Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-223208

December 2, 2019

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

(To Prospectus dated February 26, 2018,

Prospectus Supplement dated February 26, 2018, and

ETF Underlying Supplement dated February 26, 2018)

 

Linked to the Least Performing of the Energy Select Sector SPDR^® Fund and the SPDR^® S&P^® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (the “Reference Asset”)

► 1x exposure to any positive Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying subject to a Maximum Cap of at least 20.00% (to be determined on the pricing date)

► 1x positive exposure to the Absolute Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying if its Reference Return is negative but not less than -15%

► 1x exposure to any negative Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying if its Reference Return is less than -15%, with up to 85% of Principal Amount at risk.

► Approximately 15-month maturity

► Any payments on the Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.

The Dual Directional Buffered Notes (each a “Note” and collectively the “Notes") offered hereunder will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or automated quotation system. The Notes will not bear interest.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or passed upon the accuracy or the adequacy of this document, the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement, or ETF Underlying Supplement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. We have appointed HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of ours, as the agent for the sale of the Notes. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the Notes from us for distribution to other registered broker-dealers or will offer the Notes directly to investors. In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates in market-making transactions in any Notes after their initial sale. Unless we or our agent informs you otherwise in the confirmation of sale, the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates is being used in a market-making transaction. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page FWP-17 of this document.

Investment in the Notes involves certain risks. You should refer to “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-7 of this document, page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement, and page S-1 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes on the Pricing Date is expected to be between $930 and $970 per Note, which will be less than the price to public. The market value of the Notes at any time will reflect many factors and cannot be predicted with accuracy. See “Estimated Initial Value” on page FWP-3 and “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-7 of this document for additional information.

	Price to Public	Underwriting Discount(1)	Proceeds to Issuer
Per Note	$1,000.00
Total

⁽¹⁾ HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 1.50% and referral fees of up to 0.50% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. In no case will the sum of the underwriting discounts and referral fees exceed 2.00% per $1,000 Principal Amount. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page FWP-17 of this document.

The Notes:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

 

  HSBC USA Inc. Dual Directional Buffered Notes  

Linked to the Least Performing of the Energy Select Sector SPDR^® Fund and the SPDR^® S&P^® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF

This document relates to a single offering of Dual Directional Buffered Notes. The Notes will have the terms described in this document and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement, and ETF Underlying Supplement. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement, or ETF Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this document shall control. You should be willing to forgo interest and dividend payments during the term of the Notes and, if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying (each as defined below) is less than its Buffer Value, lose some or a significant portion (up to 85%) of your principal.

This document relates to an offering of Notes linked to the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. linked to the Reference Asset as described below. The following key terms relate to the offering of the Notes:

Issuer:	HSBC USA Inc.
Principal Amount:	$1,000 per Note
Reference Asset:	The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund (Ticker: “XLE”) and the  SPDR® S&P® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (Ticker: “XOP”) (each, an “Underlying” and together the “Underlyings”)
Trade Date:	December 19, 2019
Pricing Date:	December 19, 2019
Original Issue Date:	December 27, 2019
Final Valuation Date:	March 24, 2021, subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” in the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.
Maturity Date:	3 business days after the Final Valuation Date, expected to be March 29, 2021.  The Maturity Date is subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date” in the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.
Payment at Maturity:	On the Maturity Date, for each Note, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value.
Final Settlement Value:	If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than its Initial Value, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, equal to the lesser of: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Upside Participation Rate), and $1,000 + ($1,000 × Maximum Cap). If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to its Initial Value but greater than or equal to its Buffer Value, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows: $1,000 + ($1,000 × Absolute Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Absolute Return Participation Rate). If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows: $1,000 + [$1,000 × (Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying + 15%)]. Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount of your Notes for each percentage point that the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Buffer Value. For example, if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -50%, you will suffer a 35% loss and receive 65% of the Principal Amount, subject to the credit risk of HSBC. If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value, you will lose some or a significant portion (up to 85%) of your investment.
Maximum Cap:	At least 20.00% (to be determined on the pricing date)
Upside Participation Rate:	100%
Absolute Return Participation Rate:	100%
Absolute Reference Return:	With respect to each Underlying, the absolute value of its Reference Return. The Absolute Reference Return will always be a positive value or zero.  For example, if the Reference Return is -5.00%, the Absolute Reference Return will be +5.00%.

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Least Performing Underlying:	The Underlying with the lowest Reference Return.
Reference Return:	With respect to each Underlying, the quotient, expressed as a percentage, calculated as follows: Final Value – Initial Value Initial Value
Buffer Value:	With respect to each Underlying, 85% of its Initial Value.
Initial Value:	With respect to each Underlying, its Official Closing Price on the Pricing Date.
Final Value:	With respect to each Underlying, its Official Closing Price on the Final Valuation Date.
Official Closing Price:	The Official Closing Price of the relevant Underlying.
CUSIP/ISIN:	40435UQ31 / US40435UQ319
Form of Notes:	Book-Entry
Listing:	The Notes will not be listed on any U.S. Notes exchange or quotation system.
Estimated Initial Value:	The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes will be less than the price you pay to purchase the Notes. The Estimated Initial Value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in the secondary market, if any, at any time. The Estimated Initial Value will be calculated on the Pricing Date. See “Risk Factors — The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes, which will be determined by us on the Pricing Date, will be less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the Notes in the secondary market, if any.”

The Trade Date, the Pricing Date and the other dates set forth above are subject to change, and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes.

