10-Q 1 d354553d10q.htm 10-Q 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND

EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 1-8198

 

 

HSBC FINANCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   86-1052062
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

26525 North Riverwoods Boulevard, Suite 100,

Mettawa, Illinois

 

60045

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(224) 880-7000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨      Accelerated filer   ¨      Non-accelerated filer   x      Smaller reporting company   ¨
  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  

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

As of July 27, 2012, there were 68 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding, all of which are owned by HSBC Investments (North America) Inc.

 

 


Table of Contents

HSBC FINANCE CORPORATION

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part/Item No.

        Page  

Part I.

             

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements (Unaudited):

  
  

Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss)

     3   
  

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     4   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheet

     5   
  

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

     6   
  

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

     7   
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     9   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations:

  
  

Forward-Looking Statements

     66   
  

Executive Overview

     66   
  

Basis of Reporting

     76   
  

Receivables Review

     80   
  

Real Estate Owned

     82   
  

Results of Operations

     84   
  

Segment Results – IFRS Basis

     90   
  

Credit Quality

     94   
  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

     108   
  

Fair Value

     110   
  

Risk Management

     112   
  

Reconciliations to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

     116   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     117   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     117   

Part II

             

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     117   

Item 1A.

  

Risk Factors

     117   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     118   

Index

     119   

Signature

     121   

 

2


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Part I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

Finance and other interest income

   $ 858      $ 1,128      $ 1,765      $ 2,220   

Interest expense on debt held by:

        

HSBC affiliates

     40        37        80        75   

Non-affiliates

     427        580        886        1,190   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest expense

     467        617        966        1,265   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

     391        511        799        955   

Provision for credit losses

     738        583        1,529        1,291   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income (loss) after provision for credit losses

     (347     (72     (730     (336
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other revenues:

        

Derivative related income (expense)

     (424     (157     (219     (123

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

     92        245        (304     216   

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates

     9        6        18        13   

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale

     (1,547     -        (1,547     1   

Other income (expense)

     5        24        (8     50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other revenues

     (1,865     118        (2,060     157   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Salaries and employee benefits

     35        50        79        90   

Occupancy and equipment expenses, net

     11        13        21        29   

Real estate owned expenses

     20        29        49        135   

Other servicing and administrative expenses

     94        219        160        293   

Support services from HSBC affiliates

     79        72        145        139   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     239        383        454        686   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations before income tax

     (2,451     (337     (3,244     (865

Income tax benefit

     939        166        1,227        472   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

     (1,512     (171     (2,017     (393
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Discontinued Operations (Note 2):

        

Income from discontinued operations before income tax

     2,164        195        2,721        507   

Income tax expense

     (910     (72     (1,117     (183
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from discontinued operations

     1,254        123        1,604        324   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (258   $ (48   $ (413   $ (69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

3


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

Net loss

   $ (258   $ (48   $ (413   $ (69

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

        

Net change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax, on:
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges

     (5     (5     50        60   

Securities available-for-sale, not other-than-temporarily impaired

     16        8        7        (3

Other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities available-for-sale

     -        (1     -        (1

Pension and postretirement benefit plan adjustments

     1        1        1        1   

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

     (5     1        -        6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     7        4        58        63   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

   $ (251   $ (44   $ (355   $ (6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

4


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)

 

      June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions,  
     except share data)  

Assets

    

Cash

   $ 967      $ 215   

Interest bearing deposits with banks

     2,830        1,140   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     1,697        920   

Securities available-for-sale

     151        188   

Receivables, net (including $5.1 billion and $5.3 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, collateralizing long-term debt)

     31,317        43,201   

Receivables held for sale

     6,756        -   

Properties and equipment, net

     75        77   

Real estate owned

     229        299   

Derivative financial assets

     183        -   

Deferred income taxes, net

     3,808        3,314   

Other assets

     1,278        1,312   

Assets of discontinued operations

     2,304        12,901   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 51,595      $ 63,567   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Debt:

    

Due to affiliates (including $466 million and $447 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, carried at fair value)

   $ 8,030      $ 8,262   

Commercial paper

     302        4,026   

Long-term debt (including $11.3 billion and $13.7 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 carried at fair value and $3.1 billion and $3.3 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, collateralized by receivables)

     33,590        39,790   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total debt

     41,922        52,078   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative related liabilities

     -        26   

Liability for postretirement benefits

     261        280   

Other liabilities

     1,287        1,688   

Liabilities of discontinued operations

     1,614        2,569   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     45,084        56,641   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

    

Redeemable preferred stock:

    

Series B (1,501,100 shares authorized, $0.01 par value, 575,000 shares issued)

     575        575   

Series C (1,000 shares authorized, $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares issued)

     1,000        1,000   

Common shareholder’s equity:

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100 shares authorized, 68 shares issued at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011

     -        -   

Additional paid-in capital

     23,967        23,966   

Accumulated deficit

     (18,693     (18,219

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (338     (396
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total common shareholder’s equity

     4,936        5,351   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     6,511        6,926   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 51,595      $ 63,567   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

5


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

 

Six Months Ended June 30,    2012     2011  
     (in millions)  

Preferred stock

    

Balance at beginning and end of period

   $ 1,575      $ 1,575   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common shareholder’s equity

    

Additional paid-in capital

    

Balance at beginning of period

     23,966        23,321   

Employee benefit plans, including transfers and other

     1        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     23,967        23,321   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated deficit

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (18,219     (16,685

Net loss

     (413     (69

Dividends:

    

Preferred stock

     (61     (65
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (18,693     (16,819
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (396     (491

Other comprehensive income

     58        63   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (338     (428
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total common shareholder’s equity at end of period

     4,936        6,074   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity at end of period

   $ 6,511      $ 7,649   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

 

6


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

 

Six Months Ended June 30,    2012     2011  
     (in millions)  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (413   $ (69

Income from discontinued operations

     1,604        324   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations

     (2,017     (393

Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Provision for credit losses

     1,529        1,291   

Lower of cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale

     1,547        1   

Loss on sale of real estate owned, including lower of amortized cost or market adjustments

     24        59   

Depreciation and amortization

     4        8   

Impairment of internally developed software

     -        -   

Mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives

     532        107   

Foreign exchange and derivative movements on long-term debt and net change in non-FVO related derivative assets and liabilities

     (701     425   

Net change in other assets

     (459     54   

Net change in other liabilities

     (420     212   

Other, net

     302        175   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities-continuing operations

     341        1,939   

Cash provided by operating activities-discontinued operations

     2,437        695   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     2,778        2,634   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Securities:

    

Purchased

     (48     (318

Matured

     88        106   

Sold

     14        120   

Net change in short-term securities available-for-sale

     (16     (60

Net change in securities purchased under agreements to resell

     (777     1,544   

Net change in interest bearing deposits with banks

     (1,690     (1

Receivables:

    

Net collections

     1,470        1,944   

Proceeds from sales of real estate owned

     345        962   

Properties and equipment:

    

Purchases

     (2     -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities-continuing operations

     (616     4,297   

Cash provided by investing activities-discontinued operations

     9,089        183   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by investing activities

     8,473        4,480   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

7


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
Six Months Ended June 30,    2012     2011  
     (in millions)  

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Debt:

    

Net change in commercial paper

     (3,724     526   

Net change in due to affiliates

     (251     (94

Long-term debt issued

     -        227   

Long-term debt retired

     (6,192     (7,656

Shareholders’ dividends

     (61     (65
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash used in financing activities-continuing operations

     (10,228     (7,062

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities-discontinued operations

     (189     9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (10,417     (7,053
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash

     834        61   

Cash at beginning of period(1)

     318        175   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash at end of period(2)

   $ 1,152      $ 236   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental Noncash Investing and Capital Activities:

    

Fair value of properties added to real estate owned

   $ 299      $ 647   

Transfer of receivables to held for sale

     6,756        -   

  

 

 

(1) 

Cash at beginning of period includes $103 million and $11 million for discontinued operations at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

(2) 

Cash at end of period includes $185 million and $29 million for discontinued operations at of June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

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

 

8


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note          Page
1   

Organization and Basis of Presentation

     9
2   

Discontinued Operations

   10
3   

Securities

   14
4   

Receivables

   17
5   

Credit Loss Reserves

   24
6   

Receivables Held for Sale

   26
7   

Derivative Financial Instruments

   27
8   

Fair Value Option

   33
9   

Income Taxes

   35
Note          Page
10   

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

   38
11   

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

   40
12   

Related Party Transactions

   41
13   

Business Segments

   46
14   

Variable Interest Entities

   50
15   

Fair Value Measurements

   51
16   

Litigation and Regulatory Matters

   60
17   

New Accounting Pronouncements

   65
 

 

1.    Organization and Basis of Presentation

 

HSBC Finance Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. (“HSBC North America”), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC”). The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of HSBC Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods have been made. HSBC Finance Corporation and its subsidiaries may also be referred to in this Form 10-Q as “we,” “us” or “our.” These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “2011 Form 10-K”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis that we will continue as a going concern. Such assertion contemplates the significant losses recognized in recent years and the challenges we anticipate with respect to a near-term return to profitability on a continuing operations basis under prevailing and forecasted economic conditions. HSBC continues to be fully committed and has the capacity to continue to provide the necessary capital and liquidity to fund continuing operations.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Unless otherwise noted, information included in these notes to the consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations for all periods presented. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” for further details. Interim results should not be considered indicative of results in future periods.

During the second quarter of 2012, we transferred $6.8 billion of receivables, net of credit loss reserves and a lower of cost or fair value adjustment, to receivables held for sale. The transfer included $3.3 billion of first lien real estate secured receivables, a substantial majority of which had already been written down to the fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as we considered the collateral to be the primary source for repayment. As we now plan to sell these receivables to a third party investor, fair value represents the price we believe a third party investor would pay to acquire the portfolio and, as a result, a fair value adjustment was recorded at the time of transfer to held for sale. This adjustment, amongst other things, takes into account a required return that a third party investor would require for these types of receivables. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” for additional information.

 

9


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

2.    Discontinued Operations

 

2012 Discontinued Operations:

Insurance As discussed in prior filings, our Insurance business has been under a strategic review since the second half of 2011. As part of this review, we previously decided to cease issuing new term life insurance in the United States effective January 2012. During the second quarter of 2012, we completed our strategic review of this business. We decided to exit the manufacturing of all insurance products through the sale of our interest in substantially all of our insurance subsidiaries as this business did not fit with our core strategy in the United States and Canada. Insurance products will continue to be offered to HSBC customers through non-affiliate providers. As a result, our Insurance operations are now part of a disposal group held for sale and we have reported this business as discontinued operations beginning in the second quarter of 2012. At June 30, 2012, disposal group assets consisted primarily of available-for-sale securities totaling $1.7 billion and disposal group liabilities consisted primarily of insurance policy and claim reserves totaling $1.0 billion. Upon classification as held for sale, we recognized other-than-temporary impairment on the unrealized loss associated with these securities totaling $1 million as we no longer have the intent to hold these securities until recovery of the unrealized loss. Our Insurance business was previously included in the “All Other” caption in our segment reporting. Since the carrying value of the disposal group is greater than its estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell, we recorded an after-tax impairment loss of $164 million in the second quarter of 2012 to reflect the disposal group at its estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell on our balance sheet at June 30, 2012. Because our estimate of fair value involves judgment and is influenced by factors outside of our control, there is uncertainty inherent in such estimate, making it reasonably possible such estimate could change.

The following summarizes the operating results of our discontinued Insurance business for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months  Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012     2011           2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

Net interest income and other revenues(1)

   $ (13   $ 97       $ 64      $ 182   

Income from discontinued operations before income tax

     (89     13         (100     16   

 

 

(1)

Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

 

10


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following summarizes the assets and liabilities of which are part of the disposal group held for sale related to our Insurance operations at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 which are reported as a component of Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet.

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Cash

   $ 3       $ 5   

Interest bearing deposit with bank

     121         3   

Available-for-sale securities

     1,717         1,851   

Other assets

     128         143   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Assets of discontinued operations

   $ 1,969       $ 2,002   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Insurance policy and claim reserves

   $ 1,012       $ 1,049   

Other liabilities

     208         43   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities of discontinued operations

   $ 1,220       $ 1,092   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commercial Our Commercial business has been in run-off since 1994, with portions of the Commercial business placed in run-off beginning in 1992. Prior to the second quarter of 2012, this business continued to be reported within continuing operations as we continued to generate cash flow from the ongoing collection of the receivables, including interest and fees. Beginning in the second quarter of 2012, we are now reporting our Commercial business in discontinued operations as there are no longer any outstanding receivable balances or any remaining significant cash flows generated from this business. Our Commercial business was previously included in the “All Other” caption in our segment reporting. The following summarizes the operating results of our discontinued Commercial business for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (in millions)  

Net interest income and other revenues(1)

   $ 1       $ 2       $ 22       $ 3   

Income from discontinued operations before income tax

     -         1         20         2   

 

 

(1)

Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

2011 Discontinued Operations:

Card and Retail Services On May 1, 2012, HSBC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC USA Inc and other wholly-owned affiliates, sold its Card and Retail Services business to Capital One Financial Corporation (“Capital One”) for a premium of 8.75 percent of receivables. In addition to receivables, the sale included real estate and certain other assets and liabilities which were sold at book value or, in the case of real estate, appraised value. Under the terms of the agreement, facilities in Chesapeake, Virginia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Mettawa, Illinois; Volo, Illinois; Hanover, Maryland; Salinas, California; Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Tigard, Oregon were sold or transferred to Capital One, although we have entered into site-sharing arrangements for certain of these locations for a period of time. The total cash consideration was $11.8 billion which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $2.2 billion ($1.4 billion after-tax) being recorded during the second quarter of 2012. The majority of the employees in our Card and Retail Services business transferred to Capital One. As such, no significant one-time closure or severance costs were incurred as a result of this transaction. Our Card and Retail Services business is reported in discontinued operations.

 

11


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The receivables and other assets sold to Capital One were transferred to held for sale during the third quarter of 2011. As a result, we stopped recording provisions for credit losses, including charge-offs, at that time.

The following summarizes the operating results of our discontinued Card and Retail Services business for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012(2)            2011             2012(2)            2011     
     (in millions)  

Net interest income and other revenues(1)

   $ 2,431       $ 935       $ 3,356       $ 1,826   

Income from discontinued operations before income tax

     2,253         186         2,801         497   

 

 

(1)

Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

 

(2)

Includes the gain on sale to Capital One of $2.2 billion in the three and six months ended June 30, 2012.

The following summarizes the assets and liabilities of our discontinued Card and Retail Services business at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 which are reported as a component of Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet.

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Cash

   $ 181       $ 96   

Receivables

     -         9,001   

Intangible assets

     -         514   

Properties and equipment, net

     -         95   

Deferred income taxes, net

     25         -   

Other assets

     50         1,102   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Assets of discontinued operations

   $ 256       $ 10,808   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt

   $ -       $ 211   

Other liabilities

     393         1,257   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities of discontinued operations

   $ 393       $ 1,468   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Intangible assets at December 31, 2011 included $29 million, net, that related to account relationships we purchased from HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (“HSBC Bank USA”) in July 2004. All new receivable originations on these account relationships were sold on a daily basis to HSBC Bank USA and we serviced the receivables for a fee. In March 2012, we sold these account relationships to HSBC Bank USA resulting in a gain of $79 million being recorded during the first quarter of 2012 which is included as a component of income from discontinued operations. All remaining intangible assets at December 31, 2011 relate to cardholder relationships which were sold to Capital One on May 1, 2012.

We had secured conduit credit facilities with commercial banks which provided for secured financings of credit card receivables on a revolving basis totaling $650 million at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, secured financings with a balance of $195 million were secured by $355 million of credit card receivables. These secured financings were paid in full on April 30, 2012.

 

12


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

We previously entered into commitments to meet the financing needs of our credit card customers. At December 31, 2011, we had $105.0 billion of open consumer lines of credit. As a result of the sale of the Card and Retail Services business, the open line of credit commitments were transferred to Capital One on May 1, 2012.

2010 Discontinued Operations:

Taxpayer Financial Services (“TFS”) In December 2010, it was determined that we would not offer any tax refund anticipation loans or related products for the 2011 tax season and we exited the TFS business. As a result of this decision, our TFS business is reported in discontinued operations. The assets and liabilities of our TFS business as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were not significant.

The following summarizes the operating results of our TFS business for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012      2011     2012      2011  
     (in millions)  

Net interest income and other revenues(1)

   $ -       $ -      $ -       $ 1   

Income from discontinued operations before income tax

     -         (3     -         (4

 

 

(1)

Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

Auto Finance In August 2010, we sold the remainder of our auto finance receivable portfolio with an outstanding principal balance of $2.6 billion at the time of sale and other related assets to Santander Consumer USA Inc. The aggregate sales price for the auto finance receivables and other related assets was $2.5 billion which included the transfer of $431 million of indebtedness secured by auto finance receivables, resulting in net cash proceeds of $2.1 billion. As a result of this transaction, our Auto Finance business is reported as discontinued operations. The assets and liabilities of our Auto Finance business as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were not significant.

The following summarizes the operating results of our Auto Finance business for the periods presented:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012      2011     2012      2011  
     (in millions)  

Net interest income and other revenues(1)

   $ -       $ -      $ -       $ -   

Income from discontinued operations before income tax

     -         (2     -         (4

 

 

(1)

Interest expense, which is included as a component of net interest income, was allocated to discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policy. This policy uses match funding based on the expected lives of the assets and liabilities of the business at the time of origination, subject to periodic review, as demonstrated by the expected cash flows and re-pricing characteristics of the underlying assets.

 

13


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

3.    Securities

 

Securities consisted of the following available-for-sale investments:

 

June 30, 2012    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Fair
Value
 
     (in millions)  

Continuing operations:

           

U.S. government sponsored enterprises(1)

   $ 1       $ -       $ -       $ 1   

U.S. corporate debt securities(2)

     61         1         -         62   

Foreign debt securities(3)

     47         1         -         48   

Equity securities

     10         -         -         10   

Money market funds

     29         -         -         29   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     148         2         -         150   

Accrued investment income

     1         -         -         1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale – continuing operations

   $ 149       $ 2       $ -       $ 151   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale – discontinued operations(4)

   $ 1,550       $ 167       $ -       $ 1,717   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2011    Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
Gains
    

Gross

Unrealized
Losses

    Fair
Value
 
     (in millions)  

Continuing operations:

          

U.S. Treasury

   $ 80       $ -       $ -      $ 80   

U.S. government sponsored enterprises(1)

     1         -         -        1   

U.S. corporate debt securities(2)

     57         1         (1     57   

Foreign debt securities(3)

     26         -         -        26   

Equity securities

     10         -         -        10   

Money market funds

     13         -         -        13   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     187         1         (1     187   

Accrued investment income

     1         -         -        1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale – continuing operations

   $ 188       $ 1       $ (1   $ 188   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Securities available-for-sale – discontinued operations(4)

   $ 1,694       $ 165       $ (8   $ 1,851   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents mortgage-backed securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

(2)

The majority of our U.S. corporate debt securities represent investments in the financial services, consumer products and insurance sectors at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

(3)

There were no foreign debt securities issued by the governments of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece or Spain at June 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

 

(4)

Securities available-for-sale in our discontinued operations relates to our discontinued Insurance business and primarily consists of U.S. corporate debt securities, money market funds and foreign debt securities at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

14


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

At June 30, 2012, we had 10 securities with gross unrealized losses for less than one year and 5 securities with unrealized losses for greater than one year, however the gross unrealized losses for these securities both individually and in the aggregate were less than $1 million. The table below provides a summary of gross unrealized losses and related fair values as of December 31, 2011 for available-for-sale securities for continuing operations classified as to the length of time the losses have existed.

 

     Less Than One Year      Greater Than One Year  
December 31, 2011    Number of
Securities
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
    Aggregate
Fair Value of
Investments
     Number of
Securities
     Gross
Unrealized
Losses
     Aggregate
Fair Value of
Investments
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

U.S. corporate debt securities

     17       $ (1   $ 26         -       $ -       $ -   

Foreign debt securities

     10         -        15         -         -         -   

Equity securities

     1         -        5         -         -         -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     28       $ (1   $ 46         -       $ -       $ -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross unrealized gains for securities in our continuing operations were essentially flat during the first half of 2012. We have reviewed our securities for which there is an unrealized loss in accordance with our accounting policies for other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”). As a result of this review, no OTTI was recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, OTTI of less than $1 million was recognized in earnings on certain debt securities.

As it relates to the securities of our discontinued operations, these securities are part of a disposal group that became classified as held for sale during the second quarter of 2012 and moved to assets of discontinued operations. Upon classification as held for sale, we recognized other-than-temporary impairment on the unrealized loss associated with these securities totaling $1 million as we no longer have the intent to hold these securities until recovery of the unrealized loss. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” for additional information.

On-Going Assessment for Other-Than-Temporary Impairment  On a quarterly basis, we perform an assessment to determine whether there have been any events or economic circumstances to indicate that a security with an unrealized loss has suffered other-than-temporary impairment. A debt security is considered impaired if the fair value is less than its amortized cost basis at the reporting date. If impaired, we then assess whether the unrealized loss is other-than-temporary.

An unrealized loss is generally deemed to be other-than-temporary and a credit loss is deemed to exist if the present value of the expected future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the debt security. As a result, the credit loss component of an other-than-temporary impairment write-down for debt securities is recorded in earnings while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized net of tax in other comprehensive income (loss) provided we do not intend to sell the underlying debt security and it is more-likely-than-not that we would not have to sell the debt security prior to recovery.

For all our debt securities as of the reporting date, we do not have the intention to sell these securities and believe we will not be required to sell these securities for contractual, regulatory or liquidity reasons.

We consider the following factors in determining whether a credit loss exists and the period over which the debt security is expected to recover:

 

   

The length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than the amortized cost basis;

 

   

The level of credit enhancement provided by the structure which includes, but is not limited to, credit subordination positions, overcollateralization, protective triggers and financial guarantees provided by monoline wraps;

 

15


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

   

Changes in the near term prospects of the issuer or underlying collateral of a security, such as changes in default rates, loss severities given default and significant changes in prepayment assumptions;

 

   

The level of excess cash flows generated from the underlying collateral supporting the principal and interest payments of the debt securities; and

 

   

Any adverse change to the credit conditions of the issuer or the security such as credit downgrades by the rating agencies.

For available-for-sale securities in our continuing operations, at June 30, 2012, approximately 93 percent of our corporate debt securities are rated A- or better. At December 31, 2011, approximately 90 percent of our corporate debt securities for our continuing operations are rated A- or better. Other-than-temporary impairments may occur in future periods if the credit quality of the securities deteriorates.

Although the fair value of a particular security is below its amortized cost for more than 12 months, it does not necessarily result in a credit loss and hence other-than-temporary impairment. The decline in fair value may be caused by, among other things, the illiquidity of the market. To the extent we do not intend to sell the debt security and it is more-likely-than-not we will not be required to sell the security before the recovery of the amortized cost basis, no other-than-temporary impairment is deemed to have occurred.

For available-for-sale securities in our discontinued operations, At June 30, 2012, approximately 86 percent of our corporate debt securities are rated A- or better and approximately 91 percent of our asset-backed securities, which totaled $22 million are rated “AAA.” At December 31, 2011, approximately 88 percent of our corporate debt securities for discontinued operations are rated A- or better and approximately 91 percent of our asset-backed securities for discontinued operations, which totaled $27 million are rated “AAA.” Other-than-temporary impairments may occur in future periods if the credit quality of the securities deteriorates.

There were no significant gross realized gains or gross realized losses for continuing operations recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

Contractual maturities and yields on investments in debt securities for continuing operations for those with set maturities were as follows:

 

June 30, 2012    Due
Within
1 Year
    After 1
but Within
5 Years
    After 5
but Within
10 Years
    After
10 Years
     Total  
     (dollars are in millions)  

U.S. government sponsored enterprises:

           

Amortized cost

   $ -      $ -      $ 1      $ -       $ 1   

Fair value

     -        -        1        -         1   

Yield(1)

     -        -        5.58     -         5.58

U.S. corporate debt securities:

           

Amortized cost

   $ 10      $ 45      $ 6      $ -       $ 61   

Fair value

     10        46        6        -         62   

Yield(1)

     1.15     1.84     2.97     -         1.84

Foreign debt securities:

           

Amortized cost

   $ 4      $ 42      $ 1      $ -       $ 47   

Fair value

     4        43        1        -         48   

Yield(1)

     .75     2.00     3.50     -         1.93

 

 

(1)

Computed by dividing annualized interest by the amortized cost of respective investment securities.

 

16


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

4.    Receivables

 

Receivables consisted of the following:

 

      June  30,
2012(1)
    December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured:

    

First lien

   $ 30,940      $ 38,235   

Second lien

     4,016        4,478   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     34,956        42,713   

Personal non-credit card

     -        5,196   

Other

     -        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables

     34,956        47,912   

HSBC acquisition purchase accounting fair value adjustments

     47        57   

Accrued finance income

     922        1,184   

Credit loss reserve for owned receivables

     (4,608     (5,952
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables, net

   $ 31,317      $ 43,201   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The significant decrease in receivables at June 30, 2012 reflects the transfer of our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables and a portion of our real estate secured receivables to receivables held for sale. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale” for additional information.

HSBC acquisition purchase accounting fair value adjustments represent adjustments which have been “pushed down” to record our receivables at fair value at the date of acquisition by HSBC.

Deferred origination fees totaled $240 million and $254 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

Net unamortized premium on our receivables totaled $143 million and $169 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Unearned income on personal non-credit card receivables totaled $8 million at December 31, 2011, and is included in the receivable balance in the table above. As discussed more fully in Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” during the second quarter of 2012, we moved our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables to held for sale.

Collateralized funding transactions  Secured financings previously issued under public trusts with a balance of $3.1 billion at June 30, 2012 are secured by $5.1 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables. Secured financings previously issued under public trusts with a balance of $3.3 billion at December 31, 2011 were secured by $5.3 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables.

 

17


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Age Analysis of Past Due Receivables  The following tables summarize the past due status of receivables at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The aging of past due amounts is determined based on the contractual delinquency status of payments made under the receivable. An account is generally considered to be contractually delinquent when payments have not been made in accordance with the loan terms. Delinquency status may be affected by customer account management policies and practices such as re-age or modification. Additionally, delinquency status is also impacted by payment percentage requirements which vary between servicing platforms.

 

     Days Past Due     

Total

Past Due

    

Current

    

Total

Receivables(1)

 
June 30, 2012    1 – 29 days      30 – 89 days      90+ days           
                                                       
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured:

                 

First lien

   $ 4,964       $ 3,032       $ 3,756       $ 11,752       $ 19,188       $ 30,940   

Second lien

     707         348         253         1,308         2,708         4,016   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured receivables(2)

   $ 5,671       $ 3,380       $ 4,009       $ 13,060       $ 21,896       $ 34,956   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Days Past Due     

Total

Past Due

     Current     

Total

Receivables(1)

 
December 31, 2011    1 – 29 days      30 – 89 days      90+ days           
                                                       
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured:

                 

First lien

   $ 5,828       $ 4,028       $ 6,248       $ 16,104       $ 22,131       $ 38,235   

Second lien

     754         416         329         1,499         2,979         4,478   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured(2)

     6,582         4,444         6,577         17,603         25,110         42,713   

Personal non-credit card

     686         388         315         1,389         3,807         5,196   

Other

     -         -         -         -         3         3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivables

   $ 7,268       $ 4,832       $ 6,892       $ 18,992       $ 28,920       $ 47,912   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The receivable balances included in this table reflects the principal amount outstanding on the loan and certain basis adjustments to the loan such as deferred fees and costs on originated loans, purchase accounting fair value adjustments and premiums or discounts on purchased loans. However, these basis adjustments to the loans are excluded in other presentations regarding delinquent account balances.

 

(2)

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, approximately 56 percent and 57 percent, respectively, of our real estate secured receivables have been either modified and/or re-aged.

Nonaccrual receivables  Nonaccrual consumer receivables and nonaccrual receivables held for sale are all receivables which are 90 or more days contractually delinquent as well as second lien loans where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent. Nonaccrual receivables do not include receivables which have made qualifying payments and have been re-aged such that the contractual delinquency status has been reset to current. If a re-aged loan subsequently experiences payment default and becomes 90 or more days contractually delinquent, it will be reported as nonaccrual. Nonaccrual receivables and nonaccrual receivables held for sale are summarized in the following table.

 

      June  30,
2012(2)
     December 31,
2011
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Nonaccrual receivables:

     

Real estate secured(1)

   $ 2,536       $ 6,544   

Personal non-credit card

     -         330   

Nonaccrual receivables held for sale

     2,498         -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total nonaccrual receivables

   $ 5,034       $ 6,874   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, nonaccrual real estate secured receivables include $1.1 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

 

18


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

(2)

The significant decrease in nonaccrual receivables and nonaccrual receivables held for sale at June 30, 2012 reflects the transfer of our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables and a portion of our real estate secured receivables to receivables held for sale which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale” for additional information.

The following table provides additional information on our total nonaccrual receivables:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (in millions)  

Interest income that would have been recorded if the nonaccrual receivables had been current in accordance with contractual terms during the period

   $ 249       $ 246       $ 462       $ 436   

Interest income that was recorded on nonaccrual receivables included in interest income on nonaccrual loans during the period(1)

     61         80         80         103   

 

 

(1)

Portions of the amounts presented above have been written-off as a result of the process to record receivables greater than 180 days contractually delinquent at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

Troubled Debt Restructurings  Troubled debt restructurings (“TDR Loans”) represent receivables for which the original contractual terms have been modified to provide for terms that are less than what we would be willing to accept for new receivables with comparable risk because of deterioration in the borrower’s financial status.

Modifications for real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivables may include changes to one or more terms of the loan, including, but not limited to, a change in interest rate, an extension of the amortization period, a reduction in payment amount and partial forgiveness or deferment of principal. A substantial amount of our modifications involve interest rate reductions which lower the amount of finance income we are contractually entitled to receive in future periods. By lowering the interest rate and making other changes to the loan terms, we believe we are able to increase the amount of cash flow that will ultimately be collected from the loan, given the borrower’s financial condition. Re-aging is an account management action that results in the resetting of the contractual delinquency status of an account to current which generally requires the receipt of two qualifying payments. TDR Loans are reserved for based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans’ original effective interest rate which generally results in a higher reserve requirement for these loans.

The following table presents information about receivables and receivables held for sale which as a result of an account management action taken during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 became classified as TDR Loans. During the first half of 2012, substantially all of the actions reflect re-aging of past due accounts or loan modifications involving interest rate reductions.

 

      Three Months Ended
June 30, 2012
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
 
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured:

     

First lien

   $ 780       $ 2,048   

Second lien

     70         258   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     850         2,306   

Personal non-credit card

     95         266   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 945       $ 2,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

19


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The table below presents information about our receivables and receivables held for sale reported as TDR Loans. As discussed more fully in Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” we transferred our entire personal non-credit card portfolio and a substantial majority of our real estate secured receivables which have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell to held for sale on June 30, 2012. As a result these receivables are now carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value which creates a lack of comparability between TDR Loan balances as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

TDR Loans(1)(2)(3):

     

Real estate secured:

     

First lien

   $ 13,360       $ 13,186   

Second lien

     1,153         1,057   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured(4)

     14,513         14,243   

Personal non-credit card

     599         1,341   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total TDR Loans(6)

   $ 15,112       $ 15,584   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit loss reserves for TDR Loans:

     

Real estate secured:

     

First lien

   $ 3,185       $ 3,169   

Second lien

     561         534   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     3,746         3,703   

Personal non-credit card

     -         706   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total credit loss reserves for TDR Loans(3)(5)

   $ 3,746       $ 4,409   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

TDR Loans are considered to be impaired loans regardless of accrual status.

(2)

The TDR Loan balances included in the table above reflect the current carrying amount of TDR Loans and includes all basis adjustments on the loan, such as unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans and premiums or discounts on purchased loans as well as any charge-off recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. Additionally the carrying amount of TDR Loans classified as held for sale has been reduced by both the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer. The following table reflects the unpaid principal balance of TDR Loans:

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured:

     

First lien

   $ 16,407       $ 14,813   

Second lien

     1,283         1,125   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     17,690         15,938   

Personal non-credit card

     1,283         1,341   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total TDR Loans

   $ 18,973       $ 17,279   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(3)

At June 30, 2012, $2.4 billion of TDR Loans were reported as receivables held for sale for which there are no credit loss reserves as they are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At December 31, 2011, there were no TDR Loans reported as receivables held for sale.

 

(4)

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, TDR Loans held for investment totaling $671 million and $2.5 billion, respectively, are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

 

(5)

Included in credit loss reserves.

 

(6)

TDR Loan balances at June 30, 2012 were impacted by the transfer of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale and are now carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At June 30, 2012, we reduced the carrying values of our first lien real estate secured TDR Loans by $901 million and our personal non-credit card TDR Loans by $673 million as a result of transferring these receivables to held for sale. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” for additional information.

 

20


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table discloses receivables and receivables held for sale which were classified as TDR Loans during the previous 12 months which became sixty days or greater contractually delinquent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012:

 

      Three Months Ended
June 30, 2012
     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
 
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured:

     

First lien

   $ 608       $ 1,430   

Second lien

     70         155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     678         1,585   

Personal non-credit card

     75         202   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 753       $ 1,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Additional information relating to TDR Loans, including TDR Loans held for sale, is presented in the table below:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012      2011(1)      2012      2011(1)  
     (in millions)  

Average balance of TDR Loans:

           

Real estate secured:

           

First lien

   $ 14,021       $ 8,493       $ 13,864       $ 8,547   

Second lien

     1,155         596         1,143         613   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     15,176         9,089         15,007         9,160   

Personal non-credit card

     1,200         632         1,278         653   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total average balance of TDR Loans

   $ 16,376       $ 9,721       $ 16,285       $ 9,813   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest income recognized on TDR Loans:

           

Real estate secured:

           

First lien

   $ 226       $ 103       $ 402       $ 200   

Second lien

     27         10         48         17   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     253         113         450         217   

Personal non-credit card

     46         12         88         25   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total interest income recognized on TDR Loans

   $ 299       $ 125       $ 538       $ 242   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

As discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K, during the third quarter of 2011, we adopted a new Accounting Standards Update which provided additional guidance to determine whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a TDR Loan. This new Accounting Standards Update was applied retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011 and reported in our TDR disclosures prospectively beginning in the third quarter of 2011. Therefore, the TDR activity reported for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 are based on our previous definition of TDR Loans and as such are not directly comparable to the current period amounts.

Consumer Receivable Credit Quality Indicators  Credit quality indicators used for consumer receivables include a loan’s delinquency status, whether the loan is performing and whether the loan is considered a TDR Loan.

 

21


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Delinquency The following table summarizes dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency for receivables and receivables held for sale and as a percent of total receivables and receivables held for sale (“delinquency ratio”) for our loan portfolio:

 

     June 30, 2012(2)     December 31, 2011  
      Dollars of
Delinquency
     Delinquency
Ratio
    Dollars of
Delinquency
     Delinquency
Ratio
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Real estate secured:

          

First lien

   $ 5,778         16.88   $ 7,605         19.89

Second lien

     371         9.24        500         11.16   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured(1)

     6,149         16.08        8,105         18.98   

Personal non-credit card

     74         2.12        486         9.35   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,223         14.92   $ 8,591         17.93
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, dollars of real estate secured receivable delinquency include $1.2 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Additionally, June 30, 2012 includes $2.5 billion of receivables held for sale that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

 

(2)

The transfer of our entire personal non-credit card portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale has resulted in these receivables being carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value as previously discussed, which creates a lack of comparability between dollars of contractual delinquency and the delinquency ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and prior periods. As a result, the table below reflects dollars of delinquency and the delinquency ratio as reported and as if these receivables not been transferred to held for sale on June 30, 2012 which excludes both the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded on receivables transferred to held for sale as well as the credit loss reserves associated with receivables transferred to held for sale which reduced the carrying amount of these receivables.

