Filed Pursuant to Rule 433 Registration No. 333-202524 January 17, 2018 FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS (To Prospectus dated March 5, 2015, Prospectus Supplement dated March 5, 2015, and Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015)

Structured
Investments HSBC USA Inc.
$  
Autocallable Return Notes Linked to the EURO STOXX^® Banks Index due January 22, 2020 (the “Notes”)

General

· Terms used in this free writing prospectus are described or defined herein and in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. The Notes will have the terms described herein and in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus. The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal, and you may lose up to 100% 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 January 22, 2020.

· Minimum denominations of $10,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

· Any payments on the Notes are subject to the Issuer’s credit risk.

· If the terms of the Notes set forth below are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement, prospectus supplement and prospectus, the terms set forth below will supersede.

Key Terms
Issuer:	HSBC USA Inc.
Reference Asset:	The EURO STOXX® Banks Index (“SX7E”)
Principal Amount:	$1,000 per Note.
Trade Date:	January 19, 2018
Pricing Date:	January 19, 2018
Original Issue Date:	January 24, 2018
Final Valuation Date:	January 17, 2020, subject to adjustment as described in “Additional Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement
Maturity Date:	3 business days after the Final Valuation Date, and expected to be January 22, 2020. 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 Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Automatic Call Feature:	The Notes will be automatically called if the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on any Observation Date is equal to or greater than the Initial Level. If the Notes are called, HSBC will pay you on the applicable Call Payment Date (which will also be the “Call Settlement Date”) a cash payment per Note equal to your Principal Amount plus the applicable Call Premium. No further amounts will be owed to you under the Notes.
Observation Dates:	February 1, 2019 and January 17, 2020, subject to postponement as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Valuation Dates” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Call Payment Dates:	With respect to each Observation Date, three business days following the applicable Observation Date. The final Call Premium, if payable, will be paid on the Maturity Date. The Call Payment Dates are subject to postponement as described under “Additional Terms of the Notes—Coupon Payment Dates, Call Payment Dates and Maturity Date” in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.
Call Premiums:	15.80% of the Principal Amount if called on the first Observation Date, 31.60% if called on the Final Observation Date, equivalent to 15.80% per annum.

Call Premiums

Expected Observation Dates/Final Valuation Date*	Expected Call Payment Dates	Expected Call Premium
February 1, 2019	February 6, 2019	15.80%
January 17, 2020 (the Final Valuation Date)	January 22, 2022 (the Maturity Date)	31.60%

*Each Observation Date and the Final Valuation Date is subject to postponement as described in the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement.

Payment at Maturity:	If the Notes are not called prior to maturity, you will receive a payment on the Maturity Date calculated as follows:
	If the Final Level is equal to or greater than the Initial Level, HSBC will pay you:
	$1,000 + applicable Call Premium.
	If the Final Level is less than the Initial Level but greater than or equal to the Trigger Level, HSBC will pay you:
	$1,000
	If the Final Level is less than the Trigger Level, HSBC will pay you:
	$1,000 + ($1,000 × Reference Return).
	In this case, you will have a loss of principal that is proportionate to the decline in the Final Level from the Initial Level and you will lose some or all of your initial investment.
Reference Return:	Final Level – Initial Level
	Initial Level
Trigger Level:	75.00% of the Initial Level
Initial Level:	The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset as determined by the Calculation Agent on the Pricing Date.
Final Level:	The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset determined by the Calculation Agent on the Final Valuation Date.
Official Closing Level:	The Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on any scheduled trading day as determined by the Calculation Agent based upon the level displayed on Bloomberg Professional® service page “SX7E <INDEX>” or any successor page on the Bloomberg Professional® service or any successor service, as applicable.
Calculation Agent:	HSBC USA Inc. or one of its affiliates
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.”
CUSIP/ISIN:	40435FRT6 / US40435FRT65
Form of the 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 6 of this document and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the Equity Index Underlying Supplement and page S-1 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 Equity Index 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.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC will act as placement agents for the Notes. The placement agents will forgo fees for sales to fiduciary accounts. The total fees represent the amount that the placement agents receive from sales to accounts other than such fiduciary accounts.

