e10vq

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 September 30, 2011
OR
o		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 1-7436

HSBC USA INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Maryland (State of Incorporation)		13-2764867 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
452 Fifth Avenue, New York (Address of principal executive offices)		10018 (Zip Code)

(212) 525-5000

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 o

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 o

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 o	Accelerated filer o	Non-accelerated filer x	Smaller reporting company o

(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 o No x

As of October 31, 2011, there were 712 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding, all of which are owned by HSBC North America Inc.

HSBC USA Inc.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011		2010

	(in millions)

Interest income:
Loans	$	456		$	490		$	1,346	$	1,593
Securities		306			311			929		822
Trading assets		52			33			156		100
Short-term investments		35			26			104		83
Other		10			12			32		35

*Total interest income*		859			872			2,567		2,633

Interest expense:
Deposits		58			62			171		202
Short-term borrowings		10			22			31		62
Long-term debt		151			124			445		336
Other		12			-			97		-

*Total interest expense*		231			208			744		600

Net interest income		628			664			1,823		2,033
Provision for credit losses		78			10			171		(7	)

*Net interest income after provision for credit losses*		550			654			1,652		2,040

Other revenues:
Credit card fees		31			33			95		93
Other fees and commissions		223			209			608		693
Trust income		26			26			82		79
Trading revenue		(107	)		126			243		419
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses⁽¹⁾		-			(4	)		-		(45	)
Other securities gains, net		49			37			105		59
Servicing and other fees from HSBC affiliates		50			42			152		111
Residential mortgage banking revenue		34			11			48		(106	)
Gain on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives		379			89			440		317
Other income		(18	)		29			19		201

*Total other revenues*		667			598			1,792		1,821

Operating expenses:
Salaries and employee benefits		265			285			852		813
Support services from HSBC affiliates		413			306			1,094		960
Occupancy expense, net		73			65			208		201
Other expenses		170			167			590		511

*Total operating expenses*		921			823			2,744		2,485

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		296			429			700		1,376
Income tax expense		120			144			249		464

*Income from continuing operations*		176			285			451		912

Discontinued Operations (Note 2):
Income from discontinued operations before income tax expense		211			211			653		562
Income tax expense		76			79			231		203

*Income from discontinued operations*		135			132			422		359

*Net income*	$	311		$	417		$	873	$	1,271


⁽¹⁾		During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 there were no other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) losses on securities recognized in other revenues and no OTTI losses in the non-credit component on securities were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, OTTI losses on securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity totaling $4 million and $45 million, respectively, were recognized in other revenues and losses in the non-credit component recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were not significant.

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

HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

*Assets⁽¹⁾*
Cash and due from banks	$	1,585	$	1,576
Interest bearing deposits with banks		21,291		8,202
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell		5,095		8,236
Trading assets		40,443		32,402
Securities available-for-sale		52,758		45,523
Securities held-to-maturity (fair value of $2.4 billion and $3.4 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and includes $881 million at December 31, 2010 collateralizing short-term borrowings)		2,123		3,190
Loans		49,600		49,809
Less – allowance for credit losses		749		852

Loans, net		48,851		48,957

Loans held for sale (includes $364 million and $1.3 billion designated under fair value option at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)		3,602		2,390
Properties and equipment, net		460		549
Intangible assets, net		261		424
Goodwill		2,228		2,626
Other assets		9,305		7,099
Other branch related assets held for sale		440		-
Assets of discontinued operations		20,824		22,639

*Total assets*	$	209,266	$	183,813

*Liabilities⁽¹⁾*
Debt:
Deposits in domestic offices:
Noninterest bearing	$	15,823	$	23,045
Interest bearing (includes $9.6 billion and $7.4 billion designated under fair value option at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)		73,675		72,808
Deposits in foreign offices:
Noninterest bearing		1,759		1,263
Interest bearing		26,632		23,502
Deposits held for sale		14,952		-

Total deposits		132,841		120,618
Short-term borrowings		19,131		15,187
Long-term debt (includes $4.2 billion and $5.4 billion designated under fair value option at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, collateralized by available-for-sale securities)		18,585		17,080

Total debt		170,557		152,885
Trading liabilities		13,024		10,528
Interest, taxes and other liabilities		5,864		3,007
Other branch related liabilities held for sale		11		-
Liabilities of discontinued operations		1,408		660

*Total liabilities*		190,864		167,080

*Shareholders’ equity*
Preferred stock		1,565		1,565
Common shareholder’s equity:
Common stock ($5 par; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 712 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010)		-		-
Additional paid-in capital		13,824		13,785
Retained earnings		2,354		1,536
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		659		(153	)

Total common shareholder’s equity		16,837		15,168

*Total shareholders’ equity*		18,402		16,733

*Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity*	$	209,266	$	183,813


⁽¹⁾		The following table summarizes assets and liabilities related to variable interest entities (“VIEs”) as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 which are consolidated on our balance sheet. Assets and liabilities exclude intercompany balances that eliminate in consolidation.

HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)


Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010

	(in millions)

*Preferred stock*
Balance at beginning and end of period	$	1,565		$	1,565

*Common stock*
Balance at beginning and end of period		-			-

*Additional paid-in capital*
Balance at beginning of period		13,785			13,795
Capital contributions from parent		21			-
Return of capital on preferred shares issued to CT Financial Services, Inc.		-			(3	)
Employee benefit plans and other		18			(6	)

Balance at end of period		13,824			13,786

*Retained earnings*
Balance at beginning of period		1,536			45
Adjustment to initially apply new guidance for consolidation of VIEs, net of tax		-			1

Balance at beginning of period, as adjusted		1,536			46
Net income		873			1,271
Cash dividends declared on preferred stock		(55	)		(55	)

Balance at end of period		2,354			1,262

*Accumulated other comprehensive income ( loss)*
Balance at beginning of period		(153	)		(228	)
Adjustment to initially apply new guidance for consolidation of VIEs, net of tax		-			(246	)

Balance at beginning of period, as adjusted		(153	)		(474	)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses), net of tax as applicable on:
Securities available-for-sale, not other-than-temporarily impaired		797			881
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities available for sale⁽¹⁾		1			56
Other-than-temporarily impaired securities held to maturity⁽¹⁾		11			49
Adjustment to reverse other-than-temporary impairment on securities held-to-maturity due to deconsolidation of VIE		142			-
Derivatives designated as cash flow hedges		(141	)		10
Unrecognized actuarial gains, transition obligation and prior service costs relating to pension and postretirement benefits, net of tax		2			(2	)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax		812			994

Balance at end of period		659			520

*Total shareholders’ equity*	$	18,402		$	17,133

*Comprehensive income*
Net income	$	873		$	1,271
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		812			994

*Comprehensive income*	$	1,685		$	2,265


⁽¹⁾		During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 there were no OTTI losses on securities recognized in other revenues and no OTTI losses in the non-credit component on securities were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, OTTI losses on securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity totaling $4 million and $45 million, respectively, were recognized in other revenues and losses in the non-credit component recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were not significant.

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

HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)


Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010

	(in millions)

*Cash flows from operating activities*
Net income	$	873		$	1,271
Income from discontinued operations		422			359

Income from continuing operations		451			912
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		220			215
Impairment of internally developed software		94			-
Provision for credit losses		171			(7	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses relating to credit		-			45
Realized gains on securities available for sale		(104	)		(59	)
Net change in other assets and liabilities		(920	)		(770	)
Net change in loans held for sale:
Originations of loans		(2,280	)		(2,885	)
Sales and collection of loans held for sale		3,106			3,017
Tax refund anticipation loans:
Originations of loans		-			(3,082	)
Transfers of loans to HSBC Finance, including premium		-			3,086
Net change in trading assets and liabilities		(5,446	)		(2,246	)
Lower of cost or fair value adjustments on loans held for sale		44			(65	)
Mark-to-market on financial instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives		(441	)		(317	)
Net change in fair value of derivatives and hedged items		(898	)		(29	)

Cash used in operating activities – continuing operations		(6,003	)		(2,185	)
Cash provided by operating activities – discontinued operations		1,056			1,724

Net cash used in operating activities		(4,947	)		(461	)

*Cash flows from investing activities*
Net change in interest bearing deposits with banks		(13,089	)		4,400
Net change in federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell		3,141			(10,386	)
Securities available-for-sale:
Purchases of securities available-for-sale		(23,820	)		(27,829	)
Proceeds from sales of securities available-for-sale		17,423			13,083
Proceeds from maturities of securities available-for-sale		2,475			2,081
Securities held-to-maturity:
Purchases of securities held-to-maturity		-			(1,791	)
Proceeds from maturities of securities held-to-maturity		470			934
Change in loans:
Originations, net of collections		(4,308	)		72
Loans sold to third parties		304			2,054
Net cash used for acquisitions of properties and equipment		(18	)		(41	)
Other, net		(83	)		78

Cash used in investing activities – continuing operations		(17,505	)		(17,345	)
Cash provided by investing activities – discontinued operations		1,960			3,434

Net cash used in investing activities		(15,545	)		(13,911	)

HSBC USA Inc.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Continued)


Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010

	(in millions)

*Cash flows from financing activities*
Net change in deposits		11,966			282
Debt:
Net change in short-term borrowings		6,571			13,534
Issuance of long-term debt		5,152			3,842
Repayment of long-term debt		(3,099	)		(1,920	)
Debt repayment related to structured note vehicle VIEs		-			(189	)
Debt issued related to the sale and leaseback of 452 Fifth Avenue property		-			309
Repayment of debt issued related to the sale and leaseback of 452 Fifth Avenue property		(21	)		(16	)
Return of capital on preferred shares issued to CT Financial Services, Inc.		-			(3	)
Other increases in capital surplus		18			(6	)
Dividends paid		(55	)		(55	)

Cash provided by financing activities – continuing operations		20,532			15,778
Cash used in financing activities – discontinued operations		(148	)		(1,626	)

Net cash provided by financing activities		20,384			14,152

Net change in cash and due from banks		(108	)		(220	)
Cash and due from banks at beginning of period⁽¹⁾		1,693			3,159

*Cash and due from banks at end of period*⁽²⁾	$	1,585		$	2,939

*Supplemental disclosure of non-cash flow investing activities*
Trading securities pending settlement	$	99		$	(707	)
Transfer of loans to held for sale	$	2,619		$	1,209


⁽¹⁾		Cash at beginning of period includes $117 million and $1,246 million for discontinued operations as of January 1, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

⁽²⁾		Cash at end of period does not include any amounts related to discontinued operations as of September 30, 2011 and 2010.

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

HSBC USA Inc.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note			Page


	1	Organization and Basis of Presentation		9
	2	Discontinued Operations		10
	3	Branch Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale		12
	4	Trading Assets and Liabilities		13
	5	Securities		14
	6	Loans		24
	7	Allowance for Credit Losses		38
	8	Loans Held for Sale		40
	9	Intangible Assets		41
	10	Goodwill		43
	11	Derivative Financial Instruments		43
	12	Fair Value Option		50
	13	Income Taxes		52
	14	Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits		55
	15	Related Party Transactions		56
	16	Regulatory Capital		62
	17	Business Segments		63
	18	Variable Interest Entities		68
	19	Guarantee Arrangements and Pledged Assets		73
	20	Fair Value Measurements		78
	21	Litigation and Regulatory Matters		93
	22	New Accounting Pronouncements		99
EX-12
EX-31
EX-32
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

HSBC USA Inc. is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. (“HSBC North America” or “HNAH”), which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC”). The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of HSBC USA Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “HUSI”) 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, as well as in accordance with predominant practices within the banking industry. 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 USA Inc. 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, 2010 (the “2010 Form 10-K”). Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Interim results should not be considered indicative of results in future periods. 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.

As of March 31, 2011, we no longer had a controlling financial interest in Bryant Park Funding LLC (“Bryant Park”) and as a result, we no longer consolidated this variable interest entity. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities,” for further details and related impact.

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 troubled debt restructuring for purposes of the identification and reporting of troubled debt restructurings as well as for recording impairment. This new Accounting Standards Updated also made effective new disclosure requirements for troubled debt restructurings. See Note 22, “New Accounting Pronouncements,” for further details and related impacts and Note 6, “Loans” for additional disclosures regarding troubled debt restructurings.

HSBC USA Inc.

2. Discontinued Operations

Sale of Certain Credit Card Operations to Capital One On August 10, 2011 HSBC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries HSBC Finance, HSBC USA Inc. and other wholly-owned affiliates entered into an agreement to sell its Card and Retail Services business, which includes both its U.S. credit card and private label operations, to Capital One Financial Group (“Capital One”). This sale includes our GM and UP credit card receivables as well as our private label credit card and closed-end receivables, all of which were purchased from HSBC Finance. At September 30, 2011, we have classified these receivables as held for sale as a component of Assets of discontinued operations on our balance sheet. The total consideration paid to HSBC may be paid in cash or a combination of cash and common stock to a maximum of $750 million of common stock (to be priced at $39.23 per share) at the option of Capital One. Based on balances at September 30, 2011, the total consideration for these receivables that would be allocated to us is approximately $20.0 billion. We recorded a lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment of $159 million on these receivables in the third quarter of 2011 which is reflected in other revenues in the table below. This fair value adjustment was largely offset by held for sale accounting adjustments in which loan impairment charges and premium amortization are no longer recorded. The sale to Capital One does not include credit card receivables associated with HSBC Bank USA’s legacy credit card program and, therefore, are excluded from the table below, however a portion of these receivables are being sold to First Niagara Bank N.A. and HSBC Bank USA will continue to offer credit cards to HSBC Bank USA’s customers. We anticipate this transaction will close during the first half of 2012. No significant closure costs are expected to be incurred as a result of exiting these portfolios.

Because the credit card and private label receivables being sold have been classified as held for sale and the operations and cash flows from these receivables will be eliminated from our ongoing operations upon disposition without any significant continuing involvement, we have determined we have met the requirements to report the results of these credit card and private label card receivables being sold as discontinued operations and have included these receivables in Assets of discontinued operations on our balance sheet for all periods presented. The results for these receivables were previously reported in the Retail Banking and Wealth Management segment.

The following summarizes the results of our discontinued credit card operations for the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010

			(in millions)

Interest income	$	519	$	533	$	1,437	$	1,751
Interest expense⁽¹⁾		61		106		199		359

Net interest income		458		427		1,238		1,392
Provision for credit losses⁽²⁾		106		235		404		919

Net interest income after provision for credit losses		352		192		834		473
Other revenues⁽³⁾		28		188		331		601
Operating expenses		169		183		511		540

Income from discontinued operations before income tax	$	211	$	197	$	654	$	534


⁽¹⁾		Interest expense 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⁾		For periods following the transfer of the receivables to held for sale, the receivables are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. As a result, we no longer record provisions for credit losses, including charge-offs, for these receivables.

⁽³⁾		Included in other revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was a $159 million lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment.

HSBC USA Inc.

The following summarizes the assets and liabilities of our discontinued credit card operations at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 which are reported as a component of Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet. The assets and liabilities of discontinued operations are considered held for sale at September 30, 2011.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Loans, net⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	19,982	$	21,942
Other assets		842		578

Assets of discontinued operations	$	20,824	$	22,520

Deposits in domestic offices – noninterest bearing	$	35	$	33
Long-term debt⁽¹⁾		-		150
Other liabilities		1,369		463

Liabilities of discontinued operations	$	1,404	$	646


⁽¹⁾		At September 30, 2011 we did not have any outstanding securities backed with private label credit card or credit card receivables issued under conduit credit facilities with commercial and investment banks. At December 31, 2010, credit card and private label credit card receivables of $233 million were used to collateralize $150 million of funding transactions structured as secured financing under these funding programs. The facilities were terminated in April 2011 as such facilities were no longer considered to be a cost-effective source of funding.

⁽²⁾		At September 30, 2011, the receivables are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At December 31, 2010, loans were carried at amortized cost net of credit loss reserves which totaled $1,318 million.

Troubled debt restructurings represent receivables for which the original contract 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. At September 30, 2011, our discontinued credit card and private label operations had loans which qualified as troubled debt restructurings (“TDR Loans”) with an outstanding principal balance of $392 million. The additional credit card and private label card TDR Loans reported in the third quarter of 2011 as a result of the adoption of the new Accounting Standards Update was not significant. At December 31, 2010, our discontinued credit card and private label operations had TDR Loans with an outstanding principal balance of $477 million. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, credit card and private label credit card and closed-end TDR Loans of $11 million and $54 million, respectively, which were classified as TDR Loans during the previous 12 months became sixty days or greater contractually delinquent.

Banknotes Business In June 2010, we decided that the wholesale banknotes business (“Banknotes Business”) within our Global Banking and Markets segment did not fit with our core strategy in the U.S. and, therefore, made the decision to exit this business. This business, which was managed out of the United States with operations in key locations worldwide, arranged for the physical distribution of banknotes globally to central banks, large commercial banks and currency exchanges. As a result of this decision, we recorded closure costs of $14 million during 2010, primarily relating to termination and other employee benefits. No significant additional closure costs are expected to be incurred. At June 30, 2011, the liability associated with these costs had been substantially utilized.

As part of the decision to exit the Banknotes Business, in October 2010 we sold the assets of our Asian banknotes operations (“Asian Banknotes Operations”) to an unaffiliated third party for total consideration of approximately $11 million in cash. As a result, during the third quarter of 2010 we classified the assets of the Asian Banknotes Operations of $23 million, including an allocation of goodwill of $21 million, as held for sale. Because the carrying amount of the assets being sold exceeded the agreed-upon sales price, we recorded a lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment of $12 million in the third quarter of 2010. As the exit of our Banknotes Business, including the sale of our Asian Banknotes Operations, was substantially completed in the fourth quarter of 2010, we began to report the results of our Banknotes Business as discontinued operations at that time.

HSBC USA Inc.

The exit of our Banknotes Business was completed in the second quarter of 2011 with the sale of our European Banknotes Business to HSBC Bank plc in April. The table below summarizes the operating results of our Banknotes Business for the periods presented.


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011			2010

	(in millions)

Net interest income and other revenues	$	-	$	28	$	19		$	84
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income tax (benefit) expense		-		14		(1	)		28

The following summarizes the assets and liabilities of our Banknotes Business which are reported as a component of Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations in our consolidated balance sheet.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Cash	$	-	$	117
Other assets		-		2

Assets of discontinued operations	$	-	$	119

Other liabilities	$	4	$	14

Liabilities of discontinued operations	$	4	$	14

3. Branch Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale

On July 31, 2011, we announced that we had reached an agreement with First Niagara Bank, N.A. (“First Niagara”) to sell 195 retail branches, including certain loans, deposits and related branch premises, primarily located in upstate New York. The agreement includes the transfer of approximately $15.0 billion in deposits and $2.6 billion in loans as of September 30, 2011, as well as related branch premises, for a premium of 6.67 percent of the deposits, representing $1.0 billion based on current deposit levels which will result in a gain upon closing of the transaction, net of allocated goodwill. Branch premises will be sold for fair value and loans and other transferred assets will be sold at their book values. The all-cash transaction is expected to close in early 2012, subject to regulatory approvals, including approval by the acquirer’s regulator. As a result of this transaction, the assets and liabilities related to the branches being sold have been classified as held for sale in our consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011.

The following summarizes the assets and liabilities classified as held for sale at September 30, 2011 in our consolidated balance sheet related to the announced agreement to sale certain retail branches.


At September 30,	2011

	(in millions)

Loans held for sale⁽¹⁾	$	2,619

Other branch assets held for sale:
Properties and equipment, net		42
Goodwill allocated to retail branch disposal group		398

Total other branch assets held for sale		440

Total branch assets held for sale	$	3,059

Deposits held for sale	$	14,952
Other branch liabilities held for sale		11

Total branch liabilities held for sale	$	14,963

HSBC USA Inc.


⁽¹⁾		Loans held for sale includes $539 million of commercial loans, $1.5 billion of residential mortgages, $415 million of credit card loans and $170 million in other consumer loans.

4. Trading Assets and Liabilities

Trading assets and liabilities are summarized in the following table.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Trading assets:
U.S. Treasury	$	1,035	$	1,874
U.S. Government agency		140		62
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises⁽¹⁾		4		632
Asset-backed securities		997		1,148
Corporate and foreign bonds⁽²⁾		12,495		5,897
Other securities		40		52
Precious metals		17,035		16,725
Fair value of derivatives		8,697		6,012

	$	40,443	$	32,402

Trading liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	487	$	212
Payables for precious metals		6,704		5,326
Fair value of derivatives		5,833		4,990

	$	13,024	$	10,528


⁽¹⁾		Includes mortgage-backed securities of $4 million and $598 million issued or guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and $34 million issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”) at December 31, 2010.

⁽²⁾		There were no foreign bonds issued by the governments of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece or Spain at either September 30, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of derivatives included in trading assets has been reduced by $5 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the obligation to return cash collateral received under master netting agreements with derivative counterparties.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of derivatives included in trading liabilities has been reduced by $8.1 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral paid under master netting agreements with derivative counterparties.

HSBC USA Inc.

5. Securities

The amortized cost and fair value of the securities available-for-sale and securities held to maturity are summarized in the following tables.


			Non-Credit
			Loss
			Component of
	Amortized		OTTI		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
September 30, 2011	Cost		Securities		Gains		Losses			Value

	(in millions)

Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	17,664	$	-	$	530	$	(178	)	$	18,016
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:⁽¹⁾
Mortgage-backed securities		41		-		1		-			42
Direct agency obligations		2,465		-		359		(1	)		2,823
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
Mortgage-backed securities		15,096		-		719		(1	)		15,814
Collateralized mortgage obligations		6,670		-		193		-			6,863
Direct agency obligations		2		-		-		-			2
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		568		-		29		(1	)		596
Asset backed securities collateralized by:
Residential mortgages		13		-		1		(3	)		11
Commercial mortgages		472		-		7		(1	)		478
Home equity		397		-		-		(104	)		293
Student loans		24		-		-		(1	)		23
Other		116		-		-		(21	)		95
Corporate and other domestic debt securities⁽²⁾		600		-		4		-			604
Foreign debt securities⁽²⁾⁽⁶⁾		6,992		-		42		(79	)		6,955
Equity securities⁽³⁾		130		-		13		-			143

Total available-for-sale securities	$	51,250	$	-	$	1,898	$	(390	)	$	52,758

Securities held-to-maturity:
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:⁽⁴⁾
Mortgage-backed securities	$	1,485	$	-	$	205	$	-		$	1,690
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
Mortgage-backed securities		83		-		14		-			97
Collateralized mortgage obligations		313		-		46		-			359
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		68		-		3		-			71
Asset backed securities collateralized by:
Residential mortgages		174		-		10		(1	)		183

Total held-to-maturity securities	$	2,123	$	-	$	278	$	(1	)	$	2,400

HSBC USA Inc.


			Non-Credit
			Loss
			Component of
	Amortized		OTTI			Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
December 31, 2010	Cost		Securities			Gains		Losses			Value

	(in millions)

Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	19,336	$	-		$	139	$	(378	)	$	19,097
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:⁽¹⁾
Mortgage-backed securities		47		-			-		(1	)		46
Direct agency obligations		2,115		-			79		(9	)		2,185
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
Mortgage-backed securities		11,237		-			252		(27	)		11,462
Collateralized mortgage obligations		7,566		-			160		(52	)		7,674
Direct agency obligations		19		-			-		(1	)		18
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		571		-			13		(5	)		579
Asset backed securities collateralized by:
Residential mortgages		13		-			-		(2	)		11
Commercial mortgages		537		-			17		(2	)		552
Home equity		464		(1	)		-		(111	)		352
Student loans		29		-			-		(2	)		27
Other		120		-			1		(17	)		104
Corporate and other domestic debt securities⁽²⁾		676		-			7		-			683
Foreign debt securities⁽²⁾⁽⁶⁾		2,552		-			53		-			2,605
Equity securities⁽³⁾		126		-			2		-			128

Total available-for-sale securities	$	45,408	$	(1	)	$	723	$	(607	)	$	45,523

Securities held-to-maturity:
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises:⁽⁴⁾
Mortgage-backed securities	$	1,586	$	-		$	151	$	-		$	1,737
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed:
Mortgage-backed securities		94		-			15		-			109
Collateralized mortgage obligations		327		-			36		-			363
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		111		-			4		(1	)		114
Asset backed securities collateralized by:
Residential mortgages		191		-			8		(3	)		196
Asset-backed securities (predominantly credit card) and other debt securities held by consolidated VIE⁽⁵⁾		1,034		(153	)		-		-			881

Total held-to-maturity securities	$	3,343	$	(153	)	$	214	$	(4	)	$	3,400

HSBC USA Inc.


⁽¹⁾		Includes securities at amortized cost of $26 million and $30 million issued or guaranteed by the FNMA at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and $15 million and $17 million issued or guaranteed by FHLMC at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

⁽²⁾		At September 30, 2011, other domestic debt securities included $575 million of securities at amortized cost fully backed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and foreign debt securities consisted of $2.4 billion of securities fully backed by foreign governments. The remainder of foreign debt securities represents foreign bank or corporate debt. At December 31, 2010, other domestic debt securities included $676 million of securities at amortized cost fully backed by the FDIC and foreign debt securities consisted of $2.2 billion of securities fully backed by foreign governments. The remainder of foreign debt securities represents foreign bank or corporate debt.

⁽³⁾		Includes preferred equity securities at amortized cost issued by FNMA of $2 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Balances at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 reflect cumulative other-than-temporary impairment charges of $203 million.

⁽⁴⁾		Includes securities at amortized cost of $610 million and $622 million issued or guaranteed by FNMA at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and $875 million and $964 million issued and guaranteed by FHLMC at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

⁽⁵⁾		Relates to securities held by Bryant Park Funding LLC, a variable interest entity which was consolidated at December 31, 2010. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities” for additional information.

⁽⁶⁾		There were no foreign debt securities issued by the governments of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece or Spain at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

A summary of gross unrealized losses and related fair values as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, classified as to the length of time the losses have existed follows:


	One Year or Less							Greater Than One Year
			Gross			Aggregate				Gross			Aggregate
	Number of		Unrealized			Fair Value		Number of		Unrealized			Fair Value
September 30, 2011	Securities		Losses			of Investment		Securities		Losses			of Investment

	(dollars are in millions)

Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury		20	$	(178	)	$	6,628		-	$	-		$	-
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises		6		-			76		17		(1	)		9
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed		36		(1	)		489		2		-			4
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		5		(1	)		28		2		-			19
Asset backed securities		-		-			-		50		(130	)		428
Foreign debt securities		11		(79	)		4,245		-		-			-
Equity securities		1		-			-		-		-			-

Securities available-for-sale		79	$	(259	)	$	11,466		71	$	(131	)	$	460

Securities held-to-maturity:
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises		20	$	-		$	-		3	$	-		$	-
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed		681		-			2		5		-			-
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		10		-			4		7		-			3
Asset backed securities		-		-			-		4		(1	)		14

Securities held-to-maturity		711	$	-		$	6		19	$	(1	)	$	17

HSBC USA Inc.


	One Year or Less							Greater Than One Year
	Number		Gross			Aggregate		Number		Gross			Aggregate
	of		Unrealized			Fair Value		of		Unrealized			Fair Value
December 31, 2010	Securities		Losses			of Investment		Securities		Losses			of Investment

	(dollars are in millions)

Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury		43	$	(378	)	$	10,034		-	$	-		$	-
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises		14		(9	)		131		13		(1	)		10
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed		70		(80	)		4,409		2		-			2
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		27		(3	)		127		5		(2	)		36
Asset backed securities		3		-			-		51		(133	)		506
Corporate and other domestic debt securities		3		-			200		-		-			-
Foreign debt securities		1		-			84		1		-			25

Securities available-for-sale		161	$	(470	)	$	14,985		72	$	(136	)	$	579

Securities held-to-maturity:
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises		21	$	-		$	-		1	$	-		$	-
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed		570		-			2		2		-			-
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		14		-			7		12		(1	)		14
Asset backed securities		-		-			-		6		(3	)		44

Securities held-to-maturity		605	$	-		$	9		21	$	(4	)	$	58

Gross unrealized losses decreased and gross unrealized gains increased within the available-for-sale portfolio overall in the first nine months of 2011 primarily due to decreases in interest rates since December 31, 2010, particularly during the third quarter due to market conditions. In addition, rates rose significantly toward the end of 2010 driven by inflationary fears and uncertainty about the quantity and timing of the Federal Reserve’s bond buying program. We have reviewed the securities for which there is an unrealized loss in accordance with our accounting policies for other-than-temporary impairment. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, none of our debt securities were determined to have either initial other-than-temporary impairment or changes to previous other-than-temporary impairment estimates relating to the credit component and changes in the non-credit portion for the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 represent a reversal of a portion of previously recorded impairment losses that were recognized in other comprehensive income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, 5 and 38 debt securities were determined to have either initial other-than-temporary impairment or changes to previous other-than-temporary impairment estimates. The credit loss component of the applicable debt securities totaling $4 million and $45 million was recorded as a component of net other-than-temporary impairment losses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, while there was no significant losses in the non-credit component of such impaired securities reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and changes in the non-credit portion for the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 primarily represent a net reversal of a portion of previously recorded impairment losses recognized in other comprehensive income.

Except as noted above, we do not consider any other securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired as we expect to recover the amortized cost basis of these securities and we neither intend nor expect to be required to sell these

HSBC USA Inc.

securities prior to recovery, even if that equates to holding securities until their individual maturities. However, additional other-than-temporary impairments may occur in future periods if the credit quality of the securities deteriorates.

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 its fair value is less than its amortized cost at the reporting date. If impaired, we 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 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 securities held in the available-for-sale or held-to-maturity portfolio for which unrealized losses have existed for a period of time, we do not have the intention to sell and believe we will not be required to sell the securities for contractual, regulatory or liquidity reasons as of the reporting date. As debt securities issued by U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and government sponsored entities accounted for 83 percent and 89 percent of total available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, our assessment for credit loss was concentrated on private label asset-backed securities. Substantially all of the private label asset-backed securities are supported by residential mortgages, home equity loans or commercial mortgages. Our assessment for credit loss was concentrated on this particular asset class because of the following inherent risk factors:


	•	The recovery of the U.S. economy remains sluggish;

	•	The continued weakness in the U.S. housing markets with high levels of delinquency and foreclosure;

	•	A lack of significant traction in government sponsored programs in loan modifications;

	•	A lack of refinancing activities within certain segments of the mortgage market, even at the current low interest rate environment, and the re-default rate for refinanced loans;

	•	The unemployment rate remains high and consumer confidence remains low compared to historical levels;

	•	The decline in the occupancy rate in commercial properties; and

	•	The severity and duration of unrealized loss.

In determining whether a credit loss exists and the period over which the debt security is expected to recover, we considered the following factors:


	•	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, over collateralization, protective triggers and financial guarantees provided by monoline wraps;

	•	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, the monoline insurer or the security such as credit downgrades by the rating agencies.

HSBC USA Inc.

We use a standard valuation model to measure the credit loss for available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities. The valuation model captures the composition of the underlying collateral and the cash flow structure of the security. Management develops inputs to the model based on external analyst reports and forecasts and internal credit assessments. Significant inputs to the model include delinquencies, collateral types and related contractual features, estimated rates of default, loss given default and prepayment assumptions. Using the inputs, the model estimates cash flows generated from the underlying collateral and distributes those cash flows to respective tranches of securities considering credit subordination and other credit enhancement features. The projected future cash flows attributable to the debt security held are discounted using the effective interest rates determined at the original acquisition date if the security bears a fixed rate of return. The discount rate is adjusted for the floating index rate for securities which bear a variable rate of return, such as LIBOR-based instruments.

The amortized cost and fair value of those asset-backed securities with unrealized loss of more than 12 months for which no other-than-temporary-impairment has been recognized at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are as follows:


	Balance as of September 30, 2011
			Unrealized Losses for
	Amortized Cost		More Than 12 Months			Fair Value

	(in millions)

Available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages	$	10	$	(3	)	$	7
Commercial mortgages		24		(1	)		23
Home equity loans		397		(104	)		293
Student loans		24		(1	)		23
Other		103		(21	)		82

Subtotal		558		(130	)		428
Held-to-maturity classification:
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages		15		(1	)		14

Total	$	573	$	(131	)	$	442


	Balance as of December 31, 2010
			Unrealized Losses for
	Amortized Cost		More Than 12 Months			Fair Value

	(in millions)

Available-for-sale:
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages	$	3	$	(1	)	$	2
Commercial mortgages		39		(2	)		37
Home equity loans		457		(112	)		345
Student loans		29		(2	)		27
Other		103		(16	)		87

Subtotal		631		(133	)		498
Held-to-maturity classification:
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages		47		(3	)		44

Total	$	678	$	(136	)	$	542

HSBC USA Inc.

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 the nine months ended September 30, 2011 there were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized related to credit loss. At September 30, 2011, there are no remaining non-credit component unrealized loss amounts recognized. The excess of amortized cost over the present value of expected future cash flows recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 on our other-than-temporarily impaired debt securities, which represents the credit loss associated with these securities, was $45 million. The excess of the present value of expected future cash flows over fair value, representing the non-credit component of the unrealized loss associated with all other-than-temporarily impaired securities, was $154 million at December 31, 2010. Since we did not have the intention to sell the securities and had sufficient capital and liquidity to hold these securities until a full recovery of the fair value occurs, only the credit loss component was reflected in the consolidated statement of income. The non-credit component of the unrealized loss was recorded, net of taxes, in other comprehensive income (loss).

The following table summarizes the roll-forward of credit losses on debt securities that were other-than-temporarily impaired which were recognized in income:


	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011		2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Credit losses at the beginning of the period	$	1	$	47		$	36		$	81
Credit losses related to securities for which an other-than-temporary impairment was not previously recognized		-		-			-			20
Increase in credit losses for which an other-than-temporary impairment was previously recognized		-		4			-			25
Reduction of credit losses previously recognized on sold securities		-		(25	)		(4	)		(75	)
Reduction of credit losses previously recognized on held to maturity securities due to deconsolidation of VIE		-		-			(31	)		-
Reductions of credit losses for increases in cash flows expected to be collected that are recognized over the remaining life of the security		-		(1	)		-			(26	)

Ending balance of credit losses on debt securities held for which a portion of an other-than-temporary impairment may have been recognized in other comprehensive income (loss)	$	1	$	25		$	1		$	25

At September 30, 2011, we held 76 individual asset-backed securities in the available-for-sale portfolio, of which 23 were also wrapped by a monoline insurance company. The asset-backed securities backed by a monoline wrap comprised $373 million of the total aggregate fair value of asset-backed securities of $900 million at September 30, 2011. The gross unrealized losses on these monoline securities were $124 million at September 30, 2011. We did not take into consideration the value of the monoline wrap of any non-investment grade monoline insurers as of September 30, 2011 and, therefore, we only considered the financial guarantee of monoline insurers on securities for purposes of evaluating other-than-temporary impairment with a fair value of $126 million. One security wrapped by a below investment grade monoline insurance company with an aggregate fair value of $1 million was deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2011.