 

     As Reported
at June 30, 2012
    Prior to Transfer to Held
For Sale
 
      Dollars of
Delinquency
     Delinquency
Ratio
    Dollars of
Delinquency
     Delinquency
Ratio
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Real estate secured:

          

First lien

   $ 5,778         16.88   $ 7,314         20.37

Second lien

     371         9.24        371         9.24   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total real estate secured(1)

     6,149         16.08        7,685         19.25   

Personal non-credit card

     74         2.12        312         6.73   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,223         14.92   $ 7,997         17.95
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Nonperforming The status of consumer receivables and consumer receivables held for sale is summarized in the following table:

 

      Performing
Loans
     Nonperforming
Loans
     Total  
     (in millions)  

At June 30, 2012:

        

Real estate secured(1)(2)

   $ 32,420       $ 2,536       $ 34,956   

Receivables held for sale

     4,258         2,498         6,756   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 36,678       $ 5,034       $ 41,712 (3) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

At December 31, 2011:

        

Real estate secured(1)

   $ 36,169       $ 6,544       $ 42,713   

Personal non-credit card

     4,866         330         5,196   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total(2)

   $ 41,035       $ 6,874       $ 47,909   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

22


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, nonperforming real estate secured receivables held for investment include $1.1 billion and $4.7 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

 

(2) 

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, nonperforming real estate secured receivables held for investment include $1.5 billion and $3.0 billion, respectively, which are TDR Loans, some of which may also be carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

 

(3) 

The significant decrease in total nonaccrual receivables at June 30, 2012 largely reflects the transfer of our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables and a portion of our real estate secured receivables to receivables held for sale which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale” for additional information.

Troubled debt restructurings See discussion of TDR Loans above for further details on this credit quality indicator.

Concentrations of Credit Risk  We have historically served non-conforming and non-prime consumers. Such customers are individuals who have limited credit histories, modest incomes, high debt-to-income ratios or have experienced credit problems caused by occasional delinquencies, prior charge-offs, bankruptcy or other credit related actions. The majority of our secured receivables have high loan-to-value ratios. Our receivable portfolios include the following types of loans:

 

   

Interest-only loans – A loan which allows a customer to pay the interest-only portion of the monthly payment for a period of time which results in lower payments during the initial loan period. However, subsequent events affecting a customer’s financial position could affect their ability to repay the loan in the future when the principal payments are required.

   

Stated income loans – Loans underwritten based upon the loan applicant’s representation of annual income, which is not verified by receipt of supporting documentation.

The following table summarizes the outstanding balances of interest-only loans and stated income loans in our receivable and receivables held for sale portfolios at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in billions)  

Interest-only loans(1)

   $ .8       $ 1.0   

Stated income loans

     1.8         2.2   

 

 

(1) 

Receivable classification as an interest-only loan is based on the classification at the time of receivable origination and does not reflect any changes in the classification that may have occurred as a result of any loan modification or because the interest-only period has expired. Some of our interest-only loans may also be classified as stated income loans based on the type underwriting on the loan.

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, interest-only and stated income loans comprised 6 percent and 7 percent, respectively of real estate secured receivables.

Because we primarily lend to individual consumers, we do not have receivables from any industry group that equal or exceed 10 percent of total receivables at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011. The following table reflects the percentage of consumer receivables and receivables held for sale by state which individually account for 5 percent or greater of our portfolio as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

     Percentage of Receivables and
Receivables Held for Sale  At June 30, 2012
    Percentage of Receivables and
Receivables Held for Sale  At December 31, 2011
 
      Real Estate
Secured
    Personal Non-
Credit Card
    Total     Real Estate
Secured
    Personal Non-
Credit Card
    Total  

California

     9.4     4.7     9.0     9.5     5.1     9.1

New York

     7.4        6.8        7.3        7.2        6.8        7.2   

Pennsylvania

     6.2        6.9        6.3        6.1        6.7        6.2   

Florida

     5.9        5.7        5.8        5.9        5.8        5.9   

Ohio

     5.5        6.4        5.6        5.5        6.3        5.6   

 

23


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

5.     Credit Loss Reserves

 

An analysis of credit loss reserves was as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (in millions)  

Credit loss reserves at beginning of period

   $ 5,865      $ 4,944      $ 5,952      $ 5,512   

Provision for credit losses

     738 (1)      583        1,529 (1)      1,291   

Net charge-offs:

        

Charge-offs

     (799     (1,078     (1,778     (2,495

Recoveries

     102        141        203        282   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total net charge-offs

     (697     (937     (1,575     (2,213

Reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale(1)

     (1,298     -        (1,298     -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit loss reserves at end of period

   $ 4,608      $ 4,590      $ 4,608      $ 4,590   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Includes $112 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 related to the lower of amortized cost or fair value attributable to credit for personal non-credit card receivables transferred to held for sale at June 30, 2012. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” for additional information. This amount was recorded as a provision for credit losses and included in the total of reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale. There was no lower of cost or fair value adjustment allocated to credit for the real estate secured receivables as these receivables were previously carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell prior to the transfer of the loans to held for sale.

During the third quarter of 2011, we adopted an Accounting Standards Update which provided additional guidance to determine whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring for purposes of the identification and disclosure of TDR Loans as well as for recording impairment. This new accounting guidance continues to impact our provision for credit loss in periods post-adoption, as loans which otherwise would not have qualified for such reporting in the past are now meeting the criteria under the new accounting guidance to be reported and reserved for as TDR Loans which will continue in future periods. Therefore, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 and the provision for credit losses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 are not comparable to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

As discussed above, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 have also been impacted by the transfer of our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables and certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” for additional information.

 

24


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the changes in credit loss reserves by product/class and the related receivable balance by product during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

     Real Estate Secured     Personal Non-
Credit Card
   

Other

     Total  
     First Lien     Second Lien         
                                           
     (in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

           

Credit loss reserve analysis:

           

Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period

   $ 4,171      $ 779      $ 915      $ -       $ 5,865   

Provision for credit losses

     508        90        140 (2)      -         738   

Net charge-offs:

           

Charge-offs

     (497     (134     (168     -         (799

Recoveries

     9        15        78        -         102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

     (488     (119     (90     -         (697

Reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale

     (333     -        (965     -         (1,298
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit loss reserve balance at end of period

   $ 3,858      $ 750      $ -      $ -       $ 4,608   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserve components:

           

Collectively evaluated for impairment

   $ 625      $ 187      $ -      $ -       $ 812   

Individually evaluated for impairment(1)

     3,144        561        -        -         3,705   

Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell

     82        1        -        -         83   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     7        1        -        -         8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total credit loss reserves

   $ 3,858      $ 750      $ -      $ -       $ 4,608   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Receivables:

           

Collectively evaluated for impairment

   $ 18,614      $ 2,790      $ -      $ -       $ 21,404   

Individually evaluated for impairment(1)

     10,918        1,153        -        -         12,071   

Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell

     1,373        68        -        -         1,441   

Receivables acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     35        5        -        -         40   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivables

   $ 30,940      $ 4,016      $ -      $ -       $ 34,956   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

           

Credit loss reserve analysis:

           

Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period

   $ 3,167      $ 694      $ 1,083      $ -       $ 4,944   

Provision for credit losses

     406        133        44        -         583   

Net charge-offs:

           

Charge-offs

     (580     (208     (290     -         (1,078

Recoveries

     9        16        116        -         141   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

     (571     (192     (174     -         (937
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit loss reserve balance at end of period

   $ 3,002      $ 635      $ 953      $ -       $ 4,590   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Reserve components:

           

Collectively evaluated for impairment

   $ 1,182      $ 413      $ 953      $ -       $ 2,548   

Individually evaluated for impairment(1)

     1,694        218        -        -         1,912   

Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell

     113        2        -        -         115   

Loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     13        2        -        -         15   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total credit loss reserves

   $ 3,002      $ 635      $ 953      $ -       $ 4,590   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Receivables:

           

Collectively evaluated for impairment

   $ 28,579      $ 4,262      $ 5,397      $ 3       $ 38,241   

Individually evaluated for impairment(1)

     6,775        568        615        -         7,958   

Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell

     5,283        83        -        -         5,366   

Receivables acquired with deteriorated credit quality

     35        6        -        -         41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivables

   $ 40,672      $ 4,919      $ 6,012      $ 3       $ 51,606   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

25


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

     Real Estate Secured    

Personal Non-
Credit Card

 

   

Other

 

    

Total

 

 
     First Lien     Second Lien         
                                           
     (in millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

           

Credit loss reserve analysis:

           

Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period

   $ 4,089      $ 823      $ 1,040      $ -       $ 5,952   

Provision for credit losses

     1,150        221        158 (2)      -         1,529   

Net charge-offs:

           

Charge-offs

     (1,065     (324     (389     -         (1,778

Recoveries

     17        30        156        -         203   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

     (1,048     (294     (233     -         (1,575

Reserves on receivables transferred to held for sale

     (333     -        (965     -         (1,298
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit loss reserve balance at end of period

   $ 3,858      $ 750      $ -      $ -       $ 4,608   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

           

Credit loss reserve analysis:

           

Credit loss reserve balances at beginning of period

   $ 3,355      $ 832      $ 1,325      $ -       $ 5,512   

Provision for credit losses

     991        238        62        -         1,291   

Net charge-offs:

           

Charge-offs

     (1,363     (468     (664     -         (2,495

Recoveries

     19        33        230        -         282   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net charge-offs

     (1,344     (435     (434     -         (2,213
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit loss reserve balance at end of period

   $ 3,002      $ 635      $ 953      $ -       $ 4,590   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

These amounts represent TDR Loans for which we evaluate reserves using a discounted cash flow methodology. Each loan is individually identified as a TDR Loan and then grouped together with other TDR Loans with similar characteristics. The discounted cash flow impairment analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans. The receivable balance above excludes TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $671 million and $1.7 billion at June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The reserve component above excludes credit loss reserves for TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $41 million and $36 million at June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

(2)

Includes $112 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 related to the lower of amortized cost or fair value attributable to credit for personal non-credit card receivables transferred to held for sale at June 30, 2012. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” for additional information.

6.    Receivables Held for Sale

 

As discussed in prior filings, we have been engaged in an on-going evaluation of the optimal size of our balance sheet taking into consideration our liquidity, capital and funding requirements. Based on this on-going evaluation, we have identified a pool of real estate secured receivables for which we no longer have the intent to hold for the foreseeable future and, as a result, transferred this pool of real estate secured receivables to receivables held for sale during the second quarter of 2012 and recorded a lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment. We anticipate the receivables will be sold in multiple transactions generally over the next two years or, if the foreclosure process is completed prior to sale, the underlying properties acquired in satisfaction of the receivables will be classified as real estate owned (“REO”) and sold. This pool of receivables includes a substantial majority of our real estate receivables which have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as of June 30, 2012 in accordance with our existing charge-off policies as we considered the collateral as the primary source for repayment. However, as we now plan to sell these receivables to a third party investor, fair value represents the price we believe a third party investor would pay to acquire the receivable portfolios. A third party investor would incorporate a number of assumptions in predicting future cash flows, such as differing loss estimates and/or differing times to collect outstanding balances than we as the servicer of these receivables believe would be the case. A third party investor’s discount rates would also reflect these differences in overall cost of capital as well as the potential volatility in the underlying cash flow assumptions, the combination of which results in a lower estimate of fair value for the cash flows associated with the receivables.

 

26


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

We currently believe, based on the projected timing of loan sales and the anticipated flow of foreclosure volume into REO over the next two years, that a portion of the real estate secured receivables classified as held for sale will ultimately become REO. Upon classification of the underlying properties acquired in satisfaction of these loans as REO, the properties will be recorded at the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell which we expect will represent a higher value than the price a third party investor would pay to acquire the receivables as explained above. As a result, a portion of the fair value adjustment recorded during the second quarter of 2012 when these receivables were transferred to held for sale will likely be recorded in earnings over time, which could be in the region of 20 percent of the fair value adjustment recorded on these receivables at the time of transfer and will be disclosed in future periods as amounts are recognized. This estimate is highly dependent upon the timing and size of future receivable sales as well as the volume and timelines associated with foreclosure activity.

In addition to the real estate secured receivables discussed above, we also determined we no longer have the intent to hold our portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables for the foreseeable future and anticipate these receivables will be sold in the near term. The personal non-credit card receivable portfolio, which was previously held for investment purposes, was transferred to held for sale as of June 30, 2012.

The following table summarizes receivables held for sale:

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

First lien real estate secured receivables

   $ 3,287       $ -   

Personal non-credit card

     3,469         -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total receivables held for sale

   $ 6,756       $ -   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the components of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded during the second quarter of 2012 as part of the transfer of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale:

 

      Total  
     (in millions)  

Provision for credit losses(1)

   $ 112   

Other revenues(2)

     1,547 (3) 
  

 

 

 

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment

   $ 1,659   
  

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

A portion of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment attributable to credit for personal non-credit card receivables was recorded as a provision for credit losses. This was determined by giving consideration to the impact of over-the-life credit loss estimates as compared to the existing credit loss reserves prior to our decision to transfer to receivables held for sale. There was no lower of cost or fair value adjustment allocated to credit for the real estate secured receivables as these receivables were previously carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell prior to the transfer of the loans to held for sale.

 

(2)

Reflects the impact on value caused by current marketplace conditions including changes in interest rates and illiquidity and is recorded as a component of total other revenues in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

 

(3)

Includes $6 million related to the write-off of HSBC acquisition purchase accounting fair value adjustments which is not included in the receivable balance.

7.    Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Our business activities involve analysis, evaluation, acceptance and management of some degree of risk or combination of risks. Accordingly, we have comprehensive risk management policies to address potential financial risks, which include credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, and operational risks. Our risk management policy is designed to identify and analyze these risks, to set appropriate limits and controls, and to monitor the risks and limits continually by means of reliable and up-to-date administrative and information systems. Our risk management policies are primarily carried out in accordance with practice and limits set by the HSBC Group

 

27


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Management Board. The HSBC Finance Corporation Asset Liability Committee (“ALCO”) meets regularly to review risks and approve appropriate risk management strategies within the limits established by the HSBC Group Management Board. Additionally, our Risk Committee receives regular reports on our interest rate and liquidity risk positions in relation to the established limits. In accordance with the policies and strategies established by ALCO, in the normal course of business, we enter into various transactions involving derivative financial instruments. These derivative financial instruments primarily are used as economic hedges to manage risk.

Objectives for Holding Derivative Financial Instruments Market risk (which includes interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks) is the possibility that a change in interest rates or foreign exchange rates will cause a financial instrument to decrease in value or become more costly to settle. Prior to our ceasing originations in our Consumer Lending business and ceasing purchase activities in our Mortgage Services business, customer demand for our loan products shifted between fixed rate and floating rate products, based on market conditions and preferences. These shifts in loan products resulted in different funding strategies and produced different interest rate risk exposures. Additionally, the mix of receivables on our balance sheet and the corresponding market risk is changing as we manage the liquidation of all of our receivable portfolios. We maintain an overall risk management strategy that utilizes interest rate and currency derivative financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations caused by changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates related to our debt liabilities. We manage our exposure to interest rate risk primarily through the use of interest rate swaps with the main objective of managing the interest rate volatility due to a mismatch in the duration of our assets and liabilities. We manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk primarily through the use of cross currency interest rate swaps. We do not use leveraged derivative financial instruments. Interest rate swaps are contractual agreements between two counterparties for the exchange of periodic interest payments generally based on a notional principal amount and agreed-upon fixed or floating rates. The majority of our interest rate swaps are used to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates by converting floating rate debt to fixed rate or by converting fixed rate debt to floating rate. We have also entered into currency swaps to convert both principal and interest payments on debt issued from one currency to the appropriate functional currency.

We do not manage credit risk or the changes in fair value due to the changes in credit risk by entering into derivative financial instruments such as credit derivatives or credit default swaps.

Control Over Valuation Process and Procedures  A control framework has been established which is designed to ensure that fair values are either determined or validated by a function independent of the risk-taker. To that end, the ultimate responsibility for the determination of fair values rests with the HSBC Finance Valuation Committee. The HSBC Finance Valuation Committee establishes policies and procedures to ensure appropriate valuations. Fair values for derivatives are determined by management using valuation techniques, valuation models and inputs that are developed, reviewed, validated and approved by the Quantitative Risk and Valuation Group of an HSBC affiliate. These valuation models utilize discounted cash flows or an option pricing model adjusted for counterparty credit risk and market liquidity. The models used apply appropriate control processes and procedures to ensure that the derived inputs are used to value only those instruments that share similar risk to the relevant benchmark indices and therefore demonstrate a similar response to market factors. In addition, a validation process is followed which includes participation in peer group consensus pricing surveys, to ensure that valuation inputs incorporate market participants’ risk expectations and risk premium.

Credit Risk By utilizing derivative financial instruments, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk. Counterparty credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a transaction fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. We manage the counterparty credit (or repayment) risk in derivative instruments through established credit approvals, risk control limits, collateral, and ongoing monitoring procedures. We utilize an affiliate, HSBC Bank USA, as the primary provider of domestic derivative products. We have never suffered a loss due to counterparty failure.

 

28


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, substantially all of our existing derivative contracts are with HSBC subsidiaries, making them our primary counterparty in derivative transactions. Most swap agreements require that payments be made to, or received from, the counterparty when the fair value of the agreement reaches a certain level. Generally, we provide non-affiliate swap counterparties collateral in the form of cash which is recorded in our balance sheet as derivative financial assets or derivative related liabilities. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we provided third party swap counterparties with $12 million and $10 million of collateral, respectively, in the form of cash. When the fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties requires the posting of collateral, it is provided in either the form of cash and recorded on the balance sheet, consistent with third party arrangements, or in the form of securities which are not recorded on our balance sheet. The fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties required us to provide collateral to the affiliate of $337 million at June 30, 2012, all of which was paid in cash. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties required the affiliate to provide collateral of $584 million to us, all of which was received in cash. These amounts are offset against the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting arrangement and recorded in our balance sheet as a component of derivative financial assets or derivative related liabilities. At June 30, 2012, we had derivative contracts with a notional value of approximately $30.9 billion, including $30.5 billion outstanding with HSBC Bank USA. At December 31, 2011, we had derivative contracts with a notional value of approximately $40.9 billion, including $40.4 billion outstanding with HSBC Bank USA. Derivative financial instruments are generally expressed in terms of notional principal or contract amounts which are much larger than the amounts potentially at risk for nonpayment by counterparties.

To manage our exposure to changes in interest rates, we entered into interest rate swap agreements and currency swaps which have been designated as fair value or cash flow hedges under derivative accounting principles, or are treated as non-qualifying hedges. We currently utilize the long-haul method to assess effectiveness of all derivatives designated as hedges. In the tables that follow below, the fair value disclosed does not include swap collateral that we either receive or deposit with our interest rate swap counterparties. Such swap collateral is recorded on our balance sheet at an amount which approximates fair value and is netted on the balance sheet against the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments.

Fair Value Hedges  Fair value hedges include interest rate swaps to convert our fixed rate debt to variable rate debt and currency swaps to convert debt issued from one currency into U.S. dollar variable rate debt. All of our fair value hedges are associated with debt. We recorded fair value adjustments for fair value hedges which increased the carrying amount of our debt by $7 million and $36 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The following table provides information related to the location of derivative fair values in the consolidated balance sheet for our fair value hedges.

 

    Asset Derivatives Fair Value     Liability Derivatives Fair Value  
     Balance Sheet
Location
   June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
    Balance Sheet
Location
   June 30,
2012
   

December 31,

2011

 
         (in millions)          (in millions)  

Interest rate swaps

  Derivative
financial assets
   $ -       $ 11      Derivative
related liabilities
   $ (7   $ 7   

Currency swaps

  Derivative
financial assets
     -         53      Derivative
related liabilities
     -        -   
    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ -       $ 64         $ (7   $ 7   
    

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

29


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table presents fair value hedging information, including the gain (loss) recorded on the derivative and where that gain (loss) is recorded in the consolidated statement of income (loss) as well as the offsetting gain (loss) on the hedged item that is recognized in current earnings, the net of which represents hedge ineffectiveness.

 

      Hedged Item    Location of Gain
(Loss) Recognized

in Income on
Hedged Item
and Derivative
  Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on the
Derivative
    Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on Hedged
Items
    Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in Income on
the
Derivative
    Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on Hedged
Items
 
        Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
        2012     2011     2012     2011     2012     2011     2012     2011  
              (in millions)  

Interest rate swaps

   Fixed rate
borrowings
   Derivative related
income (expense)
  $ 2      $ 32      $ (1   $ (34   $ (3   $ 24      $ (1   $ (24

Currency swaps

   Fixed rate
borrowings
   Derivative related
income (expense)
    (7     (4     10        12        (17     (24     19        28   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

        $ (5   $ 28      $ 9      $ (22   $ (20   $ -      $ 18      $ 4   
       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash Flow Hedges  Cash flow hedges include interest rate swaps to convert our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt by fixing future interest rate resets of floating rate debt as well as currency swaps to convert debt issued from one currency into U.S. dollar fixed rate debt. Gains and losses on current derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”) net of tax and totaled a loss of $406 million and $448 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. We expect $240 million ($155 million after-tax) of currently unrealized net losses will be reclassified to earnings within one year. However, these reclassified unrealized losses will be offset by decreased interest expense associated with the variable cash flows of the hedged items and will result in no significant net economic impact to our earnings. The following table provides information related to the location of derivative fair values in the consolidated balance sheet for our cash flow hedges.

 

    Asset Derivatives Fair Value     Liability Derivatives Fair Value  
     Balance Sheet
Location
  June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
    Balance Sheet
Location
  June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
        (in millions)         (in millions)  

Interest rate swaps

  Derivative financial
assets
  $ -      $ (554   Derivative related
liabilities
  $ 513      $ -   

Currency swaps

  Derivative financial
assets
    -        441      Derivative related
liabilities
    (259     -   
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $ -      $ (113     $ 254      $ -   
   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

30


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table provides the gain or loss recorded on our cash flow hedging relationships.

 

    Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
    Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from  Accumulated
OCI into
Income
(Effective Portion)
  Gain (Loss)
Reclassed from
Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
    Location of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Income
on the Derivative

(Ineffective Portion)
  Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Income
on Derivative
(Ineffective Portion)
 
       2012         2011           2012         2011         2012     2011  
    (in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30:

  

           

Interest rate swaps

  $ (53   $ (33   Interest expense   $ (1   $ (12   Derivative related
income
  $ (1   $ -   

Currency swaps

    39        10      Interest expense     (5     (6   Derivative related
income
    (3     4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ (14   $ (23     $ (6   $ (18     $ (4   $ 4   
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

  

           

Interest rate swaps

  $ 37      $ 22      Interest expense   $ (4   $ (23   Derivative related
income
  $ -      $ 2   

Currency swaps

    28        38      Interest expense     (11     (13   Derivative related
income
    (1     (5
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 65      $ 60        $ (15   $ (36     $ (1   $ (3
 

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-Qualifying Hedging Activities  We may enter into interest rate and currency swaps which are not designated as hedges under derivative accounting principles. These financial instruments are economic hedges but do not qualify for hedge accounting and are primarily used to minimize our exposure to changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates through more closely matching both the structure and projected duration of our liabilities to the structure and duration of our assets. The following table provides information related to the location and derivative fair values in the consolidated balance sheet for our non-qualifying hedges:

 

     Asset Derivatives Fair Value     Liability Derivatives Fair Value  
      Balance Sheet
Location
   June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
    Balance Sheet
Location
   June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
          (in millions)          (in millions)  

Interest rate swaps

   Derivative
financial assets
   $ -       $ (926   Derivative
related liabilities
   $ 1,184      $ 5   

Currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts

   Derivative
financial assets
     -         38      Derivative
related liabilities
     (11     4   
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      $ -       $ (888      $ 1,173      $ 9   
     

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

31


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table provides detail of the gain or loss recorded on our non-qualifying hedges:

 

     Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
  Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
 
    Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
        2012             2011             2012             2011      
        (in millions)  

Interest rate contracts

  Derivative related income (expense)   $ (424   $ (168   $ (212   $ (125

Currency contracts

  Derivative related income (expense)     -        1        (4     1   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $ (424   $ (167   $ (216   $ (124
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

We have elected the fair value option for certain issuances of our fixed rate debt and have entered into interest rate and currency swaps related to debt carried at fair value. The interest rate and currency swaps associated with this debt are non-qualifying hedges but are considered economic hedges and realized gains and losses are reported as “Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives” within other revenues. The derivatives related to fair value option debt are included in the tables below. See Note 8, “Fair Value Option,” for further discussion.

 

     Asset Derivatives Fair Value      Liability Derivatives Fair Value  
      Balance Sheet
Location
   June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
     Balance Sheet
Location
   June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
          (in millions)           (in millions)  

Interest rate swaps

   Derivative
financial assets
   $ -       $ 693       Derivative
related liabilities
   $ (560)       $ -   

Currency swaps

   Derivative
financial assets
     -         808       Derivative
related liabilities
     (694)         -   
     

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      $ -       $ 1,501          $ (1,254)       $ -   
     

 

 

    

 

 

       

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table provides the gain or loss recorded on the derivatives related to fair value option debt, primarily due to changes in interest rates:

 

    

Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in

Income on Derivative

   Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
 
     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
         2012              2011              2012             2011      
         (in millions)  

Interest rate contracts

 

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

   $ 25       $ 137       $ 40      $ 136   

Currency contracts

 

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

     37         87         26        13   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     $ 62       $ 224       $ 66      $ 149   
    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

32


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Notional Value of Derivative Contracts  The following table summarizes the notional values of derivative contracts:

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

     

Interest rate swaps

   $ 6,949       $ 8,140   

Currency swaps

     6,226         8,195   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     13,175         16,335   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-qualifying economic hedges:

     

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

     

Interest rate:

     

Swaps

     6,612         10,523   

Foreign exchange:

     

Swaps

     715         715   

Forwards

     2         205   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     7,329         11,443   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives associated with debt carried at fair value:

     

Interest rate swaps

     7,059         9,700   

Currency swaps

     3,376         3,376   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     10,435         13,076   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 30,939       $ 40,854   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The decrease in the notional value of our derivative contracts at June 30, 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011 primarily reflects the maturity of derivative contracts as well as the termination of $4.2 billion of non-qualifying hedges.

8.    Fair Value Option

 

We have elected to apply fair value option (“FVO”) reporting to certain of our fixed rate debt issuances which also qualify for FVO reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards. At June 30, 2012, fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO totaled $11.8 billion, of which $11.3 billion is included as a component of long-term debt and $466 million is included as a component of due to affiliates. At June 30, 2012, we had not elected FVO for $9.4 billion of fixed rate long-term debt carried on our balance sheet. Fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO at June 30, 2012 has an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $11.2 billion which included a foreign currency translation adjustment relating to our foreign denominated FVO debt which increased the debt balance by $257 million.

At December 31, 2011, fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO totaled $14.1 billion, of which $13.7 billion is included as a component of long-term debt and $447 million is included as a component of due to affiliates. At December 31, 2011, we had not elected FVO for $11.8 billion of fixed rate long-term debt carried on our balance sheet. Fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO at December 31, 2011 has an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $13.9 billion which included a foreign currency translation adjustment relating to our foreign denominated FVO debt which increased the debt balance by $341 million.

We determine the fair value of the fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO through the use of a third party pricing service. Such fair value represents the full market price (credit and interest rate impact) based on observable market data for the same or similar debt instruments. See Note 15, “Fair Value Measurements,” for a description of the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of our fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO.

 

33


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The components of gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

Mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value(1):

        

Interest rate component

   $ 12      $ (87   $ 91      $ 132   

Credit risk component

     18        108        (461     (65
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value

     30        21        (370     67   

Mark-to-market on the related derivatives(1)

     (46     66        (162     (174

Net realized gains on the related derivatives

     108        158        228        323   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

   $ 92      $ 245      $ (304   $ 216   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives excludes market value changes due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Foreign currency translation gains (losses) recorded in derivative related income (expense) associated with debt designated at fair value was a gain of $144 million and $84 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to a loss of $115 million and $292 million during the three and six months ended June 2011, respectively. Offsetting gains (losses) recorded in derivative related income (expense) associated with the related derivatives was a loss of $144 million and $84 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to a gain of $115 million and $292 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively

The movement in the fair value reflected in gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives includes the effect of credit spread changes and interest rate changes, including any economic ineffectiveness in the relationship between the related swaps and our debt and any realized gains or losses on those swaps. With respect to the credit component, as credit spreads narrow accounting losses are booked and the reverse is true if credit spreads widen. Differences arise between the movement in the fair value of our debt and the fair value of the related swap due to the different credit characteristics and differences in the calculation of fair value for debt and derivatives. The size and direction of the accounting consequences of such changes can be volatile from period to period but do not alter the cash flows intended as part of the documented interest rate management strategy. On a cumulative basis, we have recorded fair value option adjustments which increased the value of our debt by $602 million and $232 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The change in the fair value of the debt and the change in value of the related derivatives reflect the following:

 

   

Interest rate curve – During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 changes in market movements on certain debt and related derivatives that mature in the near term resulted in a gain in the interest rate component on the mark-to-market of the debt and a loss on the mark-to-market of the related derivative. As these items near maturity, their values are less sensitive to interest rate movements. A decrease in US interest rates during the second quarter of 2011 resulted in a loss on the interest rate component on the mark-to-market of the debt and a gain on the mark-to-market of the related derivative. Although long-term U.S. interest rates were marginally lower during the six months ended June 30, 2011, we experienced a gain in the interest rate component on the mark-to-market of the debt and a loss on the mark-to-market of the related derivatives driven by market movements on certain debt and related derivatives which will mature in the near term. Changes in the value of the interest rate component of the debt as compared to the related derivative are also affected by differences in cash flows and valuation methodologies for the debt and the derivatives. Cash flows on debt are discounted using a single discount rate from the bond yield curve for each bond’s applicable maturity while derivative cash flows are discounted using rates at multiple points along an interest rate yield curve. The impacts of these differences vary as short-term and long-term interest rates shift and time passes.

 

34


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

   

Credit – Our secondary market credit spreads widened minimally during the three months ended June 30, 2012 due to renewed uncertainty in both the U.S. and European economies. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, our credit spreads tightened on overall positive economic news. During the three months ended June 30, 2011 our secondary market spreads widened due to the continuing concerns with the European sovereign debt crisis and the uncertain economic recovery in the U.S. During the year-ago periods, the widening of credit spreads observed in the second quarter partially offset the tighter spreads recognized during the first quarter of 2011 driven by continued improvement in marketplace liquidity.

Net income volatility, whether based on changes in the interest rate or credit risk components of the mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and the related derivatives, impacts the comparability of our reported results between periods. Accordingly, gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2012 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future periods.

9.    Income Taxes

 

Effective tax rates are analyzed as follows.

 

      2012     2011  
     (dollars are in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30:

        

Tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate

   $ (858     (35.0 )%    $ (118     (35.0 )% 

Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:

        

State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit

     (39     (1.6     (14     (4.2

Adjustment to valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

     -        -        (30     (8.9

Change in uncertain tax positions

     -        -        (4     (1.2

Other

     (42     (1.7     -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (939     (38.3 )%    $ (166     (49.3 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

        

Tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate

   $ (1,136     (35.0 )%    $ (303     (35.0 )% 

Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:

        

State and local taxes, net of Federal benefit

     (40     (1.2     (27     (3.1

Adjustment of tax rate used to value deferred taxes

     (7     (.2     -        -   

Adjustment to valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

     -        -        (141     (16.3

Change in uncertain tax positions

     -        -        (4     (.5

Other

     (44     (1.4     3        .3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income tax expense (benefit)

   $ (1,227     (37.8 )%    $ (472     (54.6 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 was impacted by state taxes, including a prior period adjustment to the current state liability account. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was also impacted by a change in state tax rates used to value deferred taxes. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was impacted by the release of valuation allowance previously established on foreign tax credits and state taxes, including states where we file combined unitary state tax returns with other HSBC affiliates.

HSBC North America Consolidated Income Taxes  We are included in HSBC North America’s consolidated Federal income tax return and in various combined state income tax returns. As such, we have entered into a tax allocation agreement with HSBC North America and its subsidiary entities (the “HNAH Group”) included in the consolidated returns which govern the current amount of taxes to be paid or received by the various entities included in the consolidated return filings. As a result, we have looked at the HNAH Group’s consolidated

 

35


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

deferred tax assets and various sources of taxable income, including the impact of HSBC and HNAH Group tax planning strategies, in reaching conclusions on recoverability of deferred tax assets. Where a valuation allowance is determined to be necessary at the HSBC North America consolidated level, such allowance is allocated to the principal subsidiaries within the HNAH Group as described below in a manner that is systematic, rational and consistent with the broad principles of accounting for income taxes.

The HNAH Group evaluates deferred tax assets for recoverability using a consistent approach which considers the relative impact of negative and positive evidence, including historical financial performance, projections of future taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and any available carryback capacity.

In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the HNAH Group estimates future taxable income based on management approved business plans, future capital requirements and ongoing tax planning strategies, including capital support from HSBC necessary as part of such plans and strategies. The HNAH Group has continued to consider the impact of the economic environment on the North American businesses and the expected growth of the deferred tax assets. This evaluation process involves significant management judgment about assumptions that are subject to change from period to period.

In conjunction with the HNAH Group deferred tax evaluation process, based on our forecasts of future taxable income, which include assumptions about the depth and severity of home price depreciation and the U.S. economic environment, including unemployment levels and their related impact on credit losses, we currently anticipate that our results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to allow us to realize our deferred tax assets. However, since these market conditions have created losses in the HNAH Group in recent periods and volatility in our pre-tax book income, our analysis of the realizability of the deferred tax assets significantly discounts any future taxable income expected from continuing operations and relies to a greater extent on continued capital support from our parent, HSBC, including tax planning strategies implemented in relation to such support. HSBC has indicated they remain fully committed and have the capacity and willingness to provide capital as needed to run operations, maintain sufficient regulatory capital, and fund certain tax planning strategies.

Only those tax planning strategies that are both prudent and feasible, and which management has the ability and intent to implement, are incorporated into our analysis and assessment. The primary and most significant strategy is HSBC’s commitment to reinvest excess HNAH Group capital to reduce debt funding or otherwise invest in assets to ensure that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be utilized.

Currently, it has been determined that the HNAH Group’s primary tax planning strategy, in combination with other tax planning strategies, provides support for the realization of the net deferred tax assets recorded for the HNAH Group. Such determination is based on HSBC’s business forecasts and assessment as to the most efficient and effective deployment of HSBC capital, most importantly including the length of time such capital will need to be maintained in the U.S. for purposes of the tax planning strategy.

During the first quarter of 2011, the HNAH Group identified an additional tax planning strategy that provided support for the realization of the deferred tax assets recorded for its foreign tax credits and certain state related deferred tax assets. The use of foreign tax credits is limited by the HNAH Group’s U.S. tax liability and the availability of foreign source income. The tax planning strategy included the purchase of foreign bonds and REMIC residual interests. These purchases are expected to generate sufficient foreign source taxable income to allow for the utilization of the foreign tax credits before the credits expire unused and recognition of certain state deferred tax assets.

Notwithstanding the above, the HNAH Group has valuation allowances against certain state deferred tax assets and certain Federal tax loss carryforwards for which the aforementioned tax planning strategies do not provide appropriate support.

 

36


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

HNAH Group valuation allowances are allocated to the principal subsidiaries, including us. The methodology allocates the valuation allowance to the principal subsidiaries based primarily on the entity’s relative contribution to the growth of the HSBC North America consolidated deferred tax asset against which the valuation allowance is being recorded.

If future results differ from the HNAH Group’s current forecasts or the tax planning strategies were to change, a valuation allowance against some or all of the remaining net deferred tax assets may need to be established which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and capital position. The HNAH Group will continue to update its assumptions and forecasts of future taxable income, including relevant tax planning strategies, and assess the need for such incremental valuation allowances.

Absent the capital support from HSBC and implementation of the related tax planning strategies, the HNAH Group, including us, would be required to record a valuation allowance against the remaining deferred tax assets.

HSBC Finance Corporation Income Taxes  We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences related to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for tax credits and net operating and other losses. Our net deferred tax assets, including deferred tax liabilities and valuation allowances, totaled $3.8 billion and $3.3 billion as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

During the second quarter of 2011, we reached a pending resolution of an issue with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) Appeals Office covering the tax periods 1998 through 2005. The settlement agreement with the IRS is currently under Joint Committee on Taxation review. We anticipate finalizing the resolution of this matter within the next twelve months. There is no resulting impact to our uncertain tax reserves.

The IRS began its audit of our 2006 and 2007 income tax returns in 2009, with an anticipated completion in 2012. The IRS began their examination of our 2008 and 2009 income tax returns during the third quarter of 2011, with an anticipated completion in 2013.

We remain subject to state and local income tax examinations for years 1998 and forward. We are currently under audit by various state and local tax jurisdictions. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted in light of changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits, developments in case law and the closing of statute of limitations. Such adjustments are reflected in the tax provision.