The Estimated Initial Value of the Notes on the Pricing Date is expected to be between $950 and $980 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	$1,000.00	$15.00	$985.00
Total	$	$	$

⁽¹⁾ Certain fiduciary accounts purchasing the Notes will pay a purchase price of $985.00 per Note, and the placement agents 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

January [●], 2018

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 5, 2015, the prospectus supplement dated March 5, 2015 and the Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015. If the terms of the Notes offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying Equity Index 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 6 of this free writing prospectus and “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-1 of the Equity Index Underlying Supplement and page S-1 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 an Equity Index 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 Equity Index 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 Equity Index Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.

You may also obtain:

• The Equity Index Underlying Supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014327/v403626_424b2.htm

• The prospectus supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014311/v403645_424b2.htm

• The prospectus at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000119312515078931/d884345d424b3.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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Selected Purchase Considerations

· AUTOMATIC CALL FEATURE — The Notes will be automatically called if the Official Closing Level on any Observation Date is at or above the Initial Level. If the Notes are automatically called, you will receive, on the applicable Call Payment Date, a cash payment per $1,000 Principal Amount of Notes equal to the Principal Amount plus the Call Premium. The Call Premiums are 8.00% of the Principal Amount if called on the first Observation Date, and 16.00% if called on the Final Observation Date.

· THE STOCKS INCLUDED IN THE REFERENCE ASSET ARE CONCENTRATED IN ONE SECTOR — The return on the Notes is linked to the EURO STOXX^® Banks Index. All of the stocks in the Reference Asset are issued by companies in the European financial services sector.

Investor Suitability

The Notes may be suitable for you if:   §You believe that the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset will be greater than or equal to the Initial Level on at least one of the Observation Dates.   §You are willing to make an investment that is exposed to downside performance of the Reference Asset on a 1-to-1 basis if the Final Level is less than the Trigger Level.   §You are willing to hold the Notes that will be automatically called on any of the Observation Dates on which the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset is at or above the Initial Level.   §You are willing to invest in the Notes based on the fact that your maximum potential return is any Call Premium payable on the Notes.   §You are willing to forgo dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Reference Asset.   §You are willing to hold the Notes to maturity.   §You do not seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.   §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 do not seek current income from your investment.   §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 Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset will be less than the Initial Level on each Observation Date.   §You are unwilling to make an investment that is exposed to downside performance of the Reference Asset on a 1-to-1 basis if the Final Level is less than the Trigger Level.   §You are unable or unwilling to hold the Notes that will be automatically called on any of the Observation Dates on which the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset is at or above the Initial Level, or you are otherwise unable or unwilling to hold the Notes to maturity.   §You are unwilling to invest in the Notes based on the fact that your maximum potential return is any Call Premium payable on the Notes.   §You prefer to receive dividends or other distributions paid on the stocks included in the Reference Asset.   §You prefer an investment that provides upside participation in the Reference Asset, as opposed to any Call Premium payable on the Notes.   §You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.   §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 seek current income from your investment.   §You are not willing or are unable to assume the credit risk associated with HSBC, as Issuer of the Notes.

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Selected Risk Considerations

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

· 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.

· YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE NOTES MAY RESULT IN A LOSS — The Notes do not guarantee any return of principal. The return on the Notes is linked to the performance of the Reference Asset, and will depend on whether the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Observation Dates or the Final Level, as applicable, is at or above the Initial Level or Trigger Level. If the Notes are not called, HSBC will only pay you the Principal Amount of your Notes if the Final Level is greater than or equal to the Trigger Level and will only make such payment at maturity. If the Notes are not called and the Final Level is less than the Trigger Level, you will lose some or all of your initial investment in an amount proportionate to the decline in the Final Level from the Initial Level.

· REINVESTMENT RISK — If your Notes are automatically called, the term of the Notes may be as short as approximately 12 months. There is no guarantee that you would be able to reinvest the proceeds from an investment in the Notes at a comparable return for a similar level of risk in the event the Notes are automatically called prior to the maturity date. No portion of the fees and commissions described on the cover page will be repaid if the Notes are automatically called.

· YOUR RETURN ON THE NOTES IS LIMITED TO THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT PLUS THE CALL PREMIUM, IF ANY, REGARDLESS OF ANY APPRECIATION IN THE LEVEL OF THE REFERENCE ASSET — If the closing level of the Reference Asset is greater than or equal to the Initial Level on any Observation Date, the Notes will be called and you will receive the Principal Amount plus the applicable Call Premium, regardless of any appreciation in the level of the Reference Asset, which may be significant. Accordingly, the return on the Notes may be significantly less than the return on a direct investment in the Reference Asset during the term of the Notes.

