10-Q 1 husi9301310-q.htm 10-Q HUSI 9.30.13 10-Q


 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number 1-7436
HSBC USA Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
Maryland
 
13-2764867
(State of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
452 Fifth Avenue, New York
 
10018
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(212) 525-5000
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý  No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý  No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
 
o
Accelerated filer
 
o
Non-accelerated filer
 
ý
Smaller reporting company
 
o
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o  No  ý

As of October 31, 2013, there were 713 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding, all of which are owned by HSBC North America Inc.
 




TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part/Item No.
 
Page
Part I
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Part II
 
 
Item 1.
Item 5.
Item 6.
 

2


HSBC USA Inc.

PART I
Item 1.    Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans
$
454

 
$
472

 
$
1,396

 
$
1,391

Securities
208

 
252

 
661

 
837

Trading assets
34

 
27

 
85

 
86

Short-term investments
19

 
23

 
49

 
82

Other
10

 
11

 
31

 
32

Total interest income
725

 
785

 
2,222

 
2,428

Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits
48

 
82

 
147

 
243

Short-term borrowings
11

 
9

 
28

 
24

Long-term debt
159

 
170

 
492

 
502

Other
15

 
14

 
40

 
27

Total interest expense
233

 
275

 
707

 
796

Net interest income
492

 
510

 
1,515

 
1,632

Provision for credit losses
54

 
84

 
142

 
173

Net interest income after provision for credit losses
438

 
426

 
1,373

 
1,459

Other revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit card fees
1

 
18

 
35

 
70

Other fees and commissions
181

 
177

 
527

 
573

Trust income
29

 
22

 
92

 
72

Trading revenue
117

 
113

 
388

 
395

Other securities gains, net
35

 
50

 
189

 
145

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates
41

 
63

 
154

 
165

Residential mortgage banking revenue
18

 
4

 
73

 
31

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
(6
)
 
(187
)
 
82

 
(258
)
Gain on sale of branches

 
103

 

 
433

Other income
16

 
44

 
50

 
44

Total other revenues
432

 
407

 
1,590

 
1,670

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries and employee benefits
218

 
207

 
717

 
733

Support services from HSBC affiliates
378

 
372

 
1,064

 
1,143

Occupancy expense, net
57

 
60

 
173

 
176

Expense related to certain regulatory matters (Note 20)

 
800

 

 
1,500

Other expenses
202

 
188

 
478

 
515

Total operating expenses
855

 
1,627

 
2,432

 
4,067

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense
15

 
(794
)
 
531

 
(938
)
Income tax expense (benefit)
11

 
(12
)
 
164

 
357

Income (loss) from continuing operations
4

 
(782
)
 
367

 
(1,295
)
Discontinued Operations (Note 2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations before income tax expense

 

 

 
315

Income tax expense

 

 

 
112

Income from discontinued operations

 

 

 
203

Net income (loss)
$
4

 
$
(782
)
 
$
367

 
$
(1,092
)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

3


HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Net income (loss)
$
4

 
$
(782
)
 
$
367

 
$
(1,092
)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities available-for-sale(1)
(50
)
 
97

 
(785
)
 
218

Other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities held-to-maturity
2

 

 
2

 

Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
21

 
11

 
95

 
11

Pension and post-retirement benefit plan
1

 

 
1

 
1

Total other comprehensive income (loss)
(26
)
 
108

 
(687
)
 
230

Comprehensive (loss)
$
(22
)
 
$
(674
)
 
$
(320
)
 
$
(862
)
 
(1) 
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") losses on securities recognized in other revenues and no OTTI losses related to the non-credit component of securities were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


4


HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions, except share data)
Assets(1)
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
1,512

 
$
1,359

Interest bearing deposits with banks
29,917

 
13,279

Securities purchased under agreements to resell
2,216

 
3,149

Trading assets
25,527

 
30,874

Securities available-for-sale
48,053

 
67,716

Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)
1,433

 
1,620

Loans
67,710

 
63,258

Less – allowance for credit losses
595

 
647

Loans, net
67,115

 
62,611

Loans held for sale (includes $1 million and $465 million designated under fair value option at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)
236

 
1,018

Properties and equipment, net
258

 
276

Intangible assets, net
295

 
247

Goodwill
2,228

 
2,228

Other assets
8,585

 
7,069

Total assets
$
187,375

 
$
191,446

Liabilities(1)
 
 
 
Debt:
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices:
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing
$
31,534

 
$
31,315

Interest bearing (includes $7.9 billion and $8.7 billion designated under fair value option at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)
63,608

 
66,520

Deposits in foreign offices:
 
 
 
Noninterest bearing
1,470

 
1,813

Interest bearing
16,309

 
18,023

Total deposits
112,921

 
117,671

Short-term borrowings
19,499

 
14,933

Long-term debt (includes $6.8 billion and $7.3 billion designated under fair value option at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively)
22,151

 
21,745

Total debt
154,571

 
154,349

Trading liabilities
11,065

 
14,699

Interest, taxes and other liabilities
4,357

 
4,562

Total liabilities
169,993

 
173,610

Shareholders' equity
 
 
 
Preferred stock
1,565

 
1,565

Common shareholder’s equity:
 
 
 
Common stock ($5 par; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 713 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012)

 

Additional paid-in capital
14,111

 
14,123

Retained earnings
1,675

 
1,363

Accumulated other comprehensive income
31

 
785

Total common shareholder’s equity
15,817

 
16,271

Total shareholders’ equity
17,382

 
17,836

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
187,375

 
$
191,446

 
(1) 
The following table summarizes assets and liabilities related to our consolidated variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 which are consolidated on our balance sheet. Assets and liabilities exclude intercompany balances that eliminate in consolidation.

5


HSBC USA Inc.

 
September 30,
 
December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
$
5

 
$

Securities held-to-maturity
208

 

Other assets
479

 
533

Total assets
$
692

 
$
533

Liabilities
 
 
 
Long-term debt
92

 
92

Interest, taxes and other liabilities
99

 
152

Total liabilities
$
191

 
$
244



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


6


HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Preferred stock
 
 
 
Balance at beginning and end of period
$
1,565

 
$
1,565

Common stock
 
 
 
Balance at beginning and end of period

 

Additional paid-in capital
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
14,123

 
13,814

Employee benefit plans and other
(12
)
 
(16
)
Balance at end of period
14,111

 
13,798

Retained earnings
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
1,363

 
2,481

Net income (loss)
367

 
(1,092
)
Cash dividends declared on preferred stock
(55
)
 
(55
)
Balance at end of period
1,675

 
1,334

Accumulated other comprehensive income
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
785

 
642

Other-than-temporary impairment on securities held-to-maturity due to the consolidation of a variable interest entity
(67
)
 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(687
)
 
230

Balance at end of period
31

 
872

Total common shareholder's equity
15,817

 
16,004

Total shareholders’ equity
$
17,382

 
$
17,569



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


7


HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
367

 
$
(1,092
)
Income from discontinued operations

 
203

Income (loss) from continuing operations
367

 
(1,295
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
249

 
243

Gain on sale of branches

 
(433
)
Expense accrual related to certain regulatory matters

 
1,500

Provision for credit losses
142

 
173

Realized gains on securities available-for-sale
(189
)
 
(145
)
Realized gains on securities held-to-maturity

 

Net change in other assets and liabilities
(805
)
 
2,246

Net change in loans held for sale:
 
 
 
Originations of loans
(1,481
)
 
(2,678
)
Sales and collection of loans held for sale
1,804

 
2,795

Net change in trading assets and liabilities
1,857

 
7,576

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments on loans held for sale
10

 
32

Mark-to-market loss on financial instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
(82
)
 
258

Cash provided by operating activities – continuing operations
1,872

 
10,272

Cash provided by operating activities – discontinued operations

 
34

Net cash provided by operating activities
1,872

 
10,306

Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
Net change in interest bearing deposits with banks
(16,619
)
 
10,141

Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell
933

 
(8,569
)
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Purchases of securities available-for-sale
(22,594
)
 
(29,177
)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale
33,270

 
10,183

Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale
7,099

 
9,601

Securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
Proceeds from sales of securities held-to-maturity
79

 

Proceeds from maturities of securities held-to-maturity
340

 
301

Change in loans:
 
 
 
Originations, net of collections
(4,687
)
 
(9,509
)
Loans sold to third parties
491

 
49

Net cash used for acquisitions of properties and equipment
(26
)
 
(6
)
Net outflows related to the sale of branches

 
(10,137
)
Other, net
(17
)
 
(40
)
Cash used in investing activities – continuing operations
(1,731
)
 
(27,163
)
Cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations

 
20,746

Net cash used in investing activities
(1,731
)
 
(6,417
)

8


HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
Net change in deposits
(4,761
)
 
(5,536
)
Debt:
 
 
 
Net change in short-term borrowings
4,151

 
(1,896
)
Issuance of long-term debt
4,630

 
5,354

Repayment of long-term debt
(3,941
)
 
(1,928
)
Repayment of debt related to the sale and leaseback of 452 Fifth Avenue property

 
(8
)
Other decreases in capital surplus
(12
)
 
(16
)
Dividends paid
(55
)
 
(55
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities – continuing operations
12

 
(4,085
)
Cash used in financing activities – discontinued operations

 
(35
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
12

 
(4,120
)
Net change in cash and due from banks
153

 
(231
)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period
1,359

 
1,616

Cash and due from banks at end of period
$
1,512

 
$
1,385

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities
 
 
 
Trading securities pending settlement
$
144

 
$
20

Transfer of loans to held for sale
33

 
39


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.


9


HSBC USA Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 


1.
Organization and Presentation
 
HSBC USA Inc. (“HSBC USA”), incorporated under the laws of Maryland, is a New York State based bank holding company and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. (“HSBC North America”), which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC”). The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of HSBC USA Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “HUSI”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been made. HSBC USA (together with its subsidiaries, “HUSI”) may also be referred to in these notes to the consolidated financial statements as “we,” “us” or “our.” These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation. In addition, a reduction in trading assets and trading liabilities of $5.1 billion at December 31, 2012 was made to properly reflect the elimination of certain affiliate inter-company balances relating to trading derivatives. We have determined that this correction had no impact to any other consolidated financial information presented for 2012.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Unless otherwise noted, information included in these notes to the consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations for all periods presented. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations” for further details. Interim results should not be considered indicative of results in future periods.
In May 2013, we consolidated our commercial paper conduit variable interest entity, otherwise known as Bryant Park Funding LLC ("Bryant Park") upon the completion of a restructuring of that entity. See Note 17, "Variable Interest Entities" for further details.


10


HSBC USA Inc.

2. Discontinued Operations
 
 
Sale of Certain Credit Card Operations to Capital One  On August 10, 2011, HSBC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries HSBC Finance Corporation (“HSBC Finance”), HSBC USA and other wholly-owned affiliates, entered into an agreement to sell its Card and Retail Services business to Capital One Financial Corporation (“Capital One”). This transaction was completed on May 1, 2012. The sale included our General Motors (“GM”) and Union Plus (“UP”) credit card receivables as well as our private label credit card and closed-end receivables, all of which were purchased from HSBC Finance. Prior to completing the transaction, we recorded lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments on these receivables which, prior to the sale, were classified as held for sale on our balance sheet as a component of assets of discontinued operations which totaled $440 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and is reflected in net interest income and other revenues in the table below. These fair value adjustments were largely offset by held for sale accounting adjustments in which loan impairment charges and premium amortization were no longer recorded. The total final cash consideration allocated to us was approximately $19.2 billion, which did not result in the recognition of a gain or loss upon completion of the sale as the receivables were recorded at fair value. The sale to Capital One did not include credit card receivables associated with HSBC Bank USA N. A.'s ("HSBC Bank USA") legacy credit card program and, therefore, are excluded from the table below. However a portion of these receivables were included as part of the branch sale to First Niagara Bank, N.A. in 2012 and HSBC Bank USA continues to offer credit cards to its customers. No significant one-time closure costs were incurred as a result of exiting these portfolios. In connection with the sale of our credit card portfolio to Capital One, we entered into an outsourcing arrangement with Capital One with respect to the servicing of our remaining credit card portfolio. In September 2013, the outsourcing arrangement with Capital One ended and we resumed the servicing of our remaining credit card portfolio.
Because the credit card and private label receivables sold were classified as held for sale prior to disposition and the operations and cash flows from these receivables were eliminated from our ongoing operations post-disposition without any significant continuing involvement, we determined we had met the requirements to report the results of these credit card and private label card receivables sold as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Following the completion of the sale in May of 2012, there was no remaining impact on our results related to the discontinued credit cards operations. The following table summarizes the results of our discontinued credit card operations for the prior year periods:
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
(in millions)
Net interest income and other revenues (1)
$

 
$
541

Income from discontinued operations before income tax

 
315

 
(1) 
Interest expense in 2012 was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 there were no remaining assets and liabilities of our discontinued credit cards operations reported on our consolidated balance sheet.


11


HSBC USA Inc.

3.    Trading Assets and Liabilities
 
 
Trading assets and liabilities consisted of the following.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Trading assets:
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
2,064

 
$
2,484

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed
330

 
337

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises(1)
161

 
32

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
16

 

Asset backed securities
482

 
687

Corporate and foreign bonds(2)
7,277

 
9,583

Other securities
24

 
36

Precious metals
10,587

 
12,332

Derivatives
4,586

 
5,383

 
$
25,527

 
$
30,874

Trading liabilities:
 
 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
$
921

 
$
207

Payables for precious metals
3,549

 
5,767

Derivatives
6,595

 
8,725

 
$
11,065

 
$
14,699

 
(1) 
Includes mortgage backed securities of $134 million and $16 million issued or guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) and $27 million and $16 million issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(2) 
We did not hold any foreign bonds issued by the governments of Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal or Spain at either September 30, 2013 or December 31, 2012.
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair value of derivatives included in trading assets has been reduced by $4.5 billion and $5.1 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the obligation to return cash collateral received under master netting agreements with derivative counterparties.
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair value of derivatives included in trading liabilities has been reduced by $2.1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral paid under master netting agreements with derivative counterparties.
See Note 10, "Derivative Financial Instruments" for further information on our trading derivatives and related collateral.


12


HSBC USA Inc.

4. Securities
 
 
Our securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity portfolios consisted of the following.
September 30, 2013
Amortized
Cost
 
Non-Credit Loss Component of OTTI Securities
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
18,228

 
$

 
$
423

 
$
(60
)
 
$
18,591

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
161

 

 

 
(11
)
 
150

Collateralized mortgage obligations
43

 

 

 
(1
)
 
42

Direct agency obligations
4,082

 

 
276

 
(14
)
 
4,344

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
10,800

 

 
179

 
(270
)
 
10,709

Collateralized mortgage obligations
8,045

 

 
30

 
(139
)
 
7,936

Direct agency obligations
1

 

 

 

 
1

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
867

 

 
17

 
(26
)
 
858

Asset backed securities collateralized by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
1

 

 
1

 

 
2

Commercial mortgages
133

 

 
2

 

 
135

Home equity
272

 

 

 
(42
)
 
230

Other
103

 

 

 

 
103

Foreign debt securities(2)(4)
4,805

 

 
10

 
(27
)
 
4,788

Equity securities
165

 

 
2

 
(3
)
 
164

Total available-for-sale securities
$
47,706

 
$

 
$
940

 
$
(593
)
 
$
48,053

Securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
$
893

 
$

 
$
105

 
$

 
$
998

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
55

 

 
9

 

 
64

Collateralized mortgage obligations
225

 

 
28

 

 
253

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
31

 

 
1

 

 
32

Asset-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages
21

 

 
1

 

 
22

Asset-backed securities and other debt securities held by consolidated VIE(5)
320

 
(112
)
 
21

 

 
229

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
1,545

 
$
(112
)
 
$
165

 
$

 
$
1,598


13


HSBC USA Inc.

December 31, 2012
Amortized
Cost
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
(in millions)
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
34,800

 
$
566

 
$
(24
)
 
$
35,342

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
144

 
1

 
(1
)
 
144

Collateralized mortgage obligations
22

 

 

 
22

Direct agency obligations
4,039

 
364

 
(2
)
 
4,401

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
15,646

 
674

 
(6
)
 
16,314

Collateralized mortgage obligations
4,315

 
156

 

 
4,471

Direct agency obligations
1

 

 

 
1

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
877

 
37

 
(2
)
 
912

Asset backed securities collateralized by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
1

 

 

 
1

Commercial mortgages
208

 
6

 

 
214

Home equity
310

 

 
(52
)
 
258

Other
102

 

 
(18
)
 
84

Corporate and other domestic debt securities
24

 
2

 

 
26

Foreign debt securities(2)(4)
5,385

 
16

 
(48
)
 
5,353

Equity securities
167

 
6

 

 
173

Total available-for-sale securities
$
66,041

 
$
1,828

 
$
(153
)
 
$
67,716

Securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
$
1,121

 
$
148

 
$

 
$
1,269

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mortgage-backed securities
66

 
12

 

 
78

Collateralized mortgage obligations
277

 
42

 

 
319

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
38

 
3

 

 
41

Asset-backed securities collateralized by residential mortgages
118

 
6

 

 
124

Total held-to-maturity securities
$
1,620

 
$
211

 
$

 
$
1,831

 
(1) 
Includes securities at amortized cost of $170 million and $153 million issued or guaranteed by FNMA at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and $34 million and $13 million issued or guaranteed by FHLMC at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(2) 
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, foreign debt securities consisted of $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, of securities fully backed by foreign governments. The remainder of foreign debt securities represents foreign bank or corporate debt.
(3) 
Includes securities at amortized cost of $422 million and $507 million issued or guaranteed by FNMA at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, and $471 million and $614 million issued and guaranteed by FHLMC at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(4) 
We did not hold any foreign debt securities issued by the governments of Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal or Spain at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
(5) 
Relates to securities held by Bryant Park Funding LLC, a variable interest entity which was consolidated in May 2013. See Note 17, "Variable Interest Entities" for additional information.

14


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes gross unrealized losses and related fair values as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 classified as to the length of time the losses have existed:
 
One Year or Less
 
Greater Than One Year
September 30, 2013
Number
of
Securities
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Aggregate
Fair Value
of Investment
 
Number
of
Securities
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Aggregate
Fair Value
of Investment
 
(dollars are in millions)
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
10

 
$
(43
)
 
$
5,644

 
7

 
$
(17
)
 
$
609

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
31

 
(21
)
 
531

 
16

 
(5
)
 
237

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed
202

 
(409
)
 
7,759

 
1

 

 

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
50

 
(26
)
 
455

 

 

 

Asset backed securities

 

 

 
12

 
(42
)
 
241

Foreign debt securities
1

 

 
15

 
8

 
(27
)
 
3,324

Equity Securities
1

 
(3
)
 
156

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale
295

 
$
(502
)
 
$
14,560

 
44

 
$
(91
)
 
$
4,411

Securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
15

 
$

 
$

 
45

 
$

 
$

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed
72

 

 

 
874

 

 
2

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
5

 

 
2

 
2

 

 

Asset backed securities
2

 

 
2

 

 

 

Securities held-to-maturity
94

 
$

 
$
4

 
921

 
$


$
2

 
One Year or Less
 
Greater Than One Year
December 31, 2012
Number
of
Securities
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Aggregate
Fair Value
of Investment
 
Number
of
Securities
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Aggregate
Fair Value
of Investment
 
(dollars are in millions)
Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
6

 
$
(3
)
 
$
3,344

 
6

 
$
(21
)
 
$
587

U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
9

 
(3
)
 
431

 
14

 

 
7

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed
18

 
(6
)
 
1,059

 

 

 

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
14

 
(2
)
 
168

 
1

 

 
7

Asset backed securities
3

 

 
20

 
13

 
(70
)
 
354

Foreign debt securities

 

 

 
9

 
(48
)
 
3,787

Securities available-for-sale
50

 
$
(14
)
 
$
5,022

 
43

 
$
(139
)

$
4,742

Securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
24

 
$

 
$

 
52

 
$

 
$

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed
75

 

 

 
947

 

 
2

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
2

 

 
1

 
1

 

 

Asset backed securities
1

 

 
4

 
2

 

 
7

Securities held-to-maturity
102

 
$

 
$
5

 
1,002

 
$

 
$
9


15


HSBC USA Inc.

Net unrealized gains decreased within the available-for-sale portfolio in the first nine months of 2013 primarily due to a significant rise in yields on U.S. Treasury and other U.S. Government securities during 2013 due to concerns that the Federal Reserve will wind down its bond buying program sooner than previously expected as well as security sales during the first nine months of 2013. We have reviewed the securities for which there is an unrealized loss for other-than-temporary impairment in accordance with our accounting policies. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, none of our debt securities were determined to have either initial other-than-temporary impairment or changes to previous other-than-temporary impairment estimates relating to credit.
Upon consolidation of Bryant Park Funding LLC during the second quarter of 2013, we have held-to-maturity asset backed securities totaling $208 million at September 30, 2013 which were previously determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired. We do not consider any other debt securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2013 as we expect to recover their amortized cost basis and we neither intend nor expect to be required to sell these securities prior to recovery, even if that equates to holding securities until their individual maturities. However, additional other-than-temporary impairments may occur in future periods if the credit quality of the securities deteriorates.
On-going Assessment for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment  On a quarterly basis, we perform an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security with an unrealized loss has suffered other-than-temporary impairment. A debt security is considered impaired if its fair value is less than its amortized cost at the reporting date. If impaired, we assess whether the unrealized loss is other-than-temporary.
An unrealized loss is generally deemed to be other-than-temporary and a credit loss is deemed to exist if the present value of the expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. As a result, the credit loss component of an other-than-temporary impairment write-down for debt securities is recorded in earnings while the remaining portion of the impairment loss attributable to factors other than credit loss is recognized, net of tax, in other comprehensive income provided we do not intend to sell the underlying debt security and it is more likely than not that we would not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery.
For all securities held in the available-for-sale or held-to-maturity portfolios for which unrealized losses attributed to factors other than credit have existed for a period of time, we do not have the intention to sell and believe we will not be required to sell the securities for contractual, regulatory or liquidity reasons as of the reporting date. Our assessment for credit loss was concentrated on private label asset-backed securities. Substantially all of the private label asset-backed securities are supported by residential mortgages, home equity loans or commercial mortgages. Our assessment for credit loss was concentrated on this particular asset class because of the following inherent risk factors:
The recovery of the U.S. economy has been slow;
The high levels of pending foreclosure volume associated with a U.S. housing market in the early stages of recovery;
A lack of significant traction in government sponsored programs in loan modifications;
A lack of refinancing activities within certain segments of the mortgage market, even at the current low interest rate environment, and the re-default rate for refinanced loans;
The unemployment rate although improving remains high compared with historical levels;
The decline in the occupancy rate in commercial properties; and
The severity and duration of unrealized loss.
For a complete description of the factors considered when analyzing debt securities for impairment, see Note 7, "Securities" in our 2012 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes in our process for assessing impairment during 2013.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 there were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized related to credit loss. At September 30, 2013, as a result of consolidating a previously unconsolidated VIE in the second quarter of 2013, the excess of discounted future cash flows over fair value, representing the non-credit component of the unrealized loss associated with all other-than-temporarily impaired securities, was $112 million. At December 31, 2012, there were no non-credit component unrealized loss amounts recognized.
The following table summarizes the rollforward of credit losses on debt securities that were other-than-temporarily impaired which have previously been recognized in income that we do not intend to sell nor will likely be required to sell:

16


HSBC USA Inc.

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
(in millions)
Credit losses at the beginning of the period
$
61

 
$

Credit losses previously recognized on held-to-maturity debt securities of VIE consolidated during the second quarter of 2013

 
61

Ending balance of credit losses on held-to-maturity debt securities for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment was recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)
$
61

 
$
61

At September 30, 2013, we held 24 individual asset-backed securities in the available-for-sale portfolio, of which 8 were also wrapped by a monoline insurance company. The asset-backed securities backed by a monoline wrap comprised $333 million of the total aggregate fair value of asset-backed securities of $470 million at September 30, 2013. The gross unrealized losses on these monoline securities were $42 million at September 30, 2013. We did not take into consideration the value of the monoline wrap of any non-investment grade monoline insurers as of September 30, 2013 and, therefore, we only considered the financial guarantee of monoline insurers on securities for purposes of evaluating other-than-temporary impairment on securities with a fair value of $100 million. No security wrapped by a below investment grade monoline insurance company was deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2013.
At December 31, 2012, we held 27 individual asset-backed securities in the available-for-sale portfolio, of which 8 were also wrapped by a monoline insurance company. The asset-backed securities backed by a monoline wrap comprised $343 million of the total aggregate fair value of asset-backed securities of $557 million at December 31, 2012. The gross unrealized losses on these monoline securities were $69 million at December 31, 2012. We did not take into consideration the value of the monoline wrap of any non-investment grade monoline insurers as of December 31, 2012 and, therefore, we only considered the financial guarantee of monoline insurers on securities with a fair value of $110 million for purposes of evaluating other-than-temporary impairment. No security wrapped by a below investment grade monoline insurance company was deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2012.
As discussed above, certain asset-backed securities in the available-for-sale portfolio have an embedded financial guarantee provided by monoline insurers. Because the financial guarantee is not a separate and distinct contract from the asset-backed security, they are considered as a single unit of account for fair value measurement and impairment assessment purposes. The monoline insurers are regulated by the insurance commissioners of the relevant states and certain monoline insurers that write the financial guarantee contracts are public companies. We did not consider the value of the monoline wrap of any non-investment grade monoline insurer at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. In evaluating the extent of our reliance on investment grade monoline insurance companies, consideration is given to our assessment of the creditworthiness of the monoline and other market factors. We perform both a credit as well as a liquidity analysis on the monoline insurers each quarter. Our analysis also compares market-based credit default spreads, when available, to assess the appropriateness of our monoline insurer’s creditworthiness. Based on the public information available, including the regulatory reviews and actions undertaken by the state insurance commissions and the published financial results, we determine the degree of reliance to be placed on the financial guarantee policy in estimating the cash flows to be collected for the purpose of recognizing and measuring impairment loss.
A credit downgrade to non-investment grade is a key but not the only factor in determining the credit risk or the monoline insurer’s ability to fulfill its contractual obligation under the financial guarantee arrangement. Although a monoline may have been down-graded by the credit rating agencies or have been ordered to commute its operations by the insurance commissioners, it may retain the ability and the obligation to continue to pay claims in the near term. We evaluate the short-term liquidity of and the ability to pay claims by the monoline insurers in estimating the amounts of cash flows expected to be collected from specific asset-backed securities for the purpose of assessing and measuring credit loss.
Realized Gains (Losses) The following table summarizes realized gains and losses on investment securities transactions attributable to available-for-sale securities.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Gross realized gains
$
68

 
$
59

 
$
275

 
$
260

Gross realized losses
(33
)
 
(9
)
 
(94
)
 
(115
)
Net realized gains
$
35

 
$
50

 
$
181

 
$
145


17


HSBC USA Inc.

During the first quarter of 2013, we sold six asset-backed securities out of our held-to-maturity portfolio with a total carrying value of $71 million and recognized a gain of $8 million. These sales were in response to the significant credit deterioration which had occurred on these securities which had been classified as substandard for regulatory reporting purposes and, therefore, these disposals do not affect our intent and ability to hold our remaining held-to-maturity portfolio until maturity.
Contractual Maturities and Yields The following table summarizes the amortized cost and fair values of securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity at September 30, 2013 by contractual maturity. Expected maturities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties in certain cases. Securities available-for-sale amounts exclude equity securities as they do not have stated maturities. The table below also reflects the distribution of maturities of debt securities held at September 30, 2013, together with the approximate taxable equivalent yield of the portfolio. The yields shown are calculated by dividing annual interest income, including the accretion of discounts and the amortization of premiums, by the amortized cost of securities outstanding at September 30, 2013. Yields on tax-exempt obligations have been computed on a taxable equivalent basis using applicable statutory tax rates.
 
Within
One Year
 
After One
But Within
Five Years
 
After Five
But Within
Ten Years
 
After Ten
Years
Taxable Equivalent Basis
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
(dollars are in millions)
Available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
500

 
.32
%
 
$
13,165

 
.82
%
 
$
2,656

 
2.45
%
 
$
1,907

 
4.07
%
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
50

 
.38

 
570

 
2.36

 
2,940

 
3.20

 
726

 
3.99

U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed

 

 
15

 
4.23

 
86

 
2.28

 
18,745

 
2.68

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions

 

 
88

 
3.95

 
329

 
3.54

 
450

 
3.56

Asset backed securities

 

 
1

 
2.02

 
11

 
.39

 
497

 
2.62

Foreign debt securities
657

 
2.60

 
4,148

 
1.95

 


 

 

 

Total amortized cost
$
1,207

 
1.57
%
 
$
17,987

 
1.14
%
 
$
6,022

 
2.87
%
 
$
22,325

 
2.86
%
Total fair value
$
1,210

 
 
 
$
18,027

 
 
 
$
6,374

 
 
 
$
22,278

 
 
Held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises
$
1

 
8.00
%
 
$
1

 
7.20
%
 
$
2

 
8.02
%
 
$
889

 
6.16
%
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed

 

 
1

 
7.62

 
2

 
7.69

 
277

 
6.51

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions
5

 
4.99

 
12

 
4.70

 
6

 
3.96

 
8

 
5.12

Asset backed securities

 

 

 

 

 

 
21

 
6.24

Asset backed securities issued by consolidated VIE

 

 

 

 
67

 
.29

 
141

 
.29

Total amortized cost
$
6

 
5.71
%
 
$
14

 
5.18
%
 
$
77

 
.96
%
 
$
1,336

 
5.61
%
Total fair value
$
6

 
 
 
$
16

 
 
 
$
79

 
 
 
$
1,497

 
 

Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock of $139 million and $482 million, respectively, were included in other assets at September 30, 2013. Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock of $143 million and $483 million, respectively, were included in other assets at December 31, 2012.


18


HSBC USA Inc.

5. Loans
 
 
Loans consisted of the following:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
8,919

 
$
8,457

Business and corporate banking
13,668

 
12,608

Global banking(1)(2)
23,370

 
20,009

Other commercial
2,552

 
3,076

Total commercial
48,509

 
44,150

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
15,720

 
15,371

Home equity mortgages
2,087

 
2,324

Credit cards
856

 
815

Other consumer
538

 
598

Total consumer
19,201

 
19,108

Total loans
$
67,710

 
$
63,258

 
(1) 
Represents large multinational firms including globally focused U.S. corporate and financial institutions and U.S. Dollar lending to multinational banking customers managed by HSBC on a global basis as well as loans to HSBC affiliates.
(2) 
Includes loans to HSBC affiliates of $5.9 billion and $4.5 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. See Note 14, "Related Party Transactions" for additional information regarding loans to HSBC affiliates.
Net deferred origination costs (fees) totaled ($10 million) and $30 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we had a net unamortized premium on our loans of $17 million and $25 million, respectively. We amortized net premiums of $1 million and $4 million on our loans in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $2 million and $20 million on our loans in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
Age Analysis of Past Due Loans  The following table summarizes the past due status of our loans at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The aging of past due amounts is determined based on the contractual delinquency status of payments under the loan. An account is generally considered to be contractually delinquent when payments have not been made in accordance with the loan terms. Delinquency status may be affected by customer account management policies and practices such as re-age, which results in the re-setting of the contractual delinquency status to current.

19


HSBC USA Inc.

 
Past Due
 
Total Past Due 30 Days or More
 
 
 
 
At September 30, 2013
30 - 89 days
 
90+ days
 
 
Current(1)
 
Total Loans
 
(in millions)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
3

 
$
58

 
$
61

 
$
8,858

 
$
8,919

Business and corporate banking
42

 
35

 
77

 
13,591

 
13,668

Global banking

 
4

 
4

 
23,366

 
23,370

Other commercial
28

 
27

 
55

 
2,497

 
2,552

Total commercial
73

 
124

 
197

 
48,312

 
48,509

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
457

 
1,043

 
1,500

 
14,220

 
15,720

Home equity mortgages
29

 
64

 
93

 
1,994

 
2,087

Credit cards
15

 
13

 
28

 
828

 
856

Other consumer
7

 
24

 
31

 
507

 
538

Total consumer
508

 
1,144

 
1,652

 
17,549

 
19,201

Total loans
$
581

 
$
1,268

 
$
1,849

 
$
65,861

 
67,710

 
Past Due
 
Total Past Due 30 Days or More
 
 
 
 
At December 31, 2012
30 - 89 days
 
90+ days
 
 
Current(1)
 
Total Loans
 
(in millions)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
89

 
$
152

 
$
241

 
$
8,216

 
$
8,457

Business and corporate banking
73

 
70

 
143

 
12,465

 
12,608

Global banking
30

 
8

 
38

 
19,971

 
20,009

Other commercial
16

 
31

 
47

 
3,029

 
3,076

Total commercial
208

 
261

 
469

 
43,681

 
44,150

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
493

 
976

 
1,469

 
13,902

 
15,371

Home equity mortgages
40

 
82

 
122

 
2,202

 
2,324

Credit cards
14

 
15

 
29

 
786

 
815

Other consumer
5

 
33

 
38

 
560

 
598

Total consumer
552

 
1,106

 
1,658

 
17,450

 
19,108

Total loans
$
760

 
$
1,367

 
$
2,127

 
$
61,131

 
$
63,258

 
(1) 
Loans less than 30 days past due are presented as current.
Nonaccrual Loans Nonaccrual loans totaled $1.4 billion and $1.6 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Interest income that would have been recorded if such nonaccrual loans had been current and in accordance with contractual terms was approximately $25 million and $86 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $37 million and $92 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Interest income that was included in interest income on these loans was $11 million and $27 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $10 million and $14 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. For an analysis of reserves for credit losses, see Note 6, “Allowance for Credit Losses.”

20


HSBC USA Inc.

Nonaccrual loans and accruing receivables 90 days or more delinquent consisted of the following:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
Real Estate:
 
 
 
Construction and land loans
$
44

 
$
104

Other real estate
103

 
281

Business and corporate banking
47

 
47

Global banking
14

 
18

Other commercial
2

 
13

Total commercial
210

 
463

Consumer:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
1,020

 
1,038

Home equity mortgages
85

 
86

Total residential mortgages(1)
1,105

 
1,124

Other consumer loans

 
5

Total consumer loans
1,105

 
1,129

Nonaccrual loans held for sale
45

 
37

Total nonaccruing loans
1,360

 
1,629

Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more:
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
Real Estate:
 
 
 
Construction and land loans

 

Other real estate

 
8

Business and corporate banking

 
28

Other commercial
9

 
1

Total commercial
9

 
37

Consumer:
 
 
 
Credit card receivables
13

 
15

Other consumer
24

 
28

Total consumer loans
37

 
43

Total accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more
46

 
80

Total nonperforming loans
$
1,406

 
$
1,709

 
(1) 
Nonaccrual residential mortgages includes all receivables which are 90 or more days contractually delinquent as well as loans discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy and not re-affirmed and second lien loans where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent.
Impaired Loans   A loan is considered to be impaired when it is deemed probable that not all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will be collected. Probable losses from impaired loans are quantified and recorded as a component of the overall allowance for credit losses. Commercial and consumer loans for which we have modified the loan terms as part of a troubled debt restructuring are considered to be impaired loans. Additionally, commercial loans in nonaccrual status, or that have been partially charged-off or assigned a specific allowance for credit losses are also considered impaired loans.
Troubled debt restructurings  Troubled debt restructurings ("TDR Loans") represent loans for which the original contractual terms have been modified to provide for terms that are less than what we would be willing to accept for new loans with comparable risk because of deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition.
Modifications for consumer and commercial loans may include changes to one or more terms of the loan, including, but not limited to, a change in interest rate, extension of the amortization period, reduction in payment amount and partial forgiveness or deferment of principal. A substantial amount of our modifications involve interest rate reductions which lower the amount of interest income

21


HSBC USA Inc.

we are contractually entitled to receive in future periods. Through lowering the interest rate and other loan term changes, we believe we are able to increase the amount of cash flow that will ultimately be collected from the loan, given the borrower’s financial condition. TDR Loans are reserved for either based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans’ original effective interest rates which generally results in a higher reserve requirement for these loans or in the case of certain secured commercial loans, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. Once a consumer loan is classified as a TDR Loan, it continues to be reported as such until it is paid off or charged-off. For commercial loans, if subsequent performance is in accordance with the new terms and such terms reflect current market rates at the time of restructure, they will no longer be reported as a TDR Loan beginning in the year after restructuring. Since 2010, approximately $11 million of commercial loans have met this criteria and have been removed from TDR Loan classification.
The following table presents information about receivables which were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and as a result of this action became classified as TDR Loans.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$

 
$
38

 
$
15

 
$
105

Business and corporate banking
29

 
1

 
34

 
22

Global banking
51

 

 
51

 

Total commercial
80

 
39

 
100

 
127

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
64

 
220

 
155

 
328

Credit cards

 
1

 
1

 
3

Total consumer
64

 
221

 
156

 
331

Total
$
144

 
$
260

 
$
256

 
$
458

The weighted-average contractual rate reduction for consumer loans which became classified as TDR Loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 1.80 percent and 2.00 percent, respectively, compared with 1.90 percent and 1.80 percent during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Weighted-average contractual rate reduction for commercial loans was not significant in both number of loans and rate.
The following tables present information about our TDR Loans and the related credit loss reserves for TDR Loans:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
TDR Loans(1)(2):
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
375

 
$
343

Business and corporate banking
51

 
86

Global banking
51

 

Other commercial
27

 
31

Total commercial
504

 
460

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages (3)
921

 
960

Credit cards
10

 
14

Total consumer
931

 
974

Total TDR Loans(4)
$
1,435

 
$
1,434


22


HSBC USA Inc.

 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Allowance for credit losses for TDR Loans(5):
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
12

 
$
23

Business and corporate banking
30

 
3

Global banking
4

 

Other commercial

 

Total commercial
46

 
26

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
68

 
109

Credit cards
3

 
5

Total consumer
71

 
114

Total allowance for credit losses for TDR Loans
$
117

 
$
140

 
(1) 
TDR Loans are considered to be impaired loans. For consumer loans, all such loans are considered impaired loans regardless of accrual status. For commercial loans, impaired loans include other loans in addition to TDRs which totaled $98 million and $237 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(2) 
The TDR Loan balances included in the table above reflect the current carrying amount of TDR Loans and includes all basis adjustments on the loan, such as unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, partial charge-offs and premiums or discounts on purchased loans. The following table reflects the unpaid principal balance of TDR Loans:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
393

 
$
398

Business and corporate banking
89

 
137

Global banking
51

 

Other commercial
30

 
34

Total commercial
563

 
569

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
1,101

 
1,118

Credit cards
10

 
14

Total consumer
1,111

 
1,132

Total
$
1,674

 
$
1,701

 
(3) 
Includes $687 million and $608 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, of loans that are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.
(4) 
Includes $404 million and $519 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which are classified as nonaccrual loans.
(5) 
Included in the allowance for credit losses.


23


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table provides additional information relating to TDR Loans.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Average balance of TDR Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
405

 
$
364

 
$
362

 
$
361

Business and corporate banking
39

 
85

 
49

 
92

Global banking
25

 

 
13

 

Other commercial
28

 
34

 
29

 
34

Total commercial
497

 
483

 
453

 
487

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages(1)
904

 
745

 
910

 
676

Credit cards
11

 
17

 
12

 
16

Total consumer
915

 
762

 
922

 
692

Total average balance of TDR Loans
$
1,412

 
$
1,245

 
$
1,375

 
$
1,179

Interest income recognized on TDR Loans
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
4

 
$
2

 
$
9

 
$
6

Business and corporate banking

 

 

 

Other commercial
1

 
3

 
3

 
6

Total commercial
5

 
5

 
12

 
12

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
8

 
8

 
24

 
22

Credit cards

 

 
1

 

Total consumer
8

 
8

 
25

 
22

Total interest income recognized on TDR Loans
$
13

 
$
13

 
$
37

 
$
34

 
(1) 
Beginning in the third quarter of 2012, average balances for residential mortgages include loans discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy and not re-affirmed.
The following table presents loans which were classified as TDR Loans during the previous 12 months which for commercial loans became 90 days or greater contractually delinquent or for consumer loans became 60 days or greater contractually delinquent during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
28

 
$

 
$
28

 
$

Business and corporate banking
2

 

 
2

 

Other commercial

 

 

 

Total commercial
30

 

 
30

 

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
10

 
57

 
35

 
159

Credit cards

 

 

 

Total consumer
10

 
57

 
35

 
159

Total
$
40

 
$
57

 
$
65

 
$
159


24


HSBC USA Inc.

Impaired commercial loans  The following table summarizes impaired commercial loan statistics:
 
Amount with
Impairment
Reserves
 
Amount
without
Impairment
Reserves
 
Total Impaired
Commercial
Loans(1)(2)(3)
 
Impairment
Reserve
 
(in millions)
At September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
71

 
$
349

 
$
420

 
$
17

Business and corporate banking
39

 
17

 
56

 
32

Global banking
65

 

 
65

 
9

Other commercial

 
61

 
61

 

Total
$
175

 
$
427

 
$
602

 
$
58

At December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
192

 
$
305

 
$
497

 
$
86

Business and corporate banking
57

 
49

 
106

 
10

Global banking

 
18

 
18

 

Other commercial
1

 
75

 
76

 

Total
$
250

 
$
447

 
$
697

 
$
96

 
(1) 
The decrease in construction and other real estate impaired loans with impairment allowances since December 31, 2012 largely reflects the partial charge-off of a loan with a balance of $71 million and other decreases in previously impaired loans which was partially offset by the addition of currently performing TDR loans added in the second quarter of 2013 totaling $152 million, for which an insignificant amount of impairment reserves were required.
(2) 
Includes impaired commercial loans which are also considered TDR Loans as follows:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Construction and other real estate
$
375

 
$
343

Business and corporate banking
51

 
86

Global banking
51

 
 
Other commercial
27

 
31

Total
$
504

 
$
460

(3) 
The impaired commercial loan balances included in the table above reflect the current carrying amount of the loan and includes all basis adjustments, such as partial charge-offs, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans and any premiums or discounts. The following table reflects the unpaid principal balance of impaired commercial loans included in the table above:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Construction and other real estate
$
438

 
$
552

Business and corporate banking
94

 
157

Global banking
65

 
18

Other commercial
64

 
79

Total
$
661

 
$
806


25


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information about average impaired commercial loan balances and interest income recognized on the impaired commercial loans:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Average balance of impaired commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
443

 
$
562

 
$
444

 
$
628

Business and corporate banking
62

 
112

 
69

 
122

Global banking
42

 
129

 
30

 
103

Other commercial
63

 
87

 
69

 
88

Total average balance of impaired commercial loans
$
610

 
$
890

 
$
612

 
$
941

Interest income recognized on impaired commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
4

 
$
5

 
$
10

 
$
8

Business and corporate banking

 
2

 

 
4

Global banking

 

 

 

Other commercial
1

 
1

 
4

 
2

Total interest income recognized on impaired commercial loans
$
5

 
$
8

 
$
14

 
$
14

Commercial Loan Credit Quality Indicators  The following credit quality indicators are monitored for our commercial loan portfolio:
Criticized asset classifications  These classifications are based on the risk rating standards of our primary regulator. Problem loans are assigned various criticized facility grades. We also assign obligor grades which are used under our allowance for credit losses methodology. The following table summarizes criticized assets for commercial loans:
 
Special Mention
 
Substandard
 
Doubtful
 
Total
 
(in millions)
At September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
358

 
$
511

 
$
16

 
$
885

Business and corporate banking
529

 
161

 
31

 
721

Global banking
396

 
101

 
5

 
502

Other commercial
12

 
50

 

 
62

Total
$
1,295

 
$
823

 
$
52

 
$
2,170

At December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
627

 
$
677

 
$
105

 
$
1,409

Business and corporate banking
369

 
115

 
10

 
494

Global banking
93

 
50

 

 
143

Other commercial
36

 
74

 
2

 
112

Total
$
1,125

 
$
916

 
$
117

 
$
2,158


26


HSBC USA Inc.

Nonperforming  The following table summarizes the status of our commercial loan portfolio:
 
Performing
Loans
 
Nonaccrual
Loans
 
Accruing Loans
Contractually Past
Due 90 days or More
 
Total
 
(in millions)
At September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
8,772

 
$
147

 
$

 
$
8,919

Business and corporate banking
13,621

 
47

 

 
13,668

Global banking
23,356

 
14

 

 
23,370

Other commercial
2,541

 
2

 
9

 
2,552

Total commercial
$
48,290

 
$
210

 
$
9

 
$
48,509

At December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
8,064

 
$
385

 
$
8

 
$
8,457

Business and corporate banking
12,533

 
47

 
28

 
12,608

Global banking
19,991

 
18

 

 
20,009

Other commercial
3,062

 
13

 
1

 
3,076

Total commercial
$
43,650

 
$
463

 
$
37

 
$
44,150

Credit risk profile  The following table shows the credit risk profile of our commercial loan portfolio:
 
Investment
Grade(1)
 
Non-Investment
Grade
 
Total
 
(in millions)
At September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
5,583

 
$
3,336

 
$
8,919

Business and corporate banking
6,953

 
6,715

 
13,668

Global banking
19,518

 
3,852

 
23,370

Other commercial
1,188

 
1,364

 
2,552

Total commercial
$
33,242

 
$
15,267

 
$
48,509

At December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
4,727

 
$
3,730

 
$
8,457

Business and corporate banking
6,012

 
6,596

 
12,608

Global banking
16,206

 
3,803

 
20,009

Other commercial
1,253

 
1,823

 
3,076

Total commercial
$
28,198

 
$
15,952

 
$
44,150

 
(1) 
Investment grade includes commercial loans with credit ratings of at least BBB- or above or the equivalent based on our internal credit rating system.

27


HSBC USA Inc.

Consumer Loan Credit Quality Indicators   The following credit quality indicators are utilized for our consumer loan portfolio:
Delinquency  The following table summarizes dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency and as a percent of total loans and loans held for sale (“delinquency ratio”) for our consumer loan portfolio:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
  
Delinquent Loans
 
Delinquency
Ratio
 
Delinquent Loans
 
Delinquency
Ratio
 
(dollars are in millions)
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages(1)
$
1,221

 
7.70
%
 
$
1,233

 
7.78
%
Home equity mortgages
75

 
3.61

 
75

 
3.23

Total residential mortgages
1,296

 
7.23

 
1,308

 
7.20

Credit cards
18

 
2.10

 
21

 
2.58

Other consumer
28

 
4.65

 
30

 
4.52

Total consumer
$
1,342

 
6.92
%
 
$
1,359

 
6.92
%
 
(1) 
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, residential mortgage loan delinquency includes $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, of loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.
Nonperforming   The following table summarizes the status of our consumer loan portfolio:
 
Performing
Loans
 
Nonaccrual
Loans
 
Accruing Loans
Contractually Past
Due 90 days or More
 
Total
 
(in millions)
At September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
$
14,700

 
$
1,020

 
$

 
$
15,720

Home equity mortgages
2,002

 
85

 

 
2,087

Total residential mortgages
16,702

 
1,105

 

 
17,807

Credit cards
843

 

 
13

 
856

Other consumer
514

 

 
24

 
538

Total consumer
$
18,059

 
$
1,105

 
$
37

 
$
19,201

At December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
$
14,333

 
$
1,038

 
$

 
$
15,371

Home equity mortgages
2,238

 
86

 

 
2,324

Total residential mortgages
16,571

 
1,124

 

 
17,695

Credit cards
800

 

 
15

 
815

Other consumer
565

 
5

 
28

 
598

Total consumer
$
17,936

 
$
1,129

 
$
43

 
$
19,108

Troubled debt restructurings  See discussion of impaired loans above for further details on this credit quality indicator.
Concentration of Credit Risk  At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our loan portfolio included interest-only residential mortgage loans totaling $3.7 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively. An interest-only residential mortgage loan allows a customer to pay the interest-only portion of the monthly payment for a period of time which results in lower payments during the initial loan period. However, subsequent events affecting a customer's financial position could affect the ability of customers to repay the loan in the future when the principal payments are required which increases the credit risk of this loan type.


28


HSBC USA Inc.


6.    Allowance for Credit Losses
 
The following table summarizes the changes in the allowance for credit losses by product and the related loan balance by product during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
 
  
Construction
and Other
Real Estate
 
Business
and Corporate Banking
 
Global
Banking
 
Other
Comm’l
 
Residential
Mortgages
 
Home
Equity
Mortgages
 
Credit
Card
 
Other
Consumer
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period
$
110

 
$
103

 
$
69

 
$
17

 
$
196

 
$
52

 
$
45

 
$
13

 
$
605

Provision charged to income
(10
)
 
32

 
(2
)
 

 
(1
)
 
28

 
6

 
1

 
54

Charge offs
(3
)
 
(7
)
 

 

 
(40
)
 
(15
)
 
(7
)
 
(1
)
 
(73
)
Recoveries
1

 
3

 

 

 
3

 
1

 
1

 

 
9

Net (charge offs) recoveries
(2
)
 
(4
)
 

 

 
(37
)
 
(14
)
 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(64
)
Allowance for credit losses – end of period
$
98

 
$
131

 
$
67

 
$
17

 
$
158

 
$
66

 
$
45

 
$
13

 
$
595

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period
$
198

 
$
80

 
$
44

 
$
18

 
$
188

 
$
47

 
$
31

 
$
13

 
$
619

Provision charged to income
(11
)
 
18

 
12

 

 
33

 
13

 
15

 
4

 
84

Charge offs
(9
)
 
(8
)
 

 

 
(24
)
 
(18
)
 
(14
)
 
(3
)
 
(76
)
Recoveries
3

 
2

 

 

 
3

 

 
2

 

 
10

Net (charge offs) recoveries
(6
)
 
(6
)
 

 

 
(21
)
 
(18
)
 
(12
)
 
(3
)
 
(66
)
Allowance for credit losses – end of period
$
181

 
$
92

 
$
56

 
$
18

 
$
200

 
$
42

 
$
34

 
$
14

 
$
637

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period
$
162

 
$
97

 
$
41

 
$
17

 
$
210

 
$
45

 
$
55

 
$
20

 
$
647

Provision charged to income
(15
)
 
49

 
26

 
(4
)
 
10

 
58

 
17

 
1

 
142

Charge offs
(62
)
 
(22
)
 

 

 
(69
)
 
(38
)
 
(30
)
 
(10
)
 
(231
)
Recoveries
13

 
7

 

 
4

 
7

 
1

 
3

 
2

 
37

Net (charge offs) recoveries
(49
)
 
(15
)
 

 
4

 
(62
)
 
(37
)
 
(27
)
 
(8
)
 
(194
)
Allowance for credit losses – end of period
$
98

 
$
131

 
$
67

 
$
17

 
$
158

 
$
66

 
$
45

 
$
13

 
$
595

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
81

 
$
99

 
$
58

 
$
17

 
$
92

 
$
64

 
$
42

 
$
13

 
$
466

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
17

 
32

 
9

 

 
66

 
2

 
3

 

 
129

Total allowance for credit losses
$
98

 
$
131

 
$
67

 
$
17

 
$
158

 
$
66

 
$
45

 
$
13

 
$
595

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
8,499

 
$
13,612

 
$
23,305

 
$
2,491

 
$
13,899

 
$
2,068

 
$
846

 
$
538

 
$
65,258

Individually evaluated for impairment(1)
420

 
56

 
65

 
61

 
215

 
19

 
10

 

 
846

Loans carried at lower of amortized cost or fair value less cost to sell

 

 

 

 
1,606

 

 

 

 
1,606

Total loans
$
8,919

 
$
13,668

 
$
23,370

 
$
2,552

 
$
15,720

 
$
2,087

 
$
856

 
$
538

 
$
67,710

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

29


HSBC USA Inc.