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GENERAL

This document relates to an offering of Notes linked to the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. Although the offering of Notes relates to the Reference Asset, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to any Underlying or any security included in any Underlying or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated February 26, 2018, the prospectus supplement dated February 26, 2018 and the ETF Underlying Supplement dated February 26, 2018. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement or ETF Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this document shall control. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” beginning on page FWP-7 of this document, page S-1 of the prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the ETF Underlying Supplement, as the Notes involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the Notes. As used herein, references to the “Issuer”, “HSBC”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to HSBC USA Inc.

HSBC has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, prospectus supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this document relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement in that registration statement and other documents HSBC has filed with the SEC for more complete information about HSBC and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, prospectus supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.

You may also obtain:

4 The ETF Underlying Supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420418010788/tv486720_424b2.htm

4 The prospectus supplement at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420418010762/tv486944_424b2.htm

4 The prospectus at: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420418010720/tv487083_424b3.htm

We are using this document to solicit from you an offer to purchase the Notes. You may revoke your offer to purchase the Notes at any time prior to the time at which we accept your offer by notifying HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. We reserve the right to change the terms of, or reject any offer to purchase, the Notes prior to their issuance. In the event of any material changes to the terms of the Notes, we will notify you.

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PAYMENT AT MATURITY

On the Maturity Date, for each Note you hold, we will pay you the Final Settlement Value, which is an amount in cash, as described below:

If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than its Initial Value, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, equal to the lesser of:

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Upside Participation Rate), and

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Maximum Cap).

If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to its Initial Value but greater than or equal to its Buffer Value, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Absolute Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Absolute Return Participation Rate).

If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date, per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying + 15%)].

Under these circumstances, you will lose 1% of the Principal Amount of your Notes for each percentage point that the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Buffer Value. For example, if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -50%, you will suffer a 35% loss and receive 65% of the Principal Amount, subject to the credit risk of HSBC. If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value, you will lose some or a significant portion (up to 85%) of your investment.

Interest

The Notes will not pay interest.

Calculation Agent

We or one of our affiliates will act as calculation agent with respect to the Notes.

Reference Issuers

The reference issuer for the XLE and XOP is Select Sector SPDR^® Trust.

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INVESTOR SUITABILITY

The Notes may be suitable for you if:

► You seek an investment with a return linked to the least performing of the Underlyings and you believe the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying will be positive or will be moderately negative but not below -15%.

► You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to any negative Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying on a 1-to-1 basis for each percentage point that its Reference Return is below -15%.

► You are willing to accept the risk and return profile of the Notes versus a conventional debt security with a comparable maturity issued by HSBC or another issuer with a similar credit rating.

► You are willing to forgo interest payments on the Notes, and the dividends or other distributions paid on the constituents held by the Underlyings.

► You do not seek current income from your investment.

► You do not seek an investment for which there is an active secondary market.

►	You are willing to hold the Notes to maturity.
►	You are comfortable with the creditworthiness of HSBC, as Issuer of the Notes.

The Notes may not be suitable for you if:

► You believe that the Final Value of at least one Underlying will be less than its Buffer Value or that the Reference Return or Absolute Reference Return will not be sufficiently positive to provide you with your desired return.

► You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to any negative Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying on a 1-to-1 basis for each percentage point that its Reference Return is below -15%.

► You seek an investment that provides full return of principal.

► You prefer the lower risk, and therefore accept the potentially lower returns, of conventional debt securities with comparable maturities issued by HSBC or another issuer with a similar credit rating.

► You prefer to receive periodic interest payments on the Notes, or the dividends or other distributions paid on the constituents held by the Underlyings.

► You seek current income from your investment.

► You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

►	You are unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity.
►	You are not willing or are unable to assume the credit risk associated with HSBC, as Issuer of the Notes.

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RISK FACTORS

We urge you to read the section “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the accompanying prospectus supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement. You should understand the risks of investing in the Notes and should reach an investment decision only after careful consideration, with your advisors, of the suitability of the Notes in light of your particular financial circumstances and the information set forth in this document and the accompanying prospectus, prospectus supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement. In addition to the risks discussed below, you should review “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement including the explanation of risks relating to the Notes described in the following sections:

4 “—Risks Relating to All Note Issuances” in the prospectus supplement; and

4 “—General Risks Related to Index Funds” in the ETF Underlying Supplement.

You will be subject to significant risks not associated with conventional fixed-rate or floating-rate debt securities.

Your investment in the Notes may result in a loss.

You will be exposed to the decline in the Least Performing Underlying from the Pricing Date to the Final Valuation Date on a 1:1 basis for each percentage point that the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value. Accordingly, if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value, your Payment at Maturity will be less than the Principal Amount of your Notes. You will lose some or a significant portion (up to 85%) of your investment at maturity if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value.

Your return on the Notes will be limited by the Maximum Cap if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive.

You will not participate in any appreciation in the level of any Underlying (as multiplied by the Upside Participation Rate) beyond the Maximum Cap. If the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is positive, you will not receive a return on the Notes greater than the Maximum Cap.

The return on the Notes will be limited by the Buffer Value and the Absolute Return Participation Rate if the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is negative.

If the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to its Initial Value but greater than or equal to its Buffer Value, your return on the Notes will equal the Absolute Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying multiplied by the Absolute Return Participation Rate. However, if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value, your return on the Notes will never be greater than 15% because the Absolute Reference Return will be inapplicable if the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is below its Buffer Value.

Since the Notes are linked to the performance of more than one Underlying, you will be fully exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the value of each Underlying.