· THE AMOUNT PAYABLE ON THE NOTES IS NOT LINKED TO THE LEVEL OF THE REFERENCE ASSET AT ANY TIME OTHER THAN ON THE OBSERVATION DATES AND THE FINAL VALUATION DATE — The Final Level will be based on the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date, subject to postponement for non-trading days and certain market disruption events. Even if the level 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 level that is less than the Trigger Level, 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 level of the Reference Asset prior to such decrease. Although the actual level of the Reference Asset on the Maturity Date or at other times during the term of the Notes may be higher than the Final Level, the Payment at Maturity will be based solely on the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on the Final Valuation Date. Similarly, whether the Call Premium with respect to an Observation Date is paid will depend on the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on that day.

· 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.

· HIGHER CALL PREMIUMS OR LOWER TRIGGER LEVELS ARE GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH REFERENCE ASSETS WITH GREATER EXPECTED VOLATILITY AND THEREFORE CAN INDICATE A GREATER RISK OF LOSS — "Volatility" refers to the frequency and magnitude of changes in the level of the Reference Asset. The greater the expected volatility with respect to the Reference Asset on the Pricing Date, the higher the expectation as of the Pricing Date that the level of the Reference Asset could close below its Trigger Level on the Final Valuation Date, indicating a higher expected risk of loss on the Notes. This greater expected risk will generally be reflected in a higher call premium payment than the yield payable on our conventional debt securities with a similar maturity, or in more favorable terms (such as a lower Trigger Level or a higher Call Premium) than for similar securities linked to the performance of the Reference Asset with a lower expected volatility as of the Pricing Date. You should therefore understand that a relatively higher Call Premium may indicate an increased risk of loss. Further, a relatively lower Trigger Level may not necessarily indicate that the Notes have a greater likelihood of a repayment of principal at maturity. The volatility of the Reference Asset can change significantly over the term of the

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Notes. The level of the Reference Asset could fall sharply, which could result in a significant loss of principal. You should be willing to accept the downside market risk of the Reference Asset 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.

· 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 level 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.

· 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 6 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.

· 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 securities included in the Reference Asset would have. An investment in the Notes may return less than a hypothetical investment in the securities included in the Reference Asset.

· RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH NON-U.S. COMPANIES — The level of the Reference Asset depends upon the stocks of non-U.S. companies, and thus involve risks associated with the home countries of those non-U.S. companies. The prices of these non-U.S. stocks may be affected by political, economic, financial and social factors in the home country of each applicable company, including changes in that country’s government, economic and fiscal policies, currency exchange laws or other laws or restrictions, which could affect the value of the Notes. These foreign securities may have less liquidity and could be more volatile than many of the securities traded in U.S. or other securities markets. Direct or indirect government intervention to stabilize the relevant foreign securities markets, as well as cross shareholdings in foreign companies, may affect trading levels or prices and volumes in those markets.

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The other special risks associated with foreign securities may include, but are not limited to: less liquidity and smaller market capitalizations; less rigorous regulation of securities markets; different accounting and disclosure standards; governmental interference; currency fluctuations; higher inflation; and social, economic and political uncertainties. These factors may adversely affect the performance of the Reference Asset and, as a result, the value of the Notes.

· THE NOTES WILL NOT BE ADJUSTED FOR CHANGES IN EXCHANGE RATES — Although the equity securities included in the Reference Asset are traded in euro, and your Notes are denominated in U.S. dollars, the amount payable on your Notes at maturity, if any, will not be adjusted for changes in the exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the euro. Changes in exchange rates, however, may also reflect changes in the applicable non-U.S. economies that in turn may affect the level of the Reference Asset, and therefore your Notes. The amount we pay in respect of your Notes on the maturity date, if any, will be determined solely in accordance with the procedures described in this free writing prospectus.