At December 31, 2010, we held 78 individual asset-backed securities in the available-for-sale portfolio, of which 24 were also wrapped by a monoline insurance company. The asset-backed securities backed by a monoline wrap comprised $437 million of the total aggregate fair value of asset-backed securities of $1.0 billion at December 31,

HSBC USA Inc.

2010. The gross unrealized losses on these securities were $127 million at December 31, 2010. We did not take into consideration the value of the monoline wrap of any non-investment grade monoline insurers as of December 31, 2010 and, therefore, we only considered the financial guarantee of monoline insurers on securities for purposes of evaluating other-than-temporary impairment with a fair value of $156 million. Two securities wrapped by below investment grade monoline insurance companies with an aggregate fair value of $5 million were deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2010.

As discussed above, certain asset-backed securities have an embedded financial guarantee provided by monoline insurers. Because the financial guarantee is not a separate and distinct contract from the asset-backed security, they are considered as a single unit of account for fair value measurement and impairment assessment purposes. The monoline insurers are regulated by the insurance commissioners of the relevant states and certain monoline insurers that write the financial guarantee contracts are public companies. In evaluating the extent of our reliance on investment grade monoline insurance companies, consideration is given to our assessment of the creditworthiness of the monoline and other market factors. We perform both a credit as well as a liquidity analysis on the monoline insurers each quarter. Our analysis also compares market-based credit default spreads, when available, to assess the appropriateness of our monoline insurer’s creditworthiness. Based on the public information available, including the regulatory reviews and actions undertaken by the state insurance commissions and the published financial results, we determine the degree of reliance to be placed on the financial guarantee policy in estimating the cash flows to be collected for the purpose of recognizing and measuring impairment loss.

A credit downgrade to non-investment grade is a key but not the only factor in determining the credit risk or the monoline insurer’s ability to fulfill its contractual obligation under the financial guarantee arrangement. Although a monoline may have been down-graded by the credit rating agencies or have been ordered to commute its operations by the insurance commissioners, it may retain the ability and the obligation to continue to pay claims in the near term. We evaluate the short-term liquidity of and the ability to pay claims by the monoline insurers in estimating the amounts of cash flows expected to be collected from specific asset-backed securities for the purpose of assessing and measuring credit loss.

HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes realized gains and losses on investment securities transactions attributable to available-for-sale and held to maturity securities.


	Gross		Gross			Net
	Realized		Realized			Realized
	Gains		(Losses)			Gains (Losses)

	(in millions)

Three months ended September 30, 2011:
Securities available-for-sale	$	73	$	(24	)	$	49
Securities held to maturity		-		-			-

	$	73	$	(24	)	$	49

Three months ended September 30, 2010:
Securities available-for-sale	$	78	$	(44	)	$	34
Securities held to maturity		-		(1	)		(1	)

	$	78	$	(45	)	$	33

Nine months ended September 30, 2011:
Securities available-for-sale	$	213	$	(108	)	$	105
Securities held to maturity		-		-			-

	$	213	$	(108	)	$	105

Nine months ended September 30, 2010:
Securities available-for-sale	$	148	$	(130	)	$	18
Securities held to maturity		-		(4	)		(4	)

	$	148	$	(134	)	$	14

The amortized cost and fair values of securities available-for-sale and securities held-to-maturity at September 30, 2011, are summarized in the table below by contractual maturity. Expected maturities differ from contractual maturities because borrowers have the right to prepay obligations without prepayment penalties in certain cases. Securities available-for-sale amounts exclude equity securities as they do not have stated maturities. The table below also reflects the distribution of maturities of debt securities held at September 30, 2011, together with the approximate taxable equivalent yield of the portfolio. The yields shown are calculated by dividing annual interest income, including the accretion of discounts and the amortization of premiums, by the amortized cost of securities outstanding at September 30, 2011. Yields on tax-exempt obligations have been computed on a taxable equivalent basis using applicable statutory tax rates.

HSBC USA Inc.


						After One					After Five
	Within					But Within					But Within					After Ten
Taxable Equivalent Basis	One Year					Five Years					Ten Years					Years
as of September 30, 2011	Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield			Amount		Yield

	(dollars are in millions)

Available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury	$	503		1.55	%	$	6,443		1.00	%	$	6,226		2.04	%	$	4,492		3.49	%
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises		-		-			-		-			2,029		3.92			477		3.58
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed		-		-			1		5.13			36		4.26			21,731		3.65
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		-		-			1		4.60			309		4.24			258		4.52
Asset backed securities		38		5.79			15		4.18			5		1.46			964		3.16
Corporate and other domestic debt securities		559		1.53			16		0.61			-		-			25		3.90
Foreign debt securities		2,126		2.78			4,855		2.01			11		4.93			-		-

Total amortized cost	$	3,226		2.41	%	$	11,331		1.44	%	$	8,616		2.57	%	$	27,947		3.62	%

Total fair value	$	3,249				$	11,327				$	8,953				$	29,086

Held-to-maturity:
U.S. Government sponsored enterprises	$	-		-	%	$	15		7.95	%	$	2		7.00	%	$	1,468		6.15	%
U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed		-		-			-		-			5		7.66			391		6.52
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		8		5.00			18		5.66			15		4.48			27		4.96
Asset backed securities		-		-			-		-			-		-			174		6.19

Total amortized cost	$	8		5.00	%	$	33		6.72	%	$	22		5.64	%	$	2,060		6.20	%

Total fair value	$	8				$	37				$	23				$	2,332

Investments in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock and Federal Reserve Bank (“FRB”) stock of $133 million and $483 million, respectively, were included in other assets at September 30, 2011. Investments in FHLB stock and FRB stock of $119 million and $477 million, respectively, were included in other assets at December 31, 2010.

HSBC USA Inc.

6. Loans

Loans consisted of the following:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	7,773	$	8,228
Business banking and middle markets enterprises		9,752		7,945
Large corporate⁽¹⁾		11,164		10,745
Other commercial		2,923		3,085

Total commercial		31,612		30,003

Consumer loans:
Home equity mortgages		2,618		3,820
Other residential mortgages		13,842		13,697
Credit cards		788		1,250
Other consumer		740		1,039

Total consumer		17,988		19,806

Total loans	$	49,600	$	49,809


⁽¹⁾		Includes $1.2 billion of commercial loans at December 31, 2010 related to a VIE which was consolidated.

Net deferred origination costs, excluding credit card annual fees net of direct lending costs, totaled $54 million and $66 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Credit card annual fees are netted with direct lending costs, deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over one year.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had net unamortized premium on our loans of $63 million and $75 million, respectively. We amortized $10 million and $38 million of net premiums on our loans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively compared to $14 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

HSBC USA Inc.

Age Analysis of Past Due Loans The following table summarizes the past due status of our loans at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 for continuing and discontinued operations. The aging of past due amounts is determined based on the contractual delinquency status of payments under the loan. 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.

Days Past Due

At September 30, 2011

1 - 29 days

30 - 89 days

90+ days

Total Past Due

Current

Total Loans

(in millions)

Continuing operations:

Commercial loans:

Construction and other real estate

254

380

7,393

7,773

Business banking and middle market enterprises

494

646

9,106

9,752

Large corporate

353

447

10,717

11,164

Other commercial

116

206

2,717

2,923

Total commercial

963

285

431

1,679

29,933

31,612

Consumer loans:

HELOC and home equity mortgages

190

332

2,286

2,618

Other residential mortgages

120

515

774

1,409

12,433

13,842

Credit cards

711

788

Other consumer

688

740

Total consumer

363

592

915

1,870

16,118

17,988

Total loans – continuing operations

1,326

877

1,346

3,549

46,051

49,600

Discontinued credit card and private label operations⁽¹⁾

775

391

355

1,521

18,461

19,982

HSBC USA Inc.


	Days Past Due
At December 31, 2010	1 - 29 days		30 - 89 days		90+ days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans

	(in millions)

Continuing operations:
Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	72	$	200	$	433	$	705	$	7,523	$	8,228
Business banking and middle market enterprises		367		84		66		517		7,428		7,945
Large corporate		902		90		74		1,066		9,679		10,745
Other commercial		63		77		14		154		2,931		3,085

Total commercial		1,404		451		587		2,442		27,561		30,003

Consumer loans:
HELOC and home equity mortgages		327		83		93		503		3,317		3,820
Other residential mortgages		123		538		900		1,561		12,136		13,697
Credit cards		37		23		24		84		1,166		1,250
Other consumer		12		6		32		50		989		1,039

Total consumer		499		650		1,049		2,198		17,608		19,806

Total loans – continuing operations	$	1,903	$	1,101	$	1,636	$	4,640	$	45,169	$	49,809

Discontinued credit card and private label operations⁽¹⁾	$	767	$	466	$	533	$	1,766	$	21,494	$	23,260


⁽¹⁾		At September 30, 2011, discontinued credit card and private label credit card operations represent our GM and UP credit card loans as well as our private label credit card and closed-end loans which are included as held for sale and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At December 31, 2010, these discontinued credit card and private label credit card loans were carried at amortized cost and as such, are not directly comparable to the current period balances.

Nonaccrual Loans Nonaccrual loans totaled $1.8 billion and $2.0 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Interest income that would have been recorded if such nonaccrual loans had been current and in accordance with contractual terms was approximately $30 million and $89 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $29 million and $111 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Interest income that was included in interest income on these loans was approximately $7 million and $16 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to approximately $3 million and $17 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. For an analysis of reserves for credit losses, see Note 7, “Allowance for Credit Losses.”

HSBC USA Inc.

Nonaccrual loans and accruing receivables 90 days or more delinquent for continuing and discontinued operations are summarized in the following table:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Nonaccrual loans:
Continuing operations:
Commercial:
Real Estate:
Construction and land loans	$	152	$	70
Other real estate		441		529
Business banking and middle markets enterprises		69		116
Large corporate		147		74
Other commercial		35		12

Total commercial		844		801

Consumer:
Residential mortgages, excluding home equity mortgages		774		900
Home equity mortgages		92		93

Total residential mortgages		866		993
Other consumer loans		8		9

Total consumer loans		874		1,002

Nonaccrual loans held for sale		122		186

Total nonaccruing loans – continuing operations		1,840		1,989
Discontinued credit card and private label operations⁽¹⁾		-		-

Total nonaccruing loans		1,840		1,989

Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more:
Continuing operations:
Commercial:
Real Estate:
Construction and land loans		-		-
Other real estate		10		137
Business banking and middle market enterprises		22		47
Large corporate		-		-
Other commercial		1		2

Total commercial		33		186

Consumer:
Credit card receivables		17		24
Other consumer		24		23

Total consumer loans		41		47

Total accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more – continuing operations		74		233
Discontinued credit card and private label operations⁽¹⁾		355		533

Total accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more		429		766

Total nonperforming loans	$	2,269	$	2,755


⁽¹⁾		At September 30, 2011, discontinued credit card and private label credit card operations represent our GM and UP credit card loans and our private label credit card and closed-end loans which are included as held for sale and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At December 31, 2010, these discontinued credit card and private label credit card loans were carried at amortized cost and as such, are not directly comparable to the current period balances.

HSBC USA Inc.

Impaired Loans A loan is considered to be impaired when it is deemed probable that not all principal and interest amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement will be collected. Probable losses from impaired loans are quantified and recorded as a component of the overall allowance for credit losses. Commercial and consumer loans for which we have modified the loan terms as part of a troubled debt restructuring are considered to be impaired loans. Additionally, commercial loans in nonaccrual status, or that have been partially charged-off or assigned a specific allowance for credit losses are also considered impaired loans.

Troubled debt restructurings Troubled debt restructurings represent loans 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 loans with comparable risk because of deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition.

During the third quarter of 2011 we adopted a new Accounting Standards Update which provided additional guidance for determining whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be reported as a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR Loan”). Under this new guidance, we have determined that all consumer loans modified as a result of a financial difficulty for periods greater than three months, including all modifications with trial periods regardless of whether the modification was permanent or temporary should be reported as TDR Loans. Additionally, we have determined that for residential mortgage loans purchased from HSBC Finance, all re-ages except first-time early stage delinquency re-ages where the customer has not been granted a prior re-age since the first quarter of 2007 should be considered a TDR Loan. Exclusion of these first-time early stage delinquency re-ages from our reported TDR Loans was not material. As required, the new guidance was applied retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011 and has resulted in the reporting of an additional $51 million of residential mortgage loans as TDR Loans at September 30, 2011 with credit loss reserves of $10 million associated with these loans. The incremental loan loss provision recorded for these loans using a discounted cash flow analysis was $7 million which also includes the impact of changes in market conditions during the quarter. For our HSBC Bank USA credit card portfolio, we have reported an additional $1 million of credit card loans as TDR Loans at September 30, 2011 with credit loss reserves of less than $1 million associated with these loans. The incremental loan loss provision recorded for these loans using a discounted cash flow analysis was not material. The TDR Loan balances and related credit loss reserves for consumer loans reported as of December 31, 2010 use our previous definition of TDR Loans as described in our 2010 Form 10-K and, as such, are not comparable to the current period balances. The new guidance did not impact our reporting of TDR Loans for commercial loans. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” for a discussion of TDR Loans included in our discontinued credit card and private label operations.

Modifications for consumer and commercial loans 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. 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. Through lowering the interest rate and other loan term changes, 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. TDR Loans are reserved for either 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 or in the case of certain secured commercial loans, the estimated fair value of the underlying collateral. Once a consumer loan is classified as a TDR Loan, it continues to be reported as such until it is paid off or charged-off.

HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information about receivables which were modified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and as a result of this action became classified as TDR Loans.


	Three Months Ended		Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011		September 30, 2011

	(in millions)

Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	27	$	40
Business banking and middle market enterprises		-		6
Large corporate		-		-
Other commercial		-		-

Total commercial		27		46

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		56		189
Credit cards		2		5

Total consumer		58		194

Total	$	85	$	240

The following tables present information about our TDR Loans and the related credit loss reserves for TDR Loans:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

TDR Loans⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾:
Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	328	$	397
Business banking and middle market enterprises		96		88
Large corporate		-		-
Other commercial		38		49

Total commercial		462		534

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		571		402
Credit cards		22		27

Total consumer		593		429

Total TDR Loans⁽³⁾	$	1,055	$	963

HSBC USA Inc.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Allowance for credit losses for TDR Loans⁽⁴⁾:
Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	18	$	44
Business banking and middle market enterprises		5		8
Large corporate		-		-
Other commercial		-		1

Total commercial		23		53

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		93		53
Credit cards		7		9

Total consumer		100		62

Total allowance for credit losses for TDR Loans	$	123	$	115


(1)		TDR Loans are considered to be impaired loans. For consumer loans, all such loans are considered impaired loans regardless of accrual status. For commercial loans, impaired loans include other loans in addition to TDRs which totaled $691 million and $593 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

(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. The following table reflects the unpaid principal balance of TDR Loans:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	372	$	429
Business banking and middle market enterprises		150		120
Large corporate		-		-
Other commercial		41		52

Total commercial		563		601

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		636		443
Credit cards		22		26

Total consumer		658		469

Total – continuing operations	$	1,221	$	1,070


(3)		Includes balances of $322 million and $255 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which are classified as nonaccrual loans.

(4)		Included in the allowance for credit losses.

HSBC USA Inc.

Additional information relating to TDR Loans is presented in the table below.


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010

	(in millions)

Average balance of TDR Loans
Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	330	$	315	$	360	$	242
Business banking and middle market enterprises		87		104		88		67
Large corporate		-		-		-		-
Other commercial		44		52		47		52

Total commercial		461		471		495		361

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		550		328		529		264
Credit cards		23		25		24		22
Auto finance⁽¹⁾		-		16		-		38

Total consumer		573		369		553		324

Total average balance of TDR Loans	$	1,034	$	840	$	1,048	$	685

Interest income recognized on TDR Loans
Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	2	$	1	$	7	$	2
Business banking and middle market enterprises		-		-		-		-
Large corporate		-		-		-		-
Other commercial		1		1		4		4

Total commercial		3		2		11		6

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		5		3		15		8
Credit cards		-		1		1		1
Auto finance⁽¹⁾		-		-		-		2

Total consumer		5		4		16		11

Total interest income recognized on TDR Loans	$	8	$	6	$	27	$	17


(1)		In August 2010, we sold auto finance loans with an outstanding principal balance of $1.2 billion at date of sale, and other related assets to Santander Consumer USA (“SC USA”).

HSBC USA Inc.

Impaired commercial loans Impaired commercial loan statistics are summarized in the following table:


			Amount
	Amount with		without		Total Impaired
	Impairment		Impairment		Commercial		Impairment
	Reserves		Reserves		Loans⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾		Reserve

	(in millions)

At September 30, 2011
Construction and other real estate	$	337	$	370	$	707	$	103
Business banking and middle market enterprises		102		53		155		15
Large corporate		147		-		147		107
Other commercial		18		126		144		4

Total	$	604	$	549	$	1,153	$	229

At December 31, 2010
Construction and other real estate	$	378	$	377	$	755	$	84
Business banking and middle market enterprises		113		39		152		26
Large corporate		103		2		105		72
Other commercial		26		89		115		6

Total	$	620	$	507	$	1,127	$	188


(1)		Includes impaired commercial loans which are also considered TDR Loans as follows:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Construction and other real estate	$	328	$	397
Business banking and middle market enterprises		96		88
Large corporate		-		-
Other commercial		38		49

Total	$	462	$	534


(2)		The impaired commercial loan balances included in the table above reflect the current carrying amount of the loan and includes all basis adjustments, such as unamortized deferred fees and costs on originated loans and any premiums or discounts. The unpaid principal balance of impaired commercial loans included in the table above are as follows:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Construction and other real estate	$	751	$	782
Business banking and middle market enterprises		209		184
Large corporate		147		105
Other commercial		147		118

Total	$	1,254	$	1,189

HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information about average impaired commercial loan balances and interest income recognized on the impaired commercial loans:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010

	(in millions)

Average balance of impaired commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	703	$	732	$	745	$	721
Business banking and middle market enterprises		156		143		157		145
Large corporate		111		93		100		216
Other commercial		123		146		116		172

Total average balance of impaired commercial loans	$	1,093	$	1,114	$	1,118	$	1,254

Interest income recognized on impaired commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	1	$	-	$	5	$	2
Business banking and middle market enterprises		1		1		3		4
Large corporate		-		-		-		6
Other commercial		1		1		2		2

Total interest income recognized on impaired commercial loans	$	3	$	2	$	10	$	14

Commercial Loan Credit Quality Indicators The following credit quality indicators are monitored for our commercial loan portfolio:

Criticized asset classifications These classifications are based on the risk rating standards of our primary regulator. Problem loans are assigned various criticized facility grades. We also assign obligor grades which are used under our allowance for credit losses methodology. Criticized assets for commercial loans are summarized in the following table:


	Special Mention		Substandard		Doubtful		Total

	(in millions)

At September 30, 2011
Construction and other real estate	$	1,180	$	1,131	$	162	$	2,473
Business banking and middle market enterprises		411		341		-		752
Large corporate		103		375		123		601
Other commercial		48		133		4		185

Total	$	1,742	$	1,980	$	289	$	4,011

At December 31, 2010
Construction and other real estate	$	1,324	$	1,230	$	115	$	2,669
Business banking and middle market enterprises		465		504		5		974
Large corporate		260		386		74		720
Other commercial		235		140		8		383

Total	$	2,284	$	2,260	$	202	$	4,746

HSBC USA Inc.

Nonperforming The status of our commercial loan portfolio is summarized in the following table:


					Accruing Loans
	Performing		Nonaccrual		Contractually Past
	Loans		Loans		Due 90 days or More		Total

	(in millions)

At September 30, 2011
Commercial:
Construction and other real estate	$	7,170	$	593	$	10	$	7,773
Business banking and middle market enterprise		9,661		69		22		9,752
Large corporate		11,017		147		-		11,164
Other commercial		2,887		35		1		2,923

Total commercial – continuing operations	$	30,735	$	844	$	33	$	31,612

At December 31, 2010
Commercial:
Construction and other real estate	$	7,492	$	599	$	137	$	8,228
Business banking and middle market enterprise		7,782		116		47		7,945
Large corporate		10,671		74		-		10,745
Other commercial		3,071		12		2		3,085

Total commercial – continuing operations	$	29,016	$	801	$	186	$	30,003

Credit risk profile The following table shows the credit risk profile of our commercial loan portfolio:


	Investment Grade⁽¹⁾		Non-Investment Grade		Total

	(in millions)

At September 30, 2011
Construction and other real estate	$	2,745	$	5,028	$	7,773
Business banking and middle market enterprises		4,458		5,294		9,752
Large corporate		7,134		4,030		11,164
Other commercial		1,098		1,825		2,923

Total commercial	$	15,435	$	16,177	$	31,612

At December 31, 2010
Construction and other real estate	$	1,900	$	6,328	$	8,228
Business banking and middle market enterprises		2,866		5,079		7,945
Large corporate		6,808		3,937		10,745
Other commercial		787		2,298		3,085

Total commercial	$	12,361	$	17,642	$	30,003


⁽¹⁾		Investment grade includes commercial loans with credit ratings of at least BBB- or above or the equivalent based on our internal credit rating system.

HSBC USA Inc.

Consumer Loan Credit Quality Indicators The following credit quality indicators are monitored for our consumer loan portfolio:

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


	September 30, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Dollars of		Delinquency			Dollars of		Delinquency
	Delinquency		Ratio			Delinquency		Ratio

	(dollars are in millions)

Continuing operations:
Consumer:
Residential mortgage, excluding home equity mortgages⁽¹⁾	$	1,205		8.06	%	$	1,272		8.68	%
Home equity mortgages		175		4.98			183		4.79

Total residential mortgages		1,380		7.47			1,455		7.88
Credit card receivables		25		2.08			34		2.70
Other consumer		33		3.36			32		2.86

Total consumer – continuing operations		1,438		6.96			1,521		7.30
Discontinued credit card and private label operations⁽²⁾		510		2.55			726		3.31

Total consumer	$	1,948		4.79	%	$	2,247		5.25	%


⁽¹⁾		At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, residential mortgage loan delinquency includes $720 million and $852 million, respectively, of loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value less cost to sell.

⁽²⁾		At September 30, 2011, discontinued credit card and private label credit card operations include our GM and UP credit card loans and our private label credit card and closed-end loans which are included as held for sale and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At December 31, 2010, these discontinued credit card and private label credit card loans were carried at amortized cost and as such, are not directly comparable to the current period balances.

HSBC USA Inc.

Nonperforming The status of our consumer loan portfolio for both continuing and discontinued operations is summarized in the following table:


					Accruing Loans
	Performing		Nonaccrual		Contractually Past
	Loans		Loans		Due 90 days or More		Total

	(in millions)

At September 30, 2011
Continuing operations:
Consumer:
Residential mortgage, excluding home equity mortgages	$	13,068	$	774	$	-	$	13,842
Home equity mortgages		2,526		92		-		2,618

Total residential mortgages		15,594		866		-		16,460
Credit card receivables		771		-		17		788
Other consumer		708		8		24		740

Total consumer – continuing operations		17,073		874		41		17,988
Discontinued credit card and private label operations⁽¹⁾		19,393		-		345		19,738

Total consumer	$	36,466	$	874	$	386	$	37,726

At December 31, 2010
Continuing operations:
Consumer:
Residential mortgage, excluding home equity mortgages	$	12,797	$	900	$	-	$	13,697
Home equity mortgages		3,727		93		-		3,820

Total residential mortgages		16,524		993		-		17,517
Credit card receivables		1,226		-		24		1,250
Other consumer		1,007		9		23		1,039

Total consumer – continuing operations		18,757		1,002		47		19,806
Discontinued credit card and private label operations⁽¹⁾		22,466		-		523		22,989

Total consumer	$	41,223	$	1,002	$	570	$	42,795


⁽¹⁾		At September 30, 2011, discontinued credit card and private label credit card operations include our GM and UP credit card loans and our private label credit card and closed-end loans which are included as held for sale and carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At December 31, 2010, these discontinued credit card and private label credit card loans were carried at amortized cost and as such, are not directly comparable to the current period balances.

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

Concentrations of Credit Risk Our loan portfolio includes the following types of loans:


	•	High loan-to-value (“LTV”) loans – Certain residential mortgages on primary residences with LTV ratios equal to or exceeding 90 percent at the time of origination and no mortgage insurance, which could result in the potential inability to recover the entire investment in loans involving foreclosed or damaged properties.

HSBC USA Inc.


	•	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 the ability of customers to repay the loan in the future when the principal payments are required.

	•	Adjustable rate mortgage (“ARM”) loans – A loan which allows us to adjust pricing on the loan in line with market movements. A customer’s financial situation and the general interest rate environment at the time of the interest rate reset could affect the customer’s ability to repay or refinance the loan after the adjustment.

The following table summarizes the balances of high LTV, interest-only and ARM loans in our loan portfolios, including certain loans held for sale, at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in billions)

Residential mortgage loans with high LTV and no mortgage insurance(1)	$	1.1	$	1.2
Interest-only residential mortgage loans		4.1		3.6
ARM loans⁽²⁾		8.7		8.0


⁽¹⁾		Residential mortgage loans with high LTV and no mortgage insurance includes both fixed rate and adjustable rate mortgages. Excludes $83 million and $125 million of sub-prime residential mortgage loans held for sale at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

⁽²⁾		ARM loan balances above exclude $32 million and $99 million of sub-prime residential mortgage loans held for sale at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. During the remainder of 2011 and during 2012, approximately $77 million and $340 million, respectively, of the ARM loans will experience their first interest rate reset.

Concentrations of first and second liens within the outstanding residential mortgage loan portfolio are summarized in the following table. Amounts in the table exclude residential mortgage loans held for sale of $2.0 billion and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Closed end:
First lien	$	13,842	$	13,697
Second lien		242		437
Revolving:
Second lien		2,376		3,383

Total	$	16,460	$	17,517

7. Allowance for Credit Losses

An analysis of the allowance for credit losses is presented in the following table:


	Three Months						Nine Months
	Ended						Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Balance at beginning of period	$	746		$	1,166		$	852		$	1,602
Provision for credit losses		78			10			171			(7	)
Charge-offs		(74	)		(172	)		(300	)		(620	)
Recoveries		29			8			56			35
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		(30	)		(33	)		(30	)		(33	)
Other		-			-			-			2

Balance at end of period	$	749		$	979		$	749		$	979

HSBC USA Inc.

The following tables summarize the changes in the allowance for credit losses by product during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and the related loan balance by product at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:


	Commercial												Consumer
				Business									Residential
				Banking									Mortgage,
	Construction			and Middle									Excl Home			Home
	and Other			Market			Large			Other			Equity			Equity			Credit			Auto			Other
	Real Estate			Enterprises			Corporate			Comm’l			Mortgages			Mortgages			Card			Finance			Consumer			Total

	(in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011:
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period	$	229		$	96		$	110		$	21		$	162		$	62		$	44		$	-		$	22		$	746
Provision charged to income		(9	)		(6	)		28			(15	)		53			8			12			-			7			78
Charge offs		(3	)		(9	)		-			-			(24	)		(15	)		(16	)		-			(7	)		(74	)
Recoveries		-			2			-			22			1			-			3			-			1			29

Net charge offs		(3	)		(7	)		-			22			(23	)		(15	)		(13	)		-			(6	)		(45	)
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			(10	)		(4	)		(6	)		(6	)		-			(4	)		(30	)
Other		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-

Allowance for credit losses – end of period	$	217		$	83		$	138		$	18		$	188		$	49		$	37		$	-		$	19		$	749

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	114		$	68		$	31		$	14		$	102		$	45		$	30		$	-		$	19		$	423
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment(1)		103			15			107			4			86			4			7			-			-			326

Total allowance for credit losses	$	217		$	83		$	138		$	18		$	188		$	49		$	37		$	-		$	19		$	749

Loans:
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$	7,066		$	9,597		$	11,017		$	2,779		$	12,653		$	2,604		$	766		$	-		$	740		$	47,222
Individually evaluated for impairment		707			155			147			144			506			14			22			-			-			1,695
Loans carried at fair value less cost to sell		-			-			-			-			683			-			-			-			-			683

Total loans	$	7,773		$	9,752		$	11,164		$	2,923		$	13,842		$	2,618		$	788		$	-		$	740		$	49,600

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010:
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period	$	292		$	151		$	168		$	66		$	244		$	104		$	73		$	33		$	35		$	1,166
Provision charged to income		47			6			(31	)		(14	)		(23	)		9			14			-			2			10
Charge offs		(29	)		(22	)		(6	)		(2	)		(46	)		(32	)		(26	)		-			(9	)		(172	)
Recoveries		-			3			-			1			1			-			2			-			1			8

Net charge offs		(29	)		(19	)		(6	)		(1	)		(45	)		(32	)		(24	)		-			(8	)		(164	)
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			(33	)		-			(33	)
Other		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-

Allowance for credit losses – end of period	$	310		$	138		$	131		$	51		$	176		$	81		$	63		$	-		$	29		$	979

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	165		$	119		$	60		$	17		$	125		$	78		$	54		$	-		$	29		$	647
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment⁽¹⁾		145			19			71			34			51			3			9			-			-			332

Total allowance for credit losses	$	310		$	138		$	131		$	51		$	176		$	81		$	63		$	-		$	29		$	979

Loans:
Collectively evaluated for impairment	$	7,647		$	7,551		$	11,139		$	2,333		$	12,528		$	3,884		$	1,188		$	-		$	1,125		$	47,395
Individually evaluated for impairment		821			124			89			140			344			8			25			-			-			1,551
Loans carried at fair value less cost to sell		-			-			-			-			753			-			-			-			-			753

Total loans	$	8,468		$	7,675		$	11,228		$	2,473		$	13,625		$	3,892		$	1,213		$	-		$	1,125		$	49,699

HSBC USA Inc.


	Commercial												Consumer
				Business									Residential
				Banking									Mortgage,
	Construction			and Middle									Excl Home			Home
	and Other			Market			Large			Other			Equity			Equity			Credit			Auto			Other
	Real Estate			Enterprises			Corporate			Comm’l			Mortgages			Mortgages			Card			Finance			Consumer			Total

	(In millions)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011:
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period	$	243		$	132		$	116		$	32		$	167		$	77		$	58		$	-		$	27		$	852
Provision charged to income		13			(15	)		22			(25	)		99			31			31			-			15			171
Charge offs		(46	)		(42	)		-			(2	)		(78	)		(53	)		(56	)		-			(23	)		(300	)
Recoveries		7			8			-			23			4			-			10			-			4			56

Net charge offs		(39	)		(34	)		-			21			(74	)		(53	)		(46	)		-			(19	)		(244	)
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			(10	)		(4	)		(6	)		(6	)		-			(4	)		(30	)
Other		-			-			-						-			-			-			-			-			-

Allowance for credit losses – end of period	$	217		$	83		$	138		$	18		$	188		$	49		$	37		$	-		$	19		$	749

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010:
Allowance for credit losses – beginning of period	$	303		$	184		$	301		$	119		$	347		$	185		$	80		$	36		$	47		$	1,602
Provision charged to income		92			12			(148	)		(19	)		(32	)		(6	)		52			35			7			(7	)
Charge offs		(91	)		(72	)		(24	)		(52	)		(141	)		(98	)		(76	)		(37	)		(29	)		(620	)
Recoveries		6			14			2			1			2			-			7			(1	)		4			35

Net charge offs		(85	)		(58	)		(22	)		(51	)		(139	)		(98	)		(69	)		(38	)		(25	)		(585	)
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			(33	)		-			(33	)
Other		-			-			-			2			-			-			-			-			-			2

Allowance for credit losses – end of period	$	310		$	138		$	131		$	51		$	176		$	81		$	63		$	-		$	29		$	979


⁽¹⁾		For consumer loans, 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 analysis is then applied to these groups of TDR Loans.

8. Loans Held for Sale

Loans held for sale consisted of the following:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Commercial loans	$	934	$	1,356

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		2,012		954
Credit cards receivables		415		-
Other consumer		241		80

Total consumer		2,668		1,034

Total loans held for sale	$	3,602	$	2,390

Included in loans held for sale at September 30, 2011 are $2.6 billion of loans that are being sold as part of our agreement to sell certain branches to First Niagara. Included in this amount are $539 million of commercial loans, $1.5 billion of residential mortgages, $415 million of credit card receivables and $170 million of other consumer loans. Credit card, private label credit card and closed-end loans being sold to Capital One are included in Assets of discontinued operations on our balance sheet.

We originate and syndicate commercial loans in connection with our participation in a number of leveraged acquisition finance transactions. A substantial majority of these loans are originated with the intent of selling them to unaffiliated third parties and are classified as commercial loans held for sale at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The fair value of commercial loans held for sale under this program was $364 million and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, all of which are recorded at fair value as

HSBC USA Inc.

we have elected to designate these loans under fair value option. We also have provided loans to third parties which are classified as commercial loans held for sale and for which we also elected to apply fair value option. The fair value of these commercial loans under this program was $3 million and $273 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. See Note 12, “Fair Value Option,” for additional information.

In addition to the residential mortgage loans being sold to First Niagara discussed above, residential mortgage loans held for sale also include sub-prime residential mortgage loans with a fair value of $212 million and $391 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which were acquired from unaffiliated third parties and from HSBC Finance with the intent of securitizing or selling the loans to third parties. Also included in residential mortgage loans held for sale are first mortgage loans originated and held for sale primarily to various government sponsored enterprises. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, we sold subprime residential mortgage loans with a carrying amount of $17 million and $179 million, respectively.

Other consumer loans held for sale also include student loans, which we no longer originate, of $71 million and $74 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Excluding the commercial loans designated under fair value option discussed above, loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. While the initial carrying amount of loans held for sale continued to exceed fair value at September 30, 2011, we experienced a decrease in the valuation allowance during 2011 due primarily to loan sales. The valuation allowance on loans held for sale was $288 million and $435 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Loans held for sale are subject to market risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk, in that their value will fluctuate as a result of changes in market conditions, as well as the interest rate and credit environment. Interest rate risk for residential mortgage loans held for sale is partially mitigated through an economic hedging program to offset changes in the fair value of the mortgage loans held for sale. Trading related revenue associated with this economic hedging program, which is included in net interest income and residential mortgage banking revenue (loss) in the consolidated statement of income, were gains of $3 million and losses of $8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively compared to gains of $21 million and $5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

9. Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consisted of the following:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Mortgage servicing rights	$	245	$	403
Other		16		21

Intangible assets	$	261	$	424

Mortgage Servicing Rights (“MSRs”) A servicing asset is a contract under which estimated future revenues from contractually specified cash flows, such as servicing fees and other ancillary revenues, are expected to exceed the obligation to service the financial assets. We recognize the right to service mortgage loans as a separate and distinct asset at the time they are acquired or when originated loans are sold.

MSRs are subject to credit, prepayment and interest rate risk, in that their value will fluctuate as a result of changes in these economic variables. Interest rate risk is mitigated through an economic hedging program that uses securities and derivatives to offset changes in the fair value of MSRs. Since the hedging program involves trading activity, risk is quantified and managed using a number of risk assessment techniques, which are addressed in more detail in the 2010 Form 10-K.

HSBC USA Inc.