 
Commercial
 
Consumer
 
 
  
Construction
and Other
Real Estate
 
Business
and Corporate Banking
 
Global
Banking
 
Other
Comm’l
 
Residential
Mortgages
 
Home
Equity
Mortgages
 
Credit
Card
 
Other
Consumer
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period
$
212

 
$
78

 
$
131

 
$
21

 
$
192

 
$
52

 
$
39

 
$
18

 
$
743

Provision charged to income
(36
)
 
39

 
9

 
(9
)
 
72

 
55

 
35

 
8

 
173

Charge offs
(12
)
 
(31
)
 
(84
)
 

 
(73
)
 
(65
)
 
(47
)
 
(17
)
 
(329
)
Recoveries
17

 
6

 

 
6

 
9

 

 
7

 
5

 
50

Net (charge offs) recoveries
5

 
(25
)
 
(84
)
 
6

 
(64
)
 
(65
)
 
(40
)
 
(12
)
 
(279
)
Allowance for credit losses – end of period
$
181

 
$
92

 
$
56

 
$
18

 
$
200

 
$
42

 
$
34

 
$
14

 
$
637

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
$
79

 
$
82

 
$
41

 
$
17

 
$
93

 
$
36

 
$
29

 
$
14

 
$
391

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
102

 
10

 
15

 
1

 
107

 
6

 
5

 

 
246

Total allowance for credit losses
$
181

 
$
92

 
$
56

 
$
18

 
$
200

 
$
42

 
$
34

 
$
14

 
$
637

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collectively evaluated for impairment
$
7,387

 
$
12,389

 
$
18,868

 
$
3,054

 
$
13,462

 
$
2,365

 
$
780

 
$
615

 
$
58,920

Individually evaluated for impairment(1)
533

 
108

 
143

 
86

 
345

 
22

 
16

 

 
1,253

Loans carried at lower of amortized cost or fair value less cost to sell

 

 

 

 
1,279

 

 

 

 
1,279

Total loans
$
7,920

 
$
12,497

 
$
19,011

 
$
3,140

 
$
15,086

 
$
2,387

 
$
796

 
$
615

 
$
61,452

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) 
For consumer loans, these amounts represent TDR Loans for which we evaluate reserves using a discounted cash flow methodology. Each loan is individually identified as a TDR Loan and then grouped together with other TDR Loans with similar characteristics. The discounted cash flow analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans. Loans individually evaluated for impairment exclude TDR loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $687 million and $516 million at September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

7. Loans Held for Sale
 
Loans held for sale consisted of the following:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Commercial loans
$
42

 
$
481

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
130

 
472

Other consumer
64

 
65

Total consumer
194

 
537

Total loans held for sale
$
236

 
$
1,018

We originate commercial loans in connection with our participation in a number of leveraged acquisition finance syndicates. A substantial majority of these loans were originated with the intent of selling them to unaffiliated third parties and are classified as commercial loans held for sale at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The fair value of commercial loans held for sale under this program was $1 million and $465 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. We have elected to designate all of the leveraged acquisition finance syndicated loans classified as held for sale at fair value under fair value option. See Note 11, “Fair Value Option,” for additional information.
Commercial loans held for sale also includes commercial real estate loans totaling $41 million and $16 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

30


HSBC USA Inc.

Gains and losses from the sale of residential mortgage loans are reflected as a component of residential mortgage banking revenue in the accompanying consolidated statement of income (loss). Upon conversion of our mortgage processing and servicing operations to PHH Mortgage in the second quarter of 2013, we no longer retain the servicing rights in relation to new mortgage loans and new agency eligible loan originations are sold servicing released directly to PHH Mortgage beginning with May 2013 applications. Also included in residential mortgage loans held for sale are subprime residential mortgage loans with a fair value of $48 million and $52 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which were acquired from unaffiliated third parties and from HSBC Finance with the intent of securitizing or selling the loans to third parties.
Excluding the commercial loans designated under fair value option discussed above, loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. While the initial carrying amount of loans held for sale continued to exceed fair value at September 30, 2013, we experienced a decrease in the valuation allowance for consumer loans held for sale during 2013 due primarily to loan sales. The valuation allowance on consumer loans held for sale was $81 million and $114 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Loans held for sale are subject to market risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk, in that their value will fluctuate as a result of changes in market conditions, as well as the credit environment. Interest rate risk for residential mortgage loans held for sale was partially mitigated through an economic hedging program to offset changes in the fair value of the mortgage loans held for sale attributable to changes in market interest rates. Trading related revenue associated with this economic hedging program, which is included in residential mortgage banking revenue in the consolidated statement of income (loss), were losses of $9 million and $5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with losses of $4 million and gains of $0 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. With the conversion of our mortgage processing and servicing operations to PHH Mortgage in the second quarter of 2013, PHH Mortgage is obligated to purchase agency eligible loans from us as of the earlier of when the customer locks the mortgage loan pricing or when the mortgage loan application is approved beginning with May 2013 applications. As a result, we retain none of the risk of market changes in mortgage rates and, therefore, an economic hedging program is no longer required for these loans.

8. Intangible Assets
 
Intangible assets consisted of the following:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Mortgage servicing rights:
 
 
 
Residential
$
224

 
$
168

Commercial
11

 
11

Total mortgage servicing rights
$
235

 
$
179

Purchased credit card relationships
55

 
60

Favorable lease agreements
5

 
8

Total intangible assets
$
295

 
$
247

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSRs”)  A servicing asset is a contract under which estimated future revenues from contractually specified cash flows, such as servicing fees and other ancillary revenues, are expected to exceed the obligation to service the financial assets. We recognize the right to service mortgage loans as a separate and distinct asset at the time they are acquired or when originated loans are sold.
MSRs are subject to credit, prepayment and interest rate risk, in that their value will fluctuate as a result of changes in these economic variables. Interest rate risk is mitigated through an economic hedging program that uses securities and derivatives to offset changes in the fair value of MSRs. Since the hedging program involves trading activity, risk is quantified and managed using a number of risk assessment techniques.
Residential mortgage servicing rights  Residential MSRs are initially measured at fair value at the time that the related loans are sold and remeasured at fair value at each reporting date. Changes in fair value of MSRs are reflected in residential mortgage banking revenue in the period in which the changes occur. Fair value is determined based upon the application of valuation models and other inputs. The valuation models incorporate assumptions market participants would use in estimating future cash flows. The reasonableness of these valuation models is periodically validated by reference to external independent broker valuations and industry surveys.

31


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes the critical assumptions used to calculate the fair value of residential MSRs:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Annualized constant prepayment rate (“CPR”)
12.5
%
 
22.4
%
Constant discount rate
12.8
%
 
11.3
%
Weighted average life
5.0

 
3.4

The following table summarizes residential MSRs activity:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Fair value of MSRs:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
225

 
$
187

 
$
168

 
$
220

Additions related to loan sales
3

 
6

 
14

 
20

Changes in fair value due to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in valuation model inputs or assumptions
4

 
(5
)
 
73

 
(20
)
Customer payments
(8
)
 
(15
)
 
(31
)
 
(47
)
Ending balance
$
224

 
$
173

 
$
224

 
$
173

The following table summarizes information regarding residential mortgage loans serviced for others, which are not included in the consolidated balance sheet:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Outstanding principal balances at period end
$
28,211

 
$
32,041

Custodial balances maintained and included in noninterest bearing deposits at period end
$

 
$
810

Our CPR assumption declined significantly at September 30, 2013 compared with December 31, 2012 due to rising interest rates which was the primary driver of the increase in value.
During the second quarter of 2013, we completed the conversion of our mortgage processing and servicing operations to PHH Mortgage under our previously announced strategic relationship agreement with PHH Mortgage to manage our mortgage processing and servicing operations. Under the terms of the agreement, PHH Mortgage provides us with mortgage origination processing services as well as sub-servicing of our portfolio of owned and serviced mortgages totaling $45.2 billion as of September 30, 2013. Although we continue to own both the mortgages on our balance sheet and the mortgage servicing rights associated with the serviced loans at the time of conversion, we now sell our agency eligible originations beginning with May 2013 applications to PHH Mortgage on a servicing released basis which results in no new mortgage servicing rights being recognized. As a result, we no longer maintain custodial balances for loans sold to PHH. No significant one-time restructuring costs have been incurred as a result of this transaction.
Servicing fees collected are included in residential mortgage banking revenue and totaled $20 million and $62 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $21 million and $68 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
Commercial mortgage servicing rights  Commercial MSRs, which are accounted for using the lower of amortized cost or fair value method, totaled $11 million and $11 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Purchased credit card relationships  In March 2012, we purchased from HSBC Finance the account relationships associated with $746 million of credit card receivables which were not included in the sale to Capital One at a fair value of $108 million. Approximately $43 million of this value was associated with the credit card receivables sold to First Niagara. The remaining $65 million was included in intangible assets and is being amortized over its estimated useful life of ten years.


32


HSBC USA Inc.

9. Goodwill
 
Goodwill was $2.2 billion at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and includes accumulated impairment losses from prior years of $54 million.
In July 2013, we completed our annual impairment test of goodwill and determined that the fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts. However, our testing results continued to indicate that there is only marginal excess of fair value over book value in our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit as its book value including allocated goodwill was 92 percent of fair value. Based on the results of this testing, as of September 30, 2013, we performed an interim impairment test of the goodwill associated with our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit which indicated that the fair value of the reporting unit continued to exceed its book value. At September 30, 2013, the book value of our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit including allocated goodwill of $612 million, was 90 percent of fair value.

10. Derivative Financial Instruments
 
In the normal course of business, the derivative instruments entered into are for trading, market making and risk management purposes. For financial reporting purposes, a derivative instrument is designated in one of the following categories: (a) financial instruments held for trading, (b) hedging instruments designated as a qualifying hedge under derivative and hedge accounting principles or (c) a non-qualifying economic hedge. The derivative instruments held are predominantly swaps, futures, options and forward contracts. All derivatives are stated at fair value. Where we enter into enforceable master netting arrangements with counterparties, the master netting arrangements permit us to net those derivative asset and liability positions and to offset cash collateral held and posted with the same counterparty.
The following table presents the fair value of derivative contracts by major product type on a gross basis. Gross fair values exclude the effects of both counterparty netting as well as collateral, and therefore are not representative of our exposure. The table below presents the amounts of counterparty netting and cash collateral that have been offset in the consolidated balance sheet, as well as cash and securities collateral posted and received under enforceable credit support agreements that do not meet the criteria for netting. Derivative assets and liabilities which are not subject to an enforceable master netting agreement, or are subject to a netting agreement that we have not yet determined to be enforceable, have not been netted in the table below. Where we have received or posted collateral under credit support agreements, but have not yet determined such agreements are enforceable, the related collateral also has not been netted in the table below.

33


HSBC USA Inc.

 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
 
Derivative assets
 
Derivative liabilities
 
Derivative assets
 
Derivative liabilities
 
 
(in millions)
Derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-cleared(2)
 
$
50

 
$
23

 
$

 
$
15

Bilateral OTC(2)
 
141

 
327

 
10

 
860

Interest rate contracts
 
191

 
350

 
10

 
875

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bilateral OTC(2)
 
92

 
3

 
33

 
9

Foreign exchange contracts
 
92

 
3

 
33

 
9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-cleared(2)
 
7

 

 

 

Bilateral OTC(2)
 
21

 
97

 
14

 
227

Interest rate contracts
 
28

 
97

 
14

 
227

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total derivatives accounted for as hedges
 
311

 
450

 
57

 
1,111

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading derivatives not accounted for as hedges(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange-traded(2)
 
77

 
59

 
99

 
82

OTC-cleared(2)
 
20,213

 
21,130

 
17,204

 
16,663

Bilateral OTC(2)
 
34,702

 
33,974

 
48,480

 
48,623

Interest rate contracts
 
54,992

 
55,163

 
65,783

 
65,368

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange-traded(2)
 
1

 
3

 
4

 
25

Bilateral OTC(2)
 
14,158

 
13,802

 
13,756

 
13,537

Foreign exchange contracts
 
14,159

 
13,805

 
13,760

 
13,562

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity contract - bilateral OTC(2)
 
1,237

 
1,238

 
1,287

 
1,291

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exchange-traded(2)
 
107

 
45

 
135

 
19

Bilateral OTC(2)
 
1,176

 
985

 
656

 
719

Precious metals contracts
 
1,283

 
1,030

 
791

 
738

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
OTC-cleared(2)
 
577

 
559

 
511

 
437

Bilateral OTC(2)
 
4,638

 
4,726

 
6,617

 
6,910

Credit contracts
 
5,215

 
5,285

 
7,128

 
7,347

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other derivatives not accounted for as hedges(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts - bilateral OTC(2)
 
548

 
92

 
901

 
97

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts - bilateral OTC(2)
 

 
26

 
52

 
17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity contracts - bilateral OTC(2)
 
588

 
169

 
472

 
126

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Precious metals contracts - bilateral OTC(2)
 

 
33

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit contracts - bilateral OTC(2)
 
12

 
11

 
1

 
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total derivatives
 
78,345

 
77,302

 
90,232

 
89,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Gross amounts of receivable / payable subject to enforceable master netting agreements(4)(6)
 
67,809

 
67,809

 
78,244

 
78,244

Less: Gross amounts of cash collateral received / posted subject to enforceable master netting agreements(5)(6)
 
4,491

 
2,116

 
5,123

 
1,336

Net amounts of derivative assets / liabilities presented in the balance sheet
 
6,045

 
7,377

 
6,865

 
10,081

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Gross amounts of financial instrument collateral received / posted subject to enforceable master netting agreements but not offset in the consolidated balance sheet
 
1,276

 
2,972

 
627

 
4,887

Net amounts of derivative assets / liabilities
 
$
4,769

 
$
4,405

 
$
6,238

 
$
5,194

 
(1) 
Derivative assets/liabilities related to cash flow hedges, fair value hedges and derivative instruments held for purposes other than for trading are recorded in other assets / interest, taxes and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

34


HSBC USA Inc.

(2) 
Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives include derivatives executed and settled bilaterally with counterparties without the use of an organized exchange or central clearing house. The credit risk associated with bilateral OTC derivatives is managed through master netting agreements and obtaining collateral. OTC-cleared derivatives are executed bilaterally in the OTC market but then novated to a central clearing counterparty, whereby the central clearing counterparty becomes the counterparty to both of the original counterparties. Exchange traded derivatives are executed directly on an organized exchange that provides pre-trade price transparency. Credit risk is minimized for OTC-cleared derivatives and exchange traded derivatives through daily margining required by central clearing counterparties.
(3) 
Trading related derivative assets/liabilities are recorded in trading assets/trading liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.
(4) 
Represents the netting of derivative receivable and payable balances for the same counterparty under enforceable netting agreements.
(5) 
Represents the netting of cash collateral posted and received by counterparty under enforceable credit support agreements.
(6) 
Netting is performed at a counterparty level in cases where enforceable master netting and credit support agreements are in place, regardless of the type of derivative instrument. Therefore, we have not attempted to allocate netting to the different types of derivative instruments shown in the table above.
See Note 18, "Guarantee Arrangements, Pledged Assets and Collateral" for further information on offsetting related to resale and repurchase agreements and securities borrowing and lending arrangements.
Derivatives Held for Risk Management Purposes  Our risk management policy requires us to identify, analyze and manage risks arising from the activities conducted during the normal course of business. We use derivative instruments as an asset and liability management tool to manage our exposures in interest rate, foreign currency and credit risks in existing assets and liabilities, commitments and forecasted transactions. The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative instrument will depend on whether the derivative has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.
We designate derivative instruments to offset the fair value risk and cash flow risk arising from fixed-rate and floating-rate assets and liabilities as well as forecasted transactions. We assess the hedging relationships, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, using a regression approach to determine whether the designated hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or the cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. Accounting principles for qualifying hedges require us to prepare detailed documentation describing the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, including, but not limited to, the risk management objective, the hedging strategy and the methods to assess and measure the ineffectiveness of the hedging relationship. We discontinue hedge accounting when we determine that the hedge is no longer highly effective, the hedging instrument is terminated, sold or expired, the designated forecasted transaction is not probable of occurring, or when the designation is removed by us.
Fair Value Hedges  In the normal course of business, we hold fixed-rate loans and securities and issue fixed-rate senior and subordinated debt obligations. The fair value of fixed-rate (USD and non-USD denominated) assets and liabilities fluctuates in response to changes in interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates. We utilize interest rate swaps, forward and futures contracts and foreign currency swaps to minimize the effect on earnings caused by interest rate and foreign currency volatility.
The changes in the fair value of the hedged item designated in a qualifying hedge are captured as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item (basis adjustment). If the hedging relationship is terminated and the hedged item continues to exist, the basis adjustment is amortized over the remaining life of the hedged item. We recorded basis adjustments for active fair value hedges which increased the carrying amount of our debt by $1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a decrease in the carrying amount of our debt by $3 million and $9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. We amortized $3 million and $10 million of basis adjustments related to terminated and/or re-designated fair value hedge relationships during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $3 million and $9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The total accumulated unamortized basis adjustment amounted to an increase in the carrying amount of our debt of $37 million and $49 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Basis adjustments for active fair value hedges of available-for-sale securities increased the carrying amount of the securities by $38 million and decreased the carrying amount of the securities by $563 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with an increase in the carrying amount of the securities by $44 million and $231 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Total accumulated unamortized basis adjustments for active fair value hedges of available-for-sale securities amounted to an increase in carrying amount of $161 million and $836 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

35


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information on gains and losses on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and the hedged items in fair value hedges and their location on the consolidated statement of income (loss).
 
Gain (Loss) on Derivative
 
Gain (Loss) on Hedged Items
 
Net Ineffective Gain (Loss) Recognized
  
Interest Income
(Expense)
 
Other Income
 
Interest Income
(Expense)
 
Other Income
 
Other Income
 
(in millions)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts/AFS Securities
$
(56
)
 
$
42

 
$
112

 
$
(39
)
 
$
3

Interest rate contracts/subordinated debt
4

 

 
(15
)
 
1

 
1

Total
$
(52
)
 
$
42

 
$
97

 
$
(38
)
 
$
4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts/AFS Securities
$
(33
)
 
$
(41
)
 
$
141

 
$
58

 
$
17

Interest rate contracts/subordinated debt
3

 
3

 
(15
)
 
(3
)
 

Total
$
(30
)
 
$
(38
)
 
$
126

 
$
55

 
$
17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts/AFS Securities
$
(168
)
 
$
609

 
$
337

 
$
(593
)
 
$
16

Interest rate contracts/subordinated debt
12

 
(1
)
 
(46
)
 
1

 

Total
$
(156
)
 
$
608

 
$
291

 
$
(592
)
 
$
16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts/AFS Securities
$
(117
)
 
$
(326
)
 
$
482

 
$
323

 
$
(3
)
Interest rate contracts/subordinated debt
10

 
9

 
(46
)
 
(9
)
 

Total
$
(107
)
 
$
(317
)
 
$
436

 
$
314

 
$
(3
)
Cash Flow Hedges  We own or issue floating rate financial instruments and enter into forecasted transactions that give rise to variability in future cash flows. As a part of our risk management strategy, we use interest rate swaps, currency swaps and futures contracts to mitigate risk associated with variability in the cash flows. Changes in fair value of a derivative instrument associated with the effective portion of a qualifying cash flow hedge are recognized initially in other comprehensive income. When the cash flows for which the derivative is hedging materialize and are recorded in income or expense, the associated gain or loss from the hedging derivative previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income is reclassified into earnings in the same accounting period in which the designated forecasted transaction or hedged item affects earnings. If a cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction is de-designated because it is no longer highly effective, or if the hedge relationship is terminated, the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging derivative to that date will continue to be reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) unless it is probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period as documented at the inception of the hedge, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is released into earnings. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, active cash flow hedge relationships extend or mature through July 2036. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, $2 million and $9 million, respectively, of losses related to terminated and/or re-designated cash flow hedge relationships were amortized to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income compared with $4 million and $12 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. During the next twelve months, we expect to amortize $6 million of remaining losses to earnings resulting from these terminated and/or de-designated cash flow hedges. The interest accrual related to the derivative contract is recognized in interest income.

36


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information on gains and losses on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges (including amounts recognized in AOCI from all terminated cash flow hedges) and their locations on the consolidated statement of income (loss).
 
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in AOCI on
Derivative
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI
into Income (Effective Portion)
 
Gain (Loss)
Reclassed
From AOCI
into Income
(Effective
Portion)
 
Location of Gain
(Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on the Derivative
(Ineffective Portion and
Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
 
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on the
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion)
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
$
2

 
$

 
Interest income (expense)
 
$

 
$

 
Other income
 
$

 
$

Interest rate contracts
32

 
14

 
Interest income (expense)
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
 
Other income
 

 

Total
$
34

 
$
14

 
 
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(4
)
 
 
 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
$
3

 
$

 
Interest income (expense)
 
$

 
$

 
Other income
 
$

 
$

Interest rate contracts
150

 
4

 
Interest income (expense)
 
(9
)
 
(12
)
 
Other income
 

 

Total
$
153

 
$
4

 
 
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(12
)
 
 
 
$

 
$

Trading Derivatives and Non-Qualifying Hedging Activities  In addition to risk management, we enter into derivative instruments for trading and market making purposes, to repackage risks and structure trades to facilitate clients’ needs for various risk taking and risk modification purposes. We manage our risk exposure by entering into offsetting derivatives with other financial institutions to mitigate the market risks, in part or in full, arising from our trading activities with our clients. In addition, we also enter into buy-protection credit derivatives with other market participants to manage our counterparty credit risk exposure. Where we enter into derivatives for trading purposes, realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in trading revenue or residential mortgage banking revenue. Credit losses arising from counterparty risk on over-the-counter derivative instruments and offsetting buy protection credit derivative positions are recognized as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivatives and are recorded in trading revenue.
We have elected the fair value option for certain fixed rate long-term debt issuances as well as hybrid instruments which include all structured notes and structured deposits and have entered into certain derivative contracts related to these debt issuances and hybrid instruments carried at fair value. These derivative contracts are non-qualifying hedges but are considered economic hedges. We have also entered into credit default swaps which are designated as economic hedges against the credit risks within our loan portfolio. In the event of an impairment loss occurring in a loan that is economically hedged, the impairment loss is recognized as provision for credit losses while the gain on the credit default swap is recorded as other income. In addition, we also from time to time have designated certain forward purchase or sale of to-be-announced (“TBA”) securities to economically hedge mortgage servicing rights. Changes in the fair value of TBA positions, which are considered derivatives, are recorded in residential mortgage banking revenue. Derivative instruments designated as economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded at fair value through profit and loss. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives, other income or residential mortgage banking revenue while the derivative asset or liability positions are reflected as other assets or other liabilities

37


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information on gains and losses on derivative instruments held for trading purposes and their locations on the consolidated statement of income (loss).
 
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
(in millions)
Interest rate contracts
Trading revenue
 
$
13

 
$
(24
)
 
$
(369
)
 
$
(8
)
Interest rate contracts
Residential mortgage banking revenue
 
(4
)
 
7

 
(45
)
 
28

Foreign exchange contracts
Trading revenue
 
77

 
3

 
655

 
648

Equity contracts
Trading revenue
 
2

 
2

 
4

 
62

Precious metals contracts
Trading revenue
 
(55
)
 
44

 
6

 
96

Credit contracts
Trading revenue
 
2

 
(27
)
 
80

 
(705
)
Total
 
 
$
35

 
$
5

 
$
331

 
$
121

The following table presents information on gains and losses on derivative instruments held for non-qualifying hedging activities and their locations on the consolidated statement of income (loss).
 
Location of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income on Derivatives
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized
in Income on Derivatives
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Interest rate contracts
Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
 
$
(15
)
 
$
15

 
$
(253
)
 
$
120

Interest rate contracts
Residential mortgage banking revenue
 
(9
)
 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 

Foreign exchange contracts
Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
 
(2
)
 
23

 
(57
)
 
73

Equity contracts
Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
 
234

 
351

 
474

 
597

Precious metals contracts
Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
 
42

 

 

 

Credit contracts
Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
 
(1
)
 
1

 

 
3

Credit contracts
Other income
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(6
)
Total
 
 
$
246

 
$
384

 
$
159

 
$
787

Credit-Risk Related Contingent Features  We enter into total return swap, interest rate swap, cross-currency swap and credit default swap contracts, amongst others which contain provisions that require us to maintain a specific credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. Sometimes the derivative instrument transactions are a part of broader structured product transactions. If HSBC Bank USA’s credit ratings were to fall below the current ratings, the counterparties to our derivative instruments could demand us to post additional collateral. The amount of additional collateral required to be posted will depend on whether HSBC Bank USA is downgraded by one or more notches and whether the downgrade is in relation to long-term or short-term ratings. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position as of September 30, 2013, is $5.9 billion for which we have posted collateral of $5.3 billion. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position as of December 31, 2012, is $8.7 billion for which we have posted collateral of $7.9 billion. Substantially all of the collateral posted is in the form of cash or securities available-for-sale. See Note 18, “Guarantee Arrangements, Pledged Assets and Collateral,” for further details.

38


HSBC USA Inc.

In the event of a credit downgrade, we currently do not expect HSBC Bank USA’s long-term ratings to go below A2 and A+ or the short-term ratings to go below P-2 and A-1 by Moody’s and S&P, respectively. The following tables summarize our obligation to post additional collateral (from the current collateral level) in certain hypothetical commercially reasonable downgrade scenarios. It is not appropriate to accumulate or extrapolate information presented in the tables below to determine our total obligation because the information presented to determine the obligation in hypothetical rating scenarios is not mutually exclusive.
Moody’s
Long-Term Ratings
Short-Term Ratings
A1
 
A2
 
A3
 
(in millions)
P-1
$

 
$
42

 
$
141

P-2
2

 
42

 
141

S&P
Long-Term Ratings
Short-Term Ratings
AA-
 
A+
 
A
 
(in millions)
A-1+
$

 
$

 
$
40

A-1
14

 
14

 
54

We would be required to post $15 million of additional collateral on total return swaps and certain other transactions if HSBC Bank USA is downgraded by S&P and Moody’s by two notches on our long term rating accompanied by one notch downgrade in our short term rating.
Notional Value of Derivative Contracts  The following table summarizes the notional values of derivative contracts.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in billions)
Interest rate:
 
 
 
Futures and forwards
$
182.0

 
$
313.9

Swaps
3,472.0

 
2,842.6

Options written
97.3

 
43.3

Options purchased
97.5

 
44.2

 
3,848.8

 
3,244.0

Foreign Exchange:
 
 
 
Swaps, futures and forwards
756.6

 
743.7

Options written
77.0

 
54.9

Options purchased
79.0

 
55.5

Spot
63.3

 
56.3

 
975.9

 
910.4

Commodities, equities and precious metals:
 
 
 
Swaps, futures and forwards
47.2

 
48.1

Options written
21.6

 
21.0

Options purchased
22.0

 
21.4

 
90.8

 
90.5

Credit derivatives
403.0

 
484.9

Total
$
5,318.5

 
$
4,729.8



39


HSBC USA Inc.

11. Fair Value Option
 
We report our results to HSBC in accordance with its reporting basis, International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”). We typically have elected to apply fair value option accounting to selected financial instruments to align the measurement attributes of those instruments under U.S. GAAP and IFRSs and to simplify the accounting model applied to those financial instruments. We elected to apply fair value option (“FVO”) reporting to commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans held for sale and related unfunded commitments, certain fixed rate long-term debt issuances and hybrid instruments which include all structured notes and structured deposits. Changes in fair value for these assets and liabilities are reported as gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives in the consolidated statement of income (loss).
Loans  We elected to apply FVO to all commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans held for sale and related unfunded commitments. The election allows us to account for these loans and commitments at fair value which is consistent with the manner in which the instruments are managed. During the first quarter of 2013, we completed the sale of substantially all of our remaining leveraged acquisition finance syndicated loans which we had been holding since the financial crisis.
These loans are included in loans held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet. Interest from these loans is recorded as interest income in the consolidated statement of income (loss). Because a substantial majority of the loans elected for the fair value option are floating rate assets, changes in their fair value are primarily attributable to changes in loan-specific credit risk factors. The components of gain (loss) related to loans designated at fair value are summarized in the table below. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no loans for which the fair value option has been elected are 90 days or more past due or on nonaccrual status.
Long-Term Debt (Own Debt Issuances)  We elected to apply FVO for certain fixed-rate long-term debt for which we had applied or otherwise would elect to apply fair value hedge accounting. The election allows us to achieve a similar accounting effect without having to meet the hedge accounting requirements. We measure the fair value of these debt issuances based on inputs observed in the secondary market. Changes in fair value of these instruments are attributable to changes of our own credit risk and interest rates. Interest on the fixed-rate debt accounted for under FVO is recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statement of income (loss). The components of gain (loss) related to long-term debt designated at fair value are summarized in the table below.
Hybrid Instruments  We elected to apply fair value option accounting to all of our hybrid instruments, inclusive of structured notes and structured deposits, issued after January 1, 2006. Interest on this debt is recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statement of income (loss). The components of gain (loss) related to hybrid instruments designated at fair value which reflect the instruments described above are summarized in the table below.
The following table summarizes the fair value and unpaid principal balance for items we account for under FVO:
 
Fair Value
 
Unpaid Principal Balance
 
(in millions)
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
Commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans
$
1

 
$
1

Fixed rate long-term debt
1,845

 
1,750

Hybrid instruments:
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits in domestic offices
7,851

 
7,693

Structured notes
5,002

 
4,852

December 31, 2012
 
 
 
Commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans
$
465

 
$
486

Fixed rate long-term debt
2,016

 
1,750

Hybrid instruments:
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits in domestic offices
8,692

 
8,399

Structured notes
5,264

 
5,030

Components of Gain on Instruments at Fair Value and Related Derivatives  Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives includes the changes in fair value related to interest, credit and other risks as well as the mark-to-market adjustment on derivatives related to the financial instrument designated at fair value and net realized gains or losses on these derivatives. The following table summarizes the components of gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives related to the changes in fair value of the financial instrument accounted for under FVO:

40


HSBC USA Inc.

 
Loans
 
Long-Term
Debt
 
Hybrid
Instruments
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate and other components(1)
$

 
$
40

 
$
(280
)
 
$
(240
)
Credit risk component

 
(63
)
 
39

 
(24
)
Total mark-to-market on financial instruments designated at fair value

 
(23
)
 
(241
)
 
(264
)
Mark-to-market on the related derivatives

 
(39
)
 
280

 
241

Net realized gain on the related long-term debt derivatives

 
17

 

 
17

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
$

 
$
(45
)
 
$
39

 
$
(6
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate and other components(1)
$
1

 
$
14

 
$
(389
)
 
$
(374
)
Credit risk component
14

 
(179
)
 
(39
)
 
(204
)
Total mark-to-market on financial instruments designated at fair value
15

 
(165
)
 
(428
)
 
(578
)
Net realized loss on financial instruments
1

 

 

 
1

Mark-to-market on the related derivatives

 
(21
)
 
396

 
375

Net realized gain on the related long-term debt derivatives

 
15

 

 
15

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
$
16

 
$
(171
)
 
$
(32
)
 
$
(187
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate and other components(1)
$

 
$
223

 
$
(392
)
 
$
(169
)
Credit risk component
21

 
(52
)
 
126

 
95

Total mark-to-market on financial instruments designated at fair value
21

 
171

 
(266
)
 
(74
)
Net realized loss on financial instruments
(8
)
 

 

 
(8
)
Mark-to-market on the related derivatives

 
(229
)
 
344

 
115

Net realized gain on the related long-term debt derivatives

 
49

 

 
49

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
$
13

 
$
(9
)
 
$
78

 
$
82

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate and other components(1)
$
2

 
$
(26
)
 
$
(744
)
 
$
(768
)
Credit risk component
48

 
(269
)
 
(62
)
 
(283
)
Total mark-to-market on financial instruments designated at fair value
50

 
(295
)
 
(806
)
 
(1,051
)
Mark-to-market on the related derivatives

 
6

 
741

 
747

Net realized gain on the related long-term debt derivatives

 
46

 

 
46

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
$
50

 
$
(243
)
 
$
(65
)
 
$
(258
)
 
(1) 
As it relates to hybrid instruments, interest rate and other components includes interest rate, foreign exchange and equity contract risks.


41


HSBC USA Inc.

12. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income includes certain items that are reported directly within a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances.
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
257

 
$
1,004

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax of $(13) million and $89 million, respectively
(29
)
 
126

Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income (loss), net of tax of $(14) million and $(20) million, respectively(1)
(21
)
 
(29
)
Total other comprehensive loss for period
(50
)
 
97

Balance at end of period
207

 
1,101

Unrealized losses on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(67
)
 

Other comprehensive income for period:
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to the accretion of unrealized other-than-temporary impairment, net of tax of $1 million(2)
2

 

Total other comprehensive income for period
2

 

Balance at end of period
(65
)
 

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(127
)
 
(229
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:
 
 
 
Net gains arising during period, net of tax of $14 million and $5 million, respectively
20

 
9

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income (loss), net of tax of $1 million and $2 million, respectively(3)
1

 
2

Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period
21

 
11

Balance at end of period
(106
)
 
(218
)
Pension and postretirement benefit liability:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(6
)
 
(11
)
Other comprehensive income for period:
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment of prior service costs and transition obligations in net income (loss), net of tax of less than $1 million(4)
1

 

Total other comprehensive income for period
1

 

Balance at end of period
(5
)
 
(11
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income at end of period
$
31

 
$
872

 
 
 
 

42


HSBC USA Inc.

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
$
992

 
$
883

Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:
 
 
 
Net unrealized gains (losses) arising during period, net of tax of $(468) million and $217 million, respectively
(679
)
 
303

Reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income (loss), net of tax of $(75) million and $(60) million, respectively(1)
(106
)
 
(85
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss) for period
(785
)
 
218

Balance at end of period
207

 
1,101

Unrealized losses on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities held-to-maturity:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period

 

Adjustment to add other-than-temporary impairment due to the consolidation of VIE, net of tax of $(48) million
(67
)
 

Other comprehensive income for period:
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment related to the accretion of unrealized other-than-temporary impairment, net of tax of $1 million(2)
2

 

Total other comprehensive income for period
2

 

Balance at end of period
(65
)
 

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(201
)
 
(229
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) for period:
 
 
 
Net gains arising during period, net of tax of $63 million and $0 million, respectively
90

 
4

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income (loss), net of tax of $4 million and $5 million, respectively(3)
5

 
7

Total other comprehensive income for period
95

 
11

Balance at end of period
(106
)
 
(218
)
Pension and postretirement benefit liability:
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
(6
)
 
(12
)
Other comprehensive income for period:
 
 
 
Reclassification adjustment of prior service costs and transition obligations in net income (loss), net of tax of less than $1 million(4)
1

 
1

Total other comprehensive income for period
1

 
1

Balance at end of period
(5
)
 
(11
)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income at end of period
$
31

 
$
872

 
(1) 
Amount reclassified to net income (loss) is included in other securities gains, net in our consolidated statement of income (loss).
(2) 
Amount reclassified to net income (loss) is included in interest income in our consolidated statement of income (loss).
(3) 
Amount reclassified to net income (loss) is included in interest income (expense) in our consolidated statement of income (loss).
(4) 
Amount reclassified to net income (loss) is included in salaries and employee benefits in our consolidated statement of income (loss).


43


HSBC USA Inc.

13. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
 
Defined Benefit Pension Plans  Effective January 1, 2005, our previously separate qualified defined benefit pension plan was combined with that of HSBC Finance into a single HSBC North America qualified defined benefit pension plan (either the “HSBC North America Pension Plan” or the “Plan”) which facilitates the development of a unified employee benefit policy and unified employee benefit plan administration for HSBC companies operating in the U.S. The following table reflects the portion of pension expense and its related components of the HSBC North America Pension Plan which has been allocated to us and is recorded in our consolidated statement of income (loss).
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Service cost – benefits earned during the period
$
1

 
$
4

 
$
3

 
$
11

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation
18

 
17

 
52

 
52

Expected return on assets
(19
)
 
(23
)
 
(60
)
 
(66
)
Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

 
(1
)
 

 
(4
)
Recognized losses
10

 
13

 
36

 
34

Curtailment benefit recognized

 
(29
)
 

 
(31
)
Pension expense
$
10

 
$
(19
)
 
$
31

 
$
(4
)
Pension expense in 2012 reflects the recognition of a curtailment benefit associated with the decision in the third quarter of 2012 to cease all future contributions under the Cash Balance formula and freeze the Plan effective January 1, 2013.
Postretirement Plans Other Than Pensions  Our employees also participate in plans which provide medical, dental and life insurance benefits to retirees and eligible dependents. These plans cover substantially all employees who meet certain age and vested service requirements. We have instituted dollar limits on payments under the plans to control the cost of future medical benefits. The following table reflects the components of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Service cost – benefits earned during the period
$

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
1

Interest cost
$
1

 
$

 
$
2

 
$
2

Amortization of transition obligation

 
1

 

 
2

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
2

 
$
5


14. Related Party Transactions
 
In the normal course of business, we conduct transactions with HSBC and its subsidiaries. These transactions occur at prevailing market rates and terms and include funding arrangements, derivative execution, purchases and sales of receivables, servicing arrangements, information technology and some centralized services, item and statement processing services, banking and other miscellaneous services. All extensions of credit by (and certain credit exposures of) HSBC Bank USA to other HSBC affiliates (other than FDIC-insured banks) are legally required to be secured by eligible collateral. The following tables and discussions below present the more significant related party balances and the income (expense) generated by related party transactions:

44


HSBC USA Inc.

 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
$
343

 
$
114

Interest bearing deposits with banks (1)
1,028

 
714

Trading assets (2)
17,169

 
21,370

Loans
5,854

 
4,514

Other (3)
765

 
858

Total assets
$
25,159

 
$
27,570

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Deposits
$
16,577

 
$
13,863

Trading liabilities (2)
19,692

 
23,910

Short-term borrowings
1,950

 
2,721

Long-term debt
3,990

 
3,990

Other (2)
606

 
459

Total liabilities
$
42,815

 
$
44,943

 
(1) 
Includes interest bearing deposits with HSBC Mexico S.A. of $800 million and $500 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(2) 
Trading assets and liabilities do not reflect the impact of netting which allows the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts if certain conditions are met. Trading assets and liabilities primarily consist of derivatives contracts.
(3) 
Other assets and other liabilities primarily consist of derivative contracts.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
(in millions)
Income/(Expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
31

 
$
19

 
$
143

 
$
117

Interest expense
(19
)
 
(23
)
 
(59
)
 
(70
)
Net interest income (loss)
$
12

 
$
(4
)
 
$
84

 
$
47

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fees and commissions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HSBC Finance Corporation
$
20

 
$
21

 
$
67

 
$
51

HSBC Markets (USA) Inc. (“HMUS”)
4

 
4

 
13

 
14

Other HSBC affiliates
9

 
17

 
39

 
59

Other HSBC affiliates income
8

 
21

 
35

 
41

Total affiliate income
$
41

 
$
63

 
$
154

 
$
165

Residential mortgage banking revenue
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
3

Support services from HSBC affiliates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HSBC Finance Corporation
$
(2
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(22
)
HMUS
(58
)
 
(87
)
 
(164
)
 
(248
)
HSBC Technology & Services (USA) (“HTSU”)
(274
)
 
(237
)
 
(749
)
 
(711
)
Other HSBC affiliates
(44
)
 
(43
)
 
(140
)
 
(162
)
Total support services from HSBC affiliates
$
(378
)
 
$
(372
)
 
$
(1,064
)
 
$
(1,143
)
Stock based compensation expense with HSBC (1)
$
(7
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(29
)
 
$
(27
)
 

45


HSBC USA Inc.

(1)
Employees participate in one or more stock compensation plans sponsored by HSBC. These expenses are included in Salaries and employee benefits in our consolidated statement of income (loss). Employees also participate in a defined benefit pension plan and other postretirement plans sponsored by HSBC North America which are discussed in Note 13, “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.”
Funding Arrangements with HSBC Affiliates:
We use HSBC affiliates to fund a portion of our borrowing and liquidity needs. Long-term debt with affiliates reflects $4.0 billion in senior debt with HSBC North America. Of this amount, $1.0 billion is a 5 year floating rate note which matures in August 2014 and $3.0 billion that matures in three equal installments of $1.0 billion in April 2015, 2016 and 2017. The debt bears interest at 90 day USD Libor plus a spread, with each maturity at a different spread.
We have the following funding arrangements available with HSBC affiliates, although there are no outstanding balances at either September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
$900 million committed line of credit with HSBC Investment (Bahamas) Limited;
$500 million committed line of credit with HSBC Holdings plc; and
$150 million uncommitted line of credit with HSBC North America Inc. (“HNAI”).
We have also incurred short-term borrowings with certain affiliates, largely related to metals activity. In addition, certain affiliates have also placed deposits with us.
Lending and Derivative Related Arrangements Extended to HSBC Affiliates:
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have the following loan balances outstanding with HSBC affiliates:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
HSBC Finance Corporation
$
3,015

 
$
2,019

HSBC Markets (USA) Inc. ("HMUS") and subsidiaries
929

 
310

HSBC Bank Brasil S.A.
1,000

 
1,000

HSBC Bank Panama S.A.
200

 
372

Other short-term affiliate lending
710

 
813

Total assets
$
5,854

 
$
4,514

HSBC Finance Corporation - We have extended a $4.0 billion, 364 day uncommitted unsecured revolving credit agreement to HSBC Finance which allows for borrowings with maturities of up to 15 years. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, $3.0 billion and $2.0 billion, respectively, was outstanding under this credit agreement with $512 million maturing in September 2017, $1.5 billion maturing in January 2018 and $1.0 billion maturing in September 2018.
HMUS and subsidiaries - We have extended loans and lines, some of them uncommitted, to HMUS and its subsidiaries in the amount of $3.8 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, of which $929 million and $310 million, respectively, was outstanding. The outstanding balances at September 30, 2013 mature in 2013.
HSBC Bank Brasil S.A. - We have extended uncommitted lines of credit to HSBC Bank Brasil in the amount of $1.5 billion and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, of which $1.0 billion was outstanding at both September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The outstanding balances mature at various stages between 2014 and 2015.
HSBC Bank Panama S.A. - We have extended an uncommitted line of credit to HSBC Panama in the amount of $752 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, of which $200 million and $372 million, respectively, was outstanding. In October 2013, this outstanding loan amount was repaid in full.
Other Short-term Affiliate Lending - In addition to loans and lines extended to affiliates discussed above, from time to time we may extend loans to affiliates which are generally short term in nature. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were $710 million and $813 million of loans outstanding primarily related to metals activities.
The following summarizes lending arrangements we have extended to HSBC affiliates which do not have any outstanding balances at either September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
$1.5 billion uncommitted secured credit facility extended to certain subsidiaries of HSBC Finance which matures in November 2013 and is currently expected to be renewed. Any draws on this credit facility by HSBC Finance require regulatory approval;
$2.0 billion committed revolving credit facility extended to HSBC Finance which expires in May 2017.
We have extended lines of credit to various other HSBC affiliates totaling 2.6 billion.

46


HSBC USA Inc.

Historically, we have provided support to several HSBC affiliate sponsored asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) conduits by purchasing A-1/P-1 rated commercial paper issued by them. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, no ABCP issued by such conduits was held. Pursuant to a global restructure of HSBC sponsored ABCP conduits, certain assets previously originated and funded by Bryant Park, an ABCP conduit organized by HUSI, have been refinanced by Regency, another ABCP conduit organized and consolidated by our affiliate. HUSI is committed to provide liquidity facilities to backstop the liquidity risk in Regency in relation to assets originated in the U.S. region. The notional amount of the liquidity facilities provided by HUSI to Regency was approximately $2.5 billion as of September 30, 2013, which is less than half of Regency's total liquidity facilities.
As part of a global HSBC strategy to offset interest rate or other market risks associated with debt issues and derivative contracts with unaffiliated third parties, we routinely enter into derivative transactions with HSBC Finance and other HSBC affiliates. The notional value of derivative contracts related to these contracts was approximately $1,164.1 billion and $1,066.5 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The net credit exposure (defined as the net fair value of derivative assets and liabilities) related to the contracts was approximately $789 million and $691 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Our Global Banking and Markets business accounts for these transactions on a mark to market basis, with the change in value of contracts with HSBC affiliates substantially offset by the change in value of related contracts entered into with unaffiliated third parties.
Services Provided Between HSBC Affiliates:
Under multiple service level agreements, we provide services to and receive services from various HSBC affiliates. The following summarizes these activities:
Servicing activities for residential mortgage loans across North America are performed both by us and HSBC Finance. As a result, we receive servicing fees from HSBC Finance for services performed on their behalf and pay servicing fees to HSBC Finance for services performed on our behalf. The fees we receive from HSBC Finance are reported in Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates. Fees we pay to HSBC Finance are reported in Support services from HSBC affiliates. This includes fees paid for the servicing of residential mortgage loans (with a carrying amount of $1.0 billion and $1.2 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012) that we purchased from HSBC Finance in 2003 and 2004.
HSBC North America's technology and certain centralized support services including human resources, corporate affairs, risk management, legal, compliance, tax, finance and other shared services are centralized within HTSU. HTSU also provides certain item processing and statement processing activities to us. The fees we pay HTSU for the centralized support services and processing activities are included in Support services from HSBC affiliates. We also receive fees from HTSU for providing certain administrative services to them. The fees we receive from HTSU are included in Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates.
We use HSBC Global Resourcing (UK) Ltd., an HSBC affiliate located outside of the United States, to provide various support services to our operations including among other areas, customer service, systems, collection and accounting functions. The expenses related to these services are included in Support services from HSBC affiliates.
We utilize HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (“HSI”) for broker dealer, debt underwriting, customer referrals, loan syndication and all other treasury and traded markets related services, pursuant to service level agreements. Fees charged by HSI for broker dealer, loan syndication services, treasury and traded markets related services are included in Support services from HSBC affiliates. Debt underwriting fees charged by HSI are deferred as a reduction of long-term debt and amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt. Customer referral fees paid to HSI are netted against customer fee income, which is included in other fees and commissions.
Other Transactions with HSBC Affiliates
In July 2004, we sold the account relationships associated with $970 million of credit card receivables to HSBC Finance and on a daily basis, we purchased new originations on these credit card receivables. As discussed in Note 8, “Intangible Assets,” on March 29, 2012 we re-purchased these account relationships from HSBC Finance on $746 million of credit card receivables on that date for $108 million and as a result, we stopped purchasing new originations on these credit card accounts from HSBC Finance. We purchased $492 million of credit card receivables from HSBC Finance during the three months ended March 31, 2012. HSBC Finance continued to service these loans for us through April 30, 2012 for a fee which was included in Support services from affiliates. Effective with the close of the sale of our GM and UP credit card receivables and our private label credit card and closed-end receivables on May 1, 2012, these loans had been serviced by Capital One for a fee. In September 2013, the outsourcing arrangement with Capital One ended and we resumed the servicing of our remaining credit card portfolio. Premiums previously paid are amortized to interest income over the estimated life of the receivables purchased.
In addition to purchases of U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government Agency securities, we purchased both foreign-denominated and USD denominated marketable securities from certain affiliates including HSI, HSBC Asia-Pacific, HSBC Mexico, HSBC London,

47


HSBC USA Inc.

HSBC Brazil, HSBC Chile and HSBC Canada. Marketable securities outstanding from these purchases are reflected in trading assets and were immaterial in all periods.
Transactions with HSBC Affiliates involving our Discontinued Operations:
As it relates to our discontinued credit card and private label operations, in January 2009 we purchased the General Motors (“GM”) and Union Plus (“UP”) portfolios from HSBC Finance with an outstanding principal balance of $12.4 billion at the time of sale, at a total net premium of $113 million. Additionally in December 2004, we purchased the private label credit card receivable portfolio as well as private label commercial and closed end loans from HSBC Finance. HSBC Finance retained the customer account relationships for both the GM and UP receivables and the private label credit card receivables and by agreement we purchased on a daily basis substantially all new originations from these account relationships from HSBC Finance prior to the sale of these accounts to Capital One on May 1, 2012. Premiums paid for these receivables were amortized to interest income over the estimated life of the receivables purchased and are included as a component of Income from discontinued operations. HSBC Finance serviced these credit card loans for us for a fee through April 30, 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we purchased a total of $9.9 billion of loans on a daily basis from HSBC Finance. Fees paid for servicing these loan portfolios, which are included as a component of Income from discontinued operations, totaled $199 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.


15. Business Segments
 
We have four distinct business segments that we utilize for management reporting and analysis purposes, which are aligned with HSBC's global businesses and business strategy. There have been no changes in the basis of our segmentation or measurement of segment profit as compared with the presentation in Note 25, "Business Segments," in our 2012 Form 10-K except as noted below.
Commercial Banking ("CMB") has historically held investments in low income housing tax credits. The financial benefit from these investments is obtained through lower taxes. Since business segment returns are measured on a pre-tax basis, a revenue share has historically been in place in the form of a funding credit to provide CMB with an exact and equal offset booked to the Other segment. Beginning in 2013, this practice has been eliminated and the low income housing tax credit investments and related financial impact are being recorded entirely in the Other segment. We have reclassified prior period results in both the CMB and Other segments to conform to the revised current year presentation.
Our segment results are presented in accordance with IFRSs (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) on a legal entity basis (“IFRSs Basis”) as operating results are monitored and reviewed, trends are evaluated and decisions about allocating resources, such as employees are made almost exclusively on an IFRSs basis since we report financial information to our parent, HSBC in accordance with IFRSs. We continue to monitor capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP legal entity basis.
A summary of the significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are presented in Note 25, "Business Segments," in our 2012 Form 10-K. Except as noted below, there have been no significant changes since December 31, 2012 in the differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs impacting our results. As it relates to loan impairment charges, prior to the second quarter of 2013, we concluded that for IFRSs the estimated average period of time from last current status to write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis was 10 months. In the second quarter of 2013, we updated our review under IFRSs to reflect the period of time after a loss event that a loan remains current before delinquency is observed. This review resulted in an estimated average period of time from a loss event occurring and its ultimate migration from current status through to delinquency and ultimately write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis of 12 months.

48


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes the results for each segment on an IFRSs basis, as well as provides a reconciliation of total results under IFRSs to U.S. GAAP consolidated totals.
 