· THE STOCKS INCLUDED IN THE REFERENCE ASSET ARE CONCENTRATED IN ONE SECTOR — All of the stocks included in the Reference Asset are issued by companies in the European financial services sector. As a result, the stocks that will determine the return on the Notes are concentrated in one sector. Although an investment in the Notes will not give holders any ownership or other direct interests in the stocks included in the Reference Asset, the return on the Notes will be subject to certain risks associated with a direct equity investment in the companies in the financial services sector. Accordingly, by investing in the Notes, you will not benefit from the diversification which could result from an investment linked to companies that operate in multiple sectors.

· A LIMITED NUMBER OF REFERENCE ASSET STOCKS MAY AFFECT THE REFERENCE ASSET LEVEL, AND THE REFERENCE ASSET IS NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE EUROPEAN FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR — As of November 2017, the top five Reference Asset stocks constituted 56.30% of the total weight of the Reference Asset, and the top 10 Reference Asset stocks constituted 80.70% of the total weight of the Reference Asset. Any reduction in the market price of those stocks is likely to have a substantial adverse impact on the level of the Reference Asset and the value of the Notes. While the stocks included in the Reference Asset are common stocks of companies generally considered to be involved in various segments of the European financial services industry, those stocks and the Reference Asset itself may not necessarily follow the price movements of the entire industry. If the stocks included in the Reference Asset decline in value, the Reference Asset will also decline in value, even if common stock prices of other companies in the European financial services industry generally increase in value.

· 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 level of the Reference Asset, and therefore, the market value of the Notes.

· 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 us and our affiliates 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 actions or other actions that might affect the level of the Reference Asset and the 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.

· 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.

· THE 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 level of the Reference Asset will rise or fall. The Reference Asset will be influenced by complex and interrelated political, economic, financial and other factors.

· MARKET DISRUPTIONS MAY ADVERSELY AFFECT YOUR RETURN — The Calculation Agent may, in its sole

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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 determining the amounts that we are required to pay you on the Notes, or from properly hedging our 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.

· 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 “Tax Considerations” herein and the discussion under “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

In Notice 2008-2, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Treasury Department requested comments as to whether the purchaser of an exchange traded note or pre-paid forward contract (which may include the Notes) should be required to accrue income during its term under a mark-to-market, accrual or other methodology, whether income and gain on such a note or contract should be ordinary or capital, and whether foreign holders should be subject to withholding tax on any deemed income accrual. Accordingly, it is possible that regulations or other guidance could provide that a U.S. holder (as defined in the accompanying prospectus supplement) of a Note is required to accrue income in respect of the Notes prior to the receipt of payments with respect to the Notes or their earlier sale. Moreover, it is possible that a non-U.S. holder of the Notes could be subject to U.S. withholding tax in respect of the Notes. It is unclear whether any regulations or other guidance would apply to the Notes (possibly on a retroactive basis). Prospective investors are urged to consult with their tax advisors regarding Notice 2008-2 and the possible effect to them of the issuance of regulations or other guidance that affects the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Notes.

· MANY ECONOMIC AND MARKET FACTORS WILL IMPACT THE VALUE OF THE NOTES — In addition to the level 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 equity securities included in 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 securities markets generally; and

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

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Hypothetical Examples

The below scenario analysis and examples are hypothetical and provided for illustrative purposes only. They do not purport to be representative of every possible scenario concerning increases or decreases in the level of the Reference Asset relative to its Initial Level. We cannot predict the Final Level or the Official Closing Level of the Reference Asset on any Observation Date. You should not take the scenario analysis and these examples as an indication or assurance of the expected performance of the Reference Asset. The following scenario analysis and examples illustrate the Payment at Maturity per $1,000.00 Note on a hypothetical offering of the Notes, based on the following assumptions (the actual Initial Level and Trigger Level for the Notes will be determined on the Pricing Date):

Hypothetical Initial Level:	$100.00
Call Premiums:	15.80% of the Principal Amount if called on the first Observation Date and 31.60% if called on the Final Observation Date
Observation Dates:	February 1, 2019 and January 17, 2020
Hypothetical Trigger Level:	$75.00 (which is equal to 75.00% of the hypothetical Initial Level)

Example 1 — The Notes are called on the first Observation Date

Date	Official Closing Level	Payment (per Note)
First Observation Date	$130.00 (at or above Initial Level)	$1,158.00 (Payment upon an Automatic Call)
	Total Payment: $1,158.00 (15.80% return)

Since the Notes are called on the first Observation Date, HSBC will pay you on the applicable Call Settlement Date a total of $1,158.00 per $1,000 Note, reflecting your Principal Amount plus the Call Premium of $158.00. The total return on the Notes would be 15.80%. No further amount will be owed to you under the Notes.

