FWP 1 v384221_fwp.htm FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

 

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

Registration No. 333-180289

July 18, 2014

FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS

(To Prospectus dated March 22, 2012,

Prospectus Supplement dated March 22, 2012,

and Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement dated March 22, 2012)

Structured
Investments		   HSBC USA Inc.
$
Contingent Buffered Enhanced Notes (CBEN) Linked to the Common Stock of General Electric Company, due July 25, 2016

 

General

·Terms used in this free writing prospectus are described or defined herein and in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. The Notes will have the terms described herein and in the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal, and you may lose up to 100.00% of your initial investment. The Notes will not bear interest.
·This free writing prospectus relates to a single note offering. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a security linked to the Reference Asset described below.
·Although the offering relates to a Reference Asset, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Asset or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.
·Senior unsecured debt obligations of HSBC USA Inc. maturing July 25, 2016.
·Minimum denominations of $10,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
·All payments on the Notes are subject to our credit risk.
·If the terms of the Notes set forth below are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, the terms set forth below will supersede.

 

Key Terms

Issuer: HSBC USA Inc.
Reference Asset: The common stock of the Reference Asset Issuer
Reference Asset Issuer: General Electric Company (“GE”)
Knock-Out Event: A Knock-Out Event occurs if on the Final Valuation Date, the Final Price (as defined below) has decreased, as compared to the Initial Price, by a percentage that is more than the Knock-Out Buffer Amount.
Knock-Out Buffer Amount: 15.00%
Contingent Minimum Return: 5.00%
Principal Amount: $1,000 per Note.
Trade Date: July 18, 2014
Pricing Date: July 18, 2014
Original Issue Date: July 23, 2014
Final Valuation Date: July 20, 2016, subject to adjustment as described herein and in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.
Maturity Date: 3 business days after the Final Valuation Date, and expected to be July 25, 2016.  The Maturity Date is subject to adjustment as described under “Additional Note Terms — Market Disruption Events” in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.
Payment at Maturity: If a Knock-Out Event has occurred, you will receive the Physical Delivery Amount plus the Residual Cash Amount on the Maturity Date.
  If a Knock-Out Event has occurred, you will receive shares worth less than the Principal Amount, and you will lose some or all of your investment. This means that if the Reference Return is -100.00%, you will lose your entire investment.  
  If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, you will receive a cash payment on the Maturity Date that will reflect the performance of the Reference Asset, subject to the Contingent Minimum Return.  If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, your Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount will equal:
$1,000 + ($1,000 x the greater of (i) the Reference Return and (ii) the Contingent Minimum Return)
For additional clarification, please see “What Is the Total Return on the Notes at Maturity Assuming a Range of Performance for the Reference Asset?” herein.
Physical Delivery Amount: A number of shares of the Reference Asset calculated by the Calculation Agent by dividing the Principal Amount by the Initial Price, rounded to the nearest integer.  The Physical Delivery Amount is subject to adjustment as described in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement under “Additional Note Terms — Antidilution and Reorganization Adjustments”.
Residual Cash Amount: An amount equal to the product of (a) (i) the Principal Amount less (ii) the Physical Delivery Amount multiplied by the Initial Price and (b) 1 plus the Reference Return.
Reference Return: The quotient, expressed as a percentage, calculated as follows:
  Final Price – Initial Price
     Initial Price
Initial Price: The Official Closing Price of the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date.
Final Price: The Official Closing Price of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date.
Official Closing Price: The closing price of the Reference Asset on any scheduled trading day as determined by the Calculation Agent based upon the price displayed on the Bloomberg Professional® service page “GE <EQUITY>”, or on any successor page on the Bloomberg Professional® service or any successor service, as applicable, adjusted by the Calculation Agent as described under “Additional Note Terms — Antidilution and Reorganization Adjustments” in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.
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 and will be set forth in the pricing supplement to which this free writing prospectus relates.  See “Selected Risk Considerations — 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.”
Calculation Agent: HSBC USA Inc. or one of its affiliates
CUSIP/ISIN: 40433BHE1/US40433BHE11
Form of Notes: Book-Entry
Listing: The Notes will not be listed on any U.S. securities exchange or quotation system.

 

Investment in the Notes involves certain risks. You should refer to “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 4 of this document and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement and page S-3 of the prospectus supplement.