IFRSs Consolidated Amounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
RBWM
 
CMB
 
GBM
 
PB
 
Other
 
Adjustments/
Reconciling
Items
 
Total
 
IFRSs
Adjustments(4)
 
IFRSs
Reclassi-
fications(5)
 
U.S. GAAP
Consolidated
Totals
 
(in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income(1)
$
205

 
$
181

 
$
78

 
$
46

 
$
(6
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
502

 
$
(17
)
 
$
7

 
$
492

Other operating income
81

 
77

 
296

 
27

 
(45
)
 
2

 
438

 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 
432

Total operating income
286

 
258

 
374

 
73

 
(51
)
 

 
940

 
(18
)
 
2

 
924

Loan impairment charges(3)
44

 
26

 
(3
)
 
3

 

 

 
70

 
(11
)
 
(5
)
 
54

 
242

 
232

 
377

 
70

 
(51
)
 

 
870

 
(7
)
 
7

 
870

Operating expenses(2)
301

 
169

 
255

 
62

 
52

 

 
839

 
9

 
7

 
855

Profit before income tax expense
$
(59
)
 
$
63

 
$
122

 
$
8

 
$
(103
)
 
$

 
$
31

 
$
(16
)
 
$

 
$
15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income(1)
$
209

 
$
172

 
$
129

 
$
45

 
$
(13
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
539

 
$
(22
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
510

Other operating income
138

 
136

 
251

 
26

 
(164
)
 
3

 
390

 
5

 
12

 
407

Total operating income
347

 
308

 
380

 
71

 
(177
)
 

 
929

 
(17
)
 
5

 
917

Loan impairment charges(3)
72

 
6

 
6

 
2

 

 

 
86

 
(4
)
 
2

 
84

 
275

 
302

 
374

 
69

 
(177
)
 

 
843

 
(13
)
 
3

 
833

Operating expenses(2)
368

 
154

 
249

 
57

 
844

 

 
1,672

 
(48
)
 
3

 
1,627

Profit before income tax expense
$
(93
)
 
$
148

 
$
125

 
$
12

 
$
(1,021
)
 
$

 
$
(829
)
 
$
35

 
$

 
$
(794
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income(1)
$
626

 
$
523

 
$
312

 
$
140

 
$
(34
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
1,558

 
$
(55
)
 
$
12

 
$
1,515

Other operating income
270

 
219

 
973

 
85

 
(10
)
 
9

 
1,546

 
53

 
(9
)
 
1,590

Total operating income
896

 
742

 
1,285

 
225

 
(44
)
 

 
3,104

 
(2
)
 
3

 
3,105

Loan impairment charges(3)
97

 
41

 
6

 
4

 

 

 
148

 
(15
)
 
9

 
142

 
799

 
701

 
1,279

 
221

 
(44
)
 

 
2,956

 
13

 
(6
)
 
2,963

Operating expenses(2)
892

 
502

 
735

 
189

 
138

 

 
2,456

 
(18
)
 
(6
)
 
2,432

Profit before income tax expense
$
(93
)
 
$
199

 
$
544

 
$
32

 
$
(182
)
 
$

 
$
500

 
$
31

 
$

 
$
531

Balances at end of period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
19,297

 
$
22,571

 
$
190,174

 
$
7,996

 
$
804

 
$

 
$
240,842

 
$
(53,563
)
 
$
96

 
$
187,375

Total loans, net
16,221

 
21,414

 
21,738

 
5,869

 

 

 
65,242

 
1,794

 
79

 
67,115

Goodwill
581

 
358

 
480

 
325

 

 

 
1,744

 
484

 

 
2,228

Total deposits
30,594

 
21,614

 
46,829

 
11,875

 

 

 
110,912

 
(4,491
)
 
6,500

 
112,921


49


HSBC USA Inc.

 
IFRSs Consolidated Amounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
RBWM
 
CMB
 
GBM
 
PB
 
Other
 
Adjustments/
Reconciling
Items
 
Total
 
IFRSs
Adjustments(4)
 
IFRSs
Reclassi-
fications(5)
 
U.S. GAAP
Consolidated
Totals
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest income(1)
$
653

 
$
502

 
$
439

 
$
137

 
$
(31
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
1,690

 
$
(73
)
 
$
15

 
$
1,632

Other operating income
497

 
471

 
742

 
83

 
(234
)
 
10

 
1,569

 
41

 
60

 
1,670

Total operating income
1,150

 
973

 
1,181

 
220

 
(265
)
 

 
3,259

 
(32
)
 
75

 
3,302

Loan impairment charges(3)
174

 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 

 

 
166

 

 
7

 
173

 
976

 
976

 
1,183

 
223

 
(265
)
 

 
3,093

 
(32
)
 
68

 
3,129

Operating expenses(2)
1,010

 
487

 
744

 
178

 
1,628

 

 
4,047

 
(48
)
 
68

 
4,067

Profit before income tax expense
$
(34
)
 
$
489

 
$
439

 
$
45

 
$
(1,893
)
 
$

 
$
(954
)
 
$
16

 
$

 
$
(938
)
Balances at end of period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
23,726

 
$
24,012

 
$
217,185

 
$
7,093

 
$
92

 
$

 
$
272,108

 
$
(73,460
)
 
$
(65
)
 
$
198,583

Total loans, net
16,334

 
19,066

 
32,559

 
5,290

 

 

 
73,249

 
(1,124
)
 
(11,310
)
 
60,815

Goodwill
581

 
358

 
480

 
325

 

 

 
1,744

 
484

 

 
2,228

Total deposits
35,494

 
22,012

 
44,669

 
12,319

 

 

 
114,494

 
(5,897
)
 
12,738

 
121,335

 
(1) 
Net interest income of each segment represents the difference between actual interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities of the segment adjusted for a funding charge or credit. Segments are charged a cost to fund assets (e.g. customer loans) and receive a funding credit for funds provided (e.g. customer deposits) based on equivalent market rates. The objective of these charges/credits is to transfer interest rate risk from the segments to one centralized unit in Treasury and more appropriately reflect the profitability of segments.
(2) 
Expenses for the segments include fully apportioned corporate overhead expenses.
(3) 
The provision assigned to the segments is based on the segments’ net charge offs and the change in allowance for credit losses.
(4) 
Represents adjustments associated with differences between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP bases of accounting.
(5) 
Represents differences in financial statement presentation between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP.


50


HSBC USA Inc.

16. Retained Earnings and Regulatory Capital Requirements
 
The following table summarizes the capital amounts and ratios of HSBC USA Inc. and HSBC Bank USA, calculated in accordance with current banking regulations.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
  
Capital
Amount
 
Well-Capitalized
Minimum Ratio(1)
 
Actual
Ratio
 
Capital
Amount
 
Well-Capitalized
Minimum Ratio(1)
 
Actual
Ratio
 
(dollars are in millions)
Total capital ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HSBC USA Inc.
$
20,482

 
10.00
%
 
16.30
%
 
$
20,764

 
10.00
%
 
19.52
%
HSBC Bank USA
21,374

 
10.00

  
18.01

 
21,464

 
10.00

  
21.07

Tier 1 capital ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HSBC USA Inc.
14,652

 
6.00

  
11.66

 
14,480

 
6.00

  
13.61

HSBC Bank USA
15,817

 
6.00

  
13.33

 
15,482

 
6.00

  
15.20

Tier 1 common ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HSBC USA Inc.
12,544

 
5.00

(2) 
9.98

 
12,373

 
5.00

(2) 
11.63

HSBC Bank USA
15,817

 
5.00

  
13.33

 
15,482

 
5.00

  
15.20

Tier 1 leverage ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HSBC USA Inc.
14,652

 
3.00

(3) 
8.40

 
14,480

 
3.00

(3) 
7.70

HSBC Bank USA
15,817

 
5.00

  
9.30

 
15,482

 
5.00

  
8.43

Risk weighted assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HSBC USA Inc.
125,641

 
 
 
 
 
106,395

 
 
 
 
HSBC Bank USA
118,656

 
 
 
 
 
101,865

 
 
 
 
 
(1) 
HSBC USA Inc and HSBC Bank USA are categorized as “well-capitalized,” as defined by their principal regulators. To be categorized as well-capitalized under regulatory guidelines, a banking institution must have the minimum ratios reflected in the above table, and must not be subject to a directive, order, or written agreement to meet and maintain specific capital levels.
(2) 
There is no Tier 1 common ratio component in the definition of a well-capitalized bank holding company. The ratio shown is the required minimum Tier 1 common ratio as included in the Federal Reserve Board's final rule regarding capital plans for U.S. bank holding companies with total consolidated assets of $50 billion or more.
(3) 
There is no Tier 1 leverage ratio component in the definition of a well-capitalized bank holding company. The ratio shown is the minimum required ratio.
The regulatory capital ratios in 2013 reflect the impact of the U.S. market risk final rule (known as Basel 2.5).
We did not receive any cash capital contributions from our immediate parent, HNAI during the first nine months of 2013. We did not make any capital contributions to our subsidiary, HSBC Bank USA, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Regulatory guidelines impose certain restrictions that may limit the inclusion of deferred tax assets in the computation of regulatory capital. We closely monitor the deferred tax assets for potential limitations or exclusions. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, deferred tax assets of $701 million and $622 million, respectively, were excluded in the computation of regulatory capital.

17. Variable Interest Entities
 
In the ordinary course of business, we have organized special purpose entities (“SPEs”) primarily to structure financial products to meet our clients' investment needs, to facilitate clients to access and raise financing from capital markets and to securitize financial assets held to meet our own funding needs. For disclosure purposes, we aggregate SPEs based on the purpose, risk characteristics and business activities of the SPEs. A SPE is a VIE if it lacks sufficient equity investment at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack either a) the power through voting or similar rights to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impacts the entity's economic performance; or b) the obligation to absorb the entity's expected losses, the right to receive the expected residual returns, or both.
Variable Interest Entities  We consolidate VIEs in which we hold a controlling financial interest as evidenced by the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or the

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HSBC USA Inc.

right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE and therefore are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. We take into account our entire involvement in a VIE (explicit or implicit) in identifying variable interests that individually or in the aggregate could be significant enough to warrant our designation as the primary beneficiary and hence require us to consolidate the VIE or otherwise require us to make appropriate disclosures. We consider our involvement to be significant where we, among other things, (i) provide liquidity put options or other liquidity facilities to support the VIE's debt obligations; (ii) enter into derivative contracts to absorb the risks and benefits from the VIE or from the assets held by the VIE; (iii) provide a financial guarantee that covers assets held or liabilities issued; (iv) design, organize and structure the transaction; and (v) retain a financial or servicing interest in the VIE.
We are required to evaluate whether to consolidate a VIE when we first become involved and on an ongoing basis. In almost all cases, a qualitative analysis of our involvement in the entity provides sufficient evidence to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary. In rare cases, a more detailed analysis to quantify the extent of variability to be absorbed by each variable interest holder is required to determine the primary beneficiary.
Consolidated VIEs  The following table summarizes assets and liabilities related to our consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 which are consolidated on our balance sheet. Assets and liabilities exclude intercompany balances that eliminate in consolidation:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
  
Consolidated
Assets
 
Consolidated
Liabilities
 
Consolidated
Assets
 
Consolidated
Liabilities
 
(in millions)
Asset-backed commercial paper conduit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
$
5

 
$

 
$

 
$

Held-to-maturity securities
208

 

 

 

Other assets
2

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 
3

 

 

Subtotal
$
215

 
$
3

 
$

 
$

Low income housing limited liability partnership:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other assets
477

 

 
533

 

Long term debt

 
92

 

 
92

Other liabilities

 
96

 

 
152

Subtotal
$
477

 
$
188

 
$
533

 
$
244

Total
$
692

 
$
191

 
$
533

 
$
244

Asset-backed conduit During the first quarter of 2013, HSBC decided to restructure certain of its asset-backed commercial paper conduit programs to have only one asset-backed commercial paper conduit providing securitized financing to HSBC clients globally. As part of this initiative, our commercial paper conduit otherwise known as Bryant Park is no longer transacting new business and certain existing Bryant Park customer transactions have been refinanced by an existing commercial paper conduit currently consolidated by HSBC Bank plc. Bryant Park continues to exist but only to fund select legacy assets it currently holds. Upon completion of the restructure in May 2013, HSBC Bank USA became the primary beneficiary of Bryant Park at which time Bryant Park became included in our consolidated results.
Low income housing limited liability partnership  In 2009, all low income housing investments held by us were transferred to a Limited Liability Partnership (“LLP”) in exchange for debt and equity while a third party invested cash for an equity interest that is mandatorily redeemable at a future date. The LLP was created in order to ensure the utilization of future tax benefits from these low income housing tax projects. The LLP was deemed to be a VIE as it does not have sufficient equity investment at risk to finance its activities. Upon entering into this transaction, we concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of the LLP due to the nature of our continuing involvement and, as a result, consolidate the LLP and report the equity interest issued to the third party investor in other liabilities and the assets of the LLP in other assets on our consolidated balance sheet. The investments held by the LLP represent equity investments in the underlying low income housing partnerships for which the LLP applies equity-method accounting. The LLP does not consolidate the underlying partnerships because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the partnerships that most significantly impact the economic performance of the partnerships.
Unconsolidated VIEs  We also have variable interests in other VIEs that were not consolidated at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 because we were not the primary beneficiary. The following table provides additional information on those unconsolidated

52


HSBC USA Inc.

VIEs, the variable interests held by us and our maximum exposure to loss arising from our involvements in those VIEs as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
 
 
Variable Interests
Held Classified
as Assets
 
Variable Interests
Held Classified
as Liabilities
 
Total Assets in
Unconsolidated
VIEs
 
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss
 
(in millions)
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits
$

 
$

 
$
16,456

 
$
2,216

Structured note vehicles
1,712

 
68

 
6,365

 
6,253

Total
$
1,712

 
$
68

 
$
22,821

 
$
8,469

December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits
$

 
$

 
$
16,104

 
$
2,212

Structured note vehicles
2,117

 
154

 
7,055

 
6,893

Total
$
2,117

 
$
154

 
$
23,159

 
$
9,105

Information on the types of variable interest entities with which we are involved, the nature of our involvement and the variable interests held in those entities is presented below.
Asset-backed commercial paper ("ABCP") conduits  Separately from the Bryant Park facility discussed above, we provide liquidity facilities to a number of multi-seller and single-seller ABCP conduits sponsored by HSBC affiliates and by third parties. These conduits support the financing needs of customers by facilitating the customers' access to commercial paper markets.
Customers sell financial assets, such as trade receivables, to ABCP conduits, which fund the purchases by issuing short-term highly-rated commercial paper collateralized by the assets acquired. In a multi-seller conduit, any number of companies may be originating and selling assets to the conduit whereas a single-seller conduit acquires assets from a single company. We, along with other financial institutions, provide liquidity facilities to ABCP conduits in the form of lines of credit or asset purchase commitments. Liquidity facilities provided to multi-seller conduits support transactions associated with a specific seller of assets to the conduit and we would only be required to provide support in the event of certain triggers associated with those transactions and assets. Liquidity facilities provided to single-seller conduits are not identified with specific transactions or assets and we would be required to provide support upon occurrence of certain triggers that generally affect the conduit as a whole. Our obligations are generally pari passu with those of other institutions that also provide liquidity support to the same conduit or for the same transactions. We do not provide any program-wide credit enhancements to ABCP conduits.
Each seller of assets to an ABCP conduit typically provides credit enhancements in the form of asset overcollateralization and, therefore, bears the risk of first loss related to the specific assets transferred. We do not transfer our own assets to the conduits. We do not provide the majority of the liquidity facilities to any of these ABCP conduits. We have no ownership interests in, perform no administrative duties for, and do not service any of the assets held by the conduits. We are not the primary beneficiary and do not consolidate any of the ABCP conduits to which we provide liquidity facilities. Credit risk related to the liquidity facilities provided is managed by subjecting these facilities to our normal underwriting and risk management processes. The $2.2 billion maximum exposure to loss presented in the table above represents the maximum amount of loans and asset purchases we could be required to fund under the liquidity facilities. The maximum loss exposure is estimated assuming the facilities are fully drawn and the underlying collateralized assets are in default with zero recovery value.
Structured note vehicles  Our involvement in structured note vehicles includes derivatives such as interest rate and currency swaps and investments in the vehicles' debt instruments. With respect to several of these VIEs, we hold variable interests in the form of total return swaps entered into in connection with the transfer of certain assets to the VIEs. In these transactions, we transferred financial assets from our trading portfolio to the VIEs and entered into total return swaps under which we receive the total return on the transferred assets and pay a market rate of return. The transfers of assets in these transactions do not qualify as sales under the applicable accounting literature and are accounted for as secured borrowings. Accordingly, the transferred assets continue to be recognized as trading assets on our balance sheet and the funds received are recorded as liabilities in long-term debt. As of September 30, 2013, we recorded approximately $30 million of trading assets and $33 million of trading liabilities on our balance sheet as a result of “failed sale” accounting treatment for certain transfers of financial assets. As of December 31, 2012, we recorded approximately $140 million of trading assets and $147 million of trading liabilities on our balance sheet as a result of “failed sale” accounting treatment for certain transfers of financial assets. The financial assets and financial liabilities were not legally ours and we have no control over the financial assets which are restricted solely to satisfy the liability.

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HSBC USA Inc.

In addition to our variable interests, we also hold credit default swaps with these structured note VIEs under which we receive credit protection on specified reference assets in exchange for the payment of a premium. Through these derivatives, the VIEs assume the credit risk associated with the reference assets which are then passed on to the holders of the debt instruments they issue. Because they create rather than absorb variability, the credit default swaps we hold are not considered variable interests. In limited circumstances, we entered into total return swaps taking on the risks and benefits of certain structured notes issued by unconsolidated VIEs. The same risks and benefits are passed on to third party entities through back-end total return swaps. We earn a spread for facilitating the transaction. Our maximum exposure to loss is the notional amount of the structured notes covered by the swap. The maximum exposure to loss will occur in the unlikely scenario where the value of the structured notes is reduced to zero and, at the same time, the counterparty of the back-end swap defaults with zero recovery.
We record all investments in, and derivative contracts with, unconsolidated structured note vehicles at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet. Our maximum exposure to loss is limited to the recorded amounts of these instruments or, where applicable, the notional amount of the derivatives wrapping the structured notes.
Beneficial interests issued by third-party sponsored securitization entities  We hold certain beneficial interests such as mortgage-backed securities issued by third party sponsored securitization entities which may be considered VIEs. The investments are transacted at arm's-length and decisions to invest are based on a credit analysis of the underlying collateral assets or the issuer. We are a passive investor in these issuers and do not have the power to direct the activities of these issuers. As such, we do not consolidate these securitization entities. Additionally, we do not have other involvements in servicing or managing the collateral assets or provide financial or liquidity support to these issuers which potentially give rise to risk of loss exposure. These investments are an integral part of the disclosure in Note 4, “Securities” and Note 19, “Fair Value Measurements” and, therefore, are not disclosed in this note to avoid redundancy.

18. Guarantee Arrangements, Pledged Assets and Collateral
 
Guarantee Arrangements As part of our normal operations, we enter into credit derivatives and various off-balance sheet guarantee arrangements with affiliates and third parties. These arrangements arise principally in connection with our lending and client intermediation activities and include standby letters of credit and certain credit derivative transactions. The contractual amounts of these arrangements represent our maximum possible credit exposure in the event that we are required to fulfill the maximum obligation under the contractual terms of the guarantee.
The following table presents total carrying value and contractual amounts of our sell protection credit derivatives and major off-balance sheet guarantee arrangements as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Following the table is a description of the various arrangements.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
  
Carrying
Value
 
Notional/Maximum
Exposure to Loss
 
Carrying
Value
 
Notional/Maximum
Exposure to Loss
 
(in millions)
Credit derivatives(1)(4)
$
(331
)
 
$
198,020

 
$
(76
)
 
$
237,548

Financial standby letters of credit, net of participations(2)(3)

 
5,165

 

 
5,554

Performance (non-financial) guarantees(3)

 
3,119

 

 
2,878

Liquidity asset purchase agreements(3)

 
2,216

 

 
2,212

Total
$
(331
)
 
$
208,520

 
$
(76
)
 
$
248,192

 
(1) 
Includes $38.6 billion and $44.2 billion of notional issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(2) 
Includes $862 million and $808 million issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(3) 
For standby letters of credit and liquidity asset purchase agreements, maximum loss represents losses to be recognized assuming the letter of credit and liquidity facilities have been fully drawn and the obligors have defaulted with zero recovery.
(4) 
For credit derivatives, the maximum loss is represented by the notional amounts without consideration of mitigating effects from collateral or recourse arrangements.
Credit-Risk Related Guarantees
Credit derivatives  Credit derivatives are financial instruments that transfer the credit risk of a reference obligation from the credit protection buyer to the credit protection seller who is exposed to the credit risk without buying the reference obligation. We sell

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HSBC USA Inc.

credit protection on underlying reference obligations (such as loans or securities) by entering into credit derivatives, primarily in the form of credit default swaps, with various institutions. We account for all credit derivatives at fair value. Where we sell credit protection to a counterparty that holds the reference obligation, the arrangement is effectively a financial guarantee on the reference obligation. Under a credit derivative contract, the credit protection seller will reimburse the credit protection buyer upon occurrence of a credit event (such as bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring or failure to meet payment obligations when due) as defined in the derivative contract, in return for a periodic premium. Upon occurrence of a credit event, we will pay the counterparty the stated notional amount of the derivative contract and receive the underlying reference obligation. The recovery value of the reference obligation received could be significantly lower than its notional principal amount when a credit event occurs.
Certain derivative contracts are subject to master netting arrangements and related collateral agreements. A party to a derivative contract may demand that the counterparty post additional collateral in the event its net exposure exceeds certain predetermined limits and when the credit rating falls below a certain grade. We set the collateral requirements by counterparty such that the collateral covers various transactions and products, and is not allocated to specific individual contracts.
We manage our exposure to credit derivatives using a variety of risk mitigation strategies where we enter into offsetting hedge positions or transfer the economic risks, in part or in entirety, to investors through the issuance of structured credit products. We actively manage the credit and market risk exposure in the credit derivative portfolios on a net basis and, as such, retain no or a limited net sell protection position at any time. The following table summarizes our net credit derivative positions as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
  
Carrying (Fair)
Value
 
Notional
 
Carrying (Fair)
Value
 
Notional
 
(in millions)
Sell-protection credit derivative positions
$
(331
)
 
$
198,020

 
$
(76
)
 
$
237,548

Buy-protection credit derivative positions
366

 
204,971

 
120

 
247,384

Net position(1)
$
35

 
$
(6,951
)
 
$
44

 
$
(9,836
)
 
(1) 
Positions are presented net in the table above to provide a complete analysis of our risk exposure and depict the way we manage our credit derivative portfolio. The offset of the sell-protection credit derivatives against the buy-protection credit derivatives may not be legally binding in the absence of master netting agreements with the same counterparty. Furthermore, the credit loss triggering events for individual sell protection credit derivatives may not be the same or occur in the same period as those of the buy protection credit derivatives thereby not providing an exact offset.
Standby letters of credit  A standby letter of credit is issued to a third party for the benefit of a customer and is a guarantee that the customer will perform or satisfy certain obligations under a contract. It irrevocably obligates us to pay a specified amount to the third party beneficiary if the customer fails to perform the contractual obligation. We issue two types of standby letters of credit: performance and financial. A performance standby letter of credit is issued where the customer is required to perform some nonfinancial contractual obligation, such as the performance of a specific act, whereas a financial standby letter of credit is issued where the customer's contractual obligation is of a financial nature, such as the repayment of a loan or debt instrument. As of September 30, 2013, the total amount of outstanding financial standby letters of credit (net of participations) and performance guarantees were $5.2 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the total amount of outstanding financial standby letters of credit (net of participations) and performance guarantees were $5.6 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively.
The issuance of a standby letter of credit is subject to our credit approval process and collateral requirements. We charge fees for issuing letters of credit commensurate with the customer's credit evaluation and the nature of any collateral. Included in other liabilities are deferred fees on standby letters of credit, which represent the value of the stand-ready obligation to perform under these guarantees, amounting to $40 million and $46 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Also included in other liabilities is an allowance for credit losses on unfunded standby letters of credit of $19 million and $19 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

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HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes the credit ratings of credit risk related guarantees including the credit ratings of counterparties against which we sold credit protection and financial standby letters of credit as of September 30, 2013 as an indicative proxy of payment risk:
 
Average
Life
(in years)
 
Credit Ratings of the Obligors or the Transactions
Notional/Contractual Amounts
      Investment      
Grade
 
Non-Investment
Grade
 
Total
 
(dollars are in millions)
Sell-protection Credit Derivatives(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single name CDS
2.4
 
$
116,525

 
$
22,946

 
$
139,471

Structured CDS
1.8
 
22,433

 
3,045

 
25,478

Index credit derivatives
3.2
 
21,197

 
666

 
21,863

Total return swaps
8.7
 
10,055

 
1,153

 
11,208

Subtotal
 
 
170,210

 
27,810

 
198,020

Standby Letters of Credit(2)
1.1
 
6,813

 
1,471

 
8,284

Total
 
 
$
177,023

 
$
29,281

 
$
206,304

 
(1) 
The credit ratings in the table represent external credit ratings for classification as investment grade and non-investment grade.
(2) 
External ratings for most of the obligors are not available. Presented above are the internal credit ratings which are developed using similar methodologies and rating scale equivalent to external credit ratings for purposes of classification as investment grade and non-investment grade.
Our internal groupings are determined based on HSBC's risk rating systems and processes which assign a credit grade based on a scale which ranks the risk of default of a customer. The groupings are determined and used for managing risk and determining level of credit exposure appetite based on the customer's operating performance, liquidity, capital structure and debt service ability. In addition, we also incorporate subjective judgments into the risk rating process concerning such things as industry trends, comparison of performance to industry peers and perceived quality of management. We compare our internal risk ratings to outside external rating agency benchmarks, where possible, at the time of formal review and regularly monitor whether our risk ratings are comparable to the external ratings benchmark data.
A non-investment grade rating of a referenced obligor has a negative impact to the fair value of the credit derivative and increases the likelihood that we will be required to perform under the credit derivative contract. We employ market-based parameters and, where possible, use the observable credit spreads of the referenced obligors as measurement inputs in determining the fair value of the credit derivatives. We believe that such market parameters are more indicative of the current status of payment/performance risk than external ratings by the rating agencies which may not be forward-looking in nature and, as a result, lag behind those market-based indicators.
Mortgage Loan Repurchase Obligations
Sale of mortgage loans  In the ordinary course of business, we originate and sell mortgage loans and provide various representations and warranties related to, among other things, the ownership of the loans, the validity of the liens, the loan selection and origination process, and the compliance to the origination criteria established by the agencies. In the event of a breach of our representations and warranties, we may be obligated to repurchase the loans with identified defects or to indemnify the buyers. Our contractual obligation arises only when the breach of representations and warranties are discovered and repurchase is demanded. Historically, these sales have been primarily to government sponsored entities (“GSEs”). With the conversion of our mortgage processing and servicing operations to PHH Mortgage in the second quarter of 2013, new agency eligible originations beginning with May 2013 applications are sold directly to PHH Mortgage and PHH Mortgage is responsible for origination representations and warranties for all loans purchased.
We typically first become aware that a GSE or other third party is evaluating a particular loan for repurchase when we receive a request to review the underlying loan file. Generally, the reviews focus on severely delinquent loans to identify alleged fraud, misrepresentation or file documentation issues. Upon completing its review, the GSE or other third party may submit a repurchase demand. Historically, most file requests have not resulted in repurchase demands. After receipt of a repurchase demand, we perform a detailed evaluation of the substance of the request and appeal any claim that we believe is either unsubstantiated or contains errors, leveraging both dedicated internal as well as retained external resources. In some cases, we ultimately are not required to repurchase a loan as we are able to resolve the purported defect. From initial inquiry to ultimate resolution, a typical case is usually resolved within 3 months, however some cases may take as long as 12 months to resolve. Acceptance of a repurchase demand will

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HSBC USA Inc.

involve either a) repurchase of the loan at the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest or b) reimbursement for any realized loss on a liquidated property (“make-whole” payment).
To date, a majority of the repurchase demands we have received primarily relate to prime loans sourced during 2004 through 2008 from the legacy broker channel which we exited in late 2008. Loans sold to GSEs and other third parties originated in 2004 through 2008 subject to representations and warranties for which we may be liable had an outstanding principal balance of approximately $12.6 billion and $15.1 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, including $8.1 billion and $9.6 billion, respectively, of loans sourced from our legacy broker channel.
The following table shows the trend in repurchase demands received on loans sold to GSEs and other third parties by loan origination vintage for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Pre- 2004
$
1

 
$
2

 
$
4

 
$
5

2004
4

 
5

 
15

 
16

2005
13

 
6

 
20

 
19

2006
12

 
20

 
38

 
65

2007
25

 
51

 
86

 
170

2008
13

 
28

 
48

 
106

Post 2008
2

 
4

 
12

 
15

Total repurchase demands received(1)
$
70

 
$
116

 
$
223

 
$
396

 
(1) 
Includes repurchase demands on loans sourced from our legacy broker channel of $55 million and $98 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $175 million and $330 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The following table provides information about outstanding repurchase demands received from GSEs and other third parties at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
GSEs
$
64

 
$
86

Others
3

 
3

Total(1) 
$
67

 
$
89

 
(1) 
Includes repurchase demands on loans sourced from our legacy broker channel of $55 million and $65 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
In estimating our repurchase liability arising from breaches of representations and warranties, we consider the following:
The level of outstanding repurchase demands in inventory and our historical defense rate;
The level of outstanding requests for loan files and the related historical repurchase request conversion rate and defense rate on such loans; and
The level of potential future demands based on historical conversion rates of loans which we have not received a loan file request but are two or more payments delinquent or expected to become delinquent at an estimated conversion rate.
The following table summarizes the change in our estimated repurchase liability for loans sold to the GSEs and other third parties during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 for obligations arising from the breach of representations and warranties associated with the sale of these loans:

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HSBC USA Inc.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Balance at beginning of period
$
217

 
$
222

 
$
219

 
$
237

Increase in liability recorded through earnings

 
28

 
36

 
81

Realized losses
(19
)
 
(34
)
 
(57
)
 
(102
)
Balance at end of period
$
198

 
$
216

 
$
198

 
$
216

Our reserve for potential repurchase liability exposures relates primarily to previously originated mortgages through broker channels. Our mortgage repurchase liability of $198 million at September 30, 2013 represents our best estimate of the loss that has been incurred including interest, resulting from various representations and warranties in the contractual provisions of our mortgage loan sales. Because the level of mortgage loan repurchase losses is dependent upon economic factors, investor demand strategies and other external risk factors such as housing market trends that may change, the level of the liability for mortgage loan repurchase losses requires significant judgment. We have seen recent changes in investor demand trends and continue to evaluate our methods of determining the best estimate of loss based on these recent trends. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside our control, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates making it reasonably possible that they could change. The range of reasonably possible losses in excess of our recorded repurchase liability is between zero and $160 million at September 30, 2013. This estimated range of reasonably possible losses was determined based upon modifying the assumptions utilized in our best estimate of probable losses to reflect what we believe to be reasonably possible adverse assumptions.
Written Put Options, Non Credit-Risk Related and Indemnity Arrangements
Liquidity asset purchase agreements  We provide liquidity facilities to a number of multi-seller and single-seller asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by affiliates and third parties. The conduits finance the purchase of individual assets by issuing commercial paper to third party investors. Each liquidity facility is transaction specific and has a maximum limit. Pursuant to the liquidity agreements, we are obligated, subject to certain limitations, to purchase the eligible assets from the conduit at an amount not to exceed the face value of the commercial paper in the event the conduit is unable to refinance its commercial paper. A liquidity asset purchase agreement is essentially a conditional written put option issued to the conduit where the exercise price is the face value of the commercial paper. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have issued $2.2 billion and $2.2 billion, respectively, of liquidity facilities to provide liquidity support to the commercial paper issued by various conduits See Note 17, “Variable Interest Entities,” for further information.
Clearinghouses and exchanges  We are a member of various exchanges and clearinghouses that trade and clear securities and/or futures contracts. Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 ("Dodd-Frank"), members of a clearinghouse may be required to contribute to a guaranty fund to backstop members' obligations to the clearinghouse. As a member, we may be required to pay a proportionate share of the financial obligations of another member who defaults on its obligations to the exchange or the clearinghouse. Our guarantee obligations would arise only if the exchange or clearinghouse had exhausted its resources. Any potential contingent liability under these membership agreements cannot be estimated.
Pledged Assets  Pledged assets included in the consolidated balance sheet consisted of the following.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Interest bearing deposits with banks
$
535

 
$
673

Trading assets(1)
3,434

 
2,346

Securities available-for-sale(2)
19,976

 
17,236

Securities held-to-maturity
587

 
456

Loans(3) 
3,953

 
2,142

Other assets(4)
2,692

 
2,265

Total
$
31,177

 
$
25,118

 
(1) 
Trading assets are primarily pledged against liabilities associated with repurchase agreements.
(2) 
Securities available-for-sale are primarily pledged against derivatives, public fund deposits and various short-term and long term borrowings, as well as providing capacity for potential secured borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank.

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(3) 
Loans are primarily residential mortgage loans pledged against long-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank.
(4) 
Other assets represent cash on deposit with non-banks related to derivative collateral support agreements.
Debt securities pledged as collateral that can be sold or repledged by the secured party continue to be reported on the consolidated balance sheet. The fair value of securities available-for-sale that can be sold or repledged was $9.3 billion and $6.5 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The fair value of trading assets that can be sold or repledged was $3.4 billion and $2.2 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
The fair value of collateral we accepted but not reported on the consolidated balance sheet that can be sold or repledged was $4.3 billion and $5.7 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. This collateral was obtained under security resale agreements. Of this collateral, $2.1 billion and $1.3 billion has been sold or repledged as collateral under repurchase agreements or to cover short sales at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Securitization Activity  In addition to the repurchase risk described above, we have also been involved as a sponsor/seller of loans used to facilitate whole loan securitizations underwritten by our affiliate, HSI. In this regard, we began acquiring residential mortgage loans beginning in 2005 which were warehoused on our balance sheet with the intent of selling them to HSI to facilitate HSI’s whole loan securitization program which was discontinued in the second half of 2007. During 2005-2007, we purchased and sold $24 billion of such loans to HSI which were subsequently securitized and sold by HSI to third parties. See "Mortgage Securitization Activity and Litigation" in Note 20, "Litigation and Regulatory Matters" for additional discussion of related exposure.
Offsetting of Resale and Repurchase Agreements and Securities Borrowing and Lending Agreements
We enter into purchases and borrowings of securities under agreements to resell (resale agreements) and sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements) identical or substantially the same securities. Resale and repurchase agreements are generally accounted for as secured lending and secured borrowing transactions, respectively.
The amounts advanced under resale agreements and the amounts borrowed under repurchase agreements are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at the amount advanced or borrowed, plus accrued interest to date. Interest earned on resale agreements is reported as interest income. Interest paid on repurchase agreements is reported as interest expense. We offset resale and repurchase agreements executed with the same counterparty under legally enforceable netting agreements that meet the applicable netting criteria as permitted by generally accepted accounting principles.
Repurchase agreements may require us to deposit cash or other collateral with the lender. In connection with resale agreements, it is our policy to obtain possession of collateral, which may include the securities purchased, with market value in excess of the principal amount loaned. The market value of the collateral subject to the resale and repurchase agreements is regularly monitored, and additional collateral is obtained or provided when appropriate, to ensure appropriate collateral coverage of these secured financing transactions.

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HSBC USA Inc.

The following table provides information about repurchase agreements and resell agreements that are subject to offset as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Balance Sheet
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Recognized
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Balance Sheet(1)
 
Net Amounts Presented in the Balance Sheet
 
Financial Instruments (2)
 
Cash Collateral Received / Pledged
 
Net Amount (3)
 
(in millions)
As of September 30, 2013:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
$
4,524

 
2,308

 
2,216

 
2,216

 

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
$
14,831

 
2,308

 
12,523

 
12,523

 

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities purchased under agreements to resell
$
5,736

 
2,587

 
3,149

 
3,146

 

 
$
3

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securities sold under repurchase agreements
$
9,404

 
2,587

 
6,817

 
6,817

 

 
$

 
(1) 
Represents recognized amount of resale and repurchase agreements with counterparties subject to legally enforceable netting agreements that meet the applicable netting criteria as permitted by generally accepted accounting principles.
(2) 
Represents securities received or pledged to cover financing transaction exposures.
(3) 
Represents the amount of our exposure that is not collateralized / covered by pledged collateral.

19. Fair Value Measurements
 
Accounting principles related to fair value measurements provide a framework for measuring fair value that focuses on the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market (or in the absence of the principal market, the most advantageous market) accessible in an orderly transaction between willing market participants (the “Fair Value Framework”). Where required by the applicable accounting standards, assets and liabilities are measured at fair value using the “highest and best use” valuation premise. Amendments to the fair value measurement guidance, which became effective in 2012 clarifies that financial instruments do not have alternative uses and, as such, the fair value of financial instruments should be determined using an “in-exchange” valuation premise. However, the fair value measurement literature provides a valuation exception and permits an entity to measure the fair value of a group of financial assets and financial liabilities with offsetting credit risks and/or market risks based on the exit price it would receive or pay to transfer the net risk exposure of a group of assets or liabilities if certain conditions are met. We elected to apply the measurement exception to a group of derivative instruments with offsetting credit risks and market risks, which primarily relate to interest rate, foreign currency, debt and equity price risk, and commodity price risk as of the reporting date.
Fair Value Adjustments  The best evidence of fair value is quoted market price in an actively traded market, where available. In the event listed price or market quotes are not available, valuation techniques that incorporate relevant transaction data and market parameters reflecting the attributes of the asset or liability under consideration are applied. Where applicable, fair value adjustments are made to ensure the financial instruments are appropriately recorded at fair value. The fair value adjustments reflect the risks associated with the products, contractual terms of the transactions, and the liquidity of the markets in which the transactions occur. The fair value adjustments are broadly categorized by the following major types:
Credit risk adjustment - The credit risk adjustment is an adjustment to a group of financial assets and financial liabilities, predominantly derivative assets and derivative liabilities, to reflect the credit quality of the parties to the transaction in arriving at fair value. A credit valuation adjustment to a financial asset is required to reflect the default risk of the counterparty. A debit valuation adjustment to a financial liability is recorded to reflect the default risk of HUSI.

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For derivative instruments, we calculate the credit risk adjustment by applying the probability of default of the counterparty to the expected exposure, and multiplying the result by the expected loss given default. We estimate the implied probability of default based on the counterparty's credit spread. Where credit default spreads of the counterparty are not available, we use the credit default spread of specific proxy (e.g. the credit default swap spread of the counterparty's parent). Where specific proxy credit default swaps are not available, we apply a blended approach based on a mixture of proxy credit default swap referencing to credit names of similar credit standing and the historical rating-based probability of default.
During 2012, we changed our estimate of credit valuation adjustments on derivative assets and debit valuation adjustments on derivative liabilities to be based on a market-implied probability of default calculation rather than a ratings-based historical counterparty probability of default calculation, consistent with recent changes in industry practice.
Liquidity risk adjustment - The liquidity risk adjustment (primarily in the form of bid-offer adjustment) reflects the cost that would be incurred to close out the market risks by hedging, disposing or unwinding the position. Valuation models generally produce mid market values. The bid-offer adjustment is made in such a way that results in a measure that reflects the exit price that most represents the fair value of the financial asset of financial liability under consideration or, where applicable, the fair value of the net market risk exposure of a group of financial assets or financial liabilities. These adjustments relate primarily to Level 2 assets.
Model valuation adjustment - Where fair value measurements are determined using an internal valuation model based on unobservable inputs, certain valuation inputs may be less readily determinable. There may be a range of possible valuation inputs that market participants may assume in determining the fair value measurement. The resultant fair value measurement has inherent measurement risk if one or more significant parameters are unobservable and must be estimated. An input valuation adjustment is necessary to reflect the likelihood that market participants may use different input parameters, and to mitigate the possibility of measurement error. In addition, the values derived from valuation techniques are affected by the choice of valuation model and model limitation. When different valuation techniques are available, the choice of valuation model can be subjective. Furthermore, the valuation model applied may have measurement limitations. In those cases, an additional valuation adjustment is also applied to mitigate the measurement risk. These adjustments relate primarily to Level 2 assets.
We apply stress scenarios in determining appropriate liquidity risk and model risk adjustments for Level 3 fair values by reviewing the historical data for unobservable inputs (e.g., correlation, volatility). Some stress scenarios involve a 95 percent confidence interval (i.e., two standard deviations). Other stress scenarios may be performed using highly stressed historical inputs such as credit spreads experienced during a credit crisis. We also utilize unobservable parameter adjustments when instruments are valued using internally developed models which reflects the uncertainty in the value estimates provided by the model.
Fair Value Hierarchy  The Fair Value Framework establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 quoted market price - Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 valuation technique using observable inputs - Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are inactive, and measurements determined using valuation models where all significant inputs are observable, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.
Level 3 valuation technique with significant unobservable inputs - Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and include situations where fair values are measured using valuation techniques based on one or more significant unobservable input.
Classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on whether the lowest hierarchical level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is observable. As such, the classification within the fair value hierarchy is dynamic and can be transferred to other hierarchy levels in each reporting period. Transfers between leveling categories are assessed, determined and recognized at the end of each reporting period.
Valuation Control Framework We have established a control framework which is designed to ensure that fair values are either determined or validated by a function independent of the risk-taker. To that end, the ultimate responsibility for the determination of fair values rests with Finance. Finance has established an independent price validation process to ensure that the assets and liabilities measured at fair value are properly stated.
A valuation committee, chaired by the Head of Business Finance of Global Banking and Markets, meets monthly to review, monitor and discuss significant valuation matters arising from credit and market risks. The committee is responsible for establishing valuation policies and procedures, approving the internal valuation techniques and models developed by the Quantitative Risk and
Valuation Group (“QRVG”), reviewing and approving valuation adjustments pertaining to, among other things, unobservable inputs, market liquidity, selection of valuation model and counterparty credit risk. Significant valuation risks identified in business

61


HSBC USA Inc.

activities are corroborated and addressed by the committee members and, where applicable, are escalated to the Chief Financial Officer of HUSI and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Where fair value measurements are determined based on information obtained from independent pricing services or brokers, Finance applies appropriate validation procedures to substantiate fair value. For price validation purposes, quotations from at least two independent pricing sources are obtained for each financial instrument, where possible.

The following factors are considered in determining fair values:

similarities between the asset or the liability under consideration and the asset or liability for which quotation is received;
collaboration of pricing by referencing to other independent market data such as market transactions and relevant benchmark indices;
consistency among different pricing sources;
the valuation approach and the methodologies used by the independent pricing sources in determining fair value;
the elapsed time between the date to which the market data relates and the measurement date;
the source of the fair value information; and
whether the security is traded in an active or inactive market.

Greater weight is given to quotations of instruments with recent market transactions, pricing quotes from dealers who stand ready to transact, quotations provided by market-makers who structured such instrument and market consensus pricing based on inputs from a large number of survey participants. Any significant discrepancies among the external quotations are reviewed and adjustments to fair values are recorded where appropriate. Where the transaction volume of a specific instrument has been reduced and the fair value measurement becomes less transparent, Finance will apply more detailed procedures to understand and challenge the appropriateness of the unobservable inputs and the valuation techniques used by the independent pricing service. Where applicable, Finance will develop a fair value estimate using its own pricing model inputs to test reasonableness. Where fair value measurements are determined using internal valuation models, Finance will validate the fair value measurement by either developing unobservable inputs based on the industry consensus pricing surveys in which we participate or back testing by observing the actual settlements occurring soon after the measurement date. Any significant valuation adjustments are reported to and discussed with the valuation committee.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments  The fair value estimates, methods and assumptions set forth below for our financial instruments, including those financial instruments carried at cost, are made solely to comply with disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in this quarterly report.

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HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes the carrying value and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
September 30, 2013
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in millions)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term financial assets
$
31,495

 
$
31,495

 
$
1,512

 
$
29,917

 
$
66

Securities purchased under resale agreements
2,216

 
2,216

 

 
2,216

 

Non-derivative trading assets
20,941

 
20,941

 
2,277

 
16,593

 
2,071

Derivatives
6,045

 
6,045

 
14

 
5,962

 
69

Securities
49,598

 
49,651

 
28,010

 
21,641

 

Commercial loans, net of allowance for credit losses
48,196

 
49,619

 

 

 
49,619

Commercial loans designated under fair value option and held for sale
1

 
1

 

 
1

 

Commercial loans held for sale
41

 
41

 

 
41

 

Consumer loans, net of allowance for credit losses
18,919

 
15,848

 

 

 
15,848

Consumer loans held for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
130

 
126

 

 

 
126

Other consumer
64

 
64

 

 

 
64

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term financial liabilities
$
19,584

 
$
19,584

 
$

 
$
19,518

 
$
66

Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Without fixed maturities
102,950

 
102,950

 

 
102,950

 

Fixed maturities
2,119

 
2,125

 

 
2,125

 

Deposits designated under fair value option
7,851

 
7,851

 

 
5,182

 
2,669

Non-derivative trading liabilities
4,470

 
4,470

 
457

 
4,013

 

Derivatives
7,377

 
7,377

 
15

 
7,304

 
58

Long-term debt
15,304

 
15,718

 

 
15,718

 

Long-term debt designated under fair value option
6,847

 
6,847

 

 
6,286

 
561


63


HSBC USA Inc.

December 31, 2012
Carrying
Value
 
Fair
Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(in millions)
Financial assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term financial assets
$
14,719

 
$
14,719

 
$
1,359

 
$
13,279

 
$
81

Securities purchased under resale agreements
3,149

 
3,149

 

 
3,149

 

Non-derivative trading assets
25,491

 
25,491

 
2,484

 
20,061

 
2,946

Derivatives
6,865

 
6,865

 
30

 
6,664

 
171

Securities
69,336

 
69,547

 
43,421

 
26,126

 

Commercial loans, net of allowance for credit losses
43,833

 
45,153

 

 

 
45,153

Commercial loans designated under fair value option and held for sale
465

 
465

 

 
465

 

Commercial loans held for sale
16

 
16

 

 
16

 

Consumer loans, net of allowance for credit losses
18,778

 
15,173

 

 

 
15,173

Consumer loans held for sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
472

 
485

 

 

 
485

Other consumer
65

 
65

 

 

 
65

Financial liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term financial liabilities
$
15,033

 
$
15,033

 
$

 
$
14,952

 
$
81

Deposits:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Without fixed maturities
104,414

 
104,414

 

 
104,414

 

Fixed maturities
4,565

 
4,574

 

 
4,574

 

Deposits designated under fair value option
8,692

 
8,692

 

 
6,056

 
2,636

Non-derivative trading liabilities
5,974

 
5,974

 
207

 
5,767

 

Derivatives
10,081

 
10,081

 
21

 
9,933

 
127

Long-term debt
14,465

 
15,163

 

 
15,163

 

Long-term debt designated under fair value option
7,280

 
7,280

 

 
6,851

 
429

Loan values presented in the table above were determined using the Fair Value Framework for measuring fair value, which is based on our best estimate of the amount within a range of value we believe would be received in a sale as of the balance sheet date (i.e. exit price). The secondary market demand and estimated value for our residential mortgage loans has been heavily influenced by the challenging economic conditions during the past several years, including house price depreciation, elevated unemployment, changes in consumer behavior, changes in discount rates and the lack of financing options available to support the purchase of receivables. For certain consumer loans, investors incorporate numerous assumptions in predicting cash flows, such as future interest rates, higher charge-off levels, slower voluntary prepayment speeds, different default and loss curves and estimated collateral values than we, as the servicer of these loans, believe will ultimately be the case. The investor's valuation process reflects this difference in overall cost of capital assumptions as well as the potential volatility in the underlying cash flow assumptions, the combination of which may yield a significant pricing discount from our intrinsic value. The estimated fair values at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 reflect these market conditions.
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis  The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.


64


HSBC USA Inc.

 
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
September 30, 2013
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Gross
Balance
 
Netting(1)
 
Net
Balance
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading Securities, excluding derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises
$
2,277

 
$
278

 
$

 
$
2,555

 
$

 
$
2,555

Obligations of U.S. States and political subdivisions

 
16

 

 
16

 

 
16

Collateralized debt obligations

 

 
245

 
245

 

 
245

Asset-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages

 
163

 

 
163

 

 
163

Student Loans

 
74

 

 
74

 

 
74

Corporate and other domestic debt securities

 
3

 
1,513

 
1,516

 

 
1,516

Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate

 
967

 
192

 
1,159

 

 
1,159

Government

 
4,481

 
121

 
4,602

 

 
4,602

Equity securities

 
24

 

 
24

 

 
24

Precious metals trading

 
10,587

 

 
10,587

 

 
10,587

Derivatives(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
73

 
55,684

 
2

 
55,759

 

 
55,759

Foreign exchange contracts
1

 
14,114

 
136

 
14,251

 

 
14,251

Equity contracts

 
1,688

 
137

 
1,825

 

 
1,825

Precious metals contracts
107

 
1,175

 
1

 
1,283

 

 
1,283

Credit contracts

 
4,606

 
621

 
5,227

 

 
5,227

Derivatives netting

 

 

 

 
(72,300
)
 
(72,300
)
Total derivatives
181

 
77,267

 
897

 
78,345

 
(72,300
)
 
6,045

Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises
27,969

 
13,804

 

 
41,773

 

 
41,773

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions

 
858

 

 
858

 

 
858

Asset-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages

 
2

 

 
2

 

 
2

Commercial mortgages

 
135

 

 
135

 

 
135

Home equity

 
230

 

 
230

 

 
230

Other

 
103

 

 
103

 

 
103

Corporate and other domestic debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate

 
887

 

 
887

 

 
887

Government-backed
41

 
3,860

 

 
3,901

 

 
3,901

Equity securities

 
164

 

 
164

 

 
164

Loans(3)

 
1

 

 
1

 

 
1

Mortgage servicing rights(4)

 

 
224

 
224

 

 
224

Total assets
$
30,468

 
$
113,904

 
$
3,192

 
$
147,564

 
$
(72,300
)
 
$
75,264

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices(5)
$

 
$
5,182

 
$
2,669

 
$
7,851

 
$

 
$
7,851

Trading liabilities, excluding derivatives
457

 
4,013

 

 
4,470

 

 
4,470

Derivatives(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
104

 
55,596

 
2

 
55,702

 

 
55,702

Foreign exchange contracts
3

 
13,800

 
31

 
13,834

 

 
13,834

Equity contracts

 
1,232

 
175

 
1,407

 

 
1,407

Precious metals contracts
45

 
1,016

 
2

 
1,063

 

 
1,063

Credit contracts

 
4,888

 
408

 
5,296

 

 
5,296

Derivatives netting

 

 

 

 
(69,925
)
 
(69,925
)
Total derivatives
152

 
76,532

 
618

 
77,302

 
(69,925
)
 
7,377

Long-term debt(6)

 
6,286

 
561

 
6,847

 

 
6,847

Total liabilities
$
609

 
$
92,013

 
$
3,848

 
$
96,470

 
$
(69,925
)
 
$
26,545


65


HSBC USA Inc.