Residential mortgage servicing rights Residential MSRs are initially measured at fair value at the time that the related loans are sold and are remeasured at fair value at each reporting date (the fair value measurement method). Changes in fair value of the asset are reflected in residential mortgage banking revenue in the period in which the changes occur. Fair value is determined based upon the application of valuation models and other inputs. The valuation models incorporate assumptions market participants would use in estimating future cash flows, including current costs of servicing. The reasonableness of these valuation models is periodically validated by reference to external independent broker valuations and industry surveys.

Fair value of residential MSRs is calculated using the following critical assumptions:


	September 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010


Annualized constant prepayment rate (“CPR”)		22.9	%		14.1	%
Constant discount rate		11.4	%		13.6	%
Weighted average life		3.2 years			4.9 years

Residential MSRs activity is summarized in the following table:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Fair value of MSRs:
Beginning balance	$	363		$	317		$	394		$	450
Additions related to loan sales		7			10			32			36
Changes in fair value due to:
Change in valuation inputs or assumptions used in the valuation models		(110	)		1			(132	)		(113	)
Realization of cash flows		(23	)		(30	)		(57	)		(75	)

Ending balance	$	237		$	298		$	237		$	298

Information regarding residential mortgage loans serviced for others, which are not included in the consolidated balance sheet, is summarized in the following table:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Outstanding principal balances at period end	$	41,442	$	44,407

Custodial balances maintained and included in noninterest bearing deposits at period end	$	859	$	960

Servicing fees collected are included in residential mortgage banking revenue and totaled $27 million and $83 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. Servicing fees totaled $30 million and $92 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

Commercial Mortgage Servicing Rights Commercial MSRs, which are accounted for using the lower of amortized cost or fair value method, totaled $8 and $9 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Other Intangible Assets Other intangible assets, which result from business combinations, are comprised of favorable lease arrangements of $12 million and $16 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, and customer lists in the amount of $4 million and $5 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

HSBC USA Inc.

10. Goodwill

Goodwill was $2.2 billion and $2.6 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which reflects accumulated impairment losses of $54 million. At September 30, 2011, $398 million of goodwill has been allocated to the branch operations being sold to First Niagara and is classified within other branch assets held for sale.

During the third quarter of 2011, we completed our annual impairment test of goodwill and determined that the fair value of all our reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts, including goodwill. Our goodwill impairment testing is, however, highly sensitive to certain assumptions and estimates used. In the event that significant deterioration in the economic and credit conditions beyond the levels already reflected in our cash flow forecasts occur, or changes in the strategy or performance of our business or product offering occur, particularly as it relates to our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit, an interim impairment test will be required. At July 1, 2011, the book value including goodwill of our Global Banking and Markets reporting unit was 81 percent of its fair value.

11. Derivative Financial Instruments

In the normal course of business, we enter into derivative contracts for trading, market making and risk management purposes. For financial reporting purposes, a derivative instrument is designated in one of the following categories: (a) financial instruments held for trading, (b) hedging instruments designated as a qualifying hedge under derivative accounting principles or (c) a non-qualifying economic hedge. The derivative instruments held are predominantly swaps, futures, options and forward contracts. All freestanding derivatives, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, are stated at fair value. Where we enter into enforceable master netting arrangements with counterparties, the master netting arrangements permit us to net those derivative asset and liability positions and to offset cash collateral held and posted with the same counterparty.

Derivatives Held for Risk Management Purposes Our risk management policy requires us to identify, analyze and manage risks arising from the activities conducted during the normal course of business. We use derivative instruments as an asset and liability management tool to manage our exposures in interest rate, foreign currency and credit risks in existing assets and liabilities, commitments and forecasted transactions. The accounting for changes in fair value of a derivative instrument will depend on whether the derivative has been designated and qualifies for hedge accounting under derivative accounting principles.

Accounting principles for qualifying hedges require detailed documentation that describes the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item, including, but not limited to, the risk management objectives and hedging strategy and the methods to assess the effectiveness of the hedging relationship. We designate derivative instruments to offset the fair value risk and cash flow risk arising from fixed-rate and floating-rate assets and liabilities as well as forecasted transactions. We assess the hedging relationships, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, using a regression approach to determine whether the designated hedging instrument is highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. We discontinue hedge accounting when we determine that a derivative is not expected to be effective going forward or has ceased to be highly effective as a hedge, the hedging instrument is terminated, or when the designation is removed by us.

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 with the fair value amount recognized for derivative instruments.

Fair Value Hedges In the normal course of business, we hold fixed-rate loans and securities and issue fixed-rate senior and subordinated debt obligations. The fair value of fixed-rate (USD and non-USD denominated) assets and liabilities fluctuates in response to changes in interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates. We utilize interest rate swaps, interest rate forward and futures contracts and foreign currency swaps to minimize the effect on earnings caused by interest rate and foreign currency volatility.

HSBC USA Inc.

For reporting purposes, changes in fair value of a derivative designated in a qualifying fair value hedge, along with the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in current period earnings. We recognized net losses of $45 million and $46 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively compared to net gains of $8 million and $30 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, which are reported in other income in the consolidated statement of income which represents the ineffective portion of all fair value hedges. The interest accrual related to the derivative contract is recognized in interest income.

The changes in fair value of the hedged item designated in a qualifying hedge are captured as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the hedged item (basis adjustment). If the hedging relationship is terminated and the hedged item continues to exist, the basis adjustment is amortized over the remaining life of the hedged item. We recorded basis adjustments for active fair value hedges which increased the carrying amount of our debt by $6 million and $34 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. We amortized $3 million and $8 million of basis adjustments related to terminated and/or re-designated fair value hedge relationships during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. We amortized $3 million and $7 million of basis adjustments related to terminated and/or re-designated fair value hedge relationships during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. The total accumulated unamortized basis adjustment amounted to an increase in the carrying amount of our debt of $72 million and $73 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Basis adjustments for active fair value hedges of available-for-sale securities increased the carrying amount of the securities by $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to an increase in the carrying amount of the securities by $12 million and $377 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. Total accumulated unamortized basis adjustments for active fair value hedges of available-for-sale securities amounted to an increase in carrying amount of $1.3 billion and an increase in carrying amount of $71 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments that are designated and qualifying as fair value hedges and their location on the balance sheet.

Derivative Assets⁽¹⁾

Derivative Liabilities⁽¹⁾

Fair Value as of

Balance Sheet

September 30,

December 31,

Balance Sheet

September 30,

December 31,

Location

2011

2010

Location

2011

2010

(in millions)

Interest rate contracts

Other assets

140

Interest, taxes & other liabilities

1,339

164


⁽¹⁾		The derivative asset and derivative liabilities presented above may be eligible for netting and consequently may be shown net against a different line item on the consolidated balance sheet. Balance sheet categories in the above table represent the location of the assets and liabilities absent the netting of the balances.

The following table presents the gains and losses on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in fair value hedges and their locations on the consolidated statement of income.


		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized
		in Income on Derivatives
	Location of Gain (Loss)	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	Recognized in Income on	September 30,						September 30,
	Derivatives	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Interest rate contracts	Other income	$	(1,311	)	$	(142	)	$	(1,635	)	$	(628	)
Interest rate contracts	Interest income		12			(19	)		3			18

Total		$	(1,299	)	$	(161	)	$	(1,632	)	$	(610	)

HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information on gains and losses on the hedged items in fair value hedges and their location on the consolidated statement of income.


	Gain (Loss) on						Gain (Loss) on						Gain (Loss) on						Gain (Loss) on
	Derivative						Hedged Items						Derivative						Hedged Items
	Interest						Interest						Interest						Interest
	Income			Other			Income			Other			Income			Other			Income			Other
	(Expense)			Income			(Expense)			Income			(Expense)			Income			(Expense)			Income

Three Months Ended September 30,	2011												2010

										(in millions)

Interest rate contracts/AFS securities	$	4		$	(1,322	)	$	187		$	1,278		$	(2	)	$	(148	)	$	56		$	149
Interest rate contracts/commercial loans		(6	)		1			-			(1	)		-			-			-			-
Interest rate contracts/subordinated debt		14			10			(32	)		(11	)		(17	)		6			(18	)		1

Total	$	12		$	(1,311	)	$	155		$	1,266		$	(19	)	$	(142	)	$	38		$	150

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Interest rate contracts/AFS securities	$	(18	)	$	(1,640	)	$	506		$	1,598		$	(20	)	$	(661	)	$	187		$	673
Interest rate contracts/commercial loans		(17	)		1			-			(3	)		(1	)		1			1			(1	)
Interest rate contracts/subordinated debt		38			4			(70	)		(6	)		39			32			(81	)		(14	)

Total	$	3		$	(1,635	)	$	436		$	1,589		$	18		$	(628	)	$	107		$	658

Cash Flow Hedges We own or issue floating rate financial instruments and enter into forecasted transactions that give rise to variability in future cash flows. As a part of our risk management strategy, we use interest rate swaps, currency swaps and futures contracts to mitigate risk associated with variability in the cash flows. We also hedge the variability in interest cash flows arising from on-line savings deposits.

Changes in fair value associated with the effective portion of a derivative instrument designated as a qualifying cash flow hedge are recognized initially in other comprehensive income (loss). When the cash flows for which the derivative is hedging materialize and are recorded in income or expense, the associated gain or loss from the hedging derivative previously recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is recognized in earnings. If a cash flow hedge of a forecasted transaction is de-designated because it is no longer highly effective, or if the hedge relationship is terminated, the cumulative gain or loss on the hedging derivative to that date will continue to be reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) unless the hedged forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, at which time the cumulative gain or loss is released into earnings. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, active cash flow hedge relationships extend or mature through June 2031 and December 2012, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, $4 million and $9 million, respectively, of losses related to terminated and/or re-designated cash flow hedge relationships were amortized to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). During the next twelve months, we expect to amortize $16 million of remaining losses to earnings resulting from these terminated and/or re-designated cash flow hedges. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, $3 million and $8 million, respectively, of losses related to terminated and/or re-designated cash flow hedge relationships were amortized to earnings from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The interest accrual related to the derivative contract is recognized in interest income.

HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments that are designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges and their location on the consolidated balance sheet.

Derivative Assets⁽¹⁾

Derivative Liabilities⁽¹⁾

Fair Value as of

Balance Sheet

September 30,

December 31,

Balance Sheet

September 30,

December 31,

Location

2011

2010

Location

2011

2010

(In millions)

Interest rate contracts

Other assets

Interest, taxes & other liabilities

243

Foreign exchange contracts

Other assets

Interest, taxes & other liabilities


(1)		The derivative assets and derivative liabilities presented above may be eligible for netting and consequently may be shown net against a different line item on the consolidated balance sheet. Balance sheet categories in the above table represent the location of the assets and liabilities absent the netting of the balances.

The following table presents information on gains and losses on derivative instruments designated and qualifying as hedging instruments in cash flow hedges and their locations on the income statement.

Gain (Loss)

Recognized in

Income on the

Gain (Loss)

Derivative

Recognized

Location of Gain

Reclassified

Location of Gain

(Ineffective

in Accumulated

(Loss) Reclassified

From Accumulated

(Loss) Recognized

Portion and

Other Comprehensive

From Accumulated

Other Comprehensive

in Income

Amount

Income (Loss) on

Other Comprehensive

Income (Loss)

on the Derivative

Excluded from

on Derivative

Income (Loss)

into Income

(Ineffective Portion and

Effectiveness

(Effective Portion)

into Income

(Effective Portion)

Amount Excluded from

Testing)

2011

2010

(Effective Portion)

2011

2010

Effectiveness Testing)

2011

2010

(in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30,

Interest rate contracts

(205

)

Other income

)

Other income

)

Nine Months Ended September 30,

Interest rate contracts

(219

)

Other income

)

Other income

)

Trading and Other Derivatives In addition to risk management, we enter into derivative instruments for trading and market making purposes, to repackage risks and structure trades to facilitate clients’ needs for various risk taking and risk modification purposes. We manage our risk exposure by entering into offsetting derivatives with other financial institutions to mitigate the market risks, in part or in full, arising from our trading activities with our clients. In addition, we also enter into buy protection credit derivatives with other market participants to manage our counterparty credit risk exposure. Where we enter into derivatives for trading purposes, realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in trading revenue or residential mortgage banking revenue (loss). Credit losses arising from counterparty risk on over-the-counter derivative instruments and offsetting buy protection credit derivative positions are recognized as an adjustment to the fair value of the derivatives and are recorded in trading revenue.

Derivative instruments designated as economic hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recorded at fair value through profit and loss. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are recognized in other income or residential mortgage banking revenue (loss) while the derivative asset or liability positions are reflected as other assets or other liabilities. As of September 30, 2011, we have entered into credit default swaps which are designated as economic hedges against the credit risks within our loan portfolio. In the event of an impairment loss occurring in a loan that is economically hedged, the impairment loss is recognized as provision for credit losses while the gain on the credit default swap is recorded as other income (expense). In addition, we also from time to time have designated certain forward purchase or sale of to-be-announced (“TBA”) securities to economically hedge mortgage servicing rights.

HSBC USA Inc.

Changes in the fair value of TBA positions, which are considered derivatives, are recorded in residential mortgage banking revenue.

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments held for trading purposes and their location on the consolidated balance sheet.

Derivative Assets⁽¹⁾

Derivative Liabilities⁽¹⁾

Fair Value as of

Balance Sheet

September 30,

December 31,

Balance Sheet

September 30,

December 31,

Location

2011

2010

Location

2011

2010

(in millions)

Interest rate contracts

Trading assets

59,882

32,047

Trading liabilities

60,727

32,526

Foreign exchange contracts

Trading assets

24,737

16,367

Trading liabilities

25,332

16,742

Equity contracts

Trading assets

1,101

950

Trading liabilities

1,106

986

Precious Metals contracts

Trading assets

2,295

1,004

Trading liabilities

1,330

2,073

Credit contracts

Trading assets

17,898

12,766

Trading liabilities

17,630

12,506

Other

Trading assets

Trading liabilities

Total

105,916

63,138

106,125

64,856


⁽¹⁾		The derivative assets and derivative liabilities presented above may be eligible for netting and consequently may be shown net against a different line item on the consolidated balance sheet. Balance sheet categories in the above table represent the location of the assets and liabilities absent the netting of the balances.

The following table presents the fair value of derivative instruments held for other purposes and their location on the balance sheet.


	Derivative Assets⁽¹⁾					Derivative Liabilities⁽¹⁾
		Fair Value as of					Fair Value as of
	Balance Sheet	September 30,		December 31,		Balance Sheet	September 30,		December 31,
	Location	2011		2010		Location	2011		2010
	(in millions)

Interest rate contracts	Other assets	$	938	$	420	Interest, taxes & other liabilities	$	93	$	82
Foreign exchange contracts	Other assets		54		96	Interest, taxes & other liabilities		23		4
Equity contracts	Other assets		-		221	Interest, taxes & other liabilities		377		10
Credit contracts	Other assets		4		2	Interest, taxes & other liabilities		9		17
Total		$	996	$	739		$	502	$	113


⁽¹⁾		The derivative assets and derivative liabilities presented above may be eligible for netting and consequently may be shown net against a different line item on the consolidated balance sheet. Balance sheet categories in the above table represent the location of the assets and liabilities absent the netting of the balances.

HSBC USA Inc.

The following table presents information on gains and losses on derivative instruments held for trading purposes and their locations on the statement of income.


		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized
		in Income on Derivatives
	Location of Gain (Loss)	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	Recognized in Income on	September 30,						September 30,
	Derivatives	2011			2010			2011			2010

		(in millions)

Interest rate contracts	Trading revenue	$	(78	)	$	20		$	(193	)	$	(73	)
Interest rate contracts	Residential mortgage banking revenue		120			75			118			175
Foreign exchange contracts	Trading revenue		278			(179	)		655			(249	)
Equity contracts	Trading revenue		101			4			105			14
Precious Metals contracts	Trading revenue		(349	)		380			(427	)		684
Credit contracts	Trading revenue		(176	)		(50	)		(86	)		(19	)
Other	Trading revenue		(9	)		-			(13	)		12

Total		$	(113	)	$	250		$	159		$	544

The following table presents information on gains and losses on derivative instruments held for other purposes and their locations on the statement of income.


		Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized
		in Income on Derivatives
	Location of Gain (Loss)	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	Recognized in Income	September 30,						September 30,
	on Derivatives	2011			2010			2011			2010

		(in millions)

Interest rate contracts	Other income	$	494		$	191		$	628		$	576
Interest rate contracts	Residential mortgage banking revenue		3			21			(8	)		6
Foreign exchange contracts	Other income		23			1			22			7
Equity contracts	Other income		(508	)		386			(316	)		261
Credit contracts	Other income		5			(7	)		2			(10	)

Total		$	17		$	592		$	328		$	840

Credit-Risk Related Contingent Features We enter into total return swap, interest rate swap, cross-currency swap and credit default swap contracts, amongst others which contain provisions that require us to maintain a specific credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies. Sometimes the derivative instrument transactions are a part of broader structured product transactions. If HSBC Bank USA’s credit ratings were to fall below the current ratings, the counterparties to our derivative instruments could demand additional collateral to be posted with them. The amount of additional collateral required to be posted will depend on whether HSBC Bank USA is downgraded by one or more notches as well as whether the downgrade is in relation to long-term or short-term ratings. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in an asset position as of September 30, 2011, is $10.7 billion for which we have posted collateral of $11.1 billion. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position as of December 31, 2010, is $5.1 billion for which we have posted collateral of $7.3 billion. Substantially all of the collateral posted is in the form of cash which is reflected in either interest bearing deposits with banks or other assets. See Note 19, “Guarantee Arrangements and Pledged Assets,” for further details.

HSBC USA Inc.

In the event of a credit downgrade, we do not expect HSBC Bank USA’s long-term ratings to go below A2 and A+ or the short-term ratings to go below P-2 and A-1 by Moody’s and S&P, respectively. The following tables summarize our obligation to post additional collateral (from the current collateral level) in certain hypothetical commercially reasonable downgrade scenarios. It is not appropriate to accumulate or extrapolate information presented in the table below to determine our total obligation because the information presented to determine the obligation in hypothetical rating scenarios is not mutually exclusive.


Moody’s	Long-Term Ratings
Short-Term Ratings	Aa3		A1		A2

	(in millions)

P-1	$	-	$	4	$	72
P-2		50		53		120


S&P	Long-Term Ratings
Short-Term Ratings	AA		AA−		A+

	(in millions)

A-1+	$	-	$	191	$	194
A-1		69		260		262

We would be required to post $71 million of additional collateral on total return swaps and certain other transactions if HSBC Bank USA is downgraded by S&P and Moody’s by two notches on our long term rating accompanied by one notch downgrade in our short term rating.

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


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in billions)

Interest rate:
Futures and forwards	$	356.4	$	356.9
Swaps		2,247.4		1,773.0
Options written		80.4		62.9
Options purchased		84.8		63.9

		2,769.0		2,256.7

Foreign Exchange:
Swaps, futures and forwards		807.2		603.3
Options written		46.0		22.0
Options purchased		46.5		22.3
Spot		74.9		56.5

		974.6		704.1

Commodities, equities and precious metals:
Swaps, futures and forwards		43.8		36.1
Options written		8.3		9.1
Options purchased		17.1		16.4

		69.2		61.6

Credit derivatives		704.1		701.0

Total	$	4,516.9	$	3,723.4

HSBC USA Inc.


*12.*	*Fair Value Option*

We report our results to HSBC in accordance with its reporting basis, International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”). We have elected to apply fair value option accounting to selected financial instruments in most cases to align the measurement attributes of those instruments under U.S. GAAP and IFRSs and to simplify the accounting model applied to those financial instruments. We elected to apply fair value option (“FVO”) reporting to certain commercial loans including commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans and related unfunded commitments, certain fixed rate long-term debt issuances and hybrid instruments which include all structured notes and structured deposits. Changes in fair value for these assets and liabilities are reported as gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives in the consolidated statement of income.

Loans We elected to apply FVO to all commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans held for sale and related unfunded commitments. The election allows us to account for these loans and commitments at fair value which is consistent with the manner in which the instruments are managed. As of September 30, 2011, commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans held for sale and related unfunded commitments of $364 million carried at fair value had an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $450 million. As of December 31, 2010, commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans held for sale and related unfunded commitments of $1.0 billion carried at fair value had an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $1.1 billion.

We have provided loans to a third party for which we simultaneously entered into a series of derivative transactions to hedge certain risks associated with these loans. We elected to apply fair value option to these loans which allows us to account for them in a manner which is consistent with how the instruments are managed. The fair value of these commercial loans was $3 million and $273 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The unpaid principal balance of these loans was $3 million and $270 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

These loans are included in loans held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet. Interest from these loans is recorded as interest income in the consolidated statement of income. Because a substantial majority of the loans elected for the fair value option are floating rate assets, changes in their fair value are primarily attributable to changes in loan-specific credit risk factors. The components of gain (loss) related to loans designated at fair value are summarized in the table below. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, no loans for which the fair value option has been elected are 90 days or more past due or on nonaccrual status.

Long-Term Debt (Own Debt Issuances) We elected to apply FVO for certain fixed-rate long-term debt for which we had applied or otherwise would elect to apply fair value hedge accounting. The election allows us to achieve a similar accounting effect without meeting the rigorous hedge accounting requirements. We measure the fair value of these debt issuances based on inputs observed in the secondary market. Changes in fair value of these instruments are attributable to changes of our own credit risk and interest rates.

Fixed-rate debt accounted for under FVO at September 30, 2011 totaled $1.6 billion and had an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $1.8 billion. Fixed-rate debt accounted for under FVO at December 31, 2010 totaled $1.7 billion and had an aggregate unpaid principal balance of $1.8 billion. Interest on the fixed-rate debt accounted for under FVO is recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statement of income. The components of gain (loss) related to long-term debt designated at fair value are summarized in the table below.

Hybrid Instruments We elected to apply fair value option accounting principles to all of our hybrid instruments, inclusive of structured notes and structured deposits, issued after January 1, 2006. As of September 30, 2011, interest bearing deposits in domestic offices included $9.6 billion of structured deposits accounted for under FVO which had an unpaid principal balance of $9.6 billion. As of December 31, 2010, interest bearing deposits in domestic offices included $7.4 billion of structured deposits accounted for under FVO which had an unpaid principal balance of $7.4 billion. Long-term debt at September 30, 2011 included structured notes of $2.6 billion accounted for under FVO which had an unpaid principal balance of $2.9 billion. Long-term debt at December 31, 2010 included structured notes of $3.7 billion accounted for under FVO which had an unpaid principal balance of $3.4 billion. Interest on this debt is recorded as interest expense in the consolidated statement of income. The

HSBC USA Inc.

components of gain (loss) related to hybrid instruments designated at fair value which reflect the instruments described above are summarized in the table below.

Components of Gain on Instruments at Fair Value and Related Derivatives Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives includes the changes in fair value related to both interest and credit risk as well as the mark-to-market adjustment on derivatives related to the financial instrument designated at fair value and net realized gains or losses on these derivatives. The components of gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives related to the changes in fair value of the financial instrument accounted for under FVO are as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,
	2011												2010
				Long-												Long-
				Term			Hybrid									Term			Hybrid
	Loans			Debt			Instruments			Total			Loans			Debt			Instruments			Total

	(in millions)

Interest rate component	$	(5	)	$	(296	)	$	300		$	(1	)	$	1		$	(89	)	$	(443	)	$	(531	)
Credit risk component		(41	)		368			48			375			44			(3	)		2			43

Total mark-to-market on financial instruments designated at fair value		(46	)		72			348			374			45			(92	)		(441	)		(488	)
Net realized loss on the financial instrument		(3	)		-			-			(3	)		-			-			-			-
Mark-to-market on the related derivatives		1			328			(338	)		(9	)		(2	)		126			433			557
Net realized gain (loss) on the related long-term debt derivatives		-			17			-			17			-			20			-			20

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives	$	(48	)	$	417		$	10		$	379		$	43		$	54		$	(8	)	$	89


	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011												2010
				Long-												Long-
				Term			Hybrid									Term			Hybrid
	Loans			Debt			Instruments			Total			Loans			Debt			Instruments			Total

	(in millions)

Interest rate component	$	(7	)	$	(312	)	$	(11	)	$	(330	)	$	4		$	(276	)	$	(426	)	$	(698	)
Credit risk component		(25	)		375			86			436			(7	)		131			48			172

Total mark-to-market on financial instruments designated at fair value		(32	)		63			75			106			(3	)		(145	)		(378	)		(526	)
Net realized gain on the financial instrument		(1	)		-			-			(1	)		-			-			-			-
Mark-to-market on the related derivatives		-			344			(58	)		286			(3	)		376			409			782
Net realized gain (loss) on the related long-term debt derivatives		-			49			-			49			-			61			-			61

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives	$	(33	)	$	456		$	17		$	440		$	(6	)	$	292		$	31		$	317

HSBC USA Inc.

13. Income Taxes

The following table presents our effective tax rates.


	2011					2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30,
Tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	$	106		35.0	%	$	150		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit		5		1.8			(2	)	(.5	)
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets		8		2.7			(8	)	(1.9	)
Tax exempt interest income		(3	)	(1.0	)		(3	)	(.7	)
Low income housing and other tax credits		(21	)	(7.0	)		(21	)	(4.9	)
Uncertain tax provision		6		1.9			13		3.0
Effects of foreign operations		23		7.8			-		-
Non-deductible loss on securities		-		-			14		3.3
Other		(4	)	(1.4	)		1		.3

Effective tax rate	$	120		39.8	%	$	144		33 .6	%

Nine Months Ended September 30,
Tax expense (benefit) at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate	$	246		35.0	%	$	481		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in rate resulting from:
State and local taxes, net of federal benefit		42		6.0			4		.3
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets		(135	)	(19.3	)		(7	)	(.5	)
Tax exempt interest income		(8	)	(1.1	)		(10	)	(.7	)
Low income housing and other tax credits		(63	)	(9.0	)		(65	)	(4.7	)
Uncertain tax provision		151		21.5			33		2.4
Effects of foreign operations		23		3.3			14		1.2
Non-deductible loss on securities		-		-			14		1.2
Other		(7	)	(1.0	)		-		-

Effective tax rate	$	249		35.4	%	$	464		34 .2	%

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily reflects expense from foreign operations, the utilization of low income housing and other tax credits, the impact of state taxes and, as it relates to the nine month period, an adjustment in uncertain tax positions and the release of valuation allowance previously established on foreign tax credits. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflects an increased level of low income housing tax credits, an adjustment of uncertain tax positions and the non-deductible loss on the sale of securities.

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 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 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.

HSBC USA Inc.

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 on 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 provides 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 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.

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.

HSBC USA Inc.

We do not anticipate that the proposed sale of our GM and UP credit card and private label operations or certain retail branches will have a material impact on the recognition of our deferred tax assets because the recognition of the deferred tax assets currently relies on tax planning strategies implemented in relation to capital support from HSBC. These strategies remain unaffected by the proposed sales.

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 USA Inc. Income Taxes We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences related to the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for tax credits and state net operating losses. Our net deferred tax assets, net of both deferred tax liabilities and valuation allowances, totaled $0.8 billion and $0.9 billion as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, 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 2004 and 2005. 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 2008 and 2009 during the third quarter of 2011. 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. As a result of a recent state court decision related to a state tax uncertainty, we no longer believe that we can uphold the more likely than not conclusion taken on one of these uncertain tax positions. Therefore, tax reserves of approximately $158 million and related accrued interest expense of $77 million were recorded through the third quarter of 2011 to recognize the estimated tax exposure on this matter.

It is our policy to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax positions in interest expense in the consolidated statement of income and to recognize penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions as a component of other operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income. We had accruals for the payment of interest associated with uncertain tax positions of $128 million and $40 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

We remain subject to state and local income tax examinations for years 2000 and forward. 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 $270 million and $113 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

HSBC USA Inc.

14. Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits

The components of pension expense for the defined benefit pension plan reflected in our consolidated statement of income 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 USA Inc.:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

				(in millions)

Service cost – benefits earned during the period	$	4		$	6		$	12		$	16
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation		20			17			57			50
Expected return on assets		(22	)		(16	)		(63	)		(46	)
Recognized losses		9			11			27			29
Amortization of prior service cost		(2	)		(1	)		(4	)		(4	)

Net periodic pension cost	$	9		$	17		$	29		$	45

Pension expense declined in 2011 primarily due to expected higher returns on plan assets due to higher asset levels including additional contributions to the plan as well as lower service cost as a result of a decrease in the number of active participants in the Plan and the impact of the decision to cease future benefit accruals for legacy participants under the final average pay formula components of the Plan effective January 1, 2011.

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


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010

	(in millions)

Interest cost	$	1	$	1	$	3	$	3
Amortization of transition obligation		1		1		2		2

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost	$	2	$	2	$	5	$	5

HSBC USA Inc.

15. 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 services, item and statement processing services, banking and other miscellaneous services. All extensions of credit by HSBC Bank USA to other HSBC affiliates (other than FDIC-insured banks) are legally required to be secured by eligible collateral. The following table presents related party balances and the income and expense generated by related party transactions:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Assets:
Cash and due from banks	$	279	$	137
Interest bearing deposits with banks		2,519		1,287
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements		398		534
Trading assets⁽¹⁾		24,466		16,575
Loans		605		664
Other		554		537

Total assets	$	28,821	$	19,734

Liabilities:
Deposits	$	12,361	$	10,337
Trading liabilities⁽¹⁾		28,736		19,211
Short-term borrowings		4,496		3,326
Long-term debt		3,987		984
Other		1,158		569

Total liabilities	$	50,738	$	34,427


⁽¹⁾		Trading assets and liabilities exclude the impact of netting which allow the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts if certain conditions are met.

HSBC USA Inc.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

				(in millions)

Income/(Expense):
Interest income	$	16		$	13		$	46		$	79
Interest expense		(23	)		(12	)		(57	)		(33	)

Net interest income	$	(7	)	$	1		$	(11	)	$	46

HSBC affiliate income:
Fees and commissions:
HSBC Finance	$	18		$	20		$	54		$	24
HSBC Markets (USA) Inc. (“HMUS”)		8			3			19			13
Other HSBC affiliates		15			15			54			57
Fees on transfers of refund anticipation loans to HSBC Finance		-			-			-			4
Other HSBC affiliates income		9			4			25			13

Total affiliate income	$	50		$	42		$	152		$	111

Support services from HSBC affiliates:
HSBC Finance	$	8		$	8		$	27		$	93
HMUS		71			72			192			215
HSBC Technology & Services (USA) Inc. (“HTSU”)		279			194			725			557
Other HSBC affiliates		55			32			150			95

Total support services from HSBC affiliates	$	413		$	306		$	1,094		$	960

Stock based compensation expense with HSBC	$	14		$	11		$	38		$	33

Transactions Conducted with HSBC Finance Corporation In connection with its acquisition of HSBC Finance, HSBC announced its expectation that funding costs for the HSBC Finance business would be lower as a result of the funding diversity of HSBC. As a result, we work with our affiliates under the oversight of HSBC North America to maximize opportunities and efficiencies in HSBC’s operations in the U.S., including funding efficiencies. The purchases of the private label portfolio as well as the GM and UP Portfolios from HSBC Finance as discussed in more detail below are indicative of such efficiencies contemplated.


•	In July 2004, we sold the account relationships associated with $970 million of credit card receivables to HSBC Finance and on a daily basis, we purchase new originations on these credit card receivables. HSBC Finance continues to service these loans for us for a fee. We purchased $582 million and $1.7 billion of credit card receivables from HSBC Finance during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $617 million and $1.8 billion during the year-ago periods. Premiums paid are amortized to interest income over the estimated life of the receivables purchased. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, HSBC Finance was servicing $1.2 billion of credit card receivables. We paid HSBC Finance fees for servicing these loans of $4 million and $11 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

•	In 2003 and 2004, we purchased approximately $3.7 billion of residential mortgage loans from HSBC Finance. HSBC Finance continues to service these loans for us for a fee. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, HSBC Finance was servicing $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion of residential mortgage loans for us. We paid HSBC Finance fees for servicing these loans of less than $1 million and $3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $2 million and $4 million during the year-ago periods.

HSBC USA Inc.


•	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 are now being performed by HSBC Finance for all North America mortgage customers, including our mortgage customers. Additionally, we are currently performing certain functions for all North America mortgage customers where these functions had been previously provided separately by each entity. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 we paid $2 million and $5 million, respectively, for services we received from HSBC Finance and received $3 million and $7 million, respectively, for services we provided to HSBC Finance. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 we paid $2 million and $5 million, respectively, for services we received from HSBC Finance and received $2 million and $6 million, respectively for services we provided to HSBC Finance.

•	In July 2010, certain employees in the real estate receivable default servicing department of HSBC Finance were transferred to the mortgage loan servicing department of HSBC Bank USA. These employees continue to service defaulted real estate secured receivables for HSBC Finance and we receive a fee for providing these services. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we received servicing revenue from HSBC Finance of $15 million and $47 million, respectively.

•	Prior to 2011, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, HSBC Bank USA and HSBC Trust Company (Delaware), N.A. (“HTCD”), historically have been the originating lenders on behalf of HSBC Finance for a federal income tax refund anticipation loan program for clients of a single third party tax preparer which was managed by HSBC Finance. By agreement, HSBC Bank USA and HTCD historically processed applications, funded and subsequently transferred a portion of these loans to HSBC Finance. Prior to 2010, all loans were transferred to HSBC Finance. In 2010, we kept a portion of these loans on our balance sheet and earned a fee. The loans kept were transferred to HSBC Finance at par only upon reaching a defined delinquency status. We paid HSBC Finance a fee to service the loans we retained on our balance sheet and to assume the credit risk associated with these receivables. HSBC Bank USA and HTCD originated approximately $9.4 billion of loans during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, of which $3.1 billion was transferred to HSBC Finance. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we received fees of $4 million for the loans we originated and sold to HSBC Finance. Fees earned on the loans retained on balance sheet and fees paid to HSBC Finance for servicing and assuming the credit risk for these loans totaled $65 million and $58 million, respectively, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

In December 2010, as a result of Internal Revenue Service decisions to stop providing information regarding certain unpaid taxpayer obligations which historically served as a significant part of the underwriting process, it was determined that tax refund anticipation loans could no longer be offered in a safe and sound manner and, therefore, we would no longer offer these loans and other related products going forward. These products have historically had an insignificant impact to our results of operations.


•	During the third quarter of 2011, we purchased $5 million of commercial paper from HSBC Finance as part of our North America funding strategy. No balances were outstanding at September 30, 2011.

•	We extended a secured $1.5 billion uncommitted 364 day credit facility to certain subsidiaries of HSBC Finance in December 2009. This facility was renewed for an additional 364 days in December 2010. There were no balances outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

•	We serviced a portfolio of residential mortgage loans owned by HSBC Finance with an outstanding principal balance of $1.5 billion at December 31, 2009. During 2010, we transferred servicing of this portfolio back to HSBC Finance and, as a result, no longer service any loans for HSBC Finance. The servicing fee income for servicing this portfolio was less than $1 million and $1 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, which is included in residential mortgage banking revenue in the consolidated statement of income.

•	In the third quarter of 2009, we purchased $106 million of Low Income Housing Tax Credit Investment Funds from HSBC Finance.

HSBC USA Inc.