It is reasonably possible that there could be a change in the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months due to settlements or statutory expirations in various state and local tax jurisdictions. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $85 million and $96 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

It is our policy to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax positions in interest expense in the consolidated statement of income (loss) and to recognize penalties related to unrecognized tax positions as a component of other servicing and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income (loss). We had accruals for the payment of interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions of $95 million and $88 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

37


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

10.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) includes certain items that are reported directly within a separate component of shareholders’ equity. The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income balances.

 

      2012     2011  
     (in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30:

    

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (439   $ (510

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Net losses arising during period, net of tax of $(5) million and $(7) million, respectively

     (9     (15

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income, net of tax of $2 million and $7 million, respectively

     4        10   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     (5     (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (444     (515
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, not other-than temporarily impaired:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 93      $ 67   

Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on other than temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     1        -   

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Net unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of tax of $13 million and $9 million, respectively

     23        16   

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

     (8     (8
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     16        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     109        75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities available-for-sale:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ -      $ (4

Reclassification of unrealized gains (losses) on other than temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     (1     -   

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities available-for-sale recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     -        (1

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     1        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive loss for period

     -        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     -        (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit plan liability:

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (11     -   

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Change in unfunded pension and postretirement liability, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     -        -   

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (10     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

    

Balance at beginning of period

     12        15   

Other comprehensive loss for period:

    

Translation gains (losses), net of tax of $(1) million and $1 million, respectively

     (5     1   

Reclassification adjustment for translation (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     (5     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     7        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period

   $ (338   $ (428
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

38


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

      2012     2011  
     (in millions)  

Six Months Ended June 30:

    

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (494   $ (575

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Net gains arising during period, net of tax of $24 million and $24 million, respectively

     41        38   

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized in net income, net of tax of $5 million and $14 million, respectively

     9        22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     50        60   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (444     (515
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities available-for-sale, not other-than temporarily impaired:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 102      $ 78   

Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on other than temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     1        -   

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Net unrealized holding gains arising during period, net of tax of $8 million and $4 million, respectively

     15        7   

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $(4) million and $(6) million, respectively

     (9     (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     7        (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     109        75   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities available-for-sale:

    

Balance at beginning of period

   $ -      $ (4

Reclassification of unrealized (gains) losses on other than temporary impaired debt securities, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     (1     -   

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Other-than-temporary impairment on debt securities available-for-sale recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     -        (1

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     1        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive loss for period

     -        (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     -        (5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefit plan liability:

    

Balance at beginning of period

     (11     -   

Other comprehensive income for period:

    

Change in unfunded pension and postretirement liability, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     -        -   

Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     1        1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     (10     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments:

    

Balance at beginning of period

     7        10   

Other comprehensive loss for period:

    

Translation gains (losses), net of tax of $- million and $2 million, respectively

     -        6   

Reclassification adjustment for translation (gains) losses realized in net income, net of tax of $- million and $- million, respectively

     -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income for period

     -        6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

     7        16   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period

   $ (338   $ (428
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

39


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

11.     Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

 

The components of pension expense for the defined benefit pension plan reflected in our consolidated statement of income (loss) are shown in the table below and reflect the portion of the pension expense of the combined HSBC North America Pension Plan (either the “HSBC North America Pension Plan” or the “Plan”) which has been allocated to HSBC Finance Corporation:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
           (in millions)        

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

   $ 3      $ 2      $ 4      $ 3   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     12        9        21        17   

Expected return on assets

     (17     (11     (27     (19

Recognized losses

     7        4        12        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension expense

   $ 5      $ 4      $ 10      $ 9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension expense was flat during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as higher expected returns on plan assets due to higher asset levels, including additional contributions to the Plan during 2012 and 2011, were offset by higher interest costs and recognized losses.

Components of the net periodic benefit cost for our postretirement medical plan benefits other than pensions are as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (in millions)  

Service cost – benefits earned during the period

   $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -   

Interest cost

     2         1         3         2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pension expense

   $ 2       $ 1       $ 3       $ 2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

40


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

12.     Related Party Transactions

 

In the normal course of business, we conduct transactions with HSBC and its subsidiaries. These transactions occur at prevailing market rates and terms and include funding arrangements, derivative execution, purchases and sales of receivables, servicing arrangements, information technology and some centralized support services, item and statement processing services, banking and other miscellaneous services. The following tables present related party balances and the income and (expense) generated by related party transactions for continuing operations:

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Assets:

     

Cash

   $ 960       $ 209   

Interest bearing deposits with banks

     -         -   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

     1,397         920   

Derivative related assets

     180         -   

Other assets

     101         124   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 2,638       $ 1,253   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Due to affiliates (includes $466 million and $447 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, carried at fair value)

   $ 8,030       $ 8,262   

Derivative related liabilities

     -         25   

Other liabilities(1)

     72         47   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 8,102       $ 8,334   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Other liabilities includes $4 million and $55 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, related to accrued interest receivable on derivative positions and other amounts with affiliates.

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June  30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
           (in millions)        

Income/(Expense):

        

Interest income from HSBC affiliates

   $ 1      $ 2      $ 2      $ 4   

Interest expense paid to HSBC affiliates(1)

     (141     (143     (280     (296
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income (loss)

     (140     (141     (278     (292
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gain/(loss) on FVO debt with affiliate

     (5     5        (19     (7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

HSBC affiliate income:

        

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates:

        

Real estate secured servicing and related fees from HSBC Bank USA

     2        3        5        6   

Other servicing, processing, origination and support revenues

     3        3        5        5   

HSBC Technology and Services (USA) Inc. (“HTSU”) administrative fees and rental revenue(2)

     4        -        8        2   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates

     9        6        18        13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Support services from HSBC affiliates

     (79     (72     (145     (139
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Stock based compensation expense with HSBC

     (2     (2     (4     (4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Includes interest expense paid to HSBC affiliates for debt held by HSBC affiliates as well as net interest paid to or received from HSBC affiliates on risk management positions related to non-affiliated debt.

 

(2) 

Rental revenue/(expense) from HTSU totaled $4 million and $7 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to $(2) million and less than $(1) million in the year-ago periods.

 

41


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Transactions with HSBC USA Inc., including HSBC Bank USA:

 

 

In 2003 and 2004, we sold approximately $3.7 billion of real estate secured receivables to HSBC Bank USA. We continue to service these receivables for a fee. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we were servicing receivables totaling $1.3 billion. Servicing fees for these receivables totaled $1 million and $2 million during the three and six months ended June, 2012, respectively, as compared to $2 million and $3 million during the year-ago periods.

 

 

Under multiple service level agreements, we also provide various services to HSBC Bank USA, including real estate secured receivable servicing and processing activities and other operational and administrative support. Fees received for these services are reported as Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates.

 

 

In the fourth quarter of 2009, an initiative was begun to streamline the servicing of real estate secured receivables across North America. As a result, certain functions that we had previously performed for our mortgage customers were being performed by HSBC Bank USA for all North America mortgage customers, including our mortgage customers. Additionally, we began performing certain functions for all North America mortgage customers where these functions had been previously provided separately by each entity. During 2011, we began a process to separate these functions so that each entity will be servicing its own mortgage customers when the process is completed. The following table summarizes fees received and paid during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
      2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (in millions)  

Fees received from HSBC Bank USA

   $ 1       $ 1       $ 3       $ 3   

Fees paid to HSBC Bank USA

     1         2         3         4   

 

 

In July 2010, we transferred certain employees in our real estate secured receivable servicing department to a subsidiary of HSBC Bank USA. These employees continue to service our real estate secured receivable portfolio and we pay a fee to HSBC Bank USA for these services. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, we paid $14 million and $28 million, respectively, for services we received from HSBC Bank USA compared to $15 million and $32 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

 

 

During the fourth quarter of 2011, HSBC USA Inc. extended a $3.0 billion 364-day uncommitted revolving credit agreement to us which allows for borrowings with maturities of up to 15 years. During the second quarter of 2012, an amendment was executed to increase the $3.0 billion 364-day uncommitted revolving credit agreement with HSBC USA inc. to $4.0 billion. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 there were no amounts outstanding under this loan agreement.

 

 

HSBC Bank USA extended a secured $1.5 billion uncommitted secured credit facility to certain of our subsidiaries in December 2008. This is a 364 day credit facility which currently matures in November 2012. There were no balances outstanding at June 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011.

 

 

In May 2012, HSBC USA Inc. extended a $2.0 billion 364-day committed revolving credit facility to us. As of June 30, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under this credit facility.

Transactions with HSBC USA Inc. and HSBC Bank USA involving our Discontinued Operations:

 

 

As it relates to our discontinued credit card operations, in January 2009 we sold our GM and UP portfolios to HSBC Bank USA with an outstanding principal balance of $12.4 billion at the time of sale but retained the customer account relationships. In December 2004, we sold our private label receivable portfolio (excluding

 

42


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

 

retail sales contracts at our Consumer Lending business) to HSBC Bank USA and also retained the customer account relationships. In July 2004, we purchased the account relationships associated with $970 million of credit card receivables from HSBC Bank USA. In each of these transactions, we agreed to sell on a daily basis all new receivable originations on these account relationships to HSBC Bank USA and serviced these receivables for a fee. As discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” on May 1, 2012, we sold our Card and Retail Services business to Capital One, which included these account relationships and receivables.

Intangible assets of our discontinued credit card operations at December 31, 2011 included $29 million, net, that related to the account relationships we purchased from HSBC Bank USA in July 2004 as discussed above. In March 2012, we sold these account relationships to HSBC Bank USA resulting in a gain of $79 million during the first quarter of 2012 which is included as a component of income from discontinued operations.

The following table summarizes the receivable portfolios we serviced for HSBC Bank USA at December 31, 2011 as well as the cumulative amount of receivables sold on a daily basis, gains recorded on these sales as well as servicing fees recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

            Credit Cards         
      Private
Label
     General
Motors
     Union
Privilege
     Other      Total  
     (in billions)  

Receivables serviced for HSBC Bank USA:

              

June 30, 2012

   $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ -   

December 31, 2011

     12.8         4.1         3.5         2.0         22.4   

Total of receivables sold on a daily basis to HSBC Bank USA during:

              

Three months ended June 30, 2012(1)

   $ 1.1       $ 1.0       $ .3       $ .1       $ 2.5   

Three months ended June 30, 2011

     3.6         3.3         .8         1.1         8.8   

Six months ended June 30, 2012(1)

     4.4         3.9         1.0         1.1         10.4   

Six months ended June 30, 2011

     6.8         6.4         1.5         2.0         16.7   

 

(1) 

Amounts shown for 2012 represent totals from the beginning of the period through May 1, 2012, the date of the sale of our Card and Retail Services business to Capital One.

Gains on the daily sales of the receivables discussed above, which are included as a component of income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of income (loss), totaled $10 million and $89 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to $148 million and $261 million during the year-ago periods. Fees received for servicing these receivable portfolios through April 30, 2012, which are included as a component of income from discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of income (loss), $50 million and $207 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to $156 million and $305 million during the year-ago periods.

The GM and UP credit card receivables as well as the private label receivables were sold to HSBC Bank USA on a daily basis at a sales price for each type of portfolio determined using a fair value calculated semi-annually in April and October by an independent third party based on the projected future cash flows of the receivables. The projected future cash flows were developed using various assumptions reflecting the historical performance of the receivables and adjusted for key factors such as the anticipated economic and regulatory environment. The independent third party used these projected future cash flows and a discount rate to determine a range of fair values. We used the mid-point of this range as the sales price.

 

 

HSBC Bank USA had extended a $1.0 billion committed unsecured credit facility to HSBC Bank Nevada (“HOBN”) which was part of our credit card operations. There were no balances outstanding at December 31, 2011. This credit facility was terminated in May 2012.

 

43


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

 

We had extended revolving lines of credit to subsidiaries of HSBC Bank USA for an aggregate total of $1.0 billion. No balances were outstanding under any of these lines of credit at December 31, 2011. This credit facility was terminated in May 2012.

Transactions with HSBC Holdings plc:

 

 

We have a commercial paper back-stop credit facility of $1.1 billion at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 from HSBC supporting our domestic issuances of commercial paper of which $600 million matures in September 2012 and $500 million matures in September 2014. No balances were outstanding under these credit facilities at either June 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011. The annual commitment fee requirement to support availability of this line is included as a component of Interest expense – HSBC affiliates in the consolidated statement of income (loss).

 

 

Employees of HSBC Finance Corporation participate in one or more stock compensation plans sponsored by HSBC. These expenses are recorded in Salary and employee benefits and are reflected in the above table as Stock based compensation expense with HSBC.

Transactions with other HSBC affiliates:

 

 

HSBC North America’s technology and certain centralized support services including human resources, corporate affairs, risk management, legal, compliance, tax, finance and other shared services are centralized within HTSU. Technology related assets are generally capitalized and recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. HTSU also provides certain item processing and statement processing activities to us. The fees we pay HTSU for the centralized support services and processing activities are included in support services from HSBC affiliates. We also receive fees from HTSU for providing them certain administrative services, such as internal audit, as well as receiving rental revenue from HTSU for certain office space. The fees and rental revenue we receive from HTSU are recorded as a component of servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates.

 

 

We use HSBC Global Resourcing (UK) Ltd., an HSBC affiliate located outside of the United States, to provide various support services to our operations including among other areas, customer service, systems, collections and accounting functions. The expenses related to these services of $3 million and $6 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, are included as a component of Support services from HSBC affiliates in the table above. The expenses related to these services during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, totaled $2 million and $6 million, respectively. Through February 2011, the expenses for these services for all HSBC North America operations were billed directly to HTSU who then billed these services to the appropriate HSBC affiliate who benefited from the services. Beginning in March 2011, HSBC Global Resourcing (UK) Ltd began billing us directly for the services we receive from them.

 

 

The notional value of derivative contracts outstanding with HSBC subsidiaries totaled $30.5 billion and $40.4 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. When the fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties requires the posting of collateral, it is provided in either the form of cash and recorded on the balance sheet or in the form of securities which are not recorded on our balance sheet. The fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties required us to provide collateral to the affiliate of $337 million at June 30, 2012, all of which was paid in cash. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of our agreements with affiliate counterparties required the affiliate to provide collateral of $584 million to us, all of which was received in cash. These amounts are offset against the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting arrangement.

 

 

Due to affiliates includes amounts owed to subsidiaries of HSBC as a result of direct debt issuances. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, due to affiliates includes $466 million and $447 million, respectively, carried at fair value under FVO reporting. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, gain/(loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives includes $(5) million and $(19) million, respectively, related to these debt issuances, compared to $5 million and $(7) million during the year-ago periods.

 

44


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

 

During the first quarter of 2012, we executed two new $250 million loan agreements with HSBC Investments (Bahamas) Limited maturing in August 2012 and September 2012, respectively. As of June 30, 2012, $500 million was outstanding under these loan agreements.

 

 

During the second quarter of 2011, we executed a $600 million loan agreement with HSBC North America which provides for three $200 million borrowings with maturities between 2034 and 2035. As of both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $600 million was outstanding under this loan agreement.

 

 

During the fourth quarter of 2011, we executed a commercial paper back-stop credit facility of $400 million with HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt AG (Trinkaus) maturing in December 2012. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no amounts outstanding under this loan agreement.

 

 

During the fourth quarter of 2011, we executed a commercial paper back-stop credit facility of $500 million with HSBC Investments (Bahamas) Limited maturing in April 2014. This facility is secured by a $500 million deposit at HSBC Bank USA. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no amounts outstanding under this loan agreement.

 

 

During 2010, we executed a $1.0 billion 364-day uncommitted revolving credit agreement with HSBC North America which allowed for borrowings with maturities of up to 15 years, and borrowed the full amount available under this agreement during 2010. During the fourth quarter of 2010, we replaced this loan to HSBC North America with the issuance of 1,000 shares of Series C preferred stock to HINO for $1.0 billion. We began paying dividends on the Series C preferred stock during the first quarter of 2011. Dividends paid on the Series C Preferred Stock totaled $21 million and $43 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to $22 million and $47 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

 

 

In December 2010, we made a deposit totaling $1.0 billion with HSBC Bank plc (“HBEU”) at current market rates. This deposit was withdrawn during the third quarter of 2011. Interest income earned on this deposit during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 which is included in interest income from HSBC affiliates in the table above, was not material.

 

 

We purchase from HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (“HSI”) securities under an agreement to resell. Interest income recognized on these securities totaled $1 million and $2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and is reflected as interest income from HSBC affiliates in the table above. Interest income recognized during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 totaled $1 million and $2 million, respectively.

 

 

Support services from HSBC affiliates also includes banking services and other miscellaneous services provided by other subsidiaries of HSBC, including HSBC Bank USA.

 

 

Domestic employees of HSBC Finance Corporation participate in a defined benefit pension plan and other post-retirement benefit plans sponsored by HSBC North America. See Note 11, “Pension and Other Post-retirement Benefits,” for additional information on this pension plan.

 

 

We guaranteed the long-term and medium-term notes issued by our Canadian business prior to its sale to HSBC Bank Canada through May 2012 when the notes were paid in full. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, we recorded fees of less then $1 million in both periods, for providing this guarantee, compared to fees of $2 million and $3 million during the year-ago periods. As part of the sale of our Canadian business to HSBC Bank Canada, the sale agreement allows us to continue to distribute various insurance products through the branch network for a fee which is included as a component of income from discontinued operations. As previously discussed, we have decided to sell our Insurance business. We will continue to distribute insurance products for HSBC Bank Canada until such time as our Insurance business is sold. Fees paid to HSBC Bank Canada for distributing insurance are reflected in the table above.

 

45


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

13.    Business Segments

 

We have one reportable segment: Consumer. Our Consumer segment consists of our run-off Consumer Lending and Mortgage Services businesses. The Consumer segment provided real estate secured and personal non-credit card loans with both revolving and closed-end terms and with fixed or variable interest rates. Loans were originated through branch locations and direct mail. Products were also offered and customers serviced through the Internet. Prior to the first quarter of 2007, we acquired loans from correspondent lenders and prior to September 2007 we also originated loans sourced through mortgage brokers. While these businesses are operating in run-off, they have not been reported as discontinued operations because we continue to generate cash flow from the ongoing collections of the receivables, including interest and fees.

As previously discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” during the second quarter we began reporting our Insurance and Commercial businesses, which had previously been included in the “All Other” caption, as discontinued operations. As our segment results are reported on a continuing operations basis, beginning in the second quarter 2012, the results of our Insurance and Commercial businesses are no longer included in our segment reporting.

The All Other caption includes our corporate and treasury activities, which includes the impact of FVO debt. Each of these falls below the quantitative threshold tests under segment reporting accounting principles for determining reportable segments. Certain fair value adjustments related to purchase accounting resulting from our acquisition by HSBC and related amortization have been allocated to corporate, which is included in the “All Other” caption within our segment disclosure. With the sale of our Card and Retail Services business completed on May 1, 2012 and upon the completion of the sale of our Insurance business as more fully discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” our corporate and treasury activities will solely be supporting our Consumer segment. As a result, beginning in 2013 we will report these activities within the Consumer Segment and no longer report an “All Other” caption within segment reporting.

We report results to our parent, HSBC, in accordance with its reporting basis, International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”). Our segment results are presented on an IFRSs legal entity basis (“IFRS Basis”) (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) as operating results are monitored and reviewed and trends are evaluated on an IFRS Basis. However, we continue to monitor liquidity and capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP basis. There have been no significant changes in measurement or composition of our segment reporting other than the items discussed above as compared with the presentation in our 2011 Form 10-K.

For segment reporting purposes, intersegment transactions have not been eliminated. We generally account for transactions between segments as if they were with third parties.

 

46


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Reconciliation of our IFRS Basis segment results to the U.S. GAAP consolidated totals are as follows:

 

     Consumer     All
Other
    Adjustments
Reconciling
Items
    IFRS Basis
Consolidated
Totals
    IFRS
Adjustments(2)
    IFRS
Reclassifications(3)
    U.S. GAAP
Consolidated
Totals
 
    (in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30, 2012:

             

Net interest income

  $ 593      $ 27      $ -      $ 620      $ (127   $ (102   $ 391   

Other operating income (Total other revenues)

    (6     (422     (1 )(1)      (429     (1,550     114        (1,865
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss)

    587        (395     (1     191        (1,677     12        (1,474

Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)

    721        (1     -        720        18        -        738   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (134     (394     (1     (529     (1,695     12        (2,212

Operating expenses

    221        1        (1     221        6        12        239   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) before tax

  $ (355   $ (395   $ -      $ (750   $ (1,701   $ -      $ (2,451
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegment revenues

    11        (10     (1 )(1)      -        -        -     

Balances at end of period:

             

Customer loans (Receivables)

  $ 44,372      $ 300      $ -      $ 44,672      $ (9,417   $ (299   $ 34,956   

Assets

    42,688        10,008        -        52,696        (3,383     (22     49,291   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2011:

             

Net interest income

  $ 670      $ 156      $ -      $ 826      $ (162   $ (153   $ 511   

Other operating income (Total other revenues)

    (10     (67     (6 )(1)      (83     39        162        118   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss)

    660        89        (6     743        (123     9        629   

Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)

    873        -        -        873        (290     -        583   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (213     89        (6     (130     167        9        46   

Operating expenses

    226        151        (6     371        3        9        383   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) before tax

  $ (439   $ (62   $ -      $ (501   $ 164      $ -      $ (337
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegment revenues

    21        (15     (6 )(1)      -        -        -        -   

Balances at end of period:

             

Customer loans (Receivables)

  $ 51,978      $ 1,910      $ -      $ 53,888      $ (372   $ (1,910   $ 51,606   

Assets

    51,001        10,934        -        61,935        (3,251     -        58,684   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012:

             

Net interest income

  $ 1,190      $ 74      $ -      $ 1,264      $ (249   $ (216   $ 799   

Other operating income (Total other revenues)

    (37     (701     (7 )(1)      (745     (1,563     248        (2,060
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss)

    1,153        (627     (7     519        (1,812     32        (1,261

Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)

    1,576        (1     -        1,575        (46     -        1,529   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (423     (626     (7     (1,056     (1,766     32        (2,790

Operating expenses

    404        13        (7     410        12        32        454   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) before tax

  $ (827   $ (639   $ -      $ (1,466   $ (1,778   $ -      $ (3,244
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegment revenues

    23        (16 )      (7 )(1)      -        -        -        -   

Six Months Ended June 30, 2011:

             

Net interest income

  $ 1,327      $ 238      $ -      $ 1,565      $ (296   $ (314   $ 955   

Other operating income (Total other revenues)

    (42     (203     (12 )(1)      (257     18        396        157   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income (loss)

    1,285        35        (12     1,308        (278     82        1,112   

Loan impairment charges (Provision for credit losses)

    2,150        (1     -        2,149        (858     -        1,291   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (865     36        (12     (841     580        82        (179

Operating expenses

    460        149        (12     597        7        82        686   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) before tax

  $ (1,325   $ (113   $ -      $ (1,438   $ 573      $ -      $ (865
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Intersegment revenues

    34        (22     (12 )(1)      -        -        -        -   

 

 

(1) 

Eliminates intersegment revenues.

 

(2) 

IFRS Adjustments consist of the accounting differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs which have been described more fully below.

 

(3) 

Represents differences in balance sheet and income statement presentation between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP.

 

47


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

A summary of the significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are presented below:

Net Interest Income

Effective interest rate – The calculation of effective interest rates under IAS 39, “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” (“IAS 39”), requires an estimate of changes in estimated contractual cash flows, including fees and points paid or recovered between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate be included. U.S. GAAP generally prohibits recognition of interest income to the extent the net investment in the loan would increase to an amount greater than the amount at which the borrower could settle the obligation. Under U.S. GAAP, prepayment penalties are generally recognized as received. U.S. GAAP also includes interest income on loans originated as held for sale which is included in other revenues for IFRSs.

Deferred loan origination costs and fees – Loan origination cost deferrals under IFRSs are more stringent and generally result in lower costs being deferred than permitted under U.S. GAAP. In addition, all deferred loan origination fees, costs and loan premiums must be recognized based on the expected life of the receivables under IFRSs as part of the effective interest calculation while under U.S. GAAP they may be recognized on either a contractual or expected life basis.

Net interest income – Under IFRSs, net interest income includes the interest element for derivatives which correspond to debt designated at fair value. For U.S. GAAP, this is included in gain on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives which is a component of other revenues.

Other Operating Income (Total Other Revenues)

Loans held for sale – IFRSs requires loans designated as held for sale at the time of origination to be treated as trading assets and recorded at their fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, loans designated as held for sale are reflected as loans and recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under IFRSs, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported in other operating income. Under U.S. GAAP, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported similarly to loans held for investment.

For receivables transferred to held for sale subsequent to origination, IFRSs requires these receivables to be reported separately on the balance sheet when certain criteria are met which is generally later than under U.S. GAAP, but does not change the recognition and measurement criteria. Accordingly, for IFRSs purposes such loans continue to be accounted for and impairment continues to be measured in accordance with IAS 39 with any gain or loss recorded at the time of sale. U.S. GAAP requires loans that meet the held for sale classification requirements be transferred to a held for sale category at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, the component of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to credit risk is recorded in the statement of income (loss) as provision for credit losses while the component related to interest rates and liquidity factors is reported in the statement of income (loss) in other revenues.

Securities – Under IFRSs, securities include HSBC shares held for stock plans at fair value. These shares are recorded at fair value through other comprehensive income. If it is determined these shares have become impaired, the fair value loss is recognized in profit and loss and any fair value loss recorded in other comprehensive income is reversed. There is no similar requirement under U.S. GAAP.

During the second quarter of 2009, under IFRSs we recorded income for the value of additional shares attributed to HSBC shares held for stock plans as a result of HSBC’s rights offering earlier in 2009. During 2011, under IFRSs we recorded additional gains as these shares vest. The additional shares are not recorded under U.S. GAAP.

Other-than-temporary impairments – Under U.S. GAAP, a decline in fair value of an available-for-sale debt security below its amortized cost is considered to be other than temporarily impaired under certain conditions. IFRSs do not have an “other than temporary” impairment concept. Under IFRSs, a decline in fair value of an

 

48


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

available-for-sale debt security below its amortized cost is considered evidence of impairment if the decline can, at least partially, be attributed to an incurred loss event that impacts the estimated future cash flows of the security (i.e., a credit loss event). Thus a security may not be considered impaired if the decline in value is the result of events that do not negatively impact the estimated future cash flows of the security (e.g., an increase in the risk-free interest rate). However, until the entity sells the security, it will have to assess the security for credit losses at each reporting date.

Another difference between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs is the amount of the loss that an entity recognizes in earnings on an impaired (other-than-temporarily impaired for U.S. GAAP) available-for-sale debt security. Under U.S. GAAP, if an entity has decided to sell a debt security whose fair value has declined below its amortized cost, or will be more likely than not required to sell the debt security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, it will recognize an impairment loss in earnings equal to the difference between the debt security’s carrying amount and its fair value. If the entity has not decided to sell the debt security and will not be more likely than not required to sell the debt security before it recovers its amortized cost basis, but nonetheless expects that it will not recover the security’s amortized cost basis, it will bifurcate the impairment loss into a credit loss component and a non-credit loss component, and recognize the credit loss component in earnings and the non-credit loss component in other comprehensive income. Under IFRSs, the entity recognizes the entire decline in fair value below amortized cost in earnings.

REO expense – Other revenues under IFRSs includes losses on sale and the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell adjustments on REO properties which are classified as other expense under U.S. GAAP.

Loan Impairment Charges (Provision for Credit Losses)

IFRSs requires a discounted cash flow methodology for estimating impairment on pools of homogeneous customer loans which requires the discounting of cash flows including recovery estimates at the original effective interest rate of the pool of customer loans. The amount of impairment relating to the discounting of future cash flows unwinds with the passage of time, and is recognized in interest income. Also under IFRSs, if the recognition of a write-down to fair value on secured loans decreases because collateral values have improved and the improvement can be related objectively to an event occurring after recognition of the write-down, such write-down can be reversed, which is not permitted under U.S. GAAP. Additionally under IFRSs, future recoveries on charged-off loans or loans written down to fair value less cost to obtain title and sell the collateral are accrued for on a discounted basis and a recovery asset is recorded. Subsequent recoveries are recorded to earnings under U.S. GAAP, but are adjusted against the recovery asset under IFRSs. Under IFRSs, interest on impaired loans is recorded at the effective interest rate on the customer loan balance net of impairment allowances, and therefore reflects the collectibility of the loans.

As discussed above, under U.S. GAAP when receivables are transferred to held for sale they are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and no further provision for credit losses is recorded subsequent to the transfer. IFRS requires these receivables to be reported separately on the balance sheet when certain criteria are met which is generally later than under U.S. GAAP but does not change the recognition and measurement criteria. Accordingly, for IFRSs purposes such loans continue to be accounted for and impairment continues to be measured in accordance with IAS 39. Additionally, under U.S. GAAP the credit risk component of the initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to the transfer of receivables to held for sale is recorded in the statement of income (loss) as provision for credit losses. There is no similar requirement under IFRSs.

As previously discussed, in the third quarter of 2011 we adopted new guidance under U.S. GAAP for determining whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a TDR Loan. Credit loss reserves on TDR Loans are established based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans’ original effective interest rate.

 

49


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Under IFRSs, impairment on the residential mortgage loans where we have granted the borrower a concession as a result of financial difficulty is measured based on the cash flows attributable to the credit loss events which occurred before the reporting date. HSBC’s accounting policy under IFRSs is to remove such loans from the category of impaired loans after a defined period of re-performance, although such loans remain segregated from loans that were not impaired in the past for the purposes of collective impairment assessment to reflect their credit risk. Under U.S. GAAP, when a loan is impaired the impairment is measured based on all expected cash flows over the remaining expected life of the loan. Such loans generally remain impaired for the remainder of their lives under U.S. GAAP.

Operating Expenses

Pension and other postretirement benefits cost – Net income under U.S. GAAP is lower than under IFRSs as a result of the amortization of the amount by which actuarial losses exceeded the higher of 10 percent of the projected benefit obligation or fair value of plan assets (the “corridor.”). Additionally, in the fourth quarter of 2011 an amendment was made to the benefit formula associated with services provided by certain employees in past periods. Under IFRSs, the financial impact of this amendment of $31 million was immediately recognized in earnings. Under U.S. GAAP, the financial impact was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized to net periodic pension cost over the remaining life expectancy of the participants.

Share-based bonus arrangements – Under IFRSs, the recognition of compensation expense related to share-based bonuses begins on January 1 of the current year for awards expected to be granted in the first quarter of the following year. Under U.S. GAAP, the recognition of compensation expense related to share-based bonuses does not begin until the date the awards are granted.

Assets

Customer loans (Receivables) – On an IFRSs basis, loans designated as held for sale at the time of origination and accrued interest are classified as trading assets. However, the accounting requirements governing when receivables previously held for investment are transferred to a held for sale category are more stringent under IFRSs than under U.S. GAAP which results in receivables generally being reported as held for sale later than under U.S. GAAP. IFRSs also allows for reversals of write-downs to fair value on secured loans when collateral values have improved, which is not permitted under U.S. GAAP.

Other – In addition to the differences discussed above, derivative financial assets are higher under IFRSs than under U.S. GAAP as U.S. GAAP permits the netting of certain items. No similar requirement exists under IFRSs.

14.    Variable Interest Entities

 

We consolidate variable interest entities (“VIEs”) in which we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary through our holding of a variable interest which is determined as a controlling financial interest. The controlling financial interest is evidenced by the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and obligations to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. We take into account all of our involvements in a VIE in identifying (explicit or implicit) variable interests that individually or in the aggregate could be significant enough to warrant our designation as the primary beneficiary and hence require us to consolidate the VIE or otherwise require us to make appropriate disclosures. We consider our involvement to be significant where we, among other things, (i) provide liquidity facilities to support the VIE’s debt issuances, (ii) enter into derivative contracts to absorb the risks and benefits from the VIE or from the assets held by the VIE, (iii) provide a financial guarantee that covers assets held or liabilities issued, (iv) design, organize and structure the transaction and (v) retain a financial or servicing interest in the VIE.

 

50


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

We are required to evaluate whether to consolidate a VIE when we first become involved and on an ongoing basis. In almost all cases, a qualitative analysis of our involvement in the entity provides sufficient evidence to determine whether we are the primary beneficiary. In rare cases, a more detailed analysis to quantify the extent of variability to be absorbed by each variable interest holder is required to determine the primary beneficiary.

Consolidated VIEs In the ordinary course of business, we have organized special purpose entities (“SPEs”) primarily to meet our own funding needs through collateralized funding transactions. We transfer certain receivables to these trusts which in turn issue debt instruments collateralized by the transferred receivables. The entities used in these transactions are VIEs. As we are the servicer of the assets of these trusts and have retained the benefits and risks, we determined that we are the primary beneficiary of these trusts. Accordingly, we consolidate these entities and report the debt securities issued by them as secured financings in long-term debt. As a result, all receivables transferred in these secured financings have remained and continue to remain on our balance sheet and the debt securities issued by them have remained and continue to be included in long-term debt.

The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of these consolidated secured financing VIEs as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

     June 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
      Consolidated
Assets
     Consolidated
Liabilities
     Consolidated
Assets
     Consolidated
Liabilities
 
     (in millions)  

Real estate collateralized funding vehicles:

           

Cash

   $ 6       $ -       $ -       $ -   

Receivables, net

     4,440         -         4,486         -   

Available-for-sale investments

     -         -         4         -   

Long-term debt

     -         3,095         -         3,315   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

   $ 4,446       $ 3,095       $ 4,490       $ 3,315   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The assets of the consolidated VIEs serve as collateral for the obligations of the VIEs. The holders of the debt securities issued by these vehicles have no recourse to our general assets.

Unconsolidated VIEs We are involved with VIEs related to low income housing partnerships, leveraged lease and investments in community partnerships that were not consolidated at June 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011 because we are not the primary beneficiary. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we have assets totaling less than $1 million on our consolidated balance sheet, which represents our maximum exposure to loss for these VIEs.

15.    Fair Value Measurements

 

Accounting principles related to fair value measurements provide a framework for measuring fair value and focus on an exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal market (or in the absence of the principal market, the most advantageous market) accessible in an orderly transaction between willing market participants (the “Fair Value Framework”). Where required by the applicable accounting standards, assets and liabilities are measured at fair value using the “highest and best use” valuation premise. Fair value measurement guidance effective in 2012 clarifies that financial instruments do not have alternative use and, as such, the fair value of financial instruments should be determined using an “in-exchange” valuation premise. However, the fair value measurement literature provides a valuation exception and permits an entity to measure the fair value of a group of financial assets and financial liabilities with offsetting credit risk and/or market risks based on the exit price it would receive or pay to transfer the net risk exposure of a group of assets or liabilities if certain conditions are met. We have not elected to make fair value adjustments to a group of derivative instruments with offsetting credit and market risks.

 

51


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Fair Value Adjustments The best evidence of fair value is quoted market price in an actively traded market, where available. In the event listed price or market quotes are not available, valuation techniques that incorporate relevant transaction data and market parameters reflecting the attributes of the asset or liability under consideration are applied. Where applicable, fair value adjustments are made to ensure the financial instruments are appropriately recorded at fair value. The fair value adjustments reflect the risks associated with the products, contractual terms of the transactions, and the liquidity of the markets in which the transactions occur. The fair value adjustments are broadly categorized by the following types:

Credit risk adjustment – The credit risk adjustment is an adjustment to a group of financial assets and financial liabilities, predominantly derivative assets and derivative liabilities, to reflect the credit quality of the parties to the transaction in arriving at fair value. A credit valuation adjustment to a financial asset is required to reflect the default risk of the counterparty. A debit valuation adjustment to a financial liability is recorded to reflect our default risk. Where applicable, we take into consideration the credit risk mitigating arrangements including collateral agreements and master netting arrangements in estimating the credit risk adjustments.

Liquidity risk adjustment– The liquidity risk adjustment reflects, among other things, (a) the cost that would be incurred to close out the market risks by hedging, disposing or unwinding the actual position (i.e., a bid-offer adjustment), and (b) the illiquid nature, other than the size of the risk position, of a financial instrument.

Input valuation adjustment – Where fair value measurements are determined using internal valuation model based on unobservable inputs, certain valuation inputs may be less readily determinable. There may be a range of possible valuation input that market participants may assume in determining the fair value measurement. The resultant fair value measurement has inherent measurement risk if one or more significant parameters are unobservable and must be estimated. An input valuation adjustment is necessary to reflect the likelihood that market participants may use different input parameters, and to mitigate the possibility of measurement error.

