At a glance
We aim to deliver long-term value for our shareholders through our extensive international network, access to high-growth markets and balance sheet strength.
For year ended 31 December 2019
At 31 December 2019
Key highlights
- Adjusted profit rose 5% to US$22.2bn; reported profit was down 33% to US$13.3bn, due to a goodwill impairment of US$7.3bn
- This reflects lower long-term economic growth rate assumptions and the fact we plan to reshape our Global Banking and Markets business
- Positive adjusted jaws of 3.1 per cent, as we continue to take action on costs. Adjusted operating expense growth of 2.8% was well below the growth rate in 2018 (compared with 2017)
- Adjusted revenue in Asia rose 7% to US$30.5bn and adjusted profit before tax in the region was up 6% to US$18.6bn
- We have announced a business update setting out how we plan to deliver our strategy going forward
Group Chairman’s statement
“Even in this increasingly challenging competitive environment, there are many opportunities for a bank of HSBC’s scale and reach. We have made a good start in capturing these opportunities, but we need to go further and faster to capitalise fully on our heritage, network and financial strength.”
Mark E Tucker, HSBC Group Chairman
18 February 2020
Group Chief Executive’s review
“As we pursue our plan to deliver greater value for our customers and shareholders, we will continue to seek to grow the parts of the business where we are strongest. However, given the changed economic environment, we must also act decisively to reshape areas of persistent underperformance, particularly in Global Banking and Markets in Europe and the US. We also aim to simplify the Group to accelerate the pace of change and reduce the size of its cost base. This should create a leaner, simpler and more competitive Group that is better positioned to deliver higher returns for investors.”
Noel Quinn, HSBC Group Chief Executive
18 February 2020
Business update, February 2020
The macroeconomic environment and interest rate outlook have changed since we set our strategic priorities and financial targets in June 2018. While much of our business has held up well, particularly in Asia and the markets served by our international network, underperformance in other areas has had a negative impact on our returns.
In February 2020 we therefore set out a plan to upgrade the return profile of our risk-weighted assets, reduce our cost base and streamline our organisation. This is key to delivering our strategy. It will position the Group to increase returns for investors, create the capacity to invest in the future, and build a sustainable platform for growth.
We are planning action in three key areas. We aim to:
- Restructure for growth by reshaping underperforming parts of the Group, including our non-ring fenced bank in Europe, and our business in the US
- Reinvest capital released through restructuring in growth opportunities and areas of strength, including Asia, the Middle East, HSBC UK, transaction banking and international wealth
- Create a simpler, more efficient and empowered organisation, allowing us to reduce our cost base and accelerate the pace of change
Our 2022 targets
Alongside our plan we are setting three overarching 2022 targets. We are aiming to achieve a:
- Cumulative gross reduction in risk-weighted assets of more than US$100 billion by 2022
- Reduction in our cost base to US$31 billion or less in 2022
- Return on tangible equity in the range of 10 per cent to 12 per cent in 2022 with the benefit of our cost reductions and redeployed RWAs expected to flow into subsequent years
Video
HSBC Group Chief Executive Noel Quinn discusses the bank’s plans to increase returns, invest for growth, and simplify the business.
Our businesses in 2019
Retail Banking and Wealth Management
Commercial Banking
Global Banking and Markets
Global Private Banking
Financial targets
In our Annual Report and Accounts 2019, we reported on our performance against the financial targets that we set in June 2018. A summary can be seen below.
Our Business Update in February 2020 set new targets. We will report progress towards these new targets alongside future updates on our financial performance.
Return on tangible equity (%)
In 2019, we achieved a return on tangible equity (RoTE) of 8.4%, compared with 8.6% in 2018.
When we set our strategy in June 2018, our target was to achieve a reported RoTE of more than 11% by the end of 2020, which is broadly equivalent to a reported return on equity (RoE) of 10%. The revenue environment is now more challenging than when we set this strategy, and as a result we no longer expect to reach this target by the end of 2020.
Following our February 2020 business update, we are targeting a return on tangible equity in the range of 10 per cent to 12 per cent in 2022, with the benefit of our cost reductions and redeployed RWAs expected to flow into subsequent years.
Adjusted jaws
Adjusted jaws measures the difference between the rates of change in adjusted revenue and adjusted operating expenses.
In 2019, adjusted revenue increased by 5.9%, while adjusted operating expenses increased by 2.8%. Adjusted jaws was therefore positive 3.1%.
Following our February 2020 business update, we are targeting a reduction in our cost base to US$31 billion or less in 2022.
ESG Update
HSBC published its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Update 2019 alongside its Annual Report and Accounts on 18 February 2020.
The ESG Update outlines action the bank is taking to meet its wider responsibilities towards customers, communities and other stakeholders around the world. It covers areas including corporate governance, environmental impact, customer satisfaction, conduct, and employee advocacy.
It also gives new information on issues such as the Group’s progress in helping customers make the low-carbon transition, and summarises performance against key non-financial targets and metrics.
Group Chief Executive Noel Quinn said: “We have been open and honest about our successes – of which there are many – but equally transparent about where we need to improve.”