Example 2 — The Notes are NOT called on any of the Observation Dates and the Final Level of the Reference Asset is greater than or equal to the Trigger Level

Dates	Official Closing Level/Final Level	Payment (per Note)
First Observation Date	$90.00 (below Initial Level)	N/A
Final Valuation Date	$85.00 (at or above Trigger Level; below Initial Level)	$1,000.00 (Payment at Maturity)
	Total Payment: $1,000.00 (0.00% return)

Since the Notes are not called and the Final Level of the Reference Asset is above the Trigger Level, HSBC will pay you a total of $1,000 at maturity per $1,000 Note, reflecting your Principal Amount. The total return on the Notes would be 0.00%.

Example 3 — The Notes are NOT called on any of the Observation Dates and the Final Level of the Reference Asset is below the Trigger Level

Dates	Official Closing Level/Final Level	Payment (per Note)
First Observation Date	$90.00 (below Initial Level)	N/A
Final Valuation Date	$60.00 (below Trigger Level)	$1,000 × (1 + Reference Return) =
		$1,000 × (1 + -40.00%) =
		$1,000 - $400.00 =
		$600.00 (Payment at Maturity)
	Total Payment $600.00 (-40.00% return)

Since the Notes are not called and the Final Level of the Reference Asset is below the Trigger Level, HSBC will pay you a total of $600.00 at maturity per $1,000 Note. The total loss on the Notes would be 40.00%.

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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 any of the securities included in the Reference Asset. All disclosures contained in this free writing prospectus regarding the Reference Asset, including its make-up, performance, method of calculation and changes in its components, where applicable, 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.

The EURO STOXX^® Banks Index (“SX7E”)

We have derived all information contained in this document regarding the Reference Asset, including, without limitation, its make-up, method of calculation and changes in its components, from publicly available information. Such information reflects the policies of and is subject to change by, STOXX Limited. STOXX Limited is under no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue or suspend the publication of the Reference Asset at any time.

STOXX Limited Publishes the Reference Asset

The Reference Asset was created by STOXX Limited, which is owned by Deutsche Börse AG and SIX Group AG. Publication of the Reference Asset began on June 15, 1998, based on an initial index value of 100 at December 31, 1991. The Reference Asset is reported daily on the Bloomberg Professional^® service under the symbol “SX7E” and on the STOXX Limited website. Information contained in the STOXX Limited website is not incorporated by reference in, and should not be considered a part of, this underlying supplement.

Index Composition and Maintenance

The Reference Asset is one of the 19 EURO STOXX^® Supersector indices that compose the STOXX^® Europe 600 Index. The STOXX^® Europe 600 Index contains the 600 largest stocks traded on the major exchanges of 18 European countries and are organized into the following 19 Supersectors: automobiles & parts; banks; basic resources; chemicals; construction & materials; financial services; food & beverage; health care; industrial goods & services; insurance; media; oil & gas; personal & household goods; real estate; retail; technology; telecommunications; and utilities. The Reference Asset includes companies in the banks supersector, which tracks companies providing a broad range of financial services, including retail banking, loans and money transmissions. The Reference Asset currently includes 26 stocks.

The Reference Asset is weighted by free float market capitalization. Each component’s weight is capped at 30% of the Reference Asset’s total free float market capitalization. Free float weights are reviewed quarterly. As of November 30, 2017, the top 10 companies included in the Reference Asset were as follows:

Company	Weight (%)
BCO SANTANDER	16.38
BNP PARIBAS	13.25
ING GRP	10.65
BCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA	8.67
INTESA SANPAOLO	7.35
UNICREDIT	6.46
GRP SOCIETE GENERALE	6.18
DEUTSCHE BANK	5.34
KBC GRP	3.25
CREDIT AGRICOLE	3.17

The composition of each of the EURO STOXX^® Supersector indices is reviewed quarterly, based on the closing stock data on the last trading day of the month following the implementation of the last quarterly index review. The component stocks are announced on the fourth Tuesday of the month immediately prior to the review implementation month. Changes to the component stocks are implemented on the third Friday in each of March, June, September and December and are effective the following trading day. All index components will be adjusted for corporate actions.