Since the Notes are linked to the performance of more than one Underlying, the Notes will be linked to the individual performance of each Underlying. Because the Notes are not linked to a basket, in which the risk is mitigated and diversified among all of the components of a basket, you will be exposed to the risk of fluctuations in the value of each Underlying. For example, in the case of notes linked to a basket, the return would depend on the aggregate performance of the basket components reflected as the basket return. Thus, the depreciation of any basket component could be mitigated by the appreciation of another basket component. However, in the case of these Notes, the individual performance of each of the Underlyings would not be combined to calculate your return and the depreciation of either Underlying would not be mitigated by the appreciation of the other Underlying. Instead, your return would depend on the Least Performing Underlying.

The Notes are subject to the credit risk of HSBC USA Inc.

The Notes are senior unsecured debt obligations of the Issuer, HSBC, and are not, either directly or indirectly, an obligation of any third party. As further described in the accompanying prospectus supplement and prospectus, the Notes will rank on par with all of the other unsecured and unsubordinated debt obligations of HSBC, except such obligations as may be preferred by operation of law. Any payment to be made on the Notes, including any return of principal at maturity, depends on the ability of HSBC to satisfy its obligations as they come due. As a result, the actual and perceived creditworthiness of HSBC may affect the market value of the Notes and, in the event HSBC were to default on its obligations, you may not receive the amounts owed to you under the terms of the Notes.

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The Notes are not insured or guaranteed by any governmental agency of the United States or any other jurisdiction.

The Notes are not deposit liabilities or other obligations of a bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency or program of the United States or any other jurisdiction. An investment in the Notes is subject to the credit risk of HSBC, and in the event that HSBC is unable to pay its obligations as they become due, you may not receive the full payments due at Maturity.

The Notes will not bear interest.

As a holder of the Notes, you will not receive interest payments.

Owning the Notes is not the same as owning shares of an Underlying, or the stocks included in the underlying index of an Underlying.

The return on your Notes may not reflect the return you would realize if you actually owned either shares of an Underlying, or the stocks included in the underlying index of an Underlying. As a holder of the Notes, you will not have voting rights or rights to receive dividends or other distributions or other rights as would holders of shares of an Underlying, the stocks included in the underlying index of an Underlying.

Changes that affect an Underlying may affect the market value of the Notes and the amount you will receive at maturity.

The policies of the reference sponsor or reference issuer of the relevant Underlying concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the constituents included in or held by such Underlying and the manner in which the reference sponsor or reference issuer takes account of certain changes affecting those constituents included in or held by such Underlying may affect the value of such Underlying. The policies of the reference sponsor or reference issuer with respect to the calculation of the relevant Underlying could also affect the value of such Underlying. The reference sponsor or reference issuer may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of its relevant Underlying. Any such actions could affect the value of the Notes.

A Higher Absolute Reference Return or lower Buffer Values are generally associated with Underlyings with greater expected volatility and therefore can indicate a greater risk of loss.

"Volatility" refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the value of an Underlying. The greater the expected volatility with respect to an Underlying on the Pricing Date, the higher the expectation as of the Pricing Date that the value of that Underlying could close below its Buffer Value on the Final Valuation Date, indicating a higher expected risk of not receiving the Absolute Reference Return or loss on the Notes. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher Absolute Reference Return than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as a lower Buffer Value or a higher Absolute Reference Return) than for similar securities linked to the performance of an Underlying with a lower expected volatility as of the Pricing Date. You should therefore understand that a relatively higher Absolute Reference Return may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, a relatively lower Buffer Value may not necessarily indicate that the Notes have a greater likelihood of a repayment of principal at maturity. The volatility of an Underlying can change significantly over the term of the Notes. The value of an Underlying for your Notes could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Least Performing Underlying and the potential to lose some or all of your principal at maturity.

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes, which will be determined by us on the Pricing Date, will be less than the price to public and may differ from the market value of the Notes in the secondary market, if any.

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes will be calculated by us on the Pricing Date and will be less than the price to public. The Estimated Initial Value will reflect our internal funding rate, which is the borrowing rate we pay to issue market-linked securities, as well as the mid-market value of the embedded derivatives in the Notes. This internal funding rate is typically lower than the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities. As a result of the difference between our internal funding rate and the rate we would use when we issue conventional fixed or floating rate debt securities, the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes may be lower if it were based on the prices at which our fixed or floating rate debt securities trade in the secondary market. In addition, if we were to use the rate we use for our conventional fixed or floating rate debt issuances, we would expect the economic terms of the Notes to be more favorable to you. We will determine the value of the embedded derivatives in the Notes by reference to our or our affiliates’ internal pricing models. These pricing models consider certain assumptions and variables, which can include volatility and interest rates. Different pricing models and assumptions could provide valuations for the Notes that are different from our Estimated Initial Value. These pricing models rely in part on certain forecasts about future events, which may prove to be incorrect. The Estimated Initial Value does not represent a minimum price at which we or any of our affiliates would be willing to purchase your Notes in the secondary market (if any exists) at any time.

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The price of your Notes in the secondary market, if any, immediately after the Pricing Date will be less than the price to public.