Valuation Control Framework A control framework has been established which is designed to ensure that fair values are either determined or validated by a function independent of the risk-taker. To that end, the ultimate responsibility for the determination of fair values rests with the HSBC Finance Valuation Committee. The HSBC Finance Valuation Committee establishes policies and procedures to ensure appropriate valuations. Fair values for debt securities and long-term debt for which we have elected fair value option are determined by a third-party valuation source (pricing service) by reference to external quotations on the identical or similar instruments. Once fair values have been obtained from the third-party valuation source, an independent price validation process is performed and reviewed by the HSBC Finance Valuation Committee. For price validation purposes, we obtain quotations from at least one other independent pricing source for each financial instrument, where possible. We consider the following factors in determining fair values:

 

   

similarities between the asset or the liability under consideration and the asset or liability for which quotation is received;

 

   

whether the security is traded in an active or inactive market;

 

   

consistency among different pricing sources;

 

   

the valuation approach and the methodologies used by the independent pricing sources in determining fair value;

 

   

the elapsed time between the date to which the market data relates and the measurement date; and

 

   

the manner in which the fair value information is sourced.

Greater weight is given to quotations of instruments with recent market transactions, pricing quotes from dealers who stand ready to transact, quotations provided by market-makers who originally underwrote such instruments,

 

52


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

and market consensus pricing based on inputs from a large number of participants. Any significant discrepancies among the external quotations are reviewed by management and adjustments to fair values are recorded where appropriate.

Fair values for derivatives are determined by management using valuation techniques, valuation models and inputs that are developed, reviewed, validated and approved by the Quantitative Risk and Valuation Group of an HSBC affiliate. These valuation models utilize discounted cash flows or an option pricing model adjusted for counterparty credit risk and market liquidity. The models used apply appropriate control processes and procedures to ensure that the derived inputs are used to value only those instruments that share similar risk to the relevant benchmark indexes and therefore demonstrate a similar response to market factors. In addition, a validation process is followed which includes participation in peer group consensus pricing surveys, to ensure that valuation inputs incorporate market participants’ risk expectations and risk premium.

We have various controls over our valuation process and procedures for receivables held for sale. As these fair values are generally determined using modeling techniques, the controls may include independent development or validation of the logic within the valuation models, the inputs to those models, and adjustments required to outside valuation models. The inputs and adjustments to valuation models are reviewed with management and reconciled to inputs and assumptions used in other internal valuation processes. In addition, from time to time, certain portfolios are valued by independent third parties, primarily for related party transactions, which are used to validate our internal models.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments The fair value estimates, methods and assumptions set forth below for our financial instruments, including those financial instruments carried at cost, are made solely to comply with disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in this Form 10-Q. The following table summarizes the carrying values and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

    June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     Carrying
Value
    Fair Value     Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Carrying
Value
    Fair Value  
    (in millions)  

Financial assets:

             

Cash

  $ 967      $ 967      $ 967      $ -      $ -      $ 215      $ 215   

Interest bearing deposits with banks

    2,830        2,830        -        2,830        -        1,140        1,140   

Securities purchased under agreement to resell

    1,697        1,697        -        1,697        -        920        920   

Securities

    151        151        39        112        -        188        188   

Consumer receivables:

             

Real estate secured:

             

First lien

    27,846        19,950        -        -        19,950        34,960        24,438   

Second lien

    3,427        1,094        -        -        1,094        3,828        1,110   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

    31,273        21,044        -        -        21,044        38,788        25,548   

Personal non-credit card

    -        -        -        -        -        4,308        3,180   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total consumer receivables

    31,273        21,044        -        -        21,044        43,096        28,728   

Receivables held for sale

    6,756        6,756        -        -        6,756        -        -   

Due from affiliates

    101        101        -        101        -        124        124   

Derivative financial assets

    183        183        -        183        -        -        -   

Financial liabilities:

             

Commercial paper

  $ 302      $ 302      $ -      $ 302      $ -      $ 4,026      $ 4,026   

Due to affiliates carried at fair value

    466        466        -        466        -        447        447   

Due to affiliates

    7,564        7,444        -        7,444        -        7,815        7,514   

Long-term debt carried at fair value

    11,288        11,288        -        11,288        -        13,664        13,664   

Long-term debt not carried at fair value

    22,302        22,088        -        19,404        2,684        26,126        25,090   

Derivative financial liabilities

    -        -        -        -        -        26        26   

 

53


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Receivable values presented in the table above were determined using the Fair Value Framework for measuring fair value, which is based on our best estimate of the amount within a range of values we believe would be received in a sale as of the balance sheet date (i.e. exit price). The secondary market demand and estimated value for our receivables has been heavily influenced by the challenging economic conditions during the past few years, including house price depreciation, elevated unemployment, changes in consumer behavior, changes in discount rates and the lack of financing options available to support the purchase of receivables. Many investors are non-bank financial institutions or hedge funds with high equity levels and a high cost of debt. For certain consumer receivables, investors incorporate numerous assumptions in predicting cash flows, such as higher charge-off levels and/or slower voluntary prepayment speeds than we, as the servicer of these receivables, believe will ultimately be the case. The investor discount rates reflect this difference in overall cost of capital as well as the potential volatility in the underlying cash flow assumptions, the combination of which may yield a significant pricing discount from our intrinsic value. The estimated fair values at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 reflect these market conditions.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis  The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable

Inputs
(Level 3)

    Netting(1)     Total of
Assets
(Liabilities)
Measured at
Fair Value
 
          (in millions)              

June 30, 2012:

         

Derivative financial assets:

         

Interest rate swaps

  $ -      $ 617      $ -      $ -      $ 617   

Currency swaps

    -        1,185        -        -        1,185   

Derivative netting

    -        -        -        (1,619     (1,619
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative financial assets

    -        1,802        -        (1,619     183   

Available-for-sale securities:

         

U.S. government sponsored enterprises

    -        1        -        -        1   

U.S. corporate debt securities

    -        62        -        -        62   

Foreign debt securities:

         

Government

    -        3        -        -        3   

Corporate

    -        45        -        -        45   

Equity securities

    10        -        -        -        10   

Money market funds

    29        -        -        -        29   

Accrued interest

    -        1        -        -        1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

    39        112        -        -        151   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 39      $ 1,914      $ -      $ (1,619   $ 334   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Due to affiliates carried at fair value

  $ -      $ (466   $ -      $ -      $ (466

Long-term debt carried at fair value

    -        (11,288     -        -        (11,288

Derivative related liabilities:

         

Interest rate swaps

    -        (1,748     -        -        (1,748

Currency swaps

    -        (221     -        -        (221

Derivative netting

    -        -        -        1,969        1,969   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative related liabilities

    -        (1,969     -        1,969        -   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $ -      $ (13,723   $ -      $ 1,969      $ (11,754
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

54


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

     Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
    Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
   

Significant
Unobservable

Inputs
(Level 3)

    Netting(1)     Total of
Assets
(Liabilities)
Measured at
Fair Value
 
          (in millions)              

December 31, 2011:

         

Derivative financial assets:

         

Interest rate swaps

  $ -      $ 973      $ -      $ -      $ 973   

Currency swaps

    -        1,503        -        -        1,503   

Derivative netting

    -        -        -        (2,476     (2,476
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative financial assets

    -        2,476        -        (2,476     -   

Available-for-sale securities:

         

U.S. Treasury

    80        -        -        -        80   

U.S. government sponsored enterprises

    -        1        -        -        1   

U.S. corporate debt securities

    -        57        -        -        57   

Foreign debt securities:

         

Corporate

    -        26        -        -        26   

Equity securities

    10        -        -        -        10   

Money market funds

    13        -        -        -        13   

Accrued interest

    -        1        -          1   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

    103        85        -        -        188   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 103      $ 2,561      $ -      $ (2,476   $ 188   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Due to affiliates carried at fair value

  $ -      $ (447   $ -      $ -      $ (447

Long-term debt carried at fair value

    -        (13,664     -        -        (13,664

Derivative related liabilities:

         

Interest rate swaps

    -        (1,762     -        -        (1,762

Currency swaps

    -        (163     -        -        (163

Foreign Exchange Forward

    -        (3     -        -        (3

Derivative netting

    -        -          1,902        1,902   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total derivative related liabilities

    -        (1,928     -        1,902        (26
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

  $ -      $ (16,039   $ -      $ 1,902      $ (14,137
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Represents counterparty and swap collateral netting which allow the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts when certain conditions are met.

 

55


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table provides additional detail regarding the rating of our U.S. corporate debt securities at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
            (in millions)         

June 30, 2012:

        

AAA to AA(1)

   $ 17       $ -       $ 17   

A+ to A-(1)

     41         -         41   

BBB+ to Unrated(1)

     4         -         4   

December 31, 2011:

        

AAA to AA(1)

   $ 26       $ -       $ 26   

A+ to A-(1)

     25         -         25   

BBB+ to Unrated(1)

     6         -         6   

 

 

(1) 

We obtain ratings on our U.S. corporate debt securities from Moody’s Investor Services, Standard and Poor’s Corporation and Fitch Ratings. In the event the ratings we obtain from these agencies differ, we utilize the lower of the three ratings.

Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2  There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three or six months ended June 30, 2012 or 2011.

Information on Level 3 Assets and Liabilities  There were no assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three or six months ended June 30, 2012. The table below reconciles the beginning and ending balances for assets recorded at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

 

          Total Gains and
(Losses)
Included in
                                           
     Apr. 1,
2011
    Income     Other
Comp.
Income
    Purchases     Issuances     Settlement     Transfers
Into
Level 3
    Transfers
Out of
Level 3
    June 30,
2011
    Current Period
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
    (in millions)  

Assets:

                   

Securities available-for-sale:

                   

Asset-backed securities

  $ 17      $ -      $ (2   $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 15      $ (2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 17      $ -      $ (2   $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 15      $ (2
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

          Total Gains and
(Losses)
Included in
                                           
     Jan. 1,
2011
   

Income

   

Other
Comp.

Income

    Purchases     Issuances     Settlement     Transfers
Into
Level 3
    Transfers
Out of
Level 3
    June 30,
2011
    Current Period
Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
 
    (in millions)  

Assets:

                   

Securities available-for-sale:

                   

Asset-backed securities

  $ 18      $ -      $ (3   $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 15      $ (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 18      $ -      $ (3   $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ -      $ 15      $ (1
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

56


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis  The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of June 30, 2012 and 2011, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.

 

     Non-Recurring Fair  Value
Measurements as of
June 30, 2012
     Total Gains
(Losses) for the
Three Months Ended
June  30, 2012
    Total Gains
(Losses) for the
Six Months Ended
June  30, 2012
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total       
     (in millions)  

Receivables held for sale:

                

Real estate secured

   $ -       $ -       $ 3,287       $ 3,287       $ (1,349   $ (1,349

Personal non-credit card

     -         -         3,469         3,469         (310     (310
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables held for sale

     -         -         6,756         6,756         (1,659     (1,659

Real estate owned(1)

     -         253         -         253         (27     (53
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis

   $ -       $ 253       $ 6,756       $ 7,009       $ (1,686   $ (1,712
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Non-Recurring Fair  Value
Measurements as of
June 30, 2011
     Total Gains
(Losses) for the
Three Months Ended
June  30, 2011
    Total Gains
(Losses) for the
Six Months Ended
June  30, 2011
 
      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total       
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured receivables held for sale at fair value

   $ -       $ -       $ 5       $ 5       $ -      $ 1   

Real estate owned(1)

     -         625         -         625         (39     (114
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis

   $ -       $ 625       $ 5       $ 630       $ (39   $ (113
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Real estate owned is required to be reported on the balance sheet net of transactions costs. The real estate owned amounts in the table above reflect the fair value of the underlying asset unadjusted for transaction costs.

The following table presents quantitative information about non-recurring fair value measurements of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2012:

 

Financial Instrument Type   

Fair Value

(in millions)

   Valuation Technique(s)    Significant
Unobservable Inputs
   Range of Inputs

Real estate secured receivables held for sale at fair value

  

 

$3,287

  

Third party appraisal valuation based on estimated loss severities, including collateral values, cash flows and market discount rate

  

Loss severity rates

 

 

 

 

 

Market discount rate

  

 

25%-75%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10%-15%

 

Personal non-credit card receivables held for sale at fair value

  

 

 

$3,469

  

Third party appraisal valuation based on estimated loss rates, cash flows and market discount rate

 

  

 

Loss rate

   13%-21%
         Market discount rate    10%-15%

 

57


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Valuation Techniques  The following summarizes the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating fair value for financial instruments not recorded at fair value but for which fair value disclosures are required.

Cash: Carrying amount approximates fair value due to cash’s liquid nature.

Interest bearing deposits with banks:  Carrying amount approximates fair value due to the asset’s liquid nature.

Securities purchased under agreements to resell:  The fair value of securities purchased under agreements to resell approximates carrying amount due to the short-term maturity of the agreements.

Securities:  Fair value for our available-for-sale securities is generally determined by a third party valuation source. The pricing services generally source fair value measurements from quoted market prices and if not available, the security is valued based on quotes from similar securities using broker quotes and other information obtained from dealers and market participants. For securities which do not trade in active markets, such as fixed income securities, the pricing services generally utilize various pricing applications, including models, to measure fair value. The pricing applications are based on market convention and use inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. The following summarizes the valuation methodology used for our major security types:

 

   

U.S. government sponsored enterprises – As our government sponsored mortgage-backed securities do not transact in an active market, fair value is determined using discounted cash flow models and inputs related to interest rates, prepayment speeds, loss curves and market discount rates that would be required by investors in the current market given the specific characteristics and inherent credit risk of the underlying collateral.

 

   

U.S. Treasuries – As these securities transact in an active market, the pricing services source fair value measurements from quoted prices for the identical security or quoted prices for similar securities with adjustments as necessary made using observable inputs which are market corroborated.

 

   

U.S. corporate and foreign debt securities – For non-callable corporate securities, a credit spread scale is created for each issuer. These spreads are then added to the equivalent maturity U.S. Treasury yield to determine current pricing. Credit spreads are obtained from the new issue market, secondary trading levels and dealer quotes. For securities with early redemption features, an option adjusted spread (“OAS”) model is incorporated to adjust the spreads determined above. Additionally, the pricing services will survey the broker/dealer community to obtain relevant trade data including benchmark quotes and updated spreads.

 

   

Asset-backed securities – Fair value is determined using discounted cash flow models and inputs related to interest rates, prepayment speeds, loss curves and market discount rates that would be required by investors in the current market given the specific characteristics and inherent credit risk of the underlying collateral.

 

   

Preferred equity securities – In general, for perpetual preferred securities, fair value is calculated using an appropriate spread over a comparable U.S. Treasury security for each issue. These spreads represent the additional yield required to account for risk including credit, refunding and liquidity. The inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.

 

   

Money market funds – Carrying amount approximates fair value due to the asset’s liquid nature.

Significant inputs used in the valuation of our investment securities include selection of an appropriate risk-free rate, forward yield curve and credit spread which establish the ultimate discount rate used to determine the net present value of estimated cash flows. For asset-backed securities, selection of appropriate prepayment rates, default rates and loss severities also serve as significant inputs in determining fair value. We perform validations of the fair values

 

58


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

sourced from the independent pricing services at least quarterly. Such validation principally includes sourcing security prices from other independent pricing services or broker quotes. The validation process provides us with information as to whether the volume and level of activity for a security has significantly decreased and assists in identifying transactions that are not orderly. Depending on the results of the validation, additional information may be gathered from other market participants to support the fair value measurements. A determination will be made as to whether adjustments to the observable inputs are necessary as a result of investigations and inquiries about the reasonableness of the inputs used and the methodologies employed by the independent pricing services.

Receivables and receivables held for sale:  The estimated fair value of our receivables was determined by developing an approximate range of value from a mix of various sources as appropriate for the respective pool of assets. These sources include, among other items, value estimates from an HSBC affiliate which reflect over-the-counter trading activity; value estimates from a third party valuation specialist’s measurement of the fair value of a pool of receivables; forward looking discounted cash flow models using assumptions we believe are consistent with those which would be used by market participants in valuing such receivables; and trading input from other market participants which includes observed primary and secondary trades. For revolving products, the estimated fair value excludes future draws on the available credit line as well as other items and, therefore, does not include the fair value of the entire relationship.

Valuation inputs include estimates of future interest rates, prepayment speeds, default and loss curves, estimated collateral values and market discount rates reflecting management’s estimate of the rate of return that would be required by investors in the current market given the specific characteristics and inherent credit risk of the receivables. Some of these inputs are influenced by collateral value changes and unemployment rates. To the extent available, such inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation and other means. We perform analytical reviews of fair value changes on a quarterly basis and periodically validate our valuation methodologies and assumptions based on the results of actual sales of such receivables. In addition, from time to time, we may hold discussions directly with potential investors. Portfolio risk management personnel provide further validation through discussions with third party brokers. Since some receivables pools may have features which are unique, fair value measurement process uses significant unobservable inputs which are specific to the performance characteristics of the various receivable portfolios.

Real estate owned:  Fair value is determined based on third party appraisals obtained at the time we take title to the property and, if less than the carrying amount of the loan, the carrying amount of the loan is adjusted to the fair value. The carrying amount of the property is further reduced, if necessary, at least every 45 days to reflect observable local market data, including local area sales data.

Due from affiliates:  Carrying amount approximates fair value because the interest rates on these receivables adjust with changing market interest rates.

Commercial paper:  The fair value of these instruments approximates existing carrying amount because interest rates on these instruments adjust with changes in market interest rates due to their short-term maturity or repricing characteristics.

Long-term debt and Due to affiliates:  Fair value was primarily determined by a third party valuation source. The pricing services source fair value from quoted market prices and, if not available, expected cash flows are discounted using the appropriate interest rate for the applicable duration of the instrument adjusted for our own credit risk (spread). The credit spreads applied to these instruments were derived from the spreads recognized in the secondary market for similar debt as of the measurement date. Where available, relevant trade data is also considered as part of our validation process.

Derivative financial assets and liabilities:  Derivative values are defined as the amount we would receive or pay to extinguish the contract using a market participant as of the reporting date. The values are determined by management using a pricing system maintained by HSBC Bank USA. In determining these values, HSBC Bank

 

59


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

USA uses quoted market prices, when available, principally for exchange-traded options. For non-exchange traded contracts, such as interest rate swaps, fair value is determined using discounted cash flow modeling techniques. Valuation models calculate the present value of expected future cash flows based on models that utilize independently-sourced market parameters, including interest rate yield curves, option volatilities, and currency rates. Valuations may be adjusted in order to ensure that those values represent appropriate estimates of fair value. These adjustments are generally required to reflect factors such as market liquidity and counterparty credit risk that can affect prices in arms-length transactions with unrelated third parties. Finally, other transaction specific factors such as the variety of valuation models available, the range of unobservable model inputs and other model assumptions can affect estimates of fair value. Imprecision in estimating these factors can impact the amount of revenue or loss recorded for a particular position.

Counterparty credit risk is considered in determining the fair value of a financial asset. The Fair Value Framework specifies that the fair value of a liability should reflect the entity’s non-performance risk and accordingly, the effect of our own credit risk (spread) has been factored into the determination of the fair value of our financial liabilities, including derivative instruments. In estimating the credit risk adjustment to the derivative assets and liabilities, we take into account the impact of netting and/or collateral arrangements that are designed to mitigate counterparty credit risk.

16.    Litigation and Regulatory Matters

 

In addition to the matters described below, in the ordinary course of business, we are routinely named as defendants in, or as parties to, various legal actions and proceedings relating to activities of our current and/or former operations. These legal actions and proceedings may include claims for substantial or indeterminate compensatory or punitive damages, or for injunctive relief. In the ordinary course of business, we also are subject to governmental and regulatory examinations, information-gathering requests, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal), certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injunctions or other relief. In connection with formal and informal inquiries by these regulators, we receive numerous requests, subpoenas and orders seeking documents, testimony and other information in connection with various aspects of our regulated activities.

In view of the inherent unpredictability of litigation and regulatory matters, particularly where the damages sought are substantial or indeterminate or when the proceedings or investigations are in the early stages, we cannot determine with any degree of certainty the timing or ultimate resolution of litigation and regulatory matters or the eventual loss, fines, penalties or business impact, if any, that may result. We establish reserves for litigation and regulatory matters when those matters present loss contingencies that are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. The actual costs of resolving litigation and regulatory matters, however, may be substantially higher than the amounts reserved for those matters.

Given the substantial or indeterminate amounts sought in certain of these matters, and the inherent unpredictability of such matters, an adverse outcome in certain of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements in particular quarterly or annual periods.

Litigation – Continuing Operations

Securities Litigation As a result of an August 2002 restatement of previously reported consolidated financial statements and other corporate events, including the 2002 settlement with 46 states and the District of Columbia relating to real estate lending practices, Household International and certain former officers were named as defendants in a class action lawsuit, Jaffe v. Household International, Inc., et al. (N.D. Ill. No. 02 C5893), filed August 19, 2002. The complaint asserted claims under § 10 and § 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, on behalf of all persons who acquired and disposed of Household International common stock between July 30, 1999 and October 11, 2002. The claims alleged that the defendants knowingly or recklessly made false and misleading statements of material fact relating to Household’s Consumer Lending operations, including

 

60


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

collections, sales and lending practices, some of which ultimately led to the 2002 state settlement agreement, and facts relating to accounting practices evidenced by the restatement. A jury trial concluded on April 30, 2009, and the jury rendered a verdict on May 7 partially in favor of the plaintiffs with respect to Household International and three former officers. A second phase of the case was to proceed to determine the actual damages, if any, due to the plaintiff class and issues of reliance. On November 22, 2010, the Court issued a ruling on the second phase of the case. On the issue of reliance, the Court ruled that claim forms would be mailed to class members and that class members who file claims would be asked to check a “YES” or “NO” box to a question that asks whether they would have purchased Household stock had they known false and misleading statements inflated the stock price. As for damages, the Court set out a method for calculating damages for class members who file claims. As previously reported, in Court filings in March 2010, plaintiff’s lawyers have estimated that damages could range ‘somewhere between $2.4 billion to $3.2 billion to class members’, before pre-judgment interest. The defendants filed a motion for reconsideration from the Court’s November 22 ruling. On January 14, 2011, the Court partially granted that motion, slightly modifying the claim form, allowing defendants to take limited discovery on the issue of reliance and reserving on the issue whether the defendants would ultimately be entitled to a jury trial on the issues of reliance and damages. On January 31, 2011 and April 7, 2011, the Court issued other rulings clarifying the scope of discovery. Plaintiffs mailed the claim forms with the modified language to class members.

In December 2011, plaintiffs submitted the report of the Court-appointed claims administrator to the Court. That report stated that the total number of claims that generated an allowed loss was 45,921, and that the aggregate amount of these claims was approximately $2.23 billion. Defendants have submitted their objections to certain claims and the plaintiffs have filed their response. At a conference held before the Court on April 20, 2012, the Court referred the issues relating to the claims to a magistrate judge for resolution. Plaintiffs have objected to this referral and we are awaiting the Court’s ruling. We are also awaiting the Court’s ruling on defendants’ submission addressing the element of reliance in this case. Plaintiff’s are expected to ask the Court to assess pre-judgment interest to be included as part of the Court’s final judgment. We expect the Court’s final judgment to be entered at some point after the claims issues are resolved.

The timing and outcome of the ultimate resolution of this matter is uncertain. When a final judgment is entered by the District Court, the parties have 30 days in which to appeal the verdict to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. We continue to believe that we have meritorious grounds for appeal of one or more of the rulings in the case and intend to appeal the Court’s final judgment, which could involve a substantial amount once it is entered.

Upon appeal, we will be required to secure the judgment in order to suspend execution of the judgment while the appeal is ongoing by depositing cash in an interest-bearing escrow account or posting an appeal bond in the amount of the judgment (including any pre-judgment interest awarded). Given the complexity and uncertainties associated with the actual determination of damages, including the outcome of any appeals, there is a wide range of possible damages. We believe we have meritorious grounds for appeal on matters of both liability and damages, and will argue on appeal that damages should be zero or a relatively insignificant amount. If the Appeals Court rejects or only partially accepts our arguments, the amount of damages, including pre-judgment interest, could be higher, and may lie in a range from a relatively insignificant amount to somewhere in the region of $3.5 billion and, therefore, it is reasonably possible that future expenses related to this matter could exceed $3.0 billion.

Lender-Placed Insurance Matters Lender-placed insurance involves a lender obtaining a hazard insurance policy on a mortgaged property when the borrower fails to maintain their own policy. The cost of the lender-placed insurance is then passed on to the borrower. Industry practices with respect to lender-placed insurance are receiving heightened regulatory scrutiny. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recently announced that lender-placed insurance is an important issue and is expected to publish related regulations sometime in 2012. In October 2011, a number of mortgage servicers and insurers, including our affiliate, HSBC Insurance (USA) Inc., received subpoenas from the New York Department of Financial Services (the “NYDFS”) with respect to lender-placed insurance activities dating back to September 2005. We have and will continue to provide documentation and information to the NYDFS that is responsive to the subpoena.

 

61


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Between June 2011 and March 2012, several putative class actions related to lender-placed insurance were filed against various HSBC U.S. entities, including an action against one of our subsidiaries captioned Still et al. v. Beneficial Financial I Inc. et al. (Cal. Super. Ct. Case No. KC062390). These actions relate primarily to industry-wide regulatory concerns, and include allegations regarding the relationships and potential conflicts of interest between the various entities that place the insurance, the value and cost of the insurance that is placed, back-dating policies to the date the borrower allowed it to lapse, self-dealing and insufficient disclosure.

A recent routine state examination of our mortgage servicing practices concluded that borrowers were overcharged for lender-placed hazard insurance coverage based on the terms of the underlying mortgages during the period from August 2009 through September 2011, and required us to refund excess premiums charged to impacted borrowers in that state. In the first quarter of 2012, we recorded an accrual reflecting our estimate of premiums that will be refunded to the impacted borrowers as well as borrowers in other states who may have similar contractual claims.

Litigation – Discontinued Operations

Card Services Litigation Since June 2005, HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC North America, and HSBC, as well as other banks and Visa Inc. and Master Card Incorporated, have been named as defendants in four class actions filed in Connecticut and the Eastern District of New York; Photos Etc. Corp. et al. v. Visa U.S.A., Inc., et al. (D. Conn. No. 05-CV-01007 (WWE)): National Association of Convenience Stores, et al. v. Visa U.S.A., Inc., et al. (E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV 4520 (JG)); Jethro Holdings, Inc., et al. v. Visa U.S.A., Inc. et al. (E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV-4521 (JG)); and American Booksellers Ass’n v. Visa U.S.A., Inc. et al. (E.D.N.Y. No. 05-CV-5391 (JG)). Numerous other complaints containing similar allegations (in which no HSBC entity is named) were filed across the country against Visa Inc., MasterCard Incorporated and other banks. These actions principally allege that the imposition of a no-surcharge rule by the associations and/or the establishment of the interchange fee charged for credit card transactions causes the merchant discount fee paid by retailers to be set at supracompetitive levels in violation of the Federal antitrust laws. These suits have been consolidated and transferred to the Eastern District of New York. The consolidated case is: In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720, E.D.N.Y. (“MDL 1720”). A consolidated, amended complaint was filed by the plaintiffs on April 24, 2006 and a second consolidated amended complaint was filed on January 29, 2009. On February 7, 2011, MasterCard Incorporated, Visa Inc., the other defendants, including HSBC Finance Corporation, and certain affiliates of the defendants entered into settlement and judgment sharing agreements (the “Agreements”) that provide for the apportionment of certain defined costs and liabilities that the defendants, including HSBC Finance Corporation and our affiliates, may incur, jointly and/or severally, in the event of an adverse judgment or global settlement of one or all of these actions. The Agreements also cover any other potential or future actions that are transferred for coordinated pre-trial proceedings with MDL 1720.

The parties engaged in a mediation process at the direction of the District Court. On July 13, 2012, MasterCard Incorporated, Visa Inc. and the other defendants, including the HSBC defendants, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to settle the class litigations consolidated into MDL 1720. Separately, the same defendants continue to negotiate an agreement to settle all claims brought by individual merchant plaintiffs consolidated into MDL 1720. The MOU for the class litigations sets out a binding obligation to enter into a settlement agreement in the form attached to the MOU. The settlement is subject to: (i) the successful completion of certain appendices regarding class notice, claims, and other procedures, (ii) the successful negotiation of a settlement agreement with the individual merchant plaintiffs, (iii) final court approval of the class settlement and (iv) any necessary internal approvals for the parties. In the fourth quarter of 2011, we increased our litigation reserves to an amount equal to our estimated portion of a potential settlement of this matter.

Debt Cancellation Litigation Between July 2010 and May 2011, eight substantially similar putative class actions were filed against our subsidiaries, HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. (“HSBC Bank Nevada”) and HSBC Card Services Inc.: Rizera et al v. HSBC Bank Nevada et al. (D.N.J. No. 10-CV-03375); Esslinger et al v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (E.D. Pa. No. 10-CV-03213); McAlister et al. v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (W.D. Wash.

 

62


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

No. 10-CV-05831); Mitchell v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (D. Md. No. 10-CV-03232); Samuels v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (N.D. III. No. 11-CV-00548); McKinney v. HSBC Card Services et al. (S.D. III. No. 10-CV-00786); Chastain v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. (South Carolina Court of Common Pleas, 13th Circuit) (filed as a counterclaim to a pending collections action); Colton et al. v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (C.D. Ca. No. 11-CV-03742). These actions principally allege that cardholders were enrolled in debt cancellation or suspension products and challenge various marketing or administrative practices relating to those products. The plaintiffs’ claims include breach of contract and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unconscionability, unjust enrichment, and violations of state consumer protection and deceptive acts and practices statutes. The Mitchell action was withdrawn by the plaintiff in March 2011. In July 2011, the parties in Rizera, Esslinger, McAlister, Samuels, McKinney and Colton executed a memorandum of settlement and filed notices of settlement of all claims in each respective court. The parties have memorialized the terms and conditions of the settlement in a formal agreement, and submitted the settlement on a consolidated basis for approval by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. On February 23, 2012, the District Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement and scheduled the final approval hearing for October 1, 2012. We are adequately reserved for the proposed settlement. A motion for class certification and a motion to defer consideration of class certification pending completion of the settlement were heard in the Chastain action. The motion to defer was granted and the case placed on stay pending progression of the consolidated settlement. The plaintiff in Chastain then sought reconsideration of the District Court’s preliminary approval order. The request was denied and the plaintiff has appealed that ruling.

In October 2011, the Attorney General for the State of West Virginia filed a purported class action in the Circuit Court of Mason County, West Virginia, captioned State of West Virginia ex rel. Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. et al v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A. et al. (No. 11-C-93-N), alleging similar claims in connection with the marketing, selling and administering of ancillary services, including debt cancellation and suspension products to consumers in West Virginia. In addition to damages, the Attorney General is seeking civil money penalties and injunctive relief. The action was initially removed to Federal court. The Attorney General’s motion to remand to State court was granted and we filed a motion to dismiss the compliant in March 2012. In late 2011, we received a similar inquiry from another state’s Attorney General, although no action has yet been filed in that state.

In April 2012, the Attorney General for the State of Hawaii filed lawsuits against seven major credit card companies, including certain of our subsidiaries, in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit for the State of Hawaii, alleging that credit card customers were improperly and deceptively enrolled in various ancillary services, including payment protection plans and without regard to potential eligibility for benefits. In an action captioned State of Hawaii ex rel David Louie, Attorney General v. HSBC Bank Nevada N.A. and HSBC Card Services, Inc., et al. (No. 12-1-0983-04), the Attorney General alleges claims for unfair and deceptive marketing practices, consumer fraud against elders and unjust enrichment. The relief sought includes an injunction against deceptive and unfair practices, restitution and disgorgement of profits, and civil monetary penalties. The action was removed to Federal court in May 2012.

In June 2012, the Attorney General for the State of Mississippi filed complaints against six credit card companies, including our subsidiaries HSBC Bank Nevada and HSBC Card Services Inc. and our affiliate HSBC Bank USA, N.A. In an action captioned Jim Hood, Attorney General of the State of Mississippi, ex. rel. The State of Mississippi v. HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., HSBC Card Services, Inc., and HSBC Bank USA, N.A., the Attorney General alleges claims that are substantially the same as those made in the West Virginia and Hawaii Attorney General actions consumer protection and unjust enrichment claims in connection with the defendants’ marketing, selling and administering of ancillary services, including payment protection plans. The relief sought includes injunction against deceptive and unfair practices, disgorgement of profits, and civil money penalties.

Governmental and Regulatory Matters

Foreclosure Practices In April 2011, HSBC Finance Corporation and our indirect parent, HSBC North America, entered into a consent cease and desist order with the Federal Reserve Board (the “Federal Reserve”) (the

 

63


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

“Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order”), and our affiliate, HSBC Bank USA, entered into a similar consent order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) (together with the Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order, the “Servicing Consent Orders”) following completion of a broad horizontal review of industry foreclosure practices. The Federal Reserve Servicing Consent Order requires us to take prescribed actions to address the deficiencies noted in the joint examination and described in the consent order. We are committed to full compliance with the terms of the Servicing Consent Orders, as described in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. We continue to work with the Federal Reserve and the OCC to align our processes with the requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders and are implementing operational changes as required.

The Servicing Consent Orders require an independent review of foreclosures (“the Foreclosure Review”) pending or completed between January 2009 and December 2010 (the “Foreclosure Review Period”) to determine if any borrower was financially injured as a result of an error in the foreclosure process. Consistent with the industry, and as required by the Servicing Consent Orders, an independent consultant has been retained to conduct that review, and remediation, including restitution, may be required if a borrower is found to have been financially injured as a result of servicer errors. In conjunction with the foreclosure review, a communication and outreach plan has been developed and implemented to contact borrowers with foreclosures pending or completed during the Foreclosure Review Period. We will conduct the outreach efforts in collaboration with other mortgage loan servicers and independent consultants in order to present a uniform, coherent and user-friendly complaint process. Written communications have been sent to borrowers who were subject to foreclosure proceedings during the Foreclosure Review Period notifying them of the foreclosure complaint review process and providing them with forms that can be used to request a review of their foreclosure proceeding. The outreach plan currently includes a staggered mailing to borrowers, which began on November 1, industry media advertising, which began in January 2012 and a website at which a borrower can request a review. In June 2012, the Federal Reserve and the OCC released a financial remediation framework for use by the independent consultants to recommend remediation for financial injury identified during the Foreclosure Review. Pursuant to this framework, remediation available to a borrower who is found to have been financially injured as a result of servicer errors could include suspension of a pending foreclosure, loan modification, or a lump sum payment ranging from $500 to $125,000 plus equity in the most egregious cases. Any borrower who receives remediation will not be precluded from pursuing litigation concerning foreclosure or other mortgage servicing practices. We expect the costs associated with the Servicing Consent Orders, including the Foreclosure Review, customer outreach plan and complaint process will continue to result in significant increases in our operational expenses in future periods. Any resulting remediation could result in further increased costs.

The Servicing Consent Orders do not preclude additional enforcement actions against HSBC Finance Corporation or our affiliates by bank regulatory, governmental or law enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Justice or State Attorneys General, which could include the imposition of civil money penalties and other sanctions relating to the activities that are the subject of the Servicing Consent Orders. The Federal Reserve has indicated in a press release that it believes monetary penalties are appropriate for the enforcement actions and that it plans to announce such penalties. We may also see an increase in private litigation concerning foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices.

On February 9, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and State Attorneys General of 49 states announced a settlement with the five largest U.S. mortgage servicers with respect to foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices. HSBC North America, HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC Bank USA have had preliminary discussions with U.S. bank regulators and other governmental agencies regarding a potential resolution, although the timing of any settlement is not presently known. Based on discussions to date, an accrual was determined based on the total projected impact at HSBC North America associated with a proposed settlement of this matter. We recorded an accrual of $157 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 which reflects the portion of the HSBC North America accrual that we currently believe is allocable to HSBC Finance Corporation. As this matter progresses and more information becomes available, we will continue to evaluate our portion of the HSBC North America liability which may result in a change to our current estimate. Any such settlement, however, may not completely preclude other enforcement

 

64


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

actions by state or federal agencies, regulators or law enforcement agencies relating to foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices, including, but not limited to, matters relating to the securitization of mortgages for investors, including the imposition of civil money penalties, criminal fines or other sanctions. In addition, such a settlement would not preclude private litigation concerning these practices.