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Index Calculation

The Reference Asset is calculated with the “Laspeyres formula”, which measures the aggregate price changes in the component stocks against a fixed base quantity weight. The formula for calculating the index value can be expressed as follows:

Index =	free float market capitalization of the Reference Asset
	divisor of the Reference Asset

The “free float market capitalization of the Reference Asset” is equal to the sum of the product of the price, number of shares, free float factor and weighting cap factor for each component stock as of the time the Reference Asset is being calculated.

The Reference Asset is also subject to a divisor, which is adjusted to maintain the continuity of Reference Asset values despite changes due to corporate actions.

License Agreement

HSBC or one of its affiliates has entered into a nonexclusive license agreement providing for the license to it, in exchange for a fee, of the right to use certain indices owned and published by STOXX Limited in connection with some products, including the Notes.

STOXX and its licensors (the “Licensors”) have no relationship to HSBC, other than the licensing of the Reference Asset and the related trademarks for use in connection with the Notes.

STOXX and its Licensors do not:

· Sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Notes.

· Recommend that any person invest in the Notes or any other securities.

· Have any responsibility or liability for or make any decisions about the timing, amount or pricing of the Notes.

· Have any responsibility or liability for the administration, management or marketing of the Notes.

· Consider the needs of the securities or the owners of the Notes in determining, composing or calculating the Reference Asset or have any obligation to do so.

STOXX and its Licensors will not have any liability in connection with the Notes. Specifically,

· STOXX and its Licensors do not make any warranty, express or implied and disclaim any and all warranty about:

· The results to be obtained by the Notes, the owner of the Notes or any other person in connection with the use of the Reference Asset and the data included in the Reference Asset;

· The accuracy or completeness of the Reference Asset and its data;

· The merchantability and the fitness for a particular purpose or use of the Reference Asset and its data;

· STOXX and its Licensors will have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions in the Reference Asset or its data;

Under no circumstances will STOXX or its Licensors be liable for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages or losses, even if STOXX or its Licensors knows that they might occur.

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Historical Performance of the Reference Asset

The following graph sets forth the historical performance of the Reference Asset based on the daily historical closing levels from January 1, 2008 through January 16, 2018. We obtained the closing levels below from the Bloomberg Professional^® service. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information obtained from the Bloomberg Professional^® service.

The historical levels of the Reference Asset should not be taken as an indication of future performance, and no assurance can be given as to the Official Closing Level on the Final Valuation Date. We cannot give you assurance that the performance of the Reference Asset will result in the return of any of your initial investment.

Historical Performance of the SX7E

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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 “Key Terms” in this free writing prospectus. In that case, the trading 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 Level). 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.

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 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, acting as placement agents, 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. However, it 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-59 in the prospectus supplement.

No Prospectus (as defined in Directive 2003/71/EC, as amended (the “Prospectus Directive”)) will be prepared in connection with these Notes. Accordingly, these Notes may not be offered to the public in any member state of the European Economic Area (the “EEA”), and any purchaser of these Notes who subsequently sells any of these Notes in any EEA member state must do so only in accordance with the requirements of the Prospectus Directive, as implemented in that member state.

The Notes are no intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to, any retail investor in the EEA. For these purposes, the expression “offer” includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Notes to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Notes, and a “retail investor” means a person who is one (or more) of: (a) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU, as amended (“MiFID II”); or (b) a customer, within the meaning of Insurance Distribution Directive 2016/97/EU, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (c) not a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014, as amended (the “PRIIPs Regulation”), for offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared, and therefore, offering or selling the Notes or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

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, 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 generally 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.

We will not attempt to ascertain whether any of the entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset would be treated

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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 one or more of the entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset were treated as a PFIC or 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 entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you, if any, if one or more of the entities whose stock is included in the Reference Asset 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, 2019. 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 the Reference Asset 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 the Reference Asset 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.

Additionally, the IRS has announced that withholding under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (as discussed in the accompanying prospectus supplement) on payments of gross proceeds from a sale, exchange, redemption, or other disposition of the Notes will only apply to dispositions after December 31, 2018.

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.

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