The price to public takes into account certain costs. These costs, which will be used or retained by us or one of our affiliates, include the underwriting discount, our affiliates’ projected hedging profits (which may or may not be realized) for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes and the costs associated with structuring and hedging our obligations under the Notes. If you were to sell your Notes in the secondary market, if any, the price you would receive for your Notes may be less than the price you paid for them because secondary market prices will not take into account these costs. The price of your Notes in the secondary market, if any, at any time after issuance will vary based on many factors, including the values of the Underlyings and changes in market conditions, and cannot be predicted with accuracy. The Notes are not designed to be short-term trading instruments, and you should, therefore, be able and willing to hold the Notes to maturity. Any sale of the Notes prior to maturity could result in a loss to you.

If we were to repurchase your Notes immediately after the Original Issue Date, the price you receive may be higher than the Estimated Initial Value of the Notes.

Assuming that all relevant factors remain constant after the Original Issue Date, the price at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. may initially buy or sell the Notes in the secondary market, if any, and the value that may initially be used for customer account statements, if any, may exceed the Estimated Initial Value on the Pricing Date for a temporary period expected to be approximately 3 months after the Original Issue Date. This temporary price difference may exist because, in our discretion, we may elect to effectively reimburse to investors a portion of the estimated cost of hedging our obligations under the Notes and other costs in connection with the Notes that we will no longer expect to incur over the term of the Notes. We will make such discretionary election and determine this temporary reimbursement period on the basis of a number of factors, including the tenor of the Notes and any agreement we may have with the distributors of the Notes. The amount of our estimated costs which we effectively reimburse to investors in this way may not be allocated ratably throughout the reimbursement period, and we may discontinue such reimbursement at any time or revise the duration of the reimbursement period after the Original Issue Date of the Notes based on changes in market conditions and other factors that cannot be predicted.

The amount payable on the Notes is not linked to the values of the Underlyings at any time other than on the Final Valuation Date.

The Final Values of the Underlyings will be based on the Official Closing Prices of the Underlyings on the Final Valuation Date, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events. Even if the value of the Least Performing Underlying appreciates during the term of the Notes other than on the Final Valuation Date but then decreases on the Final Valuation Date, the Payment at Maturity may be less, and may be significantly less, than it would have been had the Payment at Maturity been linked to the value of the Least Performing Underlying prior to such decrease. Although the actual values of the Underlyings on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than their respective Final Values, the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Official Closing Prices of the Underlyings on the Final Valuation Date.

Changes that affect an Underlying may affect the value of that Underlying and the market value of the Notes and the amount you will receive on the Notes and the amount you will receive at maturity.

The policies of the reference sponsor of an Underlying, concerning additions, deletions and substitutions of the constituents included in that Underlying and the manner in which the reference sponsor takes account of certain changes affecting those constituents may affect the value of that Underlying. The policies of the reference sponsor could also affect the value of that Underlying. The reference sponsor may discontinue or suspend calculation or dissemination of an Underlying. Any such actions could affect the value of an Underlying and the value of and the return on the Notes.

Risks Associated with the Energy Sector

The Underlyings invests in companies that develop and produce crude oil and natural gas and provide drilling and other energy resources production and distribution related services. Stock prices for these types of companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for energy products and services in general. The price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and economic conditions will likewise affect the performance of these companies. The stock prices of oil service companies could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including the ability of the OPEC to set and maintain production levels and pricing, the level of production in non-OPEC countries, the demand for oil and gas, which is negatively impacted by economic downturns, the policies of various governments regarding exploration and development of oil and gas reserves, advances in exploration and development technology and the political environment of oil-producing regions. Correspondingly, securities of companies in the energy field are subject to swift price and supply fluctuations caused by events relating to international politics, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, and tax and other governmental regulatory

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policies. Weak demand for the companies’ products or services or for energy products and services in general, as well as negative developments in these other areas, would adversely impact the performance of the Underlyings.

Concentration of Investment in a Particular Sector

The constituents included in the Underlyings are issued by companies that are in the energy sector. Consequently, the value of the Notes may be subject to greater volatility and be more adversely affected by a single economic, environmental, political or regulatory occurrence affecting such industries than an investment linked to a more broadly diversified group of issuers. Stock prices for these types of companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for energy products and services in general.

The Notes lack liquidity.

The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is not required to offer to purchase the Notes in the secondary market, if any exists. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Notes easily. Because other dealers are not likely to make a secondary market for the Notes, the price at which you may be able to trade your Notes is likely to depend on the price, if any, at which HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is willing to buy the Notes.

Potential conflicts of interest may exist.

An affiliate of HSBC has a minority equity interest in the owner of an electronic platform, through which we may make available certain structured investments offering materials. HSBC and its affiliates play a variety of roles in connection with the issuance of the Notes, including acting as calculation agent and hedging our obligations under the Notes. In performing these duties, the economic interests of the calculation agent and other affiliates of ours are potentially adverse to your interests as an investor in the Notes. We will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the Notes in taking any action that might affect the value of your Notes.

Uncertain tax treatment.

For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in a Note, please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” herein and the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

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ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

The following table and examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are hypothetical. They do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the value of the Least Performing Underlying relative to its Initial Value. We cannot predict the Final Value of either Underlying. The assumptions we have made in connection with the illustrations set forth below may not reflect actual events, and the hypothetical Initial Value of the Least Performing Underlying used in the examples below is not expected to be its actual Initial Value. You should not take this illustration or these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of either Underlying or the return on your Notes. The Final Settlement Value may be less than the amount that you would have received from a conventional debt security with the same stated maturity, including such a security issued by HSBC. The numbers appearing in the table below and following examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.