Mortgage Securitization Activity In the first half of 2012, we received notice of several claims from investors related to our activities as a sponsor and the activities of our subsidiaries as originators in connection with mortgage-backed securities purchased between 2005 and 2007. We are currently evaluating these claims and discussing them with the investor, but have not concluded that these claims are procedurally or substantively valid. We expect these types of claims to continue and potentially intensify, so long as the U.S. real estate markets continue to be distressed. As a result, we may be subject to additional claims, litigation and governmental and regulatory scrutiny related to our participation as a sponsor or originator in the U.S. mortgage securitization market.

17.    New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Accounting for Costs Associated with Acquiring or Renewing Insurance Contracts In October 2010, the FASB issued guidance which amends the accounting rules that define which costs associated with acquiring or renewing insurance contracts qualify as deferrable acquisition costs by insurance entities. We adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2012. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Repurchase Agreements In April 2011, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update related to repurchase agreements. This new guidance removes the criterion requiring the transferor to have the ability to repurchase or redeem the financial assets on substantially the agreed terms, even in the event of default by the transferee, and the related collateral maintenance guidance from the assessment of effective control. As a result, an entity is no longer required to consider the sufficiency of the collateral exchanged but will evaluate the transferor’s contractual rights and obligations to determine whether it maintains effective control over the transferred assets. The new guidance is required to be applied prospectively for all transactions that occur on or after January 1, 2012. Adoption did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures In May 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update to converge with newly issued IFRS 13, Fair Value Measurement. The new guidance clarifies that the application of the highest and best use and valuation premise concepts are not relevant when measuring the fair value of financial assets or liabilities. This Accounting Standards Update also requires new and enhanced disclosures on the quantification and valuation processes for significant unobservable inputs, transfers between Levels 1 and 2, and the categorization of all fair value measurements into the fair value hierarchy, even where those measurements are only for disclosure purposes. We adopted the new disclosure requirements effective January 1, 2012. See Note 15, “Fair Value Measurement,” in these consolidated financial statements.

Presentation of Comprehensive Income In June 2011, the FASB issued a new Accounting Standards Update on the presentation of other comprehensive income. This Update requires entities to present net income and other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements of net income and other comprehensive income. The option to present items of other comprehensive income in the statement of changes in equity is eliminated. We adopted the new guidance effective January 1, 2012. See the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Note 10, “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” in these consolidated financial statements.

 

65


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes and tables included elsewhere in this report and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (the “2011 Form 10-K”). MD&A may contain certain statements that may be forward-looking in nature within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition, we may make or approve certain statements in future filings with the SEC, in press releases, or oral or written presentations by representatives of HSBC Finance Corporation that are not statements of historical fact and may also constitute forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “appears,” “believe,” “intends,” “expects,” “estimates,” “targeted,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “goal” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but should not be considered as the only means through which these statements may be made. These matters or statements will relate to our future financial condition, economic forecast, results of operations, plans, objectives, performance or business developments and will involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from that which were expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions and speak only as of the date they are made. HSBC Finance Corporation undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent circumstances or events.

Executive Overview

 

HSBC Finance Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC”). HSBC Finance Corporation may also be referred to in MD&A as “we”, “us”, or “our”.

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations excludes the results of our discontinued operations from all periods presented unless otherwise noted. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion of these operations.

Current Environment  The U.S. economy continued its overall weak recovery during the first half of 2012. During the second quarter, first quarter GDP was revised down to 1.9 percent and uncertainty remains an issue as businesses and markets look for clarity on Europe, the health of the U.S. economy and fiscal policy. For the second year in a row, consumer confidence has been on the decline during the second quarter as sovereign debt fears in Europe and domestic fiscal uncertainties are again playing a role in diminishing sentiment and continue to impact interest rates and spreads. Serious threats to economic growth remain, including high energy costs, continued pressure and uncertainty in the housing market and elevated unemployment levels. Businesses continue to be cautious about the underlying strength of demand over the remainder of 2012 and are hesitant about ramping up their hiring activity. Federal Reserve policy makers currently anticipate that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the Federal funds rate at least through late 2014 and recent worries about the spillover effects of the deepening fiscal crisis in Europe have once again raised the possibility that the Federal Reserve may initiate new action to stimulate economic activity. While home sales have improved since the end of 2011 and the oversupply of homes for sale has been shrinking, in part due to industry-wide foreclosure issues, housing prices continue to remain under pressure in many markets due to elevated foreclosure levels and further declines may be necessary before substantial progress in reducing the inventory of homes occurs.

Mortgage lending industry trends continued to be affected by the following in 2012:

 

  >  

Overall levels of delinquencies remain elevated;

 

66


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

  >  

While we ceased originating mortgage loans in early 2009, mortgage loan originations from 2006 through 2008 continue to perform worse than originations from prior periods;

 

  >  

Significant delays in foreclosure proceedings as a result of the broad horizontal review of industry foreclosure practices by the Federal Reserve Board (“Federal Reserve”) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”), that culminated in the issuance of consent orders to many servicers;

 

  >  

Real estate markets in a large portion of the United States continue to be affected by stagnation or declines in property values experienced over the last few years;

 

  >  

Levels of foreclosed properties and properties in the process of being foreclosed remain elevated, which has continued to impact home prices during the first half of 2012; and

 

  >  

Tighter lending standards by mortgage lenders, which impact the ability of borrowers to refinance existing mortgage loans.

While the economy continued to add jobs in the first half of 2012, the pace of new job creation continues to be slower than needed to meaningfully reduce unemployment. As a result, there continues to be uncertainty as to how pronounced the economic recovery will be and whether it can be sustained. U.S. unemployment rates, which have been a major factor in the deterioration of credit quality in the U.S., remained high at 8.2 percent in June 2012. Also, a significant number of U.S. residents are no longer looking for work and, therefore, are not reflected in the U.S. unemployment rates. Unemployment has continued to have an impact on the provision for credit losses in our loan portfolio and in loan portfolios across the industry. Concerns about the future of the U.S. economy, including the pace and magnitude of recovery from the recent economic recession, consumer confidence, volatility in energy prices, credit market volatility, including the ability to permanently resolve the European sovereign debt crisis and trends in corporate earnings will continue to influence the U.S. economic recovery and the capital markets. In particular, continued improvement in unemployment rates, a sustained recovery of the housing markets and stabilization in energy prices remain critical components of a broader U.S. economic recovery. Further weakening in any of these components as well as in consumer confidence may result in additional deterioration in consumer payment patterns and credit quality. Weak consumer fundamentals including declines in wage income and a difficult job market continue to influence consumer confidence. Additionally, there is continued uncertainty as to the future course of monetary policy and as to the impact on the economy and consumer confidence as the actions previously taken by the government to restore faith in the capital markets and stimulate consumer spending end. These conditions in combination with the impact of recent regulatory changes, including the continued implementation of the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010” (“Dodd-Frank”), will continue to impact our results in 2012 and beyond, the degree of which is largely dependent upon the pace and extent of the economic recovery.

Due to the significant slow-down in foreclosure processing which began in the second half of 2008, and in some instances the prior cessation of all foreclosure processing by numerous loan servicers in late 2010, there has been a reduction in the number of properties being marketed following foreclosure. This reduction may increase demand for properties currently on the market resulting in a stabilization of home prices but may also result in a larger number of vacant properties still pending foreclosure in certain communities creating downward pressure on general property values. Moreover, as servicers begin to increase foreclosure activities and market properties in large numbers, a significant over-supply of housing inventory is likely to occur. This could lead to an increase in loss severity, which would adversely impact our provision for credit losses in future periods.

In addition, certain courts and state legislatures have issued new rules or statutes relating to foreclosures. Scrutiny of foreclosure documentation has increased in some courts. Also, in some areas, officials are requiring additional verification of information filed prior to the foreclosure proceeding. The combination of these factors has led to a significant backlog of foreclosures which will take time to resolve. If these trends continue, there could be additional delays in the processing of foreclosures, which could have an adverse impact on housing prices that is likely to result in higher loss severities while foreclosures are delayed.

 

67


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Growing government indebtedness and a large budget deficit have resulted in a downgrade in the U.S. sovereign debt rating by one major rating agency and two major rating agencies placing U.S. sovereign debt on a negative watch. There is an underlying risk that lower growth, fiscal challenges and a general lack of political consensus will result in continued scrutiny of the U.S. credit standing over the longer term. While the potential effects of the U.S. downgrade are broad and impossible to accurately predict, they could over time include a widening of sovereign and corporate credit spreads, devaluation of the U.S. dollar and a general market move away from riskier assets.

Business Focus  As discussed in prior filings, our Insurance business has been under a strategic review since the second half of 2011. As part of this review, we previously decided to cease issuing new term life insurance in the United States effective January 2012. During the second quarter of 2012, we completed our strategic review of this business. We decided to exit the manufacturing of all insurance products through the sale of our interest in substantially all of our insurance subsidiaries as this business did not fit with our core strategy in the United States and Canada. Insurance products will continue to be offered to HSBC customers through non-affiliate providers. As a result, our Insurance operations are now part of a disposal group held for sale and we have now reported this business as discontinued operations beginning in the second quarter of 2012. At June 30, 2012, disposal group assets consisted primarily of available-for-sale securities totaling $1.7 billion and disposal group liabilities consisted primarily of insurance policy and claim reserves totaling $1.0 billion. Upon classification as held for sale, we recognized other-than-temporary impairment on the unrealized loss associated with these securities totaling $1 million as we no longer have the intent to hold these securities until recovery of the unrealized loss. Since the carrying value of the disposal group is greater than its estimated fair value less estimated costs to sell, we recorded an after-tax impairment loss of $164 million in the second quarter of 2012 to reflect the disposal group at the lower of amortized cost or fair value less estimated costs to sell on our balance sheet at June 30, 2012.

On May 1, 2012, HSBC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC USA Inc and other wholly-owned affiliates, sold its Card and Retail Services business to Capital One Financial Corporation (“Capital One”) for a premium of 8.75 percent of receivables. In addition to receivables, the sale included real estate and certain other assets and liabilities which were sold at book value or, in the case of real estate, appraised value at the date of closing. Under the terms of the agreement, facilities in Chesapeake, Virginia; Las Vegas, Nevada; Mettawa, Illinois; Volo, Illinois; Hanover, Maryland; Salinas, California; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Tigard, Oregon were sold or transferred to Capital One, although we have entered into site-sharing arrangements for certain of these locations for a period of time. The total cash consideration was $11.8 billion which resulted in a pre-tax gain of $2.2 billion ($1.4 billion after-tax) being recorded during the second quarter of 2012. The majority of the employees in our Card and Retail Services business transferred to Capital One. As such, no significant one-time closure or severance costs were incurred as a result of this transaction. Our Card and Retail Services business is reported in discontinued operations.

As a result of the sale of our Card and Retail Services business our credit card banking subsidiary, HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., no longer has any ongoing business operations and we intend to surrender its national bank charter to the OCC as soon as practicable. We currently anticipate this will occur during the first quarter of 2013.

As discussed in prior filings, we have been engaged in an on-going evaluation of the optimal size of our balance sheet taking into consideration our liquidity, capital and funding requirements. Based on this on-going evaluation, we have identified a pool of real estate secured receivables for which we no longer have the intent to hold for the foreseeable future and, as a result, transferred this pool of real estate secured receivables to receivables held for sale during the second quarter of 2012. We anticipate the receivables will be sold in multiple transactions generally over the next two years or, if the foreclosure process is completed prior to sale, the underlying properties acquired in satisfaction of the receivables will be classified as real estate owned (“REO”) and sold. This pool of receivables includes a substantial majority of our real estate receivables which have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell as of June 30, 2012 in accordance with our existing charge-off policies as we considered the collateral as the primary source for

 

68


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

repayment. However, as we now plan to sell these receivables, fair value represents the price we believe a third party investor would pay to acquire the receivable portfolios. A third party investor of receivables would incorporate a number of assumptions in predicting future cash flows, such as differing loss estimates and/or differing times to collect outstanding balances than we as the servicer of these receivables believe would be the case. A third party investor’s discount rates would also reflect these differences in overall cost of capital as well as the potential volatility in the underlying cash flow assumptions, the combination of which results in a lower estimate of fair value for the cash flows associated with the receivables. These receivables have been transferred to held for sale as of June 30, 2012 with a current fair value of $3.3 billion at the time of transfer which resulted in a non-credit lower of cost or fair value adjustment of $1.3 billion which was recorded as a component of other revenues during the three months ended June 30, 2012. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

We currently believe, based on the projected timing of loan sales and the anticipated flow of foreclosure volume into REO over the next two years, that a portion of the real estate secured receivables classified as held for sale will ultimately become REO. Upon classification of the underlying properties acquired in satisfaction of these loans as REO, the properties will be recorded at the fair value of the collateral less costs to sell which we expect will represent a higher value than the price a third party investor would pay to acquire the receivables as explained above. As a result, a portion of the fair value adjustment recorded during the second quarter of 2012 when these receivables were transferred to held for sale will likely be recorded in earnings over time, which could be in the region of 20 percent of the fair value adjustment recorded on these receivables at the time of transfer and will be disclosed in future periods as amounts are recognized. This estimate is highly dependent upon the timing and size of future receivable sales as well as the volume and timelines associated with foreclosure activity.

In addition to the real estate secured receivables discussed above, we also determined we no longer have the intent to hold our portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables for the foreseeable future and anticipate these receivables will be sold in the near term. The personal non-credit card receivable portfolio was transferred to held for sale as of June 30, 2012 with a current fair value of $3.5 billion at the time of transfer. This resulted in a lower of cost or fair value adjustment of $310 million during the three months ended June 30, 2012 of which $112 million was attributable to credit and recorded as a component of the provision for credit losses and $198 million was attributable to the impact on value caused by current marketplace conditions, including changes in interest rates and liquidity, and was recorded as a component of other revenues. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Excluding receivables held for sale as discussed above, our real estate secured receivable portfolio, which totaled $35.0 billion at June 30, 2012, is currently running off. The timeframe in which this portfolio will liquidate is dependent upon the rate at which receivables pay off or charge-off prior to their maturity, which fluctuates for a variety of reasons such as interest rates, availability of refinancing, home values and individual borrowers’ credit profile, all of which are outside our control. In light of the current economic conditions and mortgage industry trends described above, our loan prepayment rates have slowed when compared to historical experience even though interest rates remain low. Additionally, our loan modification programs, which are primarily designed to improve cash collections and avoid foreclosure as determined to be appropriate, are contributing to the slower loan prepayment rates.

While difficult to project both loan prepayment rates and default rates, based on current experience we expect our runoff real estate secured receivable portfolio (excluding receivables held for sale) to decline to between 40 percent and 50 percent over the next four to five years. Attrition will not be linear during this period. Run-off is expected to be slow as charge-offs decline and the remaining real estate secured receivables stay on the balance sheet longer due to the impact of modifications and/or the lack of re-financing alternatives as well as the impact of our temporary suspension of foreclosure activities.

We continue to evaluate our operations as we seek to optimize our risk profile and cost efficiencies as well as our liquidity, capital and funding requirements. This could result in further strategic actions that may include changes

 

69


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

to our legal structure, asset levels, or cost structure in support of HSBC’s strategic priorities. We also continue to focus on cost optimization efforts to ensure realization of cost efficiencies. In an effort to create a more sustainable cost structure, a formal review was initiated in 2011 to identify areas where we may be able to streamline or redesign operations within certain functions to reduce or eliminate costs. To date, we have identified various opportunities to reduce costs through organizational structure redesign, vendor spending, discretionary spending and other general efficiency initiatives which have resulted in workforce reductions. The workforce reductions have been largely offset, however, by increased staffing related to processing foreclosures as well as for compliance matters. Workforce reductions are also occurring in certain non-compliance shared services functions, which we expect will result in additional reductions to future allocated costs for these functions. The review is continuing and, as a result, we may incur restructuring charges in future periods, the amount of which will depend upon the actions that ultimately are implemented.

During the first quarter of 2012, we made a decision to wind-down our commercial paper program during the remainder of 2012. During the second quarter of 2012, we ceased new commercial paper issuances and have made significant progress in winding down the commercial paper balances. Commercial paper balances outstanding totaled $302 million at June 30, 2012 as compared to $3.9 billion and $4.0 billion at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2012, respectively. Any required funding is being integrated into the overall HSBC North America funding plans, sourced primarily through HSBC USA Inc., or through direct support from HSBC and its affiliates.

Performance, Developments and Trends  We reported a net loss of $258 million and $413 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to a net loss of $48 million and $69 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively.

Loss from continuing operations was $1.5 billion and $2.0 billion during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to losses from continuing operations of $171 million and $393 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. We reported a loss from continuing operations before tax of $2.5 billion and $3.2 billion during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to losses from continuing operations before tax of $337 million and $865 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Our results in 2012 were significantly impacted by the initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment for certain real estate secured receivables as well as our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables, including the credit component recorded in the provision for credit losses, both of which were transferred to held for sale in June 2012. Additionally, our results in both periods were impacted by the change in the fair value of debt and related derivatives for which we have elected fair value option. In order to better understand the underlying performance trends of our business, the following table summarizes the impact of these items on our loss from continuing operations before tax for all periods presented.

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
     (in millions)  

Loss from continuing operations before income tax, as reported

   $ (2,451   $ (337   $ (3,244   $ (865

Initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables transferred to held for sale including the credit component recorded in the provision for credit losses

     1,659        -        1,659        1   

(Gain) loss in value of fair value option debt and related derivatives

     (92     (245     304        (216
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations before income tax, excluding above items(1)

   $ (884   $ (582   $ (1,281   $ (1,080
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.

Excluding the impact of the initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables transferred to held for sale, including the credit component, and the change in the fair value of debt and related derivatives for

 

70


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

which we have elected fair value option in the above table, our loss from continuing operations before tax for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 declined $302 million and $201 million, respectively, compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2011. The decrease in both periods reflects lower other revenues due to lower derivative income (expense), lower net interest income and a higher provision for credit losses, partially offset by lower operating expenses. The lower derivative income (expense) reflects the impact of falling long-term interest rates on the mark-to-market on derivatives in our non-qualifying economic hedge portfolio. The impact of interest rates on our non-qualifying economic hedge portfolio resulted in losses of $481 million and $242 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to losses of $149 million and $86 million during the year-ago periods. While these positions act as economic hedges by lowering our overall interest rate risk through more closely matching both the structure and duration of our liabilities to the structure and duration of our assets, they did not qualify as effective hedges under hedge accounting principles.

Net interest income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 reflecting lower average receivables as a result of receivable liquidation and a lower overall receivable yield, partially offset by lower interest expense due to lower average borrowings and lower average rates. Additionally, net interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 benefited from an increase in our estimate of interest receivable relating to income tax receivables of $82 million and $81 million, respectively, due to a resolution of an issue with the Internal Revenue Service Appeals’ Office during the second quarter of 2011 which was recorded as a component of finance and other interest income. Net interest margin was 2.93 percent and 2.96 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to 3.22 percent and 2.95 percent during the year-ago periods. Net interest margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was impacted by tax-related interest income as discussed above. Excluding the impact of this item from the historical periods presented, net interest margin was higher during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 driven by a lower cost of funds as a percentage of average interest earning assets, partially offset by lower overall receivable yields as discussed above. See “Results of Operations” in this MD&A for additional discussion regarding net interest income and net interest margin.

Our provision for credit losses increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods as discussed below:

 

   

The provision for credit losses for real estate secured loans increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods reflecting the impact of higher reserve requirements on TDR Loans during the first half of 2012 as a result of higher TDR Loan levels and updates in prepayment speeds and yield assumptions used in the discount cash flow methodology as well as adopting a new Accounting Standards Update as discussed below. This increase was partially offset by the impact of lower receivable balances and lower loss estimates as compared to the year-ago periods.

 

   

The provision for credit losses for our personal non-credit card receivables increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods. As discussed above, at June 30, 2012 we transferred our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to receivables held for sale which resulted in a cumulative lower of cost or fair value adjustment of which $112 million related to credit and was recorded as a component of provision for credit losses during the current quarter. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the lower of cost or fair value adjustment for receivables held for sale. Excluding this item from the current periods, the provision for credit losses for personal non-credit card receivables decreased in both periods as the impact of a higher loss provision on TDR Loans driven by the adoption of the new Accounting Standards Update as discussed below was more than offset by lower receivable levels and improved credit quality including lower delinquency levels and lower loss estimates as compared to the year-ago periods. In future periods, we will no longer record provision for credit losses for personal non-credit card receivables as our entire personal non-credit card portfolio is classified as receivables held for sale and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

As discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K, during the third quarter of 2011, we adopted an Accounting Standards Update

 

71


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

which provided additional guidance to determine whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring for purposes of the identification and disclosure of TDR Loans as well as for recording impairment. This new accounting guidance continues to impact our provision for credit loss in periods post-adoption, as loans that otherwise would not have qualified for such reporting in the past are now meeting the criteria under the new accounting guidance to be reported and reserved for as TDR Loans which will continue in future periods. Therefore, the provision for credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 is not comparable to the provision for credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

See “Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of our provision for credit losses.

Credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 decreased $1.3 billion as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 largely reflecting the impact of the transfer to receivables held for sale of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as well as the substantial majority of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. Credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to their transfer to held for sale totaled $1.3 billion (including $112 million of lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment associated with credit on the personal non-credit card receivables). As a result, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 are only associated with real estate secured receivables held for investment. Excluding the impact of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 would have decreased $71 million and $158 million as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, reflecting lower receivable levels, improved economic and credit conditions, including lower delinquency levels and an increase in the amount and percentage of real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less to sell, partially off set by higher reserve requirements on TDR Loans due to higher outstanding balances as well as updates in the assumptions regarding prepayment speeds and yield assumptions used in the discounted cash flow methodology. See “Credit Quality” for further discussion of credit loss reserves.

A significant portion of our receivable portfolio held for investment is considered to be TDR Loans which are reserved for based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans’ original effective interest rate which generally results in a higher reserve requirement for these loans. Additionally, a portion of real estate secured receivables in our portfolio are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. The following table summarizes these receivables held for investment in comparison to our real estate secured receivable portfolio:

 

     

June 30,

2012

   

December 31,

2011

 
     (in millions)  

Total real estate secured receivables held for investment

   $ 34,956      $ 42,713   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell

   $ 1,441      $ 5,937   

Real estate secured TDR Loans(1)

     12,071        11,717   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Real estate secured receivables carried at either the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell or reserved for using a discounted cash flow methodology

   $ 13,512      $ 17,654   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Real estate secured receivables carried at either the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell or reserved for using a discounted cash flow methodology as a percentage of real estate secured receivables

     38.7     41.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Excludes TDR Loans which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

Total operating expenses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 were impacted by an increase in legal reserves of $150 million related to increased exposure estimates on certain litigation matters. Excluding this item from both periods, total operating expenses increased $6 million, or 3 percent, during the three months

 

72


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

ended June 30, 2012 reflecting the impact of increased expenses for consulting services and compliance related matters, partially offset by lower REO expenses, while total operating expenses decreased $82 million, or 15 percent, during the six months ended June 30, 2012 as the improvement in REO expenses was greater in the year-to-date period and offset the increased expenses for consulting services and compliance related matters. See “Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of operating expenses.

Our effective income tax rate for continuing operations was (38.3) percent and (37.8) percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to (49.3) percent and (54.6) percent for the during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2012 was impacted by state taxes, including a prior period adjustment to the current state liability account. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2012 was also impacted by a change in state tax rates used to value deferred taxes. See Note 9, “Income Taxes,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

The financial information set forth below summarizes selected financial highlights of HSBC Finance Corporation for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
     (dollars are in millions)  

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (1,512   $ (171   $ (2,017   $ (393

Return on average owned assets (“ROA”)

     (11.27 )%      (1.11 )%      (7.65 )%      (1.25 )% 

Return on average common shareholder’s equity (“ROE”)

     (93.15     (12.55     (71.77     (14.16

Net interest margin

     2.93        3.22        2.96        2.95   

Consumer net charge-off ratio, annualized

     6.19        7.13        6.85        8.23   

Efficiency ratio(1)

     (16.21     60.89        (36.00     61.69   

 

      June 30,
2012
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Receivables:

      

Real estate secured

   $ 34,956      $ 41,243      $ 42,713   

Personal non-credit card

     -        4,794        5,196   

Other

     -        4        3   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 34,956      $ 46,041      $ 47,912   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Receivables held for sale

   $ 6,756      $ -      $ -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Two-month-and-over contractual delinquency ratio

     14.92     17.58     17.93

 

 

(1) 

Ratio of total costs and expenses less policyholders’ benefits to net interest income and other revenues less policyholders’ benefits.

Performance Ratios  Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations was (16.21) percent and (36.00) percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to 60.89 percent and 61.69 percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Our efficiency ratio in all periods was impacted by the change in the fair value of debt for which we have elected fair value option accounting and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded on receivables transferred to held for sale during June 2012 as discussed above. Excluding these items from the applicable periods presented, our efficiency ratio deteriorated significantly during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and deteriorated 39 basis points during the year-to-date period as the decreases in net interest income due to receivable portfolio liquidation and other revenues and derivative related income significantly outpaced the decrease in operating expense.

 

73


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

ROE was (93.15) percent and (71.77) percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to (12.55) percent and (14.16) percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. ROA was (11.27) percent and (7.65) percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to (1.11) percent and (1.25) percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. ROE and ROA in all periods were impacted by the change in the fair value of debt for which we have elected fair value option accounting and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded on receivables transferred to held for sale during June 2012 as discussed above. Excluding these items from the periods presented, both ROE and ROA declined during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods due to a higher net loss during the current periods. ROE and ROA were also negatively impacted by the impact of lower average common shareholder’s equity and lower average assets, respectively.

Receivables  Receivables were $35.0 billion at June 30, 2012, $46.0 billion at March 31, 2012 and $47.9 billion at December 31, 2011. The significant decrease largely reflects the transfer to receivables held for sale of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and a portion of our real estate secured receivables as discussed above with a combined fair value of $6.8 billion at the time of transfer. Excluding the impact of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale, receivables decreased as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 reflecting the continued liquidation of our real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivable portfolios, which will continue going forward. Additionally, as compared to December 31, 2011, the decrease also reflects improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments. As it relates to our real estate secured receivable portfolio, liquidation rates continue to be impacted by low loan prepayments as few refinancing opportunities for our customers exist and the previously discussed trends impacting the mortgage lending industry. See “Receivables Review” for a more detailed discussion of the decreases in receivable balances.

Receivables held for sale  During the second quarter of 2012, we transferred to receivables held for sale our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as well as a pool of real estate secured receivables which includes a substantial majority of our real estate receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. These portfolios had a combined fair value of $6.8 billion at the time of transfer. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Credit Quality  Overall dollars of delinquency decreased a total of $1.9 billion and $2.4 billion since March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. As discussed above, the delinquency trends have been impacted by the transfer of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and a substantial majority of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies to held for sale. Excluding the impact of the transfer of those receivables to held for sale, dollars of delinquency decreased $96 million and $594 million as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. In our real estate secured receivable portfolio, dollars of delinquency decreased as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 due to a decrease in dollars of delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent due to lower receivable levels, the impact of improvements in economic conditions and as compared to December 31, 2011, seasonal improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments, partially offset by an increase in late stage delinquency driven by our earlier decision to temporarily suspend foreclosure activities. Excluding the impact of the transfer to held for sale, dollars of delinquency decreased in our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 reflecting the impact of lower receivable levels, improved credit quality and as compared to December 31, 2011, seasonal improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as discussed above. Excluding the impact of the transfer of receivables to held for sale as discussed above, the overall delinquency ratio was 17.95 percent compared to 17.58 percent and 17.93 percent at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The delinquency ratio increased as compared to March 31, 2012 as receivable levels decreased at a faster pace than dollars of delinquency reflecting an increase in late stage delinquency

 

74


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

driven by our earlier decision to temporarily suspend foreclosure activities. As compared to December 31, 2011, the delinquency ratio was essentially flat. See “Credit Quality-Delinquency” for a more detailed discussion of our delinquency ratio.

Overall dollars of net charge-offs for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased as compared to both the prior quarter and prior year quarter as all receivable portfolios were positively impacted by lower receivable levels and lower delinquency levels as discussed above. The decrease also reflects the impact of lower levels of personal bankruptcy filings and improvements in economic conditions. Net charge-off of consumer receivables as a percentage of average consumer receivables (the “net charge-off ratio”) for the three months ended June 30, 2012 decreased as compared to the prior quarter and prior year quarter as the decrease in net charge-off dollars as discussed above outpaced the decrease in receivable levels. See “Credit Quality-Net Charge-offs of Consumer Receivables” for a more detailed discussion of our net charge-off ratio.

Funding and Capital  During the first half of 2012, we did not receive any capital contributions from HSBC Investments (North America) Inc. (“HINO”). However, as we continue to liquidate our real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivable portfolios, HSBC’s continued support will be required to properly manage our business operations and maintain appropriate levels of capital. HSBC has historically provided significant capital in support of our operations and has indicated that it is fully committed and has the capacity and willingness to continue that support.

As discussed above, on June 30, 2012, we transferred our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and a portion of our real estate secured receivables to held for sale as we no longer have the intent to hold these receivables for the foreseeable future for capital or operational reasons. In the current market environment, market pricing continues to value the cash flows associated with the remainder of our real estate secured receivable portfolio at amounts which do not provide economic benefits. Therefore, we have determined that we have the positive intent and ability to hold these remaining real estate secured receivables for the foreseeable future and, as such, have classified these real estate secured receivables as held for investment purposes. However, should market pricing improve in the future or if HSBC calls upon us to execute certain strategies in order to address capital considerations, it could result in the reclassification of additional real estate secured receivables to held for sale.

The tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio was 9.52 percent and 7.11 percent at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. This ratio represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial ratio that is used by HSBC Finance Corporation management, certain rating agencies and our credit-providing banks to evaluate capital adequacy and may be different from similarly named measures presented by other companies. See “Basis of Reporting” and “Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures” for additional discussion and quantitative reconciliation to the equivalent U.S. GAAP basis financial measure.

As discussed in previous filings, HSBC North America is required to implement Basel II provisions in accordance with current regulatory timelines. While we will not report separately under the new rules, the composition of our balance sheet will impact the overall HSBC North America regulatory capital requirement. Adoption of Basel II requires the approval of U.S. regulators and encompasses enhancements to a number of risk policies, processes and systems to align HSBC North America with the Basel II final rule requirements. It is uncertain when HSBC North America will receive approval to adopt Basel II from the Federal Reserve Board, its primary regulator. HSBC North America has integrated Basel II metrics into its management reporting and decision making processes. As a result of Dodd-Frank, a banking organization that has formally implemented Basel II must calculate its capital requirements under Basel I and Basel II, compare the two results, and then use the lower of such ratios for purposes of determining compliance with its minimum Tier 1 capital and total risk-based capital requirements.

 

75


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Income (Loss) Before Income Tax Expense from Continuing Operations – Significant Trends  Loss from continuing operations before income tax expense, and various trends and activity affecting operations, are summarized in the following table:

 

    Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
         2012             2011             2012             2011      
    (in millions)  

Loss from continuing operations before income tax from prior year

  $ (337   $ (1,046   $ (865   $ (2,362

Increase (decrease) in income from continuing operations before income tax attributable to:

       

Net interest income

    (120     28        (156     (91

Provision for credit losses

    (43     738        (126     1,694   

Mark-to-market on derivatives which do not qualify as effective hedges

    (332     265        (156     366   

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

    (153     (225     (520     (387

Initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables transferred to held for sale including the credit component recorded in the provision for credit losses

    (1,659     (2     (1,660     (1

Salaries and employee benefits

    15        19        11        49   

REO expenses

    9        11        86        (57

All other activity(1)

    169        (125     142        (76
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    (2,114     709        (2,379     1,497   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from continuing operations before income tax for current period

  $ (2,451   $ (337   $ (3,244   $ (865
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Reflects other activity for other revenues and operating expenses.

For additional discussion regarding changes in the components of income and expense, see “Results of Operations.”

Basis of Reporting

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Unless noted, the discussion of our financial condition and results of operations included in MD&A are presented on a continuing operations basis of reporting. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

In addition to the U.S. GAAP financial results reported in our consolidated financial statements, MD&A includes reference to the following information which is presented on a non-U.S. GAAP basis:

Equity Ratios  Tangible common equity to tangible assets is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure that is used by HSBC Finance Corporation management, certain rating agencies and our credit-providing banks to evaluate capital adequacy. This ratio excludes from equity the impact of unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging instruments, postretirement benefit plan adjustments, unrealized gains (losses) on investments, intangible assets as well as subsequent changes in fair value recognized in earnings associated with debt for which we elected the fair value option and the related derivatives. This ratio may differ from similarly named measures presented by other companies. The most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure is the common and preferred equity to total assets ratio. For a quantitative reconciliation of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to our common and preferred equity to total assets ratio, see “Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

76


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

International Financial Reporting Standards  Because HSBC reports results in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) and IFRSs results are used in measuring and rewarding performance of employees, our management also separately monitors net income under IFRSs (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure). All purchase accounting fair value adjustments relating to our acquisition by HSBC have been “pushed down” to HSBC Finance Corporation for both U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The following table reconciles our net loss on a U.S. GAAP basis to net loss on an IFRSs basis:

 

     Three Months Ended
June  30,
    Six Months Ended
June  30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
           (in millions)        

Net loss – U.S. GAAP basis

   $ (258   $ (48   $ (413   $ (69

Adjustments, net of tax:

        

Derivatives and hedge accounting (including fair value adjustments)

     (1     (3     (3     (5

Intangible assets

     -        8        -        16   

Loan origination cost deferrals

     2        3        5        (3

Loan impairment

     19        (101     48        (382

Loans transferred to held for sale

     1,070        -        1,070        -   

Loans previously held for sale

     -        (7     -        (14

Interest recognition

     -        (1     (1     (4

Securities

     -        1        -        7   

Present value of long-term insurance contracts

     -        3        5        9   

Pension and other postretirement benefit costs

     (4     4        3        9   

Tax valuation allowances

     -        (6     -        12   

Loss on Insurance disposal group held for sale

     164        -        164        -   

Gain on sale of Card and Retail Services business

     403        -        345        -   

Other

     (7     (19     4        (15
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) – IFRSs basis

     1,388        (166     1,227        (439

Tax (expense) benefit – IFRSs basis

     (725     148        (631     510   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before tax – IFRSs basis

   $ 2,113      $ (314   $ 1,858      $ (949
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

A summary of the significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are presented below:

Derivatives and hedge accounting (including fair value adjustments) – The historical use of the “shortcut” and “long haul” hedge accounting methods for U.S. GAAP resulted in different cumulative adjustments to the hedged item for both fair value and cash flow hedges. These differences are recognized in earnings over the remaining term of the hedged items. All of the hedged relationships which previously qualified under the shortcut method provisions of derivative accounting principles have been redesignated and are now either hedges under the long-haul method of hedge accounting or included in the fair value option election.

Intangible assets – Intangible assets under IFRSs are significantly lower than those under U.S. GAAP as the intangibles created as a result of our acquisition by HSBC were reflected in goodwill for IFRSs. As a result, amortization of intangible assets is lower under IFRSs.

Loan origination cost deferrals – Under IFRSs, loan origination cost deferrals are more stringent and generally result in lower costs being deferred than permitted under U.S. GAAP. In addition, all deferred loan origination fees, costs and loan premiums must be recognized based on the expected life of the receivables under IFRSs as part of the effective interest calculation while under U.S. GAAP they may be recognized on either a contractual or expected life basis. As a result, in years with lower levels of receivable originations, net income is lower under

 

77


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP as the higher costs deferred in prior periods are amortized into income without the benefit of similar levels of cost deferrals for current period originations.

Loan impairment – IFRSs requires a discounted cash flow methodology for estimating impairment on pools of homogeneous customer loans which requires the discounting of cash flows including recovery estimates at the original effective interest rate of the pool of customer loans. The amount of impairment relating to the discounting of future cash flows unwinds with the passage of time, and is recognized in interest income. Also under IFRSs, if the recognition of a write-down to fair value on secured loans decreases because collateral values have improved and the improvement can be related objectively to an event occurring after recognition of the write-down, such write-down can be reversed, which is not permitted under U.S. GAAP. Additionally under IFRSs, future recoveries on charged-off loans or loans written down to fair value less cost to obtain title and sell the collateral are accrued for on a discounted basis and a recovery asset is recorded. Subsequent recoveries are recorded to earnings under U.S. GAAP, but are adjusted against the recovery asset under IFRSs. Under IFRSs, interest on impaired loans is recorded at the effective interest rate on the customer loan balance net of impairment allowances, and therefore reflects the collectibility of the loans.