 
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
December 31, 2012
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Gross
Balance
 
Netting(1)
 
Net
Balance
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading Securities, excluding derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises
$
2,484

 
$
369

 
$

 
$
2,853

 
$

 
$
2,853

Collateralized debt obligations

 

 
466

 
466

 

 
466

Asset-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages

 
221

 

 
221

 

 
221

Corporate and other domestic debt securities

 
1,035

 
1,861

 
2,896

 

 
2,896

Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate

 
468

 
299

 
767

 

 
767

Government

 
5,609

 
311

 
5,920

 

 
5,920

Equity securities

 
27

 
9

 
36

 

 
36

Precious metals trading

 
12,332

 

 
12,332

 

 
12,332

Derivatives(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
98

 
66,602

 
8

 
66,708

 

 
66,708

Foreign exchange contracts
4

 
13,825

 
16

 
13,845

 

 
13,845

Equity contracts

 
1,593

 
166

 
1,759

 

 
1,759

Precious metals contracts
135

 
649

 
7

 
791

 

 
791

Credit contracts

 
5,961

 
1,168

 
7,129

 

 
7,129

Derivatives netting

 

 

 

 
(83,367
)
 
(83,367
)
Total derivatives
237

 
88,630

 
1,365

 
90,232

 
(83,367
)
 
6,865

Securities available-for-sale:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises
43,379

 
17,316

 

 
60,695

 

 
60,695

Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions

 
912

 

 
912

 

 
912

Asset-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages

 
1

 

 
1

 

 
1

Commercial mortgages

 
214

 

 
214

 

 
214

Home equity

 
258

 

 
258

 

 
258

Other

 
84

 

 
84

 

 
84

Corporate and other domestic debt securities

 
26

 

 
26

 

 
26

Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate

 
831

 

 
831

 

 
831

Government-backed
42

 
4,480

 

 
4,522

 

 
4,522

Equity securities

 
173

 

 
173

 

 
173

Loans(3)

 
465

 

 
465

 

 
465

Mortgage servicing rights(4)

 

 
168

 
168

 

 
168

Total assets
$
46,142

 
$
133,451

 
$
4,479

 
$
184,072

 
$
(83,367
)
 
$
100,705

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices(5)
$

 
$
6,056

 
$
2,636

 
$
8,692

 
$

 
$
8,692

Trading liabilities, excluding derivatives
207

 
5,767

 

 
5,974

 

 
5,974

Derivatives(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
90

 
66,258

 
1

 
66,349

 

 
66,349

Foreign exchange contracts
25

 
13,770

 
11

 
13,806

 

 
13,806

Equity contracts

 
1,244

 
173

 
1,417

 

 
1,417

Precious metals contracts
19

 
712

 
7

 
738

 

 
738

Credit contracts

 
6,754

 
597

 
7,351

 

 
7,351

Derivatives netting

 

 

 

 
(79,580
)
 
(79,580
)
Total derivatives
134

 
88,738

 
789

 
89,661

 
(79,580
)
 
10,081

Long-term debt(6)

 
6,851

 
429

 
7,280

 

 
7,280

Total liabilities
$
341

 
$
107,412

 
$
3,854

 
$
111,607

 
$
(79,580
)
 
$
32,027

 
(1) 
Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting which allow the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts if certain conditions are met.
(2) 
Includes trading derivative assets of $4.6 billion and $5.4 billion and trading derivative liabilities of $6.6 billion and $8.7 billion as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, as well as derivatives held for hedging and commitments accounted for as derivatives.

66


HSBC USA Inc.

(3) 
Includes leveraged acquisition finance and other commercial loans held for sale or risk-managed on a fair value basis for which we have elected to apply the fair value option. See Note 7, “Loans Held for Sale,” for further information.
(4) 
See Note 8, “Intangible Assets,” for additional information.
(5) 
Represents structured deposits risk-managed on a fair value basis for which we have elected to apply the fair value option.
(6) 
Includes structured notes and own debt issuances which we have elected to measure on a fair value basis.
Transfers between leveling categories are recognized at the end of each reporting period.
Transfers between Levels 1 and 2  There were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during September 30, 2013 and 2012.
Information on Level 3 assets and liabilities  The following table summarizes additional information about changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. As a risk management practice, we may risk manage the Level 3 assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, using securities and derivative positions that are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 measurements within the fair value hierarchy. Since those Level 1 and Level 2 risk management positions are not included in the table below, the information provided does not reflect the effect of such risk management activities related to the Level 3 assets and liabilities.
  
Jul.  1,
2013
 
Total Gains and  (Losses) Included in(1)
 
Purch-
ases
 
Issu-
ances
 
Settle-
ments
 
Transfers
Into
Level 3
 
Transfers
Out of
Level 3
 
Sep. 30,
2013
 
Current
Period
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
 
Trading
Revenue
(Loss)
 
Other
Revenue
 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading assets, excluding derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized debt obligations
$
227

 
$
21

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
245

 
$
20

Corporate and other domestic debt securities
1,498

 

 

 
15

 

 

 

 

 
1,513

 

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities
285

 
6

 

 

 

 
(99
)
 

 

 
192

 
6

Government debt securities issued by foreign entities
135

 
(7
)
 

 

 

 
(7
)
 

 

 
121

 
(8
)
Equity securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives, net(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
(1
)
 

 
2

 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 
2

Foreign exchange contracts
104

 
6

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
1

 

 
105

 

Equity contracts
(83
)
 
50

 

 

 

 
(5
)
 
4

 
(4
)
 
(38
)
 
47

Precious metals contracts

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Credit contracts
225

 
(26
)
 

 

 

 
14

 

 

 
213

 
(18
)
Mortgage servicing rights(4)
225

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
224

 
(1
)
Total assets
$
2,615

 
$
49

 
$
1

 
$
15

 
$

 
$
(106
)
 
$
5

 
$
(4
)
 
$
2,575

 
$
47

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices
$
(2,662
)
 
$
(26
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(73
)
 
$
123

 
$
(110
)
 
$
79

 
(2,669
)
 
$
(11
)
Long-term debt
(458
)
 
(17
)
 

 

 
(156
)
 
46

 

 
24

 
(561
)
 
(25
)
Total liabilities
$
(3,120
)
 
$
(43
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(229
)
 
$
169

 
$
(110
)
 
$
103

 
$
(3,230
)
 
$
(36
)


67


HSBC USA Inc.

  
Jan. 1,
2013
 
Total Gains and  (Losses) Included in(1)
 
Purch-
ases
 
Issu-
ances
 
Settle-
ments
 
Transfers
Into
Level 3
 
Transfers
Out of
Level 3
 
Sep. 30,
2013
 
Current
Period
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
 
Trading
Revenue
(Loss)
 
Other
Revenue
 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading assets, excluding derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized debt obligations
$
466

 
$
139

 
$

 
$
236

 
$

 
$
(596
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
245

 
$
137

Corporate and other domestic debt securities
1,861

 
28

 

 
46

 

 
(422
)
 

 

 
1,513

 
28

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities
299

 
(8
)
 

 

 

 
(99
)
 

 

 
192

 
(8
)
Government debt securities issued by foreign entities
311

 
14

 

 

 

 
(204
)
 

 

 
121

 
2

Equity securities
9

 
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
Derivatives, net(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
7

 

 
(6
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 
(7
)
Foreign exchange contracts
5

 
2

 

 

 

 
110

 
(12
)
 

 
105

 
107

Equity contracts
(7
)
 
30

 

 

 

 
(52
)
 
16

 
(25
)
 
(38
)
 
(28
)
Precious metals contracts

 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Credit contracts
571

 
(186
)
 

 

 

 
(126
)
 
(46
)
 

 
213

 
(287
)
Mortgage servicing rights(4)
168

 

 
45

 

 
11

 

 

 

 
224

 
45

Total assets
$
3,690

 
$
13

 
$
39

 
$
282

 
$
11

 
$
(1,393
)
 
$
(42
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$
2,575

 
$
(17
)
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices
$
(2,636
)
 
$
98

 
$

 
$

 
$
(558
)
 
$
326

 
$
(265
)
 
$
366

 
(2,669
)
 
$
(79
)
Long-term debt
(429
)
 
(33
)
 

 

 
(425
)
 
165

 

 
161

 
(561
)
 
(16
)
Total liabilities
$
(3,065
)
 
$
65

 
$

 
$

 
$
(983
)
 
$
491

 
$
(265
)
 
$
527

 
$
(3,230
)
 
$
(95
)


68


HSBC USA Inc.

  
Jul. 1,
2012
 
Total Gains and  (Losses) Included in(1)
 
Purch-
ases
 
Issu-
ances
 
Settle-
ments
 
Transfers
Into
Level 3
 
Transfers
Out of
Level 3
 
Sep. 30,
2012
 
Current
Period
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
 
Trading
Revenue
(Loss)
 
Other
Revenue
 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading assets, excluding derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized debt obligations
$
658

 
$
44

 
$

 
$
20

 
$

 
$
(84
)
 
$
40

 
$

 
$
678

 
$
30

Corporate and other domestic debt securities
1,599

 
24

 

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 

 
1,618

 
24

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities
688

 
41

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(4
)
 

 

 
724

 
35

Equity securities
12

 
1

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
12

 
1

Derivatives, net(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
12

 

 
2

 

 

 

 

 

 
14

 
1

Foreign exchange contracts
(25
)
 
(12
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 
9

 

 
32

 
3

 
20

Equity contracts
(46
)
 
84

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
1

 
(2
)
 
31

 
71

Precious metals contracts

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Credit contracts
921

 
(227
)
 

 

 

 
(7
)
 
(16
)
 
(370
)
 
301

 
(250
)
Mortgage servicing rights(4)
187

 

 
(20
)
 

 
6

 

 

 

 
173

 
(19
)
Total assets
$
4,006

 
$
(44
)
 
$
(18
)
 
$
19

 
$
5

 
$
(98
)
 
$
25

 
$
(340
)
 
$
3,555

 
$
(86
)
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices
$
(2,908
)
 
$
(81
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(119
)
 
$
94

 
$
2

 
$
132

 
(2,880
)
 
$
(79
)
Long-term debt
(287
)
 
(22
)
 

 

 
(59
)
 
2

 

 
45

 
(321
)
 
(20
)
Total liabilities
$
(3,195
)
 
$
(103
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(178
)
 
$
96

 
$
2

 
$
177

 
$
(3,201
)
 
$
(99
)


69


HSBC USA Inc.

  
Jan. 1,
2012
 
Total Gains and  (Losses) Included in(1)
 
Purch-
ases
 
Issu-
ances
 
Settle-
ments
 
Transfers
Into
Level 3
 
Transfers
Out of
Level 3
 
Sep. 30,
2012
 
Current
Period
Unrealized
Gains
(Losses)
 
Trading
Revenue
(Loss)
 
Other
Revenue
 
 
(in millions)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading assets, excluding derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized debt obligations
$
703

 
$
101

 
$

 
$
45

 
$

 
$
(211
)
 
$
40

 
$

 
$
678

 
$
79

Corporate and other domestic debt securities
1,679

 
42

 

 
101

 

 
(204
)
 

 

 
1,618

 
32

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities
253

 
107

 

 
388

 

 
(24
)
 

 

 
724

 
101

Equity securities
13

 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
12

 

Derivatives, net(2):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
9

 

 
5

 

 

 

 

 

 
14

 
4

Foreign exchange contracts
(1
)
 
(31
)
 

 

 
(6
)
 
11

 
(3
)
 
33

 
3

 
1

Equity contracts
(83
)
 
147

 

 

 

 
(35
)
 

 
2

 
31

 
93

Precious metals contracts

 
1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Credit contracts
1,353

 
(615
)
 

 

 

 
(51
)
 
(16
)
 
(370
)
 
301

 
(605
)
Loans(3)
11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(11
)
 

 
(12
)
Mortgage servicing rights(4)
220

 

 
(67
)
 

 
20

 

 

 

 
173

 
(66
)
Total assets
$
4,157

 
$
(248
)
 
$
(62
)
 
$
534

 
$
14

 
$
(515
)
 
$
21

 
$
(346
)
 
$
3,555

 
$
(372
)
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices
$
(2,867
)
 
$
(158
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(675
)
 
$
254

 
$
(41
)
 
$
607

 
(2,880
)
 
$
(129
)
Long-term debt
(86
)
 
(13
)
 

 

 
(280
)
 
7

 
(7
)
 
58

 
(321
)
 
(16
)
Total liabilities
$
(2,953
)
 
$
(171
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(955
)
 
$
261

 
$
(48
)
 
$
665

 
$
(3,201
)
 
$
(145
)
 
(1) 
Includes realized and unrealized gains and losses.
(2) 
Level 3 net derivatives included derivative assets of $897 million and derivative liabilities of $618 million as of September 30, 2013 and derivative assets of $1.8 billion and derivative liabilities of $1.4 billion as of September 30, 2012.
(3) 
Includes Level 3 corporate lending activities risk-managed on a fair value basis for which we have elected the fair value option.
(4) 
See Note 8, “Intangible Assets,” for additional information.

70


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents quantitative information about the unobservable inputs used to determine the recurring fair value measurement of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 fair value measurements as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
As of September 30, 2013
Financial Instrument Type
 
Fair Value (in millions)
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Range of Inputs
Collateralized debt obligations
 
245

 
Broker quotes or consensus pricing and, where applicable, discounted cash flows
 
Prepayment rates
 
1% - 5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conditional default rates
 
6% - 7%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity rates
 
90% -95%
Corporate and other domestic debt securities
 
1,513

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Spread volatility on collateral assets
 
1% - 3%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Correlation between insurance claim shortfall and collateral value
 
80%
Corporate and government debt securities issued by foreign entities
 
313

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Correlations of default among a portfolio of credit names of embedded credit derivatives
 
36% - 37%
Interest rate derivative contracts
 
1

 
Market comparable adjusted for probability to fund
 
Probability to fund for rate lock commitments
 
10% - 99%
Foreign exchange derivative contracts(1)
 
105

 
Option pricing model
 
Implied volatility of currency pairs
 
10% - 14%
Equity derivative contracts(1)
 
(38
)
 
Option pricing model
 
Equity / Equity Index volatility
 
7% - 81%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity and Equity / Index correlation
 
51% - 60%
Credit derivative contracts
 
213

 
Option pricing model
 
Correlation of defaults of a portfolio of reference credit names
 
37% - 52%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuer by issuer correlation of defaults
 
83% - 95%
Mortgage servicing rights
 
224

 
Option adjusted discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rates
 
6% - 23%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Option adjusted spread
 
8% - 19%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated annualized costs to service
 
$91 - $333 per account
Deposits in domestic offices (structured deposits) (1)(2)
 
(2,669
)
 
Option adjusted discounted cash flows
 
Implied volatility of currency pairs
 
10% - 14%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity Index volatility
 
7% - 81%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity and Equity / Index correlation
 
51% - 60%
Long-term debt (structured notes) (1)(2)
 
(561
)
 
Option adjusted discounted cash flows
 
Implied volatility of currency pairs
 
10% - 14%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity Index volatility
 
7% - 81%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity and Equity / Index correlation
 
51% - 60%


71


HSBC USA Inc.

As of December 31, 2012
Financial Instrument Type
 
Fair Value (in millions)
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Range of Inputs
Collateralized debt obligations
 
466

 
Broker quotes or consensus pricing and, where applicable, discounted cash flows
 
Prepayment rates
 
-% - 6%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conditional default rates
 
4% - 14%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss severity rates
 
50% - 100%
Corporate and other domestic debt securities
 
1,861

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Spread volatility on collateral assets
 
2% - 4%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Correlation between insurance claim shortfall and collateral value
 
80%
Corporate and government debt securities issued by foreign entities
 
610

 
Discounted cash flows
 
Correlations of default among a portfolio of credit names of embedded credit derivatives
 
29%
Equity securities (investments in hedge funds)
 
9

 
Net asset value of hedge funds
 
Range of fair value adjustments to reflect restrictions on timing and amount of redemption and realization risks
 
30% - 100%
Interest rate derivative contracts
 
7

 
Market comparable adjusted for probability to fund
 
Probability to fund for rate lock commitments
 
8% - 100%
Foreign exchange derivative contracts(1)
 
5

 
Option pricing model
 
Implied volatility of currency pairs
 
2% - 21%
Equity derivative contracts(1)
 
(7
)
 
Option pricing model
 
Equity / Equity Index volatility
 
6% - 104%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity and Equity / Index correlation
 
56% - 64%
Credit derivative contracts
 
571

 
Option pricing model
 
Correlation of defaults of a portfolio of reference credit names
 
32% - 45%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industry by industry correlation of defaults
 
44% - 67%
Mortgage servicing rights
 
168

 
Option adjusted discounted cash flows
 
Constant prepayment rates
 
9% - 45%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Option adjusted spread
 
8% - 19%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Estimated annualized costs to service
 
$98 - $263 per account
Deposits in domestic offices (structured deposits) (1)(2)
 
(2,636
)
 
Option adjusted discounted cash flows
 
Implied volatility of currency pairs
 
2% - 21%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity Index volatility
 
6% - 104%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity and Equity / Index correlation
 
56% - 64%
Long-term debt (structured notes) (1)(2)
 
(429
)
 
Option adjusted discounted cash flows
 
Implied volatility of currency pairs
 
2% - 21%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity Index volatility
 
6% - 104%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity / Equity and Equity / Index correlation
 
56% - 64%
 
(1) 
We are the client-facing entity and we enter into identical but opposite derivatives to transfer the resultant risks to our affiliates. With the exception of counterparty credit risks, we are market neutral. The corresponding intra-group derivatives are presented as equity derivatives and foreign currency derivatives in the table.
(2) 
Structured deposits and structured notes contain embedded derivative features whose fair value measurements contain significant Level 3 inputs.
Significant Unobservable Inputs for Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Collateralized Debt Obligations (CDOs)
Prepayment rate - The rate at which borrowers pay off the mortgage loans early. The prepayment rate is affected by a number of factors including the location of the mortgage collateral, the interest rate type of the mortgage loans, borrowers' credit and sensitivity to interest rate movement. The prepayment rate of our CDOs portfolio is tilted towards the low end of the range.
Default rate - Annualized percentage of default rate over a group of collateral such as residential or commercial mortgage loans. The default rate and loss severity rate are positively correlated. The default rate of our portfolio is close to the mid point of the range.

72


HSBC USA Inc.

Loss Severity Rate - Included in our Level 3 CDOs portfolio are collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and trust preferred securities which are about equally distributed. The loss severity rate for trust preferred securities as of September 30, 2013 is about 1.8 times of CLOs.
Derivatives
Correlation of Default - The default correlation of a group of credit exposures measures the likelihood that the credit references within a group will default together. The default correlation is a significant input to structured credit products such as nth-to-default swaps. In addition, the correlation between the currency and the default risk of the reference credits is a critical input to a foreign currency denominated credit default swap where the correlation is not observable.
Implied volatility - The implied volatility is a significant pricing input for freestanding or embedded options including equity, foreign currency and interest rate options. The level of volatility is a function of the nature of the underlying risk, the level of strike price and the years to maturity of the option. Depending on the underlying risk and tenure, we determine the implied volatility based on observable input where information is available. However, substantially all of the implied volatilities are derived based on historical information. The implied volatility for different foreign currency pairs is between 10% and 14% while the implied volatility for equity/equity or equity/equity index is between 7% and 81%, respectively at September 30, 2013. Although implied foreign currency volatility and equity volatility appear to be widely distributed at the portfolio level, the deviation of implied volatility on a trade-by-trade basis is narrower. The average deviation of implied volatility for the foreign currency pair and at-the-money equity option are 4.4% and 4.6%, respectively at September 30, 2013.
Correlations of a group of foreign currency or equity - Correlation measures the relative change in values among two or more variables (i.e., equity or foreign currency pair). Variables can be positively or negatively correlated. Correlation is a key input in determining the fair value of a derivative referenced to a basket of variables such as equities or foreign currencies. A majority of the correlations are not observable, but are derived based on historical data. The correlation between equity/equity and equity/equity index was between 51% and 60% at September 30, 2013.
Sensitivity of Level 3 Inputs to Fair Value Measurements
Collateralized Debt Obligations - Probability of default, prepayment speed and loss severity rate are significant unobservable inputs. Significant increase (decrease) in these inputs will result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement of a collateralized debt obligation. A change in assumption for default probability is often accompanied by a directionally similar change in loss severity, and a directionally opposite change in prepayment speed.
Corporate and Domestic Debt Securities - The fair value measurements of certain corporate debt securities are affected by the fair value of the underlying portfolios of investments used as collateral and the make-whole guarantee provided by third party guarantors. The probability that the collateral fair value declines below the collateral call threshold concurrent with the guarantors failure to perform its make whole obligation is unobservable. The increase (decrease) in the probability the collateral value falls below the collateral call threshold is often accompanied by a directionally similar change in default probability of the guarantor.
Credit derivatives - Correlation of default among a basket of reference credit names is a significant unobservable input if the credit attributes of the portfolio are not within the parameters of relevant standardized CDS indices. Significant increase (decrease) in the unobservable input will result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement of the credit derivative. A change in assumption for default correlation is often accompanied by a directionally similar change in default probability and loss rates of other credit names in the basket.
Equity and foreign currency derivatives - The fair value measurement of a structured equity or foreign currency derivative is primarily affected by the implied volatility of the underlying equity price or exchange rate of the paired foreign currencies. The implied volatility is not observable. Significant increase (decrease) in the implied volatility will result in a higher (lower) fair value of a long position in the derivative contract.
Significant Additions to and Transfers Into (Out of) Level 3 Measurements During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we transferred $46 million of credit derivatives from Level 2 to Level 3 as result of including specific fair value adjustments related to certain credit default swaps. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we transferred $79 million and $366 million, respectively, of deposits in domestic offices and $24 million and $161 million, respectively, of long-term debt, which we have elected to carry at fair value, from Level 3 to Level 2 as a result of the embedded derivative no longer being unobservable as the derivative option is closer to maturity and there is more observability in short term volatility. Additionally, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we transferred $110 million and $265 million, respectively, of deposits in domestic offices, which we have elected to carry at fair value, from Level 2 to Level 3 as a result of a change in the observability of underlying instruments that resulted in the embedded derivative being unobservable.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we transferred $132 million and $607 million, respectively, of deposits in domestic offices, which we have elected to carry at fair value, from Level 3 to Level 2 as a result of the embedded

73


HSBC USA Inc.

derivative no longer being unobservable as the derivative option is closer in maturity and there is more observability in short term volatility.
Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis  Certain financial and non-financial assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and therefore, are not included in the tables above. These assets include (a) mortgage and consumer loans classified as held for sale reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and (b) impaired loans or assets that are written down to fair value based on the valuation of underlying collateral during the period. These instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustment in certain circumstances (e.g., impairment). The following table presents the fair value hierarchy level within which the fair value of the financial and non-financial assets has been recorded as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. The gains (losses) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are also included.
 
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
as of September 30, 2013
 
Total Gains (Losses)
For the Three Months Ended September 30 2013
 
Total Gains (Losses)
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30 2013
  
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Residential mortgage loans held for sale(1)
$

 
$
31

 
$
63

 
$
94

 
$
(14
)
 
$
(4
)
Impaired commercial loans(2)

 

 
69

 
69

 
19

 
17

Consumer loans(3)

 
437

 

 
437

 
(20
)
 
(38
)
Real estate owned(4)
16

 

 

 
16

 
(2
)
 

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis
$
16

 
$
468

 
$
132

 
$
616

 
$
(17
)
 
$
(25
)
 
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
as of December 31, 2012
 
Total Gains (Losses)
For the Three Months Ended September 30 2012
 
Total Gains (Losses)
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30 2012
  
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Residential mortgage loans held for sale(1)
$

 
$
10

 
$
67

 
$
77

 
$
3

 
$
(4
)
Impaired commercial loans(2)

 

 
155

 
155

 
(4
)
 
(27
)
Consumer loans(3)

 
712

 

 
712

 
(20
)
 
(58
)
Real estate owned(4)
24

 

 

 
24

 
1

 
3

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis
$
24

 
$
722

 
$
222

 
$
968

 
$
(20
)
 
$
(86
)
 
(1) 
As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the fair value of the loans held for sale was below cost. Certain residential mortgage loans held for sale have been classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy as the underlying real estate properties which determine fair value are illiquid assets as a result of market conditions and significant inputs in estimating fair value were unobservable. Additionally, the fair value of these properties is affected by, among other things, the location, the payment history and the completeness of the loan documentation.
(2) 
Certain commercial loans have undergone troubled debt restructurings and are considered impaired. As a matter of practical expedient, we measure the credit impairment of a collateral-dependent loan based on the fair value of the collateral asset. The collateral often involves real estate properties that are illiquid due to market conditions. As a result, these loans are classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy.
(3) 
Represents residential mortgage loans held for investment whose carrying amount was reduced during the periods presented based on the fair value of the underlying collateral.
(4) 
Real estate owned are required to be reported on the balance sheet net of transactions costs. The real estate owned amounts in the table above reflect the fair value unadjusted for transaction costs.

74


HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents quantitative information about non-recurring fair value measurements of assets and liabilities classified with Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
As of September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Instrument Type
 
Fair Value (in millions)
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Range of Inputs
Residential mortgage loans held for sale
 
$
63

 
Valuation of third party appraisal on underlying collateral
 
Loss severity rates
 
-% - 100%
Impaired commercial loans
 
69

 
Valuation of third party appraisal on underlying collateral
 
Loss severity rates
 
-% - 81%
As of December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Instrument Type
 
Fair Value (in millions)
 
Valuation Technique(s)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Range of Inputs
Residential mortgage loans held for sale
 
$
67

 
Valuation of third party appraisal on underlying collateral
 
Loss severity rates
 
-% - 100%
Impaired commercial loans
 
155

 
Valuation of third party appraisal on underlying collateral
 
Loss severity rates
 
1% - 79%
Significant Unobservable Inputs for Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Residential mortgage loans held for sale primarily represent subprime residential mortgage loans which were previously acquired with the intent of securitizing or selling them to third parties. The weighted average loss severity rate for these loans was approximately 59% at September 30, 2013. These severity rates are primarily impacted by the value of the underlying collateral securing the loans.
Impaired loans represent commercial loans. The weighted average severity rate for these loans was approximately 34% at September 30, 2013. These severity rates are primarily impacted by the value of the underlying collateral securing the loans.
Valuation Techniques  Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating fair value for those financial instruments not recorded at fair value for which fair value disclosure is required.
Short-term financial assets and liabilities - The carrying amount of certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost is considered to approximate fair value because they are short-term in nature, bear interest rates that approximate market rates, and generally have negligible credit risk. These items include cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits with banks, accrued interest receivable, customer acceptance assets and liabilities and short-term borrowings.
Federal funds sold and purchased and securities purchased and sold under resale and repurchase agreements - Federal funds sold and purchased and securities purchased and sold under resale and repurchase agreements are recorded at cost. A significant majority of these transactions are short-term in nature and, as such, the recorded amounts approximate fair value. For transactions with long-dated maturities, fair value is based on dealer quotes for instruments with similar terms and collateral.
Loans - Except for leveraged loans, selected residential mortgage loans and certain foreign currency denominated commercial loans, we do not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. From time to time, we record impairments to loans. The write-downs can be based on observable market price of the loan or the underlying collateral value. In addition, fair value estimates are determined based on the product type, financial characteristics, pricing features and maturity.
Mortgage Loans Held for Sale – Certain residential mortgage loans are classified as held for sale and are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The fair value of these mortgage loans is determined based on the valuation information observed in alternative exit markets, such as the whole loan market, adjusted for portfolio specific factors. These factors include the location of the collateral, the loan-to-value ratio, the estimated rate and timing of default, the probability of default or foreclosure and loss severity if foreclosure does occur.
Leveraged Loans – We record leveraged loans and revolvers held for sale at fair value. Where available, market consensus pricing obtained from independent sources is used to estimate the fair value of the leveraged loans and revolvers. In validating the fair value, we take into consideration the number of participants submitting pricing information, the range of pricing information and distribution, the methodology applied by the pricing services to cleanse the data and market liquidity. Where consensus pricing information is not available, fair value is estimated using observable market prices of similar instruments or inputs, including bonds, credit derivatives, and loans with similar characteristics. Where observable market parameters are not available, fair value is determined based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for the probability of default and estimated recoveries where applicable, discounted at the rate demanded by market participants under current market conditions. In those

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cases, we also consider the loan specific attributes and inherent credit risk and risk mitigating factors such as collateral arrangements.
Commercial Loans – Commercial loans and commercial real estate loans are valued by discounting the contractual cash flows, adjusted for prepayments and the borrower’s credit risk, using a discount rate that reflects the current rates offered to borrowers of similar credit standing for the remaining term to maturity and, when applicable, our own estimate of liquidity premium.
Commercial impaired loans – Generally represents collateral dependent commercial loans with fair value determined based on pricing quotes obtained from an independent third party appraisal.
Consumer Loans – The estimated fair value of our consumer loans were determined by developing an approximate range of value from a mix of various sources as appropriate for the respective pool of assets. These sources included estimates from an HSBC affiliate which reflect over-the-counter trading activity, forward looking discounted cash flow models using assumptions consistent with those which would be used by market participants in valuing such receivables; trading input from other market participants which includes observed primary and secondary trades; where appropriate, the impact of current estimated rating agency credit tranching levels with the associated benchmark credit spreads; and general discussions held directly with potential investors. For revolving products, the estimated fair value excludes future draws on the available credit line as well as other items and, therefore, does not include the fair value of the entire relationship.
Valuation inputs include estimates of future interest rates, prepayment speeds, default and loss curves, estimated collateral value and market discount rates reflecting management’s estimate of the rate that would be required by investors in the current market given the specific characteristics and inherent credit risk of the receivables. Some of these inputs are influenced by collateral value changes and unemployment rates. Where available, such inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data. We perform analytical reviews of fair value changes on a quarterly basis and periodically validate our valuation methodologies and assumptions based on the results of actual sales of such receivables. In addition, from time to time, we may engage a third party valuation specialist to measure the fair value of a pool of receivables. Portfolio risk management personnel provide further validation through discussions with third party brokers and other market participants. Since an active market for these receivables does not exist, the fair value measurement process uses unobservable significant inputs specific to the performance characteristics of the various receivable portfolios.
Lending-related commitments - The fair value of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees are not included in the table. The majority of the lending related commitments are not carried at fair value on a recurring basis nor are they actively traded. These instruments generate fees, which approximate those currently charged to originate similar commitments, which are recognized over the term of the commitment period. Deferred fees on commitments and standby letters of credit totaled $40 million and $46 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Precious metals trading - Precious metals trading primarily includes physical inventory which is valued using spot prices.
 Securities - Where available, debt and equity securities are valued based on quoted market prices. If a quoted market price for the identical security is not available, the security is valued based on quotes from similar securities, where possible. For certain securities, internally developed valuation models are used to determine fair values or validate quotes obtained from pricing services. The following summarizes the valuation methodology used for our major security classes:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed and Obligations of U.S. state and political subdivisions – As these securities transact in an active market, fair value measurements are based on quoted prices for the identical security or quoted prices for similar securities with adjustments as necessary made using observable inputs which are market corroborated.
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises – For government sponsored mortgage-backed securities which transact in an active market, fair value measurements are based on quoted prices for the identical security or quoted prices for similar securities with adjustments as necessary made using observable inputs which are market corroborated. For government sponsored mortgage-backed securities which do not transact in an active market, fair value is determined primarily based on pricing information obtained from pricing services and is verified by internal review processes.
Asset-backed securities, including collateralized debt obligations – Fair value is primarily determined based on pricing information obtained from independent pricing services adjusted for the characteristics and the performance of the underlying collateral.

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The following tables provide additional information relating to asset-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations as of September 30, 2013:
Trading residential mortgage asset-backed securities:
 
 
 
Alt-A
 
Subprime
 
 
Rating of Securities:(1)
Collateral Type:
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
AAA -A
Residential mortgages
 
$
90

 
$

 
$
69

 
$

 
$
159

CCC-Unrated
Residential mortgages
 

 

 
4

 

 
4

 
 
 
$
90

 
$

 
$
73

 
$

 
$
163

Other trading asset-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations:
Rating of Securities:(1)
Collateral Type:
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
 
(in millions)
AAA -A
Student loans
$
74

 
$

BBB -B
Collateralized debt obligations

 
245

 
 
$
74

 
$
245

Available-for-sale securities backed by collateral:
 
 
Commercial
Mortgages
 
Alt-A
 
 
Rating of Securities:(1)
Collateral Type:
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
(in millions)
AAA -A
Commercial mortgages
$
135

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
135

 
Home equity

 

 
100

 

 
100

 
Total AAA -A
135

 

 
100

 

 
235

BBB -B
Other

 

 
103

 

 
103

 
Total BBB -B

 

 
103

 

 
103

CCC -Unrated
Residential mortgages

 

 
2

 

 
2

 
Home equity

 

 
130

 

 
130

 
Total CCC -Unrated

 

 
132

 

 
132

 
 
$
135

 
$

 
$
335

 
$

 
$
470

 
(1)  
We utilize Standard & Poor's ("S&P") as the primary source of credit ratings in the tables above. If S&P ratings are not available, ratings by Moody's and Fitch are used in that order. Ratings for collateralized debt obligations represent the ratings associated with the underlying collateral.
Other domestic debt and foreign debt securities (corporate and government) - For non-callable corporate securities, a credit spread scale is created for each issuer. These spreads are then added to the equivalent maturity U.S. Treasury yield to determine current pricing. Credit spreads are obtained from the new market, secondary trading levels and dealer quotes. For securities with early redemption features, an option adjusted spread (“OAS”) model is incorporated to adjust the spreads determined above. Additionally, we survey the broker/dealer community to obtain relevant trade data including benchmark quotes and updated spreads.
Equity securities – Except for those legacy investments in hedge funds, since most of our securities are transacted in active markets, fair value measurements are determined based on quoted prices for the identical security. For hedge fund investments, we receive monthly statements from the investment manager with the estimated fair value.
Derivatives – Derivatives are recorded at fair value. Asset and liability positions in individual derivatives that are covered by legally enforceable master netting agreements, including receivables (payables) for cash collateral posted (received), are offset and presented net in accordance with accounting principles which allow the offsetting of amounts.
Derivatives traded on an exchange are valued using quoted prices. OTC derivatives, which comprise a majority of derivative contract positions, are valued using valuation techniques. The fair value for the majority of our derivative instruments are determined

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based on internally developed models that utilize independently corroborated market parameters, including interest rate yield curves, option volatilities, and currency rates. For complex or long-dated derivative products where market data is not available, fair value may be affected by the underlying assumptions about, among other things, the timing of cash flows, expected exposure, probability of default and recovery rates. The fair values of certain structured derivative products are sensitive to unobservable inputs such as default correlations of the referenced credit and volatilities of embedded options. These estimates are susceptible to significant change in future periods as market conditions change.
We use the Overnight Indexed Swap (OIS) curves as inputs to measure the fair value of collateralized interest rate derivatives.
Significant inputs related to derivative classes are broken down as follows:
Credit Derivatives – Use credit default curves and recovery rates which are generally provided by broker quotes and various pricing services. Certain credit derivatives may also use correlation inputs in their model valuation. Correlation is derived using market quotes from brokers and various pricing services.
Interest Rate Derivatives – Swaps use interest rate curves based on currency that are actively quoted by brokers and other pricing services. Options will also use volatility inputs which are also quoted in the broker market.
Foreign Exchange (“FX”) Derivatives – FX transactions use spot and forward FX rates which are quoted in the broker market.
Equity Derivatives – Use listed equity security pricing and implied volatilities from equity traded options position.
Precious Metal Derivative – Use spot and forward metal rates which are quoted in the broker market.
As discussed earlier, we make fair value adjustments to model valuations in order to ensure that those values represent appropriate estimates of fair value. These adjustments, which are applied consistently over time, are generally required to reflect factors such as bid-ask spreads and counterparty credit risk that can affect prices in arms-length transactions with unrelated third parties. Such adjustments are based on management judgment and may not be observable.
We estimate the counterparty credit risk for financial assets and own credit standing for financial liabilities (the “credit risk adjustments”) in determining the fair value measurement. For derivative instruments, we calculate the credit risk adjustment by applying the probability of default of the counterparty to the expected exposure, and multiplying the result by the expected loss given default. We also take into consideration the risk mitigating factors including collateral agreements and master netting arrangements in determining credit risk adjustments. We estimate the implied probability of default based on the credit spreads of the counterparty. Where credit default spread of the counterparty is not available, we use the credit default spread of specific proxy (e.g., the CDS spread of the parent). Where specific proxy credit default swap is not available, we apply a blended approach based on a combination of credit default swap referencing to credit names of similar credit standing and the historical rating-based probability of default.
Real estate owned - Fair value is determined based on third party appraisals obtained at the time we take title to the property and, if less than the carrying amount of the loan, the carrying amount of the loan is adjusted to the fair value. The carrying amount of the property is further reduced, if necessary, not less than once every 45 days to reflect observable local market data including local area sales data.
Mortgage servicing rights - We elected to measure residential mortgage servicing rights, which are classified as intangible assets, at fair value. The fair value for the residential mortgage servicing rights is determined based on an option adjusted approach which involves discounting servicing cash flows under various interest rate projections at risk-adjusted rates. The valuation model also incorporates our best estimate of the prepayment speed of the mortgage loans, current cost to service and discount rates which are unobservable. As changes in interest rates is a key factor affecting the prepayment speed and hence the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights, we use various interest rate derivatives and forward purchase contracts of mortgage-backed securities to risk-manage the mortgage servicing rights.
Structured notes – Structured notes are hybrid instruments containing embedded derivatives. Certain structured notes were elected to be measured at fair value in their entirety under fair value option accounting principles. The valuation of the hybrid instruments is predominantly driven by the derivative features embedded within the instruments. The valuation of embedded derivatives may include significant unobservable inputs such as correlation of the referenced credit names or volatility of the embedded option. Cash flows of the funded notes are discounted at the appropriate rate for the applicable duration of the instrument adjusted for our own credit spreads. The credit spreads so applied are determined with reference to our own debt issuance rates observed in the primary and secondary markets, internal funding rates, and the structured note rates in recent executions.
Long-term debt – We elected to apply fair value option to certain own debt issuances for which fair value hedge accounting otherwise would have been applied. These own debt issuances elected under FVO are traded in secondary markets and, as such, the fair value is determined based on observed prices for the specific instrument. The observed market price of these instruments

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reflects the effect of our own credit spreads. The credit spreads applied to these instruments were derived from the spreads at the measurement date.
For long-term debt recorded at cost, fair value is determined based on quoted market prices where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on dealer quotes, quoted prices of similar instruments, or internally developed valuation models adjusted for own credit risks.
Deposits – For fair value disclosure purposes, the carrying amount of deposits with no stated maturity (e.g., demand, savings, and certain money market deposits), which represents the amount payable upon demand, is considered to generally approximate fair value. For deposits with fixed maturities, fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using market interest rates currently offered on deposits with similar characteristics and maturities.

20. Litigation and Regulatory Matters
 
In addition to the matters described below, in the ordinary course of business, we are routinely named as defendants in, or as parties to, various legal actions and proceedings relating to activities of our current and/or former operations. These legal actions and proceedings may include claims for substantial or indeterminate compensatory or punitive damages, or for injunctive relief. In the ordinary course of business, we also are subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information-gathering requests, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal), certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. In connection with formal and informal inquiries by these regulators, we receive numerous requests, subpoenas and orders seeking documents, testimony and other information in connection with various aspects of our regulated activities.
In view of the inherent unpredictability of litigation and regulatory matters, particularly where the damages sought are substantial or indeterminate or when the proceedings or investigations are in the early stages, we cannot determine with any degree of certainty the timing or ultimate resolution of litigation and regulatory matters or the eventual loss, fines, penalties or business impact, if any, that may result. We establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving litigation and regulatory matters, however, may be substantially higher than the amounts reserved for those matters.
For the litigation and governmental and regulatory matters disclosed below as to which a loss in excess of accrued liability is reasonably possible in future periods and for which there is sufficient currently available information on the basis of which management believes it can make a reliable estimate, we believe a reasonable estimate could be as much as $1.8 billion. The litigation and governmental and regulatory matters underlying this estimate of possible loss will change from time to time and actual results may vary significantly from this current estimate.
Given the substantial or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters, and the inherent unpredictability of such matters, an adverse outcome in certain of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements in particular quarterly or annual periods.
Litigation
Credit Card Litigation  Since June 2005, HSBC Bank USA, HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC North America and HSBC, as well as other banks and Visa Inc. and MasterCard Incorporated, have been named as defendants in four class actions filed in Connecticut and the Eastern District of New York: Photos Etc. Corp. et al v. Visa U.S.A., Inc., et al.(D. Conn. No. 3:05-CV-01007 (WWE)); National Association of Convenience Stores, et al. v. Visa U.S.A., Inc., et al.(E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV 4520 (JG)); Jethro Holdings, Inc., et al. v. Visa U.S.A., Inc. et al. (E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV-4521(JG)); and American Booksellers Asps' v. Visa U.S.A., Inc. et al. (E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV-5391 (JG)). Numerous other complaints containing similar allegations were filed across the country against Visa Inc., MasterCard Incorporated and other banks. Various individual (non-class) actions were also brought by merchants against Visa Inc. and MasterCard Incorporated. These class and individual merchant actions principally allege that the imposition of a no-surcharge rule by the associations and/or the establishment of the interchange fee charged for credit card transactions causes the merchant discount fee paid by retailers to be set at supracompetitive levels in violation of the Federal antitrust laws. These suits were consolidated and transferred to the Eastern District of New York. The consolidated case is: In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720, E.D.N.Y. (“MDL 1720”). On February 7, 2011, MasterCard Incorporated, Visa Inc., the other defendants, including HSBC Bank USA, and certain affiliates of the defendants entered into settlement and judgment sharing agreements (the “Sharing Agreements”) that provide for the apportionment of certain defined costs and liabilities that the defendants, including HSBC Bank USA and our affiliates, may incur, jointly and/or severally, in the event of an adverse judgment or global settlement of one or all of these actions. A class settlement was preliminarily approved by the District Court on November 27, 2012. The class settlement is subject to final approval by the District Court. Pursuant to

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HSBC USA Inc.

the class settlement agreement and the Sharing Agreements, we have deposited our portion of the class settlement amount into an escrow account for payment in the event the class settlement is approved. On October 22, 2012, a settlement agreement with the individual merchant plaintiffs became effective, and pursuant to the Sharing Agreements we have deposited our portion of that settlement amount into an escrow account.
Numerous merchants-including absent class member large and small merchants and certain named plaintiff merchants and trade associations-have objected and/or opted out of the settlement during the exclusion period, which ended on May 28, 2013. Visa's and MasterCard's analysis of the data determined that the defendants had the right to terminate the settlement agreement because the volume threshold was reached, but elected not to do so. We anticipate that most of the larger merchants who opted out of the settlement will initiate separate actions seeking to recover damages. A hearing on class plaintiffs' motion for final approval of the class settlement was held on September 12, 2013, before the District Court. The parties now await the District Court's decision. 
Checking Account Overdraft Litigation   On March 1, 2011 an action captioned Ofra Levin et al v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 650562/11) (the “State Action”) was filed in New York State Court on behalf of a putative New York class of customers who allegedly incurred overdraft fees due to the posting order of debit card transactions. We filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which was granted in part with leave to amend.
Subsequently, plaintiffs (the “Levin Plaintiffs”) in the State Action acquired new attorneys and filed a new action in federal court, captioned Ofra Levin et al. v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (E.D.N.Y. 12-CV-5696) (the “Levin Federal Action”). The Levin Federal Action seeks relief for a putative nationwide class and a putative New York subclass, asserting the same claims as the State Action and adding allegations that deposited funds are not made available pursuant to HSBC's funds availability disclosures. The Levin Plaintiffs also filed a motion to dismiss the State Action, which the state court denied.
The Levin Plaintiffs' former counsel amended the complaint in the State Action substituting a new named plaintiff, Darek Jura, and the State Action was recaptioned In Re HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Checking Account Overdraft Litigation. Jura then filed a motion for class certification. HSBC's response deadline has not been set, as the State Action is being held in abeyance until August 14, 2013. Jura also filed a federal action captioned Darek Jura v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (E.D.N.Y. 12-CV-6224) (the “Jura Federal Action”), presenting similar claims to the State Action.
On February 20, 2013, a fourth action captioned Hanes v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (E.D. Va. 13-CV-00229) (the "Hanes Action") was filed. The Hanes Action presents similar claims to the previously filed actions and seeks relief for a putative nationwide class and a putative California subclass.
We subsequently sought centralization of all three federal actions with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ("JPML"), and on June 5, 2013, the JPML created the HSBC Overdraft MDL and transferred the Hanes Action to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York ("EDNY") for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings with the Levin Federal Action and the Jura Federal Action. HSBC has filed motions to dismiss in each of the three federal actions,
On July 22, 2013 the EDNY issued an Order which: (1) consolidated the three federal actions; (2) appointed counsel in the Jura Federal Action and the Hanes Action as interim class counsel; (3) ordered the interim class counsel to file a consolidated complaint within 30 days; and (4) denied HSBC's previously filed motions to dismiss as moot, without prejudice. Interim class counsel filed their consolidated complaint on September 30, 2013. Additionally, the plaintiffs in each of the underlying federal actions, respectively, have served written discovery, and HSBC has responded and made productions in each of the actions.
DeKalb County, et al. v. HSBC North America Holdings Inc., et al. In October 2012, three of the five counties constituting the metropolitan area of Atlanta, Georgia, filed a lawsuit pursuant to the Fair Housing Act against HSBC North America and numerous subsidiaries, including HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC Bank USA, in connection with residential mortgage lending, servicing and financing activities. In the action, captioned DeKalb County, Fulton County, and Cobb County, Georgia v. HSBC North America Holdings Inc., et al. (N.D. Ga. No. 12-CV-03640), the plaintiff counties assert that the defendants' allegedly discriminatory lending and servicing practices led to increased loan delinquencies, foreclosures and vacancies, which in turn caused the plaintiff counties to incur damages in the form of lost property tax revenues and increased municipal services costs, among other damages. The court denied defendants' motion to dismiss on September 26, 2013.
Lender-Placed Insurance Matters  Lender-placed insurance involves a lender obtaining an insurance policy (hazard or flood insurance) on a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to maintain their own policy. The cost of the lender-placed insurance is then passed on to the borrower. Industry practices with respect to lender-placed insurance are receiving heightened regulatory scrutiny from both federal and state agencies. Beginning in October 2011, a number of mortgage servicers and insurers, including our affiliate, HSBC Insurance (USA) Inc., received subpoenas from the New York Department of Financial Services (the “NYDFS”) with respect to lender-placed insurance activities dating back to September 2005. We have and will continue to provide documentation and information to the NYDFS that is responsive to the subpoena. Additionally, in March 2013, the Massachusetts Attorney General issued a Civil Investigative Demand (“MA LPI CID”) to HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) seeking information

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about lender-placed insurance activities. We are providing responsive documentation and information to the Massachusetts Attorney General and will continue to do so.
Between June 2011 and April 2013, several putative class actions related to lender-placed insurance were filed against various HSBC U.S. entities, including actions against HSBC USA, Inc. and certain of our subsidiaries captioned Montanez et al v. HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) et al. (E.D. Pa. No. 11-CV-4074); West et al. v. HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) et al. (South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, 14th Circuit No. 12-CP-00687); Weller et al. v. HSBC Mortgage Services, Inc. et al. (D. Col. No. 13-CV-00185); and Hoover et al. v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (N.D.N.Y. 13-CV-00149); and Lopez v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (S.D. Fla 13-CV-21104). A new putative class action was filed against HSBC Bank USA and HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA) in the Southern of District of New York on August 21, 2013 entitled, Ross F. Gilmour v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A., et al. (S.D.N.Y. Case No. 1:13-cv-05896-ALC). These actions relate primarily to industry-wide practices, and include allegations regarding the relationships and potential conflicts of interest between the various entities that place the insurance, the value and cost of the insurance that is placed, back-dating policies to the date the borrower allowed it to lapse, self-dealing and insufficient disclosure. HSBC filed motions to dismiss the complaints in the Montanez, Lopez, Weller, and Hoover matters. The Court denied the motion to dismiss in the Lopez matter and we await the court’s ruling on the other motions. In addition, in Montanez, plaintiffs filed a motion for multi-district litigation treatment to consolidate the action with Lopez, which was denied on July 25, 2013. In West, discovery is ongoing.
Private Mortgage Insurance Matters Private Mortgage Insurance (“PMI”) is insurance required to be obtained by home purchasers who provide a down payment less than a certain percentage threshold of the purchase price, typically 20 percent. The insurance generally protects the lender against a default on the loan. In January 2013, a putative class action related to PMI was filed against various HSBC U.S. entities, including HSBC USA, Inc. and certain of our subsidiaries captioned Ba v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al (E.D. Pa. No. 2:13-cv-00072PD). This action relates primarily to industry-wide practices and includes allegations regarding the relationships and potential conflicts of interest between the various entities that place the insurance, self-dealing, insufficient disclosures and improper fees. Following the court’s denial of the defendants’ motion to dismiss, the HSBC entities answered the complaint on August 15, 2013.
People of the State of New York v. HSBC Bank USA, National Association and HSBC Mortgage Corporation (USA). On June 3, 2013, the New York Attorney General ("AG") commenced a special proceeding against HSBC Bank USA and HSBC Mortgage Corporation ("HSBC"), alleging that HSBC repeatedly violated Executive Law 63(12). Specifically, the AG claims that HSBC has an obligation to file a Request for Judicial Intervention ("RJI") at the same time that it files proof of service in a foreclosure action. The filing of an RJI triggers the scheduling of a mandatory settlement conference. According to the AG, the failure to file the RJI causes a significant delay in mandatory settlement conferences being scheduled, during which time the AG alleges additional penalties, fees and interest accrue to the borrower. The AG seeks both a change in HSBC's practices and damages for individual homeowners. HSBC believes it has a number of factual and legal defenses available to the AG's claims. On August 20, 2013, HSBC filed an answer and a motion for summary judgment to dismiss the New York Attorney General's Petition. A hearing was held on the motion on October 17, 2013 and the parties now await the court's decision.
Credit Default Swap Litigation In July 2013 HSBC Bank, HSBC Holdings plc. and HSBC Bank plc. were named as defendants, among others, in three putative class actions filed in federal courts located in New York and Chicago. These class actions allege that the defendants, which include ISDA, Markit and several other financial institutions, conspired to restrain trade in violation of the federal anti-trust laws by, among other things, restricting access to credit default swap pricing exchanges and blocking new entrants into the exchange market, with the purpose and effect of artificially inflating the bid/ask spread paid to buy and sell credit default swaps in the United States. The Plaintiffs in these suits purport to represent a class of all persons who purchased or sold credit default swaps to defendants in the United States. Four additional putative class actions alleging violations of federal anti-trust laws concerning market practices relating to credit default swaps were filed in July and August 2013 in federal courts in New York and Chicago against HSBC Bank, HSBC Holdings plc and HSBC Bank plc. These actions all are at a very early stage. On October 16, 2013, in considering motions filed by plaintiffs to consolidate the case in federal court in New York or Chicago, the Multi-District Litigation panel ordered that all cases be consolidated in the Southern District of New York as In re Credit Default Swaps Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2476.
Madoff Litigation  In December 2008, Bernard L. Madoff (“Madoff”) was arrested for running a Ponzi scheme and a trustee was appointed for the liquidation of his firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (“Madoff Securities”), an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment adviser. Various non-U.S. HSBC companies provided custodial, administration and similar services to a number of funds incorporated outside the United States whose assets were invested with Madoff Securities. Plaintiffs (including funds, funds investors and the Madoff Securities trustee, as described below) have commenced Madoff-related proceedings against numerous defendants in a multitude of jurisdictions. Various HSBC companies have been named as defendants in suits in the United States, Ireland, Luxembourg and other jurisdictions. Certain suits (which include U.S. putative class actions) allege that the HSBC defendants knew or should have known of Madoff's fraud and breached various duties to the funds and fund investors.