The table below illustrates the Final Settlement Value on a $1,000 investment in the Notes for a hypothetical range of Reference Returns of the Least Performing Underlying from -100% to +100%. The following results are based solely on the assumptions outlined below. The “Hypothetical Return on the Notes” as used below is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount to $1,000. The potential returns described here assume that your Notes are held to maturity. You should consider carefully whether the Notes are suitable to your investment goals. The following table and examples assume the following:

4	Principal Amount:	$1,000
4	Hypothetical Initial Value for each Underlying:	$100
4	Buffer Value of each Underlying:	$85 (85% of its Initial Value)
4	Hypothetical Maximum Cap:	20.00% (to be determined on the Pricing Date)
4	Upside Participation Rate:	100%
4	Absolute Return Participation Rate:	100%

The actual Initial Value of each Underlying will be determined on the Pricing Date.

Hypothetical Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying	Hypothetical Final Settlement Value	Hypothetical Return on the Notes
100.00%	$1,200.00	20.00%
80.00%	$1,200.00	20.00%
60.00%	$1,200.00	20.00%
40.00%	$1,200.00	20.00%
30.00%	$1,200.00	20.00%
20.00%	$1,200.00	20.00%
15.00%	$1,150.00	15.00%
10.00%	$1,100.00	10.00%
5.00%	$1,050.00	5.00%
2.00%	$1,020.00	2.00%
1.00%	$1,010.00	1.00%
0.00%	$1,000.00	0.00%
-1.00%	$1,010.00	1.00%
-2.00%	$1,020.00	2.00%
-5.00%	$1,050.00	5.00%
-10.00%	$1,100.00	10.00%
-15.00%	$1,150.00	15.00%
-20.00%	$950.00	-5.00%
-30.00%	$850.00	-15.00%
-40.00%	$750.00	-25.00%
-50.00%	$650.00	-35.00%
-80.00%	$350.00	-65.00%
-100.00%	$150.00	-85.00%

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The following examples indicate how the Final Settlement Value would be calculated with respect to a hypothetical $1,000 investment in the Notes.

Example 1: The Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than its Initial Value but less than less than $120.00.

Underlying	Initial Value	Final Value
XLE	$100.00	$150.00 (150% of its Initial Value)
XOP	$100.00	$105.00 (105% of its Initial Value)

XOP is the Least Performing Underlying. Because the Initial Value of XOP is $100.00 and the Final Value of XOP is $105.00, the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is 5.00%, calculated as follows:

($105.00 – $100.00) / $100.00 = 5.00%

Because the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than its Initial Value, and the sum of its Reference Return multiplied by the Upside Participation Rate is less than the Maximum Cap, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,050.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Hypothetical Upside Participation Rate)

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 5.00% × 100%)

= $1,050.00

Example 2: The Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than $120.00.

Underlying	Initial Value	Final Value
XLE	$100.00	$150.00 (150% of its Initial Value)
XOP	$100.00	$140.00 (140% of its Initial Value)

XOP is the Least Performing Underlying. Because the Initial Value of XOP is $100.00 and the Final Value of XOP is $140.00, the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is 40.00%, calculated as follows:

($140.00 – $100.00) / $100.00 = 40.00%

Because the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is greater than its Initial Value, and the sum of its Reference Return multiplied by the Upside Participation Rate is greater than the Maximum Cap, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,200.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Maximum Cap)

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 20.00%)

= $1,200.00

Example 3: The Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Initial Value but greater than or equal to its Buffer Value.

Underlying	Initial Value	Final Value
XLE	$100.00	$95.00 (95% of its Initial Value)
XOP	$100.00	$100.00 (100% of its Initial Value)

XLE is the Least Performing Underlying. Because the Initial Value of the XLE is $100.00 and the Final Value of XLE is $95.00, the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -5.00%, calculated as follows:

($95.00 - $100.00) / $100.00 = -5.00%

Because the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than or equal to its Initial Value but greater than or equal to its Buffer Value, the Final Settlement Value would be $1,050.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + ($1,000 × Absolute Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying × Absolute Return Participation Rate)

= $1,000 + ($1,000 × 5.00% × 100%)

= $1,050.00

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Example 4: The Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value.

Underlying	Initial Value	Final Value
XLE	$100.00	$80.00 (80% of its Initial Value)
XOP	$100.00	$50.00 (50% of its Initial Value)

XOP is the Least Performing Underlying. Because the Initial Value of XOP is $100.00 and the Final Value of XOP is $50.00, the Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying is -50.00%, calculated as follows:

($50.00 – $100.00) / $100.00 = -50.00%

Because the Final Value of the Least Performing Underlying is less than its Buffer Value, the Final Settlement Value would be $650.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount of the Notes, calculated as follows:

$1,000 + [$1,000 × (Reference Return of the Least Performing Underlying + 15%)]

= $1,000 + [$1,000 × (-50.00% + 15%)]

= $650.00

Example 3 shows that you are exposed on a 1-to-1 basis to declines in the value of the Least Performing Underlying that is less than its Buffer Value. YOU MAY LOSE UP TO 85% OF THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF YOUR NOTES.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE ASSET

Description of the XLE The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund (the “XLE”) seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Energy Select Sector Index (the “Underlying Index”). The shares of the XLE are listed and traded on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XLE.” The Underlying Index measures the performance of the energy sector of the U.S. equity market and seeks to represent the energy sector of the S&P 500® Index. The Underlying Index includes companies in the following industries: oil, gas and consumable fuels, and energy equipment and services. For more information about the XLE, see “The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund” beginning on page S-10 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement.

Historical Performance of the XLE The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the XLE based on the daily historical closing levels from November 25, 2009 through November 25, 2019. We obtained the closing levels below from the Bloomberg Professional® service. We have not undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional® service.