Transactions Conducted with HSBC Finance Corporation Involving Discontinued Operations As it relates to our discontinued credit card and private label operations, in January 2009, we purchased the GM and UP Portfolios from HSBC Finance, with an outstanding principal balance of $12.4 billion at the time of sale, at a total net premium of $113 million. Additionally, in December 2004, we purchased the private label credit card receivable portfolio as well as private label commercial and closed end loans from HSBC Finance. HSBC Finance retained the customer account relationships for both the GM and UP receivables and the private label credit card receivables and by agreement we purchase on a daily basis substantially all new originations from these account relationships from HSBC Finance. Premiums paid for these receivables are amortized to interest income over the estimated life of the receivables purchased and are included as a component of Income from discontinued operations. HSBC Finance continues to service these credit card loans for us for a fee. Information regarding these loans is summarized in the table below.


	Private Label				Credit Card
			Commercial and
			Closed		General		Union
	Cards		End Loans⁽¹⁾		Motors		Privilege		Other		Total

	(in billions)

Loans serviced by HSBC Finance:
September 30, 2011	$	11.5	$	.3	$	4.0	$	3.6	$	.7	$	20.1
December 31, 2010		13.1		.4		4.5		4.1		.8		22.9
Total loans purchased on a daily basis from HSBC Finance during:
Three months ended September 30, 2011		3.7		-		3.2		.8		.4		8.1
Three months ended September 30, 2010		3.5		-		3.4		.8		.4		8.1
Nine months ended September 30, 2011		10.5		-		9.6		2.3		1.3		23.7
Nine months ended September 30, 2010		9.9		-		10.0		2.3		1.2		23.4


⁽¹⁾		Private label commercial loans were previously included in other commercial loans and private label closed end loans were included in other consumer loans.

Fees paid for servicing these loan portfolios, which are included as a component of Income from discontinued operations, totaled $149 million and $447 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $154 million and $457 million during the year-ago periods.

The GM and UP credit card receivables as well as the private label credit card receivables that are purchased from HSBC Finance 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 are developed using various assumptions reflecting the historical performance of the receivables and adjusting for key factors such as the anticipated economic and regulatory environment. The independent third party uses these projected future cash flows and a discount rate to determine a range of fair values. We use the mid-point of this range as the sales price. If significant information becomes available that would alter the projected future cash flows, an analysis would be performed to determine if fair value rates needed to be updated prior to the normal semi-annual cycles. With the announcement of the Capital One transaction, an analysis was performed and an adjustment to the fair value rates was made effective August 10, 2011 to reflect the sale of the receivables to a third party during the first half of 2012. The rates will continue to be updated as part of our normal semi-annual process until the time the transaction is completed.


•	Certain of our consolidated subsidiaries have revolving lines of credit totaling $1.0 billion from HSBC Finance. There were no balances outstanding under any of these lines of credit at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

•	We extended a $1.0 billion committed unsecured 364 day credit facility to HSBC Bank Nevada, a subsidiary of HSBC Finance, in December 2009. This facility was renewed for an additional 364 days in December 2010. There were no balances outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

HSBC USA Inc.

Transactions Conducted with HMUS


•	We utilize HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (“HSI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of HMUS, for broker dealer, debt and preferred stock underwriting, customer referrals, loan syndication and other treasury and traded markets related services, pursuant to service level agreements. Fees charged by HSI for broker dealer, loan syndication services, treasury and traded markets related services are included in support services from HSBC affiliates. Debt underwriting fees charged by HSI are deferred as a reduction of long-term debt and amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt. Preferred stock issuance costs charged by HSI are recorded as a reduction of capital surplus. Customer referral fees paid to HSI are netted against customer fee income, which is included in other fees and commissions.

•	We have extended loans and lines, some of them uncommitted, to HMUS and its subsidiaries in the amount of $3.3 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $383 million and $867 million, respectively, was outstanding on these loans and lines. Interest income on these loans and lines totaled $1 million and $5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively compared to $4 million and $13 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

Other Transactions with HSBC Affiliates


•	In January 2011, we acquired Halbis Capital Management (USA) Inc (Halbis), an asset management business, from an affiliate, Halbis Capital Management (UK) Ltd. as part of a reorganization which resulted in an increase to additional paid-in-capital of approximately $21 million.

•	In April 2011, we completed the sale of our European Banknotes Business with assets of $123 million to HSBC Bank plc.

•	In April 2011, we issued senior notes in the amount of $3.0 billion to HNAH. The notes mature in three equal installments of $1.0 billion in April 2013, 2015 and 2016. The notes bear interest at 90 day USD Libor plus a spread, with each maturity at a different spread.

•	We have periodically purchased foreign-denominated marketable securities from certain affiliates including HSI, HSBC Asia-Pacific, HSBC Mexico and HSBC Canada. Marketable securities outstanding from these purchases are reflected in trading assets and totaled $9.3 billion and $4.2 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

•	In June 2010, we sold certain securities with a book value of $302 million to HSBC Bank plc and recognized a pre-tax loss of $40 million.

•	HNAH extended a $1.0 billion senior note to us in August 2009. This is a five year floating rate note which matures on August 28, 2014 with interest due quarterly beginning in November 2009. The note bears interest at 90 day USD Libor plus 180 basis points.

•	We have a committed unused line of credit with HSBC Bank plc of $2.5 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

•	We have an uncommitted unused line of credit with HSBC North America Inc. (“HNAI”) of $150 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

•	We have extended loans and lines of credit to various other HSBC affiliates totaling $460 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 there were no amounts outstanding on these loans and lines of credit. Interest income on these lines totaled less than $1 million and $5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

•	Historically, we have provided support to several HSBC affiliate sponsored asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”) conduits by purchasing A-1/P-1 rated commercial paper issued by them. We held $75 million of commercial paper issued by an HSBC affiliate sponsored ABCP conduit at December 31, 2010.

HSBC USA Inc.


•	We routinely enter into derivative transactions with HSBC Finance and other HSBC affiliates as part of a global HSBC strategy to offset interest rate or other market risks associated with debt issues and derivative contracts with unaffiliated third parties. The notional value of derivative contracts related to these contracts was approximately $891.9 billion and $774.1 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The net credit exposure (defined as the recorded fair value of derivative receivables) related to the contracts was approximately $24.5 billion and $16.6 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Our Global Banking and Markets business accounts for these transactions on a mark to market basis, with the change in value of contracts with HSBC affiliates substantially offset by the change in value of related contracts entered into with unaffiliated third parties.

•	In December 2008, HSBC Bank USA entered into derivative transactions with another HSBC affiliate to offset the risk associated with the contingent “loss trigger” options embedded in certain leveraged super senior (“LSS”) tranched credit default swaps. These transactions are expected to significantly reduce income volatility for HSBC Bank USA by transferring the volatility to the affiliate. The recorded fair value of derivative assets related to these derivative transactions was not significant at September 30, 2011 and was approximately $25 million at December 31, 2010.

•	Technology and some centralized operational services including human resources, finance, corporate affairs, compliance, legal, tax and other shared services in North America are centralized within HTSU.

•	Technology related assets and software purchased are generally purchased and owned by HTSU. HTSU also provides certain item processing and statement processing activities which are included in Support services from HSBC affiliates in the consolidated statement of income.

•	Our domestic employees participate in a defined benefit pension plan sponsored by HSBC North America. Additional information regarding pensions is provided in Note 14, “Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.”

•	Employees participate in one or more stock compensation plans sponsored by HSBC. Our share of the expense of these plans on a pre-tax basis was $14 million and $38 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, our share of the expense of these plans was $11 million and $33 million, respectively.

•	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, collection and accounting functions. The expenses related to these services of $7 million and $21 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, are included as a component of Support services from HSBC affiliates in the consolidated statement of income and the table above. Prior to 2011, billing for these services was processed by HTSU.

•	We did not pay any dividends to our immediate parent, HNAI, on our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

HSBC USA Inc.

16. Regulatory Capital

Capital amounts and ratios of HSBC USA Inc. and HSBC Bank USA, calculated in accordance with current banking regulations, are summarized in the following table.

September 30, 2011

December 31, 2010

Capital

Well-Capitalized

Actual

Capital

Well-Capitalized

Actual

Amount

Minimum Ratio⁽¹⁾

Ratio

Amount

Minimum Ratio⁽¹⁾

Ratio

(dollars are in millions)

Total capital ratio:

HSBC USA Inc.

21,577

10.00

18.03

22,070

10.00

18.14

HSBC Bank USA

21,957

10.00

18.48

22,177

10.00

18.41

Tier 1 capital ratio:

HSBC USA Inc.

14,837

6.00

12.40

14,355

6.00

11.80

HSBC Bank USA

15,550

6.00

13.09

14,970

6.00

12.43

Tier 1 leverage ratio:

HSBC USA Inc.

14,837

3.00

⁽²⁾

7.40

14,355

3.00

⁽²⁾

7.87

HSBC Bank USA

15,550

5.00

7.92

14,970

5.00

8.28

Risk weighted assets:

HSBC USA Inc.

119,663

121,645

HSBC Bank USA

118,816

120,473


⁽¹⁾		HSBC USA Inc and HSBC Bank USA are categorized as “well-capitalized”, as defined by their principal regulators. To be categorized as well-capitalized under regulatory guidelines, a banking institution must have the minimum ratios reflected in the above table, and must not be subject to a directive, order, or written agreement to meet and maintain specific capital levels.

⁽²⁾		There is no Tier 1 leverage ratio component in the definition of a well-capitalized bank holding company. The ratio shown is the minimum required ratio.

We did not receive any cash capital contributions from our immediate parent, HNAI, during the first nine months of 2011.

As part of the regulatory approvals with respect to the aforementioned receivable purchases completed in January 2009, HSBC Bank USA and HSBC made certain additional capital commitments to ensure that HSBC Bank USA holds sufficient capital with respect to the purchased receivables that are or may become “low-quality assets,” as defined by the Federal Reserve Act. These capital requirements, which require a risk-based capital charge of 100 percent for each “low-quality asset” transferred or arising in the purchased portfolios rather than the eight percent capital charge applied to similar assets that are not part of the transferred portfolios, are applied both for purposes of satisfying the terms of the commitments and for purposes of measuring and reporting HSBC Bank USA’s risk-based capital and related ratios. This treatment applies as long as the low-quality assets are owned by an insured bank. During 2010, HSBC Bank USA sold low-quality auto finance loans with a net book value of approximately $178 million to a non-bank subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc. to reduce the capital requirement associated with these assets. These assets were subsequently sold to Santander Consumer USA in August 2010. During the third quarter of 2011, HSBC Bank USA sold low-quality credit card receivables with a net book value of approximately $230 million to a non-bank subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc. to reduce the capital requirement associated with these assets. Capital ratios and amounts at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 in the table above reflect this reporting. At September 30, 2011, the remaining purchased receivables subject to this requirement totaled $1.7 billion of which $3 million held by HSBC Bank USA are considered to be low-quality assets. These receivables will be sold to Capital One as part of the previously discussed sale which is expected to close in the first half of 2012.

Regulatory guidelines impose certain restrictions that may limit the inclusion of deferred tax assets in the computation of regulatory capital. We closely monitor the deferred tax assets for potential limitations or

HSBC USA Inc.

exclusions. At December 31, 2010, deferred tax assets of $360 million, were excluded in the computation of regulatory capital. At September 30, 2011 $483 million was excluded in the computation of regulatory capital.

17. Business Segments

As discussed in our 2010 Form 10-K, we initiated a process in late 2010 to re-evaluate the financial information used to manage our business including the scope and content of the financial data being reported to our management. During the first quarter of 2011, we completed our evaluation and decided we would no longer manage and evaluate the performance of the receivables purchased from HSBC Finance as a separate operating segment. Rather, we would manage and evaluate the performance of these assets as a component of our Retail Banking and Wealth Management (formerly Personal Financial Services) operating segment, consistent with HSBC’s globally defined business segments. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2011, our management reporting was changed to reflect this decision and we now report our financial results under four reportable segments which are generally based upon customer group and global business: Retail Banking and Wealth Management (formerly Personal Financial Services), Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets and Private Banking. These changes have been reflected in the segment financial information for all periods presented to reflect this new segmentation.

HSBC previously announced that with effect from March 1, 2011, Retail Banking and Wealth Management would be managed as a single global business. This business is the historical Personal Financial Services with Asset Management moving from Global Banking and Markets to this new single business. Therefore, to coincide with the change in our management reporting effective beginning in the second quarter of 2011, we changed the name of our Personal Financial Services segment to Retail Banking and Wealth Management and have included the results of Asset Management, which provides investment solutions to institutions, financial intermediaries and individual investors, in this segment for all periods presented. There have been no other changes in the basis of our segmentation or measurement of segment profit as compared with the presentation in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Our segment results are reported on a continuing operations basis. As previously discussed, in August 2011 we agreed to sell our GM and UP credit card receivable portfolios and our private label credit card and closed-end receivable portfolio, all of which were purchased from HSBC Finance, to Capital One. Because the credit card and private label receivables being sold have been classified as held for sale and the operations and cash flows from these receivables will be eliminated from our ongoing operations upon disposition without any significant continuing involvement, we have determined we have met the requirements to report the results of these credit card and private label card receivables being sold as discontinued operations and have included these receivables in Assets of discontinued operations on our balance sheet for all periods presented. The results for these receivables were previously reported in the Retail Banking and Wealth Management segment.

Net interest income of each segment represents the difference between actual interest earned on assets and interest incurred on liabilities of the segment, adjusted for a funding charge or credit. Segments are charged a cost to fund assets (e.g. customer loans) and receive a funding credit for funds provided (e.g. customer deposits) based on equivalent market rates. The objective of these charges/credits is to transfer interest rate risk from the segments to one centralized unit in Global Banking and Markets and more appropriately reflect the profitability of segments.

Certain other revenue and operating expense amounts are also apportioned among the business segments based upon the benefits derived from this activity or the relationship of this activity to other segment activity. These inter-segment transactions are accounted for as if they were with third parties.

Our segment results are presented under IFRSs (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) on a legal entity basis (“IFRS Basis”) as operating results are monitored and reviewed, trends are evaluated and decisions about allocating resources, such as employees are made almost exclusively on an IFRSs basis since we report results to our parent, HSBC in accordance with its reporting basis, IFRSs. We continue to monitor capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP legal entity basis.

HSBC USA Inc.

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


	IFRS Consolidated Amounts

																Adjustments/									IFRS			U.S. GAAP
							Global Banking									Reconciling						IFRS			Reclassi-			Consolidated
	RBWM			CMB			and Markets			PB			Other			Items			Total			Adjustments⁽⁴⁾			fications⁽⁵⁾			Totals

																(in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011
Net interest income⁽¹⁾	$	259		$	179		$	119		$	44		$	(6	)	$	(11	)	$	584		$	(64	)	$	108		$	628
Other operating income		148			115			67			28			380			11			749			11			(93	)		667

Total operating income		407			294			186			72			374			-			1,333			(53	)		15			1,295
Loan impairment charges⁽³⁾		76			(5	)		28			(24	)		-			-			75			2			1			78

		331			299			158			96			374			-			1,258			(55	)		14			1,217
Operating expenses⁽²⁾		368			177			269			65			13			-			892			15			14			921

Profit before income tax expense	$	(37	)	$	122		$	(111	)	$	31		$	361		$	-		$	366		$	(70	)	$	-		$	296

Balances at end of period:
Total assets	$	25,629		$	20,144		$	232,769		$	5,946		$	92		$	-		$	284,580		$	(96,198	)	$	60		$	188,442
Total loans, net		16,118			16,173			25,592			4,462			-			-			62,345			(5,880	)		(7,614	)		48,851
Goodwill		579			358			480			326			-			-			1,743			485			-			2,228
Total deposits		47,314			27,215			47,906			11,929			-			-			134,364			(5,029	)		3,506			132,841
Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
Net interest income⁽¹⁾	$	261		$	172		$	187		$	47		$	1		$	(8	)	$	660		$	(14	)	$	18		$	664
Other operating income		157			111			151			34			35			8			496			114			(12	)		598

Total operating income		418			283			338			81			36			-			1,156			100			6			1,262
Loan impairment charges⁽³⁾		(2	)		50			(45	)		(13	)		(1	)		-			(11	)		3			18			10

		420			233			383			94			37			-			1,167			97			(12	)		1,252
Operating expenses⁽²⁾		382			178			204			63			17			-			844			(9	)		(12	)		823

Profit before income tax expense	$	38		$	55		$	179		$	31		$	20		$	-		$	323		$	106		$	-		$	429

Balances at end of period:
Total assets	$	22,311		$	16,329		$	203,267		$	4,866		$	21		$	-		$	246,794		$	(77,862	)	$	(155	)	$	168,777
Total loans, net		17,788			14,632			28,554			4,040			-			-			65,014			(1,754	)		(14,539	)		48,721
Goodwill		876			368			480			326			-			-			2,050			576			-			2,626
Total deposits		47,598			23,547			36,829			11,529			-			-			119,503			(4,823	)		4,002			118,682
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
Net interest income⁽¹⁾	$	756		$	527		$	382		$	134		$	(73	)	$	(26	)	$	1,700		$	(75	)	$	198		$	1,823
Other operating income		337			325			756			97			363			26			1,904			36			(148	)		1,792

Total operating income		1,093			852			1,138			231			290			-			3,604			(39	)		50			3,615
Loan impairment charges⁽³⁾		166			7			1			(34	)		-			-			140			6			25			171

		927			845			1,137			265			290			-			3,464			(45	)		25			3,444
Operating expenses⁽²⁾		1,187			553			735			194			51			-			2,720			(1	)		25			2,744

Profit before income tax expense	$	(260	)	$	292		$	402		$	71		$	239		$	-		$	744		$	(44	)	$	-		$	700

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
Net interest income⁽¹⁾	$	827		$	535		$	473		$	139		$	(9	)	$	(18	)	$	1,947		$	(16	)	$	102		$	2,033
Other operating income		218			362			825			103			267			18			1,793			(7	)		35			1,821

Total operating income		1,045			897			1,298			242			258			-			3,740			(23	)		137			3,854
Loan impairment charges⁽³⁾		24			98			(193	)		(24	)		(1	)		-			(96	)		62			27			(7	)

		1,021			799			1,491			266			259			-			3,836			(85	)		110			3,861
Operating expenses⁽²⁾		987			499			562			180			47			-			2,275			100			110			2,485

Profit before income tax expense	$	34		$	300		$	929		$	86		$	212		$	-		$	1,561		$	(185	)	$	-		$	1,376


⁽¹⁾		Net interest income of each segment represents the difference between actual interest earned on assets and interest paid on liabilities of the segment adjusted for a funding charge or credit. Segments are charged a cost to fund assets (e.g. customer loans) and receive a funding credit for funds provided (e.g. customer deposits) based on equivalent market rates. The objective of these charges/credits is to transfer interest rate risk from the segments to one centralized unit in Treasury and more appropriately reflect the profitability of segments.

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⁽²⁾		Expenses for the segments include fully apportioned corporate overhead expenses.

⁽³⁾		Segment provisions are based on each segments’ net charge offs and the change in allowance for credit losses.

⁽⁴⁾		Represents adjustments associated with differences between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP basis of accounting.

⁽⁵⁾		Represents differences in financial statement presentation between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP.

Further discussion of the differences between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP are presented in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Form 10-Q under the caption “Basis of Reporting.” 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 IFRS 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 to be included. U.S. GAAP generally prohibits recognition of interest income to the extent the net interest 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 operating income for IFRSs.

Deferred loan origination costs and fees – Certain loan fees and incremental direct loan costs, which would not have been incurred but for the origination of loans, are deferred and amortized to earnings over the life of the loan under IFRSs. Certain loan fees and direct incremental loan origination costs, including internal costs directly attributable to the origination of loans in addition to direct salaries, are deferred and amortized to earnings under U.S. GAAP.

Loan origination deferrals under IFRSs are more stringent and 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.

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

Other Operating Income (Total Other Revenues)

Derivatives – Effective January 1, 2008, U.S. GAAP removed the observability requirement of valuation inputs to recognize the difference between transaction price and fair value as profit at inception in the consolidated statement of income. Under IFRSs, recognition is permissible only if the inputs used in calculating fair value are based on observable inputs. If the inputs are not observable, profit and loss is deferred and is recognized: (1) over the period of contract, (2) when the data becomes observable, or (3) when the contract is settled. This causes the net income under U.S. GAAP to be different than under IFRSs.

Unquoted equity securities – Under IFRSs, equity securities which are not quoted on a recognized exchange (MasterCard Class B shares and Visa Class B shares), but for which fair value can be reliably measured, are required to be measured at fair value. Securities measured at fair value under IFRSs are classified as either available-for-sale securities, with changes in fair value recognized in shareholders’ equity, or as trading securities, with changes in fair value recognized in income. Under U.S. GAAP, equity securities that are not quoted on a recognized exchange are not considered to have a readily determinable fair value and are required to be measured at cost, less any provisions for known impairment, and classified in other assets.

Loans held for sale – IFRSs requires loans originated with the intent to sell to be classified as trading assets and recorded at their fair market 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 related to loans held for sale are

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reported in net interest income or trading revenue. Under U.S. GAAP, the income related to loans held for sale are reported similarly to loans held for investment.

For loans transferred to held for sale subsequent to origination, IFRSs requires these receivables to be reported separately on the balance sheet but does not change the measurement criteria. Accordingly, for IFRSs purposes such loans continue to be accounted for in accordance with held for sale investment guidance, with any gain or loss recorded at the time of sale.

U.S. GAAP requires loans that management intends to sell to be transferred to a held for sale category at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Under U.S. GAAP, the initial component of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to credit risk is recorded in the consolidated statement of income as provision for credit losses while the component related to interest rates and liquidity factors is reported in the consolidated statement of income in other revenues (losses).

Reclassification of financial assets – Certain securities were reclassified from “trading assets” to “loans and receivables” under IFRSs as of July 1, 2008 pursuant to an amendment to IAS 39 and are no longer marked to market. In November 2008, additional securities were similarly transferred to loans and receivables. These securities continue to be classified as “trading assets” under U.S. GAAP.

Additionally, certain Leverage Acquisition Finance (“LAF”) loans were classified as trading assets for IFRSs and to be consistent, an irrevocable fair value option was elected on these loans under U.S. GAAP on January 1, 2008. These loans were reclassified to “loans and advances” as of July 1, 2008 pursuant to the IAS 39 amendment discussed above. Under U.S. GAAP, these loans are classified as “held for sale” and carried at fair value due to the irrevocable nature of the fair value option.

Servicing assets – Under IFRSs, servicing assets are initially recorded on the balance sheet at cost and amortized over the projected life of the assets. Servicing assets are periodically tested for impairment with impairment adjustments charged against current earnings. Under U.S. GAAP, servicing assets are initially recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. All subsequent adjustments to fair value are reflected in current period earnings.

Securities – Effective January 1, 2009 under U.S. GAAP, the credit loss component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security is recognized in earnings while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) provided we have concluded we do not intend to sell the security and it is more-likely-than-not that we will not have to sell the security prior to recovery. Under IFRSs, there is no bifurcation of other-than temporary impairment and the entire decline in value is recognized in earnings. Also under IFRSs, recoveries in other-than-temporary impairment related to improvement in the underlying credit characteristics of the investment are recognized immediately in earnings while under U.S. GAAP, they are amortized to income over the remaining life of the security. There are also other less significant differences in measuring other-than-temporary impairment under IFRSs versus 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 are accrued for on a discounted basis and a recovery asset

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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, the credit risk component of the lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment related to the transfer of receivables to held for sale is recorded in the consolidated statement of income as provision for credit losses. There is no similar requirement under IFRSs.

Operating Expenses

Pension costs – Costs under U.S. GAAP are higher than under IFRSs as a result of the amortization of the amount by which actuarial losses exceeded the higher of the projected benefit obligation or fair value of plan assets beyond the 10 percent “corridor.” In 2011, amounts reflect a pension curtailment gain relating to the branch sales as under IFRSs recognition occurs when “demonstrably committed to the transaction” as compared to U.S. GAAP when recognition occurs when the transaction is completed. Furthermore, in 2010, changes to future accruals for legacy participants under the HSBC North America Pension Plan were accounted for as a plan curtailment under IFRSs, which resulted in immediate income recognition. Under US GAAP, these changes were considered to be a negative plan amendment which resulted in no immediate income recognition.

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.

Property – Under IFRSs, the value of property held for own use reflects revaluation surpluses recorded prior to January 1, 2004. Consequently, the values of tangible fixed assets and shareholders’ equity are lower under U.S. GAAP than under IFRSs. There is a correspondingly lower depreciation charge and higher net income as well as higher gains (or smaller losses) on the disposal of fixed assets under U.S. GAAP. For investment properties, net income under U.S. GAAP does not reflect the unrealized gain or loss recorded under IFRSs for the period.

Assets

Customer loans (Loans) – 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.

Derivatives – Under U.S. GAAP, derivative receivables and payables with the same counterparty may be reported on a net basis in the balance sheet when there is an executed International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Netting Arrangement. In addition, under U.S. GAAP, fair value amounts recognized for the obligation to return cash collateral received or the right to reclaim cash collateral paid are offset against the fair value of derivative instruments. Under IFRSs, these agreements do not necessarily meet the requirements for offset, and therefore such derivative receivables and payables are presented gross on the balance sheet.

Goodwill – IFRSs and U.S. GAAP require goodwill to be tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. For IFRSs, goodwill was amortized until 2005, however goodwill was amortized under U.S. GAAP until 2002, which resulted in a lower carrying amount of goodwill under IFRSs.

VIEs – The requirements for consolidation of variable interest entities under U.S. GAAP are based more on the power to control significant activities as opposed to the variability in cash flows. As a result, under U.S. GAAP we were determined to be the primary beneficiary and consolidated a commercial paper conduit effective January 1, 2010. However in 2011, changes involving liquidity asset purchase agreements were made which resulted in us no longer being considered the primary beneficiary and this commercial paper conduit was deconsolidated at March 31, 2011. Under IFRSs this conduit is not consolidated.

HSBC USA Inc.

18. Variable Interest Entities

On January 1, 2010, we adopted new guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in June 2009 which amends the accounting for the consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIEs”). The new guidance changed the approach for determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE from a quantitative approach focusing on risk and reward to a qualitative approach focusing on (a) the power to direct the activities of the VIE and (b) the obligation to absorb losses and/or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE. While the adoption of the new guidance resulted in the consolidation of one commercial paper conduit managed by HSBC Bank USA effective January 1, 2010, in March 2011, this commercial paper conduit was again deconsolidated as discussed more fully below.

In the ordinary course of business, we have organized special purpose entities (“SPEs”) primarily to structure financial products to meet our clients’ investment needs and to securitize financial assets held to meet our own funding needs. For disclosure purposes, we aggregate SPEs based on the purpose, risk characteristics and business activities of the SPEs. A SPE can be a VIE, which is an entity that lacks sufficient equity investment at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack either a) the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance; b) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity, the right to receive the expected residual returns of the entity, or both.

Variable Interest Entities We consolidate VIEs in which we hold a controlling financial interest as evidenced by the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE and therefore are deemed to be the primary beneficiary. We take into account our entire involvement in a VIE (explicit or implicit) in identifying 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 put options or other 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.

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.

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Consolidated or Previously Consolidated VIEs The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities of our consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:


	September 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Consolidated		Consolidated		Consolidated		Consolidated
	Assets		Liabilities		Assets		Liabilities

			(in millions)

Asset-backed commercial paper conduit:
Interest bearing deposits with banks	$	-	$	-	$	676	$	-
Held-to-maturity securities		-		-		881		-
Loans, net		-		-		1,220		-
Other assets		-		-		3		-
Short-term borrowings		-		-		-		3,022
Other liabilities		-		-		-		3

Subtotal		-		-		2,780		3,025

Low income housing limited liability partnership:
Interest bearing deposits with banks		106		-		83		-
Other assets		523		-		509		-
Long term debt		-		55		-		55
Other liabilities		-		159		-		109

Subtotal		629		214		592		164

Total	$	629	$	214	$	3,372	$	3,189

Asset-backed commercial paper conduit We provide liquidity facilities to a number of multi-seller and single-seller asset-backed commercial paper conduits (“ABCP conduits”) sponsored by HSBC affiliates and third parties. These conduits support the financing needs of customers by facilitating the customers’ access to commercial paper markets.

One of our commercial paper conduits, otherwise known as Bryant Park, was sponsored, organized and managed to facilitate clients in securing asset-backed financing collateralized by diverse pools of loan and lease receivables or investment securities. Bryant Park funds the purchase of the eligible assets by issuing short-term commercial paper notes to third party investors. One of our affiliates provides a program wide letter of credit enhancement (“PWE”) to support the creditworthiness of the commercial paper issued up to a certain amount. We also entered into various liquidity asset purchase agreements (“LAPAs”), to provide liquidity support for the commercial paper notes issued to fund the asset purchases. Under the new VIE consolidation guidance effective in 2010, we began to consolidate Bryant Park in our financial statements on January 1, 2010 as we were considered to be the primary beneficiary because we had the power to direct the activities of the conduit that most significantly impact its economic performance including a) determining which eligible assets to acquire; b) risk managing the portfolio held; and c) managing the refinancing of commercial paper.

The liquidity facilities provided to Bryant Park in the form of LAPAs can be drawn upon by the conduit in the event it cannot issue commercial paper notes or does not have sufficient funds available to pay maturing commercial paper. Under the LAPAs, the provider is obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase eligible assets previously funded for an amount not to exceed the face value of the commercial paper in order to provide the conduit with funds to repay the maturing notes. As such, exposure to the market risk and the credit risk of the underlying assets held by Bryant Park exists only to the extent the liquidity facility is drawn.

During the first quarter of 2011, in order to consolidate and streamline conduit administration across HSBC as well as to reduce risk and achieve operational and capital efficiencies, we assigned a significant majority all of our

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LAPAs to HSBC Bank plc. As a result, we no longer have a controlling financial interest in Bryant Park and beginning in March 2011, we no longer consolidate Bryant Park.

The deconsolidation of Bryant Park in March 2011 resulted in the removal of $2.4 billion of assets (primarily commercial loans and held-to-maturity securities) and $2.5 billion of liabilities (primarily short-term borrowings). In addition, $142 million of unrealized losses on held-to-maturity securities were reversed from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), while a reserve of $94 million was established relating to the liquidity facilities still provided by HSBC Bank USA with respect to certain securities held by Bryant Park. The impact of deconsolidation on our results of operations was not significant.

Low income housing limited liability partnership During the third quarter of 2009, all low income housing investments held by us were transferred to a Limited Liability Partnership (“LLP”) in exchange for debt and equity while a non-affiliated third party invested cash for an equity interest that is mandatorily redeemable at a future date. The LLP was created in order to ensure the utilization of future tax benefits from these low income housing tax projects. The LLP was deemed to be a VIE as it does not have sufficient equity investment at risk to finance its activities. Upon entering into this transaction, we concluded that we are the primary beneficiary of the LLP due to the nature of our continuing involvement and, as a result, consolidate the LLP and report the equity interest issued to the third party investor as other liabilities and the consolidated assets of the LLP in other assets in our consolidated financial statements. The investments held by the LLP represent equity investments in the underlying low income housing partnerships for which the LLP applies equity-method accounting. The LLP does not consolidate the underlying partnerships because it does not have the power to direct the activities of the partnerships that most significantly impact the economic performance of the partnerships.

Unconsolidated VIEs We also have variable interests with other VIEs that were not consolidated at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 because we were not the primary beneficiary. The following table provides additional information on those unconsolidated VIEs, the variable interests held by us and our maximum exposure to loss arising from our involvements in those VIEs as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:


	Variable Interests		Variable Interests		Total Assets in		Maximum
	Held Classified		Held Classified		Unconsolidated		Exposure
	as Assets		as Liabilities		VIEs		to Loss

	(in millions)

As of September 30, 2011
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits	$	-	$	-	$	13,729	$	817
Structured note vehicles		1,362		89		6,572		1,715

Total	$	1,362	$	89	$	20,301	$	2,532

As of December 31, 2010
Asset-backed commercial paper conduits	$	-	$	-	$	13,516	$	1,856
Structured note vehicles		537		87		6,734		900

Total	$	537	$	87	$	20,250	$	2,756

Information on the types of variable interest entities with which we are involved, the nature of our involvement and the variable interests held in those entities is presented below.

Asset-backed commercial paper conduits Separately from the facility discussed above, we provide liquidity facilities to a number of multi-seller and single-seller asset-backed commercial paper conduits (“ABCP conduits”) sponsored by HSBC affiliates and by third parties. These conduits support the financing needs of customers by facilitating the customers’ access to commercial paper markets.

Customers sell financial assets, such as trade receivables, to ABCP conduits, which fund the purchases by issuing short-term highly-rated commercial paper collateralized by the assets acquired. In a multi-seller conduit, any number of companies may be originating and selling assets to the conduit whereas a single-seller conduit acquires assets from a single company. We, along with other financial institutions, provide liquidity facilities to ABCP

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conduits in the form of lines of credit or asset purchase commitments. Liquidity facilities provided to multi-seller conduits support transactions associated with a specific seller of assets to the conduit and we would only be required to provide support in the event of certain triggers associated with those transactions and assets. Liquidity facilities provided to single-seller conduits are not identified with specific transactions or assets and we would be required to provide support upon occurrence of certain triggers that generally affect the conduit as a whole. Our obligations are generally pari passu with those of other institutions that also provide liquidity support to the same conduit or for the same transactions. We do not provide any program-wide credit enhancements to ABCP conduits.

Each seller of assets to an ABCP conduit typically provides collateral in the form of excess assets and, therefore, bears the risk of first loss related to the specific assets transferred. We do not transfer our own assets to the conduits. We have no ownership interests in, perform no administrative duties for, and do not service any of the assets held by the conduits. We are not the primary beneficiary and do not consolidate any of the ABCP conduits to which we provide liquidity facilities, other than Bryant Park as discussed above. Credit risk related to the liquidity facilities provided is managed by subjecting these facilities to our normal underwriting and risk management processes. The $817 million maximum exposure to loss presented in the table above represents the maximum amount of loans and asset purchases we could be required to fund under the liquidity facilities. The maximum loss exposure is estimated assuming the facilities are fully drawn and the underlying collateralized assets are in default with zero recovery value.

Structured note vehicles Our involvement in structured note vehicles includes entering into derivative transactions such as interest rate and currency swaps, and investing in their debt instruments. With respect to several of these VIEs, we hold variable interests in the form of total return swaps entered into in connection with the transfer of certain assets to the VIEs. In these transactions, we transferred financial assets from our trading portfolio to the VIEs and entered into total return swaps under which we receive the total return on the transferred assets and pay a market rate of return. The transfers of assets in these transactions do not qualify as sales under the applicable accounting literature and are accounted for as secured borrowings. Accordingly, the transferred assets continue to be recognized as trading assets on our balance sheet and the funds received are recorded as liabilities in long-term debt. As of September 30, 2011, we recorded approximately $72 million of trading assets and $89 million of long-term liabilities on our balance sheet as a result of “failed sale” accounting treatment for certain transfers of financial assets. As of December 31, 2010, we recorded approximately $126 million of trading assets and $147 million of long-term liabilities on our balance sheet as a result of “failed sale” accounting treatment for certain transfers of financial assets. The financial assets and financial liabilities were not legally ours and we have no control over the financial assets which are restricted solely to satisfy the liability.