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In November 2011, the District Court judge overseeing three related putative class actions in the Southern District of New York, captioned In re Herald, Primeo and Thema Funds Securities Litigation (S.D.N.Y. Nos. 09-CV-0289 (RMB), 09-CV-2558 (RMB)), dismissed all claims against the HSBC defendants on forum non conveniens grounds, but temporarily stayed this ruling as to one of the actions against the HSBC defendants - the claims of investors in Thema International Fund plc. - in light of a proposed amended settlement agreement between the lead plaintiff in that action and the relevant HSBC defendants (including, subject to the granting of leave to effect a proposed pleading amendment, HSBC Bank USA). In December 2011, the District Court lifted this temporary stay and dismissed all remaining claims against the HSBC defendants, and declined to consider preliminary approval of the settlement. In light of the District Court's decisions, HSBC has terminated the settlement agreement. The Thema plaintiff contests HSBC's right to terminate. Plaintiffs in all three actions filed notices of appeal to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, where the actions are captioned In re Herald, Primeo and Thema Funds Securities Litigation (2nd Cir, Nos. 12-156, 12-184, 12-162). Briefing in that appeal was completed in September 2012 and oral argument was held in April 2013. On September 16, 2013, the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the District Court’s dismissal of the action on forum non conveniens grounds. On October 1, 2013 the Thema plaintiff filed a petition to have the appeal reheard by the Court of Appeals en banc.  The Court of Appeals has postponed its decision on the petition until after the United States Supreme Court decides Chadbourne & Park LLP v. Troice, No. 12-179.
 In December 2010, the Madoff Securities trustee commenced suits against various HSBC companies in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and in the English High Court. The U.S. action, captioned Picard v. HSBC et al (Bankr S.D.N.Y. No. 09-01364), which also names certain funds, investment managers, and other entities and individuals, sought $9 billion in damages and additional recoveries from HSBC Bank USA, certain of our foreign affiliates and the various other codefendants. It sought damages against the HSBC defendants for allegedly aiding and abetting Madoff's fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. In July 2011, after withdrawing the case from the Bankruptcy Court in order to decide certain threshold issues, the District Court dismissed the trustee's various common law claims on the grounds that the trustee lacks standing to assert them. In December 2011, the trustee filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, where the action is captioned Picard v. HSBC Bank plc et al. (2nd Cir., No. 11-5207). Briefing in that appeal was completed in April 2012, and oral argument was held in November 2012. On June 20, 2013, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the District Court. On October 9, 2013, the trustee filed a petition for a writ of certiorari seeking leave for a further appeal to the United States Supreme Court.  The HSBC defendants’ response to the petition for a writ of certiorari is currently due December 9, 2013.
The District Court returned the remaining claims to the Bankruptcy Court for further proceedings. Those claims seek, pursuant to U.S. bankruptcy law, recovery of unspecified amounts received by the HSBC defendants from funds invested with Madoff, including amounts that the HSBC defendants received when they redeemed units held in the various funds. The HSBC defendants acquired those fund units in connection with financing transactions the HSBC defendants had entered into with various clients. The trustee's U.S. bankruptcy law claims also seek recovery of fees earned by the HSBC defendants for providing custodial, administration and similar services to the funds. Between September 2011 and April 2012, the HSBC defendants and certain other defendants moved again to withdraw the case from the Bankruptcy Court. The District Court granted those withdrawal motions as to certain issues, and briefing and oral arguments on the merits of the withdrawn issues are now complete. The District Court has issued rulings on several of the withdrawn issues, but decisions with respect to other issues remain pending and are expected in 2013. The HSBC defendants’ responses to the remaining bankruptcy law claims are currently due in the Bankruptcy Court on December 20, 2013. The trustee's English action, which names HSBC Bank USA and other HSBC entities as defendants, seeks recovery of unspecified transfers of money from Madoff Securities to or through HSBC on the ground that the HSBC defendants actually or constructively knew of Madoff's fraud. HSBC has not been served with the trustee's English action.
Between October 2009 and April 2012, Fairfield Sentry Limited, Fairfield Sigma Limited and Fairfield Lambda Limited (“Fairfield”), funds whose assets were directly or indirectly invested with Madoff Securities, commenced multiple suits in the British Virgin Islands and the United States against numerous fund shareholders, including various HSBC companies that acted as nominees for clients of HSBC's private banking business and other clients who invested in the Fairfield funds. The Fairfield actions, including an action captioned Fairfield Sentry Ltd. v. Zurich Capital Markets et al. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. No. 10-03634), in which HSBC Bank USA is a defendant, and an action captioned Fairfield Sentry Ltd. et al. v. ABN AMRO Schweiz AG et al. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. No. 10-03636), naming beneficial owners of accounts held in the name of Citco Global Custody (NA) NV, which include HSBC Private Bank, a division of HSBC Bank USA, as nominal owner of those accounts for its customers, seek restitution of amounts paid to the defendants in connection with share redemptions, on the ground that such payments were made by mistake, based on inflated values resulting from Madoff's fraud. Some of these actions also seek recovery of the share redemptions under British Virgin Islands insolvency law. The U.S. actions are currently stayed in the Bankruptcy Court pending developments in related appellate litigation in the British Virgin Islands.
HSBC Bank USA was also a defendant in an action filed in July 2011, captioned Wailea Partners, LP v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (N.D. Ca. No. 11-CV-3544), arising from derivatives transactions between Wailea Partners, LP and HSBC Bank USA that were linked to the performance of a fund that placed its assets with Madoff Securities pursuant to a specified investment strategy. The

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plaintiff alleged, among other things, that HSBC Bank USA knew or should have known that the fund's assets would not be invested as contemplated. The plaintiff also alleged that HSBC Bank USA marketed, sold and entered into the derivatives transactions on the basis of materially misleading statements and omissions in violation of California law. The plaintiff sought rescission of the transactions and return of amounts paid to HSBC Bank USA in connection with the transactions, together with interest, fees, expenses and disbursements. In December 2011, the District Court granted HSBC's motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice, and the plaintiff appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, where the action is captioned Wailea Partners, LP v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A., (9th Cir., No. 11-18041). Briefing on that appeal was completed in May 2012, and oral argument has not yet been scheduled.
There are many factors that may affect the range of possible outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of the various Madoff-related proceedings including, but not limited to, the circumstances of the fraud, the multiple jurisdictions in which proceeding have been brought and the number of different plaintiffs and defendants in such proceedings. For these reasons, among others, we are unable to reasonably estimate the aggregate liability or ranges of liability that might arise as a result of these claims but they could be significant. In any event, we consider that we have good defenses to these claims and will continue to defend them vigorously.
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation v. Bank of America, et al. On March 14, 2013, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia naming as defendants HSBC Bank USA and other panel USD LIBOR panel banks, as well as the British Bankers' Association. The lawsuit alleges improper practices in connection with the setting of USD LIBOR, and claims violation of the Sherman Act, breach of contract, and fraud arising out of various swap agreements entered into by Freddie Mac with the USD LIBOR panel banks, including HSBC Bank USA. In May 2013 the lawsuit was transferred to the USD LIBOR Litigation Multi-District Proceeding pending before Judge Buchwald in the Southern District of New York where it will be subject to a stay imposed by that court on all new proceedings.
The lawsuit is at an early stage, and does not allege specific damages as to HSBC Bank USA.
Mortgage Securitization Activity and Litigation  In addition to the repurchase risk described in Note 18, “Guarantee Arrangements and Pledged Assets,” we have also been involved as a sponsor/seller of loans used to facilitate whole loan securitizations underwritten by HSI. During 2005-2007, we purchased and sold $24 billion of whole loans to HSI which were subsequently securitized and sold by HSI to third parties. The outstanding principal balance on these loans was approximately $6.6 billion and $7.4 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Participants in the U.S. mortgage securitization market that purchased and repackaged whole loans have been the subject of lawsuits and governmental and regulatory investigations and inquiries, which have been directed at groups within the U.S. mortgage market, such as servicers, originators, underwriters, trustees or sponsors of securitizations, and at particular participants within these groups. As the industry's residential mortgage foreclosure issues continue, HSBC Bank USA has taken title to an increasing number of foreclosed homes as trustee on behalf of various securitization trusts. As nominal record owner of these properties, HSBC Bank USA has been sued by municipalities and tenants alleging various violations of law, including laws regarding property upkeep and tenants' rights. While we believe and continue to maintain that the obligations at issue and any related liability are properly those of the servicer of each trust, we continue to receive significant and adverse publicity in connection with these and similar matters, including foreclosures that are serviced by others in the name of “HSBC, as trustee.”
HSBC Bank USA and certain of our affiliates have been named as defendants in a number of actions in connection with residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) offerings, which generally allege that the offering documents for securities issued by securitization trusts contained material misstatements and omissions, including statements regarding the underwriting standards governing the underlying mortgage loans. In September 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the “FHFA”), acting in its capacity as conservator for the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against HSBC Bank USA, HSBC USA, HSBC North America, HSI, HSI Asset Securitization Corporation (“HASCO”) and five former and current officers and directors of HASCO seeking damages or rescission of mortgage-backed securities purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that were either underwritten or sponsored by HSBC entities. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the securities was approximately $1.6 billion at September 30, 2013. This action, captioned Federal Housing Finance Agency, as Conservator for the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation v. HSBC North America Holdings Inc. et al. (S.D.N.Y. No. CV 11-6189-LAK), is one of a series of similar actions filed against 17 financial institutions alleging violations of federal and state securities laws in connection with the sale of private-label RMBS purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, primarily from 2005 to 2008. This action, along with all of the similar FHFA RMBS actions that were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, was transferred to a single judge, who directed the defendant in the first-filed matter, UBS, to file a motion to dismiss. In May 2012, the District Court filed its decision denying the motion to dismiss FHFA's securities law claims and granting the motion to dismiss FHFA's negligent misrepresentation claims. The District

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Court's ruling formed the basis for rulings on the other matters, including the action filed against HSBC Bank USA and our affiliates. On April 5, 2013, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling of the District Court. In December 2012, the District Court directed the FHFA parties to schedule mediation with the Magistrate Judge assigned to the action. In January 2013, the FHFA parties met with the Magistrate Judge to discuss how to structure a mediation. Since that time, three of the FHFA defendants (GE, Citigroup and UBS) have resolved their lawsuits (the terms of these settlements are largely confidential, but have been disclosed to varying degrees, including to some extent by the defendants in securities filings). Discovery in the action against HSBC is proceeding.
In January 2012, Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank (“DZ Bank”) filed a summons with notice in New York County Supreme Court, State of New York, naming as defendants HSBC North America, HSBC USA, HSBC Bank USA, HSBC Markets (USA) Inc., HASCO and HSI in connection with DZ Bank's alleged purchase of $122.4 million in RMBS from the HSBC defendants. In February 2012, HSH Nordbank AG (“HSH”) filed a summons with notice in New York County Supreme Court, State of New York, naming as defendants HSBC Holdings plc., HSBC North America Holdings Inc., HSBC USA, HSBC Bank USA, HSBC Markets (USA) Inc., HASCO, and two Blaylock entities alleging HSH purchases of $41.3 million in RMBS from the HSBC and Blaylock defendants. In May 2012, HSBC removed both the DZ Bank and HSH cases to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The cases were consolidated in an action captioned Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank AG, New York Branch v. HSBC North America Holdings Inc. et al (S.D.N.Y. No. 12-CV-4025) following removal. In September 2012, DZ Bank and HSH filed a consolidated complaint against all defendants named in their prior summonses other than HSBC Holdings plc. The claims against HSBC are for (i) fraud; (ii) fraudulent concealment; (iii) negligent misrepresentation; (iv) aiding and abetting fraud; and (v) rescission. HSBC has moved to dismiss this suit, and this motion is pending.
In December 2012, Bayerische Landesbank (“BL”) filed a summons with notice in New York County Supreme Court, State of New York, naming as defendants HSBC, HSBC North America, HSBC USA, HSBC Markets (USA) Inc., HSBC Bank USA, HSI Asset Securitization Corp. and HSI. In May 2013 BL served the HSBC entities with a complaint alleging that BL purchased $75 million in RMBS from the defendants and has sustained unspecified damages as a result of material misrepresentations and omissions regarding certain characteristics of the mortgage loans backing the securities. The claims against the HSBC entities are for (i) fraud; (ii) fraudulent concealment; (iii) negligent misrepresentation; (iv) aiding and abetting fraud; and (v) rescission. This action is at a very early stage.
In October 2013, Deutsche Bank National Trust Company (“DBNTC”), as Trustee of HASCO 2007-NC1, served a summons with notice previously filed in New York County Supreme Court, State of New York, naming HBUS as the sole defendant. The summons alleges that DBNTC brought the action at the direction of certificateholders of the Trust, seeking specific performance and damages of at least $508 million arising out of the alleged breach of various representations and warranties made by HBUS in the applicable loan purchase agreement regarding certain characteristics of the mortgage loans contained in the Trust. This action is at a very early stage.
In December 2010 and February 2011, we received subpoenas from the SEC seeking production of documents and information relating to our involvement, and the involvement of our affiliates, in specified private-label RMBS transactions as an issuer, sponsor, underwriter, depositor, trustee or custodian as well as our involvement as a servicer. We have also had preliminary contacts with other governmental authorities exploring the role of trustees in private-label RMBS transactions. In February 2011, we also received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York) seeking production of documents and information relating to loss mitigation efforts with respect to HUD-insured mortgages on residential properties located in the State of New York. In January 2012, our affiliate, HSI, was served with a Civil Investigative Demand by the Massachusetts State Attorney General seeking documents, information and testimony related to the sale of RMBS to public and private customers in the State of Massachusetts from January 2005 to the present.
We expect these type of claims to continue. As a result, we may be subject to additional claims, litigation and governmental and regulatory scrutiny related to our participation in the U.S. mortgage securitization market, either individually or as a member of a group.
Governmental and Regulatory Matters
Foreclosure Practices  In April 2011, HSBC Bank USA entered into a consent cease and desist order with the OCC (the “OCC Servicing Consent Order”) and our affiliate, HSBC Finance Corporation, and our common indirect parent, HSBC North America, entered into a similar consent order with the Federal Reserve (together with the OCC Servicing Consent Order, the “Servicing Consent Orders”) following completion of a broad horizontal review of industry foreclosure practices. The OCC Servicing Consent Order requires HSBC Bank USA to take prescribed actions to address the deficiencies noted in the joint examination and described in the consent order. We continue to work with the OCC and the Federal Reserve to align our processes with the requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders and are implementing operational changes as required.

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The Servicing Consent Orders required an independent review of foreclosures (the “Independent Foreclosure Review”) pending or completed between January 2009 and December 2010 to determine if any borrower was financially injured as a result of an error in the foreclosure process. As required by the Servicing Consent Orders, an independent consultant was retained to conduct that review. On February 28, 2013, HSBC Bank USA entered into an agreement with the OCC, and HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC North America entered into an agreement with the Federal Reserve (together the "IFR Settlement Agreements"), pursuant to which the Independent Foreclosure Review has ceased and been replaced by a broader framework under which we and twelve other participating servicers will, in the aggregate, provide in excess of $9.3 billion in cash payments and other assistance to help eligible borrowers. Pursuant to the IFR Settlement Agreements, HSBC North America has made a cash payment of $96 million into a fund used to make payments to borrowers that were in active foreclosure during 2009 and 2010 and, in addition, will provide other assistance (e.g., loan modifications) to help eligible borrowers. As a result, in 2012, we recorded expenses of $19 million which reflects the portion of HSBC North America's total expense of $104 million that we believe is allocable to us. Rust Consulting, Inc., the paying agent, began mailing checks to eligible borrowers in the second quarter of 2013. Borrowers who receive compensation will not be required to execute a release or waiver of rights and will not be precluded from pursuing litigation concerning foreclosure or other mortgage servicing practices. For participating servicers, including HSBC Bank USA and HSBC Finance Corporation, fulfillment of the terms of the IFR Settlement Agreements will satisfy the Independent Foreclosure Review requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders, including the wind down of the Independent Foreclosure Review.
The Servicing Consent Orders do not preclude additional enforcement actions against HSBC Bank USA or our affiliates by bank regulatory, governmental or law enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice or State Attorneys General, which could include the imposition of civil money penalties and other sanctions relating to the activities that are the subject of the Servicing Consent Orders. Pursuant to the IFR Settlement Agreement with the OCC, however, the OCC has agreed that it will not assess civil money penalties or initiate any further enforcement action with respect to past mortgage servicing and foreclosure-related practices addressed in the Servicing Consent Orders, provided the terms of the IFR Settlement Agreement are fulfilled. The OCC's agreement not to assess civil money penalties is further conditioned on HSBC North America making payments or providing borrower assistance pursuant to any agreement that may be entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the servicing of residential mortgage loans within two years. The Federal Reserve has agreed that any assessment of civil money penalties by the Federal Reserve will reflect a number of adjustments, including amounts expended in consumer relief and payments made pursuant to any agreement that may be entered into with the U.S. Department of Justice in connection with the servicing of residential mortgage loans. In addition, the IFR Settlement Agreements do not preclude private litigation concerning these practices.
Separate from the Servicing Consent Orders and the settlement related to the Independent Foreclosure Review discussed above, in February 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and State Attorneys General of 49 states announced a settlement with the five largest U.S. mortgage servicers with respect to foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices. Following the February 2012 settlement, these government agencies initiated discussions with other mortgage industry servicers. HSBC Bank USA, together with our affiliate HSBC Finance Corporation, have had discussions with U.S. bank regulators and other governmental agencies regarding a potential resolution, although the timing of any settlement is not presently known. We recorded an accrual of $38 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 (which was reduced by $6 million in the second quarter of 2013) reflecting the portion of the HSBC North America accrual that we currently believe is allocable to HSBC Bank USA. As this matter progresses and more information becomes available, we will continue to evaluate our portion of the HSBC North America liability which may result in a change to our current estimate. Any such settlement, however, may not completely preclude other enforcement actions by state or federal agencies, regulators or law enforcement agencies related to foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices, including, but not limited to, matters relating to the securitization of mortgages for investors. In addition, such a settlement would not preclude private litigation concerning these practices.
Anti-Money Laundering, Bank Secrecy Act and Office of Foreign Assets Control Investigations.  In October 2010, HSBC Bank USA entered into a consent cease and desist order with the OCC, and our indirect parent, HSBC North America, entered into a consent cease and desist order with the Federal Reserve (together, the “AML/BSA Consent Orders”). These actions require improvements to establish an effective compliance risk management program across our U.S. businesses, including various issues relating to BSA and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) compliance. Steps continue to be taken to address the requirements of the AML/BSA Consent Orders to achieve compliance, and ensure that effective policies and procedures are maintained.
In December 2012, HSBC, HSBC North America and HSBC Bank USA entered into agreements to achieve a resolution with U.S. and United Kingdom government agencies regarding past inadequate compliance with AML/BSA and sanctions laws, including the previously reported investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Reserve, the OCC and the U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ("FinCEN") in connection with AML/BSA compliance, including cross-border transactions involving our cash handling business in Mexico and banknotes business in the U.S., and historical transactions involving parties subject to OFAC economic sanctions. As part of the resolution, HSBC and HSBC Bank USA entered into a five-year deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia (the "U.S. DPA"), and

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HSBC entered into a two-year deferred prosecution agreement with the New York County District Attorney (“DANY DPA”), and HSBC consented to a cease and desist order and a monetary penalty order with the Federal Reserve. In addition, HSBC Bank USA entered into a monetary penalty consent order with FinCEN and a separate monetary penalty order with the OCC. HSBC also entered into an undertaking with the U.K. Financial Services Authority, now a Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) Direction, to comply with certain forward-looking obligations with respect to AML and sanctions requirements over a five-year term.
Under these agreements, HSBC and HSBC Bank USA made payments totaling $1.921 billion to U.S. authorities, of which $1.381 billion was attributed to and paid by HSBC Bank USA, and are continuing to comply with ongoing obligations. Over the five-year term of the agreements with the U.S. Department of Justice and the FCA, an independent monitor (who also will be, for FCA purposes, a "skilled person" under Section 166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act) will evaluate HSBC's progress in fully implementing its obligations, and will produce regular assessments of the effectiveness of HSBC's compliance function. Michael Cherkasky has been selected as the independent monitor and in July 2013, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved the U.S. DPA. The U.S. DPA remains pending under the jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York.
If HSBC and HSBC Bank USA fulfills all of the requirements imposed by the U.S. DPA, the U.S. Department of Justice's charges against those entities will be dismissed at the end of the five-year period of that agreement. Similarly, if HSBC fulfills all of the requirements imposed by the DANY DPA, DANY's charges against it will be dismissed at the end of the two-year period of that agreement. The U.S. Department of Justice may prosecute HSBC or HSBC Bank USA in relation to the matters that are subject of the U.S. DPA if HSBC or HSBC Bank USA breaches the terms of the US DPA, and DANY may prosecute HSBC in relation to the matters which are the subject of the DANY DPA if HSBC violates the terms of the DANY DPA.
HSBC Bank USA also entered into a separate consent order with the OCC requiring it to correct the circumstances and conditions as noted in the OCC's then most recent report of examination, imposing certain restrictions on HSBC Bank USA directly or indirectly acquiring control of, or holding an interest in, any new financial subsidiary, or commencing a new activity in its existing financial subsidiary, unless it receives prior approval from the OCC. HSBC Bank USA also entered into a separate consent order with the OCC requiring it to adopt an enterprise-wide compliance program.
The settlement with the U.S. and U.K. government agencies does not preclude private litigation relating to, among other things, HSBC's compliance with applicable AML/BSA and sanctions laws or other regulatory or law enforcement action for AML/BSA or sanctions matters not covered by the various agreements.
Our affiliate, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (“HSI”), continues to cooperate in a review of its AML/BSA compliance program by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and a similar examination by the SEC, both of which were initiated in the third quarter of 2012.
Other Regulatory and Law Enforcement Investigations.  We continue to cooperate in ongoing investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice and the IRS regarding whether certain HSBC Group companies and employees acted appropriately in relation to certain customers who had U.S. tax reporting requirements.
In April 2011, HSBC Bank USA received a “John Doe” summons from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) directing us to produce records with respect to U.S.-based clients of an HSBC Group company in India. We have cooperated fully by providing responsive documents in our possession in the U.S. to the IRS.
Also in April 2011, HSBC Bank USA received a subpoena from the SEC directing HSBC Bank USA to produce records in the United States related to, among other things, HSBC Private Bank Suisse SA's cross-border policies and procedures and adherence to U.S. broker-dealer and investment adviser rules and regulations when dealing with U.S. resident clients. HSBC Bank USA continues to cooperate with the SEC.
In July 2013, HSBC and certain of its affiliates, including HBUS, received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission relating to its ongoing investigation of alleged anti-competitive activity by a number of market participants in the credit derivatives market between 2006 and 2009.  The Statement of Objections sets out the European Commission's preliminary views and does not prejudge the final outcome of its investigation. HSBC responded to the European Commission’s Statement of Objections on October 11, 2013. Based on the facts currently known, it is not practicable at this time for us to predict the resolution of the European Commission's investigation, including the timing or impact on HSBC or us.
Based on the facts currently known, in respect of each of these investigations, it is not practicable at this time for us to determine the terms on which these ongoing investigations will be resolved or the timing of such resolution or for us to estimate reliably the amounts, or range of possible amounts, of any fines and/or penalties. As matters progress, it is possible that any fines and/or penalties could be significant.

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21. New Accounting Pronouncements
 
The following new accounting pronouncements were adopted in 2013:
Ÿ
Disclosures About Offsetting Assets and Liabilities In December 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") that required entities to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. Entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and those which are subject to an agreement similar to master netting arrangement. The new guidance became effective for all annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2013. Additionally, entities are required to provide the disclosures required by the new guidance retrospectively for all comparative periods. In January 2013, the FASB issued another ASU to clarify the instruments and transactions to which the guidance in the previously issued Accounting Standards Update would apply. The adoption of the guidance in these ASUs did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Ÿ
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income In February 2013, the FASB issued an ASU that adds new disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The new guidance became effective for all annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2013 and was applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
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Additional Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes In July 2013, the FASB issued an ASU that amends existing U.S. GAAP to recognize, in addition to U.S. Treasury and LIBOR swap rates, the Federal Funds Effective Swap Rate (also referred to as the Overnight Index Swap rate) as an acceptable U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes. The amendment became effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. In light of the prospective transition, the amendment did not affect the accounting for our existing hedges and thus did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
There were no accounting pronouncements issued during the first nine months of 2013, other than those discussed above, that had a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations.







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Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
Forward-Looking Statements
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes and tables included elsewhere in this report and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”). MD&A may contain certain statements that may be forward-looking in nature within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, we may make or approve certain statements in future filings with the SEC, in press releases, or oral or written presentations by representatives of HSBC USA Inc. (“HSBC USA”) that are not statements of historical fact and may also constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “appears,” “believe,” “intends,” “expects,” “estimates,” “targeted,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “goal” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but should not be considered as the only means through which these statements may be made. These matters or statements will relate to our future financial condition, economic forecast, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments and will involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from that which were expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions and speak only as of the date they are made. HSBC USA Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent circumstances or events.

Executive Overview
 
HSBC USA Inc. (“HSBC USA” and, together with its subsidiaries, “HUSI”) is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. (“HSBC North America”), which is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC”). HUSI may also be referred to in MD&A as “we”, “us” or “our”.
The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations excludes the results of our discontinued operations unless otherwise noted. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.
Current Environment  The U.S. economy continued to improve at a modest pace during the first nine months of 2013. GDP is expected to grow at an annualized rate of less than 2 percent in 2013, which remains well below the economy's potential growth rate. Consumer confidence rose to a six year high in July based on the University of Michigan's Consumer Confidence Index as consumers continue to feel better about their household finances due to rising home values and subdued inflation. Nonetheless, with continuing high gasoline prices, the increase in payroll taxes at the beginning of the year and the onset of budget sequestration in March, consumer confidence remains under pressure as domestic fiscal uncertainties, including federal budget and debt ceiling debates, continue to affect consumer sentiment. During the second quarter and continuing into the third quarter of 2013, long-term interest rates began to rise in part out of concern that the Federal Reserve may begin to slow its quantitative easing program if the economy continues to strengthen. These concerns subsided to a certain extent in September when the Federal Reserve announced its bond buying program would continue at current levels to support the slow growing economy. Federal Reserve policy makers previously announced that they do not expect to increase short-term rates until the unemployment rate falls below 6.5 percent. The prolonged period of low interest rates continues to put pressure on spreads earned on our deposit base.
While the economy continued to add jobs in 2013, the pace of new job creation continued to be slower than needed to meaningfully reduce unemployment. Although unemployment rates, which are a major factor influencing credit quality, fell from 7.8 percent at the beginning of the year to 7.2 percent in September 2013, unemployment remains high based on historical standards. Also, a significant number of U.S. residents are no longer looking for work and are not reflected in the U.S. unemployment rates. Unemployment has continued to have an impact on the provision for credit losses in our loan portfolio and in loan portfolios across the industry. Concerns about the future of the U.S. economy, including the pace and magnitude of recovery from the recent economic recession, consumer confidence, fiscal policy, including the ability of the legislature to work collaboratively to address fiscal issues in the U.S., volatility in energy prices, credit market volatility including the ability to resolve the European sovereign debt crisis and trends in corporate earnings will continue to influence the U.S. economic recovery and the capital markets. In particular, continued improvement in unemployment rates, a sustained recovery of the housing markets and stabilization in energy prices remain critical components of a broader U.S. economic recovery. These conditions in combination with the impact of recent regulatory changes, including the on-going implementation of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (“Dodd-Frank”), will continue to impact our results in 2013 and beyond.

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The housing market continued the strong rebound in 2013 with overall home prices moving higher in many regions as demand increased and the supply of homes for sale remained restricted. However, the sharp decline in the share of foreclosed home sales currently being experienced, which is contributing to the increase in home sale prices, may not continue as the impact of servicers resuming foreclosure activities and the listing of the underlying properties for sale along with the recent increases in mortgage interest rates could slow down future price gains. In addition, certain courts and state legislatures have issued new rules or statutes relating to foreclosures. Scrutiny of foreclosure documentation has increased in some courts. Also, in some areas, officials are requiring additional verification of information filed prior to the foreclosure proceeding. The combination of these factors has led to a significant backlog of foreclosures which will take time to resolve. If a significant number of foreclosures come to market at the same time, due to the backlog or other delays in processing, it could have an adverse impact upon home prices.
Performance, Developments and Trends The following table sets forth selected financial highlights of HSBC USA Inc. for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 and as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
4

 
$
(782
)
 
$
367

 
$
(1,295
)
Rate of return on average:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
 %
 
(1.6
)%
 
.3
%
 
(.9
)%
Total common shareholder’s equity
(.4
)
 
(19.1
)
 
2.6

 
(10.6
)
Net interest margin
1.26

 
1.22

 
1.29

 
1.31

Efficiency ratio
92.5

 
177.4

 
78.3

 
123.2

Commercial net charge-off ratio(1)
.05

 
.18

 
.18

 
.35

Consumer net charge-off ratio(1)
1.19

 
.93

 
.94

 
1.31

 
 
(1)
Excludes loans held for sale.


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HSBC USA Inc.

 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Additional Select Ratios:
 
 
 
Allowance as a percent of loans(1)
.88
%
 
1.02
%
Commercial allowance as a percent of loans(1)
.65

 
.72

Consumer allowance as a percent of loans(1)
1.47

 
1.73

Consumer two-months-and-over contractual delinquency
6.92

 
6.92

Loans to deposits ratio(2)
77.48

 
71.35

Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
11.66

 
13.61

Tier 1 common equity to risk weighted assets
9.98

 
11.63

Total capital to risk weighted assets
16.30

 
19.52

Total shareholders’ equity to total assets
9.28

 
9.32

 
 
 
 
Select Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
Cash and interest bearing deposits with banks
$
31,429


$
14,638

Trading assets
25,527

 
30,874

Securities available-for-sale
48,053

 
67,716

Loans:
 
 
 
Commercial loans
48,509

 
44,150

Consumer loans
19,201

 
19,108

Total loans
67,710

 
63,258

Deposits
112,921

 
117,671

 
 
(1)
Excludes loans held for sale.
(2)
Represents period end loans, net of allowance for loan losses, as a percentage of domestic deposits equal to or less than $100,000.
Income from continuing operations was $4 million and $367 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a loss from continuing operations of $782 million and $1,295 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Income from continuing operations before income tax was $15 million and $531 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a loss from continuing operations before income tax of $794 million and $938 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The significant improvement in both periods reflects lower operating expenses as the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 include an expense of $800 million and $1,500 million, respectively, related to certain regulatory matters and a lower provision for credit losses which was partially offset by lower net interest income and in the year-to-date period, lower other revenues. Other revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 includes pre-tax gains of $103 million and $433 million, respectively, from the sale of certain retail branches to First Niagara. In addition, our results in all periods were impacted by the change in the fair value of our own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected fair value option which distorts comparability of the underlying performance trends of our business. The following table summarizes the impact of this item on our income from continuing operations before income tax for all periods presented:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax, as reported
$
15

 
$
(794
)
 
$
531

 
$
(938
)
Fair value movement on own fair value option debt attributable to credit spread
63

 
179

 
52

 
269

Underlying income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax (1)
$
78

 
$
(615
)
 
$
583

 
$
(669
)
 
(1) 
Represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.

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HSBC USA Inc.

Excluding the impact of the change in the fair value of our own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected fair value option accounting in the table above, our underlying income (loss) from continuing operations before tax for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 increased $693 million and $1,252 million, respectively, compared with the prior year periods as as lower operating expenses and a lower provision for credit losses was partially offset by lower net interest income and lower other revenues.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we continued to reduce legacy and other risk positions as opportunities arose, including the sale of $475 million of leveraged acquisition finance loans previously held for sale. The following table provides a summary of the significant valuation adjustments associated with these positions that impacted revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012: 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Gains (Losses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Insurance monoline structured credit products(1)
$
1

 
$
16

 
$
42

 
$
6

Other structured credit products(1)
15

 
38

 
53

 
112

Mortgage whole loans held for sale (predominantly subprime)(2)
(2
)
 
(9
)
 
5

 
(12
)
Leverage acquisition finance loans(3)

 
14

 
13

 
48

Total gains
$
14

 
$
59

 
$
113

 
$
154

 
(1) 
Reflected in Trading revenue in the consolidated statement of income (loss).
(2) 
Reflected in Other income in the consolidated statement of income (loss).
(3) 
Reflected in Loss on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives in the consolidated statement of income (loss).
See “Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of our operating trends. In addition, see "Balance Sheet Review" for further discussion on our receivable trends, "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for further discussion on funding and capital and "Credit Quality" for additional discussion on our credit trends.
In July 2013, we completed our annual impairment test of goodwill and determined that the fair value of all of our reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts. However, our testing results continued to indicate that there is only marginal excess of fair value over book value in our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit as its book value including goodwill was 92 percent of fair value. Based on the results of this testing, during the third quarter of 2013, we performed an interim impairment test of the goodwill associated with our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit which indicated that the fair value of the reporting unit continued to exceed its book value. At September 30, 2013, the book value of our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit including allocated goodwill of $612 million, was 90 percent of fair value. Our goodwill impairment testing is, however, highly sensitive to certain assumptions and estimates used. We will continue to monitor our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit and perform interim impairment testing in future periods as very small changes in cash flow projections could result in either partial or full goodwill impairment of this reporting unit. We continue to perform periodic analysis of the risks and strategies of all our business and product offerings. If deterioration in economic conditions occurs or changes in the strategy or performance of our businesses or product offerings occur, interim impairment tests for reporting units in addition to Global Banking and Markets could be required.
We continue to focus on cost optimization efforts to ensure realization of cost efficiencies. To date, we have identified and implemented various opportunities to reduce costs through organizational structure redesign, vendor spending, discretionary spending and other general efficiency initiatives. Additional cost reduction opportunities have been identified and are in the process of implementation. Workforce reductions, some of which relate to our retail branch divestitures, have resulted in total legal entity full-time equivalent employees being reduced by 38 percent since December 31, 2010. Workforce reductions are also occurring in certain non-compliance shared services functions, which we expect will result in additional reductions to future allocated costs for these functions. These efforts continue and, as a result, we may incur restructuring charges in future periods, the amount of which will depend upon the actions that ultimately are implemented.
During the second quarter of 2013, we completed the conversion of our mortgage processing and servicing operations to PHH Mortgage under our previously announced strategic relationship agreement with PHH Mortgage to manage our mortgage processing and servicing operations. See Note 8, "Intangible Assets" for a complete discussion of this agreement. We continue to originate mortgages for our customers with particular emphasis on Premier relationships.
In October 2013, our Board of Directors approved a sale of our London Branch precious metals custody and clearing business to HSBC Bank plc. As the sale of this business is between affiliates under common control, we expect the consideration received in excess of our carrying value including allocated goodwill of approximately $8 million will result in an increase to additional

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HSBC USA Inc.

paid-in-capital, net of tax, of approximately $55 million upon close. The cash sale is currently expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2014. Had the sale occurred on September 30, 2013, the book value of our remaining Global Banking and Markets reporting unit would have been 91 percent of fair value. At September 30, 2013, assets and liabilities related to this business totaled approximately $11.0 billion each, while revenue associated with this business was approximately $37 million and $52 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We will continue to operate our metals trading business which is unaffected by this decision.
We continue to evaluate our overall operations as we seek to optimize our risk profile and cost efficiencies as well as our liquidity, capital and funding requirements. This could result in further strategic actions that may include changes to our legal structure, asset levels, cost structure or product offerings in support of HSBC’s strategic priorities.

Basis of Reporting
 
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Unless noted, the discussion of our financial condition and results of operations included in MD&A are presented on a continuing operations basis of reporting. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.
In addition to the U.S. GAAP financial results reported in our consolidated financial statements, MD&A includes reference to the following information which is presented on a non-U.S. GAAP basis:
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) Because HSBC reports financial information in accordance with IFRSs and IFRSs operating results are used in measuring and rewarding performance of employees, our management also separately monitors net income under IFRSs (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure). The following table reconciles our net income on a U.S. GAAP basis to net income on an IFRSs basis.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Net income – U.S. GAAP basis
$
4

 
$
(782
)
 
$
367

 
$
(1,092
)
Adjustments, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IFRSs reclassification of fair value measured financial assets during 2008

 
(17
)
 
(17
)
 
(59
)
Securities
6

 
(3
)
 
2

 
(4
)
Derivatives

 
3

 
1

 
1

Loan impairment
3

 
(2
)
 
14

 
8

Property
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
Pension costs
3

 
(11
)
 
10

 
(3
)
Transfer of credit card receivables to held for sale and subsequent sale

 

 

 
(31
)
Gain on sale of branches

 
22

 

 
92

Litigation accrual
13

 
(13
)
 
6

 
(10
)
Other
(1
)
 
13

 
(24
)
 
21

Net income – IFRSs basis
22

 
(797
)
 
349

 
(1,093
)
Tax expense (benefit) – IFRSs basis
9

 
(34
)
 
151

 
390

Profit before tax – IFRSs basis
$
31

 
$
(831
)
 
$
500

 
$
(703
)
The significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs impacting our results presented in the table above are discussed in more detail within "Basis of Reporting" in our 2012 Form 10-K. Except as noted below, there have been no significant changes since December 31, 2012 in the differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs impacting our results. With regard to loan impairment charges, prior to the second quarter of 2013, we concluded that for IFRSs the estimated average period of time from last current status to write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis was 10 months. In the second quarter of 2013, we updated our review under IFRSs to reflect the period of time after a loss event that a loan remains current before delinquency is observed. This review resulted in an estimated average period of time from a loss event occurring and its ultimate migration from current status through to delinquency and ultimately write-off for real estate secured loans collectively evaluated for impairment using a roll rate migration analysis of 12 months.

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HSBC USA Inc.


Balance Sheet Review
 
We utilize deposits and borrowings from various sources to provide liquidity, fund balance sheet growth, meet cash and capital needs, and fund investments in subsidiaries. The following table provides balance sheet totals at September 30, 2013 and the increases (decreases) since December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) From
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
  
September 30, 2013
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
Period end assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term investments
$
33,645

 
$
15,858

 
89.2
 %
Loans, net
67,115

 
4,504

 
7.2

Loans held for sale
236

 
(782
)
 
(76.8
)
Trading assets
25,527

 
(5,347
)
 
(17.3
)
Securities
49,486

 
(19,850
)
 
(28.6
)
Other assets
11,366

 
1,546

 
15.7

 
$
187,375

 
$
(4,071
)
 
(2.1
)%
Funding sources:
 
 
 
 
 
Total deposits
$
112,921

 
$
(4,750
)
 
(4.0
)%
Trading liabilities
11,065

 
(3,634
)
 
(24.7
)
Short-term borrowings
19,499

 
4,566

 
30.6

All other liabilities
4,357

 
(205
)
 
(4.5
)
Long-term debt
22,151

 
406

 
1.9

Shareholders’ equity
17,382

 
(454
)
 
(2.5
)
 
$
187,375

 
$
(4,071
)
 
(2.1
)%

Short-Term Investments  Short-term investments include cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits with banks and securities purchased under resale agreements. Balances will fluctuate from period to period depending upon our liquidity position at the time. Overall balances increased since December 31, 2012 as we managed our short-term liquidity to maximize earnings while retaining liquidity.

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HSBC USA Inc.

Loans, Net  The following summarizes our loan balances at September 30, 2013 and increases (decreases) since December 31, 2012:
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) From
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
  
September 30, 2013
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
Commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
8,919

 
$
462

 
5.5
 %
Business and corporate banking
13,668

 
1,060

 
8.4

  Global banking(1)
23,370

 
3,361

 
16.8

Other commercial loans
2,552

 
(524
)
 
(17.0
)
Total commercial loans
48,509

 
4,359

 
9.9

Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
15,720

 
349

 
2.3

Home equity mortgages
2,087

 
(237
)
 
(10.2
)
Total residential mortgages
17,807

 
112

 
.6

Credit Card
856

 
41

 
5.0

Other consumer
538

 
(60
)
 
(10.0
)
Total consumer loans
19,201

 
93

 
.5

Total loans
67,710

 
4,452

 
7.0

Allowance for credit losses
595

 
(52
)
 
(8.0
)
Loans, net
$
67,115

 
$
4,504

 
7.2
 %
 
 
(1) 
Represents large multinational firms including globally focused U.S. corporate and financial institutions and USD lending to select Latin American and other multinational customers managed by HSBC on a global basis as well as loans to HSBC affiliates which totaled $5.9 billion at September 30, 2013.
Commercial loan balances increased since December 31, 2012 due to new business activity, largely in global banking, including an increase of $1.4 billion in affiliate loans and in business and corporate banking. These increases were partially offset by pay downs and managed reductions in certain exposures.
Residential mortgage loans increased since December 31, 2012 due primarily to the inclusion of approximately $312 million in guaranteed loans purchased from GNMA which had previously been recorded in other assets. Repayments on these purchased GNMA loans are predominantly insured by the FHA and as such, these loans have different risk characteristics from the rest of our consumer loan portfolio. As a result of balance sheet initiatives to manage interest rate risk and improve the structural liquidity of HSBC Bank USA, we continue to sell a substantial portion of our new residential loan originations and target new residential mortgage loan originations towards our Premier customer relationships.

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HSBC USA Inc.

Over the past several years, real estate markets in a large portion of the United States have been affected by stagnation or declines in property values. As a result, while the loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios for our mortgage loan portfolio has declined since origination, we have recently seen a general improvement in refreshed loan-to-value ratios ("Refreshed LTVs"). The following table presents refreshed LTVs for our mortgage loan portfolio, excluding subprime residential mortgage loans held for sale.
 
Refreshed LTVs(1)(2)
at September 30, 2013
 
Refeshed LTVs(1)(2)
at December 31, 2012
  
First Lien
 
Second Lien
 
First Lien
 
Second Lien
LTV < 80%
85.0
%
 
63.1
%
 
79.5
%
 
59.4
%
80% < LTV < 90%
7.0
%
 
14.0
%
 
8.6
%
 
13.3
%
90% < LTV < 100%
4.4
%
 
10.0
%
 
5.7
%
 
11.5
%
LTV > 100%
3.7
%
 
12.9
%
 
6.2
%
 
15.8
%
Average LTV for portfolio
63.1
%
 
68.5
%
 
66.6
%
 
71.9
%
 
 
(1) 
Refreshed LTVs for first liens are calculated using the loan balance as of the reporting date. Refreshed LTVs for second liens are calculated using the loan balance as of the reporting date plus the senior lien amount at origination. Current estimated property values are derived from the property's appraised value at the time of loan origination updated by the change in the Federal Housing Finance Agency's (formerly known as the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight) house pricing index (“HPI”) at either a Core Based Statistical Area (“CBSA”) or state level. The estimated value of the homes could vary from actual fair values due to changes in condition of the underlying property, variations in housing price changes within metropolitan statistical areas and other factors. As a result, actual property values associated with loans that end in foreclosure may be significantly lower than the estimates used for purposes of this disclosure.
(2) 
Current property values are calculated using the most current HPIs available and applied on an individual loan basis, which results in an approximate three month delay in the production of reportable statistics. Therefore, the information in the table above reflects current estimated property values using HPIs as of June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012, respectively.
Credit card receivable balances, which represent our legacy HSBC Bank USA credit card portfolio, remained relatively flat compared with December 31, 2012.
Other consumer loans decreased since December 31, 2012, reflecting the discontinuation of student loan originations and the run-off of our installment loan and auto finance portfolios.
Loans Held for Sale  The following table summarizes loans held for sale at September 30, 2013 and increases (decreases) since December 31, 2012.
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) From
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
  
September 30, 2013
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
Total commercial loans
$
42

 
$
(439
)
 
(91.3
)%
Consumer loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
130

 
(342
)
 
(72.5
)
Other consumer
64

 
(1
)
 
(1.5
)
Total consumer loans
194

 
(343
)
 
(63.9
)
Total loans held for sale
$
236

 
$
(782
)
 
(76.8
)%
We originate commercial loans in connection with our participation in a number of leveraged acquisition finance syndicates. A substantial majority of these loans are originated with the intent of selling them to unaffiliated third parties and are classified as commercial loans held for sale. During the first quarter of 2013, we completed the sale of substantially all of our remaining leveraged acquisition finance syndicated loans which we had been holding since the financial crisis. Commercial loans held for sale under this program were $1 million and $465 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, all of which are recorded at fair value as we have elected to designate these loans under fair value option. See Note 11, “Fair Value Option,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information. Commercial loans held for sale also includes commercial real estate loans of $41 million and $16 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Residential mortgage loans held for sale primarily include agency eligible first mortgage loans originated and held for sale. Upon conversion of our mortgage processing and servicing operations to PHH Mortgage in the second quarter of 2013, these loans are sold directly to PHH Mortgage and we no longer retain the servicing rights in relation to the mortgages upon sale beginning with May 2013 applications. Also included in residential mortgage loans held for sale are subprime residential mortgage loans of $48

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HSBC USA Inc.

million and $52 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which were acquired from unaffiliated third parties and from HSBC Finance with the intent of securitizing or selling the loans to third parties.
Other consumer loans held for sale in all periods also include certain student loans which we no longer originate.
Consumer loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value. The valuation adjustment on loans held for sale was $81 million and $114 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Trading Assets and Liabilities  The following table summarizes trading assets and liabilities balances at September 30, 2013 and increases (decreases) since December 31, 2012.
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) From
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
  
September 30, 2013
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
Trading assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Securities(1)
$
10,354

 
$
(2,805
)
 
(21.3
)%
Precious metals
10,587

 
(1,745
)
 
(14.2
)
Derivatives(2)
4,586

 
(797
)
 
(14.8
)
 
$
25,527

 
$
(5,347
)
 
(17.3
)%
Trading liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Securities sold, not yet purchased
921

 
714

 
*
Payables for precious metals
3,549

 
(2,218
)
 
(38.5
)
Derivatives(3)
6,595

 
(2,130
)
 
(24.4
)
 
$
11,065

 
$
(3,634
)
 
(24.7
)%
 
 
*
Not meaningful.
(1) 
Includes U.S. Treasury securities, securities issued by U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, other asset-backed securities, corporate and foreign bonds and debt securities.
(2) 
At September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the fair value of derivatives included in trading assets has been reduced by $4.5 billion and $5.1 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the obligation to return cash collateral received under master netting agreements with derivative counterparties.
(3) 
At September 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the fair value of derivatives included in trading liabilities has been reduced by $2.1 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral paid under master netting agreements with derivative.
Securities balances decreased since December 31, 2012 due to a decrease in U.S. Treasury, corporate and foreign sovereign positions held to mitigate the risks of interest rate products issued to customers of domestic and emerging markets. Balances of securities sold, not yet purchased increased since December 31, 2012 due to an increase in short U.S. Treasury positions related to hedges of derivatives in the interest rate trading portfolio.
Precious metals trading assets decreased since December 31, 2012 due primarily to a decrease in our own inventory positions held as hedges for client activity, declines in spot rates and, to a lesser extent, a decrease in unallocated metal balances held for customers. The lower payable for precious metals compared with December 31, 2012 was primarily due to a decrease in unallocated customer balances as well as a reduction in spot rates.
Precious metal positions may not represent our net underlying exposure as we may use derivatives contracts to reduce our risk associated with these positions, where the fair value would appear in the derivative line in the table above.
Derivative assets and liabilities balances decreased since December 31, 2012. The decreases were mainly due to market movements as valuations of interest rate, foreign exchange and credit derivatives all declined. The balances also reflect the continued decrease in credit derivative positions as a number of transaction unwinds and commutations reduced the outstanding market value as we continue to actively reduce the exposure in the legacy structured credit business.
Securities   Securities include securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity. Balances will fluctuate between periods depending upon our liquidity position at the time. The decline in balances since December 31, 2012 reflect the sale of $33.3 billion of U.S. Treasury, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities as part of a continuing strategy to re-balance the securities portfolio for risk management purposes based on the current interest rate environment. Partially offsetting the decline was the

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HSBC USA Inc.

addition of $208 million of securities held-to-maturity as a result of the consolidation of a VIE in the second quarter of 2013. See Note 4, “Securities,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Deposits  The following summarizes deposit balances by major depositor categories at September 30, 2013 and increases (decreases) since December 31, 2012.
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease) From
 
 
 
December 31, 2012
  
September 30, 2013
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
Individuals, partnerships and corporations
$
91,772

 
$
(4,078
)
 
(4.3
)%
Domestic and foreign banks
19,300

 
(959
)
 
(4.7
)%
U.S. government and states and political subdivisions
945

 
252

 
36.4
 %
Foreign governments and official institutions
904

 
35

 
4.0
 %
Total deposits
$
112,921

 
$
(4,750
)
 
(4.0
)%
Total core deposits(1)
$
87,698

 
(2,383
)
 
(2.6
)%
 
 
(1) 
We monitor “core deposits” as a key measure for assessing results of our core banking network. Core deposits generally include all domestic demand, money market and other savings accounts, as well as time deposits with balances not exceeding $100,000.
Deposits continued to be a significant source of funding during the nine months of 2013. Deposit balances decreased since December 31, 2012. Core domestic deposits, which are a substantial source of our core liquidity, also decreased compared with December 31, 2012 driven largely by a strategic decision to actively reduce deposit interest rates in all customer segments with particular emphasis in the non-premier segments. The strategy for our core retail banking business includes building relationship deposits and wealth management across multiple markets, channels and segments. This strategy involves various initiatives, such as:
HSBC Premier, a premium service wealth and relationship banking proposition designed for the internationally-minded client with a dedicated premier relationship manager. Total Premier deposits decreased to $21.2 billion at September 30, 2013 as compared with $22.8 billion at December 31, 2012, primarily as a result of the impact of the deposit rate reductions; and
Expanding our existing customer relationships by needs-based sales of wealth, banking and mortgage products.
We continue to actively manage our balance sheet to increase profitability while maintaining adequate liquidity. We have made reductions to rates on certain deposits and, while we have seen declines in the associated deposit balances, we still retain substantial levels of liquidity.
Short-Term Borrowings  Short-term borrowings increased since December 31, 2012 largely as a result of increased levels of securities sold under agreements to repurchase.
Long-Term Debt  Long-term debt increased modestly since December 31, 2012 as debt issuances were largely offset by debt retirements. Debt issuances included $1.8 billion and $4.6 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, of which $11 million and $1.1 billion, respectively, was issued by HSBC Bank USA.
Incremental issuances from the $40 billion HSBC Bank USA Global Bank Note Program totaled $11 million and $1.1 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $35 million and $237 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Total debt outstanding under this program was $4.6 billion and $4.8 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. Given the adequate liquidity of HSBC Bank USA, we do not anticipate the Global Bank Note Program being heavily used in the future as deposits will continue to be the primary funding source for HSBC Bank USA.
Incremental long-term debt issuances from our shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission totaled $1.7 billion and $3.5 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared with $579 million and $5.1 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Total long-term debt outstanding under this shelf was $11.2 billion and $10.1 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) totaled $1.0 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012. At September 30, 2013, we had the ability to access further borrowings of up to $5.5 billion based on the amount pledged as collateral with the FHLB.