In the third quarter of 2011 we adopted new guidance under U.S. GAAP for determining whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a TDR Loan. Credit loss reserves on TDR Loans are established based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans’ original effective interest rate.

Under IFRSs, impairment on the residential mortgage loans where we have granted the borrower a concession as a result of financial difficulty is measured based on the cash flows attributable to the credit loss events which occurred before the reporting date. HSBC’s accounting policy under IFRSs is to remove such loans from the category of impaired loans after a defined period of re-performance, although such loans remain segregated from loans that were not impaired in the past for the purposes of collective impairment assessment to reflect their credit risk. Under U.S. GAAP, when a loan is impaired the impairment is measured based on all expected cash flows over the remaining expected life of the loan. Such loans generally remain impaired for the remainder of their lives under U.S. GAAP.

Loans transferred to held for sale – IFRSs requires loans designated as held for sale at the time of origination to be treated as trading assets and recorded at their fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, loans designated as held for sale are reflected as loans and recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported similarly to loans held for investment. Under IFRSs, the income and expenses related to receivables held for sale are reported in other operating income.

For receivables transferred to held for sale subsequent to origination, IFRSs requires these receivables to be reported separately on the balance sheet when certain criteria are met which is generally later than under U.S GAAP, but does not change the recognition and measurement criteria. Accordingly for IFRSs purposes, such loans continue to be accounted for and impairment continues to be measured in accordance with IAS 39, “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” (“IAS 39”), with any gain or loss recorded at the time of sale (unless credit impairment is required to be recognized in accordance with IAS 39). U.S. GAAP requires loans that meet the held for sale classification requirements be transferred to a held for sale category at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, the component of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to credit risk is recorded in the statement of income (loss) as provision for credit losses while the component related to interest rates a liquidity factors is reported in the statement of income (loss) in other revenues.

Loans previously held for sale – Certain receivables that were previously classified as held for sale under U.S. GAAP were transferred to held for investment during 2009 as at that time we intended to hold these receivables for the foreseeable future. Under U.S. GAAP, these receivables were subject to lower of amortized cost or fair value (“LOCOM”) adjustments while classified as held for sale and were transferred to held for investment at

 

78


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

LOCOM. Since these receivables were not classified as held for sale under IFRSs during 2008, these receivables were always reported within loans and the measurement criteria did not change. As a result, loan impairment charges were recorded under IFRSs which were essentially included as a component of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustments under U.S. GAAP.

Interest recognition – The calculation of effective interest rates under IAS 39 requires an estimate of changes in estimated contractual cash flows, including fees and points paid or recovered between parties to the contract that are an integral part of the effective interest rate be included. U.S. GAAP generally prohibits recognition of interest income to the extent the net investment in the loan would increase to an amount greater than the amount at which the borrower could settle the obligation. Also under U.S. GAAP, prepayment penalties are generally recognized as received.

Securities – Under IFRSs, securities include HSBC shares held for stock plans at fair value. These shares are recorded at fair value through other comprehensive income and subsequently recognized in profit and loss as the shares vest. If it is determined these shares have become impaired, the fair value loss is recognized in profit and loss and any fair value loss recorded in other comprehensive income is reversed. There is no similar requirement under U.S. GAAP.

During the second quarter of 2009, under IFRSs we recorded income for the value of additional shares attributed to HSBC shares held for stock plans as a result of HSBC’s rights offering earlier in 2009. During 2011, under IFRSs we recorded additional gains as these shares vest. The additional shares are not recorded under U.S. GAAP.

Present value of long-term insurance contracts – Under IFRSs, the present value of an in-force (“PVIF”) long-term insurance contract is determined by discounting future cash flows expected to emerge from business currently in force using appropriate assumptions plus a margin in assessing factors such as future mortality, lapse rates and levels of expenses, and a discount rate that reflects the risk free rate plus a margin for operational risk. Movements in the PVIF of long-term insurance contracts are included in other operating income. Under U.S. GAAP, revenue is recognized over the life insurance policy term.

Pension and other postretirement benefit costs – Net income under U.S. GAAP is lower than under IFRSs as a result of the amortization of the amount by which actuarial losses exceeded the higher of 10 percent of the projected benefit obligation or fair value of plan assets (the “corridor.”) During the fourth quarter of 2011, under IFRSs we recorded a curtailment gain of $52 million related to our decision to sell our Card and Retail Services business, as previously discussed. Under U.S. GAAP, the curtailment gain was recorded upon completion of the transaction in the second quarter of 2012.

Tax valuation allowances – Reflects differences in the timing of amounts of deferred tax assets that can be realized between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs.

Loss on Insurance disposal group held for sale – Under IFRSs, a disposal group held for sale is measured at its lower of cost or fair value less costs to sell. For purposes of measuring the disposal group, assets that are excluded from the measurement provisions of IFRS 5 must be re-measured in accordance with other applicable standards before the fair value less cost to sell of the disposal group is measured. An impairment loss is recognized for any initial or subsequent write down of the disposal group only to the extent of the carrying amount of the assets that are part of the disposal group and within the scope and the measurement provisions of IFRS 5. To the extent the impairment loss on the disposal group as a whole exceeds the carrying amount of such assets, the excess loss is not recognized until the disposal group is sold. Under U. S. GAAP, similar rules exist excluding certain disposal group assets from the scope of its impairment measurement provisions, however U.S. GAAP provides a choice in situations where an impairment loss on a disposal group exceeds the carrying amount of assets within the scope of its impairment measurement provisions to either recognize the loss currently or to recognize such loss at the time the disposal group is sold. Our policy is to recognize the loss currently in these situations.

 

79


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Gain on sale of Card and Retail Services business – The differences in the gain on sale of our Card and Retail Services business between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP primarily reflect the differences in loan impairment provisioning between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP during the time the loans were held for sale as discussed above. These differences resulted in a higher gain under IFRSs.

Other – There are other differences between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP including purchase accounting and other miscellaneous items.

Quantitative Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures  For quantitative reconciliations of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures presented herein to the equivalent GAAP basis financial measures, see “Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures.”

Receivables Review

 

The following table summarizes receivables and receivables held for sale at June 30, 2012 and increases (decreases) since March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

           Increases (Decreases) From  
    

June 30,

2012

 

    March 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  
       $     %     $     %  
                                          
           (dollars are in millions)        

Receivables:

          

Real estate secured:

          

First lien

   $ 30,940      $ (6,081     (16.4 )%    $ (7,295     (19.1 )% 

Second lien

     4,016        (206     (4.9     (462     (10.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate secured(1)

     34,956        (6,287     (15.2     (7,757     (18.2

Personal non-credit card

     -        (4,794     (100.0     (5,196     (100.0

Other

     -        (4     (100.0     (3     (100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables

   $ 34,956 (2)    $ (11,085     (24.1 )%    $ (12,956     (27.0 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Receivables held for sale:

          

First lien real estate secured

   $ 3,287      $ 3,287        100.0+   $ 3,287        100.0+

Personal non-credit card

     3,469        3,469        100.0+        3,469        100.0+   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables

   $ 6,756      $ 6,756        100.0+   $ 6,756        100.0+
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables and receivables held for sale:

          

Real estate secured:

          

First lien

   $ 34,227      $ (2,794     (7.5 )%    $ (4,008     (10.5 )% 

Second lien

     4,016        (206     (4.9     (462     (10.3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     38,243        (3,000     (7.3     (4,470     (10.5

Personal non-credit card

     3,469        (1,325     (27.6     (1,727     (33.2

Other

     -        (4     (100.0     (3     (100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total receivables

   $ 41,712      $ (4,329     (9.4 )%    $ (6,200     (12.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

At June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, real estate secured receivables includes $1.4 billion, $6.2 billion and $5.9 billion, respectively, of receivables that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policy.

 

(2)

As discussed below, as a result of the transfer of certain real estate secured receivables and our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card receivables to held for sale, the trend for changes in receivable balances between June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 reflects more than the change in the underlying receivables. The underlying changes in our receivable balances excluding the impact of the change in the carrying value of receivables which resulted from the transfer to held for sale during the second quarter of 2012, were generally consistent with the run-off we have experienced over the prior year.

 

80


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Real estate secured receivables  The decrease in real estate secured receivable balances since March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 primarily reflects the transfer of the majority of our real estate receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies to receivables held for sale at June 30, 2012 as previously discussed. Excluding the impact of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale, real estate secured receivables decreased as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. This decrease reflects the continuing liquidation of these portfolios which will continue going forward. The liquidation rates in our real estate secured receivable portfolios continue to be impacted by low loan prepayments as few refinancing opportunities for our customers exist and by the trends impacting the mortgage lending industry as discussed above. As compared to December 31, 2011, the decrease also reflects seasonal improvements in our collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments.

Real estate markets in a large portion of the United States have been affected by stagnation or declines in property values. As such, the loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios for our real estate secured receivable portfolios have generally deteriorated since origination. Receivables that have an LTV greater than 100 percent have historically had a greater likelihood of becoming delinquent, resulting in higher loss severities which could adversely impact our provision for credit losses. Refreshed loan-to-value ratios for our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment are presented in the table below as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

     Refreshed LTVs(1)(2)  
     June 30,  2012(3)     December 31,  2011(3)  
     

First

Lien

   

Second

Lien

   

First

Lien

   

Second

Lien

 

LTV<80%

     34     13     38     13

80%<LTV<90%

     16        9        16        10   

90%<LTV<100%

     17        16        17        16   

LTV>100%(4)

     33        62        29        61   

Average LTV for portfolio

     91        109        88        108   

 

 

(1)

Refreshed LTVs for first liens are calculated using the receivable balance as of the reporting date (including any charge-offs recorded to reduce receivables to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies). Refreshed LTVs for second liens are calculated using the receivable balance as of the reporting date (including any charge-offs recorded to reduce receivables to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies) plus the senior lien amount at origination. For purposes of this disclosure, current estimated property values are derived from the property’s appraised value at the time of receivable origination updated by the change in the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (formerly known as the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight) house pricing index (“HPI”) at either a Core Based Statistical Area (“CBSA”) or state level. The estimated value of the homes could vary from actual fair values due to changes in condition of the underlying property, variations in housing price changes within metropolitan statistical areas and other factors. As a result, actual property values associated with loans that end in foreclosure may be significantly lower than the estimated values used for purposes of this disclosure.

 

(2) 

For purposes of this disclosure, current estimated property values are calculated using the most current HPI’s available and applied on an individual loan basis, which results in an approximately three month delay in the production of reportable statistics for the current period. Therefore, the June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 information in the table above reflects current estimated property values using HPIs as of March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively. Given the recent declines in property values in certain markets, the refreshed LTVs of our portfolio may, in fact, be higher than reflected in the table.

 

(3) 

Excludes purchased receivable portfolios which totaled $1.0 billion at both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

(4)

The following reflects the average Refreshed LTVs for loans with an LTV ratio greater than or equal to 100 percent:

 

     Refreshed LTVs  
     June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     

First

Lien

   

Second

Lien

   

First

Lien

   

Second

Lien

 

Average LTV for LTV>100%

     120     125     119     125

 

81


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Personal non-credit card receivables   As previously discussed, during the second quarter of 2012, we transferred our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to receivables held for sale.

Receivables held for sale   The increase during the second quarter of 2012 reflects the transfer to receivables held for sale of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as well as the substantial majority of our real estate receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Real Estate Owned

 

We obtain real estate by taking possession of the collateral pledged as security for real estate secured receivables. Prior to taking possession of the pledged collateral, receivable carrying amounts in excess of fair value less cost to sell are generally charged-off at or before the time foreclosure is completed or settlement is reached with the borrower but, in any event, generally no later than the end of the month in which the account becomes six months contractually delinquent. If foreclosure is not pursued (which frequently occurs on loans in the second lien position) and there is no reasonable expectation for recovery (insurance claim, title claim, pre-discharge bankrupt account), the account is generally charged-off no later than the end of the month in which the account becomes six months contractually delinquent. Values are determined based upon broker price opinions or appraisals which are updated every 180 days. During the quarterly period between updates, real estate price trends are reviewed on a geographic basis and additional downward adjustments are recorded as necessary.

Collateral acquired in satisfaction of a loan is initially recognized at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell and reported as real estate owned (“REO”). Fair values of foreclosed properties at the time of acquisition are initially determined based upon broker price opinions. Subsequent to acquisition, a more detailed property valuation is performed, reflecting information obtained from a walk-through of the property in the form of a listing agent broker price opinion as well as an independent broker price opinion or appraisal. A valuation is determined from this information within 90 days and any additional write-downs required are recorded through charge-off at that time. This value, which includes the impact on fair value from the conditions inside the property, becomes the “Initial REO Carrying Amount.”

In determining the appropriate amounts to charge-off when a property is acquired in exchange for a loan, we do not consider losses on sales of foreclosed properties resulting from deterioration in value during the period the collateral is held because these losses result from future loss events which cannot be considered in determining the fair value of the collateral at the acquisition date in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Once a property is classified as real estate owned, we do not consider the losses on past sales of foreclosed properties when determining the fair value of any collateral during the period it is held in REO. Rather, a valuation allowance is created to recognize any subsequent declines in fair value less cost to sell as they become known after the Initial REO Carrying Amount is determined with a corresponding amount reflected in operating expense. Property values are periodically reviewed for impairment until the property is sold and any impairment identified is immediately recognized through the valuation allowance. Recoveries in value are also recognized against the valuation allowance but not in excess of cumulative losses previously recognized subsequent to the date of repossession. Adjustments to the valuation allowance, costs of holding REO and any gain or loss on disposition are credited or charged to operating expense.

 

82


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table provides quarterly information regarding our REO properties:

 

     Three Months Ended  
      June 30,
2012
    Mar. 31,
2012
    Dec. 31,
2011
    Sept. 30,
2011
    June 30,
2011
 

Number of REO properties at end of period

     2,792        3,066        3,446        4,250        6,854   

Number of properties added to REO inventory in the period

     1,644        1,907        1,676        1,378        2,495   

Average loss on sale of REO properties(1)

     4.4     8.3     10.2     8.9     7.0

Average total loss on foreclosed properties(2)

     53.5     56.5     57.6     56.4     54.9

Average time to sell REO properties (in days)

     165        192        206        196        169   

 

 

(1)

Property acquired through foreclosure is initially recognized at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell (“Initial REO Carrying Amount”). The average loss on sale of REO properties is calculated as cash proceeds less the Initial REO Carrying Amount divided by the unpaid loan principal balance prior to write-down (excluding any accrued finance income) plus certain other ancillary disbursements that, by law, are reimbursable from the cash proceeds (e.g., real estate tax advances) and were incurred prior to our taking title to the property. This ratio represents the portion of our total loss on foreclosed properties that occurred after we took title to the property.

 

(2)

The average total loss on foreclosed properties sold each quarter includes both the loss on sale of the REO property as discussed above and the cumulative write-downs recognized on the loans up to the time we took title to the property. This calculation of the average total loss on foreclosed properties uses the unpaid loan principal balance prior to write-down (excluding any accrued finance income) plus certain other ancillary disbursements that, by law, are reimbursable from the cash proceeds (e.g., real estate tax advances) and were incurred prior to our taking title to the property.

Our methodology for determining the fair values of the underlying collateral as described above is continuously validated by comparing our net investment in the loan subsequent to charging the loan down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, or our net investment in the property upon completing the foreclosure process, to the updated broker’s price opinion and once the collateral has been obtained, any adjustments that have been made to lower the expected selling price, which may be lower than the broker’s price opinion. Adjustments in our expectation of the ultimate proceeds that will be collected are recognized as they occur based on market information at that time and consultation with our listing agents for the properties.

As previously reported, beginning in late 2010 we temporarily suspended all new foreclosure proceedings and in early 2011 temporarily suspended foreclosures in process where judgment had not yet been entered while we enhanced foreclosure documentation and processes for foreclosures and re-filed affidavits where necessary. During the first and second quarters of 2012, we added 1,907 properties and 1,644 properties, respectively, to REO inventory the majority of which reflects loans for which we accepted the deed to the property in lieu of payment (“deed-in-lieu”). We expect the number of REO properties added to inventory will increase during the remainder of 2012 although the number of new REO properties added to inventory will continue to be impacted by our ongoing refinements to our foreclosure processes as well as the extended foreclosure timelines in all states as discussed below.

The number of REO properties at June 30, 2012 decreased as compared to December 31, 2011 as the volume of properties added to REO inventory continues to be slow as a result of the backlog in foreclosure activities driven by the temporary suspension of foreclosures as discussed above, as well as continuing sales of REO properties during the first half of 2012. We have resumed processing suspended foreclosure activities where judgment had not yet been entered in substantially all states. We have also begun initiating new foreclosure activities in substantially all states, although we are currently focusing our new foreclosure activities only in certain states. It will take time to work through the backlog of loans in each state that have not yet been referred to foreclosure.

In addition, certain courts and state legislatures have issued new rules or statutes relating to foreclosures. Scrutiny of foreclosure documentation has increased in some courts. Also, in some areas, officials are requiring additional verification of information filed prior to the foreclosure proceeding. The combination of these factors has led to a significant backlog of foreclosures which will take time to resolve. If these trends continue, there

 

83


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

could be additional delays in the processing of foreclosures, which could have an adverse impact upon housing prices which is likely to result in higher loss severities while foreclosures are delayed.

The average loss on sale of REO properties and the average total loss on foreclosed properties for the second quarter of 2012 decreased during the second quarter of 2012 reflecting a shift in REO sales during the current quarter to a lower mix of REO properties being sold which we have held for longer periods of time. Generally the length of time a property is held in REO reflects the age and condition of the property which is ultimately reflected in the sales price. Additionally, the average total loss on foreclosed properties for the second quarter also benefited from a greater mix of the REO properties sold during the quarter for which we had accepted a deed-in-lieu. Total losses on a deed-in-lieu are typically lower than expected total losses from REO properties acquired through the standard foreclosure process and provide resolution to the delinquent receivable over a shorter period of time. The decrease in both the average loss on sale of REO properties and the average total loss on foreclosed properties for the second quarter of 2012 was partially offset by the impact of continued declines in home prices in some markets during the second quarter of 2012 due, in part, to the continued elevated levels of foreclosed properties.

During the second quarter of 2012, we saw a decrease in the average number of days to sell REO properties as compared to the prior quarter due to a greater mix of REO properties sold during the quarter being properties for which we had accepted a deed-in-lieu. Historically, properties acquired through deed-in-lieu result in a shorter time to sell.

Results of Operations

 

Net interest income  In the following table which summarizes net interest income, interest expense includes $7 million and $29 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, and $24 million and $50 million for the three and six months ended June 30 2011, respectively, that has been allocated to our discontinued operations in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policies as external interest expense is unaffected by the transfer of businesses to discontinued operations.

 

     2012     2011     Increase (Decrease)  
Three Months Ended June 30,   

 

$

    

 

%(1)

   

 

$

    

 

%(1)

   

 

Amount

   

 

%

 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Finance and other interest income

   $ 858         6.54   $ 1,128         7.46   $ (270     (23.9 )% 

Interest expense

     474         3.61        641         4.24        (167     (26.1
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

   $ 384         2.93   $ 487         3.22   $ (103     (21.1 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2012     2011     Increase (Decrease)  
Six Months Ended June 30,   

 

$

    

 

%(1)

   

 

$

    

 

%(1)

   

 

Amount

   

 

%

 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Finance and other interest income

   $ 1,765         6.79   $ 2,220         7.23   $ (455     (20.5 )% 

Interest expense

     995         3.83        1,315         4.28        (320     (24.3
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest income

   $ 770         2.96   $ 905         2.95   $ (135     (14.9 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

% Columns: comparison to average owned interest-earning assets.

Net interest income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods reflecting lower average receivables as a result of receivable liquidation and a lower overall receivable yield as discussed below, partially offset by lower interest expense due to lower average borrowings and lower average rates. Additionally, net interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 benefited from an increase in our estimate of interest receivable relating to income tax receivables of $82 million and $81

 

84


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

million, respectively, due to the resolution of an issue with the Internal Revenue Service Appeals’ Office during the second quarter of 2011 which was recorded as a component of finance and other interest income. While receivable yields were lower during both periods, during the six months ended June 30, 2012 the overall yield on all interest earning assets was positively impacted by a shift in the mix of all interest earning assets to include a lower percentage of investments which have significantly lower yields than our receivable portfolios resulting from changes made in our overall investment strategy beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, we experienced a shift to slightly higher mix investments as a result of investing the cash proceeds received from the sale of our Card and Retail Services business as discussed above.

Overall receivable yield decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as receivable yields continue to be negatively impacted by a shift in receivable mix to higher levels of lower yielding first lien real estate secured receivables as higher yielding second lien real estate secured receivables and personal non-credit card receivables have run-off at a faster pace than first lien real estate secured receivables. While the overall receivable yield in our receivable portfolio decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, receivable yields vary between receivable products. Yields in our real estate secured receivable portfolio decreased reflecting the impact of a higher percentage of nonaccrual real estate secured receivables as compared to the year-ago periods due to our earlier temporary suspension of foreclosure activities. Yields in our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 reflecting the impact of a lower percentage of nonaccrual personal non-credit card receivables as compared to the year-ago periods.

Net interest margin was 2.93 percent and 2.96 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, compared to 3.22 percent and 2.95 percent during the year-ago periods. Net interest margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 was impacted by tax-related interest income as discussed above. Excluding the impact of this item from the historical periods presented, net interest margin increased 25 basis points and 28 basis points during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, driven by a lower cost of funds as a percentage of average interest earning, partially offset by lower overall receivable yields as discussed above.

Significant trends affecting the comparability of net interest income and net interest margin are summarized below:

 

        Three Months Ended
June 30, 2012
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2012
 
       (dollars are in millions)  

Net interest income/net interest margin from prior period

     $ 487         3.22   $ 905         2.95
       

 

 

      

 

 

 

Impact to net interest income resulting from:

            

Lower asset levels

       (139        (331   

Receivable yields:

            

Receivable pricing and mix

       5           (27   

Impact of nonaccrual receivables

       (40        (51   

Volume and rate impact of modified loans

       5           13      

Interest receivable related to income tax receivables

       (87        (83   

Investment income (rate)

       (4        (7   

Asset mix

       (9        18      

Cost of funds (rate and volume)

       167           320      

Other

       (1        13      
    

 

 

      

 

 

    

Net interest income/net interest margin for current period

     $ 384         2.93   $ 770         2.96
    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The varying maturities and repricing frequencies of both our assets and liabilities expose us to interest rate risk. When the various risks inherent in both the asset and the debt do not meet our desired risk profile, we use derivative financial instruments to manage these risks to acceptable interest rate risk levels. See “Risk Management” for additional information regarding interest rate risk and derivative financial instruments.

 

85


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses  The following table summarizes provision for credit losses by product:

 

                   Increase (Decrease)  
      2012      2011          Amount            %    
     (dollars are in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30:

           

Provision for credit losses:

           

Real estate secured

   $ 598       $ 539       $ 59         10.9

Personal non-credit card

     140         44         96         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 738       $ 583       $ 155         26.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

           

Provision for credit losses:

           

Real estate secured

   $ 1,371       $ 1,229       $ 142         11.6

Personal non-credit card

     158         62         96         100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,529       $ 1,291       $ 238         18.4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Our provision for credit losses increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods as discussed below:

 

   

The provision for credit losses for real estate secured loans increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods reflecting the impact of higher reserve requirements on TDR Loans during the first half of 2012 as a result of higher TDR Loan levels and updates in prepayment speeds and yield assumptions used in the discount cash flow methodology as well as adopting a new Accounting Standards Update as discussed below. This increase was partially offset by the impact of lower receivable balances and lower loss estimates as compared to the year-ago periods.

 

   

The provision for credit losses for our personal non-credit card receivables increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the year-ago periods. As discussed above, at June 30, 2012 we transferred our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to receivables held for sale which resulted in a cumulative lower of cost or fair value adjustment of which $112 million related to credit and was recorded as a component of provision for credit losses during the current quarter. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the lower of cost or fair value adjustment for receivables held for sale. Excluding this item from the current periods, the provision for credit losses for personal non-credit card receivables decreased in both periods as the impact of a higher loss provision on TDR Loans driven by the adoption of the new Accounting Standards Update as discussed below was more than offset by lower receivable levels and improved credit quality including lower delinquency levels and lower loss estimates as compared to the year-ago periods. In future periods, we will no longer record provision for credit losses for personal non-credit card receivables as our entire personal non-credit card portfolio is classified as receivables held for sale and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

As discussed in our 2011 Form 10-K, during the third quarter of 2011, we adopted an Accounting Standards Update which provided additional guidance to determine whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring for purposes of the identification and disclosure of TDR Loans as well as for recording impairment. This new accounting guidance continues to impact our provision for credit losses in periods post-adoption, as loans that otherwise would not have qualified for such reporting in the past are now meeting the criteria under the new accounting guidance to be reported and reserved for as TDR Loans which will continue in future periods. Therefore, the provision for credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 is not comparable to the provision for credit losses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011.

 

86


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Net charge-off dollars totaled $697 million and $1.6 billion during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to $937 million and $2.2 billion during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. The decrease reflects the impact of lower receivable levels and lower delinquency levels as well as lower levels of personal bankruptcy filings and improvements in economic conditions. See “Credit Quality” for further discussion of our net charge-offs.

Credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 decreased $1.3 billion as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 largely reflecting the impact of the transfer to receivables held for sale of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as well as the substantial majority of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. Credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to their transfer to held for sale totaled $965 million and $333 million, respectively. As a result, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 are only associated with real estate secured receivables held for investment. Excluding the impact of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 would have decreased $71 million and $158 million as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, reflecting lower receivable levels, improved economic and credit conditions, including lower delinquency levels and an increase in the amount and percentage of real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell, partially off set by higher reserve requirements on TDR Loans due to higher outstanding balances as well as updates in the assumptions regarding prepayment speeds and yield assumptions used in the discounted cash flow methodology. See “Credit Quality” for further discussion of credit loss reserves.

Other revenues  The following table summarizes other revenues:

 

                 Increase (Decrease)  
      2012     2011     Amount     %  
     (dollars are in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30:

        

Derivative related income (expense)

   $ (424   $ (157   $ (267     100.0 +% 

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

     92        245        (153     (62.4

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates

     9        6        3        50.0

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale

     (1,547     -        (1,547     100.0

Other income

     5        24        (19     (79.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other revenues

   $ (1,865   $ 118      $ (1,983     (100.0 +)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

        

Derivative related income (expense)

   $ (219   $ (123   $ (96     (78.0 )% 

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

     (304     216        (520     (100.0 +) 

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates

     18        13        5        38.5   

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale

     (1,547     1        (1,548     (100.0 +) 

Other income

     (8     50        (58     (100.0 +) 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other revenues

   $ (2,060   $ 157      $ (2,217     (100.0 +)% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

87


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Derivative related income (expense) includes realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives which do not qualify as effective hedges under hedge accounting principles as well as the ineffectiveness on derivatives which are qualifying hedges. Designation of swaps as effective hedges reduces the volatility that would otherwise result from mark-to-market accounting. All derivatives are economic hedges of the underlying debt instruments regardless of the accounting treatment. Derivative related income (expense) is summarized in the table below:

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
          2012             2011             2012             2011      
           (in millions)        

Net realized gains (losses)

   $ 57      $ (18   $ 26      $ (38

Mark-to-market on derivatives which do not qualify as effective hedges

     (481     (149     (242     (86

Ineffectiveness

     -        10        (3     1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ (424   $ (157   $ (219   $ (123
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Derivative related income (expense) decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. As previously discussed, our real estate secured receivables are remaining on the balance sheet longer due to lower prepayment rates. At June 30, 2012, we had $5.6 billion of interest rate swaps outstanding for the purpose of offsetting the increase in the duration of these receivables and the corresponding increase in interest rate risk as measured by the present value of a basis point (“PVBP”). While these positions acted as economic hedges by lowering our overall interest rate risk and more closely matching both the structure and duration of our liabilities to the structure and duration of our assets, they did not qualify as effective hedges under hedge accounting principles. As a result, these positions are carried at fair value and are marked-to-market through income while the item being hedged is not carried at fair value and, therefore, no offsetting fair value adjustment is recorded. These non-qualifying hedges, were primarily longer-dated pay fixed/receive variable interest rate swaps with an average life of 13.4 years. Market value movements for the longer-dated pay fixed/receive variable interest rate swaps may be volatile during periods in which long-term interest rates fluctuate, but they effectively lock in fixed interest rates for a set period of time which results in funding that is better aligned with longer term assets.

Falling long-term interest rates during the second quarter of 2012 and 2011 had a negative impact on the mark-to-market for this portfolio of swaps, although the impact was more pronounced during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and offset gains recorded in the first quarter of both years. Net realized gains during the three months ended June 30, 2012 reflect gains recognized on the termination of approximately $3.0 billion of non-qualifying receive fixed/pay variable interest rate swaps, which in the six months ended June 30, 2012 offset losses recognized in the first quarter of 2012. Net realized losses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 reflect losses on terminations of non-qualifying hedges during those periods. Ineffectiveness during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 was not significant.

Net income volatility, whether based on changes in interest rates for swaps which do not qualify for hedge accounting or ineffectiveness recorded on our qualifying hedges under the long haul method of accounting, impacts the comparability of our reported results between periods. Accordingly, derivative related income (expense) for the six months ended June 30, 2012 or any prior periods should not be considered indicative of the results for any future periods.

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives reflects fair value changes on our fixed rate debt accounted for under FVO as well as the fair value changes and realized gains (losses) on the related derivatives associated with debt designated at fair value. The gain on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives during the three months ended June 30, 2012 reflects the impact of changes in market movements on certain debt and related derivatives that mature in the near term as well as modest widening of credit spreads during the quarter. The loss on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives during the six months ended

 

88


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

June 30, 2012 reflects the impact of an overall tightening of our credit spreads during the first half of 2012. See Note 8, “Fair Value Option,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information, including a break out of the components of the gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives.

Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates represents revenue received under service level agreements under which we service real estate secured receivables as well as rental revenue from HSBC Technology & Services (USA) Inc. (“HTSU”) for certain office and administrative costs. Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 due to higher rental revenue from HTSU as a result of changes in rental rate allocations during the second quarter of 2012.

Lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment on receivables held for sale During the second quarter of 2012, we transferred certain real estate secured receivables and our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio to receivables held for sale. This resulted in a lower of cost or fair value adjustment of $1.7 billion during the quarter of which $1.5 billion was non-credit related and reflects the impact on value caused by current marketplace conditions, including changes in interest rates and liquidity. The non-credit portion is recorded as a component of other revenues. See Note 6, “Receivables Held for Sale,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion.

Other income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 due to lower credit insurance commissions and, during the three months ended June 30, 2012, an increase in the estimated repurchase liability for receivables sold by Decision One Mortgage LLC in prior years. During the six months ended June 30, 2012, the decrease in other income also reflects the reversal during the first quarter of 2012 of income previously recorded on lender-placed hazard insurance for real estate secured receivable customers which we estimate will be refunded.

Operating expenses  The following table summarizes total costs and expenses:

 

                   Increase (Decrease)  
      2012      2011        Amount         %    
     (dollars are in millions)  

Three Months Ended June 30:

          

Salaries and employee benefits

   $ 35       $ 50       $ (15     (30.0 )% 

Occupancy and equipment expenses

     11         13         (2     (15.4

Real estate owned expenses

     20         29         (9     (31.0

Other servicing and administrative expenses

     94         219         (125     (57.1

Support services from HSBC affiliates

     79         72         7        9.7   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   $ 239       $ 383       $ (144     (37.6 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Six Months Ended June 30:

          

Salaries and employee benefits

   $ 79       $ 90       $ (11     (12.2 )% 

Occupancy and equipment expenses

     21         29         (8     (27.6

Real estate owned expenses

     49         135         (86     (63.7

Other servicing and administrative expenses

     160         293         (133     (45.4

Support services from HSBC affiliates

     145         139         6        4.3   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   $ 454       $ 686       $ (232     (33.8 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Compliance costs were a growing component of our operating expenses in the first half of 2012, increasing by $36 million and $66 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, primarily within other servicing and administrative expenses. We anticipate compliance remediation costs will continue to increase in future periods as we continue to address the requirements of the regulatory consent order relating to foreclosure activities.

 

89


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Salaries and employee benefits decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 reflecting the impact of the continuing reduced scope of our business operations and the impact of entity-wide initiatives to reduce costs, partially offset by increased staffing related to processing foreclosures as well as compliance matters.

Occupancy and equipment expenses decreased in both periods reflecting the impact of the continuing reduced scope of our business operations.

Real estate owned expenses decreased during both periods primarily due to lower holding costs for REO properties due to a decrease in the number of REO properties held as compared to the year-ago periods resulting from a continuing trend of sales of REO properties outpacing the number of REO properties added to inventory due to our earlier temporary suspension of foreclosure activities. For the six months ended June 30, 2012, the decrease also reflects lower losses on sales of REO properties due to fewer REO properties being sold during the first half of 2012 as fewer REO properties were available for sale as a result of the temporary suspension of foreclosure activities.

Other servicing and administrative expenses decreased as compared to the year-ago periods. The year-ago periods included an increase in legal reserves of $150 million related to increased exposure estimates on certain litigation matters. Excluding this item from the year-ago periods, other servicing and administrative expenses remained higher during both current year periods reflecting higher fees for consulting services and other expenses related to compliance matters, partially offset by the continuing reduction in the scope of our business operations and the impact of entity-wide initiatives to reduce costs, including lower third party collection costs as sales of charged-off accounts to third parties increased.

Support services from HSBC affiliates increased slightly during both periods reflecting higher allocations from HTSU for support services largely due to changes in rental rate allocations during the second quarter of 2012, partially offset by lower technology operational support costs and lower fees for servicing real estate secured receivables.

Efficiency ratio Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations was (16.21) percent and (36.00) percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, as compared to 60.89 percent and 61.69 percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2011, respectively. Our efficiency ratio in all periods was impacted by the change in the fair value of debt for which we have elected fair value option accounting and during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, the initial lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded on receivables transferred to held for sale during June 2012 as discussed above. Excluding these items from the applicable periods presented, our efficiency ratio during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 deteriorated significantly during the three months ended June 30, 2012 and deteriorated 39 basis points during the year-to-date period as the decreases in net interest income due to receivable portfolio liquidation and other revenues and derivative related income significantly outpaced the decrease in operating expense.

Segment Results – IFRS Basis

 

We have one reportable segment: Consumer. Our Consumer segment consists of our run-off Consumer Lending and Mortgage Services businesses. The Consumer segment provided real estate secured and personal non-credit card loans with both revolving and closed-end terms and with fixed or variable interest rates. Loans were originated through branch locations and direct mail. Products were also offered and customers serviced through the Internet. Prior to the first quarter of 2007, we acquired loans from correspondent lenders and prior to September 2007 we also originated loans sourced through mortgage brokers. While these businesses are operating in run-off, they have not been reported as discontinued operations because we continue to generate cash flow from the ongoing collections of the receivables, including interest and fees.

 

90


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

As discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” in the accompanying consolidated financials statements, during the second quarter we began reporting our Insurance and Commercial businesses, which had previously been included in the “All Other” caption, as discontinued operations. As our segment results are reported on a continuing operations basis, beginning in the second quarter 2012, the results of our Insurance and Commercial businesses are no longer included in our segment reporting.

The All Other caption includes our corporate and treasury activities, which includes the impact of FVO debt. Each of these falls below the quantitative threshold tests under segment reporting accounting principles for determining reportable segments. Certain fair value adjustments related to purchase accounting resulting from our acquisition by HSBC and related amortization have been allocated to corporate, which is included in the “All Other” caption within our segment disclosure. With the sale of our Card and Retail Services business completed on May 1, 2012 and upon the completion of the sale of our Insurance business as more fully discussed in Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” our corporate and treasury activities will solely be supporting our Consumer segment. As a result, beginning in 2013 we will report these activities within the Consumer Segment and no longer report an “All Other” caption within segment reporting.

We report results to our parent, HSBC, in accordance with its reporting basis, International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”). Our segment results are presented on an IFRSs legal entity basis (“IFRS Basis”) (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) as operating results are monitored and reviewed and trends are evaluated on an IFRS Basis. However, we continue to monitor liquidity and capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP basis. There have been no significant changes in measurement or composition of our segment reporting other than the items discussed above as compared with the presentation in our 2011 Form 10-K.

A summary of the significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are summarized in Note 13, “Business Segments,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as well as under the caption “Basis of Reporting” in this MD&A.