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Description of the XOP

The SPDR^® S&P^® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF (the “XOP”) is an investment portfolio maintained and managed by SSgA Funds Management, Inc. (“SSFM”). The XOP trades on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “XOP.” The inception date of the SPDR^® S&P Oil & Gas Exploration and Production ETF is June 19, 2006. Prior to January 8, 2007, the XOP was known as the SPDR^® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF.

Information provided to or filed with the SEC by the SPDR^® Series Trust under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 can be located by reference to its Central Index Key, or CIK, 1064642 through the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. We have not made any independent investigation as to the accuracy or completeness of such information.

The XOP seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of the S&P^® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry^® Index (the “SPSIOP”). The SPSIOP represents the oil and gas exploration and production sub-industry portion of the S&P TMI Index. The XOP is composed of companies that are in the oil and gas sector exploration and production.

The XOP utilizes a “replication” investment approach in attempting to track the performance of the SPSIOP. The XOP typically invests in substantially all of the securities which comprise the SPSIOP in approximately the same proportions as the SPSIOP. XOP will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the SPSIOP. The returns of the XOP may be affected by certain management fees and other expenses, which are detailed in its prospectus.

The information above was compiled from the SPDR^® website. We have not independently investigated the accuracy of that information. Information contained in the SPDR^® website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this document.

The S&P^® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Select Industry^® Index

The SPSIOP is a modified equal-weighted index that is designed to measure the performance of the following GICS^® sub-industries of the S&P TMI: integrated oil & gas, oil & gas exploration & production and oil & gas refining & marketing. The SPSIOP is reported by Bloomberg L.P. under the ticker symbol “SPSIOP.” The SPSIOP is part of the S&P Select Industry Indices family. For more information about the S&P Select Industry Indices, please see “The S&P Select Industry Indices” below.

The S&P Select Industry Indices

To be eligible for inclusion in a S&P Select Industry Index, companies must be in the S&P TMI Index and must be included in the relevant GICS sub-industry. The S&P TMI offers broad market exposure to companies of all market capitalization, including all U.S. common equities listed on the New York Stock Exchange (including NYSE Arca), the NYSE American, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Select Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market, Cboe BZX, Cboe BYX, Cboe EDGA, Cboe EDGX or Investors Exchange (IEX). Only U.S. companies are eligible for inclusion in the S&P TMI. All members of the Select Industry Indices are selected from the S&P TMI. The GICS was developed to establish a global standard for categorizing companies into sectors and industries. In addition to the above, companies must satisfy one of the two following combined size and liquidity criteria:

float-adjusted market capitalization above US$500 million and float-adjusted liquidity ratio above 90%; or

float-adjusted market capitalization above US$400 million and float-adjusted liquidity ratio above 150%.

All U.S. companies satisfying these requirements are included in a S&P Select Industry Index. The total number of companies in a S&P Select Industry Index should be at least 35. If there are fewer than 35 stocks, stocks from a supplementary list of highly correlated sub-industries that meet the market capitalization and liquidity thresholds above are included in order of their float-adjusted market capitalization to reach 35 constituents. Minimum market capitalization requirements may be relaxed to ensure there are at least 22 companies in a S&P Select Industry Index as of each rebalancing effective date.

To be eligible for inclusion in a Select Industry Index, a company must also meet the following requirements:

Market Capitalization. Float-adjusted market capitalization should be at least US$400 million for inclusion in a S&P Select Industry Index. Existing index components must have a float-adjusted market capitalization of US$300 million to remain in a S&P Select Industry Index at each rebalancing.

Liquidity. The liquidity measurement used is a liquidity ratio, defined as dollar value traded over the previous 12-months divided by the float-adjusted market capitalization as of the S&P Select Industry Indices rebalancing reference date. Stocks having a float-adjusted market capitalization above US$500 million must have a liquidity ratio greater than 90% to be eligible for addition to a S&P Select Industry Index. Stocks having a float-adjusted market capitalization between US$400 and US$500 million must have a liquidity ratio greater than 150% to be eligible for addition to a S&P Select Industry Index. Existing index constituents must have a liquidity ratio greater than 50% to remain in a S&P Select Industry Index at the quarterly rebalancing. The length of time to evaluate liquidity is reduced to the available trading period for IPOs or spin-offs that do not have 12 months of trading history.

Takeover Restrictions. At the discretion of S&P, constituents with shareholder ownership restrictions defined in company bylaws may be deemed ineligible for inclusion in a S&P Select Industry Index. Ownership restrictions preventing entities from replicating the index weight of a company may be excluded from the eligible universe or removed from a S&P Select Industry Index.

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Turnover. S&P believes turnover in index membership should be avoided when possible. At times, a company may appear to temporarily violate one or more of the addition criteria. However, the addition criteria are for addition to a S&P Select Industry Index, not for continued membership. As a result, an index constituent that appears to violate the criteria for addition to a S&P Select Industry Index will not be deleted unless ongoing conditions warrant a change in the composition of a S&P Select Industry Index.

Sector Classification. A Select Industry Index includes companies in the applicable GICS sub-industries.

The Select Industry Indices are equal-weighted, with adjustments to individual constituent weights to ensure concentration and liquidity requirements, and calculated by the divisor methodology.

The membership to the Select Industry Indices is reviewed quarterly. Rebalancing occurs after the closing on the third Friday of the quarter ending month. The reference date for additions and deletions is after the closing of the last trading date of the previous month. Closing prices as of the second Friday of the last month of the quarter are used for setting index weights.