97


HSBC USA Inc.

Results of Operations
 
Unless noted otherwise, the following discusses amounts from continuing operations as reported in our consolidated statement of income (loss).
Net Interest Income  Dollars of net interest income declined in both periods reflecting the impact of lower interest income on securities due to lower outstanding balances and in the year-to-date period lower interest rates reflecting the impact from sales and an increase in interest charges relating to estimated tax exposures. These decreases were partially offset by lower interest expense on deposits reflecting the impact of our retail branch sales to First Niagara as well as lower average rates paid and, in the year-to-date period, higher interest income on loans driven by higher average balances on commercial loans due to new business volume.
Net interest income is the total interest income on earning assets less the total interest expense on deposits and borrowed funds. In the discussion that follows, interest income and rates are presented and analyzed on a taxable equivalent basis to permit comparisons of yields on tax-exempt and taxable assets. An analysis of consolidated average balances and interest rates on a taxable equivalent basis is presented in this MD&A under the caption “Consolidated Average Balances and Interest Rates – Continuing Operations.”
In the following table which summarizes the significant components of net interest income, interest expense includes $50 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2012 that has been allocated to our discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policies as external interest expense is unaffected by these transactions.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Yield on total earning assets
1.84
%
 
1.88
%
 
1.88
%
 
2.00
%
Expense on interest bearing liabilities
.79

 
.91

 
.80

 
.84

Interest rate spread
1.05

 
.97

 
1.08

 
1.16

Benefit from net non-interest paying funds(1)
.21

 
.25

 
.21

 
.15

Net interest margin
1.26
%
 
1.22
%
 
1.29
%
 
1.31
%
 
(1) 
Represents the benefit associated with interest earning assets in excess of interest bearing liabilities. The increased percentages reflect growth in this excess.
The following table summarizes the significant trends affecting the comparability of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 net interest income and interest rate spread. Net interest income in the table is presented on a taxable equivalent basis.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
Amount
 
Interest Rate
Spread
 
Amount
 
Interest Rate
Spread
 
(dollars are in millions)
Net interest income/interest rate spread from prior year
$
515

 
0.97
%
 
$
1,596

 
1.16
%
Increase (decrease) in net interest income associated with:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trading related activities
12

 
 
 
13

 
 
Balance sheet management activities(1)
(17
)
 
 
 
(36
)
 
 
Commercial loans
11

 
 
 
122

 
 
Deposits
4

 
 
 
(27
)
 
 
Residential mortgage banking
(6
)
 
 
 
(13
)
 
 
Interest on estimated tax exposures
(1
)
 
 
 
(13
)
 
 
Other activity
(21
)
 
 
 
(112
)
 
 
Net interest income/interest rate spread for current year
$
497

 
1.05
%
 
$
1,530

 
1.08
%
 
(1) 
Represents our activities to manage interest rate risk associated with the repricing characteristics of balance sheet assets and liabilities. Interest rate risk, and our approach to managing such risk, are described under the caption “Risk Management” in this Form 10-Q.

98


HSBC USA Inc.

Trading related activities  Net interest income for trading related activities increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as lower funding costs were partially offset by lower average balances.
Balance sheet management activities  Net interest income from balance sheet management activities was lower during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as the impact of the sale of certain securities for risk management purposes and a lower interest rate environment was partially offset by lower funding costs.
Commercial loans  Net interest income on commercial loans increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to higher average loan balances due to new business activity as well as lower levels of nonperforming loans which was partially offset by a lower average yield on these loans.
Deposits Lower net interest income during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily reflects the impact of lower rates of return on invested capital and, to a lesser extent, lower average balances and lower rates paid on interest bearing deposits.
Residential mortgage banking revenue Net interest income on residential mortgage banking revenue was lower in both periods as lower residential mortgage average outstanding balances (and the associated net interest income) primarily as a result of the sale of branches to First Niagara in 2012 and in the year-to-date period higher portfolio prepayments, were partially offset by widening interest spreads largely as a result of lower portfolio funding costs.
Interest on estimated tax exposures  Reflects the impact of higher interest expense associated with tax reserves on estimated exposures during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.
Other activity  Net interest income on other activity was lower during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, largely driven by lower rates of return on invested capital related to short-term and long-term borrowing.
Provision for Credit Losses  The following table summarizes the provision for credit losses associated with our various loan portfolios: 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
(10
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
1

 
9.1%
Business and corporate banking
32

 
18

 
14

 
77.8
Global banking
(2
)
 
12

 
(14
)
 
*
Other commercial

 

 

 
Total commercial
$
20

 
$
19

 
$
1

 
5.3%
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
(1
)
 
33

 
(34
)
 
*
Home equity mortgages
28

 
13

 
15

 
*
Credit card receivables
6

 
15

 
(9
)
 
(60.0)
Other consumer
1

 
4

 
(3
)
 
(75.0)
Total consumer
34

 
65

 
(31
)
 
(47.7)
Total provision for credit losses
$
54

 
$
84

 
$
(30
)
 
(35.7)%
Provision as a percentage of average loans, annualized
0.3
%
 
0.6
%
 
 
 
 



99


HSBC USA Inc.

 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
(15
)
 
$
(36
)
 
$
21

 
58.3
 %
Business and corporate banking
49

 
39

 
10

 
25.6

Global banking
26

 
9

 
17

 
*
Other commercial
(4
)
 
(9
)
 
5

 
55.6

Total commercial
$
56

 
$
3

 
$
53

 
*
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
10

 
72

 
(62
)
 
(86.1
)%
Home equity mortgages
58

 
55

 
3

 
5.5

Credit card receivables
17

 
35

 
(18
)
 
(51.4
)
Other consumer
1

 
8

 
(7
)
 
(87.5
)
Total consumer
86

 
170

 
(84
)
 
(49.4
)
Total provision for credit losses
$
142

 
$
173

 
$
(31
)
 
(17.9
)%
Provision as a percentage of average loans, annualized
0.3
%
 
0.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Not meaningful.
During the three months ended September 30, 2013, our provision for credit losses decreased $30 million driven by a lower provision for credit losses in our consumer loan portfolio, while our commercial loan credit loss provision increased modestly. Our provision for credit losses decreased $31 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 driven by a lower provision for credit losses in our consumer loan portfolio partially offset by a higher provision for credit losses in our commercial loan portfolio. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we decreased our credit loss reserves as the provision for credit losses was lower than net charge-offs by $ 10 million and $52 million, respectively.
In our commercial portfolio, the provision for credit losses in both periods reflects a specific provision associated with a single corporate banking customer relationship. Excluding the impact of this item, our commercial provision for credit losses declined in the three month period reflecting improvements in economic and credit conditions as discussed below and remained higher in the year-to-date period, reflecting higher levels of reserves primarily associated with large Global Banking and Markets loan exposures. In addition, while we experienced continued improvements in economic and credit conditions including lower nonperforming loans and criticized asset levels in 2013, reductions in higher risk rated loan balances and stabilization in credit downgrades, including managed reductions in certain exposures and improvements in the financial circumstances of certain customer relationships in both years resulted in a higher overall release in our credit loss reserves in the prior year-to-date period.
The provision for credit losses on residential mortgages including home equity mortgages decreased $19 million and $59 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, as compared with the year-ago periods driven by continued improvements in economic and credit conditions including lower dollars of delinquency on reservable accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent and improvements in loan delinquency roll rates.
The provision for credit losses associated with credit card receivables decreased $9 million and $18 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflecting improved economic conditions, including lower dollars of delinquency, improvements in loan delinquency roll rates and lower average receivable levels.
Our methodology and accounting policies related to the allowance for credit losses are presented in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in this MD&A and in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements” in our 2012 Form 10-K. See “Credit Quality” in this MD&A for additional discussion on the allowance for credit losses associated with our various loan portfolios.

100


HSBC USA Inc.

Other Revenues  The following table summarizes the components of other revenues.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Credit card fees
$
1

 
$
18

 
$
(17
)
 
(94.4
)%
Other fees and commissions
181

 
177

 
4

 
2.3

Trust income
29

 
22

 
7

 
31.8

Trading revenue
117

 
113

 
4

 
3.5

Other securities gains, net
35

 
50

 
(15
)
 
(30.0
)
HSBC affiliate income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fees and commissions
32

 
42

 
(10
)
 
(23.8
)
Other affiliate income
9

 
21

 
(12
)
 
(57.1
)
Total HSBC affiliate income
41

 
63

 
(22
)
 
(34.9
)
Residential mortgage banking revenue
18

 
4

 
14

 
*
Gain on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
(6
)
 
(187
)
 
181

 
96.8

Gain on sale of branches

 
103

 
(103
)
 
(100.0
)%
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation of loans held for sale
1

 
(12
)
 
13

 
*
Insurance
4

 
11

 
(7
)
 
(63.6
)
Earnings from equity investments
1

 

 
1

 
*
Miscellaneous income
10

 
45

 
(35
)
 
(77.8
)
Total other income
16

 
44

 
(28
)
 
(63.6
)
Total other revenues
$
432

 
$
407

 
$
25

 
6.1
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Credit card fees
$
35

 
$
70

 
$
(35
)
 
(50.0
)%
Other fees and commissions
527

 
573

 
(46
)
 
(8.0
)
Trust income
92

 
72

 
20

 
27.8

Trading revenue
388

 
395

 
(7
)
 
(1.8
)
Other securities gains, net
189

 
145

 
44

 
30.3

HSBC affiliate income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fees and commissions
118

 
124

 
(6
)
 
(4.8
)
Other affiliate income
36

 
41

 
(5
)
 
(12.2)
Total HSBC affiliate income
154

 
165

 
(11
)
 
(6.7
)
Residential mortgage banking revenue
73

 
31

 
42

 
*
Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives
82

 
(258
)
 
340

 
*
Gain on sale of branches

 
433

 
(433
)
 
(100.0
)%
Other income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Valuation of loans held for sale
10

 
(15
)
 
25

 
*
Insurance
8

 
15

 
(7
)
 
(46.7
)
Earnings from equity investments
3

 
(1
)
 
4

 
*
Miscellaneous income
29

 
45

 
(16
)
 
(35.6
)
Total other income
50

 
44

 
6

 
13.6

Total other revenues
$
1,590

 
$
1,670

 
$
(80
)
 
(4.8
)%
 
 
 
*
Not meaningful.

101


HSBC USA Inc.

Credit card fees  Credit card fees declined during both periods due to lower outstanding balances driven by the sale of a portion of the portfolio as part of the sale of 195 retail branches in 2012, as well as a continued trend towards lower late fees due to improved customer behavior. Also contributing to the decrease in both periods was higher costs associated with our credit card rewards program due to higher estimated customer redemption rates.
Other fees and commissions  Other fee-based income remained relatively flat during the three months ended September 30, 2013, but declined during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The decrease in the year-to-date period reflects lower account service related fees primarily due to the impact of the sale of 195 retail branches as discussed above and a decline in credit facility related fees primarily due to a decrease in syndication fees. Also impacting the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was a decline in custodial fees due to a decrease in precious metals average inventory held under custody as well as a decline in average metals prices. The following table summarizes the components of other fees and commissions.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Account services
$
76

 
$
75

 
1

 
1.3

Credit facilities
48

 
49

 
(1
)
 
(2.0
)
Custodial fees
12

 
20

 
(8
)
 
(40.0
)
Other fees
45

 
33

 
12

 
36.4

Total other fees and commissions
$
181

 
$
177

 
$
4

 
2.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Account services
$
216

 
$
234

 
(18
)
 
(7.7
)
Credit facilities
152

 
166

 
(14
)
 
(8.4
)
Custodial fees
45

 
56

 
(11
)
 
(19.6
)
Other fees
114

 
117

 
(3
)
 
(2.6
)
Total other fees and commissions
$
527

 
$
573

 
$
(46
)
 
(8.0
)%
Trust income  Trust income increased during both periods due to an increase in fee income associated with our management of fixed income assets, partially offset by reduced fee income associated with the continued decline in money market assets under management.

102


HSBC USA Inc.

Trading revenue  Trading revenue is generated by participation in the foreign exchange, rates, credit and precious metals markets. The following table presents trading related revenue by business and includes net interest income earned on trading instruments, as well as an allocation of the funding benefit or cost associated with the trading positions. The trading related net interest income component is included in net interest income on the consolidated statement of income (loss). Trading revenues related to the mortgage banking business are included in residential mortgage banking revenue.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Trading revenue
$
117

 
$
113

 
$
4

 
3.5
 %
Net interest income
2

 
(10
)
 
12

 
*
Trading related revenue
$
119

 
$
103

 
$
16

 
15.5
 %
Business:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives(1)
$
71

 
$
57

 
$
14

 
24.6
 %
Balance sheet management
7

 
(3
)
 
10

 
*
Foreign exchange
28

 
44

 
(16
)
 
(36.4
)
Precious metals
11

 
11

 

 

Global banking
1

 
1

 

 

Other trading
1

 
(7
)
 
8

 
*
Trading related revenue
$
119

 
$
103

 
$
16

 
15.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Trading revenue
$
388

 
$
395

 
$
(7
)
 
(1.8
)%
Net interest income
(13
)
 
(27
)
 
14

 
51.9

Trading related revenue
$
375

 
$
368

 
$
7

 
1.9
 %
Business:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives(1)
$
166

 
$
146

 
$
20

 
13.7
 %
Balance sheet management
11

 
(6
)
 
17

 
*
Foreign exchange
136

 
166

 
(30
)
 
(18.1
)
Precious metals
59

 
52

 
7

 
13.5

Global banking
2

 
3

 
(1
)
 
(33.3
)
Other trading
1

 
7

 
(6
)
 
(85.7
)
Trading related revenue
$
375

 
$
368

 
$
7

 
1.9
 %
 
*
Not meaningful.
(1) 
Includes derivative contracts related to credit default and cross-currency swaps, equities, interest rates and structured credit products.
Trading revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 reflects higher revenue from derivatives products and balance sheet management activities and in the year-to-date period, higher precious metals revenue, partially offset by lower foreign exchange revenue.
Trading revenue related to derivatives products increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 from increased new deal activity on interest rate related products and lower interest cost on issuance of structured notes. These increases were partially offset by lower valuation gains from structured credit products and declines in emerging markets related derivatives revenue, which were impacted by weakening economic conditions in Latin America.
Trading revenue related to balance sheet management activities increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to higher revenue from economic hedge positions used to manage interest rate risk.
Foreign exchange trading revenue decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to lower revenue from a reduction in trade volumes and price volatility.

103


HSBC USA Inc.

Precious metals trading revenues remained flat during the three months ended September 30, 2013 but increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of increased metals price volatility.
Other trading revenue increased during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to valuation adjustments that were previously included in other trading that are now included in other business lines.
Other securities gains, net  We maintain various securities portfolios as part of our balance sheet diversification and risk management strategies. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2013, we sold $10.0 billion and $33.3 billion, respectively, of U.S. Treasury, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities as part of a continuing strategy to re-balance the securities portfolio for risk management purposes based on the current interest rate environment and recognized gains of $68 million and $275 million and losses of $33 million and $94 million, respectively, which is included as a component of other security gains, net above. In the third quarter and first nine months of 2012, we sold $3.0 billion and $10.4 billion, respectively, of U.S. Treasury, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities as part of a strategy to adjust portfolio risk duration as well as to reduce risk-weighted asset levels and recognized gains of $59 million and $260 million and losses of $9 million and $115 million, respectively.
HSBC affiliate income  Affiliate income decreased in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to lower income associated with performance based activity and in the three month period, lower billings associated with internal audit activities performed for other HSBC affiliates.
Residential mortgage banking revenue  The following table presents the components of residential mortgage banking revenue. The net interest income component reflected in the table is included in net interest income in the consolidated statement of income (loss) and reflects actual interest earned, net of interest expense and corporate transfer pricing.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Net interest income
$
42

 
$
48

 
$
(6
)
 
(12.5
)%
Servicing related income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicing fee income
20

 
21

 
(1
)
 
(4.8
)
Changes in fair value of MSRs due to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in valuation model inputs or assumptions
5

 
(5
)
 
10

 
*
Customer payments
(8
)
 
(15
)
 
7

 
46.7

Trading – Derivative instruments used to offset changes in value of MSRs
(1
)
 
7

 
(8
)
 
*
Total servicing related income
16

 
8

 
8

 
100.0

Originations and sales related income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on sales of residential mortgages
9

 
24

 
(15
)
 
(62.5
)
Provision for repurchase obligations

 
(28
)
 
28

 
100.0

Trading and hedging activity
(9
)
 
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
*
Total originations and sales related income

 
(8
)
 
8

 
100.0

Other mortgage income
2

 
4

 
(2
)
 
(50.0)
Total residential mortgage banking revenue included in other revenues
18

 
4

 
14

 
*
Total residential mortgage banking related revenue
$
60

 
$
52

 
$
8

 
15.4
 %

 

104


HSBC USA Inc.

 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Net interest income
$
137

 
$
150

 
$
(13
)
 
(8.7
)%
Servicing related income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Servicing fee income
62

 
68

 
(6
)
 
(8.8
)
Changes in fair value of MSRs due to:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in valuation model inputs or assumptions
73

 
(20
)
 
93

 
*
Customer payments
(31
)
 
(47
)
 
16

 
34.0

Trading – Derivative instruments used to offset changes in value of MSRs
(42
)
 
33

 
(75
)
 
*
Total servicing related income
62

 
34

 
28

 
82.4

Originations and sales related income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains on sales of residential mortgages
41

 
57

 
(16
)
 
(28.1
)
Provision for repurchase obligations
(36
)
 
(81
)
 
45

 
55.6

Trading and hedging activity
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
 
*
Total originations and sales related income

 
(24
)
 
24

 
100.0

Other mortgage income
11

 
21

 
(10
)
 
(47.6)
Total residential mortgage banking revenue included in other revenues
73

 
31

 
42

 
*
Total residential mortgage banking related revenue
$
210

 
$
181

 
$
29

 
16.0
 %
 
*
Not meaningful.
Net interest income in both periods was lower compared with the year-ago periods as lower residential mortgage average outstanding balances (and the associated net interest income) primarily as a result of the sale of branches to First Niagara in 2012 and continued higher portfolio prepayments were partially offset by widening interest spreads largely the result of lower portfolio funding costs. Consistent with our Premier strategy, additions to our residential mortgage portfolio are primarily to our Premier customers, while sales of loans consist primarily of conforming non-premier loans sold to PHH Mortgage as discussed further below.
Total servicing related income increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 driven by improved net hedged MSR performance partially offset by lower servicing fees driven by a lower serviced loan portfolio as a result of prepayments in excess of new additions to the serviced portfolio. As a result of our strategic relationship with PHH Mortgage, beginning with May 2013 applications, we no longer add new volume to our serviced portfolio as all agency eligible loans are now sold on a servicing released basis. Changes in MSR valuations are driven by updated market based assumptions such as interest rates, expected prepayments, primary-secondary spreads and cost of servicing. Consequently, primarily as a result of rising mortgage rates, the MSR asset fair value increased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 partially offset by losses on instruments used to hedge changes in the fair value of the MSRs.
Originations and sales related income improved in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 largely due to lower loss provisions for loan repurchase obligations associated with loans previously sold. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we recorded a charge of $0 million and $36 million, respectively, due to our estimated exposure associated with repurchase obligations on loans previously sold compared with a charge of $28 million and $81 million, respectively, in the year-ago periods. This improvement was partially offset in both periods by lower gains on sales of residential mortgage loans.
Other mortgage income has fallen in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to a contractual fee arrangement with PHH Mortgage wherein PHH Mortgage retains ancillary fee income.
Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives  We have elected to apply fair value option accounting to commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans, unfunded commitments, certain own fixed-rate debt issuances and all structured notes and structured deposits issued after January 1, 2006 that contain embedded derivatives. We also use derivatives to economically hedge the interest rate risk associated with certain financial instruments for which fair value option has been elected. See Note 11, “Fair Value Option,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information including a breakout of these amounts by individual component.
Gain on sale of branches As discussed above, in May 2012 we completed the sale of 138 non-strategic retail branches to First Niagara and recognized a pre-tax gain, net of allocated non-deductible goodwill, of $330 million. In the third quarter of 2012, we completed the sale of the remaining 57 branches and recognized a pre-tax gain, net of allocated non-deductible goodwill, of $103 million. See Note 3, "Discontinued Operations" in our 2012 Form 10-K for additional information.

105


HSBC USA Inc.

Valuation of loans held for sale  Valuation adjustments on loans held for sale improved during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to lower average balances and reduced volatility. Valuations on loans held for sale relate primarily to residential mortgage loans purchased from third parties and HSBC affiliates with the intent of securitization or sale. Included in this portfolio are subprime residential mortgage loans with a fair value of $48 million and $52 million as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of their aggregate cost or fair value, with adjustments to fair value being recorded as a valuation allowance. Valuations on residential mortgage loans held for sale that we originate are recorded as a component of residential mortgage banking revenue in the consolidated statement of income (loss).
Other income Other income, excluding the valuation of loans held for sale as discussed above, decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 driven largely by lower insurance income, the establishment of a repurchase reserve of approximately $8 million in the third quarter of 2013 relating to loans previously securitized and, in the three month period, lower income associated with fair value hedge ineffectiveness related to securities available-for-sale. In addition, both prior year periods include miscellaneous income relating to the retail branch sale.
Operating Expenses  Lower operating expenses in both periods reflect lower compliance costs, the impact of our retail branch divestitures, excluding the impact of the prior year pension curtailment gain, lower salaries and employee benefits, the non-recurrence of expense related to certain regulatory matters which totaled $800 million and $1,500 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and, in the year-to-date period, lower expenses related to support services from affiliates and lower other expenses. Compliance costs, while remaining a significant component of our cost base in both periods, declined and totaled $81 million and $228 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $92 million and $300 million in the prior year periods, as the prior year reflects investment in BSA/AML process enhancements and infrastructure and, to a lesser extent, foreclosure remediation which did not occur at the same level in 2013. While we continue to focus attention on cost mitigation efforts in order to continue realization of optimal cost efficiencies, we believe compliance related costs have permanently increased to higher levels due to the remediation of regulatory consent agreements.
The following table summarizes the components of operating expenses. 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Salary and employee benefits
$
218

 
$
207

 
11

 
5.3
 %
Occupancy expense, net
57

 
60

 
(3
)
 
(5.0
)
Support services from HSBC affiliates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fees paid to HSBC Finance for loan servicing and other administrative support
2

 
5

 
(3
)
 
(60.0
)
Fees paid to HMUS
58

 
87

 
(29
)
 
(33.3
)
Fees paid to HTSU
274

 
237

 
37

 
15.6

Fees paid to other HSBC affiliates
44

 
43

 
1

 
2.3

Total support services from HSBC affiliates
378

 
372

 
6

 
1.6

Expense related to certain regulatory matters

 
800

 
(800
)
 
(100.0
)
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment and software
14

 
11

 
3

 
27.3

Marketing
9

 
12

 
(3
)
 
(25.0
)
Outside services
23

 
30

 
(7
)
 
(23.3
)
Professional fees
38

 
28

 
10

 
35.7

Postage, printing and office supplies
1

 
2

 
(1
)
 
(50.0
)
Off-balance sheet credit reserves
5

 
(7
)
 
12

 
*
FDIC assessment fee
24

 
21

 
3

 
14.3

Insurance business

 
2

 
(2
)
 
(100.0
)
Miscellaneous
88

 
89

 
(1
)
 
(1.1
)
Total other expenses
202

 
188

 
14

 
7.4

Total operating expenses
$
855

 
$
1,627

 
$
(772
)
 
(47.4
)%
Personnel - average number
6,490

 
7,187

 
 
 
 
Efficiency ratio
92.5
%
 
177.4
%
 
 
 
 

106


HSBC USA Inc.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
 
 
Salary and employee benefits
$
717

 
$
733

 
(16
)
 
(2.2
)
Occupancy expense, net
173

 
176

 
(3
)
 
(1.7
)
Support services from HSBC affiliates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fees paid to HSBC Finance for loan servicing and other administrative
support
11

 
22

 
(11
)
 
(50.0
)
Fees paid to HMUS
164

 
248

 
(84
)
 
(33.9
)
Fees paid to HTSU
749

 
711

 
38

 
5.3

Fees paid to other HSBC affiliates
140

 
162

 
(22
)
 
(13.6)
Total support services from HSBC affiliates
1,064

 
1,143

 
(79
)
 
(6.9
)
Expense related to certain regulatory matters

 
1,500

 
(1,500
)
 
(100.0
)
Other expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment and software
42

 
33

 
9

 
27.3

Marketing
27

 
37

 
(10
)
 
(27.0
)
Outside services
76

 
77

 
(1
)
 
(1.3
)
Professional fees
92

 
89

 
3

 
3.4

Postage, printing and office supplies
5

 
10

 
(5
)
 
(50.0
)
Off-balance sheet credit reserves
(12
)
 
(19
)
 
7

 
36.8

FDIC assessment fee
66

 
75

 
(9
)
 
(12.0
)
Insurance business
1

 
4

 
(3
)
 
(75.0
)
Miscellaneous
181

 
209

 
(28
)
 
(13.4)
Total other expenses
478

 
515

 
(37
)
 
(7.2
)
Total operating expenses
$
2,432

 
$
4,067

 
$
(1,635
)
 
(40.2
)%
Personnel - average number
6,578

 
8,026

 
 
 
 
Efficiency ratio
78.3
%
 
123.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
*
Not meaningful.
Salaries and employee benefits  Salaries and employee benefits expense increased during the three months ended September 30, 2013, but declined during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. While both 2013 periods benefited from the impact of the sale of 195 non-strategic retail branches completed in 2012 and continued cost management efforts which were partially offset by higher salaries expense relating to expansion activities associated with certain businesses, these overall improvements were more than offset in the three month period by the non-recurrence of a pension curtailment gain recorded in the third quarter of 2012.
Occupancy expense, net  Occupancy expense decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, reflecting the impact of the reduction in size of our retail branch network including lower maintenance and utilities costs.
Support services from HSBC affiliates  includes technology and certain centralized support services, including human resources, corporate affairs and other shared services, legal, compliance, tax and finance charged to us by HTSU. Support services from HSBC affiliates also includes services charged to us by an HSBC affiliate located outside of the United States which provides operational support to our businesses, including among other areas, customer service, systems, risk management, collection and accounting functions as well as servicing fees paid to HSBC Finance for servicing nonconforming residential mortgage loans and, prior to May 1, 2012, certain credit card receivables. Higher support services from HSBC affiliates during the three months ended September 30, 2013 reflects higher fees paid to HTSU relating to additional staff and consulting fees associated with regulatory requirements and compliance, partially offset by lower fees paid to HMUS largely related to lower compliance costs as the prior year periods reflect investment in AML process enhancements and infrastructure which did not occur at the same level in 2013. Support services from HSBC affiliates declined, however, during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as the higher fees paid to HTSU discussed above were more than offset by lower fees paid to HMUS as discussed above and lower fees paid to HSBC Finance, which no longer services our credit card portfolio. Compliance costs reflected in support services from affiliates totaled $80 million and $215 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with $68 million and $232 million in the year-ago periods.

107


HSBC USA Inc.

Expense related to certain regulatory matters Included in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 is an expense of $800 million and $1,500 million, respectively, related to certain regulatory matters. See Note 20, "Litigation and Regulatory Matters" for additional information.
Marketing expenses  Lower marketing and promotional expenses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 resulted from continued optimization of marketing spend as a result of general cost saving initiatives.
Other expenses  Other expenses (excluding marketing expenses) increased during the three month period ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to higher loss estimates associated with off-balance sheet credit exposures and higher professional fees associated with regulatory reporting and capital planning activities which were partially offset by lower legal expense. While lower compared with the prior year periods, legal expense in the third quarter of 2013 includes an expense accrual of $27 million relating to estimated exposure associated with certain previous residential mortgage backed securities activity. Other expenses decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as the higher loss estimates on off-balance sheet credit exposures and higher professional fees discussed above were more than offset by lower legal expense and lower FDIC assessment fees.
Efficiency ratio  Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations was 92.5 percent and 78.3 percent during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with 177.4 percent and 123.2 percent during the year-ago periods. Our efficiency ratio was impacted in each period by the change in the fair value of our own debt attributable to credit spread for which we have elected fair value option accounting. Excluding the impact of this item, our efficiency ratio for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 improved to 86.6 percent and 77.0 percent, respectively, compared with 148.4 percent and 113.9 percent in the year-ago periods due to a decrease in operating expenses partially offset by a decrease in net interest income and in other revenues as the prior year periods include a $103 million and $330 million, respectively, pre-tax gain from the sale of certain branches to First Niagara. While operating expenses declined in both periods driven by the impact of our retail branch divestitures, cost mitigation efforts and the non-recurrence of an $800 million and $1,500 million expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, related certain regulatory matters, they continue to reflect elevated levels of compliance costs.
Income taxes The following table provides an analysis of the difference between effective rates based on the total income tax provision attributable to pretax income and the statutory U.S. Federal income tax rate:
 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate
$
5

 
35.0
 %
 
$
(278
)
 
(35.0
)%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit
1

 
6.7

 
14

 
1.8

Non-deductible expense accrual related to certain regulatory matters(1)

 

 
280

 
35.3

Non-deductible goodwill related to branch sale(1)

 

 
33

 
4.2

Other non-deductible / non-taxable items(2)
(1
)
 
(6.7
)
 
(6
)
 
(0.8
)
Items affecting prior periods(3)
20

 
133.3

 
(34
)
 
(4.3
)
Uncertain tax positions(4)

 

 
(9
)
 
(1.1
)
Foreign tax credits and other credits

 

 

 

Impact of foreign operations
5

 
33.3

 

 

Low income housing tax credits
(21
)
 
(140.0
)
 
(21
)
 
(2.6
)
Other
2

 
5.1

 
9

 
1.0

Total income tax expense
$
11

 
66.7
 %
 
$
(12
)
 
(1.5
)%


108


HSBC USA Inc.

 
2013
 
2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax expense at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate
$
186

 
35.0
 %
 
$
(328
)
 
(35.0
)%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit
31

 
5.8

 
23

 
2.5

Adjustment of tax rate used to value deferred taxes

 

 
(10
)
 
(1.1
)
Non-deductible expense accrual related to certain regulatory matters(1)

 

 
525

 
56.0

Non-deductible goodwill related to branch sale(1)

 

 
139

 
14.8

Other non-deductible / non-taxable items(2)
(14
)
 
(2.6
)
 
(11
)
 
(1.2
)
Items affecting prior periods(3)
(4
)
 
(0.8
)
 
22

 
2.3

Uncertain tax positions(4)
18

 
3.4

 
57

 
6.1

Impact of foreign operations
9

 
1.7

 

 

Low income housing tax credits
(64
)
 
(12.1
)
 
(63
)
 
(6.7
)
Other
2

 
0.3

 
3

 
0.4

Total income tax expense
$
164

 
30.7
 %
 
$
357

 
38.1
 %
 
(1) 
Represents non-deductible expense relating to certain regulatory matters and non-deductible goodwill related to the branches sold to First Niagara in 2012.
(2) 
For 2013, mainly relates to a change in the assessment of the deductibility of other non-deductible expenses and tax exempt income.
(3) 
Relates to corrections to current and deferred tax balance sheet accounts.
(4) 
Reflects changes in state uncertain tax positions which no longer meet the more likely than not requirement for recognition.

Segment Results – IFRSs Basis
 
We have four distinct business segments that are utilized for management reporting and analysis purposes which are aligned with HSBC's global businesses and business strategy. The segments, which are generally based upon customer groupings and global businesses, are described under Item 1, “Business” in our 2012 Form 10-K. Our segment results are reported on a continuing operations basis. There have been no changes in the basis of our segmentation or measurement of segment profit as compared with the presentation in our 2012 Form 10-K except as noted below.
Commercial Banking has historically held investments in low income housing tax credits. The financial benefit from these investments is obtained through lower taxes. Since business segment returns are measured on a pre-tax basis, a revenue share has historically been in place in the form of a funding credit to provide CMB with an exact and equal offset booked to the Other segment. Beginning in 2013, this practice has been eliminated and the low income housing tax credit investments and related financial impact are being recorded entirely in the Other segment. We have reclassified prior period results in both the CMB and Other segments to conform to the revised current year presentation.
We report financial information to our parent, HSBC, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs"). As a result, our segment results are presented on an IFRSs basis (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) as operating results are monitored and reviewed, trends are evaluated and decisions about allocating resources such as employees are made almost exclusively on an IFRSs basis. However, we continue to monitor capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP basis. The significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are summarized in Note 25, “Business Segments,” in our 2012 Form 10-K.
Retail Banking and Wealth Management (“RBWM”)  Our RBWM segment provides a full range of banking and wealth products and services through our branches and direct channels to individuals. These services include asset-driven services such as credit and lending, liability-driven services such as deposit taking and account services and fee-driven services such as advisory and wealth management. During the first nine months of 2013, we continued to direct resources towards the development and delivery of premium service, client needs based wealth and banking services with particular focus on HSBC Premier, HSBC's global banking service that offers customers a seamless international service.
Consistent with our strategy, additions to our residential mortgage portfolio are primarily to our Premier customers, while sales of loans historically consist primarily of conforming loans sold to GSEs and beginning in May 2013, PHH Mortgage. In addition to normal sales activity, at times we have historically sold prime adjustable and fixed rate mortgage loan portfolios to third parties and retained the servicing rights in relation to the mortgages upon sale. Upon conversion of our mortgage processing and servicing

109


HSBC USA Inc.

operations to PHH Mortgage, we now sell our agency eligible originations beginning with May 2013 applications directly to PHH Mortgage on a servicing released basis which will result in no new mortgage servicing rights being recognized going forward.
The following table summarizes the IFRSs results for our RBWM segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
205

 
$
209

 
$
(4
)
 
(1.9
)%
Other operating income
81

 
138

 
(57
)
 
(41.3
)
Total operating income
286

 
347

 
(61
)
 
(17.6
)
Loan impairment charges
44

 
72

 
(28
)
 
(38.9
)
 
242

 
275

 
(33
)
 
(12.0
)
Operating expenses
301

 
368

 
(67
)
 
(18.2
)
Profit (loss) before tax
$
(59
)
 
$
(93
)
 
$
34

 
36.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
626

 
$
653

 
$
(27
)
 
(4.1
)%
Other operating income
270

 
497

 
(227
)
 
(45.7
)
Total operating income
896

 
1,150

 
(254
)
 
(22.1
)
Loan impairment charges
97

 
174

 
(77
)
 
(44.3
)
 
799

 
976

 
(177
)
 
(18.1
)
Operating expenses
892

 
1,010

 
(118
)
 
(11.7
)
Profit (loss) before tax
$
(93
)
 
$
(34
)
 
$
(59
)
 
*
 
*
Not meaningful.
Our RBWM segment reported a lower loss before tax during the three month period ended September 30, 2013, while loss before tax increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Prior year periods include a gain of $59 million and $238 million, respectively, relating to the sale of certain branches to First Niagara. Excluding the gain on the sale of these branches, loss before tax improved $93 million and $179 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared with the corresponding prior year periods driven primarily by lower loan impairment charges and lower operating expenses.
Net interest income was lower during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 driven by lower deposit levels as a result of the branch sale to First Niagara. Partially offsetting the impact of branch sale to First Niagara in both periods were margin improvements due to active re-pricing of the deposit base especially in the non-premier segments which reduced our funding costs. Residential mortgage average balances were lower than the year-ago periods due to the impact of the branch sales partially offset by an increase in residential mortgage loans to our Premier customers.
Other operating income included a gain from the completion of the sale of certain branches to First Niagara totaling $59 million and $238 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Excluding the gain on the sale of branches, other operating income remained flat in the three month period but increased in the year-to-date period driven by lower provisions for mortgage loan repurchase obligations associated with previously sold loans and improved net hedged mortgage servicing rights results, partially offset by lower gains on sales of mortgage loans.
Loan impairment charges decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 driven by continued improvements in economic and credit conditions including lower delinquency levels on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent, improvements in delinquency roll rates as well as lower charge-offs in the year-to-date period including significant improvements in market value adjustments on loan collateral due to improvements in home prices which was partially offset by an incremental loan impairment charge of $15 million during the second quarter of 2013 to reflect an update to the period of time after a loss event a loan remains current before delinquency is observed.

110


HSBC USA Inc.

Operating expenses were lower in both periods primarily due to the sale of the 195 branches to First Niagara as well as lower compliance and legal costs and decreases in expenses driven by several cost reduction initiatives relating to our retail branch network, primarily optimizing staffing and administrative areas, as well as reduced marketing expenditures. Partially offsetting these improvements was the impact of a reduction in the amount of branch costs allocated to Commercial Banking.
Commercial Banking (“CMB”)  CMB's business strategy is to be the leading international trade and business bank in the U.S. CMB strives to execute this vision and strategy in the U.S. by focusing on key markets with high concentration of internationally minded customers. Our Commercial Banking segment serves the markets through three client groups, notably Corporate Banking, Business Banking and Commercial Real Estate which allows us to align our resources in order to efficiently deliver suitable products and services based on the client's needs. Whether it is through commercial centers, retail branch network, or via HSBCnet, CMB provides customers with the products and services needed to grow their businesses internationally. Our relationship managers operate within a robust, customer focused compliance and risk culture, and collaborate across HSBC to capture a larger percentage of a relationship. In first nine months of 2013, an increase in the number of relationship managers and product partners is enabling us to gain a larger presence in key growth markets, including the West Coast, Southeast and Midwest.
New loan originations have resulted in a 13 percent increase in average loans outstanding to Corporate Banking customers since September 30, 2012. The Commercial Real Estate group is focusing on selective business opportunities in markets with strong portfolio expertise, which resulted in a 20 percent increase in average outstanding loans for this portfolio since September 30, 2012. Total average loans increased 13 percent across all CMB business lines as compared with September 30, 2012.
The following table summarizes the IFRSs results for our CMB segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
181

 
$
172

 
$
9

 
5.2
 %
Other operating income
77

 
136

 
(59
)
 
(43.4
)
Total operating income
258

 
308

 
(50
)
 
(16.2
)
Loan impairment charges
26

 
6

 
20

 
*
 
232

 
302

 
(70
)
 
(23.2
)
Operating expenses
169

 
154

 
15

 
9.7

Profit before tax
$
63

 
$
148

 
$
(85
)
 
(57.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
523

 
$
502

 
$
21

 
4.2
 %
Other operating income
219

 
471

 
(252
)
 
(53.5
)
Total operating income
742

 
973

 
(231
)
 
(23.7
)
Loan impairment charges (recoveries)
41

 
(3
)
 
44

 
*
 
701

 
976

 
(275
)
 
(28.2
)
Operating expenses
502

 
487

 
15

 
3.1

Profit before tax
$
199

 
$
489

 
$
(290
)
 
(59.3
)%
 
*
Not meaningful.
Our CMB segment reported a lower profit before tax during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Prior year periods include a gain of $65 million and $278 million, respectively, relating to the sale of certain branches to First Niagara. Excluding the gain on the sale of these branches, profit before tax remained lower declining $20 million and $12 million, respectively, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as compared with the corresponding prior year periods driven by lower business banking revenues due to the branch sale, higher loan impairment charges and higher operating expenses, partially offset by higher net interest income and higher other operating income.
Net interest income increased during both periods due to the favorable impact of higher loan balances in expansion markets.

111


HSBC USA Inc.

Other operating income included a gain from the completion of the sale of certain branches to First Niagara totaling $65 million and $278 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Excluding the gain on the sale of branches, other operating income was higher during both periods due to higher fees generated from trade services, foreign currency revenue and credit commitments, as well as an increase in debt and leverage acquisition financing activity.
Loan impairment charges were higher during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to a specific provision associated with a single corporate banking customer relationship as well as higher provisions as a result of loan growth in expansion markets.
Operating expenses increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 as additional expenses relating to staffing increases in growth markets including the West Coast, Southeast and Midwest and higher technology infrastructure costs were partially offset by a reduction in network costs due to the branch sale and a reduction in the amount of branch costs allocated from RBWM.
Global Banking and Markets  Our Global Banking and Markets business segment supports HSBC’s emerging markets-led and financing-focused global strategy by leveraging HSBC Group advantages and scale, strength in developed and emerging markets and Global Markets products expertise in order to focus on delivering international products to U.S. clients and local products to international clients, with New York as the hub for the Americas business, including Canada and Latin America. Global Banking and Markets provides tailored financial solutions to major government, corporate and institutional clients as well as private investors worldwide. Global Banking and Markets clients are served by sector-focused teams that bring together relationship managers and product specialists to develop financial solutions that meet individual client needs. With a focus on providing client connectivity between the emerging markets and developed markets, we ensure that a comprehensive understanding of each client’s financial requirements is developed with a long-term relationship management approach. In addition to Global Banking and Markets clients, Global Banking and Markets works with RBWM, CMB and PB to meet their domestic and international banking needs.
Within client-focused business lines, Global Banking and Markets offers a full range of capabilities, including:
Ÿ
Corporate and investment banking and financing solutions for corporate and institutional clients, including loans, working capital, investment banking, trade services, payments and cash management, and leveraged and acquisition finance; and
Ÿ
One of the largest markets business of its kind, with 24-hour coverage and knowledge of world-wide local markets and providing services in credit and rates, foreign exchange, derivatives, money markets, precious metals trading, cash equities and securities services.
Also included in our Global Banking and Markets segment is Balance Sheet Management, which is responsible for managing liquidity and funding under the supervision of our Asset and Liability Policy Committee. Balance Sheet Management also manages our structural interest rate position within a limit structure.
We continue to proactively target U.S. companies with international banking requirements and foreign companies with banking needs in the Americas. Furthermore, we have seen higher average corporate loan balances as well as growth in revenue from the cross-sale of our products to CMB and RBWM customers consistent with our global strategy of cross-sale to other global businesses. Global Banking and Markets segment results during the first nine months of 2013 benefited from more stable U.S. financial market conditions, which reflected continued low interest rates and generally less volatile credit spreads and foreign exchange prices.


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HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes IFRSs results for the Global Banking and Markets segment.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
78

 
$
129

 
$
(51
)
 
(39.5
)%
Other operating income
296

 
251

 
45

 
17.9

Total operating income
374

 
380

 
(6
)
 
(1.6
)
Loan impairment charges (recoveries)
(3
)
 
6

 
(9
)
 
*
 
377

 
374

 
3

 
.8

Operating expenses
255

 
249

 
6

 
2.4

Profit before tax
$
122

 
$
125

 
$
(3
)
 
(2.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
312

 
$
439

 
$
(127
)
 
(28.9
)%
Other operating income
973

 
742

 
231

 
31.1

Total operating income
1,285

 
1,181

 
104

 
8.8

Loan impairment charges (recoveries)
6

 
(2
)
 
8

 
*
 
1,279

 
1,183

 
96

 
8.1

Operating expenses
735

 
744

 
(9
)
 
(1.2
)
Profit before tax
$
544

 
$
439

 
$
105

 
23.9
 %
 
*
Not meaningful.
Our GBM segment reported a slightly lower profit before tax during the three months ended September 30, 2013 as lower net interest income and higher operating expenses were mostly offset by higher other operating income and lower loan impairment charges. Our GBM segment reported a higher profit before tax during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 driven by higher other operating income and lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower net interest income and higher loan impairment charges.
Net interest income decreased in both periods due to lower rates on investment balances including the impact of security sales, partially offset by an increase due to growth in corporate loan balances. Other operating income is discussed further under the table below.
Loan impairment charges increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared with the year-ago period reflecting higher levels of impairment allowances for risk factors primarily associated with large loan exposures. Loan impairment charges decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared with the year-ago period due to exposure reduction in several lower rated credit facilities.
Operating expenses increased during the three months ended September 30, 2013 and decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as reduced staff costs due to lower headcount and lower compliance costs associated with our AML/BSA remediation activities in both periods were more than offset in the three month period by litigation related costs associated with our legacy credit business.

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HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes the impact of key activities on total operating income of the Global Banking and Markets segment.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange and metals
$
48

 
$
78

 
$
(30
)
 
(38.5
)%
Credit(1)
15

 
41

 
(26
)
 
(63.4
)
Rates
50

 
20

 
30

 
*
Equities
4

 
3

 
1

 
33.3

Other Global Markets
23

 
(25
)
 
48

 
*
Total Global Markets
140

 
117

 
23

 
19.7

Financing
61

 
48

 
13

 
27.1

Payments and cash management
88

 
93

 
(5
)
 
(5.4
)
Other transaction services
14

 
13

 
1

 
7.7

Total Global Banking
163

 
154

 
9

 
5.8

Balance Sheet Management(2)
82

 
108

 
(26
)
 
(24.1
)
Other
(11
)
 
1

 
(12
)
 
*
Total operating income
$
374

 
$
380

 
$
(6
)
 
(1.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange and metals
$
238

 
$
284

 
$
(46
)
 
(16.2
)%
Credit(1)
81

 
51

 
30

 
58.8

Rates
115

 
117

 
(2
)
 
(1.7
)
Equities
13

 
11

 
2

 
18.2

Other Global Markets
47

 
(66
)
 
113

 
*
Total Global Markets
494

 
397

 
97

 
24.4

Financing
165

 
126

 
39

 
31.0

Payments and cash management
250

 
263

 
(13
)
 
(4.9
)
Other transaction services
43

 
64

 
(21
)
 
(32.8
)
Total Global Banking
458

 
453

 
5

 
1.1

Balance Sheet Management(2)
339

 
336

 
3

 
.9

Other
(6
)
 
(5
)
 
(1
)
 
(20.0
)
Total operating income
$
1,285

 
$
1,181

 
$
104

 
8.8
 %
 
*
Not meaningful.
(1) 
Credit includes operating income of $16 million and $82 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with operating income of $46 million and $64 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, of revenue related to structured credit products and mortgage loans held for sale which we no longer offer.
(2) 
Includes gains on the sale of securities of $35 million and $189 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with gains on the sale of securities of $34 million and $123 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.
 Foreign exchange and metals revenue declined in both periods from a reduction in trading volumes and price volatility. Revenue from Credit decreased in the three month period and improved in the nine month period, substantially due to the impact of valuation adjustments on legacy structured credit exposures and mortgages held for sale. Gains on structured credit products due to changes in fair value of $24 million and $79 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with losses of $43 million and gains of $56 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. Included in structured credit products were exposures to monoline insurance companies that resulted in gains of $1 million and $42 million due to fair value movements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared

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HSBC USA Inc.

with gains of $16 million and $6 million during the year-ago periods. Valuation losses of $1 million and gains of $6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, were recorded against the fair values of sub-prime residential mortgage loans held for sale compared with valuation losses of $2 million and $6 million during the year-ago periods. Revenue from Rates increased during the three month period and decreased in the year-to-date period, mainly from the performance of emerging markets related products which were affected by volatile economic conditions in Latin America. Other global markets revenue improved during both periods due to an increase from fair value adjustments on our structured note liabilities, which reflects changes in our own credit risk.
Corporate loan growth and lower liquidity costs on unused commitments resulted in higher Financing revenue during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Other transaction services revenue declined in the year-to-date period due to the transfer of our fund services business to an affiliate entity.
Balance Sheet Management reflected lower gains from the sale of securities during the three month period, but higher gains from the sales of securities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to sales associated with a continued re-balancing of the portfolio for risk management purposes based on the low interest rate environment.
Private Banking (“PB”)  PB provides wealth management and trustee services to high net worth individuals and families with local and international needs. Accessing the most suitable products from the marketplace, PB works with its clients to offer both traditional and innovative ways to manage and preserve wealth while optimizing returns. Managed as a global business, PB offers a wide range of wealth management and specialist advisory services, including banking, liquidity management, investment services, custody services, tailored lending, wealth planning, trust and fiduciary services, insurance, family wealth and philanthropy advisory services. PB also works to ensure that its clients have access to other products and services, capabilities, resources and expertise available throughout HSBC, such as credit cards, investment banking, commercial real estate lending and middle market lending, to deliver services and solutions for all aspects of their wealth management needs.
During the first nine months of 2013, we continued to dedicate resources in the wealth management market. Areas of focus are banking and cash management, investment advice including discretionary portfolio management, investment and structured products, residential mortgages, as well as wealth planning for trusts and estates. Also in the first nine months of 2013, our compliance and risk framework was strengthened by the establishment of a Global Private Banking Global Standards Committee and a revised risk appetite framework. Client deposit levels decreased $480 million or 4 percent compared with September 30, 2012 from domestic and international market customers. Total loans increased $290 million or 5 percent compared with prior year primarily in the residential mortgage portfolio. Overall period end client assets were lower than September 2012 by $3 billion and $2 billion lower than December 31, 2012 primarily due to reduction in highly active institutional customer balances partially offset by higher PB wealth management and investment products.

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HSBC USA Inc.