 

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the Notes or determined that this free writing prospectus, or the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of our 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 will be used in a market-making transaction. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of ours, will purchase the Notes from us for distribution to the placement agent. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on the last page of this free writing prospectus.

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and certain of its registered broker-dealer affiliates are purchasing the Notes for resale. JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. may purchase the Notes on behalf of certain fiduciary accounts. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, certain of its registered broker-dealer affiliates and JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. will not receive fees from us for sales to fiduciary accounts.

 

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes on the pricing date is expected to be $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” above and “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 4 of this document for additional information.

 

  Price to Public(1) Fees and Commissions Proceeds to Issuer
Per Note $1,000 $15 $985
Total $ $ $

(1) Certain fiduciary accounts purchasing the Notes will pay a purchase price of $985 per Note, and the placement agent with respect to sales made to such accounts will forgo any fees.

 

The Notes:

Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value

JPMorgan

Placement Agent

July [●], 2014

 

 
 

 

Additional Terms Specific to the Notes

 

This free writing prospectus relates to a single note offering linked to the Reference Asset. The purchaser of a Note will acquire a senior unsecured debt security linked to the Reference Asset. We reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify this offering and to reject orders in whole or in part. Although the Note offering relates only to the Reference Asset, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the Reference Asset, or as to the suitability of an investment in the Notes.

 

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated March 22, 2012, the prospectus supplement dated March 22, 2012 and the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement dated March 22, 2012. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement or prospectus, the terms described in this free writing prospectus shall control. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Selected Risk Considerations” beginning on page 4 of this free writing prospectus and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement and page S-3 of the prospectus 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, a prospectus supplement and the Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this free writing prospectus relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement and Stock-Linked 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 Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.

 

You may also obtain:

 

•The Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420412016685/v306693_424b2.htm

 

•The prospectus supplement: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000104746912003151/a2208335z424b2.htm

 

•The prospectus: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000104746912003148/a2208395z424b2.htm

 

We are using this free writing prospectus 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. The Trade Date, the Pricing Date and the other terms of the Notes are subject to change, and will be set forth in the final pricing supplement relating to the Notes. In the event of any material changes to the terms of the Notes, we will notify you.

 

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Summary

 

The four charts below provide a summary of the Notes, including Note characteristics and risk considerations as well as an illustrative diagram and table reflecting hypothetical returns at maturity.   These charts should be reviewed together with the disclosure regarding the Notes contained in this free writing prospectus as well as in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement, prospectus and prospectus supplement.

 

The following charts illustrate the hypothetical total return at maturity on the Notes. The “total return” as used in this free writing prospectus is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount to $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below reflect the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 15.00% and the Contingent Minimum Return on the Notes of 5.00%. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only and may not be the actual total returns applicable to a purchaser of the Notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

 

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Selected Purchase Considerations

 

·APPRECIATION POTENTIAL — The Notes provide the opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the Reference Asset at maturity. If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, you will receive at least the Contingent Minimum Return at maturity. Because the Notes are our senior unsecured debt obligations, payment of any amount at maturity is subject to our ability to pay our obligations as they become due.

 

·THE CONTINGENT MINIMUM RETURN APPLIES ONLY IF A KNOCK-OUT EVENT HAS NOT OCCURRED — If a Knock-Out Event has not occurred, you will receive at least the Contingent Minimum Return at maturity even if the Final Price is below the Initial Price. If a Knock-Out Event has occurred, the value of the shares of the Reference Asset that you receive will result in a 1.00% loss of your Principal Amount for every 1.00% that the Final Price is less than the Initial Price. If the Reference Return is -100.00%, these shares may be worthless, and you will lose your entire investment.

 

·PHYSICAL DELIVERY AMOUNT — If a Knock-Out Event occurs on the Final Valuation Date and we are required to deliver to you the Physical Delivery Amount, the value of the Reference Asset may further decrease between the Final Valuation Date and the Maturity Date, and you will incur additional losses to the extent of such decrease. In addition, there is no assurance that an active trading market will continue for shares of the Reference Asset or that there will be liquidity in that trading market.

 

·TAX TREATMENT — 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, the Notes should be treated as pre-paid executory contracts with respect to the Reference Asset. 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, Morrison & Foerster LLP, it is reasonable to treat the Notes as pre-paid executory contracts with respect to the Reference Asset. Pursuant to this approach, 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.

