The increase in derivative liabilities was in line with that of 'Derivative assets' as the underlying risk is broadly matched.
Equity
Total shareholders' equity rose by 5%, driven by profits generated in the year, which were partially offset by dividends paid. In addition, shareholders' equity increased as we issued new contingent convertible securities of US$5.7bn during 2014. For further details of these securities, see Note 35 on the Financial Statements. These movements were partly offset by a reduction of US$9bn in our foreign exchange reserve reflecting the notable appreciation in the US dollar against sterling and the euro, particularly in the second half of the year.