The following table provides additional information regarding client assets during the first nine months of 2013 and 2012:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
(in billions)
Client assets at beginning of the period
$
46.5

 
$
47.7

Net new money (outflows)
(2.3
)
 
.4

Value change
.5

 
(.1
)
Client assets at end of period
$
44.7

 
$
48.0

The following table summarizes IFRSs results for the PB segment. 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
46

 
$
45

 
$
1

 
2.2
 %
Other operating income
27

 
26

 
1

 
3.8

Total operating income
73

 
71

 
2

 
2.8

Loan impairment charges (recoveries)
3

 
2

 
1

 
50.0

 
70

 
69

 
1

 
1.4

Operating expenses
62

 
57

 
5

 
8.8

Profit (loss) before tax
$
8

 
$
12

 
$
(4
)
 
(33.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest income
$
140

 
$
137

 
$
3

 
2.2
 %
Other operating income
85

 
83

 
2

 
2.4

Total operating income
225

 
220

 
5

 
2.3

Loan impairment charges (recoveries)
4

 
(3
)
 
7

 
*
 
221

 
223

 
(2
)
 
(.9
)
Operating expenses
189

 
178

 
11

 
6.2

Profit (loss) before tax
$
32

 
$
45

 
$
(13
)
 
(28.9
)%
 
*
Not meaningful.
Our PB segment reported lower profit before tax during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily driven by higher operating expenses and in the year-to-date period higher loan impairment charges, partially offset by higher net interest income.
Net interest income was higher in both periods as improved volumes in lending, primarily in residential mortgages, were partially offset by lower net interest from the reduction in term deposit balances.
Other operating income remained essentially flat in the three month period but increased in the year-to-date period, reflecting higher volumes and fees on managed and structured investment products as well as higher funds fees.
Loan impairment charges remained relatively flat during the quarter but increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 due to a lower level of recoveries and higher provisions as a result of loan growth.
Operating expenses increased during both periods primarily due to higher compliance and regulatory costs and, in the year-to-date period, costs associated with the closure of a foreign branch.
Other  The other segment primarily includes adjustments made at the corporate level for fair value option accounting related to credit risk on certain debt issued, income and expense associated with certain affiliate transactions, adjustments to the fair value

116


HSBC USA Inc.

on HSBC shares held for stock plans and interest expense associated with certain tax exposures and in both 2012 periods, an expense accrual for certain regulatory matters.
The following table summarizes IFRSs Basis results for the Other segment.
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
$
(6
)
 
$
(13
)
 
$
7

 
53.8
 %
Gain (loss) on own fair value option debt attributable to credit spread
(63
)
 
(179
)
 
116

 
64.8
Other operating income (loss)
18

 
15

 
3

 
20.0
Total operating income (loss)
(51
)
 
(177
)
 
126

 
71.2

Loan impairment charges

 

 

 

 
(51
)
 
(177
)
 
126

 
71.2

Operating expenses
52

 
844

 
(792
)
 
(93.8
)
Profit (loss) before tax
$
(103
)
 
$
(1,021
)
 
$
918

 
89.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
$
(34
)
 
$
(31
)
 
$
(3
)
 
(9.7
)%
Gain (loss) on own fair value option debt attributable to credit spread
(52
)
 
(269
)
 
217

 
80.7

Other operating income (loss)
42

 
35

 
7

 
20.0
Total operating income (loss)
(44
)
 
(265
)
 
221

 
83.4

Loan impairment charges

 

 

 

 
(44
)
 
(265
)
 
221

 
83.4

Operating expenses
138

 
1,628

 
(1,490
)
 
(91.5
)
Profit (loss) before tax
$
(182
)
 
$
(1,893
)
 
$
1,711

 
90.4
 %
Profit (loss) before tax improved $918 million and $1.7 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, driven largely by an expense accrual related to certain regulatory matters totaling $800 million and $1.5 billion recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, that did not re-occur. Excluding the impact of this item on both prior year periods, profit (loss) before tax improved $118 million and 211million during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013, respectively. The improvement in both periods was primarily due to improvements in revenue associated with changes in fair value attributable to credit spread of our own debt for which fair value option was elected.
Reconciliation of Segment Results  As previously discussed, segment results are reported on an IFRSs basis. See Note 15, “Business Segments,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the differences between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP. For segment reporting purposes, intersegment transactions have not been eliminated, and we generally account for transactions between segments as if they were with third parties. Also see Note 15, “Business Segments,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of our IFRSs segment results to U.S. GAAP consolidated totals.
Credit Quality
 
In the normal course of business, we enter into a variety of transactions that involve both on and off-balance sheet credit risk. Principal among these activities is lending to various commercial, institutional, governmental and individual customers. We participate in lending activity throughout the U.S. and, on a limited basis, internationally.
Allowance for Credit Losses  For a substantial majority of commercial loans, we conduct a periodic assessment on a loan-by-loan basis of losses we believe to be inherent in the loan portfolio. When it is deemed probable based upon known facts and circumstances that full contractual interest and principal on an individual loan will not be collected in accordance with its contractual terms, the loan is considered impaired. An impairment reserve is established based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan's original effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, the loan's observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Updated appraisals for collateral dependent loans are generally obtained

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HSBC USA Inc.

only when such loans are considered troubled and the frequency of such updates are generally based on management judgment under the specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Problem commercial loans are assigned various obligor grades under the allowance for credit losses methodology. Each credit grade has a probability of default estimate.
Our credit grades for commercial loans align with U.S. regulatory risk ratings and are mapped to our probability of default master scale. These probability of default estimates are validated on an annual basis using back-testing of actual default rates and benchmarking of the internal ratings with external rating agency data like Standard and Poor's ratings and default rates. Substantially all appraisals in connection with commercial real estate loans are ordered by the independent real estate appraisal unit at HSBC. The appraisal must be reviewed and accepted by this unit. For loans greater than $250 thousand, an appraisal is generally ordered when the loan is classified as Substandard as defined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (the “OCC”). On average, it takes approximately four weeks from the time the appraisal is ordered until it is completed and the values accepted by HSBC's independent appraisal review unit. Subsequent provisions or charge-offs are completed shortly thereafter, generally within the quarter in which the appraisal is received.
In situations where an external appraisal is not used to determine the fair value of the underlying collateral of impaired loans, current information such as rent rolls and operating statements of the subject property are reviewed and presented in a standardized format. Operating results such as net operating income and cash flows before and after debt service are established and reported with relevant ratios. Third-party market data is gathered and reviewed for relevance to the subject collateral. Data is also collected from similar properties within the portfolio. Actual sales levels of condominiums, operating income and expense figures and rental data on a square foot basis are derived from existing loans and, when appropriate, used as comparables for the subject property. Property specific data, augmented by market data research, is used to project a stabilized year of income and expense to create a 10-year cash flow model to be discounted at appropriate rates to present value. These valuations are then used to determine if any impairment on the underlying loans exists and an appropriate allowance is recorded when warranted.
For loans identified as troubled debt restructures ("TDR Loans"), an allowance for credit losses is maintained based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans' original effective interest rate or in the case of certain commercial loans which are solely dependent on the collateral for repayment, the estimated fair value of the collateral less costs to sell. The circumstances in which we perform a loan modification involving a TDR Loans at a then current market interest rate for a borrower with similar credit risk would include other changes to the terms of the original loan made as part of the restructure (e.g. principal reductions, collateral changes, etc.) in order for the loan to be classified as a TDR Loans.
For pools of homogeneous consumer loans which do not qualify as troubled debt restructures, probable losses are estimated using a roll rate migration analysis that estimates the likelihood that a loan will progress through the various stages of delinquency, or buckets, and ultimately charge-off based upon recent historical performance experience of other loans in our portfolio. This migration analysis incorporates estimates of the period of time between a loss occurring and the confirming event of its charge-off. This analysis considers delinquency status, loss experience and severity and takes into account whether loans have filed for bankruptcy, have been re-aged or are subject to an external debt management plan, hardship, modification, extension or deferment. The allowance for credit losses on consumer receivables also takes into consideration the loss severity expected based on the underlying collateral, if any, for the loan in the event of default based on historical and recent trends which are updated monthly based on a rolling average of several months' data using the most recently available information and is typically in the range of 25-40 percent for first lien mortgage loans and 90-100 percent for second lien home equity loans. At September 30, 2013, approximately 1 percent of our second lien mortgages where the first lien mortgage is held or serviced by us and has a delinquency status of 90 days or more delinquent, were less than 90 days delinquent and not considered to be a troubled debt restructure or already recorded at fair value less costs to sell.
 The roll rate methodology is a migration analysis based on contractual delinquency and rolling average historical loss experience which captures the increased likelihood of an account migrating to charge-off as the past due status of such account increases. The roll rate models used were developed by tracking the movement of delinquencies by age of delinquency by month (bucket) over a specified time period. Each “bucket” represents a period of delinquency in 30-day increments. The roll from the last delinquency bucket results in charge-off. Contractual delinquency is a method for determining aging of past due accounts based on the status of payments under the loan. The roll percentages are converted to reserve requirements for each delinquency period (i.e., 30 days, 60 days, etc.). Average roll rates are developed to avoid temporary aberrations caused by seasonal trends in delinquency experienced by some product types. We have determined that a 12-month average roll rate balances the desire to avoid temporary aberrations, while at the same time analyzing recent historical data. The calculations are performed monthly and are done consistently from period to period. In addition, loss reserves on consumer receivables are maintained to reflect our judgment of portfolio risk factors which may not be fully reflected in the statistical roll rate calculation.
Our allowance for credit losses methodology and our accounting policies related to the allowance for credit losses are presented in further detail under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements,” in our 2012 Form 10-K. Our approach toward credit risk management is

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HSBC USA Inc.

summarized under the caption “Risk Management” in our 2012 Form 10-K. There have been no material revisions to our policies or methodologies during the first half of 2013.
The following table sets forth the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Allowance for credit losses
$
595

 
$
605

 
$
647

Ratio of Allowance for credit losses to:
 
 
 
 
 
Loans:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
.6
%
 
.6
%
 
.7
%
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
1.0
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.4
%
Home equity mortgages
3.2
%
 
2.4
%
 
1.9
%
Credit card receivables
5.3
%
 
5.2
%
 
6.7
%
Other consumer loans
2.4
%
 
2.3
%
 
3.3
%
Total consumer loans
1.5
%
 
1.6
%
 
1.7
%
Total
.9
%
 
.9
%
 
1.0
%
Net charge-offs(1)(2):
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
*

 
*

 
173.2
%
Consumer
122.6
%
 
225.0

 
129.9

Total
234.0
%
 
504.2
%
 
148.1
%
Nonperforming loans(1):
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
142.9
%
 
117.7
%
 
63.4
%
Consumer
24.7

 
26.9

 
28.2

Total
43.7
%
 
43.4
%
 
38.7
%
 
*
Not meaningful.
(1) 
Ratios exclude loans held for sale as these loans are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.
(2) 
Quarter-to-date net charge-offs, annualized.
See Note 6, "Allowance for Credit Losses," in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a rollforward of credit losses by general loan categories for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.
The allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2013 decreased $10 million, or 2 percent as compared with June 30, 2013 and decreased $52 million, or 8 percent as compared with December 31, 2012. The decrease since June 30, 2013 was driven by lower allowance levels in our consumer loan portfolio reflecting lower loss estimates in our residential mortgage loan portfolio due to continued improvements in credit quality as discussed below, partially offset by a modest increase in the allowance for commercial loans driven largely by an increase in the allowance driven from a specific provision associated with a single corporate banking customer relationship and a higher allowance for certain portfolio risk factors, partially offset by improved credit quality. The decrease from December 31, 2012 was due to lower loss estimates in both our commercial and consumer loan portfolios. Our commercial allowance for credit losses decreased $4 million in the first nine months of 2013 due to reductions in certain loan exposures including the charge-off of a single client relationship and continued improvements in economic conditions which led to lower levels of non-performing loans and criticized assets. These reductions were partially offset by higher allowances for certain portfolio risk factors associated primarily with large loan exposure and the specific provision relating to a single customer relationship discussed above. Our consumer allowance for credit losses decreased $48 million in the first nine months of 2013, driven primarily by lower loss estimates in our residential mortgage loan portfolio due to continued improvements in credit quality including lower delinquency levels on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent and improvements in loan delinquency roll rates. Our residential mortgage loan allowance for credit losses in all periods reflects consideration of certain risk factors relating to trends such as recent portfolio performance as compared with average roll rates and economic uncertainty, including housing market trends and foreclosure timeframes. Also contributing to the decrease was lower loss estimates in our credit card portfolio due to improvements in credit quality including improved loan delinquency roll rates. Reserve levels for all consumer loan categories however continue to be impacted by the slow pace of the economic recovery in the U.S. economy, including

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HSBC USA Inc.

elevated unemployment rates and, as it relates to residential mortgage loans, a housing market which is in the early stages of recovery.
The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans at September 30, 2013 remained flat compared with June 30, 2013 and decreased compared with December 31, 2012 for the reasons discussed above.
The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of net charge-offs decreased as compared with June 30, 2013 due to higher dollars of residential mortgage charge-offs as explained more fully below, as well as higher dollars of commercial loan net charge-offs, while total allowance levels declined. The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of net charge-offs increased as compared with December 31, 2012 largely due to lower net charge-offs in both our commercial and consumer portfolios as the decline outpaced the decrease in the allowance.
The following table presents the allowance for credit losses by major loan categories, excluding loans held for sale:
 
Amount
 
% of
Loans to
Total
Loans(1)
 
Amount
 
% of
Loans to
Total
Loans(1)
 
Amount
 
% of
Loans to
Total
Loans(1)
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Commercial(2)
$
313

 
71.6
%
 
$
299

 
70.9
%
 
$
317

 
69.8
%
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
158

 
23.2

 
196

 
23.7

 
210

 
24.3

Home equity mortgages
66

 
3.1

 
52

 
3.3

 
45

 
3.7

Credit card receivables
45

 
1.3

 
45

 
1.3

 
55

 
1.3

Other consumer
13

 
.8

 
13

 
.8

 
20

 
0.9

Total consumer
282

 
28.4

 
306

 
29.1

 
330

 
30.2

Total
$
595

 
100.0
%
 
$
605

 
100.0
%
 
$
647

 
100.0
%
 
(1) 
Excluding loans held for sale.
(2) 
See Note 6, "Allowance for Credit Losses" for components of the commercial allowance for credit losses.
While our allowance for credit loss is available to absorb losses in the entire portfolio, we specifically consider the credit quality and other risk factors for each of our products in establishing the allowance for credit loss.
Reserves for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk  We also maintain a separate reserve for credit risk associated with certain off-balance sheet exposures, including letters of credit, unused commitments to extend credit and financial guarantees. This reserve, included in other liabilities, was $68 million, $63 million and $139 million at September 30, 2013, June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The related provision is recorded as a component of other expense within operating expenses. The increase in off-balance sheet reserves at September 30, 2013 as compared with June 30, 2013 reflects new customer activity and higher estimated exposures on certain facilities, while the decrease since December 31, 2012 largely reflects the impact of an upgrade to an individual monoline which resulted in an improvement to our expectation of cash flows from an off-balance sheet liquidity facility and the consolidation of a previously unconsolidated commercial paper VIE in the second quarter of 2013 which resulted in the reclassification of $61 million of this reserve to held-to-maturity investment securities on our balance sheet. Off-balance sheet exposures are summarized under the caption “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Credit Derivatives and Other Contractual Obligations” in this MD&A.

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Delinquency  The following table summarizes dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency and two-months-and-over contractual delinquency as a percent of total loans and loans held for sale (“delinquency ratio”):
  
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Delinquent loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
$
153

 
$
197

 
$
339

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages(1)
1,221

 
1,170

 
1,233

Home equity mortgages
75

 
77

 
75

Total residential mortgages(2)
1,296

 
1,247

 
1,308

Credit card receivables
18

 
15

 
21

Other consumer
28

 
26

 
30

Total consumer
1,342

 
1,288

 
1,359

Total
$
1,495

 
$
1,485

 
$
1,698

Delinquency ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
.32
%
 
.42
%
 
.76
%
Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
7.70

 
7.26

 
7.78

Home equity mortgages
3.61

 
3.55

 
3.23

Total residential mortgages(2)
7.23

 
6.82

 
7.20

Credit card receivables
2.10

 
1.75

 
2.58

Other consumer
4.65

 
4.08

 
4.25

Total consumer
6.92

 
6.51

 
6.92

Total
2.21
%
 
2.21
%
 
2.64
%
 
(1) 
At September 30, 2013, June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, residential mortgage loan delinquency includes $1.1 billion, $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, of loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less costs to sell, including $29 million, $33 million and $39 million, respectively, relating to loans held for sale.
(2)The following table reflects dollars of contractual delinquency and delinquency ratios for interest-only loans and ARM loans:
  
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Dollars of delinquent loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-only loans
$
66

 
$
68

 
$
87

ARM loans
315

 
338

 
356

Delinquency ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest-only loans
1.79
%
 
1.78
%
 
2.18
%
ARM loans
2.97

 
3.19

 
3.43

Compared with June 30, 2013, our two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio remained flat as higher consumer loan delinquency was offset by lower delinquency in our commercial loan portfolio. Our consumer loan two-month-and-over contractual delinquency ratio at September 30, 2013 increased 41 basis points from June 30, 2013 largely due to higher levels of late-stage residential mortgage loan delinquency while credit card delinquency declined. Residential mortgage loan delinquency levels continue to be impacted by an elongated foreclosure process which has resulted in loans which would otherwise have been foreclosed and transferred to REO remaining in loan account and, consequently, in delinquency. Overall consumer loan delinquency levels also continue to be impacted by elevated unemployment levels and, as it relates to residential mortgages, a housing market which is slowly recovering. Compared with June 30, 2013, our commercial two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio decreased 10 basis points due to continued improvements in the credit quality of the portfolio and higher outstanding loan balances.
Compared with December 31, 2012, our two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio decreased 43 basis points as we experienced lower delinquency levels in both our commercial and consumer loan portfolios. Our commercial loan two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio decreased 44 basis points compared with December 31, 2012 due to higher outstanding

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loan balances as well as improved credit quality including reductions in certain exposures and the resolution of certain matured loans which were in the process of refinancing or pay down at year-end. Compared with December 31, 2012, our consumer loan two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio remained flat as lower residential mortgage delinquency was offset by a decline in outstanding loan balances. The lower levels of residential mortgage loan delinquency reflect lower dollars of delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent due to improvements in credit quality, including improved delinquency roll rates, partially offset by higher late stage delinquency. Credit card delinquency also improved due to continued improvements in economic conditions.
Residential mortgage first lien delinquency is significantly higher than second lien home equity mortgage delinquency in all periods largely due to the inventory of loans which are held at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and are in the foreclosure process. Given the extended foreclosure time lines, particularly in those states where HUSI has a large footprint, the first lien residential mortgage portfolio has a substantial inventory of loans which are greater than 180 days past due and have been written down to the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Therefore, there are no additional credit loss reserves required for these loans. There is a substantially lower volume of second lien home equity mortgage loans where we pursue foreclosure less frequently given the subordinate position of the lien. In addition, our legacy business originated through broker channels and loan transfers from HSBC is of a lower credit quality and, therefore, contributes to an overall higher weighted average delinquency rate for our first lien residential mortgages. Both of these factors are expected to diminish significantly in future periods as the foreclosure backlog resulting from extended foreclosure time lines is managed down and the portfolio mix continues to shift to higher quality loans as the legacy broker originated business and prior loan transfers run off.


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Net Charge-offs of Loans  The following table summarizes net charge-off (recovery) dollars as well as the net charge-off (recovery) of loans for the quarter, annualized, as a percentage of average loans, excluding loans held for sale, (“net charge-off ratio”):
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
September 30, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Net Charge-off Dollars:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
$
2

 
$
(8
)
 
$
6

Business and corporate banking
4

 
8

 
6

Global banking

 

 

Other commercial

 
(4
)
 

Total commercial
6

 
(4
)
 
12

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
37

 
10

 
21

Home equity mortgages
14

 
11

 
18

Total residential mortgages
51

 
21

 
39

Credit card receivables
6

 
10

 
12

Other consumer
1

 
3

 
3

Total consumer
58

 
34

 
54

Total
$
64

 
$
30

 
$
66

Net Charge-off Ratio:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and other real estate
.09
%
 
(.38
)%
 
.30
%
Business and corporate banking
.12

 
.26

 
.20

Global banking

 

 

Other commercial

 
(.52
)
 

Total commercial
.05

 
(.04
)
 
.12

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
.93

 
.25

 
.56

Home equity mortgages
2.63

 
2.00

 
2.93

Total residential mortgages
1.13

 
.47

 
.89

Credit card receivables
2.79

 
4.90

 
5.98

Other consumer
0.71

 
2.05

 
1.91

Total consumer
1.19

 
.70

 
1.14

Total
.38
%
 
.19
 %
 
.45
%
 Our net charge-off ratio as a percentage of average loans increased 19 basis points for the quarter ended September 30, 2013 compared with the quarter ended June 30, 2013, due primarily to higher levels of commercial loan charge-offs as the prior quarter reflected net recoveries as well as higher residential mortgage loan charge-offs. The increase in residential mortgage loan charge-offs in the current quarter primarily reflects the charge-off of $17 million of corporate advances on loans which had been largely reserved for.
Compared with the year-ago quarter, our charge off ratio decreased 7 basis points, as the higher charge-offs in our residential mortgage loan portfolio discussed above were more than offset by the impact of lower commercial loan charge-offs and the impact of higher average commercial loan receivable balances due to loan growth.

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Nonperforming Assets  Nonperforming assets consisted of the following: 
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Nonaccrual loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land loans
$
44

 
$
47

 
$
104

Other real estate
103

 
132

 
281

Business and corporate banking
47

 
44

 
47

Global banking
14

 
18

 
18

Other commercial
2

 
5

 
13

Total commercial
210

 
246

 
463

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
1,020

 
1,013

 
1,038

Home equity mortgages
85

 
89

 
86

Total residential mortgages(1)(2)
1,105

 
1,102

 
1,124

Others

 
5

 
5

Total consumer loans
1,105

 
1,107

 
1,129

Nonaccrual loans held for sale
45

 
50

 
37

Total nonaccruing loans
1,360

 
1,403

 
1,629

Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial:
 
 
 
 
 
Real Estate:
 
 
 
 
 
Construction and land loans
$

 
$

 
$

Other real estate

 
1

 
8

Business and corporate banking

 
6

 
28

Other commercial
9

 
1

 
1

Total commercial
9

 
8

 
37

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
Credit card receivables
13

 
11

 
15

Other consumer
24

 
21

 
28

Total consumer loans
37

 
32

 
43

Total accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more
46

 
40

 
80

Total nonperforming loans
1,406

 
1,443

 
1,709

Other real estate owned
40

 
48

 
80

Total nonperforming assets
$
1,446

 
$
1,491

 
$
1,789

Allowance for credit losses as a percent of nonperforming loans(3):
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
142.92
%
 
117.72
%
 
63.40
%
Consumer
24.69

 
26.87

 
28.16

 
(1) 
At September 30, 2013, June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, residential mortgage loan nonaccrual balances include $1.1 billion, $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, of loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value less cost to sell.
(2) 
Nonaccrual residential mortgages includes all receivables which are 90 or more days contractually delinquent as well as loans discharged under Chapter 7 bankruptcy and not re-affirmed and second lien loans where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent.
(3) 
Represents our commercial or consumer allowance for credit losses, as appropriate, divided by the corresponding outstanding balance of total nonperforming loans held for investment. Nonperforming loans include accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more. Ratio excludes nonperforming loans associated with loan portfolios which are considered held for sale as these loans are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.
Nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2013 decreased as compared with June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 due largely to lower levels of commercial non-accrual loans. Commercial non-accrual loans decreased due to payoffs, charge-offs and customer upgrades out of default outpacing new defaults. Our consumer nonaccrual loans remained relatively flat compared with June 30, 2013 and decreased modestly compared with December 31, 2012. The decrease from December 31, 2012 was driven by lower nonaccrual residential mortgage loans. Residential mortgage loan nonaccrual levels however continue to be impacted by an elongated foreclosure process as previously discussed. Accruing loans past due 90 days or more increased modestly since June

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30, 2013 due to higher levels of credit card and other consumer receivables but decreased compared with December 31, 2012 driven by lower commercial loan balances due to the resolution of certain loans which were refinanced in early 2013 at market rates.
Our policies and practices for problem loan management and placing loans on nonaccrual status are summarized in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements,” in our 2012 Form 10-K.
Accrued but unpaid interest on loans placed on nonaccrual status generally is reversed and reduces current income at the time loans are so categorized. Interest income on these loans may be recognized to the extent of cash payments received. In those instances where there is doubt as to collectability of principal, any cash interest payments received are applied as reductions of principal. Loans are not reclassified as accruing until interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.
Impaired Commercial Loans  A commercial loan is considered to be impaired when it is deemed probable that all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will not be collected. Probable losses from impaired loans are quantified and recorded as a component of the overall allowance for credit losses. Generally, impaired commercial loans include loans in nonaccrual status, loans that have been assigned a specific allowance for credit losses, loans that have been partially charged off and loans designated as troubled debt restructurings. The following table summarizes impaired commercial loan statistics:
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Impaired commercial loans:
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at end of period
$
602

 
$
615

 
$
697

Amount with impairment reserve
175

 
282

 
250

Impairment reserve
58

 
38

 
96

Criticized Loan  Criticized loan classifications are based on the risk rating standards of our primary regulator. Problem loans are assigned various criticized facility grades under our allowance for credit losses methodology. The following facility grades are deemed to be criticized.
Special Mention – generally includes loans that are protected by collateral and/or the credit worthiness of the customer, but are potentially weak based upon economic or market circumstances which, if not checked or corrected, could weaken our credit position at some future date.
Substandard – includes loans that are inadequately protected by the underlying collateral and/or general credit worthiness of the customer. These loans present a distinct possibility that we will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected. This category also includes certain non-investment grade securities, as required by our principal regulator.
Doubtful – includes loans that have all the weaknesses exhibited by substandard loans, with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full of the recorded loan highly improbable. However, although the possibility of loss is extremely high, certain factors exist which may strengthen the credit at some future date, and therefore the decision to charge off the loan is deferred. Loans graded as doubtful are required to be placed in nonaccruing status.
The following table summarizes criticized loans. 
 
September 30, 2013
 
June 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Special mention:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
$
1,295

 
$
909

 
$
1,125

Substandard:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
823

 
818

 
916

Consumer loans
1,028

 
1,005

 
1,031

Total substandard
1,851

 
1,823

 
1,947

Doubtful:
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial loans
52

 
36

 
117

Total
$
3,198

 
$
2,768

 
$
3,189


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HSBC USA Inc.

The overall increases in criticized loans since June 30, 2013 resulted primarily due the addition of 6 special mention commercial loans in the third quarter of 2013 as a result of a regulatory shared national credit review.
Concentration of Credit Risk  A concentration of credit risk is defined as a significant credit exposure with an individual or group engaged in similar activities or affected similarly by economic conditions. We enter into a variety of transactions in the normal course of business that involve both on and off-balance sheet credit risk. Principal among these activities is lending to various commercial, institutional, governmental and individual customers. We participate in lending activity throughout the United States and internationally. In general, we manage the varying degrees of credit risk involved in on and off-balance sheet transactions through specific credit policies. These policies and procedures provide for a strict approval, monitoring and reporting process. It is our policy to require collateral when it is deemed appropriate. Varying degrees and types of collateral are secured depending upon management’s credit evaluation. As with any nonconforming and non-prime loan products, we utilize high underwriting standards and price these loans in a manner that is appropriate to compensate for higher risk. We do not offer teaser rate mortgage loans.
Our loan portfolio includes the following types of loans:
Interest-only loans – A loan which allows a customer to pay the interest-only portion of the monthly payment for a period of time which results in lower payments during the initial loan period.
Adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans – A loan which allows us to adjust pricing on the loan in line with market movements.
The following table summarizes the balances of interest-only and ARM loans in our loan portfolios, including certain loans held for sale, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Each category is not mutually exclusive and loans may appear in more than one category below.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in billions)
Interest-only residential mortgage loans
$
3.7

 
$
4.0

ARM loans(1)
10.6

 
10.4

 
(1)
ARM loan balances above exclude $16 million and $19 million of subprime residential mortgage loans held for sale at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. In 2013 and 2014, approximately $61 million and $284 million, respectively, of the ARM loans will experience their first interest rate reset.
The following table summarizes the concentrations of first and second liens within the outstanding residential mortgage loan portfolio. Amounts in the table exclude residential mortgage loans held for sale of $130 million and $472 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Closed end:
 
 
 
First lien
$
15,720

 
$
15,371

Second lien
146

 
186

Revolving:
 
 
 
Second lien
1,941

 
2,138

Total
$
17,807

 
$
17,695


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HSBC USA Inc.

Geographic Concentrations The following table reflects regional exposure at September 30, 2013 for certain loan portfolios .
 
Commercial
Construction and
Other Real
Estate Loans
 
Residential
Mortgage
Loans
 
Credit
Card
Receivables
New York State
39.1
%
 
33.8
%
 
56.6
%
North Central United States
4.5

 
6.0

 
3.7

North Eastern United States, excluding New York State
10.5

 
9.4

 
12.3

Southern United States
23.1

 
15.3

 
13.8

Western United States
22.8

 
35.5

 
11.3

Others

 

 
2.3

Total
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Exposures to Certain Countries in the Eurozone There have been no significant changes to our exposures to the countries of Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal and Spain from the amounts disclosed in our 2012 Form 10-K under caption “Credit Quality”.
Credit Risks Associated with Derivative Contracts There have been no significant changes to our credit risk associated with derivative contracts from the amounts disclosed in our 2012 Form 10-K under caption “Credit Quality”. See Credit Risk Management section of "Risk Management" in this MD&A for further information on credit risks associated with derivative contracts.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Effective liquidity management is defined as ensuring we can meet customer loan requests, customer deposit maturities/withdrawals and other cash commitments efficiently under both normal operating conditions and under unpredictable circumstances of industry or market stress. To achieve this objective, we have guidelines that require sufficient liquidity to cover potential funding requirements and to avoid over-dependence on volatile, less reliable funding markets. Guidelines are set for the consolidated balance sheet of HSBC USA to ensure that it is a source of strength for our regulated, deposit-taking banking subsidiary, as well as to address the more limited sources of liquidity available to it as a holding company. Similar guidelines are set for the balance sheet of HSBC Bank USA to ensure that it can meet its liquidity needs in various stress scenarios. Cash flow analysis, including stress testing scenarios, forms the basis for liquidity management and contingency funding plans.
During the first nine months of 2013, marketplace liquidity continued to remain available for most sources of funding except mortgage securitization. However credit spreads continue to be impacted by concerns regarding government spending and the budget deficit as well as beginning in the second quarter of 2013, concern that the Federal Reserve would begin to slow its quantitative easing program later this year if the economy continues to strengthen. These concerns subsided to a degree in September when the Federal Reserve announced its bond buying program would continue at current levels. The combination of these factors has caused long-term interest rates to rise in 2013. The prolonged period of low interest rates also continues to put pressure on spreads earned on our deposit base.
On June 27, 2013, HSBC and HBUS submitted an initial resolution plan jointly to the FRB and the FDIC as required under Dodd-Frank and a rule issued by those bank regulators relating to the resolution of bank holding companies with assets of $50 billion or more and a FDIC rule relating to the resolution of insured depository institutions with assets of $50 billion or more.
Interest Bearing Deposits with Banks  totaled $29.9 billion and $13.3 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, which includes $27.3 billion and 10.7 billion, respectively, held with the Federal Reserve Bank. Balances will fluctuate from year to year depending upon our liquidity position at the time and our strategy for deploying such liquidity.
Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell  totaled $2.2 billion and $3.1 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Balances will fluctuate from year to year depending upon our liquidity position at the time and our strategy for deploying such liquidity.
Short-Term Borrowings  totaled $19.5 billion and $14.9 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. See “Balance Sheet Review” in this MD&A for further analysis and discussion on short-term borrowing trends.
Deposits  totaled $112.9 billion and $117.7 billion at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. See “Balance Sheet Review” in this MD&A for further analysis and discussion on deposit trends.

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Long-Term Debt  increased to $22.2 billion at September 30, 2013 from $21.7 billion at December 31, 2012. The following table presents the maturities of long-term debt at September 30, 2013, including secured financings and conduit facility renewals.
(in millions)
 
2013
$
216

2014
3,817

2015
4,211

2016
1,449

2017
1,865

Thereafter
10,593

Total
$
22,151

The following table summarizes issuances and retirements of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
(in millions)
Long-term debt issued
$
4,630

 
$
5,354

Long-term debt retired
(3,941
)
 
(1,936
)
Net long-term debt issued
$
689

 
$
3,418

Under our shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we may issue debt securities or preferred stock. The shelf has no dollar limit, but the amount of debt outstanding is limited by the authority granted by the Board of Directors. At September 30, 2013, we were authorized to issue up to $21 billion, of which $8.2 billion was available. HSBC Bank USA also has a $40 billion Global Bank Note Program of which $15.9 billion was available at September 30, 2013.
As a member of the New York Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), we have a secured borrowing facility which is collateralized by real estate loans and investment securities. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, long-term debt included $1.0 billion under this facility. The facility also allows access to further borrowings of up to $5.5 billion based upon the amount pledged as collateral with the FHLB.
Preferred Equity  See Note 20, “Preferred Stock,” in our 2012 Form 10-K for information regarding all outstanding preferred share issues.
Common Equity  During the first nine months of 2013, we did not receive any cash capital contributions from HNAI. During the first nine months of 2013, we did not make any capital contributions to our subsidiary, HSBC Bank USA.
Selected Capital Ratios  Capital amounts and ratios are calculated in accordance with current banking regulations. In managing capital, we develop targets for Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets, Tier 1 common equity to risk weighted assets, Total capital to risk weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets (this latter ratio, also known as the "leverage ratio"). Our targets may change from time to time to accommodate changes in the operating environment, regulatory requirements or other considerations such as those listed above. The following table summarizes selected capital ratios:
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
11.66
%
 
13.61
%
Tier 1 common equity to risk weighted assets
9.98

 
11.63

Total capital to risk weighted assets
16.30

 
19.52

Tier 1 capital to average assets (leverage ratio)
8.40

 
7.70

Total equity to total assets
9.28

 
9.32

HSBC USA manages capital in accordance with the HSBC Group policy. The HNAH Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (“ICAAP”) works in conjunction with the HSBC Group's ICAAP. HNAH's ICAAP evaluates regulatory capital adequacy, economic capital adequacy and capital adequacy under various stress scenarios. Our initial approach is to meet our capital needs for these stress scenarios locally through activities which reduce risk. To the extent that local alternatives are insufficient or unavailable, we will rely on capital support from our parent in accordance with HSBC's capital management policy. HSBC has indicated that they are fully committed and have the capacity to provide capital as needed to run operations, maintain sufficient regulatory capital ratios and fund certain tax planning strategies.

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In June 2012, the U.S. regulators issued three joint Notices of Proposed Rulemaking ("NPRs") which would both implement many of the capital provisions of Basel III for U.S. banking institutions and substantially revise the U.S. banking regulators' Basel I risk-based guidelines to make them more risk sensitive. In July 2013, the U.S. banking regulators adopted a final rule which consolidates the three NPRs released in June 2012 and implements the Basel III regulatory capital reforms from the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, and certain changes required by Dodd-Frank. The final rule establishes an integrated regulatory capital framework to improve the quality and quantity of regulatory capital and introduces the "Standardized Approach" for risk weighted assets, which will replace the Basel I risk-based guidance for determining risk-weighted assets as of January 1, 2015. For the largest banking organizations, such as HSBC USA, the final rule is largely unchanged from the three NPRs and will take effect from January 1, 2014, but with a number of the provisions being phased in through to 2019. The final rule is also largely consistent with regard to the Standardized Approach, although it did not adopt modifications from the Basel I standards to the calculation of risk-weighting for mortgages as proposed.
With regard to the elements of capital, the final rule will require HSBC USA to phase trust preferred securities issued prior to May 19, 2010 out of Tier 1 Capital by January 1, 2016, with 50% of these capital instruments includable in Tier 1 Capital in 2014 and 25% includable in 2015. The trust preferred securities excluded from Tier 1 Capital may be included fully in Tier 2 Capital during those two years, but must be phased out of Tier 2 Capital by January 1, 2022. As previously noted (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources-Long-Term Debt” in our 2012 Form 10-K), we exercised our option to call and redeem the trust preferred securities issued by HSBC USA Capital Trust VII. We continue to consider options for redeeming other trust preferred securities issued which total $550 million at September 30, 2013.
In connection with the final rule, the regulatory agencies provided certain information with regard to the appropriate subordination standard for Tier 2 qualifying subordinated debt. This information represents a modification of current guidance on the subordination standards to qualify for Tier 2 regulatory capital treatment at the bank holding company level. Under the final rule, any nonconforming Tier 2 subordinated debt issued prior to May 19, 2010 will be required to be phased out by January 1, 2016, and issuances after May 19, 2010 will be required to be excluded from capital as of January 1, 2014. We intend to review any clarifying guidance from the regulatory agencies and assess the impact, if any, on our currently outstanding Tier 2 qualifying subordinated debt of approximately $1.2 billion. Also under the final rule, Tier 1 capital is expected to include only noncumulative perpetual preferred stock, in addition to common stock and the final rule removes the limitation on the amount of Tier 2 capital that may be recognized relative to Tier 1 capital.
As previously disclosed, Advanced Approaches banking organizations such as HSBC North America and HSBC Bank USA participate in a “parallel run” wherein they must report both their Basel I (and in 2015, their Standardized Approach) risk-based ratios as well as their Advanced Approaches ratios to their primary federal regulator, and publicly disclose only their Basel I (or in 2015, their Standardized Approach) ratios. Upon receiving approval to exit parallel run, Advanced Approaches banking organizations would then publicly disclose both their risk-based and Advanced Approaches capital ratios. Although we began a parallel run period in January 2010, it is unclear as to when approval from the appropriate regulators will be received to exit parallel run.
The final rule has only recently been issued, is not yet in effect, and has not yet been the subject of regulatory guidance or interpretation. We continue to review the final rule and its impact on our regulatory capital.
In August 2012, U.S. regulators published a final rule (known in the industry as Basel 2.5), that would change the U.S. regulatory market risk capital rules to better capture positions for which the market risk capital rules are appropriate, reduce procyclicality, enhance the sensitivity to risks that are not adequately captured under current methodologies and increase transparency through enhanced disclosures. This final rule became effective January 1, 2013 and is reflected in our September 30, 2013 Basel I risk-weighted asset levels. In July 2013, the U.S. banking regulators proposed changes to the Basel 2.5 rule that would conform to changes in the final capital rules. We are currently reviewing the proposed changes to assess the impact on our regulatory capital.
U.S. regulators have issued regulations on capital planning for bank holding companies. Under the regulations, from January 1, 2012, U.S. bank holding companies with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets need to obtain approval of their annual capital plans prior to making capital distributions. Additionally, there are certain circumstances in which a bank holding company is required to provide prior notice for approval of capital distributions, even if included in an approved plan.
In October 2012, the Federal Reserve Board published a final rule setting out the stress testing requirements for bank holding companies with $50 billion or more in total consolidated assets. HSBC North America becomes subject to the rule from October 2013 and will be required to comply with the Federal Reserve Board's Comprehensive Capital Analysis and Review ("CCAR") program for its capital plan submission in January 2014. HSBC Bank USA is also subject to stress testing requirements under OCC rules finalized in October 2012.

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We and HSBC Bank USA are required to meet minimum capital requirements by our principal regulators. Risk-based capital amounts and ratios are presented in Note 16, “Retained Earnings and Regulatory Capital Requirements,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
2013 Funding Strategy  Our current estimate for funding needs and sources for 2013 are summarized in the following table.
 
Actual January 1 through September 30, 2013
 
Estimated October 1 through December 31, 2013
 
Estimated Full Year 2013
  
(in billions)
Funding needs:
 
 
 
 
 
Net loan growth
$
7

 
$
3

 
$
10

Long-term debt maturities
5

 

 
5

Total funding needs
$
12

 
$
3

 
$
15

Funding sources:
 
 
 
 
 
Liquidation of short-term investments
$
7

 
$
2

 
$
9

Long-term debt issuance
5

 
1

 
6

Total funding sources
$
12

 
$
3

 
$
15

The above table reflects a long-term funding strategy. Daily balances fluctuate as we accommodate customer needs, while ensuring that we have liquidity in place to support the balance sheet maturity funding profile. Should market conditions deteriorate, we have contingency plans to generate additional liquidity through the sales of assets or financing transactions. Our prospects for growth continue to be dependent upon our ability to attract and retain deposits and, to a lesser extent, access to the global capital markets. We remain confident in our ability to access the market for long-term debt funding needs in the current market environment. We continue to seek well-priced and stable customer deposits as customers move funds to larger, well-capitalized institutions.
We will continue to sell a substantial portion of new mortgage loan originations going forward, largely to PHH Mortgage.
HSBC Finance ceased issuing under its commercial paper program in the second quarter of 2012 and instead is relying on its affiliates, including HSBC USA Inc., to satisfy its funding needs.
HSBC Bank USA is subject to significant restrictions imposed by federal law on extensions of credit to, and certain other “covered transactions” with, HSBC USA and other affiliates. Covered transactions include loans and other extensions of credit, investments and asset purchases, and certain other transactions involving the transfer of value from a subsidiary bank to an affiliate or for the benefit of an affiliate. Pursuant to amendments included in Dodd-Frank, a bank's credit exposure to an affiliate as a result of a derivative, securities lending or repurchase agreement is also subject to these restrictions. Once regulations are issued (originally forecasted for July 2012) to implement these amendments, we may be required to change the method by which we calculate credit exposure. A bank's transactions with its non-bank affiliates are also required to be on arm's length terms.
For further discussion relating to our sources of liquidity and contingency funding plan, see the caption “Risk Management” in this MD&A.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements, Credit Derivatives and Other Contractual Obligations
 
As part of our normal operations, we enter into credit derivatives and various off-balance sheet arrangements with affiliates and third parties. These arrangements arise principally in connection with our lending and client intermediation activities and involve primarily extensions of credit and, in certain cases, guarantees.
As a financial services provider, we routinely extend credit through loan commitments and lines and letters of credit and provide financial guarantees, including derivative transactions having characteristics of a guarantee. The contractual amounts of these financial instruments represent our maximum possible credit exposure in the event that a counterparty draws down the full commitment amount or we are required to fulfill our maximum obligation under a guarantee.
The following table provides maturity information related to our credit derivatives and off-balance sheet arrangements. Many of these commitments and guarantees expire unused or without default. As a result, we believe that the contractual amount is not representative of the actual future credit exposure or funding requirements.
 
 
Balance at September 30, 2013
 
 
  
One Year or Less
 
Over One through Five Years
 
Over Five Years
 
Total
 
Balance at December 31, 2012
 
(in billions)
Standby letters of credit, net of participations(1)
$
5.5

 
$
2.8

 
$

 
$
8.3

 
$
8.4

Commercial letters of credit
.5

 
.1

 

 
0.6

 
1.0

Credit derivatives(2)
61.8

 
123.4

 
12.8

 
198.0

 
237.5

Other commitments to extend credit:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
16.4

 
48.4

 
3.4

 
68.2

 
57.7

Consumer
6.7

 

 

 
6.7

 
7.0

Total
$
90.9

 
$
174.7

 
$
16.2

 
$
281.8

 
$
311.6

 
(1) 
Includes $862 million and $808 million issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(2) 
Includes $38.6 billion and $44.2 billion issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
Other Commitments to Extend Credit  Other commitments to extend credit include arrangements whereby we are contractually obligated to extend credit in the form of loans, participations in loans, lease financing receivables, or similar transactions. Consumer commitments are comprised of certain unused MasterCard/Visa credit card lines and commitments to extend credit secured by residential properties. We have the right to change or terminate any terms or conditions of a customer’s credit card or home equity line of credit account, for cause, upon notification to the customer. Commercial commitments comprise primarily those related to secured and unsecured loans and lines of credit and certain asset purchase commitments. In connection with our commercial lending activities, we provide liquidity support to a number of multi-seller and single-seller asset backed commercial paper conduits (“ABCP conduits”) sponsored by affiliates and third parties. See Note 17, “Variable Interest Entities,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding these ABCP conduits and our variable interests in them.
Liquidity support is provided to certain ABCP conduits in the form of liquidity loan agreements and liquidity asset purchase agreements. Liquidity facilities provided to multi-seller conduits support transactions associated with a specific seller of assets to the conduit and we would only be expected to provide support in the event the multi-seller conduit is unable to issue or rollover maturing commercial paper. Liquidity facilities provided to single-seller conduits are not identified with specific transactions or assets and we would be required to provide support upon the occurrence of a commercial paper market disruption or the breach of certain triggers that affect the single-seller conduit’s ability to issue or rollover maturing commercial paper. Our obligations have generally the same terms as those of other institutions that also provide liquidity support to the same conduit or for the same transactions. We do not provide any program-wide credit enhancements to ABCP conduits.
Under the terms of these liquidity agreements, the ABCP conduits may call upon us to lend money or to purchase certain assets in the event the ABCP conduits are unable to issue or rollover maturing commercial paper if certain trigger events occur. These trigger events are generally limited to performance tests on the underlying portfolios of collateral securing the conduits’ interests. With regard to a multi-seller liquidity facility, the maximum amount that we could be required to advance upon the occurrence of a trigger event is generally limited to the lesser of the amount of outstanding commercial paper related to the supported transaction and the balance of the assets underlying that transaction adjusted by a funding formula that excludes defaulted and impaired assets. Under a single-seller liquidity facility, the maximum amount that we and other liquidity providers could be required to advance

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is also generally limited to each provider’s pro-rata share of the lesser of the amount of outstanding commercial paper and the balance of unimpaired performing assets held by the conduit. As a result, the maximum amount that we would be required to fund may be significantly less than the maximum contractual amount specified by the liquidity agreement.
The following tables present information on our liquidity facilities with ABCP conduits at September 30, 2013. The maximum exposure to loss presented in the first table represents the maximum contractual amount of loans and asset purchases we could be required to make under the liquidity agreements. This amount does not reflect the funding limits discussed above and also assumes that we suffer a total loss on all amounts advanced and all assets purchased from the ABCP conduits. As such, we believe that this measure significantly overstates our expected loss exposure.
 
 
 
 
Conduit Assets(1)
 
Conduit Funding(1)
Conduit Type
Maximum
Exposure
to Loss
 
Total
Assets
 
Weighted
Average Life
(Months)
 
Commercial
Paper
 
Weighted
Average Life
(Days)
 
(dollars are in millions)
HSBC affiliate sponsored (multi-seller)
$
1,917

 
$
1,256

 
13

 
$
1,256

 
14

Third-party sponsored:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Single-seller
299

 
4,256

 
37

 
4,036

 
60

Total
$
2,216

 
$
5,512

 
 
 
$
5,292

 
 
 
(1) 
For multi-seller conduits, the amounts presented represent only the specific assets and related funding supported by our liquidity facilities. For single-seller conduits, the amounts presented represent the total assets and funding of the conduit.
 
Average Asset Mix 
 
Average Credit Quality(1)
Asset Class
AAA
 
AA+/AA
 
A
 
A–
 
BB/BB–
Multi-seller conduits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt securities backed by:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Auto loans and leases
27
%
 
53
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Trade receivables
38

 

 
100

 
32

 

 

Credit card receivables
11

 

 

 
68

 

 

Equipment loans
24

 
47

 

 

 

 

 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
100
%
 
%
 
%
 
(1) 
Credit quality is based on Standard and Poor’s ratings at September 30, 2013 except for loans and trade receivables held by single-seller conduits, which are based on our internal ratings. For the single-seller conduits, external ratings are not available; however, our internal credit ratings were developed using similar methodologies and rating scales equivalent to the external credit ratings.
We receive fees for providing these liquidity facilities. Credit risk on these obligations is managed by subjecting them to our normal underwriting and risk management processes.
During the first nine months of 2013, U.S. asset-backed commercial paper volumes continued to be stable as most major bank conduit sponsors continue to extend new financing to clients. Credit spreads in the multi-seller conduit market generally trended lower during the first nine months of 2013 following a pattern that was prevalent across the U.S. credit markets.
The preceding tables do not include information on liquidity facilities that we previously provided to certain Canadian multi-seller ABCP conduits that have been subject to restructuring agreements as part of the Montreal Accord. As part of the enhanced collateral pool established for the restructuring, we have provided a $307 million Margin Funding Facility to a new Master Asset Vehicle, which expires in July 2017 and is currently undrawn.
We have established and manage a number of constant net asset value (“CNAV”) money market funds that invest in shorter-dated highly-rated money market securities to provide investors with a highly liquid and secure investment. These funds price the assets in their portfolio on an amortized cost basis, which enables them to create and liquidate shares at a constant price. The funds, however, are not permitted to price their portfolios at amortized cost if that amount varies by more than 50 basis points from the portfolio's market value. In that case, the fund would be required to price its portfolio at market value and consequently would no longer be able to create or liquidate shares at a constant price. We do not consolidate the CNAV funds because we do not absorb the majority of the expected future risk associated with the fund's assets, including interest rate, liquidity, credit and other relevant risks that are expected to affect the value of the assets.