 

A U.S. holder that, upon maturity of the Notes, receives the Physical Delivery Amount and the Residual Cash Amount should generally be treated as recognizing capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the Residual Cash Amount and the pro rata portion of the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the Notes that is allocable to such Residual Cash Amount, based on the Residual Cash Amount and the fair market value of the Physical Delivery Amount, as of the final determination date of the Notes. Although no assurances can be provided in this regard, the U.S. holder may generally expect not to recognize any gain or loss with respect to the Physical Delivery Amount. The U.S. holder should generally have a basis in the underlying shares equal to the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the Notes, other than any amount allocated to the Residual Cash Amount. The holding period for such underlying shares should start on the day after receipt.

 

We will not attempt to ascertain whether the Reference Asset Issuer would be treated as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) or a United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”), both as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the Reference Asset Issuer were treated as a PFIC or a USRPHC, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply. You should refer to information filed with the SEC and other authorities by the Reference Asset Issuer and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, in the event that the Reference Asset Issuer is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC.

 

Withholding and reporting requirements under the legislation enacted on March 18, 2010 (as discussed beginning on page S-48 of the prospectus supplement) will generally apply to payments made after June 30, 2014. Additionally, withholding due to any payment being treated as a “dividend equivalent” (as discussed beginning on page S-47 of the prospectus supplement) will begin no earlier than January 1, 2016. However, the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service have announced that they intend to limit this withholding to equity-linked instruments issued on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of publication in the U.S. Federal Register of final regulations addressing dividend equivalent withholding. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this legislation on their investment in the Notes.

 

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.

 

Selected Risk Considerations

 

An investment in the Notes involves significant risks. Investing in the Notes is not equivalent to investing directly in the Reference Asset. These risks are explained in more detail in the “Risk Factors” sections of the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement and prospectus supplement.

 

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·

YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES MAY RESULT IN A LOSS — The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The return on the Notes at maturity is linked to the performance of the Reference Asset, and will depend on whether a Knock-Out Event has occurred and whether, and the extent to which, the Reference Return is positive or negative. If the Final Price decreases, as compared to the Initial Price, by a percentage that is more than the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 15.00%, a Knock-Out Event will have occurred, and you will be fully exposed to any decline in the Reference Asset and will not be entitled to receive the benefit provided by the Contingent Minimum Return on the Notes. Under these circumstances, the value of the shares that you receive at maturity will result in a loss of 1.00% of the Principal Amount of the Notes for every 1.00% decline of the Final Price as compared to the Initial Price. IF A KNOCK-OUT EVENT OCCURS, YOU MAY LOSE UP TO 100% OF YOUR INVESTMENT.

 

·The amount payable on the notes is not linked to the PRICE of the Reference Asset at any time other than the Final Valuation Date — The Final Price will be based on the Official Closing Price of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events. Even if the price of the Reference Asset appreciates during the term of the Notes other than on the Final Valuation Date but then drops on the Final Valuation Date to a price that is less than the Initial Price, 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 price of the Reference Asset prior to such decrease. Although the actual price of the Reference Asset on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than the Final Price, whether a Knock-Out Event has occurred and the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Official Closing Price of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date.

 

·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.

 

·SUITABILITY OF THE NOTES FOR INVESTMENT — You should only reach a decision to invest in the Notes after carefully considering, with your advisors, the suitability of the Notes in light of your investment objectives and the information set out in this free writing prospectus. Neither HSBC nor any dealer participating in the offering makes any recommendation as to the suitability of the Notes for investment.

 

·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 use 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 levels 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.

 

·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 will include our affiliates’ projected hedging profits (which may or may not be realized) for assuming risks inherent in hedging our obligations under the Notes, the underwriting discount and the costs associated with structuring and hedging our obligations under the Notes. These costs, except for the underwriting discount, will be used or retained by us or one of our affiliates. 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 price of the Reference Asset 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.

 

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·IF HSBC SECURITIES (USA) INC. 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 we may initially use for customer account statements, if we provide any customer account statements at all, may exceed the Estimated Initial Value on the Pricing Date for a temporary period expected to be approximately six 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 securities 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.