In addition to our variable interests, we also hold credit default swaps with these structured note VIEs under which we receive credit protection on specified reference assets in exchange for the payment of a premium. Through these derivatives, the VIEs assume the credit risk associated with the reference assets which are then passed on to the holders of the debt instruments they issue. Because they create rather than absorb variability, the credit default swaps we hold are not considered variable interests.

We record all investments in, and derivative contracts with, unconsolidated structured note vehicles at fair value on our consolidated balance sheet. Our maximum exposure to loss is limited to the recorded amounts of these instruments.

Beneficial interests issued by third-party sponsored securitization entities We hold certain beneficial interests issued by third-party sponsored securitization entities which may be considered VIEs. The investments are transacted at arm’s-length and decisions to invest are based on credit analysis on underlying collateral assets or the issuer. We are a passive investor in these issuers and do not have the power to direct the activities of these issuers. As such, we do not consolidate these securitization entities. Additionally, we do not have other involvements in servicing or managing the collateral assets or provide financial or liquidity support to these issuers that potentially give rise to risk of loss exposure. These investments are an integral part of the disclosure in Note 5, “Securities” and Note 20, “Fair Value Measurements” and, therefore, are not disclosed in this note to avoid redundancy.

HSBC USA Inc.

Consolidated VIEs of Discontinued Credit Card and Private Label Operations The following summarizes the assets and liabilities of consolidated VIEs which are part of our discontinued credit card operations as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 and are included as a component of Assets of discontinued operations and Liabilities of discontinued operations:


	September 30, 2011				December 31, 2010
	Consolidated		Consolidated		Consolidated			Consolidated
	Assets		Liabilities		Assets			Liabilities

			(in millions)

Securitization vehicles:
Loans, net	$	6,708	$	-	$	12,963		$	-
Other assets		1,093		-		(1,055	)		-
Long-term debt		-		-		-			150
Deposits		-		7		-			20
Other liabilities		-		1,083		-			261

Total	$	7,801	$	1,090	$	11,908		$	431

We have historically utilized entities that are structured as trusts to securitize certain private label and other credit card receivables where securitization provides an attractive source of low cost funding. We transferred certain private label and other credit card receivables to these trusts which in turn issue debt instruments collateralized by the transferred receivables. As our affiliate is the servicer of the assets of these trusts we performed a detailed analysis and determined that we retain the benefits and risks and are the primary beneficiary of the trusts and, as a result, consolidate them. During the third quarter of 2011, in connection with our agreement to sell certain credit card operations to Capital One, all remaining loans in the private label credit card VIE were transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Bank USA.

Certain assets of the consolidated VIEs historically served as collateral for the obligations of the VIE. These assets include loans of $233 million at December 31, 2010. There were no such assets at September 30, 2011. Debt securities issued by these VIEs are reported as secured financings in long-term debt. The holders of the debt securities issued by these vehicles have no recourse to our general credit. The securitization vehicles also held obligations to repay intercompany loans totaling $5.9 billion and $8.8 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, related to the transfer of receivables to the securitization vehicles which are eliminated in consolidation and therefore are not presented in the table above.

HSBC USA Inc.

19. Guarantee Arrangements and Pledged Assets

Guarantee Arrangements As part of our normal operations, we enter into credit derivatives and various off-balance sheet guarantee arrangements with affiliates and third parties. These arrangements arise principally in connection with our lending and client intermediation activities and include standby letters of credit and certain credit derivative transactions. The contractual amounts of these arrangements represent our maximum possible credit exposure in the event that we are required to fulfill the maximum obligation under a guarantee.

The following table presents total carrying amount and contractual amounts of our sell protection credit derivatives and major off-balance sheet guarantee arrangements as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Following the table is a description of the various arrangements.


	September 30, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Carrying			Notional/Maximum		Carrying			Notional/Maximum
	Value			Exposure to Loss		Value			Exposure to Loss

				(in millions)

Credit derivatives⁽¹⁾⁽⁴⁾	$	( 11,587	)	$	353,834	$	(831	)	$	354,780
Financial standby letters of credit, net of participations⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		-			4,641		-			4,264
Performance (non-financial) guarantees⁽²⁾⁽³⁾		-			3,241		-			2,895
Liquidity asset purchase agreements⁽³⁾		-			817		-			1,856

Total	$	(11,587	)	$	362,533	$	(831	)	$	363,795


⁽¹⁾		Includes $50.2 billion and $49.4 billion issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

⁽²⁾		Includes $622 million and $486 million issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

⁽³⁾		For standby letters of credit and liquidity asset purchase agreements, maximum loss represents losses to be recognized assuming the letter of credit and liquidity facilities have been fully drawn and the obligors have defaulted with zero recovery.

⁽⁴⁾		For credit derivatives, the maximum loss is represented by the notional amounts without consideration of mitigating effects from collateral or recourse arrangements.

Credit-Risk Related Arrangements:

Credit derivatives Credit derivatives are financial instruments that transfer the credit risk of a reference obligation from the credit protection buyer to the credit protection seller who is exposed to the credit risk without buying the reference obligation. We sell credit protection on underlying reference obligations (such as loans or securities) by entering into credit derivatives, primarily in the form of credit default swaps, with various institutions. We account for all credit derivatives at fair value. Where we sell credit protection to a counterparty that holds the reference obligation, the arrangement is effectively a financial guarantee on the reference obligation. Under a credit derivative contract, the credit protection seller will reimburse the credit protection buyer upon occurrence of a credit event (such as bankruptcy, insolvency, restructuring or failure to meet payment obligations when due) as defined in the derivative contract, in return for a periodic premium. Upon occurrence of a credit event, we will pay the counterparty the stated notional amount of the derivative contract and receive the underlying reference obligation. The recovery value of the reference obligation received could be significantly lower than its notional principal amount when a credit event occurs.

Certain derivative contracts are subject to master netting arrangements and related collateral agreements. A party to a derivative contract may demand that the counterparty post additional collateral in the event its net exposure exceeds certain predetermined limits and when the credit rating falls below a certain grade. We set the collateral requirements by counterparty such that the collateral covers various transactions and products, and is not allocated to specific individual contracts.

HSBC USA Inc.

We manage our exposure to credit derivatives using a variety of risk mitigation strategies where we enter into offsetting hedge positions or transfer the economic risks, in part or in entirety, to investors through the issuance of structured credit products. We actively manage the credit and market risk exposure in the credit derivative portfolios on a net basis and, as such, retain no or a limited net sell protection position at any time. The following table summarizes our net credit derivative positions as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:


	September 30, 2011					December 31, 2010
	Carrying (Fair)					Carrying (Fair)
	Value			Notional		Value			Notional

				(in millions)

Sell-protection credit derivative positions	$	(11,587	)	$	353,834	$	(831	)	$	354,780
Buy-protection credit derivative positions		12,287			350,272		1,631			346,246

Net position⁽¹⁾	$	700		$	3,562	$	800		$	8,534


⁽¹⁾		Positions are presented net in the table above to provide a complete analysis of our risk exposure and depict the way we manage our credit derivative portfolio. The offset of the sell-protection credit derivatives against the buy-protection credit derivatives may not be legally binding in the absence of master netting agreements with the same counterparty. Furthermore, the credit loss triggering events for individual sell protection credit derivatives may not be the same or occur in the same period as those of the buy protection credit derivatives thereby not providing an exact offset.

Standby letters of credit A standby letter of credit is issued to a third party for the benefit of a customer and is a guarantee that the customer will perform or satisfy certain obligations under a contract. It irrevocably obligates us to pay a specified amount to the third party beneficiary if the customer fails to perform the contractual obligation. We issue two types of standby letters of credit: performance and financial. A performance standby letter of credit is issued where the customer is required to perform some nonfinancial contractual obligation, such as the performance of a specific act, whereas a financial standby letter of credit is issued where the customer’s contractual obligation is of a financial nature, such as the repayment of a loan or debt instrument. As of September 30, 2011, the total amount of outstanding financial standby letters of credit (net of participations) and performance guarantees were $4.6 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, the total amount of outstanding financial standby letters of credit (net of participations) and performance guarantees were $4.3 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively.

The issuance of a standby letter of credit is subject to our credit approval process and collateral requirements. We charge fees for issuing letters of credit commensurate with the customer’s credit evaluation and the nature of any collateral. Included in other liabilities are deferred fees on standby letters of credit, which represent the value of the stand-ready obligation to perform under these guarantees, amounting to $44 million and $47 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Also included in other liabilities is an allowance for credit losses on unfunded standby letters of credit of $22 million and $26 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

HSBC USA Inc.

Below is a summary of the credit ratings of credit risk related guarantees including the credit ratings of counterparties against which we sold credit protection and financial standby letters of credit as of September 30, 2011 as an indicative proxy of payment risk:


	Average	Credit Ratings of the Obligors or the Transactions
	Life	Investment		Non-Investment
Notional/Contractual Amounts	(in years)	Grade		Grade		Total

		(dollars are in millions)

Sell-protection Credit Derivatives⁽¹⁾
Single name CDS	2.76	$	125,463	$	96,325	$	221,788
Structured CDS	2.26		64,224		5,229		69,453
Index credit derivatives	3.31		35,699		14,099		49,798
Total return swaps	8.65		11,328		1,467		12,795

Subtotal			236,714		117,120		353,834
Standby Letters of Credit⁽²⁾	1.10		7,078		804		7,882

Total		$	243,792	$	117,924	$	361,716


⁽¹⁾		The credit ratings in the table represent external credit ratings for classification as investment grade and non-investment grade.

⁽²⁾		External ratings for most of the obligors are not available. Presented above are the internal credit ratings which are developed using similar methodologies and rating scale equivalent to external credit ratings for purposes of classification as investment grade and non-investment grade.

Our internal groupings are determined based on HSBC’s risk rating systems and processes which assign a credit grade based on a scale which ranks the risk of default of a customer. The groupings are determined and used for managing risk and determining level of credit exposure appetite based on the customer’s operating performance, liquidity, capital structure and debt service ability. In addition, we also incorporate subjective judgments into the risk rating process concerning such things as industry trends, comparison of performance to industry peers and perceived quality of management. We compare our internal risk ratings to outside external rating agency benchmarks, where possible, at the time of formal review and regularly monitor whether our risk ratings are comparable to the external ratings benchmark data.

A non-investment grade rating of a referenced obligor has a negative impact to the fair value of the credit derivative and increases the likelihood that we will be required to perform under the credit derivative contract. We employ market-based parameters and, where possible, use the observable credit spreads of the referenced obligors as measurement inputs in determining the fair value of the credit derivatives. We believe that such market parameters are more indicative of the current status of payment/performance risk than external ratings by the rating agencies which may not be forward-looking in nature and, as a result, lag behind those market-based indicators.

Written Put Options, Non Credit-Risk Related and Indemnity Arrangements:

Liquidity asset purchase agreements We provide liquidity facilities to a number of multi-seller and single-seller asset-backed commercial paper conduits sponsored by affiliates and third parties. The conduits finance the purchase of individual assets by issuing commercial paper to third party investors. Each liquidity facility is transaction specific and has a maximum limit. Pursuant to the liquidity agreements, we are obligated, subject to certain limitations, to purchase the eligible assets from the conduit at an amount not to exceed the face value of the commercial paper in the event the conduit is unable to refinance its commercial paper. A liquidity asset purchase agreement is essentially a conditional written put option issued to the conduit where the exercise price is the face value of the commercial paper. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we have issued $817 million and $1.9 billion, respectively, of liquidity facilities to provide liquidity support to the commercial paper issued by various conduits. The decline since December 31, 2010 reflects the assignment of a significant majority of these facilities to HSBC Bank plc during the first quarter of 2011. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities,” for further information.

HSBC USA Inc.

Structured products We structure and sell products that provide for the return of principal to investors on a future date. These structured products have various reference assets and we are obligated to cover any shortfall between the market value of the underlying reference portfolio and the principal amount due at maturity. We manage such shortfall risk by, among other things, establishing structural and investment constraints. Additionally, the structures require liquidation of the underlying reference portfolio when certain pre-determined triggers are breached and the proceeds from liquidation are required to be invested in zero-coupon bonds that would generate sufficient funds to repay the principal amount upon maturity. We may be exposed to market (gap) risk at liquidation and, as such, may be required to make up the shortfall between the liquidation proceeds and the purchase price of the zero coupon bonds. These structured products are accounted for on a fair value basis. The notional amounts of these structured products were not material as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. We have not made any payments under the terms of these structured products and we consider the probability of such payments to be remote.

Visa covered litigation We are an equity member of Visa Inc. (“Visa”). Prior to its initial public offering (“IPO”) on March 19, 2008, Visa completed a series of transactions to reorganize and restructure its operations and to convert membership interests into equity interests. Pursuant to the restructuring, we, along with all the Class B shareholders, agreed to indemnify Visa for the claims and obligations arising from certain specific covered litigations. Class B shares are convertible into listed Class A shares upon (i) settlement of the covered litigations or (ii) the third anniversary of the IPO, whichever is later. The indemnification is subject to the accounting and disclosure requirements. Visa used a portion of the IPO proceeds to establish a $3.0 billion escrow account to fund future claims arising from those covered litigations (the escrow was subsequently increased to $4.1 billion). In 2009 and 2010, Visa exercised its rights to sell shares of existing Class B shareholders in order to increase the escrow account and announced that it had deposited collectively an additional $2.0 billion into the escrow account. As a result, we re-evaluated our contingent liability recorded relating to this litigation and reduced our liability by $24 million during 2009 and 2010. In March 2011, Visa again exercised its rights to sell shares of existing Class B shareholders and funded an additional $400 million into the escrow account and we reduced our liability by $5 million. At September 30, 2011, the net contingent liability recorded was $4 million. We do not expect these changes to result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Clearinghouses and exchanges We are a member of various exchanges and clearinghouses that trade and clear securities and/or futures contracts. As a member, we may be required to pay a proportionate share of the financial obligations of another member who defaults on its obligations to the exchange or the clearinghouse. Our guarantee obligations would arise only if the exchange or clearinghouse had exhausted its resources. Any potential contingent liability under these membership agreements cannot be estimated. However, we believe that any potential requirement to make payments under these agreements is remote.

Mortgage Loan Repurchase Obligations

Sale of mortgage loans In the ordinary course of business, we originate and sell mortgage loans primarily to government sponsored entities (“GSEs”) and provide various representations and warranties related to, among other things, the ownership of the loans, the validity of the liens, the loan selection and origination process, and the compliance to the origination criteria established by the agencies. In the event of a breach of our representations and warranties, we may be obligated to repurchase the loans with identified defects or to indemnify the buyers. Our contractual obligation arises only when the breach of representations and warranties are discovered and repurchase is demanded.

We typically first become aware that a GSE or other third party is evaluating a particular loan for repurchase when we receive a request to review the underlying loan file. Generally, the reviews focus on severely delinquent loans to identify alleged fraud, misrepresentation or file documentation issues. Upon completing its review, the GSE or other third party may submit a repurchase demand. Historically, most file requests have not resulted in repurchase demands. After receipt of a repurchase demand, we perform a detailed evaluation of the substance of the request and appeal any claim that we believe is either unsubstantiated or contains errors, leveraging both dedicated internal as well as retained external resources. In some cases, we ultimately are not required to repurchase a loan as we are able to resolve the purported defect. From initial inquiry to ultimate resolution, a typical case is usually resolved within 3 months, however some cases may take as long as 12 months to resolve. Acceptance of a repurchase demand will

HSBC USA Inc.

involve either a) repurchase of the loan at the unpaid principal balance plus accrued interest or b) reimbursement for any realized loss on a liquidated property (“make-whole” payment).

To date, repurchase demands we have received primarily relate to prime loans sourced during 2004 through 2008 from the legacy broker channel which we exited in late 2008. Loans sold to GSEs and other third parties originated in 2004 through 2008 subject to representations and warranties for which we may be liable had an outstanding principal balance of approximately $20.2 billion and $23.0 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, including $12.7 billion and $14.3 billion, respectively, of loans sourced from our legacy broker channel.

The following table shows the trend in repurchase demands received on loans sold to GSEs and other third parties by loan origination vintage during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010

			(in millions)

Pre- 2004	$	1	$	3	$	4	$	12
2004		1		14		10		22
2005		6		7		20		18
2006		11		9		35		33
2007		34		40		104		135
2008		15		33		73		88
Post 2008		14		9		59		21

Total repurchase demands received⁽¹⁾	$	82	$	115	$	305	$	329


⁽¹⁾		Includes repurchase demands on loans sourced from our legacy broker channel of $61 million and $97 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Includes repurchase demands on loans sourced from our legacy broker channel of $218 million and $276 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The following table provides information about outstanding repurchase demands received from GSEs and other third parties at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

GSEs	$	52	$	92
Others		32		23

Total⁽¹⁾	$	84	$	115


⁽¹⁾		Includes repurchase demands on loans sourced from our legacy broker channel of $62 million and $87 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

In estimating our repurchase liability arising from breaches of representations and warranties, we consider the following:


	•	The level of outstanding repurchase demands in inventory and our historical defense rate;

	•	The level of outstanding requests for loan files and the related historical repurchase request conversion rate and defense rate on such loans; and

	•	The level of potential future demands based on historical conversion rates of loans which we have not received a loan file request but are two or more payments delinquent or expected to become delinquent at an estimated conversion rate.

HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes the change in our estimated repurchase liability for loans sold to the GSEs and other third parties during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 for obligations arising from the breach of representations and warranties associated with the sale of these loans:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

				(in millions)

Balance at beginning of period	$	237		$	205		$	262		$	66
Increase (decrease) in liability recorded through earnings		1			95			41			285
Realized losses		(29	)		(36	)		(94	)		(87	)

Balance at end of period	$	209		$	264		$	209		$	264

Our reserve for potential repurchase liability exposures relates primarily to previously originated mortgages through broker channels. Our mortgage repurchase liability of $209 million at September 30, 2011 represents our best estimate of the loss that has been incurred resulting from various representations and warranties in the contractual provisions of our mortgage loan sales. Because the level of mortgage loan repurchase losses are dependent upon economic factors, investor demand strategies and other external risk factors such as housing market trends that may change, the level of the liability for mortgage loan repurchase losses requires significant judgment. As these estimates are influenced by factors outside our control, there is uncertainty inherent in these estimates making it reasonably possible that they could change.

Pledged Assets Pledged assets included in the consolidated balance sheet are summarized in the following table.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Interest bearing deposits with banks	$	5,939	$	1,463
Trading assets⁽¹⁾		197		319
Securities available-for-sale⁽²⁾		24,027		19,765
Securities held to maturity		490		1,004
Loans⁽³⁾		2,251		2,691
Other assets⁽⁴⁾		4,508		5,598

Total	$	37,412	$	30,840


⁽¹⁾		Trading assets are primarily pledged against liabilities associated with consolidated variable interest entities.

⁽²⁾		Securities available-for-sale are primarily pledged against public fund deposits and various short-term and long term borrowings, as well as providing capacity for potential secured borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank.

⁽³⁾		Loans are primarily residential mortgage loans pledged against long-term borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank. At December 31, 2010, loans also include private label and credit card receivables pledged against long-term secured borrowings and the loans of a consolidated commercial paper conduit that collateralize the conduit’s outstanding commercial paper.

⁽⁴⁾		Other assets represent cash on deposit with non-banks related to derivative collateral support agreements.

20. Fair Value Measurements

Accounting principles related to fair value measurements provide a framework for measuring fair value and focuses on an exit price in the principal (or alternatively, the most advantageous) market accessible in an orderly transaction between willing market participants (the “Fair Value Framework”). The Fair Value Framework establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy with Level 1 representing quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs are inputs that are observable for the identical asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are inactive, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable

HSBC USA Inc.

at commonly quoted intervals. 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. Transfers between leveling categories are recognized at the end of each reporting period.

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 quarterly report.

The following table summarizes the carrying amount and estimated fair value of our financial instruments at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

September 30, 2011

December 31, 2010

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Value

(in millions)

Financial assets:

Short-term financial assets

23,438

10,665

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements

5,095

8,236

Non-derivative trading assets

31,746

26,390

Derivatives

9,772

6,891

Securities

54,881

55,158

48,713

48,923

Commercial loans, net of allowance for credit losses

31,156

31,393

29,480

29,773

Commercial loans designated under fair value option and held for sale

934

1,356

Consumer loans, net of allowance for credit losses

17,695

14,010

19,477

14,668

Consumer loans held for sale:

Residential mortgages

2,011

2,022

954

957

Credit cards

415

422

Other consumer

241

Financial liabilities:

Short-term financial liabilities

22,440

18,031

Deposits:

Without fixed maturities

116,627

95,457

Fixed maturities

6,623

6,644

17,808

17,845

Deposits designated under fair value option

9,626

7,386

Non-derivative trading liabilities

7,191

5,538

Derivatives

7,915

5,285

Long-term debt

14,364

14,356

11,862

12,026

Long-term debt designated under fair value option

4,221

5,368

Loan 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 value 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 loans has been heavily influenced by the prevailing economic conditions during the past few years, including house price depreciation, rising unemployment, changes in consumer behavior, and changes in discount rates. Many investors are non-bank financial institutions or hedge funds with high equity levels and a high cost of debt. For certain consumer loans, 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 loans, 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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 reflect these market conditions.

HSBC USA Inc.

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 September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized to determine such fair value.


	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis as of September 30, 2011
							Gross					Net
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance		Netting⁽¹⁾			Balance

	(in millions)

Assets:
Trading Securities, excluding derivatives:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises	$	1,036	$	143	$	-	$	1,179	$	-		$	1,179
Collateralized debt obligations		-		-		707		707		-			707
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages		-		286		-		286		-			286
Home equity		-		2		-		2		-			2
Student loans		-		2		-		2		-			2
Corporate and other domestic debt securities		-		10,410		1,642		12,052		-			12,052
Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
Corporate		-		60		237		297		-			297
Government		-		146		-		146		-			146
Equity securities		-		28		12		40		-			40
Precious metals trading		-		17,035		-		17,035		-			17,035
Derivatives⁽²⁾:
Interest rate contracts		133		60,755		12		60,900		-			60,900
Foreign exchange contracts		23		24,544		224		24,791		-			24,791
Equity contracts		3		976		122		1,101		-			1,101
Precious metals contracts		79		2,180		36		2,295		-			2,295
Credit contracts		-		15,480		2,422		17,902		-			17,902
Other contracts		3		-		-		3		-			3
Derivatives netting		-		-		-		-		(97,220	)		(97,220	)

Total derivatives		241		103,935		2,816		106,992		(97,220	)		9,772
Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises		27,210		16,349		-		43,559		-			43,559
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		-		596		-		596		-			596
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages		-		11		-		11		-			11
Commercial mortgages		-		478		-		478		-			478
Home equity		-		293		-		293		-			293
Student loans		-		23		-		23		-			23
Other		-		95		-		95		-			95
Corporate and other domestic debt securities		-		604		-		604		-			604
Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
Corporate		-		1,262		-		1,262		-			1,262
Government-backed		39		5,655		-		5,694		-			5,694
Equity securities		-		143		-		143		-			143
Loans⁽³⁾		-		353		11		364		-			364
Intangible⁽⁴⁾		-		-		237		237		-			237

Total assets	$	28,526	$	157,909	$	5,662	$	192,097	$	(97,220	)	$	94,877

Liabilities:
Deposits in domestic offices⁽⁵⁾	$	-	$	4,695	$	4,931	$	9,626	$	-		$	9,626
Trading liabilities, excluding derivatives		378		6,813		-		7,191		-			7,191
Derivatives⁽²⁾:
Interest rate contracts		89		62,310		-		62,399		-			62,399
Foreign exchange contracts		15		25,114		226		25,355		-			25,355
Equity contracts		-		1,206		277		1,483		-			1,483
Precious metals contracts		34		1,260		36		1,330		-			1,330
Credit contracts		-		16,886		754		17,640		-			17,640
Derivatives netting		-		-		-		-		(100,292	)		(100,292	)

Total derivatives		138		106,776		1,293		108,207		(100,292	)		7,915
Long-term debt⁽⁶⁾		-		4,109		113		4,222		-			4,222

Total liabilities	$	516	$	122,393	$	6,337	$	129,246	$	(100,292	)	$	28,954

HSBC USA Inc.


	Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis as of December 31, 2010
							Gross					Net
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Balance		Netting⁽¹⁾			Balance

	(in millions)

Assets:
Trading Securities, excluding derivatives:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises	$	1,874	$	694	$	-	$	2,568	$	-		$	2,568
Collateralized debt obligations		-		-		793		793		-			793
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages		-		344		-		344		-			344
Home equity		-		6		-		6		-			6
Student loans		-		5		-		5		-			5
Corporate and other domestic debt securities		-		4,257		833		5,090		-			5,090
Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
Corporate		-		133		243		376		-			376
Government		-		430		-		430		-			430
Equity securities		-		36		17		53		-			53
Precious metals trading		-		16,725		-		16,725		-			16,725
Derivatives⁽²⁾:
Interest rate contracts		214		32,393		-		32,607		-			32,607
Foreign exchange contracts		23		16,233		207		16,463		-			16,463
Equity contracts		-		997		174		1,171		-			1,171
Precious metals contracts		-		982		22		1,004		-			1,004
Credit contracts		-		10,682		2,086		12,768		-			12,768
Other		-		-		4		4		-			4
Derivatives netting		-		-		-		-		(57,126	)		(57,126	)

Total derivatives		237		61,287		2,493		64,017		(57,126	)		6,891
Securities available-for-sale:
U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises		25,632		14,850		-		40,482		-			40,482
Obligations of U.S. states and political subdivisions		-		579		-		579		-			579
Asset-backed securities:
Residential mortgages		-		11		-		11		-			11
Commercial mortgages		-		552		-		552		-			552
Home equity		-		352		-		352		-			352
Student loans		-		27		-		27		-			27
Other		-		104		-		104		-			104
Corporate and other domestic debt securities		-		683		-		683		-			683
Debt Securities issued by foreign entities:
Government-backed		41		2,564		-		2,605		-			2,605
Equity securities		-		128		-		128		-			128
Loans⁽³⁾		-		1,277		11		1,288		-			1,288
Intangible⁽⁴⁾		-		-		394		394		-			394

Total assets	$	27,784	$	105,044	$	4,784	$	137,612	$	(57,126	)	$	80,486

Liabilities:
Deposits in domestic offices⁽⁵⁾	$	-	$	3,774	$	3,612	$	7,386	$	-		$	7,386
Trading liabilities, excluding derivatives		173		5,365		-		5,538		-			5,538
Derivatives⁽²⁾:
Interest rate contracts		90		32,701		-		32,791		-			32,791
Foreign exchange contracts		15		16,520		211		16,746		-			16,746
Equity contracts		-		833		163		996		-			996
Precious metals contracts		101		1,951		21		2,073		-			2,073
Credit contracts		-		11,639		884		12,523		-			12,523
Other		8		10		5		23		-			23
Derivatives netting		-		-		-		-		(59,867	)		(59,867	)

Total derivatives		214		63,654		1,284		65,152		(59,867	)		5,285
Long-term debt⁽⁶⁾		-		5,067		301		5,368		-			5,368

Total liabilities	$	387	$	77,860	$	5,197	$	83,444	$	(59,867	)	$	23,577

HSBC USA Inc.


⁽¹⁾		Represents counterparty and cash collateral netting which allow the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts if certain conditions are met.

⁽²⁾		Includes trading derivative assets of $8.7 billion and $6.0 billion and trading derivative liabilities of $5.8 billion and $5.0 billion as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, as well as derivatives held for hedging and commitments accounted for as derivatives.

⁽³⁾		Includes leveraged acquisition finance and other commercial loans held for sale or risk-managed on a fair value basis for which we have elected to apply the fair value option. See Note 8, “Loans Held for Sale,” for further information.

⁽⁴⁾		Represents residential mortgage servicing rights. See Note 9, “Intangible Assets,” for further information on residential mortgage servicing rights.

⁽⁵⁾		Represents structured deposits risk-managed on a fair value basis for which we have elected to apply the fair value option.

⁽⁶⁾		Includes structured notes and own debt issuances which we have elected to measure on a fair value basis.

Significant Transfers into/out of Levels 1 and 2 There were no significant transfers between levels 1 and 2 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

Information on Level 3 assets and liabilities The following table summarizes additional information about changes in the fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. As a risk management practice, we may risk manage the Level 3 assets and liabilities, in whole or in part, using securities and derivative positions that are classified as Level 1 or Level 2 measurements within the fair value hierarchy. Since those Level 1 and Level 2 risk management positions are not included in the table below, the information provided does not reflect the effect of such risk management activities related to the Level 3 assets and liabilities.


				Total Gains and (Losses) Included in⁽¹⁾
				Trading						Other										Transfers			Transfers					Current Period
	July 1,			Revenue			Other			Comprehensive										Into			Out of		Sept. 30,			Unrealized
	2011			(Loss)			Revenue			Income		Purchases		Issuances			Settlements			Level 3			Level 3		2011			Gains (Losses)

	(in millions)


Assets:

Trading assets, excluding derivatives:

Collateralized debt obligations	$	770		$	(41	)	$	-		$	-	$	7	$	-		$	(29	)	$	-		$	-	$	707		$	(48	)

Corporate and other domestic debt securities		1,615			5			-			-		22		-			-			-			-		1,642			(5	)

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities		271			(34	)		-			-		-		-			-			-			-		237			(33	)

Equity securities		16			(2	)		-			-		-		-			(2	)		-			-		12			(1	)

Derivatives⁽²⁾:

Interest rate contracts		3			-			9			-		-		-			-			-			-		12			9

Foreign exchange contracts		1			(2	)		-			-		-		-			-			-			-		(1	)		(1	)

Equity contracts		(29	)		(173	)		-			-		-		-			(30	)		(18	)		94		(156	)		(33	)

Credit contracts		1,069			613			-			-		-		-			(13	)		-			-		1,669			598

Loans⁽³⁾		11			-			-			-		-		-			-			-			-		11			-

Other assets, excluding derivatives⁽⁴⁾		363			-			(134	)		-		-		-			8			-			-		237			(133	)


Total assets	$	4,090		$	366		$	(125	)	$	-	$	29	$	-		$	(66	)	$	(18	)	$	94	$	4,370		$	353


Liabilities:

Deposits in domestic offices	$	(4,719	)	$	62		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	(588	)	$	107		$	-		$	207	$	(4,931	)	$	68

Long-term debt		(685	)		113			-			-		-		(22	)		46			-			435		(113	)		10


Total liabilities	$	(5,404	)	$	175		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	(610	)	$	153		$	-		$	642	$	(5,044	)	$	78

HSBC USA Inc.


				Total Gains and (Losses) Included in⁽¹⁾
				Trading					Other										Transfers			Transfers						Current Period
	July 1,			Revenue			Other		Comprehensive										Into			Out of			Sept. 30,			Unrealized
	2010			(Loss)			Revenue		Income		Purchases		Issuances			Settlements			Level 3			Level 3			2010			Gains (Losses)

	(in millions)


Assets:

Trading assets, excluding derivatives:

Collateralized debt obligations	$	791		$	11		$	-	$	-	$	34	$	-		$	(32	)	$	-		$	-		$	804		$	1

Asset-backed securities:

Residential mortgages		560			27			-		-		1		-			(196	)		-			(7	)		385			13

Home equity		32			(17	)		-		-		12		-			(12	)		-			-			15			(17	)

Other		13			-			-		-		-		-			-			-			-			13			-

Corporate and other domestic debt securities		717			2			-		-		35		-			-			-			-			754			2

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities		197			32			-		-		-		-			-			-			-			229			32

Equity securities		19			(1	)		-		-		-		-			-			-			-			18			(1	)

Derivatives⁽²⁾:

Foreign exchange contracts		(3	)		1			-		-		-		-			-			-			-			(2	)		1

Equity contracts		(141	)		174			-		-		-		-			(25	)		-			-			8			149

Credit contracts		1,640			(264	)		-		-		-		-			5			(46	)		(3	)		1,332			(262	)

Other		12			-			6		-		-		-			-			-			-			18			6

Securities available-for-sale:

U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises		-			-			-		-		-		-			-			4			-			4			-

Asset-backed securities:

Residential mortgages		274			-			-		2		-		-			(255	)		-			(9	)		12			-

Commercial mortgages		10			-			-		-		-		-			1			-			-			11			-

Home equity		220			-			-		3		-		-			(29	)					(1	)		193			-

Auto		7			-			-		-		-		-			(7	)		-			-			-			-

Student loans		13			-			-		-		-		-			(1	)		-			-			12			-

Other		87			-			-		-		-		-			-						-			87			-

Loans⁽³⁾		11			-			-		-		-		-			-			-			-			11			-

Other assets, excluding derivatives⁽⁴⁾		317			-			11		-		-		-			(30	)		-			-			298			11


Total assets	$	4,776		$	(35	)	$	17	$	5	$	82	$	-		$	(581	)	$	(42	)	$	(20	)	$	4,202		$	(65	)


Liabilities:

Deposits in domestic offices	$	(2,381	)	$	(164	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(576	)	$	54		$	-		$	-		$	(3,067	)	$	(158	)

Long-term debt		(201	)		(16	)		-		-		-		(36	)		6			-			-			(247	)		(18	)


Total liabilities	$	(2,582	)	$	(180	)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	(612	)	$	60		$	-		$	-		$	(3,314	)	$	(176	)

HSBC USA Inc.


				Total Gains and (Losses) Included in⁽¹⁾
				Trading						Other										Transfers			Transfers					Current Period
	Jan. 1,			Revenue			Other			Comprehensive										Into			Out of		Sept. 30,			Unrealized
	2011			(Loss)			Revenue			Income		Purchases		Issuances			Settlements			Level 3			Level 3		2011			Gains (Losses)

	(in millions)


Assets:

Trading assets, excluding derivatives:

Collateralized debt obligations	$	793		$	(14	)	$	-		$	-	$	100	$	-		$	(172	)	$	-		$	-	$	707		$	(31	)

Corporate and other domestic debt securities		833			-			-			-		814		-			(5	)		-			-		1,642			-

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities		243			(6	)		-			-		-		-			-			-			-		237			(6	)

Equity securities		17			(2	)		-			-		-		-			(3	)		-			-		12			(2	)

Derivatives⁽²⁾:

Interest rate contracts		(1	)		-			13			-		-		-			-			-			-		12			13

Foreign exchange contracts		(4	)		3			-			-		-		-			-			-			-		(1	)		3

Equity contracts		12			(93	)		-			-		-		-			(188	)		33			80		(156	)		(109	)

Credit contracts		1,202			562			-			-		-		-			(157	)		-			62		1,669			441

Loans⁽³⁾		11			-			-			-		-		-			-			-			-		11			-

Other assets, excluding derivatives⁽⁴⁾		394			-			(189	)		-		-		-			32			-			-		237			(189	)


Total assets	$	3,500		$	450		$	(176	)	$	-	$	914	$	-		$	(493	)	$	33		$	142	$	4,370		$	120


Liabilities:

Deposits in domestic offices	$	(3,612	)	$	(29	)	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	(1,865	)	$	348		$	(25	)	$	252	$	(4,931	)	$	67

Long-term debt		(301	)		101			-			-		-		(621	)		189			(3	)		521		(114	)		12


Total liabilities	$	(3,913	)	$	72		$	-		$	-	$	-	$	(2,486	)	$	537		$	(28	)	$	773	$	(5,045	)	$	79

HSBC USA Inc.