Existing index constituents are removed at the quarterly rebalancing effective date if either their float-adjusted market capitalization falls below US$300 million or their FALR falls below 50.00%. In addition, a company is deleted from the applicable Select Industry Index if the S&P TMI drops the company. Companies are added between rebalancing only if a deletion in the applicable Select Industry Index causes the stock count to fall below 22. In those cases, each company deletion is accompanied with a company addition. The new company will be added to the applicable Select Industry Index at the weight of the deleted company. In the case of mergers involving at least one index constituent, the merged company will remain in the applicable Select Industry Index if it meets all of the eligibility requirements. The merged company will be added to the applicable Select Industry Index at the weight of the pre-merger index company. If both companies involved in a merger are index constituents, the merged company will be added at the weight of the company deemed the acquirer in the transaction. In the case of spin-offs, the applicable Select Industry Index will follow the S&P TMI’s treatment of the action. If the S&P TMI treats the pre- and post-spun company as a deletion/addition action, using the stock’s when-issued price, the applicable Select Industry Index will treat the spin-off this way as well.

In case of GICS changes, where a company does not belong to a qualifying sub-industry after the classification change, it is removed from the applicable Select Industry Index at the next rebalancing.

Historical Performance of the XOP

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the XOP based on the daily historical closing levels from November 25, 2009 through November 25, 2019. We obtained the closing levels below from the Bloomberg Professional^® service. We have not undertaken any independent review of, or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to, the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional^® service.

 

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EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND ACCELERATION

If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an Event of Default (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) with respect to the Notes, the calculation agent will determine the accelerated payment due and payable in the same general manner as described in this document except that in such a case, the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the date of acceleration will be used as the Final Valuation Date for purposes of determining the Reference Return of an Underlying, and the accelerated Maturity Date will be three business days after the accelerated Final Valuation Date. If a Market Disruption Event exists with respect to an Underlying on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated Final Valuation Date for that Underlying will be postponed for up to five scheduled trading days (in the same manner used for postponing the originally scheduled Final Valuation Date). The accelerated Maturity Date will also be postponed by an equal number of business days following the postponed accelerated Final Valuation Date. For the avoidance of doubt, if no Market Disruption Event exists with respect to an Underlying on the scheduled trading day preceding the date of acceleration, the determination of such Underlying’s Final Value will be made on such date, irrespective of the existence of a market disruption event with respect to any other Underlying occurring on such date.

If the Notes have become immediately due and payable following an Event of Default, you will not be entitled to any additional payments with respect to the Notes. For more information, see “Description of Debt Securities — Senior Debt Securities — Events of Default” in the accompanying prospectus.

SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

We have appointed HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, as the agent for the sale of the Notes. Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will purchase the Notes from HSBC at the price to public less the underwriting discount set forth on the cover page of the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates, for distribution to other registered broker-dealers, or will offer the Notes directly to investors. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. proposes to offer the Notes at the price to public set forth on the cover page of this free writing prospectus. HSBC USA Inc. or one of our affiliates may pay varying underwriting discounts of up to 1.50% and referral fees of up to 0.50% per $1,000 Principal Amount in connection with the distribution of the Notes to other registered broker-dealers. In no case will the sum of the underwriting discounts and referral fees exceed 2.00% per $1,000 Principal Amount.

An affiliate of HSBC has paid or may pay in the future an amount to broker-dealers in connection with the costs of the continuing implementation of systems to support the Notes.

In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates in market-making transactions after the initial sale of the Notes, but is under no obligation to make a market in the Notes and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice.

We expect that delivery of the Notes will be made against payment for the Notes on or about the Original Issue Date set forth on the inside cover page of this document, which is more than two business days following the Trade Date. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the Notes more than two business days prior to the Original Issue Date will be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement, and should consult their own advisors.

See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page S-61 in the prospectus supplement.

U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

There is no direct legal authority as to the proper tax treatment of the Notes, and therefore significant aspects of the tax treatment of the Notes are uncertain as to both the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of the Notes. Under one approach, a Note should be treated as a pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Underlyings. We intend to treat the Notes consistent with this approach. Pursuant to the terms of the Notes, you agree to treat the Notes under this approach for all U.S. federal income tax purposes. Subject to the limitations described therein, and based on certain factual representations received from us, in the opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Mayer Brown LLP, it is reasonable to treat a Note as a pre-paid executory contract with respect to the Underlyings. Pursuant to this approach and subject to the discussion below regarding “constructive ownership transactions,” we do not intend to report any income or gain with respect to the Notes prior to their maturity or an earlier sale or exchange and we intend to treat any gain or loss upon maturity or an earlier sale or exchange as long-term capital gain or loss, provided that you have held the Note for more than one year at such time for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Despite the foregoing, U.S. holders (as defined under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement) should be aware that the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), contains a provision, Section 1260 of the Code, which sets forth rules which are applicable to what it refers to as “constructive ownership transactions.” Due to the manner in which it is drafted, the precise applicability of Section 1260 of the Code to any particular transaction is often uncertain. In general, a “constructive ownership transaction” includes a contract under which an investor will receive payment equal to or credit for the future value of any equity interest in a regulated investment company (such as XLE and XOP (the “Underlying Shares”)). Under the “constructive ownership” rules, if an investment in the Notes is treated as a “constructive ownership transaction,” any long-term capital

FWP-17

gain recognized by a U.S. holder in respect of a Note will be recharacterized as ordinary income to the extent such gain exceeds the amount of “net underlying long-term capital gain” (as defined in Section 1260 of the Code) (the “Excess Gain”). In addition, an interest charge will also apply to any deemed underpayment of tax in respect of any Excess Gain to the extent such gain would have resulted in gross income inclusion for the U.S. holder in taxable years prior to the taxable year of the sale, exchange or maturity of the Note (assuming such income accrued at a constant rate equal to the applicable federal rate as of the date of sale, exchange or maturity of the Note). Furthermore, unless otherwise established by clear and convincing evidence, the “net underlying long-term capital gain” is treated as zero.