 

·NO INTEREST OR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS OR VOTING RIGHTS — As a holder of the Notes, you will not receive interest payments, and you will not have voting rights or rights to receive cash dividends or other distributions or other rights that holders of the Reference Asset would have. In addition, the Reference Asset Issuer will not have any obligation to consider your interests as a holder of the Notes in taking any corporate action that might affect the value of the Reference Asset and the Notes.

 

·Potentially Inconsistent Research, Opinions or Recommendations by HSBC and JPMorgan — HSBC, JPMorgan, or their respective affiliates may publish research, express opinions or provide recommendations that are inconsistent with investing in or holding the Notes and which may be revised at any time. Any such research, opinions or recommendations could affect the price of the Reference Asset, and therefore, the market value of the Notes.

 

·THE NOTES LACK LIQUIDITY — The Notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. may offer to purchase the Notes in the secondary market. However, it is not required to do so and may cease making such offers at any time, if at all. 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. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the Notes easily.

 

·POTENTIAL CONFLICTS — We and our 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 corporate action that might affect the price of the Reference Asset and the value of the Notes.

 

·WE ARE NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE REFERENCE ASSET ISSUER— We are not affiliated with the Reference Asset Issuer. We have not made any independent investigation regarding the adequacy or completeness of the information about the Reference Asset Issuers contained in this free writing prospectus. You should make your own investigation into the Reference Asset and the Reference Asset Issuer. We are not responsible for the Reference Asset Issuer’s public disclosure of information, whether contained in SEC filings or otherwise.

 

·There is Limited Anti-dilution Protection — The Calculation Agent will adjust the Official Closing Price of the Reference Asset, which will affect the Reference Return and, consequently, the Payment at Maturity, for certain events affecting the Reference Asset, such as stock splits and corporate actions. The Calculation Agent is not required to make an adjustment for every corporate action which affects the Reference Asset. If an event occurs that does not require the Calculation Agent to adjust the price of the Reference Asset, the market price of the Notes may be materially and adversely affected. See “Additional Note Terms — Antidilution and Reorganization Adjustments” in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.

 

·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 Payment at Maturity of the Notes.

 

·HISTORICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE REFERENCE ASSET SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AS AN INDICATION OF ITS FUTURE PERFORMANCE DURING THE TERM OF THE NOTES — It is impossible to predict whether the price of the Reference Asset will rise or fall. The Reference Asset will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors.

 

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·MARKET DISRUPTIONS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUR RETURN — The Calculation Agent may, in its sole discretion, determine that the markets have been affected in a manner that prevents it from determining the Reference Asset in the manner described herein, and calculating the amount that we are required to pay you upon maturity, or from properly hedging its obligations under the Notes. These events may include disruptions or suspensions of trading in the markets as a whole. If the Calculation Agent, in its sole discretion, determines that any of these events prevents us or any of our affiliates from properly hedging our obligations under the Notes or prevents the Calculation Agent from determining the Reference Return or Payment at Maturity in the ordinary manner, the Calculation Agent will determine the Reference Return or Payment at Maturity in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, and it is possible that the Final Valuation Date and the Maturity Date will be postponed, which may adversely affect the return on your Notes.

 

·MANY ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS WILL IMPACT THE VALUE OF THE NOTES — In addition to the price of the Reference Asset on any day, the value of the Notes will be affected by a number of economic and market factors that may either offset or magnify each other, including:

 

·the actual and expected volatility of the Reference Asset;

 

·the time to maturity of the Notes;

 

·the dividend rate on the Reference Asset;

 

·interest and yield rates in the market generally;

 

·a variety of economic, financial, political, regulatory or judicial events that affect the Reference Asset or the stock markets generally; and

 

·our creditworthiness, including actual or anticipated downgrades in our credit ratings.

 

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What Is the Total Return on the Notes at Maturity Assuming a Range of Performance for the Reference Asset?

 

The following table illustrates the hypothetical total return at maturity on the Notes. The “total return” as used in this free writing prospectus is the number, expressed as a percentage, that results from comparing the Payment at Maturity per $1,000 Principal Amount to $1,000. The hypothetical total returns set forth below reflect the Knock-Out Buffer Amount of 15.00%, and the Contingent Minimum Return on the Notes of 5.00%. The hypothetical total returns set forth below are for illustrative purposes only, and may not be the actual total returns applicable to a purchaser of the Notes. The numbers appearing in the following table and examples have been rounded for ease of analysis.