				Total Gains and (Losses) Included in⁽¹⁾
				Trading						Other										Transfers			Transfers						Current Period
	Jan. 1,			Revenue			Other			Comprehensive										Into			Out of			Sept. 30,			Unrealized
	2010			(Loss)			Revenue			Income		Purchases		Issuances			Settlements			Level 3			Level 3			2010			Gains (Losses)

	(in millions)


Assets:

Trading assets, excluding derivatives:

Collateralized debt obligations	$	832		$	(27	)	$	-		$	-	$	269	$	-		$	(270	)	$	-		$	-		$	804		$	(94	)

Asset-backed securities:

Residential mortgages		817			106			-			-		55		-			(607	)		21			(7	)		385			19

Commercial mortgages		4			(4	)		-			-		-		-			-			-			-			-			-

Home equity		24			(65	)		-			-		228		-			(176	)		7			(3	)		15			(16	)

Other		-			-			-			-		-		-			-			13			-			13			-

Corporate and other domestic debt securities		1,202			(23	)		-			-		130		-			(371	)		-			(184	)		754			23

Corporate debt securities issued by foreign entities		195			33			-			-		-		-			1			-			-			229			33

Equity securities		21			(2	)		-			-		-		-			(1	)		-			-			18			(2	)

Derivatives⁽²⁾:

Foreign exchange contracts		(95	)		(33	)		-			-		-		(3	)		129			-			-			(2	)		-

Equity contracts		81			130			-			-		-		-			(137	)		(75	)		9			8			36

Credit contracts		1,311			(112	)		-			-		-		-			(85	)		178			40			1,332			(270	)

Other		(3	)		-			22			-		-		-			(1	)		-			-			18			18

Securities available-for-sale:

U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agencies and sponsored enterprises		3			-			-			1		-		-			(1	)		3			(2	)		4			-

Asset-backed securities:

Residential mortgages		515			-			-			17		-		-			(592	)		85			(13	)		12			-

Commercial mortgages		8			-			-			3		-		-			-			-			-			11			3

Home equity		175			-			-			58		-		-			(39	)		-			(1	)		193			47

Auto		43			-			-			-		-		-			(43	)		-			-			-			-

Student loans		-			-			-			1		-		-			(1	)		12			-			12			1

Other		-			-			-			-		-		-			-			87			-			87			-

Loans⁽³⁾		4			-			-			-		-		-			(1	)		11			(3	)		11			-

Other assets, excluding derivatives⁽⁴⁾		450			-			(76	)		-		-		-			(76	)		-			-			298			-


Total assets	$	5,587		$	3		$	(54	)	$	80	$	682	$	(3	)	$	(2,271	)	$	342		$	(164	)	$	4,202		$	(202	)


Liabilities:

Deposits in domestic offices	$	(1,643	)	$	(141	)	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	(1,511	)	$	202		$	(164	)	$	190		$	(3,067	)	$	(91	)

Long-term debt		(419	)		12			-			-		-		(257	)		84			(37	)		370			(247	)		-


Total liabilities	$	(2,062	)	$	(129	)	$	-		$	-	$	-	$	(1,768	)	$	286		$	(201	)	$	560		$	(3,314	)	$	(91	)


⁽¹⁾		Includes realized and unrealized gains and losses.

⁽²⁾		Level 3 net derivatives included derivative assets of $2.8 billion and $2.9 billion and derivative liabilities of $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

⁽³⁾		Includes Level 3 corporate lending activities risk-managed on a fair value basis for which we have elected the fair value option.

⁽⁴⁾		Represents residential mortgage servicing activities. See Note 9, “Intangible Assets,” for additional information.

Material Additions to and Transfers Into (Out of) Level 3 Measurements During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we transferred $62 million, of credit derivatives from Level 3 to Level 2 as a result of a qualitative analysis of the foreign exchange and credit correlation attributes of our model used for certain credit default swaps. In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we transferred $435 million and $521 million, respectively, of long-term debt from Level 3 to Level 2. The long-term debt relates to debt

HSBC USA Inc.

issuances where the embedded derivative is no longer unobservable as the derivative option is closer in maturity and there is more observability in short term volatility.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we transferred $225 million of mortgage and other asset-backed securities from Level 2 to Level 3 as the availability of observable inputs declined and the discrepancy in valuation per independent pricing services increased. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we transferred $178 million of credit derivatives from Level 2 to Level 3 as a result of a qualitative analysis of the foreign exchange and credit correlation attributes of our model used for certain credit default swaps. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we transferred $370 million, respectively, of long-term debt from Level 3 to Level 2. The long-term debt relates to medium term debt issuances where the embedded derivative is no longer unobservable as the derivative option is closer in maturity and there is more observability in short term volatility. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we transferred $184 million of corporate bonds from Level 3 to Level 2 due to the availability of observable inputs in the market including broker and independent pricing service valuations.

Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis Certain financial and non-financial assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis and therefore, are not included in the tables above. These assets include (a) mortgage and consumer loans classified as held for sale reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value and (b) impaired loans or assets that are written down to fair value based on the valuation of underlying collateral during the period. These instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustment in certain circumstances (e.g., impairment). The following table presents the fair value hierarchy level within which the fair value of the financial and non-financial assets has been recorded as of September 30, 2011 and 2010. The gains (losses) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are also included.


									Total Gains			Total Gains
									(Losses)			(Losses)
	Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements								For the			For the
	as of September 30, 2011								Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		September 30, 2011			September 30, 2011

	(in millions)

Residential mortgage loans held for sale⁽¹⁾	$	-	$	5	$	228	$	233	$	(10	)	$	(16	)
Other consumer loans held for sale⁽¹⁾		-		-		71		71		-			-
Impaired loans⁽²⁾		-		-		415		415		(8	)		44
Real estate owned⁽³⁾		-		28		-		28		(1	)		(4	)
Commercial loans held for sale		-		32		-		32		-			-
Impairment of certain previously capitalized software development costs⁽⁴⁾		-		-		-		-		-			(94	)
Building held for sale		-		-		-		-		-			(5	)

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis	$	-	$	65	$	714	$	779	$	(19	)	$	(75	)

HSBC USA Inc.


									Total Gains			Total Gains
									(Losses)			(Losses)
	Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements								For the			For the
	as of September 30, 2010								Three Months Ended			Nine Months Ended
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		September 30, 2010			September 30, 2010

	(in millions)

Residential mortgage loans held for sale⁽¹⁾	$	-	$	10	$	433	$	443	$	(10	)	$	(42	)
Other consumer loans held for sale⁽¹⁾		-		-		28		28		-			-
Impaired loans⁽²⁾		-		-		572		572		59			150
Real estate owned⁽³⁾		-		70		-		70		3			9
Commercial loans held for sale		-		32		-		32		-			-
Held to maturity asset-backed securities held by consolidated VIE⁽⁵⁾		-		123		128		251		(1	)		(4	)
Building held for use		-		-		15		15		-			-

Total assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis	$	-	$	235	$	1,176	$	1,411	$	51		$	113


⁽¹⁾		As of September 30, 2011 and 2010, the fair value of the loans held for sale was below cost. Certain residential mortgage loans held for sale have been classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy as the underlying real estate properties which determine fair value are illiquid assets as a result of market conditions and significant inputs in estimating fair value were unobservable. Additionally, the fair value of these properties is affected by, among other things, the location, the payment history and the completeness of the loan documentation.

⁽²⁾		Represents impaired commercial loans. Certain commercial loans have undergone troubled debt restructurings and are considered impaired. As a matter of practical expedient, we measure the credit impairment of a collateral-dependent loan based on the fair value of the collateral asset. The collateral often involves real estate properties that are illiquid due to market conditions. As a result, these commercial loans are classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement within the fair value hierarchy.

⁽³⁾		Real estate owned are 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 unadjusted for transaction costs.

⁽⁴⁾		In the first quarter of 2011 it was determined that certain previously capitalized software development costs were no longer realizable as a result of the decision to cancel certain projects and, therefore, we recorded an impairment charge of $78 million representing the full amount of the developed software capitalized associated with these projects. During the second quarter of 2011, HSBC completed a comprehensive review of all platforms currently under development which resulted in additional projects being cancelled. As a result, we recorded an additional charge of $16 million relating to the impairment of certain previously capitalized software development costs relating to these projects which were determined to be no longer realizable. The impairment charges were recorded in other expenses in our consolidated statement of income and is included in the results of our segments principally in RBWM and CMB.

⁽⁵⁾		Represent held-to-maturity securities which were held at fair value at September 30, 2010. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities,” for additional information.

Valuation Techniques Following is a description of valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities recorded at fair value and for estimating fair value for those financial instruments not recorded at fair value for which fair value disclosure is required.

Short-term financial assets and liabilities – The carrying amount of certain financial assets and liabilities recorded at cost is considered to approximate fair value because they are short-term in nature, bear interest rates that approximate market rates, and generally have negligible credit risk. These items include cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits with banks, accrued interest receivable, customer acceptance assets and liabilities and short-term borrowings.

Federal funds sold and purchased and securities purchased and sold under resale and repurchase agreements – Federal funds sold and purchased and securities purchased and sold under resale and repurchase agreements are

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recorded at cost. A significant majority of these transactions are short-term in nature and, as such, the recorded amounts approximate fair value. For transactions with long-dated maturities, fair value is based on dealer quotes for instruments with similar terms and collateral.

Loans – Except for leveraged loans, selected residential mortgage loans and certain foreign currency denominated commercial loans, we do not record loans at fair value on a recurring basis. From time to time, we record on a non-recurring basis negative adjustment to loans. The write-downs can be based on observable market price of the loan or the underlying collateral value. In addition, fair value estimates are determined based on the product type, financial characteristics, pricing features and maturity. Where applicable, similar loans are grouped based on loan types and maturities and fair values are estimated on a portfolio basis.


•	Mortgage Loans Held for Sale – Certain residential mortgage loans are classified as held for sale and are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. The fair value of these mortgage loans is determined based on the valuation information observed in alternative exit markets, such as the whole loan market, adjusted for portfolio specific factors. These factors include the location of the collateral, the loan-to-value ratio, the estimated rate and timing of default, the probability of default or foreclosure and loss severity if foreclosure does occur.

•	Leveraged Loans – We record leveraged loans and revolvers held for sale at fair value. Where available, market consensus pricing obtained from independent sources is used to estimate the fair value of the leveraged loans and revolvers. In determining the fair value, we take into consideration the number of participants submitting pricing information, the range of pricing information and distribution, the methodology applied by the pricing services to cleanse the data and market liquidity. Where consensus pricing information is not available, fair value is estimated using observable market prices of similar instruments or inputs, including bonds, credit derivatives, and loans with similar characteristics. Where observable market parameters are not available, fair value is determined based on contractual cash flows, adjusted for the probability of default and estimated recoveries where applicable, discounted at the rate demanded by market participants under current market conditions. In those cases, we also consider the loan specific attributes and inherent credit risk and risk mitigating factors such as collateral arrangements in determining fair value.

•	Commercial Loans – Commercial loans and commercial real estate loans are valued by discounting the contractual cash flows, adjusted for prepayments and the borrower’s credit risk, using a discount rate that reflects the current rates offered to borrowers of similar credit standing for the remaining term to maturity and our own estimate of liquidity premium.

•	Commercial impaired loans – Fair value is determined based on the pricing quotes obtained from an independent third party appraisal.

•	Consumer Loans – The estimated fair value of our consumer loans were determined by developing an approximate range of value from a mix of various sources as appropriate for the respective pool of assets. These sources included, among other things, value estimates from an HSBC affiliate which reflect over-the-counter trading activity, 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; trading input from other market participants which includes observed primary and secondary trades; where appropriate, the impact of current estimated rating agency credit tranching levels with the associated benchmark credit spreads; and general discussions held directly with potential investors. 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 value and market discount rates reflecting management’s estimate of the rate 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 periodic validations of our valuation methodologies and assumptions based on the results of actual sales of such receivables. In addition, from time to time, we may engage a third party valuation specialist to measure

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the fair value of a pool of receivables. Portfolio risk management personnel provide further validation through discussions with third party brokers and other market participants. Since an active market for these receivables does not exist, the fair value measurement process uses unobservable significant inputs specific to the performance characteristics of the various receivable portfolios.

Lending-related commitments – The fair value of commitments to extend credit, standby letters of credit and financial guarantees are not included in the table. The majority of the lending related commitments are not carried at fair value on a recurring basis nor are they actively traded. These instruments generate fees, which approximate those currently charged to originate similar commitments, which are recognized over the term of the commitment period. Deferred fees on commitments and standby letters of credit totaled $44 million and $47 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

Precious metals trading – Precious metals trading primarily include physical inventory which are valued using spot prices.

Securities – Where available, debt and equity securities are valued based on quoted market prices. If a quoted market price for the identical security is not available, the security is valued based on quotes from similar securities, where possible. For certain securities, internally developed valuation models are used to determine fair values or validate quotes obtained from pricing services. The following summarizes the valuation methodology used for our major security classes:


	•	U.S. Treasury, U.S. Government agency issued or guaranteed and Obligations of U.S. state and political subdivisions – As these securities transact in an active market, fair value measurements are based on 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. Government sponsored enterprises – For certain government sponsored mortgage-backed securities which transact in an active market, fair value measurements are based on quoted prices for the identical security or quoted prices for similar securities with adjustments as necessary made using observable inputs which are market corroborated. For government sponsored mortgage-backed securities which do not transact in an active market, fair value is determined primarily based on pricing information obtained from pricing services and is verified by internal review processes.

	•	Asset-backed securities, including collateralized debt obligations – Fair value is primarily determined based on pricing information obtained from independent pricing services adjusted for the characteristics and the performance of the underlying collateral.

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Additional information relating to asset-backed securities and collateralized debt obligations is presented in the following tables:

Trading asset-backed securities and related collateral:


		Prime				Alt-A				Sub-prime
Rating of Securities:	Collateral Type:	Level 2		Level 3		Level 2		Level 3		Level 2		Level 3		Total

	(in millions)

AAA -A	Residential mortgages	$	3	$	-	$	76	$	-	$	203	$	-	$	282
	Home equity		-		-		1		-		-		-		1
	Student loans		-		-		2		-		-		-		2
	Other		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

	Total AAA -A		3		-		79		-		203		-		285

BBB -B	Residential mortgages		-		-		2		-		-		-		2
	Home equity		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

	Total BBB -B		-		-		2		-		-		-		2

CCC-Unrated	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		3		-		3
	Home equity		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Other		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

	Total CCC -Unrated		-		-		-		-		3		-		3

		$	3	$	-	$	81	$	-	$	206	$	-	$	290

Trading collateralized debt obligations and related collateral:


Rating of Securities:	Collateral Type:	Level 3

	(in millions)

AAA -A	Commercial mortgages	$	-
	Residential mortgages		-
	Other		-

	Total AAA -A		-

BBB -B	Commercial mortgages		160
	Corporate loans		346
	Other		145

	Total BBB -B		651

CCC -Unrated	Commercial mortgages		56
	Corporate loans		-
	Residential mortgages		-
	Other		-

	Total CCC -Unrated		56

		$	707

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Available-for-sale securities backed by collateral:


		Commercial
		Mortgages				Prime				Alt-A				Sub-prime
Rating of Securities:	Collateral Type:	Level 2		Level 3		Level 2		Level 3		Level 2		Level 3		Level 2		Level 3		Total

		(in millions)

AAA -A	Residential mortgages	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	4	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	4
	Commercial mortgages		478		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		478
	Home equity		-		-		-		-		126		-		2		-		128
	Student loans		-		-		-		-		23		-		-		-		23
	Other		-		-		-		-		96		-		-		-		96

	Total AAA -A		478		-		-		-		249		-		2		-		729

BBB -B	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		2		-		-		-		2
	Home equity		-		-		-		-		90		-		1		-		91

	Total BBB -B		-		-		-		-		92		-		1		-		93

CCC -Unrated	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		3		-		-		-		3
	Home equity		-		-		-		-		75		-		-		-		75

	Total CCC -Unrated		-		-		-		-		78		-		-		-		78

		$	478	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	419	$	-	$	3	$	-	$	900


•	Other domestic debt and foreign debt securities (corporate and government) – 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 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, we survey the broker/dealer community to obtain relevant trade data including benchmark quotes and updated spreads.

•	Equity securities – Since most of our securities are transacted in active markets, fair value measurements are determined based on quoted prices for the identical security. For mutual fund investments, we receive monthly statements from the investment manager with the estimated fair value.

We perform validations of the fair values obtained from independent pricing services. Such validations primarily include sourcing security prices from other independent pricing services or broker quotes. As the pricing for mortgage and other asset-backed securities became less transparent during the credit crisis, we further developed internal valuation techniques to validate the fair value. The internal validation techniques utilize inputs derived from observable market data, incorporate external analysts’ estimates of probability of default, loss recovery and prepayments speeds and apply the discount rates that would be demanded by market participants under the current market conditions. Depending on the results of the validation, additional information may be gathered from other market participants to support the fair value measurements. A determination is made as to whether adjustments to the observable inputs are necessary after investigations and inquiries about the reasonableness of the inputs used and the methodologies employed by the independent pricing services.

Derivatives – Derivatives are recorded at fair value. Asset and liability positions in individual derivatives that are covered by legally enforceable master netting agreements, including cash collateral are offset and presented net in accordance with accounting principles which allow the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts.

Derivatives traded on an exchange are valued using quoted prices. OTC derivatives, which comprise a majority of derivative contract positions, are valued using valuation techniques. The fair value for the majority of our derivative instruments are determined based on internally developed models that utilize independently corroborated market parameters, including interest rate yield curves, option volatilities, and currency rates. For complex or long-dated derivative products where market data is not available, fair value may be affected by the choice of valuation model and the underlying assumptions about, among other things, the timing of cash flows and credit spreads. The fair values of certain structured derivative products are sensitive to unobservable inputs such as default correlations of

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the referenced credit and volatilities of embedded options. These estimates are susceptible to significant change in future periods as market conditions change.

Significant inputs related to derivative classes are broken down as follows:


•	Credit Derivatives – Use credit default curves and recovery rates which are generally provided by broker quotes and various pricing services. Certain credit derivatives may also use correlation inputs in their model valuation. Correlation is derived using market quotes from brokers and various pricing services.


	•	Interest Rate Derivatives – Swaps use interest rate curves based on currency that are actively quoted by brokers and other pricing services. Options will also use volatility inputs which are also quoted in the broker market.

	•	Foreign Exchange (“FX”) Derivatives – FX transactions use spot and forward FX rates which are quoted in the broker market.

	•	Equity Derivatives – Use listed equity security pricing and implied volatilities from equity traded options position.

	•	Precious Metal Derivative – Use spot and forward metal rates which are quoted in the broker market.

We may adjust valuations derived using the methods described above in order to ensure that those values represent appropriate estimates of fair value. These adjustments, which are applied consistently over time, are generally required to reflect factors such as bid-ask spreads and counterparty credit risk that can affect prices in arms-length transactions with unrelated third parties. Such adjustments are based on management judgment and may not be observable.

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, not less than once every 45 days to reflect observable local market data including local area sales data.

Repossessed autos – Fair value is determined based on current Black Book values, which represent current observable prices in the wholesale auto auction market.

Mortgage servicing rights – We elected to measure residential mortgage servicing rights, which are classified as intangible assets, at fair value. The fair value for the residential mortgage servicing rights is determined based on an option adjusted approach which involves discounting servicing cash flows under various interest rate projections at risk-adjusted rates. The valuation model also incorporates our best estimate of the prepayment speed of the mortgage loans, current cost to service and discount rates which are unobservable. As changes in interest rates is a key factor affecting the prepayment speed and hence the fair value of the mortgage servicing rights, we use various interest rate derivatives and forward purchase contracts of mortgage-backed securities to risk-manage the mortgage servicing rights.

Structured notes – Certain structured notes were elected to be measured at fair value in their entirety under fair value option accounting principles. As a result, derivative features embedded in the structured notes are included in the valuation of fair value. The valuation of embedded derivatives may include significant unobservable inputs such as correlation of the referenced credit names or volatility of the embedded option. Other significant inputs include interest rates (yield curve), time to maturity, expected loss and loss severity.

Cash flows of the funded notes are discounted at the appropriate rate for the applicable duration of the instrument adjusted for our own credit spreads. The credit spreads applied to these instruments are derived from the spreads at which institutions of similar credit standing would offer for issuing similar structured instruments as of the measurement date. The market spreads for structured notes are generally lower than the credit spreads observed for plain vanilla debt or in the credit default swap market.

Long-term debt – We elected to apply fair value option to certain own debt issuances for which fair value hedge accounting otherwise would have been applied. These own debt issuances elected under FVO are traded in

HSBC USA Inc.

secondary markets and, as such, the fair value is determined based on observed prices for the specific instrument. The observed market price of these instruments reflects the effect of our own credit spreads. 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.

For long-term debt recorded at cost, fair value is determined based on quoted market prices where available. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on dealer quotes, quoted prices of similar instruments, or internally developed valuation models adjusted for own credit risks.

Deposits – For fair value disclosure purposes, the carrying amount of deposits with no stated maturity (e.g., demand, savings, and certain money market deposits), which represents the amount payable upon demand, is considered to approximate fair value. For deposits with fixed maturities, fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using market interest rates currently offered on deposits with similar characteristics and maturities.

Valuation adjustments – Where applicable, we make valuation adjustments to the measurements of financial instruments to ensure that they are recorded at fair value. Management judgment is required in determining the appropriate level of valuation adjustments. The level of valuation adjustments reflects the risks and the characteristics of a specific type of product, related contractual terms and the liquidity associated with the product and the market in which the product transacts. Valuation adjustments for complex instruments are unobservable. Such valuation adjustments, which have been consistently applied, include the following:


	•	Credit risk adjustment – an adjustment to reflect the creditworthiness of the counterparty for OTC products where the market parameters may not be indicative of the creditworthiness of the counterparty. For derivative instruments, the market price implies parties to the transaction have credit ratings equivalent to AA. Therefore, we will make an appropriate credit risk adjustment to reflect the counterparty credit risk if different from an AA credit rating.

	•	Market data/model uncertainty – an adjustment to reflect uncertainties in the fair value measurements determined based on unobservable market data inputs. Since one or more significant parameters may be unobservable and must be estimated, the resultant fair value estimates have inherent measurement risk. In addition, the values derived from valuation techniques are affected by the choice of valuation model. When different valuation techniques are available, the choice of valuation model can be subjective and in those cases, an additional valuation adjustment may be applied to mitigate the potential risk of measurement error. In most cases, we perform analysis on key unobservable inputs to determine the appropriate parameters to use in estimating the fair value adjustments.

	•	Liquidity adjustment – a type of bid-offer adjustment to reflect the difference between the mark-to-market valuation of all open positions in the portfolio and the close out cost. The liquidity adjustment is a portfolio level adjustment and is a function of the liquidity and volatility of the underlying risk positions.

21. 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

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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

Credit Card Litigation Since June 2005, HSBC Bank USA, HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC North America and HSBC, as well as other banks and Visa Inc. and MasterCard 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. 3:05-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 Asps’ 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. The parties are engaged in discovery, motion practice and mediation. On February 7, 2011, MasterCard Incorporated, Visa Inc., the other defendants, including HSBC Bank USA, 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 Bank USA 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. We continue to defend the claims in this action vigorously and our entry into the Agreements in no way serves as an admission as to the validity of the allegations in the complaints. Similarly, the Agreements have had no impact on our ability to quantify the potential impact from this action, if any, and we are unable to do so at this time.

Account Overdraft Litigation In February 2011, an action captioned Ofra Levin et al. v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (E.D.N.Y. 11-CV-0701) was filed in the Eastern District of New York against HSBC Bank USA, HSBC USA and HSBC North America on behalf of a putative nationwide class and New York sub-class of customers who allegedly incurred overdraft fees due to the posting of debit card transactions to deposit accounts in high-to-low order. Levin asserts claims for breach of contract and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, conversion, unjust enrichment, and violation of the New York deceptive acts and practices statute. The plaintiffs dismissed the Federal court action after the case was transferred to the multi-district litigation pending in Miami, Florida, and re-filed the case in New York state court on March 1, 2011. The action, captioned Ofra Levin et al. v. HSBC Bank USA et al. (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 650562/11), alleges a variety of common law claims and violations on behalf of a New York class, including breach of contract and implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, conversion, unjust enrichment and a violation of the New York deceptive acts and practices statute. We filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on May 2, 2011 and oral argument is currently scheduled for November 18, 2011. At this time we are unable to reasonably estimate the liability, if any, that might arise as a result of this action and will defend the claims vigorously.

Madoff Litigation In December 2008, Bernard L. Madoff (“Madoff”) was arrested for running a Ponzi scheme and a trustee was appointed for the liquidation of his firm, Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (“Madoff Securities”), an SEC-registered broker-dealer and investment adviser. Various non-U.S. HSBC companies provided custodial, administration and similar services to a number of funds incorporated outside the United States whose assets

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were invested with Madoff Securities. Plaintiffs (including funds, funds investors and the Madoff Securities trustee, as described below) have commenced Madoff-related proceedings against numerous defendants in a multitude of jurisdictions. Various HSBC companies have been named as defendants in suits in the United States, Ireland, Luxembourg and other jurisdictions. The suits (which include U.S. class actions) allege that the HSBC defendants knew or should have known of Madoff’s fraud and breached various duties to the funds and fund investors.

One of the funds for which HSBC companies provided custodial and administration services was Thema International Fund PLC (the “Thema Fund”), a limited liability company incorporated and authorized in Ireland as a UCITS fund under European Communities (Undertaking for Collective Investments in Transferable Securities) Regulations 1985. On June 7, 2011, HSBC Securities Services (Ireland) Limited, HSBC International Trust Services (Ireland) Limited, HSBC Holdings plc and, subject to the granting of leave to effect a proposed pleading amendment, HSBC Bank USA entered into an agreement, without any admission of wrongdoing or liability, to settle the action pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York relating to the Thema Fund, captioned In re Herald, Primeo and Thema Funds Securities Litigation, (S.D.N.Y. Nos. 09-CV-0289 (RMB); 09-CV-2558 (RMB)), without any liability to HSBC Bank USA. By order dated September 15, 2011, the district court denied without prejudice preliminary approval of the settlement due to concerns over certain conditions that were part of the agreement. Defendants in In re Herald, Primeo and Thema Funds Securities Litigation, which consolidates actions involving the Thema Fund and other funds, have filed a joint motion to dismiss the actions. Briefing on that motion was completed on October 28, 2011.

In December 2010, the Madoff Securities trustee commenced suits against various HSBC companies in U.S. bankruptcy court and in the English High Court. The U.S. action, captioned Picard v. HSBC et al (Bankr S.D.N.Y. No. 09-01364), which also names certain funds, investment managers, and other entities and individuals, seeks $9 billion in damages and additional recoveries from HSBC Bank USA, certain of our foreign affiliates and the various other codefendants. It seeks damages against the HSBC defendants for allegedly aiding and abetting Madoff’s fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. In July 2011, after withdrawing the case from the bankruptcy court in order to decide certain threshold issues, the district court dismissed the trustee’s various common law claims on the grounds that the trustee lacks standing to assert them. The trustee appealed this ruling but withdrew the appeal by stipulation without prejudice to it being reinstated for the next 12 months. The district court returned the case to the bankruptcy court for further proceedings on the remaining claims. Those claims seek, pursuant to U.S. bankruptcy law, recovery of unspecified amounts received by the HSBC defendants from funds invested with Madoff, including amounts that the HSBC defendants received when they redeemed units held in the various funds. The HSBC defendants acquired those fund units in connection with financing transactions the HSBC defendants had entered into with various clients. The trustee’s U.S. bankruptcy law claims also seek recovery of fees earned by the HSBC defendants for providing custodial, administration and similar services to the funds. In September 2011, certain non-HSBC defendants moved again to withdraw the case from the bankruptcy court. These motions are currently pending before the district court. The trustee’s English action seeks recovery of unspecified transfers of money from Madoff Securities to or through HSBC on the ground that the HSBC defendants actually or constructively knew of Madoff’s fraud. The English action is currently dormant.

Between October 2009 and September 2011, Fairfield Sentry Limited and Fairfield Sigma Limited (“Fairfield”), funds whose assets were directly or indirectly invested with Madoff Securities, commenced multiple suits in the British Virgin Islands and the United States against numerous fund shareholders, including various HSBC companies that acted as nominees for clients of HSBC’s private banking business and other clients who invested in the Fairfield funds. The Fairfield actions, including an action captioned Fairfield Sentry Ltd. v. Zurich Capital Markets et al. (Bankr. S.D.N.Y. No. 10-03634), in which HSBC Bank USA is a defendant, seek restitution of amounts paid to the defendants in connection with share redemptions, on the ground that such payments were made by mistake, based on inflated values resulting from Madoff’s fraud. Some of these actions also seek recovery of the share redemptions under British Virgin Islands insolvency law. The actions in the United States are currently stayed in the bankruptcy court while plaintiffs pursue an appeal of a decision that reversed the bankruptcy court’s denial of defendants’ motions to remand or abstain.

HSBC Bank USA is also the defendant in an action filed in July 2011, captioned Wailea Partners, LP v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (N.D. Ca. No. 11-CV-3544), arising from derivatives transactions between Wailea Partners, LP and

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HSBC Bank USA that were linked to the performance of a fund that placed its assets with Madoff Securities pursuant to a specified investment strategy. The plaintiff alleges, among other things, that HSBC Bank USA knew or should have known that the fund’s assets would not be invested as contemplated. Plaintiff also alleges that HSBC Bank USA marketed, sold and entered into the derivatives transactions on the basis of materially misleading statements and omissions in violation of California law. The plaintiff seeks rescission of the transactions and return of amounts paid to HSBC Bank USA in connection with the transactions, together with interest, fees, expenses and disbursements. On September 19, 2011, HSBC Bank USA filed a motion to dismiss the complaint in its entirety. Briefing on that motion will be completed by November 23, 2011.

Greenwich Sentry LP v. HSBC USA Inc. (Del. Ch. No. 6829) was filed on September 1, 2011 in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The complaint seeks the return of specified redemption payments made to HSBC USA as a limited partner in Greenwich Sentry LP, and asserts claims of unjust enrichment, mistaken payment, and constructive trust. HSBC USA has not yet been served.

These actions are at an early stage. There are many factors that may affect the range of possible outcomes, and the resulting financial impact, of the various Madoff-related proceedings including, but not limited to, the circumstances of the fraud, the multiple jurisdictions in which proceeding have been brought and the number of different plaintiffs and defendants in such proceedings. For these reasons, among others, we are unable to reasonably estimate the aggregate liability or ranges of liability that might arise as a result of these claims but it could be significant. In any event, we consider that we have good defenses to these claims and will continue to defend them vigorously.

PEM Group Litigation. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a defendant in an action captioned Hua Nan Commercial Bank, et al. v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. et al. (No. CV 10-8773-PSG) filed in the U.S District Court, Central District of California by six Taiwanese banks seeking damages allegedly suffered as a result of the plaintiff banks’ participation in investments offered by Private Equity Management Group, Inc. and Private Equity Management Group, LLC (the “PEM Group”). The plaintiff banks’ allegations against HSBC Bank USA include fraud, negligent misrepresentation, aiding and abetting fraud, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, and conspiracy to commit fraud and breach of fiduciary duty. In December 2010, HSBC Bank USA filed a motion to dismiss the action based on a forum selection clause in the related offering memoranda requiring claims to be brought in the British Virgin Islands, an arbitration clause in one offering memorandum, and insufficient specificity in the complaint. In May 2011, the motion to dismiss was denied in part with respect to the forum selection and arbitration clauses, and granted in part with respect to insufficiency of pleading. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in June 2011. We filed an appeal of the court’s ruling with respect to the arbitration clause and in July 2011, filed an answer with counterclaims to the amended complaint. In August 2011, the court issued a scheduling order that established April 30, 2012 as the cut-off date and a seven-day jury trial to begin on August 21, 2012. The parties agreed to engage in mediation in the interim and, in October 2011, agreed in principle to a settlement of all claims. While the terms of the settlement are confidential, the financial impact of the contemplated settlement on HSBC Bank USA is not material and has been reserved.

In May 2010, Robert Mosier, the court-appointed receiver for PEM Group and its affiliates, filed an action in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California captioned Mosier as Receiver v. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (No. CV 10-3669-PSG) alleging that HSBC Bank USA assisted the PEM Group management team in connection with the breach of their duties to the PEM Group and conversion of PEM Group funds for inappropriate uses, and knowingly participated in the misapplication of funds. In December 2010, the court granted our motion to dismiss. The receiver appealed the dismissal and briefs to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, originally scheduled for September and October 2011, were deferred pending the mediation of the Hua Nan Commercial Bank matter. The claims of the receiver in this matter are included in the settlement agreement discussed above.

Knox Family Trust Litigation. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is defendant in seven separate proceedings collectively described as Matter of Knox (N.Y. Surrogate’s Court, Erie County, File Nos. DO-0659, DO-0663, DO-0664, DO-0665, DO-0666, 1996-2486/B, and 1996-2486/D), concerning seven trusts for which HSBC Bank USA served as trustee that were established by Seymour Knox II and his descendants for various members of the Knox family. In these proceedings, the beneficiaries of the various trusts objected to HSBC Bank USA’s final accountings and

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claimed that HSBC Bank USA mismanaged certain assets and investments. In November 2010, the court awarded the plaintiffs in the seven proceedings damages totaling approximately $26 million plus interest and attorneys’ fees to be determined. These awards were not reduced immediately to appealable final judgments. In May 2011, the court entered final judgments totaling approximately $25 million in two of the seven proceedings. HSBC Bank USA appealed the judgments and secured the judgments in order to suspend execution of the judgments while the appeals are ongoing by depositing cash in the amount of the judgments in an interest-bearing escrow account. In May 2011, HSBC Bank USA agreed to settle three of the other proceedings for an immaterial amount. In August 2011, HSBC Bank USA agreed in principle to settle one proceedings on appeal for an immaterial amount. Final judgments have not yet been entered on the remaining proceedings. When final judgments are entered, we will file appeals.

Governmental and Regulatory Matters

Foreclosure Practices As previously reported, HSBC Bank USA entered into a consent cease and desist order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) (the “OCC Servicing Consent Order”), and our affiliate, HSBC Finance Corporation, and our common indirect parent, HSBC North America, entered into a similar consent order with the Federal Reserve Board (the “Federal Reserve”) (together with the OCC Servicing Consent Order, the “Servicing Consent Orders”) following completion of a broad horizontal review of industry foreclosure practices. The effective date of the Servicing Consent Orders was April 13, 2011. The OCC Servicing Consent Order requires HSBC Bank USA 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 regulators to align our processes with the requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders and are implementing operational changes as required.