Although the matter is not clear, there exists a risk that an investment in the Notes will be treated as a “constructive ownership transaction.” If such treatment applies, it is not entirely clear to what extent any long-term capital gain recognized by a U.S. holder in respect of the Notes will be recharacterized as ordinary income. It is possible, for example, that the amount of the Excess Gain (if any) that would be recharacterized as ordinary income in respect of each Note will equal the excess of (i) any long-term capital gain recognized by the U.S. holder in respect of such a Note over (ii) the “net underlying long-term capital gain” such U.S. holder would have had if such U.S. holder had acquired a number of the Underlying Shares at fair market value on the original issue date of such Note for an amount equal to the “issue price” of the Note allocable to the Underlying Shares and, upon the date of sale, exchange or maturity of the Note, sold such Underlying Shares at fair market value (which would reflect the percentage increase in the value of the Underlying Shares over the term of the Note). Accordingly, it is possible that all or a portion of any gain on the sale or settlement of the Note after one year could be treated as “Excess Gain” from a “constructive ownership transaction,” which gain would be recharacterized as ordinary income, and subject to an interest charge. U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the potential application of the “constructive ownership” rules.

We will not attempt to ascertain whether an Underlying or any of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an Underlying, as the case may be, would be treated as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) or United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”), both as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an Underlying or one or more of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an Underlying, as the case may be, were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply. You should refer to information filed with the SEC and other authorities by the Underlyings and the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, the Underlyings, as the case may be, and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you if an Underlying or one or more of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an Underlying, as the case may be, is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC.

Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual non-U.S. holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, the Notes are likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in the Notes.

A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a non-U.S. holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, Internal Revenue Service guidance provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2021. Based on the Issuer’s determination that the Notes are not “delta-one” instruments, non-U.S. holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the Notes. However, it is possible that the Notes could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting an Underlying or the Notes, and following such occurrence the Notes could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of an Underlying or the Notes should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the Notes and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

For a discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of your investment in a Note, please see the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF NOTES SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF NOTES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Free Writing Prospectus		You should only rely on the information contained in this free writing prospectus, the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information or to make any representation to you that is not contained in this free writing prospectus, the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This free writing prospectus, the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus are not an offer to sell these Notes, and these documents are not soliciting an offer to buy these Notes, in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not, under any circumstances, assume that the information in this free writing prospectus, the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus is correct on any date after their respective dates. HSBC USA Inc. $ Dual Directional Buffered Notes Linked to the Least Performing of the Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund and the SPDR® S&P® Oil & Gas Exploration & Production ETF December 2, 2019 Free Writing Prospectus
General	FWP-4
Payment at Maturity	FWP-5
Investor Suitability	FWP-6
Risk Factors	FWP-7
Illustrative Examples	FWP-11
Description of the Reference Asset	FWP-14
Events of Default and Acceleration	FWP-17
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)	FWP-17
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations	FWP-17
ETF Underlying Supplement
Risk Factors	S-1
Reference Sponsors and Index Funds	S-9
The Energy Select Sector SPDR® Fund	S10
The Financial Select Sector SPDR® Fund	S-12
The Health Care Select Sector SPDR® Fund	S-14
The iShares® China Large-Cap ETF	S-16
The iShares® Latin America 40 ETF	S-19
The iShares® MSCI Brazil Capped ETF	S-21
The iShares® MSCI EAFE ETF	S-24
The iShares® MSCI Emerging Markets ETF	S-26
The iShares® MSCI Mexico Capped ETF	S-28
The iShares® Transportation Average ETF	S-30
The iShares® U.S. Real Estate ETF	S-31
The Market Vectors® Gold Miners ETF	S-32
The Powershares QQQ TrustSM, Series 1	S-34
The SPDR® Dow Jones Industrial AverageSM ETF Trust	S-37
The SPDR® S&P 500® ETF Trust	S-39
The Vanguard® FTSE Emerging Markets ETF	S-41
The WisdomTree® Japan Hedged Equity Fund	S-44
Additional Terms of the Notes	S-47
Prospectus Supplement
Risk Factors	S-1
Pricing Supplement	S-10
Description of Notes	S-12
Use of Proceeds and Hedging	S-36
Certain ERISA Considerations	S-37
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations	S-39
Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)	S-61
Prospectus
About this Prospectus	1
Risk Factors	2
Where You Can Find More Information	3
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	4
HSBC USA Inc.	7
Use of Proceeds	8
Description of Debt Securities	9
Description of Preferred Stock	20
Description of Warrants	25
Description of Purchase Contracts	30
Description of Units	33
Book-Entry Procedures	36
Limitations on Issuances in Bearer Form	40
U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations Relating to Debt Securities	41
Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)	49
Notice to Canadian Investors	52
Notice to EEA Investors	53
Notice to UK Investors	54
UK Financial Promotion	54
Certain ERISA Matters	55
Legal Opinions	57
Experts	58