 

Hypothetical Reference
Return		 Hypothetical Total Return
on the Notes
   
80.00% 80.00%
70.00% 70.00%
50.00% 50.00%
40.00% 40.00%
30.00% 30.00%
20.00% 20.00%
10.00% 10.00%
5.00% 5.00%
4.00% 5.00%
3.00% 5.00%
1.00% 5.00%
0.00% 5.00%
-5.00% 5.00%
-10.00% 5.00%
-15.00% 5.00%
-20.00% -20.00%
-30.00% -30.00%
-40.00% -40.00%
-50.00% -50.00%
-60.00% -60.00%
-80.00% -80.00%
-100.00% -100.00%
   

 

Hypothetical Examples of Amounts Payable at Maturity

 

The following examples illustrate how the total returns set forth in the table above are calculated.

 

Example 1: The Reference Return is 10.00%. Because a Knock-Out Event has not occurred and the Reference Return of 10.00% is greater than the Contingent Minimum Return of 5.00%, the investor receives a Payment at Maturity of $1,100.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 10.00%) = $1,100.00

 

Example 2: The Reference Return is -10.00%. Because a Knock-Out Event has not occurred and the Reference Return of -10.00% is less than the Contingent Minimum Return of 5.00%, the investor benefits from the Contingent Minimum Return and receives a Payment at Maturity of $1,050.00 per $1,000 Principal Amount, calculated as follows:

 

$1,000 + ($1,000 × 5.00%) = $1,050.00

 

Example 3: The Reference Return is -30.00%. Because a Knock-Out Event has occurred, and the Reference Return is -30.00%, the investor is exposed to the performance of the Reference Asset and receives the Physical Delivery Amount in shares of the Reference Asset plus the Residual Cash Amount on the Maturity Date. The Payment at Maturity would have a value of $700 as of the Final Valuation Date, resulting in a loss of 30% of the principal amount.

 

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Description of the Reference Asset

 

General

 

This free writing prospectus is not an offer to sell and it is not an offer to buy shares of the Reference Asset. All disclosure contained in this free writing prospectus regarding the Reference Asset is derived from publicly available information. You should make your own investigation into the Reference Asset.

 

We urge you to read the section “Information Regarding the Reference Stocks and the Reference Stock Issuers” on page S-11 in the accompanying Stock-Linked Underlying Supplement.

 

Reference Asset Issuer and Reference Asset Information

 

The Notes have not been passed on by the Reference Asset Issuer as to their legality or suitability. The Notes are not issued by and are not financial or legal obligations of the Reference Asset Issuer. The Reference Asset Issuer makes no warranties and bear no liabilities with respect to the Notes. This free writing prospectus relates only to the Notes offered and does not relate to any security of the Reference Asset Issuer.

 

All information on the Reference Asset Issuer is derived from publicly available information. Companies with securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ”Exchange Act”) are required to file periodically certain financial and other information specified by the SEC. Information provided to or filed with the SEC electronically can be accessed through a website maintained by the SEC. The address of the SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov. Information provided to or filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act by the Reference Issuer can be located by reference to the SEC file number specified in the description of the Reference Asset below. In addition, information filed with the SEC can be inspected and copied at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of this material can also be obtained from the Public Reference Section, at prescribed rates. We have not made any independent investigation as to the accuracy or completeness of any materials referred to above, including any filings made by the Reference Asset Issuer with the SEC. In connection with any issuance of Notes, neither we nor the agent has participated in the preparation of the above-described documents or made any due diligence inquiry with respect to the Reference Asset Issuer. Furthermore, we cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described herein) that would affect the trading level or price of the Reference Asset (and therefore the price of the Reference Asset at the time we price the Notes) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning the Reference Asset Issuer could affect the value received at maturity with respect to the Notes.

 

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Description of the Reference Asset

 

General

 

This free writing prospectus is not an offer to sell and it is not an offer to buy interests in the Reference Asset or any of the securities comprising the Reference Asset. All disclosures contained in this free writing prospectus regarding the Reference Asset are derived from publicly available information. Neither HSBC nor any of its affiliates has made any independent investigation as to the information about the Reference Asset that is contained in this free writing prospectus. You should make your own investigation into the Reference Asset.