The Servicing Consent Orders require us to review foreclosures 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 must be 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 will be 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, and will be followed by industry media advertising in late 2011. We expect the costs associated with the foreclosure review, customer outreach plan and complaint process and any resulting remediation will result in significant increases in our operational expenses in future periods.

The Servicing Consent Orders do not preclude additional enforcement actions against HSBC Bank USA or HSBC North America by bank regulatory, governmental or law enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Justice and State Attorneys General, which could include the imposition of fines and actions to recover civil money penalties and other financial penalties relating to the activities that were the subject of the Servicing Consent Orders. We may also see an increase in private litigation concerning our practices. The Federal Reserve has indicated in a press release that it believes monetary sanctions are appropriate for the enforcement actions and that it plans to announce monetary penalties. While we believe it is possible that civil money penalties will be imposed on HSBC Bank USA, we are unable at this time to estimate reliably the amounts, or range of possible amounts, of any such penalties.

As has been reported in the media, we understand that the five largest U.S. mortgage servicers are engaged in discussions with bank regulators, the U.S. Department of Justice and State Attorneys General regarding a broader settlement with respect to foreclosure and other mortgage servicing practices. Media reports suggest that the settlement will involve a substantial dollar payment and concessions to borrowers. Following the conclusion of these discussions and the announcement of any such settlement with the five largest servicers, we expect that the

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next nine largest mortgage servicers, including HSBC Bank USA and HSBC Finance, will be approached regarding a settlement although the timing and proposed terms of such settlement discussions are not presently known.

Anti-Money Laundering, Bank Secrecy Act and Other Compliance Matters As previously disclosed, HSBC Bank USA has also entered into a consent cease and desist order with the OCC and our indirect parent, HSBC North America, entered into a consent cease and desist order with the Federal Reserve in the first week of October 2010 (together, the “AML/BSA Consent Orders”). These actions require improvements for an effective compliance risk management program across our U.S. businesses, including Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) and Anti-Money Laundering (“AML”) compliance. Steps continue to be taken to address the requirements of the AML/BSA Consent Orders and to ensure that compliance and effective policies and procedures are maintained.

We are the subject of ongoing investigations, including Grand Jury subpoenas and other requests for information, by U.S. government and state agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York County District Attorney’s Office. These investigations pertain to, among other matters, our bank note business and dollar clearing services and their compliance with BSA and AML controls, as well as our compliance with Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) requirements, and adherence by certain customers to U.S. tax reporting requirements. In April 2011, HSBC Bank USA received a “John Doe” summons from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) directing us to produce records identifying U.S. taxpayers with bank accounts at the India offices of our affiliate, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. While the summons was withdrawn for technical reasons in August 2011, we treated the summons as if still effective and have provided all responsive documents in our possession in the U.S.. In all cases, we are cooperating fully and engaging in efforts to resolve these matters.

The AML/BSA Consent Orders do not preclude additional enforcement actions against HSBC Bank USA or HSBC North America by bank regulatory or law enforcement agencies, including actions to recover civil money penalties, fines and other financial penalties relating to activities which were the subject of the AML/BSA Consent Orders and these could be significant. In addition, it is likely that there could be some form of formal enforcement action in respect to some or all of the ongoing investigations. Actual or threatened enforcement actions against other financial institutions for breaches of BSA, AML and OFAC requirements have resulted in settlements involving fines and penalties, some of which have been significant depending upon the individual circumstances of each action. The ongoing investigations are at an early stage. Based on the facts currently known, we are unable at this time to determine the terms on which the ongoing investigations will be resolved or the timing of such resolution or for us to estimate reliably the amounts, or range of possible amounts, of any fines and/or penalties. As matters progress, it is possible that any fines and/or penalties could be material to our financial statements.

Mortgage Securitization Activity In addition to the repurchase risk described in Note 18, “Guarantee Arrangements and Pledged Assets,” we have also been involved as a sponsor/seller of loans used to facilitate whole loan securitizations underwritten by our affiliate, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. (“HSI”). In this regard, beginning in 2005 we began acquiring residential mortgage loans, substantially all of which were originated by non-HSBC entities, that were warehoused on our balance sheet with the intent of selling them to HSI to facilitate HSI’s whole loan securitization program which was discontinued in the second half of 2007. During 2005-2007, we purchased and sold $24 billion of such loans to HSI which were subsequently securitized and sold by HSI to third parties. The outstanding principal balance on these loans was approximately $9.0 billion and $10.0 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Based on the specifics of these transactions, the obligation to repurchase loans in the event of a breach of loan level representations and warranties resides predominantly with the organization that originated the loan. Certain of these originators, however, are or may become financially impaired and, therefore, unable to fulfill their repurchase obligations.

Participants in the U.S. mortgage securitization market that purchased and repackaged whole loans have been the subject of lawsuits and governmental and regulatory investigations and inquiries, which have been directed at groups within the U.S. mortgage market, such as servicers, originators, underwriters, trustees or sponsors of securitizations, and at particular participants within these groups. As the foreclosure crisis continues, HSBC Bank

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USA has taken title to an increasing number of foreclosed homes as trustee on behalf of various securitization trusts. As record owner of these properties, HSBC Bank USA has been sued by municipalities and tenants alleging various violations of law, including laws regarding property upkeep and tenants rights. While we believe the obligations at issue and any related liabilities are properly those of the servicer of each trust, we continue to receive significant and adverse publicity in connection with these and similar matters, including foreclosures that are serviced by others in the name of “HSBC, as trustee.”

HSBC Bank USA and certain of our affiliates are currently named as defendants in a limited number of actions in connection with residential mortgage-backed securities (“RMBS”) offerings, which generally allege that the offering documents for securities issued by securitization trusts contained material misstatements and omissions, including statements regarding the underwriting standards governing the underlying mortgage loans. On September 2, 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (the “FHFA”), acting in its capacity as conservator for the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against HSBC Bank USA, HSBC USA, HSBC North America, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., HSI Asset Securitization Corporation (“HASCO”) and five former and current officers and directors of HASCO seeking damages or rescission of mortgage-backed securities purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that were either underwritten or sponsored by HSBC entities. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the securities at issue was approximately $2.0 billion at September 30, 2011. This action, captioned Federal Housing Finance Agency, as Conservator for the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation v. HSBC North America Holdings Inc. et al. (S.D.N.Y. No. CV 11-6189-LAK), is one of a series of similar actions filed against 17 financial institutions alleging violations of federal securities laws and common law in connection with the sale of residential private-label mortgage-backed securities purchased by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, primarily from 2005 to 2008. This action is at a very early stage. At this time we are unable to reasonably estimate the liability, if any, that might arise as a result of this action.

We have received three subpoenas from the SEC seeking production of documents and information relating to our involvement, and the involvement of our affiliates, in specified private-label RMBS transactions as an issuer, sponsor, underwriter, depositor, trustee or custodian as well as our involvement as a servicer. The first subpoena was received in December 2010, the second was received in February 2011 and the third was received in April 2011. We have also had preliminary contacts with other governmental authorities exploring the role of trustees in private-label RMBS transactions.

In February 2011, we also received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of New York) seeking production of documents and information relating to loss mitigation efforts with respect to HUD-insured mortgages on residential properties located in the State of New York.

We expect this level of focus will 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 litigation and governmental and regulatory scrutiny related to our participation in the U.S. mortgage securitization market, either individually or as a member of a group. We are unable to reasonably estimate the financial effect of any action or litigation relating to these matters. As situations develop, it is possible that any related claims could be significant.

22. New Accounting Pronouncements

Clarifications to Accounting for Troubled Debt Restructurings by Creditors In April 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update which provides additional guidance to assist creditors in determining whether a restructuring of a receivable meets the criteria to be considered a troubled debt restructuring (“TDR”), for purposes of the identification and reporting of troubled debt restructurings, as well as for recording impairment. In the third quarter of 2011, we adopted this Accounting Standards Update. As required, the new guidance was applied retrospectively to restructurings occurring on or after January 1, 2011 and for purposes of measuring impairment on these loans, a discounted cash flow approach was applied. As a result, we have reported an additional $64 million of receivables as TDRs at September 30, 2011, ($12 million of which relates to our discontinued credit card and private label operations) which resulted in an incremental $7 million of loan loss provision being recorded for these loans

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on a continuing operations basis during the third quarter of 2011. Credit loss reserves on this incremental TDR population on a continuing operations basis totaled $10 million at September 30, 2011.

This Accounting Standards Update also clarified the effective date for new disclosure requirements for troubled debt restructurings, which have been included in Note 7, “Receivables.”

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. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, but must be applied as of the beginning of an entity’s annual reporting period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to 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 is not expected to 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. The guidance is effective prospectively from January 1, 2012. Adoption is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

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. This Accounting Standards Update also requires reclassification adjustments between net income and other comprehensive income to be shown on the face of the statements. The new guidance is effective from January 1, 2012 with full retrospective application.

Goodwill In September 2011, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update which simplifies goodwill impairment testing. The new guidance provides entities with the option to first assess goodwill qualitatively to determine whether it is necessary to perform the required two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the two-step quantitative impairment test would not be required. An entity may, however, choose to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and move directly to the two-step impairment test. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2012. We do not expect adoption of this guidance will have a significant impact on our process for determining goodwill impairment.

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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, 2010 (the “2010 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 USA Inc. 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 was 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 USA Inc. undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent circumstances or events.

Executive Overview

HSBC USA Inc. is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (“HSBC”). HSBC USA Inc. 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 statement for further discussion of these operations.

Current Environment Weak employment growth and sluggish consumer spending have led to concerns about the prospects for the U.S. economy’s growth going forward. During the third quarter, the flow of economic data has generally come in weaker than expected and, when combined with recent revisions to gross domestic product (“GDP”) data, have served to heighten anxieties about the possibility of a double dip recession. The financial markets have become somewhat volatile once again with stock market averages down sharply across the globe as heightened risk aversion has gripped the markets. Serious threats to economic growth remain including continued pressure and uncertainty in the housing market and elevated unemployment levels. Federal Reserve policy makers currently anticipate that economic conditions are likely to warrant exceptionally low levels for the funds rate at least through mid-2013. The prolonged period of low Federal funds rates will continue to put pressure on spreads earned on our deposit base. Marketplace liquidity continues to remain ample, however, renewed European sovereign debt fears triggered by Greece and other countries as well as increased concerns regarding government spending, the budget deficit and the possibility of another economic recession continue to impact the financial markets including interest rates and spreads. During the first nine months of 2011, we continued to see home prices decline in many markets as housing prices remain under pressure due to elevated foreclosure levels. Although the pace of new foreclosures has fallen from its peak, in part due to industry-wide compliance issues, we believe further declines are necessary before substantial progress in reducing the inventory of homes occurs.

While the economy continued to add jobs during the third quarter, the pace of new job creation continues to be slow. As a result, there continues to be uncertainty as to how pronounced the economic recovery will be and whether it can be sustained. Consumer spending continues to be sluggish as high food and gas prices and a weak labor market continues to influence consumer spending. In addition, consumer confidence, which is low based on historical standards and is currently below its 12-month average, continues to decline raising questions about the continued willingness by consumers to spend in the coming months, particularly if energy prices remain high.

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U.S. unemployment rates, which have been a major factor in the deterioration of credit quality in the U.S., remained high at 9.1 percent in September 2011. 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 rates in 18 states are at or above the U.S. national average and unemployment rates in 11 states are at or above 10.0 percent. In New York, where approximately 43 percent of our loan portfolio on a continuing operations basis is concentrated, unemployment remained lower than the national average at 8.0 percent. High unemployment rates have generally been most pronounced in the markets which had previously experienced the highest appreciation in home values. 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 which continues to slow, consumer confidence, volatility in energy prices, credit market volatility and trends in corporate earnings will continue to influence the U.S. economic recovery and the capital markets. In particular, 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 these components as well as in consumer confidence may result in additional deterioration in consumer payment patterns and credit quality and the possibility of another recession. Weak consumer fundamentals including declines in wage income, wealth and a difficult job market continue to depress consumer confidence. Additionally, there is uncertainty as to the future course of monetary policy and uncertainty 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 through 2011 and beyond, the degree of which is largely dependent upon the nature and extent of the economic recovery.

Due to the significant slow-down in foreclosure processing, and in some instances, cessation of all foreclosure processing by numerous loan servicers, for some period of time there may be some reduction in the number of properties being marketed following foreclosure which may increase demand for properties currently on the market resulting in a stabilization of home prices but could also result in a larger number of vacant properties in communities creating downward pressure on general property values. As a result, the short term impact of the foreclosure processing delay is highly uncertain. However, the longer term impact is even more uncertain as servicers begin to increase foreclosure activities and market properties in large numbers which is likely to create a significant over-supply of housing inventory. This could lead to a significant increase in loss severity on REO properties, which would also adversely impact our provision for credit losses.

As a result of industry-wide compliance issues, 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 upon housing prices which is likely to result in higher loss severities while foreclosures are delayed.

Growing government indebtedness and a large budget deficit have resulted in a down grade in the U.S. sovereign debt rating by one major rating agency and two major rating agencies having 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.

2011 Regulatory Developments As previously reported, HSBC Bank USA has entered into a consent cease and desist order with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (“OCC”) (“the OCC Servicing Consent Order”) and our affiliate, HSBC Finance Corporation, and our common indirect parent, HSBC North America Holdings Inc. (“HSBC North America”), have entered into a similar consent order with the Federal Reserve Board (the “Federal Reserve”) (together with the OCC Servicing Consent Order, the “Servicing Consent Orders”) following completion

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of a broad horizontal review of industry foreclosure practices. The OCC Servicing Consent Order requires HSBC Bank USA to take prescribed actions to address the deficiencies noted in the joint examination and described in the consent order. We continue to work with our regulators to align our processes with the requirements of the Servicing Consent Orders and are implementing operational changes as required. As a result, we expect the associated costs of compliance will increase in future periods as we continue to address the requirements of the order. We expect the costs associated with the foreclosure review, customer outreach plan and complaint process and any resulting remediation will result in significant increases in our operational expenses in future periods.

HSBC Bank USA remains committed to assisting customers who are experiencing financial difficulties, and we will continue to review our policies and processes to make modification and other account management alternatives for the benefit of our customers more easily accessible to those in need of assistance. Foreclosure proceedings are only instituted when other reasonable alternatives have been exhausted and where the borrower is seriously delinquent. We also offer assistance, including financial, to those wishing to leave a property without having to go through the foreclosure process.

On June 29, 2011, the Federal Reserve voted to cap fees paid by retailers to banks for debit card purchases to a base rate of 21 cents per transaction, subject to certain adjustments. The cap was mandated as part of Dodd-Frank and will go into effect on October 1, 2011. We currently anticipate that as a result of the cap, our revenues will be reduced by approximately $12 million in 2011 and $46 million in 2012 compared to what they otherwise would have been without such cap.

Business Focus In connection with the August 2011 announcement that HSBC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries HSBC Finance, HSBC USA Inc. and other wholly-owned affiliates had entered into an agreement to sell its Card and Retail Services business, which includes both its U.S. credit card and private label operations to Capital One Financial Group (“Capital One”), we have agreed to sell our GM and UP credit card receivables as well as our private label credit card and closed-end receivables to Capital One, all of which we previously purchased from HSBC Finance. At September 30, 2011, we have classified these receivables as held for sale as a component of Assets of discontinued operations on our balance sheet. Based on balances at September 30, 2011, the total consideration for these receivables that would be allocated to us is approximately $20.0 billion and, as a result, we have recorded a lower of amortized cost or market adjustment of $159 million on these receivables in the third quarter of 2011. This fair value adjustment was largely offset by held for sale accounting adjustments in which loan impairment charges and premium amortization are no longer recorded. The sale to Capital One does not include credit card receivables associated with HSBC Bank USA’s legacy credit card program, however a portion of these receivables are being sold to First Niagara Bank N.A (“First Niagara”) and HSBC Bank USA will continue to offer credit cards to its customers. We anticipate this transaction will close during the first half of 2012. No significant costs are expected to occur as a result of exiting these portfolios.

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portfolios being sold, which were previously included in the Retail Banking and Wealth Management segment, as discontinued operations and have included these receivables in Assets of discontinued operations on our balance sheet for all periods presented.

On July 31, 2011, we announced that we had reached an agreement with First Niagara to sell 195 retail branches, including certain loans, deposits and related branch premises primarily located in upstate New York. The agreement includes the transfer of approximately $15.0 billion in deposits and $2.6 billion in loans as of September 30, 2011, as well as related branch premises, for a premium of 6.67 percent of the deposits, representing $1.0 billion based on current deposit levels which will result in a gain upon closing of the transaction, net of allocated goodwill. Branch premises will be sold for fair value and loans and other transferred assets will be sold at their book values. The all-cash transaction is expected to close in early 2012, subject to regulatory approvals, including approval by the acquirer’s regulator. As a result of this transaction, the assets and liabilities related to the branches being sold have been classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2011.

Performance, Developments and Trends We reported net income of $311 million and $873 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to a net income of $417 million and $1,271 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. As discussed above, we have agreed to sell our GM and UP credit card receivables as well as our private label credit card and closed-end receivables to Capital One and as a result, these operations are now reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. See Note 2, “Discontinued Operations,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion. The following discussion of financial performance in this MD&A excludes the results of our discontinued operations unless otherwise noted.

Income from continuing operations was $176 million and $451 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $285 million and $912 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. Income from continuing operations before income tax was $296 million and $700 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $429 million and $1.4 billion during the corresponding three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. The decrease in the three month period was driven by higher operating expenses, lower net interest income and a higher provision for credit losses which was partially offset by higher other revenues. In the year-to-date period, the decrease reflects lower net interest income, lower other revenues, a higher provision for credit losses and higher operating expenses. Our results in both periods were impacted by the change in the fair value of our own debt and the related derivatives for which we have elected fair value option and certain other non-recurring items which distort the ability to compare the underlying performance trends of our business. The following table summarizes

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the collective impact of these items on our income from continuing operations before income tax for all periods presented:


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Income from continuing operations before income tax, as reported....	$	296		$	429		$	700		$	1,376
Change in value of our own fair value option debt and related derivatives		(417	)		(54	)		(456	)		(292	)
Impairment of software development costs		-			-			94			-
Gain relating to resolution of lawsuit⁽¹⁾		-			-			-			(5	)
Gain on sale of equity interest in Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank		-			-			-			(66	)
Release of VISA litigation accrual		-			-			-			(6	)
Impairment of leasehold improvements associated with branch closures		11			-			11			-
Revenue associated with whole loan purchase settlement⁽²⁾		-			-			-			(89	)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income tax, excluding above items⁽³⁾	$	(110	)	$	375		$	349		$	918


⁽¹⁾		The proceeds of the resolution of this lawsuit were used to in 2009 to redeem 100 preferred shares held by CT Financial Services, Inc. as provided under the terms of the preferred shares. The proceeds received in 2010 represent the final judgment.

⁽²⁾		Represents loans previously purchased for resale from a third party.

⁽³⁾		Represents a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.

Excluding the collective impact of the items in the table above, our income from continuing operations before income tax for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 remained lower driven by lower other revenues, higher operating expenses, higher provisions for credit losses and lower net interest income. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we continued to reduce legacy and other risk positions as opportunities arose, including the sale of $43 million and $589 million, respectively, in leveraged acquisition finance loans, and $17 million and $179 million, respectively, in subprime residential mortgage loans, previously held for sale and throughout 2011, continued reductions in monoline counterparty exposures. Overall improvement in market conditions and reduced outstanding exposure resulted in a stabilization of valuation adjustments recorded on structured credit products, available-for-sale securities and mortgage and leveraged acquisition finance loans held for sale throughout the first half of 2011, although we did see increased volatility once again during the third quarter of 2011 as the impact of wider credit spreads driven by increased market volatility stemming in part from renewed European sovereign debt fears affected the performance of our legacy Global Banking and Markets assets. A

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summary of the significant valuation adjustments that impacted revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are presented in the following table.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Gains (Losses)
Insurance monoline structured credit products⁽¹⁾	$	(16	)	$	16		$	16		$	89
Other structured credit products⁽¹⁾		(87	)		43			39			89
Mortgage whole loans held for sale, including whole loan purchase settlement (predominantly subprime)⁽²⁾		(8	)		(5	)		(22	)		55
Other than temporary impairment on securities available-for-sale and held-to-maturity⁽³⁾		-			(4	)		-			(45	)
Leverage acquisition finance loans held for sale⁽⁴⁾		(44	)		44			(27	)		(7	)

Total	$	(155	)	$	94		$	6		$	181


⁽¹⁾		Reflected in Trading revenue in the consolidated statement of income.

⁽²⁾		Reflected in Other income in the consolidated statement of income.

⁽³⁾		Reflected in Net other-than-temporary impairment losses in the consolidated statement of income.

⁽⁴⁾		Reflected in Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives in the consolidated statement of income.

The market turmoil experienced over the past few years has created stress for certain counterparties with whom we conduct business as part of our lending and client intermediation activities. We assess, monitor and manage credit risk with formal standards, policies and procedures that are designed to ensure credit risks are assessed accurately, approved properly, monitored regularly and managed actively. Consequently, we believe any loss exposure related to counterparties with whom we conduct business has been adequately reflected in our financial statements as of September 30, 2011.

Other revenues in both periods reflect the impact of changes in value of our own debt and related derivatives for which we elected fair value option as well as several non-recurring items as presented in the first table above. Excluding the impact of all these items, other revenue decreased $294 million and $27 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, due primarily to lower trading revenue, lower other income and, in the year-to-date period, lower other fees and commissions, partially offset by higher mortgage banking revenue, higher affiliate income, higher securities gains and lower other-than-temporary impairment losses. The decrease in trading revenue reflects increased market volatility during the third quarter of 2011 which impacted the performance of our legacy global banking and markets businesses. The decrease in other income during both periods reflects lower miscellaneous income. Lower other fees and commissions in the year-to date period was driven by lower refund anticipation loan fees as we did not offer this product in 2011, partially offset by higher loan syndication fees. The increase in mortgage banking revenue in both periods reflects lower loss provisions for loan repurchase obligations associated with loans previously sold while the higher affiliate income in the three month period was driven by higher fees and commissions earned from HSBC Markets (USA) Inc. and in the year-to-date period, from HSBC Finance largely due to the transfer of certain real estate default servicing employees in July 2010. Securities gains in both periods were higher due to increased security sales for risk management purposes. See “Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of other revenues.

Net interest income was $628 million and $1.8 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to $664 million and $2.0 billion during the year-ago periods. The decrease in both periods reflects the impact of lower average loan balances and rates earned on these balances. Both periods also benefitted from a lower cost of funds on our outstanding debt, including lower overall average rates on deposits. Also contributing to the decrease in both periods was increased interest expense of $12 million and $97 million,

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respectively, relating to interest on estimated tax exposures including in the year-to-date period, both changes in estimated tax exposure as well as changes to the rate used to calculate interest on certain tax exposures. See “Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of net interest income.

Our provision for credit losses was $78 million and $171 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to a credit loss provision of $10 million and a recovery of $7 million in the year-ago periods. The increase in both periods was driven by a higher provision for credit losses in our residential mortgage loan portfolio partially offset in the three month period by lower loss estimates in our commercial loan portfolio. While residential mortgage loan credit quality continues to improve as delinquency and charge-off levels continue to decline compared to prior year periods, the prior year periods reflect a reduction in loss reserves associated with certain portfolio risk factors that did not recur in 2011. Our provision for credit losses for commercial loans decreased in the three-month period, driven by the benefit of a partial recovery of a previously charged-off loan relating to a single client relationship and lower commercial real estate and business banking charge-offs partially offset by a $35 million specific provision associated with a corporate lending relationship. In the year-to-date period, the impact of these items along with reserve reductions on troubled debt restructures in commercial real estate and middle market enterprises were more than offset by a specific provision associated with the downgrade of an individual commercial real estate loan in the second quarter of 2011. Our commercial loan provision in both 2011 and 2010 reflects managed reductions in certain exposures and improvements in the financial circumstances of several customer relationships which led to credit upgrades on certain problem credits and lower levels of nonperforming loans and criticized assets. See “Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of our provision for credit losses.

Operating expenses totaled $921 million and $2.7 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, an increase of 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively, compared to the year-ago periods. The increase was driven by increased compliance costs, increased occupancy costs and in the nine month period, increased salaries and employee benefits associated with the transfer of certain employees of HSBC Finance to our default mortgage loan servicing department in July 2010 (for which the cost is offset in other revenues) as well as the impairment of certain previously capitalized software development costs which were no longer realizable as a result of decisions made to cancel certain projects totaling $94 million. Occupancy expense in both periods includes the write-off of leasehold improvements driven by the decision to consolidate certain branch offices in Connecticut and New Jersey during the third quarter of 2011. Excluding the impact of the software impairment and the write-off of the leasehold improvements, operating expenses increased $87 million or 11 percent and $154 million or 6 percent in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 due to these factors. These increases were partially offset by lower servicing fees paid to HSBC Finance due to lower levels of receivables being serviced and, in the year-to-date period, lower tax refund anticipation loan expenses. We continue to focus attention on cost mitigation efforts in order to ensure realization of optimal cost efficiencies. As discussed above, our cost mitigation efforts to date in 2011 have been less than the increased compliance related costs associated primarily with our AML/BSA remediation activities and, to a lesser extent, our mortgage foreclosure practices remediation activities. We expect compliance-related costs will increase significantly for the remainder of 2011 and will remain elevated in 2012 as we continue to address the requirements of the regulatory consent agreements. See “Results of Operations” for a more detailed discussion of our operating expenses.

Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations was 71.16 percent during the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 60.83 percent during the year-ago quarter. Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations was 75.88 percent during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 65.24 percent during the year-ago period. Our efficiency ratio during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was impacted by the change in the fair value of our debt for which we have elected fair value option accounting. Additionally, both 2011 periods were impacted by the write-off of certain branch leasehold improvements and the nine month period ended September 30, 2011 was impacted by software development impairment charges. The deterioration in the efficiency ratio in both periods reflects higher operating expenses as discussed above, while total revenues increased marginally in the three month period and declined in the year-to-date period.

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Our effective tax rate was 39.8 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 33.6 percent in the prior year quarter. Our effective tax rate was 35.4 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to 34.2 percent in the year-ago period. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily reflects expense from foreign operations, the utilization of low income housing tax credits, the impact of state taxes and, as it relates to the nine month period, an adjustment in uncertain tax positions and the release of valuation allowance previously established on foreign tax credits. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 reflects an increased level of low income housing and other tax credits, an adjustment of uncertain tax positions and the non-deductible loss on the sale of securities. During the first quarter of 2011, HSBC North America identified an additional tax planning strategy which is expected to generate sufficient taxable foreign source income to allow us to recognize and utilize foreign tax credits currently on our balance sheet before they expire. See Note 13, “Income Taxes,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

At December 31, 2010, we consolidated a commercial paper conduit known as Bryant Park Funding LLC (“Bryant Park”) in our financial statements as we were considered to be the primary beneficiary because we had the power to direct the activities of the conduit that most significantly impact its economic performance. During the first quarter of 2011, in order to consolidate and streamline conduit administration across HSBC to reduce risk and achieve operational and capital efficiencies, we completed the assignment of a significant majority of our liquidity asset purchase agreements to HSBC Bank plc. As a result, we no longer have a controlling financial interest in Bryant Park and, beginning in March 2011, we are no longer consolidating Bryant Park. The deconsolidation of Bryant Park resulted in the removal of approximately $2.4 billion of assets from our balance sheet in March 2011 and did not have a significant financial impact on our results of operations. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities” for further discussion.

As discussed in our 2010 Form 10-K, we have been building several new retail banking platforms as part of an initiative to build common platforms across HSBC. Certain of these retail banking platforms were rolled out in 2010 and additional platforms continued to be under development. During the first quarter of 2011, we decided to cancel certain projects underway that were developing software for these new platforms and pursue alternative information technology platforms. During the second quarter of 2011, HSBC completed a comprehensive review of all platforms under development which resulted in additional projects being cancelled. As a result, we collectively recorded $94 million of impairment charges in the first half of 2011 relating to the impairment of certain previously capitalized software development costs which we determined to be no longer realizable. Development of other banking platforms continues. At September 30, 2011, $28 million of software in the process of development on projects which have not been put into service has been capitalized.

During the first quarter of 2011, we initiated a program to purchase foreign bonds and REMIC residual interests as part of a tax planning strategy to increase foreign source income. At September 30, 2011, we held an additional $4.0 billion of available-for-sale securities which were purchased as part of this program.

In August 2010, we announced to employees that we are considering strategic options for our mortgage operations, with the objective of recommending the future course of our prime mortgage lending and mortgage servicing platforms. Strategic options may include, but are not limited to, the sale or outsourcing of all, or part, of these platforms. Under all options being explored, we plan to continue offering mortgages to our customers. Our review of strategic options is continuing.

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 to our legal structure, asset levels, cost structure or product offerings in support of HSBC’s strategic priorities. In 2011, we have been reviewing the markets in which we operate in an effort to determine the optimal size and geographic spread of our branch network as we concentrate on areas with strong international connectivity, consistent with HSBC’s core strategy. As a result of this review, we have announced the sale of 195 retail branches, primarily in upstate New York, to First Niagara and have separately announced plans to consolidate an additional 13 retail branch offices in Connecticut and New Jersey. These actions complete our previously announced review of the size and geographical spread of our branch network.

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We also continue to focus on cost optimization efforts to ensure realization of cost efficiencies. During the first quarter of 2011, in an effort to create a more sustainable cost structure, we initiated a formal review 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. Cost reduction initiatives achieved to date include workforce reductions which have resulted in a reduction in total legal entity FTE’s of 6 percent since December 31, 2010, as well as reductions in marketing expense levels which have declined by approximately 35 percent through September 30, 2011. Workforce reductions are also occurring in certain non-compliance shared services functions which we expect will result in reductions to future allocated costs for these functions. This review will continue throughout 2011 and, as a result, we may incur restructuring charges in the future, the amount of which will depend on the actions that are ultimately implemented.

The financial information set forth below summarizes selected financial highlights of HSBC USA Inc. for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Income from continuing operations	$	176		$	285		$	451		$	912

Rate of return on average :
Total assets		0.34	%		0.61	%		0.30	%		0.66	%
Total common shareholder’s equity		3.84			6.95			3.34			7.93
Net interest margin to average earning assets		1.47			1.69			1.45			1.71
Efficiency ratio		71.16			60.83			75.88			65.24
Commercial loan net charge-off ratio⁽¹⁾		(.13	)		.77			.23			.97
Consumer loan net charge-off ratio⁽¹⁾		1.16			2.07			1.31			2.32


	September 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Loans:
Commercial loans	$	31,612		$	30,003
Consumer loans		17,988			19,806

Total loans	$	49,600		$	49,809

Loans held for sale	$	3,602		$	2,390

Commercial allowance as a percent of loans⁽¹⁾		1.44	%		1.74	%
Commercial two-months-and-over contractual delinquency		1.64			2.35
Consumer allowance as a percent of loans⁽¹⁾		1.63			1.66
Consumer two-months-and-over contractual delinquency		6.96			7.30
Loan-to-deposits ratio⁽²⁾		53.40			56.26
Total shareholders’ equity to total assets		8.79			9.10
Total capital to risk weighted assets		18.03			18.14
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets		12.40			11.80


⁽¹⁾		Excludes loans held for sale.

⁽²⁾		Represents period end loans, net of loss reserves, as a percentage of domestic deposits less certificate of deposits equal to or less than $100 thousand. Excluding the deposits and loans held for sale to First Niagara, the ratio was 58.91 percent at September 30, 2011.

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Loans Loans, excluding loans held for sale, were $49.6 billion at September 30, 2011 compared to $49.8 billion at December 31, 2010. The decrease in loans as compared to December 31, 2010 reflects the transfer of $2.6 billion of commercial and consumer loans related to our agreement to sell certain retail branches to loans held for sale as well as the deconsolidation of the Bryant Park commercial paper conduit which contributed $1.2 billion to outstanding commercial loans at December 31, 2010. Excluding the impact to loans from these items, commercial loans increased $3.4 billion and consumer loans increased $262 million since December 31, 2010. The increase in commercial loans was driven by new business activity, particularly in business banking and middle market enterprises and an increase in affiliate loans, including loans to HSBC Markets and its subsidiaries. These increases were partially offset by paydowns and managed reductions in certain exposures. The increase in consumer loans largely reflects modest increases in residential mortgages since year-end, largely associated with originations targeted at our Premier customer relationships. We continue to sell the majority of new residential mortgage loan originations to government sponsored enterprises. These increases were partially offset by a decline in credit card receivables reflecting an increased focus by customers to reduce outstanding credit card debt and seasonal paydowns in balances since December 31, 2010. See “Balance Sheet Review” for a more detailed discussion of the changes in loan balances.

Credit Quality Our allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans decreased to 1.51 percent at September 30, 2011 as compared to 1.71 percent at December 31, 2010. The decrease in our allowance ratio reflects a lower allowance for credit losses on most of our loan portfolios due to improved credit quality, including lower dollars of delinquency and charge-offs and improvements in economic conditions compared to the prior year. This was partially offset by a higher allowance as a percentage of loans in our residential mortgage loan portfolio primarily due to higher levels of troubled debt restructures.

Our consumer two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio as a percentage of loans and loans held for sale (“delinquency ratio”) on a continuing operations basis decreased to 6.96 percent at September 30, 2011 as compared to 7.30 percent at December 31, 2010 driven by lower dollars of delinquency in our residential mortgage loan portfolio. Dollars of delinquency also decreased in our credit card portfolio due to improved credit quality and the continued focus by consumers to pay down debt. See “Credit Quality” for a more detailed discussion of the decrease in our delinquency ratios.

Net charge-offs as a percentage of average loans (“net charge-off ratio”) for the three months ended September 30, 2011 on a continuing operations basis decreased 89 basis points compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to lower residential mortgage and commercial loan charge-offs driven by improved credit quality and as it relates to our residential mortgage loan portfolio, partially offset by the impact from continued high unemployment levels. Net charge-off dollars for our commercial loan portfolio in the current quarter also reflect a partial recovery of a previously charged-off loan. See “Credit Quality” for a more detailed discussion of the decrease in net charge-offs and the net charge-off ratio.

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Performance of our Discontinued Operations The financial information set forth below summarizes the financial results of our discontinued operations, which includes our GM and UP credit card portfolios and our private label credit card and closed-end receivable portfolios which we have agreed to sell to Capital One as well as our banknotes business, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 and as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Interest income	$	519		$	533		$	1,437		$	1,751
Interest expense		61			106			199			360

Net interest income		458			427			1,238			1,391
Provision for credit losses		106			235			404			919

Net interest income after provision for credit losses		352			192			834			472
Other revenues		28			218			350			686
Operating expenses		169			199			531			596

Income from discontinued operations before income tax	$	211		$	211		$	653		$	562

Net interest margin to average earning assets		9.23	%		7.33	%		7.87	%		7.39	%
Efficiency ratio		34.77			30.85			33.44			27.06


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Loans of discontinued operations	$	19,982	$	21,942

Income from discontinued operations was flat during the three month period but increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the year-ago periods primarily due to lower provisions for credit losses and lower operating expenses, partially offset by lower other revenues and in the nine month period, lower net interest income.