Consumer Segment  The following table summarizes the IFRS Basis results for our Consumer segment:

 

                 Increase (Decrease)  
Three Months Ended June 30,    2012     2011     Amount     %  
     (dollars are in millions)  

Net interest income

   $ 593      $ 670      $ (77     (11.5 )% 

Other operating income

     (6     (10     4        40.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income

     587        660        (73     (11.1

Loan impairment charges

     721        873        (152     (17.4
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (134     (213     79        37.1   

Operating expenses

     221        226        (5     (2.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) before tax

   $ (355   $ (439   $ 84        19.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest margin, annualized

     5.24     5.06     -        -   

Efficiency ratio

     37.65        34.24        -        -   

Return (after-tax) on average assets

     (2.08     (2.17     -        -   

Balances at end of period:

        

Customer loans

   $ 44,372      $ 51,978      $ (7,606     (14.6 )% 

Assets

     42,688        51,001        (8,313     (16.3 )% 

 

91


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

                 Increase (Decrease)  
Six Months Ended June 30,    2012     2011     Amount     %  
     (dollars are in millions)  

Net interest income

   $ 1,190      $ 1,327      $ (137     (10.3 )% 

Other operating income

     (37     (42     5        11.9   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating income

     1,153        1,285        (132     (10.3

Loan impairment charges

     1,576        2,150        (574     (26.7
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (423     (865     442        51.1   

Operating expenses

     404        460        (56     (12.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit (loss) before tax

   $ (827   $ (1,325   $ 498        37.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net interest margin, annualized

     5.16     4.91     -        -   

Efficiency ratio

     35.04        35.80        -        -   

Return (after-tax) on average assets

     (2.35     (3.17     -        -   

Our Consumer segment reported a lower loss before tax during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 due to lower loan impairment charges, lower operating expenses and slightly higher other operating income, partially offset by lower net interest income.

Loan impairment charges decreased significantly during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 as discussed below.

 

   

Loan impairment charges for the real estate secured loan portfolios decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012. The decrease reflects lower loan balances outstanding as the portfolios continue to liquidate as well as lower loss estimates. Loan impairment charges during both the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 were impacted by the discounting of estimated future amounts to be received on real estate loans which have been written down to fair value less cost to obtain and sell the collateral, although the impact was higher in the prior year periods. Also contributing to the decrease was lower levels of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent, partially offset by an increase in late stage delinquency, reflecting the continuing impact from foreclosure delays previously discussed. The decrease was also partially offset by higher reserve requirements for impaired loans due to updates in prepayment speeds and yield assumptions used in the discount cash flow methodology.

 

   

Loan impairment charges for personal non-credit card loans decreased during the three months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the prior year quarter due to lower loan levels and improved credit quality. Loan impairment charges were essentially flat as compared to the year-ago period as during the year-ago period we recorded a significant decrease in reserve levels due to improved credit quality. While we also decreased reserve levels during the first half of 2012, the impact to loan impairment charges was not as pronounced as during the six months ended June 30, 2011.

During the three months ended June 30, 2012, loan impairment charges were $11 million greater than net charge-offs while loan impairment charges were $100 million less than net charge-offs during the year-to-date period. During the first half of 2012, we decreased credit loss reserves to $5.6 billion reflecting the lower overall delinquency levels in the first half of 2012 due to improvements in economic conditions and as well as seasonal improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as customers use their tax refunds to make payments. The decrease in credit loss reserves was partially offset by higher reserve requirements for impaired loans due to updates in prepayment speeds and yield assumptions used in the discount cash flow methodology.

 

92


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Net interest income decreased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 primarily due to lower average loan levels as a result of loan liquidation and lower overall loan yields, partially offset by lower interest expense. Overall loan yields were negatively impacted by a shift in mix to higher levels of lower yielding first lien real estate secured loans as higher yielding second lien real estate secured and personal non-credit card loans have run-off at a faster pace than first lien real estate secured loans. Additionally, during the six months ended June 30, 2012, the lower overall yield in our loan portfolio reflects the impact of lower amortization associated with the discounting of future estimated cash flows associated with real estate secured loans due to the passage of time. As yields vary between loan products, yields in our real estate secured loan portfolio decreased due to higher levels of impaired real estate secured loans, partially offset by higher yields in our personal non-credit card loan portfolio due to lower levels of impaired personal non-credit card loans. Lower interest expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 reflects lower average borrowings. Net interest margin increased during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 reflecting a lower cost of funds as a percentage of average interest earning assets, partially offset by lower loan yields as discussed above.

Other operating income increased slightly during both periods as lower losses on REO properties were offset by lower credit insurance commissions and, for the six months ended June 30, 2012, by a reversal of income previously recorded on lender-placed hazard insurance for real estate secured receivable customers which we estimate will be refunded. Lower losses on REO properties during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 reflects fewer REO properties sales during the first half of 2012 due to fewer REO properties available for sale as a result of the temporary suspension of foreclosure activities.

Operating expenses decreased 2 percent and 12 percent during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, primarily due to lower holding costs on REO properties, lower support services from affiliates and lower third party collection costs as sales of charged-off accounts to third parties increased. These decreases were partially offset by higher fees for consulting services and other expenses relating to compliance matters with the higher fees more pronounced in the three months ended June 30, 2012. Lower holding costs on REO properties reflects a significant decrease in the number of new REO properties due to the temporary suspension of foreclosure activities previously discussed.

The efficiency ratio decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2012 due to lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower net interest income as discussed above as expenses declined at a faster pace than revenue. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, the efficiency ratio increased as revenue declined at a faster pace than operating expenses as the increase in fees for consulting services and other expenses relating to compliance matters was more pronounced during the current quarter.

ROA improved during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 primarily driven by lower loan impairment charges and lower operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of lower average assets.

Customer loans Customer loans for our Consumer segment can be analyzed as follows:

 

      June 30,
2012

 

     Increases (Decreases) From  
      March 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  
      $     %     $     %  
            (dollars are in millions)        

Real estate secured

   $ 39,898       $ (1,312     (3.2 )%    $ (2,803     (6.6 )% 

Personal non-credit card

     4,474         (448     (9.1     (846     (15.9
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total customer loans

   $ 44,372       $ (1,760     (3.8 )%    $ (3,649     (7.6 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Customer loans decreased to $44.4 billion at June 30, 2012 as compared to $46.1 billion at March 31, 2012 and $48.0 billion at December 31, 2011 reflecting the continued liquidation of these portfolios which will continue going forward. The liquidation rates in our real estate secured loan portfolio continues to be impacted by declines in loan prepayments as fewer refinancing opportunities for our customers exist and the trends impacting the

 

93


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

mortgage lending industry as previously discussed. As compared to December 31, 2011, the decrease also reflects seasonal improvements in our collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments.

See “Receivables Review” for a more detail discussion of the decreases in our receivable portfolios.

Credit Quality

 

Credit Loss Reserves  We maintain credit loss reserves to cover probable incurred losses of principal, interest and fees. Further, as it relates to loans which have been identified as troubled debt restructures, credit loss reserves are maintained based on the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loans’ original effective interest rates. Credit loss reserves are based on a range of estimates and are intended to be adequate but not excessive. We estimate probable losses for consumer receivables which do not qualify as troubled debt restructurings using a roll rate migration analysis that estimates the likelihood that a loan will progress through the various stages of delinquency, or buckets, and ultimately charge-off based upon recent historical performance experience of other loans in our portfolio. This analysis considers delinquency status, loss experience and severity and takes into account whether borrowers have filed for bankruptcy, or loans have been re-aged or are subject to forbearance, an external debt management plan, hardship, modification, extension or deferment. Our credit loss reserves take into consideration the expected loss severity based on the underlying collateral, if any, for the loan in the event of default based on recent trends. Delinquency status may be affected by customer account management policies and practices, such as the re-age of accounts, forbearance agreements, extended payment plans, modification arrangements, external debt management programs and deferments. When customer account management policies or changes thereto, shift loans that do not qualify as a TRD Loan from a “higher” delinquency bucket to a “lower” delinquency bucket, this will be reflected in our roll rate statistics. To the extent that re-aged or modified accounts that do not qualify as a TDR Loan have a greater propensity to roll to higher delinquency buckets, this will be captured in the roll rates. Since the loss reserve is computed based on the composite of all of these calculations, this increase in roll rate will be applied to receivables in all respective delinquency buckets, which will increase the overall reserve level. In addition, loss reserves on consumer receivables are maintained to reflect our judgment of portfolio risk factors that may not be fully reflected in the statistical roll rate calculation or when historical trends are not reflective of current inherent losses in the portfolio. Portfolio risk factors considered in establishing loss reserves on consumer receivables include product mix, unemployment rates, bankruptcy trends, the credit performance of modified loans, geographic concentrations, loan product features such as adjustable rate loans, the credit performance of second lien loans where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent, economic conditions, such as national and local trends in housing markets and interest rates, portfolio seasoning, account management policies and practices, current levels of charge-offs and delinquencies, changes in laws and regulations and other factors which can affect consumer payment patterns on outstanding receivables, such as natural disasters.

While our credit loss reserves are available to absorb losses in the entire portfolio, we specifically consider the credit quality and other risk factors for each of our products. We recognize the different inherent loss characteristics in each of our products as well as customer account management policies and practices and risk management/collection practices. We also consider key ratios, including reserves as a percentage of nonaccrual receivables, reserves as a percentage of receivables, reserves as a percentage of net charge-offs and reserves as a percentage of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency. Loss reserve estimates are reviewed periodically and adjustments are reported in earnings when they become known. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside our control, such as consumer payment patterns and economic conditions, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates, making it reasonably possible that they could change.

In establishing reserve levels, given the general decline in U.S. home prices that has occurred since 2007, we anticipate that losses in our real estate secured receivable portfolios will continue to be incurred with greater frequency and severity than experienced prior to 2007. As a result of these conditions, lenders have significantly tightened underwriting standards, substantially limiting the availability of alternative and subprime mortgages.

 

94


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

As fewer financing options currently exist in the marketplace for home buyers, properties in certain markets are remaining on the market for longer periods of time which contributes to home price depreciation. For many of our customers, the ability to refinance and access equity in their homes is no longer an option as home prices remain stagnant in many markets and have depreciated in others. These housing market trends were exacerbated by the recent economic downturn, including high levels of unemployment, and these industry trends continue to impact our portfolio. It is generally believed that a sustained recovery of the housing market, as well as unemployment conditions, is not expected in the near-term. We have considered these factors in establishing our credit loss reserve levels, as appropriate.

The table below sets forth credit loss reserves for our continuing operations for the periods indicated. The transfer of our entire personal non-credit card portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale has resulted in these receivables being carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value as previously discussed, which creates a lack of comparability between credit loss reserves and the related reserve ratios as of June 30, 2012 and prior periods. As a result, the table below also includes the credit loss reserves and reserve ratios had these receivables not been transferred to held for sale on June 30, 2012.

 

     June 30, 2012              
      As  Reported(5)     Prior to Transfer
to Held for Sale(6)
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Credit loss reserves(1)

   $ 4,608      $ 5,794      $ 5,865      $ 5,952   

Reserves as a percent of:

        

Receivables(2)(4)

     13.18     13.01     12.74     12.42

Net charge-offs(3)

     230.4        207.8        167.0        164.6   

Two-months-and-over contractual delinquency(2)(4)

     74.9        72.5        72.5        69.3   

Nonaccrual receivables(2)(4)

     181.7        86.3        86.6        86.6   

 

 

(1) 

At June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, credit loss reserves include $82 million, $411 million and $425 million, respectively, related to receivables which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell primarily reflecting an estimate of additional loss following an interior appraisal of the property.

 

(2) 

These ratios are significantly impacted in the historical periods by changes in the level of real estate secured receivables which have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. As discussed above, the substantial majority of these receivables were reclassified to held for sale at June 30, 2012 and, therefore, are no longer included in these amounts. The following table shows these ratios excluding these receivables and any associated credit loss reserves for all periods presented.

 

     June 30, 2012              
      As Reported     Prior to Transfer
to Held for Sale
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 

Reserves as a percentage of:

        

Receivables

     13.50     14.10     13.69     13.16

Two-months-and-over contractual delinquency

     90.8        195.5        181.9        147.5   

Nonaccrual receivables

     324.6        337.2        300.0        251.9   

 

(3) 

Reserves as a percent of net charge-offs for the quarter, annualized.

 

(4) 

While reserves associated with accrued finance charges are reported within our total credit loss reserve balances noted above, accrued finance charges for real estate secured receivables are generally not reported within receivables, nonaccrual receivables and two-months-and-over contractual delinquency.

 

(5) 

Ratios exclude receivables, net charge-offs, two-months-and-over contractual delinquency and nonaccrual receivables associated with receivable portfolios which are considered held for sale as these receivables are carried that the lower of amortized cost or fair value with no corresponding credit loss reserves.

 

95


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

(6) Credit loss reserve prior to transfer to held for sale excludes the credit loss reserves associated with the receivables transferred to held for sale. The reserve ratios exclude, as applicable, both the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded on receivables transferred to held for sale as well as the credit loss reserves associated with receivables transferred to held for sale which reduced the carrying amount of these receivables.

Credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 decreased as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 primarily as a result of the transfer to receivables held for sale of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and a substantial majority of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. Credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to their transfer to held for sale totaled $965 million and $333 million, respectively. As a result, credit loss reserves at June 30, 2012 in the table above are only associated with real estate secured receivables held for investment.

Excluding the impact of the transfer of certain real estate secured receivables and the associated credit loss reserves to receivables held for sale as discussed above, credit loss reserves for real estate secured receivables decreased slightly as compared to March 31, 2012 as we recorded provision for credit losses less than net charge-offs of $9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2012. The modest decrease reflects lower receivable levels and lower levels of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency, driven by accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent, largely offset by higher reserve requirements for TDR Loans due to higher TDR Loan levels and updates in prepayment speeds and yield assumptions used in the discount cash flow methodology. Excluding the impact of the transfer of certain real estate secured receivables and the associated credit loss reserves to receivables held for sale, credit loss reserves for real estate secured receivables increased modestly as compared to December 31, 2011 as we recorded provision greater than net charge-offs of $29 million primarily due to a higher reserve requirement for TDR Loans in the year-to-date period.

Excluding the impact of the transfer of our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and the associated credit loss reserves to receivables held for sale as discussed above, credit loss reserves for personal non-credit card receivables decreased as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, as we recorded provision for credit losses less than net charge-offs of $62 million and $187 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, respectively, due to lower receivable levels and improved credit quality.

At June 30, 2012, 81 percent of our credit loss reserves are associated with TDR Loans held for investment which are reserved for using a discounted cash flow analysis which, in addition to considering all expected future cash flows, also takes into consideration the time value of money and the difference between the current interest rate and the original effective interest rate on the loan. This methodology generally results in a higher reserve requirement for TDR Loans than the remainder of our receivable portfolio for which credit loss reserves are established using a roll rate migration analysis that only considers credit losses. This methodology is highly sensitive to changes in volumes of TDR Loans as well as changes in estimates of the timing and amount of cash flows for TDR Loans. As a result, credit loss reserves and provisions for credit losses for TDR Loans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future periods. Generally as TDR Loan levels increase, overall credit loss reserves also increase.

At June 30, 2012, approximately $1.4 billion of our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment, has been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies. In addition, approximately $12.1 billion of real estate secured receivables held for investment which are not carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell are considered TDR Loans which are reserved for using a discounted cash flow analysis that generally results in a higher reserve requirement. As a result, at June 30, 2012, 38.7 percent of our real estate secured receivable portfolio held for investment have been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell or are reserved for using a discounted cash flow analysis.

Reserve ratios Following is a discussion of changes in the reserve ratios we consider in establishing reserve levels. The reserve ratios for June 30, 2012 were significantly impacted by the transfer of our personal non-credit

 

96


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

card receivable portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables as discussed above. When noted, the discussion of the change between periods excludes the impact of the transfer of these receivables to held for sale at June 30, 2012.

Reserves as a percentage of receivables, excluding the impact of the transfer of receivables to held for sale during the period, increased at June 30, 2012 as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 as the decrease in receivables outpaced the changes in reserve levels due to higher reserve requirements for TDR Loans as discussed above, partially offset by the impact of lower levels of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency driven by accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent.

Reserves as a percentage of net charge-offs, excluding the impact of the transfer of receivables to held for sale during the period, at June 30, 2012 increased as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 as dollars of net charge-offs decreased at a faster pace than reserves due to higher reserve requirements for TDR Loans as discussed above.

Excluding the impact of the transfer of receivables to held for sale during the current quarter, reserves as a percentage of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency for all periods were impacted by real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Excluding receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and any associated credit loss reserves from this ratio in all periods, reserves as a percentage of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency at June 30, 2012 increased significantly as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 reflecting significantly lower levels of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent as discussed below while overall reserve levels were negatively impacted by higher reserve requirements for TDR Loans as discussed above.

Reserves as a percentage of nonaccrual receivables, excluding the impact of the transfer of receivables to held for sale during the period, for all periods were impacted by nonaccrual real estate secured receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell. Excluding receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell and any associated credit loss reserves from this ratio in all periods, reserves as a percentage of nonaccrual receivables increased at June 30, 2012 as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 due to lower levels of nonaccrual receivables as discussed below while overall reserve levels were negatively impacted by higher reserve requirements for TDR Loans as discussed above.

See Note 5, “Credit Loss Reserves,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a roll forward of credit loss reserves by product for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011.

Delinquency  Our policies and practices for the collection of consumer receivables, including our customer account management policies and practices, permit us to modify the terms of loans, either temporarily or permanently (a “modification”), and/or to reset the contractual delinquency status of an account that is contractually delinquent to current (a “re-age”), based on indicia or criteria which, in our judgment, evidence continued payment probability. Such policies and practices vary by product and are designed to manage customer relationships, improve collection opportunities and avoid foreclosure or repossession as determined to be appropriate. If a re-aged account subsequently experiences payment defaults, it will again become contractually delinquent and be included in our delinquency ratios.

The table below summarizes dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency for receivables and receivables held for sale and two-months-and-over contractual delinquency as a percent of consumer receivables and receivables held for sale (“delinquency ratio”). The transfer of our entire personal non-credit card portfolio and certain real estate secured receivables to held for sale has resulted in these receivables being carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value as previously discussed, which creates a lack of comparability between dollars of contractual delinquency and the delinquency ratio for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and prior

 

97


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

periods. As a result, the table below also includes dollars of delinquency and the delinquency ratio had these receivables not been transferred to held for sale on June 30, 2012.

 

     June 30, 2012              
      As Reported     Prior to Transfer
to Held For Sale(4)
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Dollars of contractual delinquency:

        

Real estate secured:

        

Receivables carried at lower of amortized cost or fair value or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell

   $ 3,710 (1)    $ 5,246      $ 5,095 (1)    $ 4,843 (1) 

Remainder:

        

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     682        682        837        1,298   

Individually evaluated for impairment(2)

     1,757        1,757        1,801        1,964   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total remainder

     2,439        2,439        2,638        3,262   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     6,149 (3)      7,685        7,733 (3)      8,105 (3) 

Personal non-credit card

     74        312        360        486   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 6,223      $ 7,997      $ 8,093      $ 8,591   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Delinquency ratio:

        

Real estate secured:

        

Receivables carried at lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell(1)

     78.47     81.90     82.12     81.57

Remainder:

        

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     3.17        3.17        3.66        5.22   

Individually evaluated for impairment(2)

     14.64        14.64        14.83        16.52   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total remainder

     7.28        7.28        7.53        8.87   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate secured

     16.08 (3)      19.25        18.75 (3)      18.98 (3) 

Personal non-credit card

     2.12        6.73        7.50        9.35   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     14.92     17.95     17.58     17.93
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) 

This amount includes TDR Loans which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $1.9 billion, $2.3 billion and $2.0 billion at June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

(2) 

This amount represents TDR Loans for which we evaluate reserves using a discounted cash flow methodology. Each loan is individually identified as a TDR Loan and then grouped together with other TDR Loans with similar characteristics. The discounted cash flow impairment analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans. This amount excludes TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies.

 

(3) 

The following reflects dollars of contractual delinquency and the delinquency ratio for interest-only, stated income and second lien real estate secured receivables:

 

      June 30,
2012
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Dollarsof contractual delinquency:

      

Interest-only receivables

   $ 305      $ 356      $ 370   

Stated income receivables

     506        562        590   

Second lien receivables

     371        391        500   

Delinquencyratio:

      

Interest-only receivables

     40.61     39.47     38.54

Stated income receivables

     27.41        27.43        27.35   

Second lien receivables

     9.24        9.26        11.16   
(4) 

Excludes the impact of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded on receivables transferred to held for sale as well as the credit loss reserves associated with receivables transferred to held for sale which reduced the carrying amount of these receivables.

 

98


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Overall dollars of delinquency as reported decreased a total of $1.9 billion and $2.4 billion since March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. As discussed above, the delinquency trends have been impacted by the transfer of our entire personal non-credit card receivable portfolio and a substantial majority of real estate secured receivables which had been written down to the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies to held for sale. Excluding the impact of the transfer of those receivables to held for sale, dollars of delinquency decreased $96 million and $594 million as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. In our real estate secured receivable portfolio, dollars of delinquency decreased as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 due to a decrease in dollars of delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent due to lower receivable levels, the impact of improvements in economic conditions and as compared to December 31, 2011, seasonal improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments, partially offset by an increase in late stage delinquency driven by our earlier decision to temporarily suspended foreclosure activities. As compared to both periods, the decrease in dollars of real estate secured delinquency on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent is most pronounced for accounts which are not considered TDR Loans. Excluding the impact of the transfer to held for sale, dollars of delinquency decreased in our personal non-credit card receivable portfolio as compared to both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 reflecting the impact of lower receivable levels, improved credit quality and as compared to December 31, 2011, seasonal improvements in collection activities during the first quarter of the year as discussed above.

Excluding the impact of the transfer of receivables to held for sale as discussed above, the overall delinquency ratio was 17.95 percent compared to 17.58 percent and 17.93 percent at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The delinquency ratio increased as compared to March 31, 2012 as receivable levels decreased at a faster pace than dollars of delinquency reflecting an increase in late stage delinquency driven by our earlier decision to temporarily suspended foreclosure activities. As compared to December 31, 2011, the delinquency ratio was essentially flat.

See “Customer Account Management Policies and Practices” regarding the delinquency treatment of re-aged accounts and accounts subject to forbearance and other customer account management tools.

 

99


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Net Charge-offs of Receivables The following table summarizes net charge-off of receivables both in dollars and as a percent of average receivables (“net charge-off ratio”). During a quarter that receivables are transferred to receivables held for sale, those receivables continue to be included in the average consumer receivable balances prior to such transfer and any charge-off related to those receivables prior to such transfer remain in our net charge-off totals. However, in the quarter following the transfer to held for sale classification, the receivables are no longer included in average consumer receivables as such loans are carried at fair value and there are no longer any charge-offs associated with these receivables.

 

Three Months Ended(1)    June 30,
2012
    March 31,
2012
    June 30,
2011
 
     (dollars are in millions)  

Net charge-off dollars:

      

Real estate secured

   $ 607      $ 735      $ 763   

Personal non-credit card

     90        143        174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   $ 697      $ 878      $ 937   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net charge-off ratio:

      

Real estate secured

     5.99     7.01     6.59

Personal non-credit card

     7.88        11.54        11.13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     6.19     7.49     7.13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Real estate secured net charge-offs and REO expense as a percent of average real estate secured receivables

     6.19     7.29     6.84
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

The net charge-off ratio for all quarterly periods presented is net charge-offs for the quarter, annualized, as a percentage of average receivables for the quarter.

Overall dollars of net charge-offs decreased as compared to both the prior quarter and prior year quarter as all receivable portfolios were positively impacted by lower receivable levels and lower dollars of delinquency as discussed above. The decrease also reflects the impact of lower levels of personal bankruptcy filings and improvements in economic conditions. The overall decrease in dollars of net charge-offs for real estate secured receivables also reflects the impact of fewer accounts migrating to charge-off due to lower receivables and the impact of our earlier temporary suspension of foreclosure activities because once foreclosure is initiated a higher payment is required for an account to be re-aged. As a result, more accounts are receiving re-ages than otherwise would if the accounts were in the process of foreclosure. As we have commenced foreclosures in substantially all states, once we initiate foreclosure proceedings, customers will be required to make higher payments in order to qualify for a re-age. However, it will take time to work through the backlog of loans in each state that have not yet been referred to foreclosure. See “Customer Account Management Policies and Practices” for more information regarding the delinquency treatment of re-aged accounts and other customer account management tools.

The net charge-off ratio decreased 130 basis points and 94 basis points as compared to the prior quarter and prior year quarter, respectively, as the decrease in net charge-off dollars as discussed above outpaced the decrease in receivable levels.

Real estate charge-offs and REO expenses as a percentage of average real estate secured receivables decreased as compared to both the prior quarter and prior year quarter due to lower dollars of net charge-offs and REO expenses, partially offset by the impact of lower average receivable levels. See “Results of Operations” for further discussion of REO expenses.

 

100


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Nonperforming Assets Nonperforming assets are summarized in the following table:

 

     June 30, 2012              
      As
Reported
    Prior to Transfer
to Held For Sale(5)
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
           (dollars are in millions)        

Nonaccrual receivable portfolios(1):

        

Real estate secured:

        

Receivables carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell(2)

   $ 1,142      $ 5,118      $ 4,958      $ 4,687   

Remainder:

        

Collectively evaluated for impairment

     420        420        527        773   

Individually evaluated for impairment(3)

     974        974        1,044        1,084   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total remainder

     1,394        1,394        1,571        1,857   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total real estate secured(4)

     2,536        6,512        6,529        6,544   

Personal non-credit card

     -        201        247        330   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonaccrual receivables

     2,536        6,713        6,776        6,874   

Real estate owned

     229        229        263        299   

Nonaccrual receivables held for sale

     2,498 (6)      -        -        -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total nonperforming assets

   $ 5,263      $ 6,942      $ 7,039      $ 7,173   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Credit loss reserves as a percent of nonaccrual receivables excluding receivables held for sale

     181.7     86.3     86.6     86.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Nonaccrual receivables reflect all loans which are 90 or more days contractually delinquent as well as second lien loans where the first lien loan that we own or service is 90 or more days contractually delinquent. Nonaccrual receivables do not include receivables which have made qualifying payments and have been re-aged and the contractual delinquency status reset to current as such activity, in our judgment, evidences continued payment probability. If a re-aged loan subsequently experiences payment default and becomes 90 or more days contractually delinquent, it will be reported as nonaccrual.

 

(2) 

This amount includes TDR Loans which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell which totaled $547 million, $2.2 billion and $1.9 billion at June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

 

(3) 

This amount represents TDR Loans for which we evaluate reserves using a discounted cash flow methodology. Each loan is individually identified as a TDR Loan and then grouped together with other TDR Loans with similar characteristics. The discounted cash flow impairment analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans. This amount excludes TDR Loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell.

 

(4) 

At June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, nonaccrual second lien real estate secured receivables totaled $286 million, $297 million and $344 million, respectively.

 

(5) 

Excludes the impact of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded on receivables transferred to held for sale as well as the credit loss reserves associated with receivables transferred to held for sale which reduced the carrying amount of these receivables.

 

(6) 

This amount includes $1.2 million of real estate secured receivables held for sale which are also classified as TDR Loans.

The decrease in nonaccrual receivables held for investment at June 30, 2012 was impacted by the transfer of our entire personal non-credit card receivables and a portion of our real estate secured receivables to held for sale. Excluding the impact of these items, total nonaccrual receivables decreased $63 million and $161 million as compared to March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, reflecting lower receivable levels and lower delinquency levels for real estate secured nonaccrual receivables on accounts less than 180 days contractually delinquent and for personal non-credit card receivables a well as improvements in economic conditions. Additionally, as compared to December 31, 2011, the decrease reflects improvements in seasonal collection activities in the first quarter of the year as some customers use their tax refunds to make payments. These decreases were partially offset by the impact of higher late stage delinquency for real estate secured receivables reflecting the continuing impact of our earlier temporary suspension of foreclosure activities.

 

101


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table summarizes TDR Loans and TDR Loans held for sale, some of which are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value of the collateral less cost to sell in accordance with our existing charge-off policies, that are shown as nonaccrual receivables in the table above:

 

      June 30,
2012
     March 31,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Real estate secured

   $ 2,769       $ 3,261       $ 2,967   

Personal non-credit card

     60         144         175   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 2,829       $ 3,405       $ 3,142   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For additional information related to TDR Loans, see Note 4, “Receivables,” to our accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Customer Account Management Policies and Practices Currently, we utilize the following account management actions:

 

   

Modification – Management action that results in a change to the terms and conditions of the loan either temporarily or permanently without changing the delinquency status of the loan. Modifications may include changes to one or more terms of the loan including, but not limited to, a change in interest rate, extension of the amortization period, reduction in payment amount and partial forgiveness or deferment of principal.

 

   

Collection Re-age – Management action that results in the resetting of the contractual delinquency status of an account to current but does not involve any changes to the original terms and conditions of the loan. If an account which has been re-aged subsequently experiences a payment default, it will again become contractually delinquent. We use collection re-aging as an account and customer management tool in an effort to increase the cash flow from our account relationships, and accordingly, the application of this tool is subject to complexities, variations and changes from time to time.

 

   

Modification Re-age – Management action that results in a change to the terms and conditions of the loan, either temporarily or permanently, and also resets the contractual delinquency status of an account to current as discussed above. If an account which has been re-aged subsequently experiences a payment default, it will again become contractually delinquent.

Our policies and practices for the collection of consumer receivables, including our customer account management policies and practices, permit us to take action with respect to delinquent or troubled accounts based on criteria which, in our judgment, evidence continued payment probability, as well as, in the case of real estate secured receivables, a continuing desire for borrowers to stay in their homes. The policies and practices are designed to manage customer relationships, improve collection opportunities and avoid foreclosure as determined to be appropriate. From time to time we re-evaluate these policies and procedures and make changes as deemed appropriate.

It is our practice to defer past due interest on re-aged real estate secured and personal non-credit card accounts to the end of the loan period. We do not accrue interest on these past due interest payments consistent with our 2002 settlement agreement with the State Attorneys General. Our policies and practices for managing accounts are continually reviewed and assessed to assure that they meet the goals outlined above, and accordingly, we make exceptions to these general policies and practices from time to time. In addition, exceptions to these policies and practices may be made in specific situations in response to legal agreements, regulatory agreements or orders.

As a result of the expansion of our modification and re-age programs in response to the marketplace conditions previously described, modification and re-age volumes since January 2007 for real estate secured receivables have increased. Since January 2007, we have cumulatively modified and/or re-aged approximately 379,800 real

 

102


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

estate secured loans (including receivables currently classified as held for sale) with an aggregate outstanding principal balance of $44.0 billion at the time of modification and/or re-age under our foreclosure avoidance programs, which are described below, and a proactive adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) reset modification program which ended during the fourth quarter of 2009. The following provides information about the subsequent performance of all real estate secured loans granted a modification and/or re-age since January 2007, some of which may have received multiple account management actions:

 

Status as of June 30, 2012    Number of
Loans
    Outstanding
Receivable Balance at
Time of Account
Modification Action
 

Current or less than 30-days delinquent

     36     34

30- to 59-days delinquent

     5        5   

60-days or more delinquent

     17        23   

Paid-in-full

     9        8   

Charged-off, transferred to real estate owned or sold

     33        30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table shows the number of real estate secured accounts remaining in our portfolio (including receivables held for sale) as well as the outstanding receivable balance of these accounts as of the period indicated for loans that we have taken an account management action by the type of action taken:

 

      Number of
Accounts(1)
     Outstanding
Receivable
Balance(1)(4)
 
     (accounts are in thousands,
dollars are in millions)
 

June 30, 2012:(5)

     

Collection re-age only

     116.9       $ 9,330   

Modification only(2)

     12.2         1,188   

Modification re-age

     107.9         11,054   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans modified and/or re-aged(3)

     237.0       $ 21,572   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

March 31, 2012:

     

Collection re-age only

     118.4       $ 9,972   

Modification only(2)

     12.9         1,335   

Modification re-age

     109.0         12,309   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans modified and/or re-aged(3)

     240.3       $ 23,616   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

     

Collection re-age only

     119.4       $ 10,129   

Modification only(2)

     13.6         1,439   

Modification re-age

     110.2         12,668   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total loans modified and/or re-aged(3)

     243.2       $ 24,236   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

See Note 6, “Receivables,” in our 2011 Form 10-K for additional information describing modified and/or re-aged loans which are accounted for as troubled debt restructurings.

 

(2) 

Includes loans that have been modified under a proactive ARM reset modification program which ended during the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

103


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

(3) 

The following table provides information regarding the delinquency status of loans remaining in the portfolio that were granted modifications of loan terms and/or re-aged:

 

      Number of
Accounts
    Outstanding
Receivable
Balance
 

June 30, 2012:

    

Current or less than 30-days delinquent

     63     66

30- to 59-days delinquent

     8        9   

60-days or more delinquent

     29        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

March 31, 2012:

    

Current or less than 30-days delinquent

     64     63

30- to 59-days delinquent

     8        8   

60-days or more delinquent

     28        29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

December 31, 2011:

    

Current or less than 30-days delinquent

     61     61

30- to 59-days delinquent

     10        10   

60-days or more delinquent

     29        29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(4) 

The outstanding receivable balance included in this table reflects the principal amount outstanding on the loan net of any charge-off recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies but excludes any basis adjustments to the loan such as unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, purchase accounting fair value adjustments and premiums or discounts on purchased loans. Additionally, the balance in this table related to receivables which have been classified as held for sale has been reduced by the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment recorded as well as the credit loss reserves associated with these receivables prior to the transfer.

 

(5) 

The decrease in dollars of re-aged products as of June 30, 2012, primarily reflects the impact of the transfer of certain real estate secured receivables and our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card loans to held for sale which are now carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value which reduces the carrying value of these receivables.

Another account management technique that we employ in respect of delinquent accounts is forbearance which may also be considered a modification. Under a forbearance agreement, we may agree not to take certain collection or credit agency reporting actions with respect to missed payments, often in return for the borrower’s agreement to pay an additional amount with future required payments. We typically use forbearance with individual borrowers in transitional situations, usually involving borrower hardship circumstances or temporary setbacks that are expected to affect the borrower’s ability to pay the contractually specified amount for a period of time. Additionally, in the past we also used loan rewrites to assist our customers which involved an extension of a new loan. We currently no longer offer loan rewrites. The amount of receivables subject to forbearance or rewrites is not significant.

In addition to the account management techniques discussed above, we have also increased the use of deed-in-lieu and short sales beginning in 2010 to assist our real estate secured receivable customers. In a deed-in-lieu, the borrower agrees to surrender the deed to the property without going through foreclosure proceedings and we release the borrower from further obligation. In a short sale, the property is offered for sale to potential buyers at a price which has been pre-negotiated between us and the borrower. This pre-negotiated price is based on updated property valuations and overall loss exposure given liquidation through foreclosure. Short sales also release the borrower from further obligation. From our perspective, total losses on deed-in-lieu and short sales are lower than expected total losses from foreclosed loans, or loans where we have previously decided not to pursue foreclosure, and provide resolution to the delinquent receivable over a shorter period of time. We currently anticipate the use of deed-in-lieu and short sales will continue to be elevated in future periods as we continue to work with our customers.

 

104


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Modification programs Our Mortgage Services and Consumer Lending businesses actively use account modifications to reduce the rate and/or payment on a number of qualifying loans and generally re-age certain of these accounts upon receipt of two or more modified payments and other criteria being met. This account management practice is designed to assist borrowers who may have purchased a home with an expectation of continued real estate appreciation or whose income has subsequently declined. Additionally, our loan modification programs are designed to improve cash collections and avoid foreclosure as determined to be appropriate.

Based on the economic environment and expected slow recovery of housing values, during 2008 we developed additional analytical review tools leveraging best practices to assist us in identifying customers who are willing to pay, but are expected to have longer term disruptions in their ability to pay. Using these analytical review tools, we expanded our foreclosure avoidance programs to assist customers who did not qualify for assistance under prior program requirements or who required greater assistance than available under the programs. The expanded program required certain documentation as well as receipt of two qualifying payments before the account could be re-aged. Prior to July 2008, for our Consumer Lending customers, receipt of one qualifying payment was required for a modified account before the account would be re-aged. We also increased the use of longer term modifications to provide assistance in accordance with the needs of our customers which may result in higher credit loss reserve requirements. For selected customer segments, this expanded program lowered the interest rate on fixed rate loans and for ARM loans the expanded program modified the loan to a lower interest rate than scheduled at the first interest rate reset date. The eligibility requirements for this expanded program allow more customers to qualify for payment relief and in certain cases can result in a lower interest rate than allowed under other existing programs. During the third quarter of 2009, in order to increase the long-term success rate of our modification programs we increased certain documentation requirements for participation in these programs. Late in the third quarter of 2011 the modification program was enhanced to improve underwriting and achieve a better balance between economics and customer-driven variables. The enhanced program offers a longer modification duration to select borrowers facing a temporary hardship and expands the treatment options to include term extension and principal forbearance.