 

General Electric Company

 

General Electric Company is a technology and financial services company. Its products and services include aircraft engines, power generation, water processing, and household appliances to medical imaging, business and consumer financing and industrial products. Information filed by the company with the SEC under the Exchange Act can be located by reference to its SEC file number: 001-00035 or its CIK Code: 40545. The company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GE.”

 

Historical Performance of the Reference Asset

 

The following table sets forth the quarterly high and low intraday prices, as well as end-of-quarter closing prices on the relevant exchange, of the Reference Asset for each quarter in the period from January 1, 2008 through July 17, 2014. We obtained the data in these tables 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. All historical prices are denominated in U.S. dollars and rounded to the nearest penny. Historical prices of the Reference Asset should not be taken as an indication of its future performance.

 

Quarter Ending Quarter High ($) Quarter Low ($) Quarter Close ($)   Quarter Ending Quarter High ($) Quarter Low ($) Quarter Close ($)
March 31, 2008 37.74 31.65 37.01   June 30, 2011 20.85 17.97 18.86
June 30, 2008 38.52 26.16 26.69   September 30, 2011 19.52 14.72 15.24
September 30, 2008 30.39 22.19 25.50   December 30, 2011 18.28 14.03 17.91
December 31, 2008 25.75 12.58 16.20   March 30, 2012 20.36 18.25 20.07
March 31, 2009 17.22 5.87 10.11   June 29, 2012 20.84 18.03 20.84
June 30, 2009 14.55 9.8 11.72   September 28, 2012 22.96 19.37 22.71
September 30, 2009 17.52 10.5 16.42   December 31, 2012 23.18 19.88 20.99
December 31, 2009 16.87 14.15 15.13   March 29, 2013 23.9 20.82 23.12
March 31, 2010 18.93 15.15 18.20   June 28, 2013 24.44 21.11 23.19
June 30, 2010 19.70 14.28 14.42   September 30, 2013 24.95 22.77 23.89
September 30, 2010 16.70 13.75 16.25   December 31, 2013 28.09 23.5 28.03
December 31, 2010 18.48 15.64 18.29   March 31, 2014 27.94 24.32 25.89
March 31, 2011 21.65 18.13 20.05   June 30, 2014 27.53 25.43 26.28
          July 17, 2014* 27.14 26.1 26.61

 

* This free writing prospectus includes information for the third calendar quarter of 2014 for the period from July 1, 2014 through July 17, 2014. Accordingly, the “Quarterly High,” “Quarterly Low” and “Quarterly Close” data indicated are for this shortened period only and do not reflect complete data for the third calendar quarter of 2014.

 

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The graph below illustrates the performance of the Reference Asset from January 1, 2008 through July 17, 2014, based on information from the Bloomberg Professional® service. The Official Closing Price of the Reference Asset on July 17, 2014 was $26.61. Past performance of the Reference Asset is not indicative of its future performance.

 

Historical Performance of the Reference Asset

 

 

Source: 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 at Maturity due and payable in the same general manner as described in “Payment at Maturity” in this free writing prospectus. In that case, the business day preceding the date of acceleration will be used as the Final Valuation Date for purposes of determining the accelerated Reference Return (including the Final Price). The accelerated Maturity Date will be the third business day following the postponed accelerated Final Valuation 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.

 

Additional Terms of the Notes

 

Business Day

 

A “business day” means any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, that is neither a legal holiday nor a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in the City of New York.

 

Payment When Offices or Settlement Systems Are Closed

 

If any payment is due on the Notes on a day that would otherwise be a “business day” but is a day on which the office of a paying agent or a settlement system is closed, we will make the payment on the next business day when that paying agent or system is open. Any such payment will be deemed to have been made on the original due date, and no additional payment will be made on account of the delay.

 

Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)

 

Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, will purchase the Notes from HSBC for distribution to J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and certain of its registered broker-dealer affiliates, acting as placement agent, at the price indicated on the cover of the pricing supplement, the document that will be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2) containing the final pricing terms of the Notes. The placement agents for the Notes will receive a fee that will not exceed $15 per $1,000 Principal Amount. Certain fiduciary accounts purchasing the Notes will pay a purchase price of $985 per Note, and the placement agents with respect to sales made to such accounts will forgo any fees.

 

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.

 

See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page S-49 in the prospectus supplement.

 

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