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Fair Value
 
Fair value measurement accounting principles require a reporting entity to take into consideration its own credit risk in determining the fair value of financial liabilities. The incorporation of our own credit risk accounted for a decrease of $24 million and increase of $74 million in the fair value of financial liabilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a decrease of $218 million and $331 million during the prior year periods.
Net income volatility arising from changes in either interest rate or credit components of the mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives affects the comparability of reported results between periods. Accordingly, the gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future period.
Control Over Valuation Process and Procedures  We have established a control framework which is designed to ensure that fair values are either determined or validated by a function independent of the risk-taker. See Note 19, “Fair Value Measurements” for further details on our valuation control framework.
Fair Value Hierarchy  Fair value measurement accounting principles establish a fair value hierarchy structure that prioritizes the inputs to determine the fair value of an asset or liability (the “Fair Value Framework”). The Fair Value Framework distinguishes between inputs that are based on observed market data and unobservable inputs that reflect market participants' assumptions. It emphasizes the use of valuation methodologies that maximize observable market inputs. For financial instruments carried at fair value, the best evidence of fair value is a quoted price in an actively traded market (Level 1). Where the market for a financial instrument is not active, valuation techniques are used. The majority of our valuation techniques use market inputs that are either observable or indirectly derived from and corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the financial instrument (Level 2). Because Level 1 and Level 2 instruments are determined by observable inputs, less judgment is applied in determining their fair values. In the absence of observable market inputs, the financial instrument is valued based on valuation techniques that feature one or more significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The determination of the level of fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement of an asset or a liability is classified often requires judgment and may change over time as market conditions evolve. We consider the following factors in developing the fair value hierarchy:
whether the asset or liability is transacted in an active market with a quoted market price;
the level of bid-ask spreads;
a lack of pricing transparency due to, among other things, complexity of the product and market liquidity;
whether only a few transactions are observed over a significant period of time;
whether the pricing quotations vary substantially among independent pricing services;
whether inputs to the valuation techniques can be derived from or corroborated with market data; and
whether significant adjustments are made to the observed pricing information or model output to determine the fair value.
Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that the reporting entity has the ability to access for identical assets or liabilities. A financial instrument is classified as a Level 1 measurement if it is listed on an exchange or is an instrument actively traded in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market where transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume. We regard financial instruments such as equity securities and derivative contracts listed on the primary exchanges of a country to be actively traded. Non-exchange-traded instruments classified as Level 1 assets include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or by other foreign governments, to-be-announced (“TBA”) securities and non-callable securities issued by U.S. government sponsored entities.
Level 2 inputs are those that are observable either directly or indirectly but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. We classify mortgage pass-through securities, agency and certain non-agency mortgage collateralized obligations, certain derivative contracts, asset-backed securities, corporate debt, preferred securities and leveraged loans as Level 2 measurements. Where possible, at least two quotations from independent sources are obtained based on transactions involving comparable assets and liabilities to validate the fair value of these instruments. We have established a process to understand the methodologies and inputs used by the third party pricing services to ensure that pricing information met the fair value objective. Where significant differences arise among the independent pricing quotes and the internally determined fair value, we investigate and reconcile the differences. If the investigation results in a significant adjustment to the fair value, the instrument will be classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. In general, we have observed that there is a correlation between the credit standing and the market liquidity of a non-derivative instrument.
Level 2 derivative instruments are generally valued based on discounted future cash flows or an option pricing model adjusted for counterparty credit risk and market liquidity. The fair value of certain structured derivative products is determined using valuation techniques based on inputs derived from observable benchmark index tranches traded in the OTC market. Appropriate control processes and procedures have been applied to ensure that the derived inputs are applied to value only those instruments that share

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similar risks to the relevant benchmark indices and therefore demonstrate a similar response to market factors. In addition, a validation process has been established, which includes participation in peer group consensus pricing surveys, to ensure that valuation inputs incorporate market participants' risk expectations and risk premium.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable estimates that management expects market participants would use to determine the fair value of the asset or liability. That is, Level 3 inputs incorporate market participants' assumptions about risk and the risk premium required by market participants in order to bear that risk. We develop Level 3 inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our Level 3 instruments included the following: collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) for which there is a lack of pricing transparency due to market illiquidity, certain structured deposits as well as certain structured credit and structured equity derivatives where significant inputs (e.g., volatility or default correlations) are not observable, credit default swaps with certain monoline insurers where the deterioration in the creditworthiness of the counterparty has resulted in significant adjustments to fair value, U.S. subprime mortgage loans and subprime related asset-backed securities, mortgage servicing rights, and derivatives referenced to illiquid assets of less desirable credit quality. See Note 19, "Fair Value Measurements" in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information on Level 3 inputs.
Transfers between leveling categories are recognized at the end of each reporting period.
Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2 Measurements  During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements.
Level 3 Measurements  The following table provides information about Level 3 assets/liabilities in relation to total assets/liabilities measured at fair value as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(dollars are in millions)
Level 3 assets(1)(2)
$
3,324

 
$
4,701

Total assets measured at fair value(3)
148,180

 
185,040

Level 3 liabilities
3,848

 
3,854

Total liabilities measured at fair value(1)
96,470

 
111,607

Level 3 assets as a percent of total assets measured at fair value
2.2
%
 
2.5
%
Level 3 liabilities as a percent of total liabilities measured at fair value
4.0
%
 
3.5
%
 
(1) 
Presented without netting which allows the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts if certain conditions are met.
(2) 
Includes $3.2 billion of recurring Level 3 assets and $132 million of non-recurring Level 3 assets at September 30, 2013. Includes $4.5 billion of recurring Level 3 assets and $222 million of non-recurring Level 3 assets at December 31, 2012.
(3) 
Includes $147.6 billion of assets measured on a recurring basis and $616 million of assets measured on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2013. Includes $184.1 billion  of assets measured on a recurring basis and $968 million of assets measured on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2012.
Significant Changes in Fair Value for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities
Derivative Assets and Counterparty Credit Risk We have entered into credit default swaps with monoline insurers to hedge our credit exposure in certain asset-backed securities and synthetic CDOs. We made $42 million positive and $6 million positive credit risk adjustments to the fair value of our credit default swap contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, which is reflected in trading revenue. We have recorded a cumulative credit adjustment reserve of $76 million and $136 million against our monoline exposure at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The fair value of our monoline exposure net of cumulative credit adjustment reserves equaled $279 million and $534 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The decrease since December 31, 2012 reflects both reductions in our outstanding positions and improvements in exposure estimates.
Loans As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we have classified $48 million and $52 million, respectively, of mortgage whole loans held for sale as a non-recurring Level 3 financial asset. These mortgage loans are accounted for on a lower of amortized cost or fair value basis. Based on our assessment, we recorded loss of $2 million and gain of $5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, compared with a loss of $9 million and $12 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The changes in fair value are recorded as other revenues in the consolidated statement of income (loss).
Significant Additions to and Transfers Into (Out of) Level 3 Measurements During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we transferred $46 million of credit derivatives from Level 2 to Level 3 as result of including specific fair value adjustments related to certain credit default swaps. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we transferred $79 million and $366

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million, respectively, of deposits in domestic offices and $24 million and $161 million, respectively, of long-term debt, which we have elected to carry at fair value, from Level 3 to Level 2 as a result of the embedded derivative no longer being unobservable as the derivative option is closer to maturity and there is more observability in short term volatility. Additionally, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, we transferred $110 million and $265 million, respectively, of deposits in domestic offices, which we have elected to carry at fair value, from Level 2 to Level 3 as a result of a change in the observability of underlying instruments that resulted in the embedded derivative being unobservable.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we transferred $370 million of credit derivatives from Level 3 to Level 2 as a result of a qualitative analysis of the foreign exchange and credit correlation attributes of our model used for certain credit default swaps. In addition, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, we transferred $132 million and $607 million, respectively, of deposits in domestic offices, which we have elected to carry at fair value, from Level 3 to Level 2 as a result of the embedded derivative no longer being unobservable as the derivative option is closer in maturity and there is more observability in short term volatility.
See Note 19, “Fair Value Measurements,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information on additions to and transfers into (out of) Level 3 measurements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 as well as for further details including the classification hierarchy associated with assets and liabilities measured at fair value.
Assets Underlying Asset-backed Securities  The following tables summarize the types of assets underlying our asset-backed securities as well as certain collateralized debt obligations held as of September 30, 2013:
Asset-backed securities:
 
 
 
 
Commercial Mortgages
 
Alt-A
 
Subprime
Year of Issuance:
  
Total
 
Prior to
2006
 
2006 to
Present
 
Prior to
2006
 
2006 to
Present
 
Prior to
2006
 
2006 to
Present
 
 
(in millions)
Rating of securities:(1)
Collateral type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AAA
Commercial mortgages
$
135

 
$
51

 
$
84

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
Residential mortgages
$
94

 

 

 
90

 

 
4

 

 
Total AAA
229

 
51

 
84

 
90

 

 
4

 

AA
Residential mortgages
2

 

 

 
2

 

 

 

 
Total AA
2

 

 

 
2

 

 

 

A
Residential mortgages
76

 

 

 
12

 

 
64

 

 
Home equity loans
100

 

 

 

 
100

 

 

 
Total A
176

 

 

 
12

 
100

 
64

 

BBB
Residential mortgages
9

 

 

 
9

 

 

 

 
Other
103

 

 

 
103

 

 

 

 
Total BBB
112

 




112







CCC
Home equity loans
130

 

 

 

 
130

 

 

 
Residential mortgages
4

 

 

 

 

 

 
4

 
Total CCC
134

 

 

 

 
130

 

 
4

Unrated
Residential mortgages
1

 

 

 
1

 

 

 

 
 
$
654

 
$
51


$
84


$
217


$
230


$
68


$
4


Collateralized debt obligations and student loan asset-backed securities: 
 
Total
 
A or Higher
 
BBB
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
Rating of securities:(1)
Collateral type:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collateralized debt obligations
245

 

 
245

 
 
Student Loans
74

 
74

 

 
 
 
$
319

 
$
74

 
$
245

 
 
Total asset-backed securities
$
974

 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) We utilize Standard & Poor's ("S&P") as the primary source of credit ratings in the tables above. If S&P ratings are not available, ratings by Moody's and Fitch are used, in that order. Ratings for collateralized debt obligations represent the ratings associated with the underlying collateral.

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Effect of Changes in Significant Unobservable Inputs  The fair value of certain financial instruments is measured using valuation techniques that incorporate pricing assumptions not supported by, derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The resultant fair value measurements are dependent on unobservable input parameters which can be selected from a range of estimates and may be interdependent. Changes in one or more of the significant unobservable input parameters may change the fair value measurements of these financial instruments. For the purpose of preparing the financial statements, the final valuation inputs selected are based on management's best judgment that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing similar assets or liabilities.
The unobservable input parameters selected are subject to the internal valuation control processes and procedures. When we perform a test of all the significant input parameters to the extreme values within the range at the same time, it could result in an increase of the overall fair value measurement of approximately $44 million or a decrease of the overall fair value measurement of approximately $54 million as of September 30, 2013. The effect of changes in significant unobservable input parameters are primarily driven by mortgage servicing rights, certain asset-backed securities including CDOs, and the uncertainty in determining the fair value of credit derivatives executed against monoline insurers.
Risk Management
 
Overview  Some degree of risk is inherent in virtually all of our activities. Accordingly, we have comprehensive risk management policies and practices in place to address potential risks, which include the following:
Credit risk is the potential that a borrower or counterparty will default on a credit obligation, as well as the impact on the value of credit instruments due to changes in the probability of borrower default; Credit risk includes risk associated with cross-border exposures.
Liquidity risk is the potential that an institution will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due or fund its customers because of inadequate cash flow or the inability to liquidate assets or obtain funding itself;
Interest rate risk is the potential impairment of net interest income due to mismatched pricing between assets and liabilities as well as losses in value due to rate movements;
Market risk is the risk that movements in market risk factors, including foreign exchange rates and commodity prices, interest rates, credit spreads and equity prices, will reduce HSBC USA’s income or the value of its portfolios;
Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, or systems, or from external events (including legal risk but excluding strategic and reputational risk);
Compliance risk is the risk that we fail to observe the letter and spirit of all relevant laws, codes, rules, regulations, regulatory requirements and standards of good market practice, and incur fines and penalties and suffer damage to our business as a consequence;
Fiduciary risk is the risk of breaching fiduciary duties where we act in a fiduciary capacity as trustee, investment manager or as mandated by law or regulation.
Reputational risk is the risk arising from a failure to safeguard our reputation by maintaining the highest standards of conduct at all times and by being aware of issues, activities and associations that might pose a threat to the reputation of HSBC locally, regionally or internationally;
Strategic risk is the risk that the business will fail to identify, execute, and react appropriately to opportunities and/or threats arising from changes in the market, some of which may emerge over a number of years such as changing economic and political circumstances, customer requirements, demographic trends, regulatory developments or competitor action;
Security and Fraud risk is the risk to the business from terrorism, crime, incidents/disasters, and groups hostile to HSBC interests;
Model risk is the risk of incorrect implementation or inappropriate application of models. Model risk occurs when a model does not properly capture risk(s) or perform functions as designed; and
Pension risk is the risk that the cash flows associated with pension assets will not be enough to cover the pension benefit obligations required to be paid.
See “Risk Management” in MD&A in our 2012 Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the objectives of our risk management system as well as our risk management policies and practices. Our risk management process involves the use of various simulation models. We believe that the assumptions used in these models are reasonable, but actual events may unfold differently than what is assumed in the models. Consequently, model results may be considered reasonable estimates, with the understanding that actual results may vary significantly from model projections.

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Credit Risk Management  Credit risk is the potential that a borrower or counterparty will default on a credit obligation, as well as the impact on the value of credit instruments due to changes in the probability of borrower default. Credit risk includes risk associated with cross-border exposures. There have been no material changes to our approach towards operational risk since December 31, 2012. See "Risk Management" in MD&A in our 2012 Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of our approach to credit risk.
Credit risk is inherent in various on- and off-balance sheet instruments and arrangements, such as:
loan portfolios;
investment portfolios;
unfunded commitments such as letters of credit and lines of credit that customers can draw upon; and
treasury instruments, such as interest rate swaps which, if more valuable today than when originally contracted, may represent an exposure to the counterparty to the contract.
While credit risk exists widely in our operations, diversification among various commercial and consumer portfolios helps to lessen risk exposure. Day-to-day management of credit and market risk is performed by the Chief Credit Officer / Head of Wholesale Credit and Market Risk North America and the HSBC North America Chief Retail Credit Officer, who report directly to the HSBC North America Chief Risk Officer and maintain independent risk functions. The credit risk associated with commercial portfolios is managed by the Chief Credit Officer, while credit risk associated with retail consumer loan portfolios, such as credit cards, installment loans and residential mortgages, is managed by the HSBC North America Chief Retail Credit Officer. Further discussion of credit risk can be found under the “Credit Quality” caption in this MD&A.
Credit risk associated with derivatives is measured as the net replacement cost in the event the counterparties with contracts in a gain position to us fail to perform under the terms of those contracts. In managing derivative credit risk, both the current exposure, which is the replacement cost of contracts on the measurement date, as well as an estimate of the potential change in value of contracts over their remaining lives are considered. Counterparties to our derivative activities include financial institutions, foreign and domestic government agencies, corporations, funds (mutual funds, hedge funds, etc.), insurance companies and private clients as well as other HSBC entities. These counterparties are subject to regular credit review by the credit risk management department. To minimize credit risk, we enter into legally enforceable master netting agreements which reduce risk by permitting the closeout and netting of transactions with the same counterparty upon occurrence of certain events. In addition, we reduce credit risk by obtaining collateral from counterparties. The determination of the need for and the levels of collateral will vary based on an assessment of the credit risk of the counterparty.
The total risk in a derivative contract is a function of a number of variables, such as:
volatility of interest rates, currencies, equity or corporate reference entity used as the basis for determining contract payments;
current market events or trends;
country risk;
maturity and liquidity of contracts;
credit worthiness of the counterparties in the transaction;
the existence of a master netting agreement among the counterparties; and
existence and value of collateral received from counterparties to secure exposures.
The following table presents total credit risk exposure measured using rules contained in the risk-based capital guidelines published by U.S. banking regulatory agencies. Risk-based capital guidelines recognize that bilateral netting agreements reduce credit risk and, therefore, allow for reductions of risk-weighted assets when netting requirements have been met. As a result, risk-weighted amounts for regulatory capital purposes are a portion of the original gross exposures.
The risk exposure calculated in accordance with the risk-based capital guidelines potentially overstates actual credit exposure because the risk-based capital guidelines ignore collateral that may have been received from counterparties to secure exposures; and the risk-based capital guidelines compute exposures over the life of derivative contracts. However, many contracts contain provisions that allow us to close out the transaction if the counterparty fails to post required collateral. In addition, many contracts give us the right to break the transactions earlier than the final maturity date. As a result, these contracts have potential future exposures that are often much smaller than the future exposures derived from the risk-based capital guidelines.
 

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September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Risk associated with derivative contracts:
 
 
 
Total credit risk exposure
$
38,975

 
$
41,248

Less: collateral held against exposure
4,921

 
7,530

Net credit risk exposure
$
34,054

 
$
33,718

Liquidity Risk Management  There have been no material changes to our approach towards liquidity risk management since December 31, 2012. See “Risk Management” in MD&A in our 2012 Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of our approach to liquidity risk. Although our overall approach to liquidity management has not changed, we continue to enhance our implementation of that approach to reflect best practices. The past few years have suggested that in a market crisis, traditional sources of crisis liquidity such as secured lending and deposits with other banks may not be available. Similarly, the current regulatory initiatives are suggesting banks need to retain a portfolio of extremely high quality liquid assets. Consistent with these items, we are expanding our portfolio of high quality sovereign and sovereign guaranteed securities.
We continuously monitor the impact of market events on our liquidity positions. In general terms, the strains due to the recent credit crisis have been concentrated in the wholesale market as opposed to the retail market (the latter being the market from which we source core demand and time deposit accounts). Financial institutions with less reliance on the wholesale markets were in many respects less affected by those conditions. Our limited dependence upon the wholesale markets for funding has been a significant competitive advantage through the most recent period of financial market turmoil.
Our liquidity management approach includes increased deposits and potential sales (e.g. residential mortgage loans) in liquidity contingency plans. As previously discussed, HSBC Finance completed the wind-down of its commercial paper program in 2012 and now relies on its affiliates, including HSBC USA to satisfy its funding needs outside of cash generated from its loan sales and operations.
Our ability to regularly attract wholesale funds at a competitive cost is enhanced by strong ratings from the major credit ratings agencies. The following table reflects the long and short-term debt ratings we and HSBC Bank USA maintained at September 30, 2013:
  
Moody’s
S&P
Fitch
DBRS(1)
HSBC USA Inc.:
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
P-1
A-1
F1+
R-1 (middle)
Long-term/senior debt
A2
A+
AA-
AA (low)
HSBC Bank USA:
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings
P-1
A-1+
F1+
R-1 (middle)
Long-term/senior debt
A1
AA-
AA-
AA (low)
 
(1)
Dominion Bond Rating Service.
On February 8, 2013, DBRS downgraded the HSBC USA and HSBC Bank USA senior debt ratings to AA (low) from AA, and corresponding short-term instrument rating to R-1 (middle) from R-1 (high), and removed these ratings from "rating under review with negative implications". DBRS cited concerns with recent regulatory and compliance remediation costs, which despite HSBC's ongoing reforms and organizational changes still represent a significant challenge to implement in such a large, complex banking organization.
As of September 30, 2013, there were no pending actions in terms of changes to ratings on the debt of HSBC USA or HSBC Bank USA from any of the rating agencies.
In January 2013, the Bank for International Settlements, Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (the "Basel Committee"), issued revised Basel III liquidity rules and HSBC North America is in the process of evaluating the Basel III framework for liquidity risk management. The framework consists of two liquidity metrics: the liquidity coverage ratio ("LCR"), designed to be a short-term measure to ensure banks have sufficient high-quality liquid assets to survive a significant stress scenario lasting 30 days and the net stable funding ratio ("NSFR"), which is a longer term measure with a 12-month time horizon to ensure a sustainable maturity structure of assets and liabilities.
In October 2013, the Federal Reserve Board, the OCC and the FDIC issued for public comment a rule to introduce a quantitative liquidity requirement in the United States, applicable to certain large banking institutions, including HSBC North America. The

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LCR proposed by the Federal Reserve Board is generally consistent with the Basel Committee guidelines, but is more stringent in several areas including the range of assets that will qualify as high-quality liquid assets and the assumed rate of outflows of certain kinds of funding. Under the proposal, U.S. institutions would begin the LCR transition period on January 1, 2015 and would be required to be fully compliant by January 1, 2017, as opposed to the Basel Committee's requirement to be fully compliant by January 1, 2019. The Federal Reserve Board's Proposed rule does not address the NSFR requirement, which is currently in an international observation period. Based on the results of the observation period, the Basel Committee and U.S. Banking regulators may make further changes and the U.S. regulators are expected to issue a proposed rulemaking implementing the NSFR in advance of its scheduled global implementation in 2018.
It is anticipated that HSBC North America and HSBC Bank USA will meet these requirements prior to their formal introduction. The actual impact will be dependent on the specific regulations issued by the U.S. regulators to implement these standards. HSBC USA and HSBC Bank USA may need to change their liquidity profile to support our compliance with the new rules. We are unable at this time, however, to determine the extent of changes we will need to make to our liquidity position, if any.
Interest Rate Risk Management  Various techniques are utilized to quantify and monitor risks associated with the repricing characteristics of our assets, liabilities and derivative contracts. Our approach to managing interest rate risk is summarized in MD&A in our 2012 Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Management”. There have been no material changes to our approach towards interest rate risk management since December 31, 2012.
Present value of a basis point  is the change in value of the balance sheet for a one basis point upward movement in all interest rates. The following table reflects the PVBP position at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Institutional PVBP movement limit
$
8.0

 
$
8.0

PVBP position at period end
4.6

 
1.7

Dynamic simulation modeling techniques  are utilized to monitor a number of interest rate scenarios for their impact on net interest income. These techniques include both rate shock scenarios, which assume immediate market rate movements by as much as 200 basis points, as well as scenarios in which rates rise or fall by as much as 200 basis points over a twelve month period. The following table reflects the impact on net interest income of the scenarios utilized by these modeling techniques.
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
 
(dollars are in millions)
Projected change in net interest income (reflects projected rate movements on
January 1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change resulting from a gradual 100 basis point increase in the yield curve
$
63

 
3

 
$
107

 
5

Change resulting from a gradual 100 basis point decrease in the yield curve
(106
)
 
(5
)
 
(155
)
 
(8
)
Change resulting from a gradual 200 basis point increase in the yield curve
92

 
4

 
128

 
6

Change resulting from a gradual 200 basis point decrease in the yield curve
(182
)
 
(9
)
 
(210
)
 
(10
)
Other significant scenarios monitored (reflects projected rate movements on January 1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Change resulting from an immediate 100 basis point increase in the yield curve
100

 
5

 
182

 
9

Change resulting from an immediate 100 basis point decrease in the yield curve
(168
)
 
(8
)
 
(200
)
 
(10
)
Change resulting from an immediate 200 basis point increase in the yield curve
174

 
8

 
158

 
8

Change resulting from an immediate 200 basis point decrease in the yield curve
(299
)
 
(14
)
 
(234
)
 
(12
)
The projections do not take into consideration possible complicating factors such as the effect of changes in interest rates on the credit quality, size and composition of the balance sheet. Therefore, although this provides a reasonable estimate of interest rate sensitivity, actual results will vary from these estimates, possibly by significant amounts.
Capital Risk/Sensitivity of Other Comprehensive Income  Large movements of interest rates could directly affect some reported capital balances and ratios. The mark-to-market valuation of available-for-sale securities is credited on a tax effective basis to accumulated other comprehensive income. Although this valuation mark is currently excluded from Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital ratios, it is included in two important accounting based capital ratios: the tangible common equity to tangible assets and the tangible

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common equity to risk weighted assets. Under the final rule adopting the Basel III regulatory capital reforms, the valuation mark will no longer be excluded from Tier 1 and Tier 1 capital ratios and the impact of this change for HSBC USA will be assessed along with the other Basel III changes being introduced. As of September 30, 2013, we had an available-for-sale securities portfolio of approximately $48.1 billion with a positive mark-to-market of $347 million included in tangible common equity of $13.5 billion. An increase of 25 basis points in interest rates of all maturities would lower the mark-to-market by approximately $268 million to a net gain of $79 million with the following results on our tangible capital ratios. As of December 31, 2012, we had an available-for-sale securities portfolio of approximately $67.7 billion with a positive mark-to-market of $1.7 billion included in tangible common equity of $13.2 billion. An increase of 25 basis points in interest rates of all maturities would lower the mark-to-market by approximately $238 million to a net gain of $1.4 billion with the following results on our tangible capital ratios.
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
Actual
 
Proforma(1)
 
Actual
 
Proforma(1)
Tangible common equity to tangible assets
7.29
%
 
7.22
%
 
6.79
%
 
6.72
%
Tangible common equity to risk weighted assets
10.75

 
10.62

 
12.39

 
12.26

 
(1) 
Proforma percentages reflect a 25 basis point increase in interest rates.
Market Risk Management  We have incorporated the qualitative and quantitative requirements of Basel 2.5, including stressed VAR, Incremental Risk Charge and Comprehensive Risk Measure into our process and received regulatory approval to initiate these enhancements effective January 1, 2013. See “Risk Management” in MD&A in our 2012 Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of our approach to market risk. There have been no material changes to our approach towards market risk management since December 31, 2012.
Value at Risk  VAR analysis is a technique that estimates the potential losses that could occur on risk positions as a result of movements in market rates and prices over a specified time horizon and to a given level of confidence. VAR calculations are performed for all material trading activities and as a tool for managing risk inherent in non-trading activities. VAR is calculated daily for a one-day holding period to a 99 percent confidence level.
Trading Activities Our management of market risk is based on a policy of restricting individual operations to trading within an authorized list of permissible instruments, enforcing new product approval procedures and restricting trading in the more complex derivative products to offices with appropriate levels of product expertise and robust control systems. Market making trading is undertaken within Global Banking and Markets.
In addition, at both portfolio and position levels, market risk in trading portfolios is monitored and managed using a complementary set of techniques, including VAR and a variety of interest rate risk monitoring techniques as discussed above. These techniques quantify the impact on capital of defined market movements.
Trading portfolios reside primarily within the Markets unit of the Global Banking and Markets business segment, which include warehoused residential mortgage loans purchased with the intent of selling them, and within the mortgage banking subsidiary included within the RBWM business segment. Portfolios include foreign exchange, interest rate swaps and credit derivatives, precious metals (i.e. gold, silver, platinum), equities and money market instruments including “repos” and securities. Trading occurs as a result of customer facilitation, proprietary position taking and economic hedging. In this context, economic hedging may include forward contracts to sell residential mortgages and derivative contracts which, while economically viable, may not satisfy the hedge accounting requirements.
The trading portfolios have defined limits pertaining to items such as permissible investments, risk exposures, loss review, balance sheet size and product concentrations. “Loss review” refers to the maximum amount of loss that may be incurred before senior management intervention is required.
The following table summarizes trading VAR for the nine months ended September 30, 2013:
 
September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
Average
 
 
(in millions)
Total trading
$
8

 
$
6

 
$
19

 
$
9

 
$
8

Foreign exchange
5

 
4

 
12

 
7

 
5

Interest rate directional and credit spread
8

 
8

 
10

 
9

 
6

 The following table summarizes the frequency distribution of daily market risk-related revenues for trading activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Market risk-related trading revenues include realized and unrealized gains (losses) related

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HSBC USA Inc.

to trading activities, but exclude the related net interest income. Analysis of the gain (loss) data for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 shows that the largest daily gain was $8 million and the largest daily loss was $14 million.
Ranges of daily trading revenue earned from market risk-related activities
Below
$(5)
 
$(5)
to $0
 
$0
to $5
 
$5
to $10
 
Over
$10
 
(dollars are in millions)
Number of trading days market risk-related revenue was within the stated range
3

 
90

 
90

 
6

 

VAR – Non-trading Activities  Interest rate risk in non-trading portfolios arises principally from mismatches between the future yield on assets and their funding cost as a result of interest rate changes. Analysis of this risk is complicated by having to make assumptions on embedded optionality within certain product areas such as the incidence of mortgage repayments, and from behavioral assumptions regarding the economic duration of liabilities which are contractually repayable on demand such as current accounts. The prospective change in future net interest income from non-trading portfolios will be reflected in the current realizable value of these positions if they were to be sold or closed prior to maturity. In order to manage this risk optimally, market risk in non-trading portfolios is transferred to Global Markets or to separate books managed under the supervision of the local ALCO. Once market risk has been consolidated in Global Markets or ALCO-managed books, the net exposure is typically managed through the use of interest rate swaps within agreed upon limits.
Non-trading VAR also includes the impact of asset market volatility on the current investment portfolio of financial investments including assets held on an available for sale (AFS) and held to maturity (HTM) basis. The main holdings of AFS securities are held by Balance Sheet Management within GB&M. These positions which are originated in order to manage structural interest rate and liquidity risk are treated as non-trading risk for the purpose of market risk management. The main holdings of AFS assets include U.S. Treasuries and Government backed GNMA securities.
The following table summarizes non-trading VAR for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, assuming a 99 percent confidence level for a two-year observation period and a one-day “holding period.”
 
September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
Minimum
 
Maximum
 
Average
 
 
(in millions)
Total Accrual VAR
$
98

 
$
78

 
$
145

 
$
100

 
$
92

Trading Activities MSRs – Trading occurs in mortgage banking operations as a result of an economic hedging program intended to offset changes in the value of mortgage servicing rights. Economic hedging may include, for example, forward contracts to sell residential mortgages and derivative instruments used to protect the value of MSRs.
MSRs are assets that represent the present value of net servicing income (servicing fees, ancillary income, escrow and deposit float, net of servicing costs). MSRs are separately recognized upon the sale of the underlying loans or at the time that servicing rights are purchased. MSRs are subject to interest rate risk, in that their value will decline as a result of actual and expected acceleration of prepayment of the underlying loans in a falling interest rate environment.
Interest rate risk is mitigated through an active hedging program that uses trading securities and derivative instruments to offset changes in value of MSRs. Since the hedging program involves trading activity, risk is quantified and managed using a number of risk assessment techniques.
The following table reflects the modeling techniques, primarily rate shock analyses, used to monitor certain interest rate scenarios for their impact on the economic value of net hedged MSRs.

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HSBC USA Inc.

 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012
 
(in millions)
Projected change in net market value of hedged MSRs portfolio (reflects projected rate movements on April 1 and January 1):
 
 
 
Value of hedged MSRs portfolio
$
224

 
$
168

Change resulting from an immediate 50 basis point decrease in the yield curve:
 
 
 
Change limit (no worse than)
(20
)
 
(20
)
Calculated change in net market value
(1
)
 
4

Change resulting from an immediate 50 basis point increase in the yield curve:
 
 
 
Change limit (no worse than)
(8
)
 
(8
)
Calculated change in net market value
(1
)
 
8

Change resulting from an immediate 100 basis point increase in the yield curve:
 
 
 
Change limit (no worse than)
(12
)
 
(12
)
Calculated change in net market value
(2
)
 
28

The economic value of the net hedged MSRs portfolio is monitored on a daily basis for interest rate sensitivity. If the economic value declines by more than established limits for one day or one month, various levels of management review, intervention and/or corrective actions are required.
The following table summarized the frequency distribution of the weekly economic value of the MSR asset during the nine months ended September 30, 2013. This includes the change in the market value of the MSR asset net of changes in the market value of the underlying hedging positions used to hedge the asset. The changes in economic value are adjusted for changes in MSR valuation assumptions that were made during the course of the year.
Ranges of mortgage economic value from market risk-related activities
Below
$(2)
 
$(2)
to $0
 
$0
to $2
 
$2
to $4
 
Over
$4
 
(dollars are in millions)
Number of trading weeks market risk-related revenue was within the stated range
3

 
9

 
25

 
4

 

Operational Risk  There have been no material changes to our approach toward operational risk since December 31, 2012.
Compliance Risk  There have been no material changes to our approach toward compliance risk since December 31, 2012.
Fiduciary Risk  There have been no material changes to our approach toward fiduciary risk since December 31, 2012.
Reputational Risk  There have been no material changes to our approach toward reputational risk since December 31, 2012.
Strategic Risk  There have been no material changes to our approach toward strategic risk since December 31, 2012.
Security and Fraud Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward security and fraud risk since December 31, 2012.
Model Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward model risk since December 31, 2012.
Pension Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward pension risk since December 31, 2012.

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HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED AVERAGE BALANCES AND INTEREST RATES
 
The following tables summarize the quarter-to-date and year-to-date average daily balances of the principal components of assets, liabilities and shareholders' equity together with their respective interest amounts and rates earned or paid, presented on a taxable equivalent basis. Net interest margin is calculated by dividing annualized net interest income by the average interest earning assets from which interest income is earned. The calculation of net interest margin includes interest expense of $50 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively, which has been allocated to our discontinued operations. This allocation of interest expense to our discontinued operations was in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policies as external interest expense is unaffected by these transactions.

Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
(dollars are in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
$
24,182

 
$
16

 
.26
%
 
$
18,768

 
$
13

 
.29
%
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
2,007

 
3

 
.61

 
9,758

 
10

 
.40

Trading assets
9,734

 
34

 
1.39

 
11,901

 
27

 
.91

Securities
52,064

 
213

 
1.62

 
63,536

 
257

 
1.61

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
46,152

 
275

 
2.36

 
40,414

 
270

 
2.65

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
15,990

 
138

 
3.41

 
15,578

 
151

 
3.86

HELOCs and home equity mortgages
2,127

 
17

 
3.20

 
2,468

 
20

 
3.30

Credit cards
861

 
17

 
7.96

 
866

 
22

 
9.98

Other consumer
625

 
7

 
4.73

 
703

 
9

 
5.22

Total consumer
19,603

 
179

 
3.63

 
19,615

 
202

 
4.10

Total loans
65,755

 
454

 
2.74

 
60,029

 
472

 
3.13

Other
3,197

 
10

 
1.18

 
3,102

 
11

 
1.24

Total earning assets
156,939

 
$
730

 
1.84
%
 
167,094

 
$
790

 
1.88
%
Allowance for credit losses
(614
)
 
 
 
 
 
(625
)
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
1,062

 
 
 
 
 
1,455

 
 
 
 
Other assets
20,278

 
 
 
 
 
23,498

 
 
 
 
Assets of discontinued operations

 
 
 
 
 
339

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
177,665

 
 
 
 
 
$
191,761

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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HSBC USA Inc.

Three Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
(dollars are in millions)
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings deposits
$
42,577

 
$
16

 
.14
%
 
$
47,186

 
$
35

 
.29
%
Other time deposits
19,722

 
30

 
.60

 
15,479

 
40

 
1.06

Deposits in foreign offices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign banks deposits
7,391

 
1

 
.06

 
7,962

 
2

 
.08

Other interest bearing deposits
5,850

 
1

 
.09

 
14,670

 
4

 
.10

Deposits held for sale

 

 

 
637

 
1

 
.61

Total interest bearing deposits
75,540

 
48

 
.25

 
85,934

 
82

 
.38

Short-term borrowings
19,506

 
11

 
.22

 
13,797

 
9

 
.27

Long-term debt
21,183

 
159

 
2.97

 
20,322

 
170

 
3.35

Total interest bearing deposits and debt
116,229

 
218

 
 
 
120,053

 
261

 
 
Tax liabilities
498

 
15

 
12.05

 
497

 
14

 
10.49

Total interest bearing liabilities
116,727

 
233

 
.79

 
120,550

 
275

 
.91

Net interest income/Interest rate spread
 
 
$
497

 
1.05
%
 
 
 
$
515

 
.97
%
Noninterest bearing deposits
30,646

 
 
 
 
 
33,995

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
12,976

 
 
 
 
 
18,011

 
 
 
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations

 
 
 
 
 
974

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
17,316

 
 
 
 
 
18,231

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
177,665

 
 
 
 
 
$
191,761

 
 
 
 
Net interest margin on average earning assets
 
 
 
 
1.26
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.22
%
Net interest income to average total assets
 
 
 
 
1.11
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.07
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
(dollars are in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest bearing deposits with banks
$
21,603

 
$
42

 
.26
%
 
$
22,244

 
$
47

 
.28
%
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements
1,927

 
7

 
.49

 
7,794

 
35

 
.60

Trading assets
10,567

 
85

 
1.07

 
12,025

 
86

 
.96

Securities
57,396

 
676

 
1.58

 
59,406

 
851

 
1.92

Loans:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commercial
44,974

 
843

 
2.51

 
37,834

 
767

 
2.71

Consumer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Residential mortgages
15,927

 
424

 
3.55

 
15,454

 
449

 
3.88

HELOCs and home equity mortgages
2,200

 
53

 
3.26

 
2,953

 
75

 
3.39

Credit cards
816

 
52

 
8.53

 
1,037

 
64

 
8.08

Other consumer
641

 
24

 
4.95

 
821

 
36

 
5.90

Total consumer
19,584

 
553

 
3.78

 
20,265

 
624

 
4.11

Total loans
64,558

 
1,396

 
2.89

 
58,099

 
1,391

 
3.20

Other
3,089

 
31

 
1.34

 
3,553

 
32

 
1.22


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HSBC USA Inc.

Nine Months Ended September 30,
2013
 
2012
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
Average Balance
 
Interest
 
Rate(1)
 
(dollars are in millions)
Total earning assets
159,140

 
$
2,237

 
1.88
%
 
163,121

 
$
2,442

 
2.00
%
Allowance for credit losses
(607
)
 
 
 
 
 
(652
)
 
 
 
 
Cash and due from banks
1,107

 
 
 
 
 
1,548

 
 
 
 
Other assets
22,410

 
 
 
 
 
25,232

 
 
 
 
Assets of discontinued operations

 
 
 
 
 
9,101

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
182,050

 
 
 
 
 
$
198,350

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deposits in domestic offices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Savings deposits
$
43,690

 
$
52

 
.16
%
 
$
53,413

 
$
147

 
.37
%
Other time deposits
20,235

 
85

 
.57

 
15,157

 
104

 
.92

Deposits in foreign offices:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign banks deposits
7,420

 
4

 
.07

 
8,519

 
5

 
.08

Other interest bearing deposits
6,452

 
5

 
.09

 
14,763

 
12

 
.11

Deposits held for sale

 
1

 

 
8,463

 
16

 
.25

Total interest bearing deposits
77,797

 
147

 
.25

 
100,315

 
284

 
.38

Short-term borrowings
17,475

 
28

 
.22

 
14,784

 
24

 
.22

Long-term debt
21,748

 
492

 
3.02

 
19,393

 
511

 
3.52

Total interest bearing deposits and debt
117,020

 
667

 
 
 
134,492

 
819

 
 
Tax liabilities
496

 
40

 
10.87

 
459

 
27

 
7.77

Total interest bearing liabilities
117,516

 
707

 
.80

 
134,951

 
846

 
.84

Net interest income/Interest rate spread
 
 
$
1,530

 
1.08
%
 
 
 
$
1,596

 
1.16
%
Noninterest bearing deposits
30,870

 
 
 
 
 
26,624

 
 
 
 
Other liabilities
16,026

 
 
 
 
 
17,236

 
 
 
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations

 
 
 
 
 
971

 
 
 
 
Total shareholders’ equity
17,638

 
 
 
 
 
18,568

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
182,050

 
 
 
 
 
$
198,350

 
 
 
 
Net interest margin on average earning assets
 
 
 
 
1.29
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.31
%
Net interest income to average total assets
 
 
 
 
1.12
%
 
 
 
 
 
1.07
%
 
 
(1) 
Rates are calculated on amounts that have not been rounded to the nearest million.
The total weighted average rate earned on earning assets is interest and fee earnings divided by daily average amounts of total interest earning assets, including the daily average amount on nonperforming loans. Loan interest for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 included fees of $37 million and $80 million, respectively compared with fees of $21 million and $54 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

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Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
Information required by this Item is included within Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Risk Management section under the captions “Interest Rate Risk Management” and “Market Risk Management” of this Form 10-Q.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We maintain a system of internal and disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by HSBC USA in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. Our Board of Directors, operating through its Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of independent outside directors, provides oversight to our financial reporting process.
We conducted an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report so as to alert them in a timely fashion to material information required to be disclosed in reports we file under the Exchange Act.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II 
 
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings.
 
See “Litigation and Regulatory Matters” in Note 20, “Litigation and Regulatory Matters,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements beginning on page 79 for our legal proceedings disclosure, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.    Other Information.
 
Disclosures Pursuant to Section 13(R) of the Securities Exchange Act Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 added a new subsection (r) to section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act, requiring each issuer registered with the SEC to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports whether it or any of its affiliates have knowingly engaged in specified activities or transactions with persons or entities targeted by U.S. sanctions programs relating to Iran, terrorism, or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, even if those activities are not prohibited by U.S. law and are conducted outside the U.S. by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with local laws and regulations.
In order to comply with this requirement, HSBC Holdings plc (together with its affiliates, “HSBC”) has requested relevant information from its affiliates globally. During the period covered by this Form 10-Q, HSBC USA Inc. (“HUSI”) did not engage in any activities or transactions requiring disclosure pursuant to Section 13(r) other than those activities related to frozen accounts and transactions permitted under relevant U.S. sanction programs described under “Frozen Accounts and Transactions” below. The following activities conducted by our affiliates are disclosed in response to Section 13(r):
Loans in repayment Between 2001 and 2005, the Project and Export Finance (“PEF”) division of HSBC arranged or participated in a portfolio of loans to Iranian energy companies and banks. All of these loans were guaranteed by European and Asian export credit agencies, and they have varied maturity dates with final maturity in 2018. For those loans that remain outstanding, HSBC continues to seek repayment in accordance with its obligations to the supporting export credit agencies and, in all cases, with appropriate regulatory approvals. Details of these loans follow.
HSBC has 13 loans outstanding to an Iranian petrochemical and energy company. These loans are supported by the official Export Credit Agencies of the following countries: the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, South Korea and Japan. HSBC continues to seek repayments from the company under the existing loans in accordance with the original maturity

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profiles. All repayments made by the Iranian company have received a license or an authorization from relevant authorities. Repayments have been received under a number of the loans during the third quarter of 2013.
Bank Melli and Bank Saderat acted as sub-participants in three of the aforementioned loans. In the third quarter of 2013, the repayments due to these banks under the loan agreements were paid into frozen accounts under licenses or authorizations from relevant European governments.
In 2002, HSBC provided a loan to Bank Tejarat with a guarantee from the Government of Iran to fund the construction of a petrochemical plant undertaken by a U.K. contractor. This loan was supported by the U.K. Export Credit Agency and is administered under license from the relevant European Government. No repayments were made under this loan in the third quarter of 2013.
HSBC also maintains sub-participations in five loans provided by other international banks to Bank Tejarat and Bank Mellat with guarantees from the Government of Iran. These sub-participations were supported by the Export Credit Agencies of Italy, The Netherlands, France, and Spain. The repayments due under the sub-participations were not received during the third quarter of 2013, and claims are being processed and settled by the relevant European Export Credit Agencies. Licenses and relevant authorizations have been obtained from the competent authorities of the European Union in respect of the transactions.
Estimated gross revenue to HSBC generated by these loans in repayment for the third quarter of 2013, which includes interest and fees, was approximately $415,000. Estimated net profit for HSBC during the third quarter of 2013 was approximately $269,000. While HSBC intends to continue to seek repayment, it does not intend to extend any new loans.
Legacy contractual obligations related to guarantees Between 1996 and 2007, HSBC provided guarantees to a number of its non-Iranian customers in Europe and the Middle East for various business activities in Iran. In a number of cases, HSBC issued counter indemnities in support of guarantees issued by Iranian banks as the Iranian beneficiaries of the guarantees required that they be backed directly by Iranian banks. The Iranian banks to which HSBC provided counter indemnities included Bank Tejarat, Bank Melli, and the Bank of Industry and Mine.
HSBC has worked with relevant regulatory authorities to obtain licenses where required and ensure compliance with laws and regulations while seeking to cancel the guarantees and counter indemnities. One was canceled during the third quarter of 2013.
There was no measurable gross revenue or net profit generated by this activity in the third quarter of 2013. HSBC is seeking to cancel all relevant guarantees and does not intend to provide any new guarantees involving Iran.
Check clearing Certain Iranian banks sanctioned by the United States continue to participate in official clearing systems in the U.A.E., Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Qatar, and Turkey. HSBC has a presence in these countries and, as such, participates in the clearing systems. The Iranian banks participating in the clearing systems vary by location and include Bank Saderat, Bank Melli, Future Bank, and Bank Mellat. HSBC has implemented automated and manual controls in order to preclude settling check transactions with these institutions. There was no measurable gross revenue or net profit generated by this activity in the third quarter of 2013.
Other relationships with Iranian banks Activity related to U.S.-sanctioned Iranian banks not covered elsewhere in this disclosure includes the following:
Ÿ
HSBC maintains a frozen account in the U.K. for an Iranian-owned, FSA-regulated financial institution. In April 2007, the U.K. government issued a license to allow HSBC to handle certain transactions (operational payments and settlement of pre-sanction transactions) for this institution. There was some licensed activity in the third quarter of 2013.
Ÿ
HSBC acts as the trustee and administrator for pension schemes involving three employees of a U.S.-sanctioned Iranian bank in Hong Kong. Under the rules of these schemes, HSBC accepts contributions from the Iranian bank each month and allocates the funds into the pension accounts of the three Iranian bank employees. HSBC runs and operates these pension schemes in accordance with Hong Kong laws and regulations.
Ÿ
In 2010, HSBC closed its representative office in Iran. HSBC maintains a local account with a U.S.-sanctioned Iranian bank in Tehran in order to facilitate residual activity related to the closure.During the third quarter of 2013, HSBC used this account to pay tax equivalent to approximately $20,000 to Iran's Social Security Organization. HSBC has been authorized by the U.S. Government (and by relevant non-U.S. regulators) to make these types of payments in connection with the liquidation and deregistration of the representative office in Tehran, and anticipates making the last of such payments by early 2014.
Estimated gross revenue to HSBC for the third quarter of 2013 for all Iranian bank-related activity described in this section, which includes fees and/or commissions, was $41,880. HSBC does not allocate direct costs to fees and commissions and therefore has

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not disclosed a separate profits measure. HSBC intends to continue to wind down this Iranian bank-related activity and not enter into any new such activity.
2013 Activity related to U.S. Executive Order 13224 HSBC maintained a frozen personal account for an individual sanctioned under Executive Order 13224, and by the U.K. and the U.N. Security Council. Activity on this account in the third quarter of 2013 was permitted by a license issued by the U.K. There was no measurable gross revenue or net profits generated to HSBC in the third quarter of 2013.
HSBC previously reported that it was closing the U.K. account of an individual sanctioned under Executive Order 13224. That individual had been sanctioned by the U.K. and U.N. Security Council, but was delisted in 2012. The account was closed during the second quarter, and the account balance was returned to the individual. There was no measurable gross revenue or net profit generated to HSBC in the second or third quarters of 2013.
HSBC holds a frozen account for an individual who was designed under Executive Order 13224 during the second quarter. Subsequent to designation and prior to the freezing of the account in the second quarter, there were several transactions. Estimated gross revenue in the second quarter of 2013 was approximately $250. There has been no activity in the third quarter and no measurable gross revenue or net profit generated.
2013 Activity related to U.S. Executive Order 13382 HSBC held an account for a customer in the United Arab Emirates that was sanctioned under Executive Order 13382 in the second quarter of 2013. The account was closed in the third quarter of 2013, and the funds were moved into unclaimed balances. There was no measurable gross revenue or net profits generated to HSBC in the third quarter of 2013.
Frozen accounts and transactions HSBC and HSBC Bank USA (a subsidiary of HUSI) maintain several accounts that are frozen under relevant sanctions programs and on which no activity, other than the posting of nominal amounts of interest, took place during the third quarter of 2013. In the third quarter of 2013, HSBC and HSBC Bank USA also froze payments where required under relevant sanctions programs. There was no gross revenue or net profit to HSBC.

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HSBC USA Inc.

Item 6. Exhibits.
 
Exhibits included in this Report:
12
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
 
 
31
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1)
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document(2)
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(2)
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(2)
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(2)
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(2)
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(2)
 
1. 
This exhibit shall be not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.
2. 
Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, includes the following financial information included in HSBC USA Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”) interactive data files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 and December 31. 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



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HSBC USA Inc.

Index
 
Assets:
Equity securities available-for-sale 13
by business segment 49
Estimates and assumptions 10
consolidated average balances 143
Eurozone exposures 127
fair value measurements 63
Executive overview 88
nonperforming 21, 27, 28, 124
Fair value measurements:
trading 12,96
assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis 64
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits 53
assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis 74
Asset-backed securities 13, 65, 77, 135
control over valuation process 133
Balance sheet:
financial instruments 63
consolidated 5
hierarchy 61, 133
consolidated average balances 143
transfers into/out of level one and two 67
review 93
transfers into/out of level two and three 67
Basel 2.5 129
valuation techniques 75
Basel III 129
Fiduciary risk 136, 142
Basis of reporting 92
Financial assets:
Business:
designated at fair value 40
consolidated performance review 89
reclassification under IFRSs 49, 92
Capital:
Financial highlights metrics 89
2013 funding strategy 130
Financial liabilities:
common equity movements 128
designated at fair value 40
consolidated statement of changes 7
fair value of financial liabilities 63
regulatory capital 51
Forward looking statements 88
selected capital ratios 51, 90, 128, 140
Funding 130
Cash flow (consolidated) 8
Gain on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives 41
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements 88
Gains (losses) from securities 17, 104
Collateral — pledged assets 58
Global Banking and Markets 49, 112
Collateralized debt obligations 77, 135
Geographic concentration of receivables 127
Commercial banking segment results (IFRSs) 49, 111
Goodwill 33
Compliance risk 136, 142
Guarantee arrangements 54
Controls and procedures 146
Impairment:
Credit card fees 101
available-for-sale securities 13
Credit quality 117
credit losses 29, 99, 117
Credit risk:
nonperforming loans 124
adjustment 60
impaired loans 21, 125
component of fair value option 40
Income (loss) from financial instruments designated at fair value, net 40
concentration 28, 126
Income tax expenses 108
exposure 137
Intangible assets 31
management 137
Interest rate risk 136, 139
related contingent features 38
Internal control 146
related arrangements 60
Key performance indicators 89, 90
Current environment 88
Legal proceedings 146
Deferred tax assets 108
Leveraged finance transactions 40
Deposits 97, 99, 127
Liabilities:
Derivatives:
commitments, lines of credit 131
      cash flow hedges 36
deposits 97, 99, 127
fair value hedges 35
financial liabilities designated at fair value 40
notional value 39
trading 12, 96
trading and other 37
long-term debt 64, 97, 128
Discontinued operations 11
short-term borrowings 64, 97, 127
Equity:
 
consolidated statement of changes 7
 
ratios 51, 90, 128, 140
 

150


HSBC USA Inc.

Liquidity and capital resources 127
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP results to IFRSs 92
Liquidity risk 136, 138
Refreshed loan-to-value 95
Litigation and regulatory matters 79
Regulation 51, 86, 129
Loans:
Related party transactions 44
      by category 19, 94
Reputational risk 136, 142
by charge-off (net) 29, 123
Results of operations 88, 98
by delinquency 28, 121
Retail banking and wealth management segment results (IFRSs) 109
criticized assets 26, 125
Risk elements in the loan portfolio 27
geographic concentration 127
Risk management:
held for sale 30
credit 136, 138
impaired 21, 125
compliance 136, 142
nonperforming 21, 27, 28, 124
fiduciary 136, 142
overall review 93
interest rate 136, 139
purchases from HSBC Finance 32
liquidity 136, 138
risk concentration 28
market 136, 140
troubled debt restructures 21, 125
operational 136, 142
Loan impairment charges — see Provision for credit losses
reputational 136, 142
Loan-to-deposits ratio 90
strategic 136, 142
Market risk 136, 140
Securities:
Market turmoil:
fair value 13
exposures 137
impairment 16
impact on liquidity risk 127
maturity analysis 18
Monoline insurers 17, 134
Segment results - IFRSs basis:
Mortgage lending products 19, 94
retail banking and wealth management 49, 109
Mortgage servicing rights 31
commercial banking 49, 111
Net interest income 98
global banking and markets 49, 112
New accounting pronouncements 87
private banking 49, 115
Off balance sheet arrangements 131
other 49, 116
Operating expenses 106
overall summary 49, 109
Operational risk 136, 142
Selected financial data 90
Other revenue 101
Sensitivity:
Other segment results (IFRSs) 116
projected net interest income 139
Pension and other postretirement benefits 43
Statement of changes in shareholders’ equity 7
Performance, developments and trends 89
Statement of changes in comprehensive income (loss) 4
Pledged assets 58
Statement of income (loss) 3
Private banking segment results (IFRSs) 115
Strategic risk 136, 142
Profit (loss) before tax:
Stress testing 127, 129
      by segment — IFRSs 49
Table of contents 2
consolidated 3
Tax expense 108
Provision for credit losses 99
Trading:
Ratios:
assets 12, 96
capital 51, 128, 140
derivatives 12, 96
charge-off (net) 89
liabilities 12, 96
credit loss reserve related 119
portfolios 12
delinquency 121
Trading revenue (net) 103
earnings to fixed charges — Exhibit 12
Troubled debt restructures 21, 125
efficiency 89, 106, 107, 108
Value at risk 140
 
Variable interest entities 51
 
 

151


HSBC USA Inc.

Signatures
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: November 4, 2013
 
HSBC USA Inc.
(Registrant)
 
/s/ JOHN T. MCGINNIS
John T. McGinnis
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer


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HSBC USA Inc.

Exhibit Index
 
12
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
31
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.(1)
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document(2)
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(2)
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(2)
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(2)
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(2)
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(2)
 
1. 
This exhibit shall be not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.
2.
Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, includes the following financial information included in HSBC USA Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”) interactive data files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2013 and December 31. 2012, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


153