Beginning in late 2009 and continuing through 2011, the volume of loans that qualified for a new modification had fallen significantly. We expect the volume of new modifications to continue to decline as we believe a smaller percentage of our customers with unmodified loans will benefit from loan modification in a way that will not ultimately result in a repeat default on their loans. Additionally, volumes of new loan modifications are expected to decrease due to the impact of improvements in economic conditions over the long-term, the continued seasoning of a liquidating portfolio and, beginning in the second quarter of 2010, the requirement for real estate secured and personal noncredit card borrowers to make two qualifying payments in 60 days before an account will be modified. Modification volumes will also be lower going forward as we are no longer originating real estate secured and personal noncredit card receivables.

We will continue to evaluate our consumer relief programs as well as all aspects of our account management practices to ensure our programs benefit our customers in accordance with their financial needs in ways that are economically viable for both our customers and our stakeholders. We have elected not to participate in the U.S. Treasury sponsored programs as we believe our long-standing home preservation programs provide more meaningful assistance to our customers. Loans modified under these programs are only included in the re-aging statistics table (“Re-age Table”) that is included in our discussion of our re-age programs if the delinquency status of a loan was reset as a part of the modification or was re-aged in the past for other reasons. Not all loans modified under these programs have the delinquency status reset and, therefore, are not considered to have been re-aged.

 

105


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The following table summarizes loans modified during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 (including receivables currently classified as held for sale), some of which may also have been re-aged:

 

      Number of
Accounts
     Outstanding
Receivable
Balance
 
     (accounts are in thousands,
dollars are in billions)
 

Foreclosure avoidance programs(1)(2):

     

Six months ended June 30, 2012

     10.6       $ 1.5   

Six months ended June 30, 2011

     18.7         2.6   

 

 

(1)

Includes all loans modified during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 regardless of whether the loan was also re-aged.

 

(2)

If qualification criteria are met, loan modification may occur on more than one occasion for the same account. For purposes of the table above, an account is only included in the modification totals once in an annual period and not for each separate modification in an annual period.

A primary tool used during account modification involves modifying the monthly payment through lowering the rate on the loan on either a temporary or permanent basis. The following table summarizes the weighted-average contractual rate reductions and the average amount of payment relief provided to customers that entered an account modification (including receivables currently classified as held for sale) for the first time during the quarter indicated.

 

     Quarter Ended  
      June 30,
2012
    Mar. 31,
2012
    Dec. 31,
2011
    Sept. 30,
2011
    June 30,
2011
 

Weighted-average contractual rate reduction in basis points on account modifications during the period(1)(2)

     341        341        340        343        336   

Average payment relief provided on account modifications as a percentage of total payment prior to modification(2)

     25.8     26.8     26.2     27.1     27.1

 

 

(1) 

The weighted-average rate reduction was determined based on the rate in effect immediately prior to the modification, which for ARMs may be lower than the rate on the loan at the time of origination.

 

(2) 

Excludes any modifications on purchased receivable portfolios. Purchased receivable portfolios totaled $1.0 billion, $1.0 billion $1.1 billion, $1.1 billion and $1.1 billion as of June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012, December 31, 2011, September 30, 2011 and June 30, 2011, respectively.

Re-age programs Our policies and practices include various criteria for an account to qualify for re-aging, but do not, however, require us to re-age the account. The extent to which we re-age accounts that are eligible under our existing policies will vary depending upon our view of prevailing economic conditions and other factors which may change from period to period. In addition, exceptions to our policies and practices may be made in specific situations in response to legal or regulatory agreements or orders. It is our practice to defer past due interest on certain re-aged real estate secured and personal non-credit card accounts to the end of the loan period. We do not accrue interest on these past due interest payments consistent with our 2002 settlement agreement with the State Attorneys General.

We continue to monitor and track information related to accounts that have been re-aged. At June 30, 2012, approximately 94 percent of all re-aged receivables are real estate secured products. First lien real estate secured products generally have less loss severity exposure than other products because of the underlying collateral. Credit loss reserves, including reserves on TDR Loans, take into account whether loans have been re-aged or are subject to forbearance, an external debt management plan, modification, extension or deferment. Our credit loss reserves, including reserves on TDR Loans, also take into consideration the expected loss severity based on the underlying collateral, if any, for the loan. TDR Loans are typically reserved for using a discounted cash flow methodology.

 

106


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

We used certain assumptions and estimates to compile our re-aging statistics. The systemic counters used to compile the information presented below exclude from the reported statistics loans that have been reported as contractually delinquent but have been reset to a current status because we have determined that the loans should not have been considered delinquent (e.g., payment application processing errors). When comparing re-aging statistics from different periods, the fact that our re-age policies and practices will change over time, that exceptions are made to those policies and practices, and that our data capture methodologies have been enhanced, should be taken into account.

Re-age Table(1)(2)(3)

 

      June 30,
2012
    March 31,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 

Never re-aged

     49.1     49.5     50.0

Re-aged:

      

Re-aged in the last 6 months

     9.9        10.3        9.5   

Re-aged in the last 7-12 months

     9.3        9.3        12.1   

Previously re-aged beyond 12 months

     31.7        30.9        28.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total ever re-aged

     50.9        50.5        50.0   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     100.0     100.0     100.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Re-aged by Product(1)(2)(3)

 

      June 30, 2012(4)     March 31, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (dollars are in millions)  

Real estate secured

   $ 19,992         52.3   $ 21,553         52.3   $ 22,080         51.7

Personal non-credit card

     1,233         35.5        1,709         35.6        1,874         36.1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 21,225         50.9   $ 23,262         50.5   $ 23,954         50.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The tables above includes both Collection Re-ages and Modification Re-ages, as discussed above, for receivables and receivables held for sale.

 

(2) 

The outstanding receivable balance included in this table reflects the principal amount outstanding on the loan net of unearned income, unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans, purchase accounting fair value adjustments and premiums or discounts on purchased loans as well as net of any charge-off recorded in accordance with our existing charge-off policies as well as lower of amortized cost or fair value recorded on receivables held for sale.

 

(3) 

The tables above exclude any accounts re-aged without receipt of a payment which only occurs under special circumstances, such as re-ages associated with disaster or in connection with a bankruptcy filing. At June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the unpaid principal balance of re-ages without receipt of a payment totaled $772 million, $780 million and $783 million, respectively.

 

(4) 

The decrease in dollars of re-aged products as of June 30, 2012, primarily reflects the impact of the transfer of certain real estate secured receivables and our entire portfolio of personal non-credit card loans to held for sale which are now carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value which reduces the carrying value of these receivables.

The overall decrease in dollars of re-aged loans during the first half of 2012 reflects the lower receivable levels as discussed above. At June 30, 2012, March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $5.0 billion (24 percent of total re-aged loans in the Re-age Table), $6.5 billion (28 percent of total re-aged loans in the Re-age Table) and $6.9 billion (29 percent of total re-aged loans in the Re-age Table), respectively, of re-aged accounts have subsequently experienced payment defaults and are included in our two-months-and-over contractual delinquency at the period indicated.

 

107


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

We continue to work with advocacy groups in select markets to assist in encouraging our customers with financial needs to contact us. We have also implemented new training programs to ensure that our customer service representatives are focused on helping the customer through difficulties, are knowledgeable about the available re-aging and modification programs and are able to advise each customer of the best solutions for their individual circumstance.

We also support a variety of national and local efforts in homeownership preservation and foreclosure avoidance.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

HSBC Related Funding  In connection with our acquisition by HSBC, funding costs for the HSBC Finance Corporation businesses were expected to be lower as a result of the funding diversity provided by HSBC. We work with our affiliates under the oversight of HSBC North America to maximize funding opportunities and efficiencies in HSBC’s operations in the United States.

Due to affiliates totaled $8.0 billion and $8.3 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, funding from HSBC, including debt issuances to HSBC subsidiaries and clients, represented 20 percent and 18 percent of our total debt and preferred stock funding, respectively.

At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we have committed back-up lines of credit totaling $2.0 billion with HSBC affiliates. There were no balances outstanding under these back-up lines of credit at June 30, 2012 or December 31, 2011. Additionally, we have a $1.5 billion uncommitted secured credit facility from HSBC Bank USA and a $2.0 billion committed credit facility and a $4.0 billion uncommitted credit facility from HSBC USA Inc. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no balances outstanding under these facilities.

We have derivative contracts with a notional value of $30.5 billion, or approximately 99 percent of total derivative contracts, outstanding with HSBC affiliates at June 30, 2012 and $40.4 billion, or approximately 99 percent at December 31, 2011.

Interest Bearing Deposits with Banks and Other Short-Term Investments  Interest bearing deposits with banks totaled $2.8 billion and $1.1 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Securities purchased under agreements to resell totaled $1.7 billion and $920 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Interest bearing deposits with banks and securities purchased under agreements to resell increased as compared to December 31, 2011 primarily as a result of consideration received from the sale of our Card and Retail Services business on May 1, 2012 and the generation of additional liquidity as a result of the run-off of our liquidating receivable portfolios and the sale of REO properties, partially offset by debt maturities as well as a requirement during the second quarter of 2012 to post collateral under our derivative agreements.

Commercial paper  totaled $302 million and $4.0 billion at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Included in this total was outstanding Euro commercial paper sold to customers of HSBC of $62 million and $365 million at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Commercial paper balances decreased as compared to December 31, 2011 as we ceased new commercial paper issuances during the second quarter of 2012 and began reducing commercial paper balances. The wind-down of our commercial paper program will largely be completed prior to December 31, 2012. Our funding strategies are structured such that committed bank credit facilities exceed 100 percent of outstanding commercial paper. We anticipate any required incremental funding will be integrated into the overall HSBC North America funding plans, sourced primarily through HSBC USA Inc., or through direct support from HSBC and its affiliates.

At June 30, 2012, we have a third-party back-up line of credit totaling $2.0 billion which will expire in April 2014. At December 31, 2011, we had third-party back-up lines of credit totaling $4.0 billion of which $2.0 billion expired in April 2012 and was not renewed. This reduction is consistent with the on-going wind-down of our commercial paper program and thus we do not expect that it will have a significant impact on our availability of

 

108


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

short term funding. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we also have credit facilities totaling $2.0 billion with HSBC affiliates to support any ongoing issuance of commercial paper as discussed above. As we continue to wind-down our commercial paper program, we are also evaluating and may eliminate some of our other third-party or related party back-up lines which had previously supported our commercial paper program.

Long-term debt  decreased to $33.6 billion at June 30, 2012 from $39.8 billion at December 31, 2011. The following table summarizes issuances and repayments of long-term debt for continuing operations during the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

Six Months Ended June 30,    2012     2011  
     (in millions)  

Long-term debt issued

   $ -      $ 227   

Long-term debt retired

     (6,192     (7,656
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net long-term debt retired

   $ (6,192   $ (7,429
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Secured financings of $3.1 billion at June 30, 2012 are secured by $5.1 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables. Secured financings previously issued under public trusts of $3.3 billion at December 31, 2011 were secured by $5.3 billion of closed-end real estate secured receivables.

In order to eliminate future foreign exchange risk, currency swaps were used at the time of issuance to fix in U.S. dollars substantially all foreign-denominated notes previously issued.

As it relates to our discontinued credit card operations, we had secured conduit credit facilities with commercial banks which provided for secured financings of credit card receivables on a revolving basis totaling $650 million at December 31, 2011. At December 31, 2011, secured financings with a balance of $195 million were secured by $355 million of credit card receivables. The secured financings were paid in full on April 30, 2012.

Common Equity  During the first half of 2012, we did not receive any capital contributions from HINO. However, as we continue to liquidate our real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivable portfolios, HSBC’s continued support will be required to properly manage our business and maintain appropriate levels of capital. HSBC has historically provided significant capital in support of our operations and has indicated that they remain fully committed and have the capacity to continue that support.

Selected capital ratios  In managing capital, we develop a target for tangible common equity to tangible assets. This ratio target is based on discussions with HSBC and rating agencies, risks inherent in the portfolio and the projected operating environment and related risks. Additionally, we are required by our credit-providing banks to maintain a minimum tangible common equity to tangible assets ratio of 6.75 percent. Our targets may change from time to time to accommodate changes in the operating environment or other considerations such as those listed above.

Selected capital ratios are summarized in the following table:

 

      June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 

Tangible common equity to tangible assets(1)

     9.52     7.11

Common and preferred equity to total assets

     12.62        10.90   

 

 

(1) 

Tangible common equity to tangible assets represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial ratio that is used by HSBC Finance Corporation management and applicable rating agencies to evaluate capital adequacy and may differ from similarly named measures presented by other companies. See “Basis of Reporting” for additional discussion on the use of non-U.S. GAAP financial measures and “Reconciliations of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures to U.S. GAAP Financial Measures” for quantitative reconciliations to the equivalent U.S. GAAP basis financial measure.

Commitments  We entered into commitments to meet the financing needs of our customers. In some cases, we have the ability to reduce or eliminate these open lines of credit. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had $535 million of open consumer lines of credit, including accounts associated with receivables held for sale.

 

109


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

2012 Funding Strategy  Our current range of estimates for funding needs and sources for 2012 are summarized in the table that follows.

 

      Actual January 1
through June 30,
2012
    Estimated
July 1 through
December 31, 2012
    

Estimated Full
Year

2012

 
     (in billions)                

Funding needs:

                   

Net commercial paper maturities and paydowns

   $ 4      $ 0                 0       $ 4                 4   

Term debt maturities

     7        4                 5         11                 12   

Secured financing maturities

     -        1                 2         1                 2   

Litigation bond

     -        3                 4         3                 4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total funding needs

   $ 11      $ 8                 11       $ 19                 22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Funding sources:

                   

Net asset attrition(1)

   $ 2      $ 1                 2       $ 3                 4   

Liquidation of short-term investments

     (3     3                 3         0                 0   

Asset sales and transfers

     12        2                 3         14                 15   

HSBC and HSBC subsidiaries, including capital infusions

     -        2                 2         2                 2   

Other(2)

     -        0                 1         0                 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total funding sources

   $ 11      $ 8         -         11       $ 19                 22   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Net of receivable charge-off.

 

(2) 

Primarily reflects cash provided by operating activities and sales of REO properties.

In 2012, the sale of the Card and Retail Services business and continued portfolio attrition will be key sources of liquidity. The combination of the sale of our Card and Retail Services business, cash generated from operations, asset sales from the portfolios transferred to held for sale and borrowings from HSBC or its subsidiaries is expected to generate the liquidity necessary to meet our maturing debt obligations in 2012.

Fair Value

 

Net income volatility arising from changes in either interest rate or credit components of the mark-to-market on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives affects the comparability of reported results between periods. Accordingly, gain on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives for the six months ended June 30, 2012 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future period.

Fair Value Hierarchy  Accounting principles related to fair value measurements establish a fair value hierarchy structure that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to determine the fair value of an asset or liability (the “Fair Value Framework”). The Fair Value Framework distinguishes between inputs that are based on observed market data and unobservable inputs that reflect market participants’ assumptions. It emphasizes the use of valuation methodologies that maximize market inputs. For financial instruments carried at fair value, the best evidence of fair value is a quoted price in an actively traded market (Level 1). Where the market for a financial instrument is not active, valuation techniques are used. The majority of valuation techniques use market inputs that are either observable or indirectly derived from and corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the financial instrument (Level 2). Because Level 1 and Level 2 instruments are determined by observable inputs, less judgment is applied in determining their fair values. In the absence of observable market inputs, the financial instrument is valued based on valuation techniques that feature one or more significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The determination of the level of fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement of an asset or a liability is classified often requires judgment. We consider the following factors in developing the fair value hierarchy:

 

   

whether the pricing quotations vary substantially among independent pricing services;

 

110


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

   

whether the asset or liability is transacted in an active market with a quoted market price that is readily available;

 

   

the size of transactions occurring in an active market;

 

   

the level of bid-ask spreads;

 

   

a lack of pricing transparency due to, among other things, the complexity of the product structure and market liquidity;

 

   

whether only a few transactions are observed over a significant period of time;

 

   

whether the inputs to the valuation techniques can be derived from or corroborated with market data; and

 

   

whether significant adjustments are made to the observed pricing information or model output to determine the fair value.

Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that the reporting entity has the ability to access for the identical assets or liabilities. A financial instrument is classified as a Level 1 measurement if it is listed on an exchange or is an instrument actively traded in the OTC market where transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume. We regard financial instruments that are listed on the primary exchanges of a country, such as equity securities and derivative contracts, to be actively traded. Non-exchange-traded instruments classified as Level 1 assets include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury.

Level 2 inputs are inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. We generally classify derivative contracts, corporate debt including asset-backed securities as well as our own debt issuance for which we have elected fair value option which are not traded in active markets, as Level 2 measurements. Currently, substantially all such items qualify as Level 2 measurements. These valuations are typically obtained from a third party valuation source which, in the case of derivatives, includes valuations provided by an affiliate, HSBC Bank USA.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs incorporate market participants’ assumptions about risk and the risk premium required by market participants in order to bear that risk. We develop Level 3 inputs based on the best information available in the circumstances. As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had no Level 3 assets in our continuing operations recorded at fair value on either a recurring or non-recurring basis.

Classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on whether the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement is observable. As such, the classification within the fair value hierarchy is dynamic and can be transferred to other hierarchy levels in each reporting period. Transfers between leveling categories are assessed, determined and recognized at the end of each reporting period.

Transfers between leveling categories are recognized at the end of each reporting period.

Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2 Measurements  There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 during the six months ended June 30, 2012 or 2011.

Transfers Between Level 2 and Level 3 Measurements  Assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 which have been classified as using Level 3 measurements include certain U.S. corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed securities and at December 31, 2011, foreign corporate debt securities. Securities are classified as using Level 3 measurements when one or both of the following conditions are met:

 

   

An asset-backed security is downgraded below a AAA credit rating; or

 

111


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

   

An individual security fails the quarterly pricing comparison test with a variance greater than 5 percent.

We did not have any transfer into or out of Level 3 classifications in our continuing operations during the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. There was no available-for-sale securities for continuing operations reported as Level 3 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

See Note 15, “Fair Value Measurements” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further details including our valuation techniques as well as the classification hierarchy associated with assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

Risk Management

 

Credit Risk Management  Day-to-day management of retail credit risk is administered by the HSBC North America Chief Retail Credit Officer who reports to the HSBC North America Chief Risk Officer. The HSBC North America Chief Risk Officer reports to the HSBC North America Chief Executive Officer and to the Group Managing Director and Chief Risk Officer of HSBC. We have established detailed policies to address the credit risk that arises from our lending activities. Our credit and portfolio management procedures focus on effective collections and customer account management efforts for each loan. Prior to the sale of our Card and Retail Services business on May 1, 2012, our lending guidelines, which delineate the credit risk we were willing to take and the related terms, were specific not only for each product, but also took into consideration various other factors including borrower characteristics, return on equity, capital deployment and our overall risk appetite. We also have specific policies to ensure the establishment of appropriate credit loss reserves on a timely basis to cover probable losses of principal, interest and fees. See the captions “Credit Quality” and “Risk Management” in our 2011 Form 10-K for a detailed description of our policies regarding the establishment of credit loss reserves, our delinquency and charge-off policies and practices and our customer account management policies and practices. Also see Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements,” in our 2011 Form 10-K for further discussion of our policies surrounding credit loss reserves. Our policies and procedures are consistent with HSBC standards and are regularly reviewed and updated both on an HSBC Finance Corporation and HSBC level. The credit risk function continues to refine “early warning” indicators and reporting, including stress testing scenarios on the basis of current experience. These risk management tools are embedded within our business planning process.

Counterparty credit risk is our primary exposure on our interest rate swap portfolio. Counterparty credit risk is the risk that the counterparty to a transaction fails to perform according to the terms of the contract. Currently the majority of our existing derivative contracts are with HSBC subsidiaries, making them our primary counterparty in derivative transactions. Most swap agreements, both with unaffiliated and affiliated third parties, require that payments be made to, or received from, the counterparty when the fair value of the agreement reaches a certain level. Generally, we provide non-affiliate swap counterparties collateral in the form of cash which is recorded in our balance sheet as derivative financial assets or derivative related liabilities. At June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we provided third party swap counterparties with $12 million and $10 million of collateral, respectively, in the form of cash. The fair value of our agreements with an affiliate counterparty required us to provide collateral to the affiliate of $337 million at June 30, 2012, all of which was paid in cash. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of our agreements with an affiliate counterparty required the affiliate to provide collateral of $584 million to us, all of which was received in cash. These amounts are offset against the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments that have been offset under the same master netting arrangement.

There have been no significant changes in our approach to credit risk management since December 31, 2011.

Liquidity Risk Management  Continued success in reducing the size of our run-off real estate secured and personal non-credit card receivable portfolios, including the proceeds of receivables held for sale, coupled with the sale of our Card and Retail Services business on May 1, 2012 as previously discussed will be the primary

 

112


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

driver of our liquidity management process going forward. However, lower cash flow, as a result of declining receivable balances as well as lower cash generated from balance sheet attrition due to increased charge-offs, will not provide sufficient cash to fully cover maturing debt over the next four to five years. During 2011, the shelf registration statement under which we have historically issued long-term debt expired and we chose not to renew it. We currently do not expect third-party long-term debt to be a source of funding for us in the future given the run-off nature of our business. Further, we currently expect a significant shift in our short-term funding sources as we continue the wind-down of our commercial paper program. We anticipate any required incremental funding will be integrated into the overall HSBC North America funding plans, sourced primarily through HSBC USA Inc., or through direct support from HSBC and its affiliates. HSBC has indicated it remains fully committed and has the capacity to continue to provide such support. Should HSBC North America call upon us to execute certain strategies in order to address capital considerations, our intent may change and a portion of this required funding could be generated through additional selected receivable portfolio sales in our run-off portfolios.

Maintaining our credit ratings is an important part of maintaining our overall liquidity profile. As indicated by the major rating agencies, our credit ratings are directly dependent upon the continued support of HSBC. A credit rating downgrade would increase borrowing costs, and depending on its severity, substantially limit access to capital markets, require cash payments or collateral posting, require delivery of secured financing collateral documents, and permit termination of certain contracts material to us.

The following summarizes our credit ratings at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

      Standard
Poor’s
Corporation
     Moody’s
Investor
Service
     Fitch
Ratings
 

As of June 30, 2012:

        

Senior debt

     A         Baa1         AA-   

Senior subordinated debt

     A-         Baa2         A+   

Commercial paper

     A-1         P-2         F1+   

Series B preferred stock

     BBB+         Baa3         -   

As of December 31, 2011:

        

Senior debt

     A         A3         AA-   

Senior subordinated debt

     A-         Baa1         A+   

Commercial paper

     A-1         P-1         F1+   

Series B preferred stock

     BBB+         Baa2         -   

In December 2011, Fitch finalized a revised global criteria for assessing the credit ratings of non-common equity securities which qualify for treatment as bank regulatory capital. In March 2012, Fitch reaffirmed the rating for our Senior Debt and indicated that the reaffirmation of the rating reflects the strength and support of HSBC. Fitch also indicated that any changes in the rating of HSBC would similarly result in a change in our ratings. Separately, in March 2012, Fitch placed the outlook for HSBC and related entities to negative.

On June 22, 2012, Moody’s downgraded our long-term and short-term ratings as noted in the table above. As a result of this downgrade, our secured financings agreements now require us to remit on a daily basis all cash received on the receivables securing the debt. Prior to the downgrade we remitted such funds on a monthly basis.

As of June 30, 2012, there were no other pending actions in terms of changes to ratings for HSBC Finance Corporation from any of the rating agencies listed above.

Other than the planned wind-down of our commercial paper program during 2012 and increased reliance on HSBC affiliates for funding, there have been no significant changes in our approach to liquidity risk management since December 31, 2011.

 

113


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Market Risk Management  We maintain an overall risk management strategy that primarily uses standard interest rate and currency derivative financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations caused by changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. We managed our exposure to interest rate risk primarily through the use of interest rate swaps, but have used forwards, futures, options, and other risk management instruments. We do not use leveraged derivative financial instruments.

We manage our exposure to foreign currency exchange risk primarily through the use of currency swaps, options and forwards. Our financial statements are affected by movements in exchange rates on our foreign currency denominated debt as well as by movements in exchange rates between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar related to specialty insurance products offered in Canada.

There has been no significant change in our approach to market risk management since December 31, 2011.

Interest Rate Risk Management  HSBC has certain limits and benchmarks that serve as additional guidelines in determining the appropriate levels of interest rate risk. One such limit is expressed in terms of the Present Value of a Basis Point, which reflects the change in value of the balance sheet for a one basis point movement in all interest rates without considering other correlation factors or assumptions. At both June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our absolute PVBP limit was $5.50 million, which included the risk associated with the hedging instruments we employed. Thus, for a one basis point change in interest rates, the policy at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 dictated that the value of the balance sheet could not increase or decrease by more than $5.50 million.

The following table shows the components of our absolute PVBP position at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 broken down by currency risk:

 

      June 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

USD

   $ .284       $ 1.679   

Other

     .060         .151   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Absolute PVBP risk

   $ .344       $ 1.830   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The decrease since December 31, 2011 reflects changes in cash flow projections relating to our real estate secured receivable portfolio.

We also monitor the impact that an immediate hypothetical increase or decrease in interest rates of 25 basis points applied at the beginning of each quarter over a 12 month period would have on our net interest income assuming for 2012 and 2011 a declining balance sheet and the current interest rate risk profile. These estimates include the impact on net interest income of debt and related derivatives carried at fair value and also assume we would not take any corrective actions in response to interest rate movements and, therefore, exceed what most likely would occur if rates were to change by the amount indicated. The estimates at December 31, 2011 has been adjusted to reflect the impact of the Capital One transaction previously discussed with balances reduced at the sale date and the associated impact of that reduction is included in these estimates. The following table summarizes such estimated impact, excluding any impacts on our portfolio of non-qualifying hedges:

 

      June 30,
2012
    December 31,
2011
 
     (in millions)  

Increase (decrease) in net interest income following a hypothetical 25 basis points rise in interest rates applied at the beginning of each quarter over the next 12 months

   $ 11      $ 27   

Increase (decrease) in net interest income following a hypothetical 25 basis points fall in interest rates applied at the beginning of each quarter over the next 12 months

     (13     (20

 

114


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

The decrease in net interest income following a hypothetical rate rise and increase in net interest income following a hypothetical rate fall as compared to December 31, 2011 reflect a change in our funding mix from shorter term to longer term liabilities that results from the wind down of the commercial paper program and shift to affiliate funding, regular adjustments of asset and liability behavior assumptions, updates of economic stress scenarios including housing price index assumptions, and model enhancements.

A principal consideration supporting both of the PVBP and margin at risk analyses is the projected prepayment of loan balances for a given economic scenario. Individual loan underwriting standards in combination with housing valuations, loan modification program, changes to our foreclosure processes and macroeconomic factors related to available mortgage credit are the key assumptions driving these prepayment projections. While we have utilized a number of sources to refine these projections, we cannot currently project precise prepayment rates with a high degree of certainty in all economic environments given recent, significant changes in both subprime mortgage underwriting standards and property valuations across the country.

There has been no significant change in our approach to interest rate risk management since December 31, 2011.

Operational Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to operational risk management since December 31, 2011.

Compliance Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to compliance risk management since December 31, 2011.

Reputational Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to reputational risk management since December 31, 2011.

Strategic Risk Management  There has been no significant change in our approach to strategic risk management since December 31, 2011.

 

115


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES TO U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

 

 

      June 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (dollars are in millions)  

Tangible common equity:

    

Common shareholder’s equity

   $ 4,936      $ 5,351   

Exclude:

    

Fair value option adjustment

     (385     (755

Unrealized (gains) losses on cash flow hedging instruments

     444        494   

Postretirement benefit plan adjustments, net of tax

     10        11   

Unrealized (gains) losses on investments

     (109     (102

Intangible assets

     -        (514
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible common equity

   $ 4,896      $ 4,485   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible shareholders’ equity:

    

Tangible common equity

   $ 4,896      $ 4,485   

Preferred stock

     1,575        1,575   

Mandatorily redeemable preferred securities of Household Capital Trusts

     1,000        1,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible shareholders’ equity

   $ 7,471      $ 7,060   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible assets:

    

Total assets

   $ 51,595      $ 63,567   

Exclude:

    

Intangible assets

     -        (514

Derivative financial assets

     (183     -   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Tangible assets

   $ 51,412      $ 63,053   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity ratios:

    

Common and preferred equity to total assets

     12.62     10.90

Tangible common equity to tangible assets

     9.52        7.11   

Tangible shareholders’ equity to tangible assets

     14.53        11.20   

 

116


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

See Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations,” under the caption “Risk Management – Market Risk” of this Form 10-Q.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures We maintain a system of internal and disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by HSBC Finance Corporation in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis Board of Directors, operating through its audit committee, which is composed entirely of independent outside directors, provides oversight to our financial reporting process.

We conducted an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report so as to alert them in a timely fashion to material information required to be disclosed in reports we file under the Exchange Act.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

 

See “Litigation and Regulatory Matters in Note 16, “Litigation and Regulatory Matters,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements beginning on page 60 for our legal proceedings disclosure, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

 

The following discussion supplements the discussion of risk factors affecting us as set forth in Part I, Item 1A: Risk Factors, on pages 14 – 24 of our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The discussion of risk factors, as so supplemented, provides a description of some of the important risk factors that could affect our actual results and could cause our results to vary materially from those expressed in public statements or documents. However, other factors besides those included in the discussion of risk factors, as so supplemented, or discussed elsewhere in other of our reports filed with or furnished to the SEC could affect our business or results. The readers should not consider any description of such factors to be a complete set of all potential risks that we may face.

Regulatory investigations, fines, sanctions and requirements relating to conduct of business and financial crime negatively affecting our results and brand. Financial service providers are at risk of regulatory sanctions or fines related to conduct of business and financial crime. The incidence of regulatory proceedings and other adversarial proceedings against financial service firms is increasing. HSBC Holdings plc and certain of its affiliates, including HSBC Bank USA, are the subject of ongoing investigations by bank regulatory and law enforcement agencies in the United States relating to their compliance with anti-money laundering laws and regulations, the U.S. Bank Secrecy Act and sanctions programs administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control. In each of these U.S. regulatory and law enforcement matters, HSBC Group companies,

 

117


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

including HSBC Bank USA, have received Grand Jury subpoenas or other requests for information from U.S. Government or other agencies, and HSBC is cooperating fully and engaging in efforts to resolve matters. The resolution of at least some of these matters is likely to involve the filing of corporate criminal as well as civil charges and the imposition of significant fines and penalties. The prosecution of corporate criminal charges in these types of cases has most often been deferred through an agreement with the relevant authorities; however, U.S. authorities have substantial discretion, and prior settlements can provide no assurance as to how the U.S. authorities will proceed in these matters. In the event of a filing of criminal charges the prosecution of which is not deferred, there could be significant consequences to HSBC and its affiliates, including loss of business, withdrawal of funding and harm to our reputation, all of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

Item 6.    Exhibits

 

Exhibits included in this Report:

 

12    Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
31    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document(1),(2)
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(1),(2)
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(1),(2)
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(1),(2)
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(1),(2)
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(1),(2)

 

 

(1) 

Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, includes the following financial information included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”) interactive data files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the three and months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2) 

As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information shall be not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.

 

118


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Index

 

Account management policies and practices 102

Assets:

            by business segment 47

            fair value of financial assets 53

            fair value measurements 51

            nonperforming 22, 101

Balance sheet (consolidated) 5

Basel II 75

Basis of reporting 76

Business:

            consolidated performance review 70

            focus 68

Capital:

            2012 funding strategy 110

            common equity movements 109

            consolidated statement of changes 6

            selected capital ratios 109

Cash flow (consolidated) 7

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking

            statements 66

Compliance risk 115

Consumer business segment 46, 91

Controls and procedures 117

Credit quality 94

Credit risk:

            concentration 23

            management 112

Current environment 66

Deferred tax assets 37

Derivatives:

            cash flow hedges 30

            fair value hedges 29

            income (expense) 88

            non-qualifying hedges 31

            notional value 33

Discontinued operations 10

Equity:

            consolidated statement of changes 6

            ratios 109

Equity securities available-for-sale 14

Estimates and assumptions 9

Executive overview 66

Fair value measurements:

            assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a

                recurring basis 54

            assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a

                non-recurring basis 57

            fair value adjustments 52

            financial instruments 53

            hierarchy 110

            transfers into/out of level one and

                two 56, 111

            transfers into/out of level two and

                three 56, 111

            valuation control framework 52

            valuation techniques 58

Financial highlights metrics 73

Financial liabilities:

            designated at fair value 33, 54

            fair value of financial liabilities 53, 54

Forward looking statements 66

Funding 75, 108

Gain (loss) on debt designated at fair value and

    related derivatives 34, 88

Geographic concentration of receivables 23

Impairment:

            available-for-sale securities 15

            credit losses 24, 71, 86

            nonaccrual receivables 18, 101

            nonperforming assets 22, 101

Income tax expense 35

Interest income:

            net interest income 84

            sensitivity 114

Interest rate risk 114

Internal control 117

Key performance indicators 73

Legal proceedings 60, 117

Liabilities:

            commercial paper 108

            commitments 109

            financial liabilities designated at

                fair value 33, 54

            lines of credit 108

            long-term debt 109

Liquidity and capital resources 108

Liquidity risk 112

Litigation and regulatory matters 60, 117

Loans and advances — see Receivables

Loan impairment charges — see Provision for

             credit losses

Market risk 114

Mortgage lending products 17, 80

Net interest income 84

New accounting pronouncements 65

Operating expenses 89

Operational risk 115

 

 

 

119


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Other revenues 87

Pension and other postretirement benefits 40

Performance, developments and trends 70

Profit (loss) before tax:

            by segment — IFRSs 47

            consolidated 3

Provision for credit losses 24, 71, 86

Ratios:

            capital 109

            charge-off (net) 100

            credit loss reserve related 95

            delinquency 98

            earnings to fixed charges — Exhibit 12

            efficiency 73, 90

            financial 73

Re-aged receivables 107

Real estate owned 82

Receivables:

            by category 17, 80

            by charge-off (net) 100

            by delinquency 98

            geographic concentration 23

            held for sale 26

            modified and/or re-aged 103

            nonaccrual 18, 101

            overall review 80

            risk concentration 23

            troubled debt restructures 19, 72, 102

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures

            to U.S. GAAP financial measures 116

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP results to IFRSs 77

Refreshed loan-to-value 81

Related party transactions 41

Reputational risk 115

Results of operations 84

Risk elements in the loan portfolio by product 23

Risk factors 117

Risk management:

            credit 112

            compliance 115

            interest rate 114

            liquidity 112

            market 114

            operational 115

            reputational 115

            strategic 115

Securities:

            fair value 14, 54

            maturity analysis 16

Segment results — IFRSs basis:

            consumer 47, 91

            “All Other” grouping 47

            overall summary 46, 90

Selected financial data 73

Sensitivity:

            projected net interest income 114

Statement of cash flows 7

Statement of comprehensive income (loss) 4

Statement of changes in shareholders’ equity 6

Statement of income (loss) 3

Strategic initiatives and focus 10, 68

Strategic risk 115

Table of contents 2

Tangible common equity to tangible managed

            assets 109

Tax expense 35

Troubled debt restructures 19, 72, 102

Variable interest entities 50

 

 

120


Table of Contents

HSBC Finance Corporation

 

 

 

Signature

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

HSBC FINANCE CORPORATION

(Registrant)

/s/    MICHAEL A. REEVES

Michael A. Reeves

Executive Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

Date: July 30, 2012

 

121


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

 

12    Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and to Combined Fixed
   Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
31    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32    Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document(1),(2)
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document(1),(2)
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document(1),(2)
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document(1),(2)
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document(1),(2)
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document(1),(2)

 

 

(1) 

Pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T, includes the following financial information included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”) interactive data files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income (Loss) for the three and months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, (ii) the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, (v) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2) 

As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information shall be not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.