Lower net interest income for discontinued operations in the nine month period reflects the impact of lower average outstanding private label and credit card loans and lower overall yields due to higher premium amortization and the implementation of certain provisions of the CARD Act including restrictions impacting re-pricing of delinquent accounts and periodic re-evaluation of rate increases. These decreases were partially offset by lower charge-offs of credit card and private label card interest driven by lower outstanding balances and improved delinquencies, higher finance charges from the GM and UP portfolios previously recorded at fair value upon acquisition, which continue to decline and be replaced with new volume and a lower cost of funds on credit cards and private label cards due to a lower short-term interest rate environment. In the three month period, higher net interest income reflects lower interest expense due to a lower cost of funds.

The provision for credit losses related to discontinued operations decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to lower receivable levels and improved credit quality including lower delinquency levels as well as an increased focus by consumers to reduce outstanding credit card debt. Also contributing to the decrease was the classification of the GM and UP credit card receivables and the private label credit card and closed-end receivables as held for sale in August 2011, which results in provision for credit losses no longer being recognized for these loans.

Other revenues for our discontinued operations decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 due primarily to a $159 million lower of amortized cost or fair value adjustment in the third quarter of 2011 to the credit card and private label card receivables as well as lower receivable levels as a result of fewer active customer accounts, changes in customer behavior, improved delinquency levels and the implementation of certain

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provisions of the CARD Act subsequent to January 2010. The CARD Act has resulted in significant decreases in overlimit fees as customers must now opt-in for such fees, restrictions on fees charged to process on-line and telephone payments and lower late fees due to limits on fees that can be assessed all of which are considered in determining the purchase price of the receivables purchased daily from HSBC Finance. Also contributing to the decrease in both periods were higher revenue share payments due to improved cash flows and renegotiation of certain merchant agreements since March 2010.

Operating expense for our discontinued operations decreased largely as a result of lower charges from HSBC Finance due to lower levels of receivables being serviced.

Loans of discontinued operations, net totaled $20.0 billion at September 30, 2011 compared to $21.9 billion at December 31, 2010. The decrease since year-end is largely due to a decline in credit card and private label receivables as a result of fewer active customer accounts, an increased focus by consumers to reduce outstanding credit card debt and seasonal paydowns in balances since December 31, 2010.

Funding and Capital Capital amounts and ratios are calculated in accordance with current banking regulations. Our Tier 1 capital ratio was 12.40 percent and 11.80 percent at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Our capital levels remain well above levels established by current banking regulations as “well capitalized.” We received no cash capital contributions from our immediate parent, HSBC North America Inc. (“HNAI”) during the first nine months of 2011.

As part of the regulatory approvals with respect to the affiliate receivable purchases completed in January 2009, HSBC Bank USA and HSBC made certain additional capital commitments to ensure that HSBC Bank USA holds sufficient capital with respect to the purchased receivables that are or may become “low-quality assets,” as defined by the Federal Reserve Act. These capital requirements, which require a risk-based capital charge of 100 percent for each “low-quality asset” transferred or arising in the purchased portfolios rather than a typical eight percent capital charge applied to similar assets that are not part of the transferred portfolios, are applied both for purposes of satisfying the terms of the commitments and for purposes of measuring and reporting HSBC Bank USA’s risk-based capital and related ratios. This treatment applies as long as the low-quality assets are owned by HSBC Bank USA. During the third quarter of 2011, HSBC Bank USA sold low-quality credit card receivables with a net book value of approximately $230 million to a non-bank subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc. to reduce the capital requirement associated with these assets. At September 30, 2011, the remaining purchased receivables subject to this requirement totaled $1.7 billion, of which $3 million held by HSBC Bank USA were considered low-quality assets. These receivables will be sold to Capital One as part of the previously discussed sale which is expected to close in the first half of 2012. We have exceeded the minimum capital ratios required at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

As discussed in previous filings, HSBC North America is required to implement Basel II provisions in accordance with current regulatory timelines. While HSBC USA Inc. will not report separately under the new rules, HSBC Bank USA will report under the new rules on a stand-alone basis. Prior to adoption of Basel II, we are required to successfully complete a parallel run by measuring regulatory capital under both the new regulatory capital rules and the existing general risk-based rules for a period of at least four quarters. Successful completion of the parallel run period requires the approval of U.S. regulators. We began the parallel run period in January 2010 which encompasses enhancements to a number of risk policies, processes and systems to align HSBC Bank USA with the Basel II final rule requirements. We are uncertain as to when we will receive approval from our primary regulator. Regulatory approval may not occur until 2012. We have integrated Basel II metrics into our management reporting and decision making process.

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Income Before Income Tax Expense – Significant Trends Income from continuing operations before income tax expense, and various trends and activity affecting operations, are summarized in the following table.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Income from continuing operations before income tax from prior year	$	429		$	116		$	1,376		$	(107	)
Increase (decrease) in income before income tax attributable to:
Balance sheet management activities⁽¹⁾		(76	)		117			(46	)		(303	)
Trading revenue (loss)⁽²⁾		(213	)		(178	)		(95	)		146
Credit card fees⁽³⁾		(2	)		2			2			6
Loans held for sale⁽⁴⁾		(4	)		35			(84	)		251
Residential mortgage banking related revenue⁽⁵⁾		31			(4	)		169			(245	)
Gain (loss) on own debt designated at fair value and related derivatives⁽⁶⁾		363			97			164			729
Gain (loss) on instruments at fair value and related derivatives, excluding own debt⁽⁶⁾		(73	)		(52	)		(41	)		(211	)
Provision for credit losses⁽⁷⁾		(68	)		453			(178	)		1,326
Interest expense on certain tax exposures⁽⁸⁾		(12	)		-			(97	)		-
All other activity⁽⁹⁾		(79	)		(157	)		(470	)		(216	)

Income from continuing operations before income tax for current period	$	296		$	429		$	700		$	1,376


⁽¹⁾		Balance sheet management activities are comprised primarily of net interest income and, to a lesser extent, gains or losses on sales of investments, resulting from management of interest rate risk associated with the repricing characteristics of balance sheet assets and liabilities. For additional discussion regarding Global Banking and Markets net interest income, trading revenues, and the Global Banking and Markets business segment see the caption “Business Segments” section in this MD&A.

⁽²⁾		For additional discussion regarding trading revenue, see the caption “Results of Operations” in this MD&A.

⁽³⁾		For additional discussion regarding credit card fees, see the caption “Results of Operations” in this MD&A.

⁽⁴⁾		For additional discussion regarding loans held for sale, see the caption “Balance Sheet Revenue” in this MD&A.

⁽⁵⁾		For additional discussion regarding residential mortgage banking revenue, see the caption “Results of Operations” in this MD&A.

⁽⁶⁾		For additional discussion regarding fair value option and fair value measurement, see Note 12, “Fair Value Option,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

⁽⁷⁾		For additional discussion regarding provision for credit losses, see the caption “Results of Operations” in this MD&A.

⁽⁸⁾		For additional discussion regarding interest expense on certain tax exposures, see Note 13, “Income Taxes,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

⁽⁹⁾		Represents other banking activities, including the impact of certain non-recurring items such as the impaired software development costs in 2011 and in 2010, the gain on the sale of Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank and the whole loan repurchase settlement.

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.

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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:

International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) Because HSBC reports results in accordance with 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). The following table reconciles our net income on a U.S. GAAP basis to net income on an IFRSs basis.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010

	(in millions)

Net income – U.S. GAAP basis	$	311		$	417		$	873		$	1,271
Adjustments, net of tax:
Reclassification of financial assets		39			(63	)		14			(42	)
Securities		(1	)		(11	)		9			82
Derivatives		3			6			7			9
Loan impairment		4			4			7			13
Property		(5	)		(4	)		(21	)		28
Pension costs		14			8			13			69
Purchased loan portfolios		5			(13	)		(16	)		(40	)
Servicing assets		4			(2	)		2			4
Return of capital		-			-			-			(3	)
Interest recognition		(1	)		-			(2	)		-
Release of tax valuation allowances		(13	)		-			13			-
Gain on sale of auto finance loans		-			26			-			26
Other		(8	)		(5	)		(3	)		17

Net profit – IFRSs basis		352			363			896			1,434
Tax provision – IFRSs basis		(211	)		(191	)		(480	)		(746	)

Profit before tax – IFRSs basis	$	563		$	554		$	1,376		$	2,180

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

Reclassification of financial assets – Certain securities were reclassified from “trading assets” to “loans and receivables” under IFRSs as of July 1, 2008 pursuant to an amendment to IAS 39, “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement” (“IAS 39”), and are no longer marked to market under IFRSs. In November 2008, additional securities were similarly transferred to loans and receivables. These securities continue to be classified as “trading assets” under U.S. GAAP.

Additionally, certain Leverage Acquisition Finance (“LAF”) loans were classified as “Trading Assets” for IFRSs and to be consistent, an irrevocable fair value option was elected on these loans under U.S. GAAP on January 1, 2008. These loans were reclassified to “loans and advances” as of July 1, 2008 pursuant to the IAS 39 amendment discussed above. Under U.S. GAAP, these loans are classified as “held for sale” and carried at fair value due to the irrevocable nature of the fair value option.

Securities – Under U.S. GAAP, the credit loss component of an other-than-temporary impairment of a debt security is recognized in earnings while the remaining portion of the impairment loss is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) provided we have concluded we do not intend to sell the security and it is more-likely-than-not that we will not have to sell the security prior to recovery. Under IFRSs, there is no bifurcation of other-than-temporary impairment and the entire amount is recognized in earnings. Also under IFRSs, recoveries in

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other-than-temporary impairment related to improvement in the underlying credit characteristics of the investment are recognized immediately in earnings while under U.S. GAAP, they are amortized to income over the remaining life of the security. There are also less significant differences in measuring other-than-temporary impairment under IFRSs versus U.S. GAAP.

Under IFRSs, securities include HSBC shares held for stock plans at fair value. These shares held for stock plans 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 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. The additional shares are not recorded under U.S. GAAP.

Derivatives – Effective January 1, 2008, U.S. GAAP removed the observability requirement of valuation inputs to allow up-front recognition of the difference between transaction price and fair value in the consolidated statement of income. Under IFRSs, recognition is permissible only if the inputs used in calculating fair value are based on observable inputs. If the inputs are not observable, profit and loss is deferred and is recognized (1) over the period of contract, (2) when the data becomes observable, or (3) when the contract is settled.

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 secure 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 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 loans balance net of impairment allowances, and therefore reflects the collectibility of the loans.

Property – The sale of our 452 Fifth Avenue property, including the 1 W. 39th Street building in April 2010, resulted in the recognition of a gain under IFRSs while under US GAAP, such gain is deferred and recognized over ten years due to our continuing involvement.

Pension 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 the projected benefit obligation or fair value of plan assets beyond the 10 percent “corridor.” In 2011, amounts reflect a pension curtailment gain relating to the branch sales as under IFRSs recognition occurs when “demonstrably committed to the transaction” as compared to U.S. GAAP when recognition occurs when the transaction is completed. Furthermore, in 2010, changes to future accruals for legacy participants under the HSBC North America Pension Plan were accounted for as a plan curtailment under IFRSs, which resulted in immediate income recognition. Under US GAAP, these changes were considered to be a negative plan amendment which resulted in no immediate income recognition.

Purchased loan portfolios – Under U.S. GAAP, purchased loans for which there has been evidence of credit deterioration at the time of acquisition are recorded at an amount based on the net cash flows expected to be collected. This generally results in only a portion of the loans in the acquired portfolio being recorded at fair value. Under IFRSs, the entire purchased portfolio is recorded at fair value. When recording purchased loans at fair value, the difference between all estimated future cash collections and the purchase price paid is recognized into income using the effective interest method. An allowance for loan loss is not established unless the original estimate of expected future cash collections declines.

Servicing assets – Under IAS 38, servicing assets are initially recorded on the balance sheet at cost and amortized over the projected life of the assets. Servicing assets are periodically tested for impairment with impairment

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adjustments charged against current earnings. Under U.S. GAAP, we generally record servicing assets on the balance sheet at fair value. Subsequent adjustments to fair value are generally reflected in current period earnings.

Return of capital – Reflects payments to CT Financial Services, Inc. in connection with the resolution of a lawsuit which for IFRSs was treated as the satisfaction of a liability and not as revenue and a subsequent capital transaction as was the case under U.S. GAAP.

Interest recognition – The calculation of effective interest rates under IAS 39 requires an estimate of “all 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 interest 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.

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

Uncertain tax positions – Under U.S. GAAP, developments regarding uncertain tax positions that occur after the balance sheet date but before issuance of the financial statements are considered to be an unrecognized subsequent event for which no impact is recorded in the current period. Under IFRSs, financial statements are adjusted to reflect a material event that occurs after the end of the reporting period but before the financial statements are authorized for issuance if the event provides additional evidences relating to conditions that existed at the end of the reporting period.

Other – Other includes the net impact of certain adjustments which represent differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs that were not individually material, including deferred loan origination costs and fees, discounting repurchase liabilities on sold loans, restructuring costs, legal accruals, depreciation expense and loans held for sale.

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Balance Sheet Review

We utilize deposits and borrowings from various sources to provide liquidity, fund balance sheet growth, meet cash and capital needs, and fund investments in subsidiaries. Balance sheet totals at September 30, 2011 and increases (decreases) over prior periods, are summarized in the table below.


			Increase (Decrease) from
	September 30,		June 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
	2011		Amount			%			Amount			%

			(dollars are in millions)

Period end assets:
Short-term investments	$	27,971	$	(8,400	)		(23.1	)%	$	9,957			55.3	%
Loans, net		48,851		(37	)		-			(106	)		(0.2	)
Loans held for sale		3,602		2,259			100+			1,212			50.7
Trading assets		40,443		6,007			17.4			8,041			24.8
Securities		54,881		8,036			17.2			6,168			12.7
Other assets		33,518		1,623			5.1			181			.5

	$	209,266	$	9,488			4.7	%	$	25,453			13.8	%

Funding sources:
Total deposits	$	132,841	$	2,186			1.7	%	$	12,223			10.1	%
Trading liabilities		13,024		63			.5			2,496			23.7
Short-term borrowings		19,131		5,468			40.0			3,944			26.0
All other liabilities		7,283		1,575			26.7			3,616			98.6
Long-term debt		18,585		(646	)		(3.4	)		1,505			8.8
Shareholders’ equity		18,402		842			4.8			1,669			10.0

	$	209,266	$	9,488			4.7	%	$	25,453			13.8	%

Short-Term Investments Short-term investments include cash and due from banks, interest bearing deposits with banks, federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements. Balances will fluctuate between periods depending upon our liquidity position at the time. Increases since December 31, 2010 reflect increased liquidity driven by higher deposit levels. Compared with June 30, 2011, some of that liquidity has been redeployed into investment securities.

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Loans, Net Loan balances at September 30, 2011 and increases (decreases) over prior periods, are summarized in the table below:


			Increase (Decrease) from
	September 30,		June 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
	2011		Amount			%			Amount			%

			(dollars are in millions)

Commercial loans:
Construction and other real estate	$	7,773	$	(118	)		(1.5	)%	$	(455	)		(5.5	)%
Business banking and middle market enterprises		9,752		1,510			18.3			1,807			22.7
Large corporate		11,164		561			5.3			419			3.9
Other commercial loans		2,923		(156	)		(5.1	)		(162	)		(5.3	)

Total commercial loans		31,612		1,797			6.0			1,609			5.4

Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages, excluding home equity mortgages		13,842		(258	)		(1.8	)		145			1.1
Home equity mortgages		2,618		(989	)		(27.4	)		(1,202	)		(31.5	)

Total residential mortgages		16,460		(1,247	)		(7.0	)		(1,057	)		(6.0	)
Credit Card		788		(399	)		(33.6	)		(462	)		(37.0	)
Other consumer		740		(185	)		(20.0	)		(299	)		(28.8	)

Total consumer loans		17,988		(1,831	)		(9.2	)		(1,818	)		(9.2	)

Total loans		49,600		(34	)		(0.1	)		(209	)		(0.4	)
Allowance for credit losses		749		3			0.4			(103	)		(12.1	)

Loans, net	$	48,851	$	(37	)		(0.1	)%	$	(106	)		(0.2	)%

Commercial loan balances at September 30, 2011 reflect the transfer of $539 million of commercial loans to held for sale during the third quarter of 2011 as part of our agreement to sell certain retail branches and related loans to First Niagara. In addition, commercial loan balances at December 31, 2010 reflect $1.2 billion of loans relating to the Bryant Park commercial paper conduit which we deconsolidated in March, 2011. Excluding the impact of these items, commercial loan balances increased $3.4 billion since December 31, 2010, driven by new business activity, particularly in business banking and middle market enterprises as well as an increase in affiliate loans, including loans to HSBC Markets and its subsidiaries. These increases were partially offset by paydowns and managed reductions in certain exposures. Excluding the impact of the transfer of $539 million of loans to held for sale, commercial loans increased $2.3 billion since June 30, 2011, driven largely by new business activity.

Residential mortgage loans have decreased since June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 primarily due to the transfer of $1.5 billion of residential mortgage loans to loans held for sale in the third quarter of 2011 as a result of our previously discussed agreement to sell certain retail branches and related loans. Excluding the impact of the transfer of loans to loans held for sale, residential mortgage loans were relatively flat compared to the prior quarter and increased modestly from year-end. The balances reflect increases to the portfolio associated with originations targeted at our Premier customer relationships. As a result of balance sheet initiatives to manage interest rate risk and improve the structural liquidity of HSBC Bank USA, we continue to sell a majority of our new residential loan originations through the secondary markets.

As previously discussed, real estate markets in a large portion of the United States have been and continue to be affected by stagnation or declines in property values. As such, the loan-to-value (“LTV”) ratios for our mortgage

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loan portfolio have generally deteriorated since origination. Refreshed loan-to-value ratios for our mortgage loan portfolio, excluding subprime residential mortgage loans held for sale, are presented in the table below.


	Refreshed LTVs⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾						Refreshed LTVs⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾
	at September 30, 2011						at December 31, 2010
	First Lien			Second Lien			First Lien			Second Lien


LTV < 80%		74.1	%		60.7	%		75.1	%		64.1	%
80% £ LTV < 90%		11.5			12.1			11.9			13.5
90% £ LTV < 100%		6.7			10.5			6.8			9.8
LTV ³ 100%		7.7			16.7			6.2			12.6
Average LTV for portfolio		67.3	%		76.8	%		67.1	%		73.6	%


⁽¹⁾		Refreshed LTVs for first liens are calculated using the loan balance as of the reporting date. Refreshed LTVs for second liens are calculated using the loan balance as of the reporting date plus the senior lien amount at origination. Current estimated property values are derived from the property’s appraised value at the time of loan 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 which end in foreclosure may be significantly lower than the estimates used for purposes of this disclosure.

⁽²⁾		Current 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. Therefore, the information in the table above reflects current estimated property values using HPIs as of June 30, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.

Credit card receivable balances, which represents our legacy HSBC Bank USA credit card portfolio, decreased compared to both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 driven by the transfer of $415 million of credit card receivables to loans held for sale in the third quarter of 2011 as a result of our agreement to sell certain branches and related loans to First Niagara and, as it relates to December 31, 2010, an increased focus by customers to reduce outstanding credit card debt and seasonal pay downs in credit card debt.

Other consumer loans have decreased primarily due to the transfer of $170 million of loans to loans held for sale during the third quarter of 2011 as a result of our agreement to sell certain branches and related loans to First Niagara as well as the discontinuation of student loan originations and the run-off of our installment loan portfolio.

Loans Held for Sale Loans held for sale at September 30, 2011 and increases (decreases) over prior periods, are summarized in the table below.


			Increase (Decrease) from
	September 30,		June 30, 2011					December 31, 2010
	2011		Amount		%			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Total commercial loans	$	934	$	194		26.2	%	$	(422	)		(31.1	)%
Consumer loans:
Residential mortgages		2,012		1,483		100+			1,058			100+
Credit card receivables		415		415		-			415			-
Other consumer		241		167		100+			161			100+

Total consumer loans		2,668		2,065		100+			1,634			100+

Total loans held for sale	$	3,602	$	2,259		100+	%	$	1,212			50.7	%

Included in loans held for sale at September 30, 2011 are $2.6 billion on loans that are being sold as part of our agreement to sell certain branches. Included in this amount are $539 million of commercial loans, $1.5 billion of residential mortgages, $415 million of credit card receivables and $170 million of other consumer loans.

We originate commercial loans in connection with our participation in a number of leveraged acquisition finance syndicates. A substantial majority of these loans were originated with the intent of selling them to unaffiliated third

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parties and are classified as commercial loans held for sale. Commercial loans held for sale under this program were $362 million, $456 million and $1.0 billion at September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, all of which are recorded at fair value as we have elected to designate these loans under fair value option. Commercial loan balances under this program decreased compared to both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 due to loan sales. In addition beginning in 2010, we provided loans to third parties which are classified as commercial loans held for sale and for which we also elected to apply fair value option. The fair value of commercial loans held for sale under this program was $3 million at September 30, 2011 and $273 million at both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. See Note 12, “Fair Value Option,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for further information.

Residential mortgage loans held for sale include subprime residential mortgage loans of $212 million, $229 million and $391 million at September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which were acquired from unaffiliated third parties and from HSBC Finance with the intent of securitizing or selling the loans to third parties. Also included in residential mortgage loans held for sale are first mortgage loans originated and held for sale primarily to various government sponsored enterprises. We retained the servicing rights in relation to the mortgages upon sale. Balances declined throughout 2011 due to sales. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, we sold subprime residential mortgage loans with a carrying amount of $17 million and $179 million, respectively.

In addition to the transfer of $170 million of loans to held for sale in the third quarter of 2011 discussed above, other consumer loans held for sale in all periods also consists of student loans which we no longer originate.

Consumer loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. While the carrying amount of loans held for sale continued to exceed fair value at September 30, 2011 and thus required a valuation reserve to be recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the loans to fair value, we experienced a decrease in the valuation allowance during the first nine months of 2011 primarily due to lower balances driven by loan sales.

Trading Assets and Liabilities Trading assets and liabilities balances at September 30, 2011 and increases (decreases) over prior periods, are summarized in the table below.


			Increase (Decrease) from
	September 30,		June 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
	2011		Amount			%			Amount		%

	(dollars are in millions)

Trading assets:
Securities⁽¹⁾	$	14,711	$	2,416			19.7	%	$	5,046		52.2	%
Precious metals		17,035		1,081			6.8			310		1.9
Derivatives⁽²⁾		8,697		2,510			40.6			2,685		44.7

	$	40,443	$	6,007			17.4	%	$	8,041		24.8	%

Trading liabilities:
Securities sold, not yet purchased	$	487	$	(10	)		(2.0	)%	$	275		100+	%
Payable for precious metals		6,704		(482	)		(6.7	)		1,378		25.9
Derivatives⁽³⁾		5,833		555			10.5			843		16.9

	$	13,024	$	63			.5	%	$	2,496		23.7	%


⁽¹⁾		Includes U.S. Treasury securities, securities issued by U.S. Government agencies and U.S. Government sponsored enterprises, other asset-backed securities, corporate bonds and debt securities. There were no foreign debt securities issued by the governments of Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece or Spain.

⁽²⁾		At September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of derivatives included in trading assets has been reduced by $5 billion, $3.5 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the obligation to return cash collateral received under master netting agreements with derivative counterparties.

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⁽³⁾		At September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the fair value of derivatives included in trading liabilities has been reduced by $8.1 billion, $6.2 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, relating to amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral paid under master netting agreements with derivative.

Securities balances increased since June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 due to changes in Treasury and emerging markets positions related to hedges for derivative positions in both the interest rate and emerging market trading portfolio. Securities sold not yet purchased was relatively flat compared to June 30, 2011 but increased since December 31, 2010. The increase since December 31, 2010 is due to an increase in short Treasury positions related to hedges for derivative positions in the interest rate trading portfolio.

Precious metals trading assets increased at September 30, 2011 as compared to both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The increase since June 30, 2011 reflects an increase in inventory to facilitate the physical business of the metals trading desk and higher gold prices, which more than offset a reduction in client balances and lower silver prices while the increase since December 31, 2010 primarily reflecting an increase in client balances held as well as higher gold prices. The lower payable for precious metals compared to June 30, 2011 reflects a reduction in client balances, while the higher payable for precious metals compared to December 31, 2010 was primarily due to an increase in client balances, including higher gold prices.

Derivative assets and liabilities balances as compared to June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were impacted by market movements as valuations of credit derivatives increased from spread widening and increased value in foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives. This was partially offset by the continued decrease in credit derivative positions as a number of transactions unwind and commutations reduced the outstanding market value as management continues to actively reduce exposure.

Deposits Deposit balances by major depositor categories at September 30, 2011 and increases (decreases) over prior periods are summarized in the table below.


			Increase (Decrease) from
	September 30,		June 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
	2011		Amount			%			Amount			%

			(dollars are in millions)

Individuals, partnerships and corporations	$	100,848	$	(7,189	)		(6.7	)%	$	(3,107	)		(3.0	)%
Domestic and foreign banks		13,200		(2,356	)		(15.1	)		1,288			10.8
U.S. Government, states and political subdivisions		1,401		(2,179	)		(60.9	)		(2,892	)		(67.4	)
Foreign governments and official institutions		2,440		(1,046	)		(30.0	)		1,982			100+
Deposits held for sale⁽¹⁾		14,952		14,952			100.0			14,952			100.0

Total deposits	$	132,841	$	2,182			1.7	%	$	12,223			10.1	%

Total core deposits⁽²⁾	$	99,630	$	5,354			5.7	%	$	8,659			9.5	%


⁽¹⁾		Represents deposits we have agreed to sell to First Niagara

⁽²⁾		We monitor “core deposits” as a key measure for assessing results of our core banking network. Core deposits generally include all domestic demand, money market and other savings accounts, as well as time deposits with balances not exceeding $100,000. Balances at September 30, 2011 include deposits held for sale.

Deposits continued to be our primary source of funding during the first nine months of 2011. Deposits at September 30, 2011 have increased compared to both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Deposits have increased significantly since December 31, 2010 as higher deposits from affiliates, increases in foreign-placed deposits and growth in branch-based deposit products driven primarily by our Premier strategy was partially offset by our efforts to manage down low-margin wholesale deposits in order to maximize profitability. Our relative liquidity strength has also allowed us to lower rates in conjunction with our competition on several low margin deposit products. The increase in deposits since June 30, 2011 relates primarily due to an increase in deposits from government and commercial clients. Deposits held for sale at September 30, 2011 represent deposits related to our agreement to sell certain retail branches. Core domestic deposits, which are a substantial source of our core

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liquidity, increased during the first nine months of 2011 driven by continuing growth in our Premier balances and increases in institutional transaction account balances.

The strategy for our core retail banking business, includes building deposits and wealth management across multiple markets, channels and segments. This strategy includes various initiatives, such as:


	•	HSBC Premier, HSBC’s global banking service that offers internationally minded mass affluent customers unique international services seamlessly delivered through HSBC’s global network coupled with a premium local service with a dedicated premier relationship manager; and

	•	Deepening our existing customer relationships by needs-based sales of wealth, banking and mortgage products.

Short-Term Borrowings Balances at September 30, 2011 increased as compared to both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, driven by increased levels of securities sold under agreements to repurchase. The increase since December 31, 2010 was partially offset by the deconsolidation of the Bryant Park commercial paper conduit during the first quarter of 2011 which held $3.0 billion of commercial paper at December 31, 2010.

Long-Term Debt Long-term debt at September 30, 2011 increased as compared to December 31, 2010, primarily due to the issuance of $3.0 billion of long-term debt to HSBC North America Holdings Inc. in April 2011 in anticipation of long-term debt maturities in the second half of 2011, partially offset by the impact of long-term debt retirements and continued focus on deposit gathering activities. Compared to June 30, 2011, long-term debt decreased reflecting debt maturities.

Incremental issuances from the $40.0 billion HSBC Bank USA Global Bank Note Program totaled $179 million and $503 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively compared to $1.5 billion and $1.8 billion during the year-ago periods. Total debt outstanding under this program was $4.9 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Incremental long-term debt issuances from our shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission totaled $504 million and $1.6 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively compared to $1.1 billion and $2.1 billion during the year-ago periods. Total long-term debt outstanding under this shelf was $5.8 billion and $6.5 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.

Borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (“FHLB”) totaled $1.0 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. At September 30, 2011, we had the ability to access further borrowings of up to $4.1 billion based on the amount pledged as collateral with the FHLB.

During the third quarter of 2011, we notified the holders of our outstanding Putable Capital Notes with an aggregate principal amount of $129 million (the “Notes”) that, pursuant to the terms of the Notes, we have elected to revoke the obligation to exchange capital securities for the Notes and will redeem the Notes in full on or about January 27, 2012.

We have entered into transactions with VIEs organized by HSBC affiliates and unrelated third parties. We are the primary beneficiary of certain of these VIEs under the applicable accounting literature and, accordingly, we have consolidated the assets and the debt of these VIEs. Debt obligations of VIEs totaling $3.0 billion and $55 million were included in short-term borrowings and long-term debt, respectively, at December 31, 2010. The decrease in short-term borrowings since December 31, 2010 reflects the deconsolidation in the first quarter of 2011 of Bryant Park. See Note 18, “Variable Interest Entities,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding VIE arrangements.

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Real Estate Owned

We obtain real estate by taking possession of the collateral pledged as security for residential mortgage loans. REO properties are made available for sale in an orderly fashion with the proceeds used to reduce or repay the outstanding receivable balance. The following table provides quarterly information regarding our REO properties:


	Three Months Ended
	September 30, 2011			June 30, 2011			March 31, 2011


Number of REO properties at end of period		275			436			607
Number of properties added to REO inventory in the period		57			122			265
Average loss on sale of REO properties⁽¹⁾		2.3	%		1.5	%		5.9	%
Average total loss on foreclosed properties⁽²⁾		57.5	%		41.7	%		45.9	%
Average time to sell REO properties (in days)		267			220			213


⁽¹⁾		Property acquired through foreclosure is initially recognized at the lower of amortized cost or its fair value 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 reimburseable 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 reimburseable from the cash proceeds (e.g., real estate tax advances) and were incurred prior to our taking title to the property.

As previously reported, beginning in late 2010, we suspended all new foreclosure proceedings and in early 2011 suspended foreclosures where judgment had not yet been entered while we enhanced foreclosure documentation and processes for foreclosure and re-filed affidavits where necessary. During the first, second and third quarters of 2011, we added 265 properties, 122 properties and 57 properties, respectively, to REO inventory which reflects loans for which we had either accepted the deed to the property in lieu of payment or for which we received a foreclosure judgment prior to the suspension of foreclosures. We expect the number of REO properties added to inventory on a quarterly basis to remain low through the remainder of 2011 as the impact of our earlier decision to suspend foreclosure proceedings continues to become reflected in our reported numbers.

The number of REO properties at September 30, 2011 decreased as compared to June 30, 2011 and March 31, 2011 driven by the temporary suspension of foreclosures as previously discussed above as well as continuing sales of REO properties during the current quarter. As discussed above, we expect REO properties to continue to decrease in the near term as a result of our earlier decision to suspend foreclosures. We have resumed foreclosure activities to some extent in 35 states related to foreclosure activities we suspended where judgment had not yet been entered. We have not yet begun initiating new foreclosure activities. It will be a number of months before we resume all foreclosure activities in all states as we need to ensure we are satisfied that applicable enhanced processes have been implemented and it will take time to work through the backlog in each state. As a result of industry-wide compliance issues, certain courts and state legislatures have issued new rules or statutes relating to foreclosures. Scrutiny of foreclosure documentation has increased. 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 upon housing prices which is likely to result in higher loss severities while foreclosures are delayed.

Results of Operations

Net Interest Income Net interest income is the total interest income on earning assets less the total interest expense on deposits, borrowed funds and estimated tax exposures. In the discussion that follows, interest income and rates

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are presented and analyzed on a taxable equivalent basis to permit comparisons of yields on tax-exempt and taxable assets. An analysis of consolidated average balances and interest rates on a taxable equivalent basis is presented in this MD&A under the caption “Consolidated Average Balances and Interest Rates.”

In the following table which summarizes the significant components of net interest margin, interest expense includes $61 million and $199 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $94 million and $306 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, 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 these transactions.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010


Yield on total earning assets		2.21	%		2.58	%		2.29	%		2.59	%
Rate paid on interest bearing liabilities		0.79			0.92			0.92			0.91

Interest rate spread		1.42			1.66			1.37			1.68
Benefit from net non-interest earning or paying funds		0.05			0.03			0.08			0.03

Net interest margin to earning assets⁽¹⁾		1.47	%		1.69	%		1.45	%		1.71	%


⁽¹⁾		Selected financial ratios are defined in the Glossary of Terms in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Significant trends affecting the comparability of net interest income and interest rate spread for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are summarized in the following table. Net interest income in the table is presented on a taxable equivalent basis.


	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2011						September 30, 2011
				Interest Rate						Interest Rate
	Amount			Spread			Amount			Spread

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income/interest rate spread from prior year	$	575			1.66	%	$	1,742			1.68	%
Increase (decrease) in net interest income associated with:
Trading related activities		24						63
Balance sheet management activities⁽¹⁾		(8	)					(18	)
Credit card portfolio		(35	)					(117	)
Commercial loans		36						18
Deposits		14						87
Residential mortgage banking		8						15
Interest on estimated tax exposures		(12	)					(97	)
Other activity		(33	)					(53	)

Net interest income/interest rate spread for current year	$	574			1.42	%	$	1,640			1.37	%


⁽¹⁾		Represents our activities to manage interest rate risk associated with the repricing characteristics of balance sheet assets and liabilities. Interest rate risk, and our approach to manage such risk, are described under the caption “Risk Management” in this Form 10-Q.

Trading related activities Net interest income for trading related activities increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily due to higher balances on interest earning trading securities, which was partially offset by lower rates earned on these assets.

Balance sheet management activities Lower net interest income from balance sheet management activities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 reflects the sale of certain collateralized mortgage obligations which were sold for risk management purposes.

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Credit card portfolio Net interest income on credit card receivables decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily reflecting lower loan levels at penalty pricing and higher premiums paid on acquisition, partially offset by lower funding costs.

Commercial loans Net interest income on commercial loans was higher during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to lower funding costs and higher average loan balances, partially offset by lower average loan rates.

Deposits Higher net interest income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 reflects improved spreads in the Retail Banking and Wealth Management and Commercial Banking business segments as deposit pricing has been adjusted to reflect the on-going low interest rate environment. Both segments continue to be impacted however, relative to historical trends by the current rate environment and the growth in higher yielding deposit products such as on-line savings and Premier investor accounts.

Residential mortgage banking Higher net interest income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 resulted from lower funding costs.

Interest on estimated tax exposures Lower net interest income during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 resulted from higher interest expense associated with tax reserves on estimated exposures.

Other activity Net interest income on other activity was lower during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. While both periods experienced higher net interest income related to higher levels of interest bearing deposits in banks and lower interest expense, the increase was more than offset in both periods by lower net interest income from the sale of auto finance receivables in August 2010.

Provision for Credit Losses The provision for credit losses associated with various loan portfolios is summarized in the following table.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Commercial:
Construction and other real estate	$	(9	)	$	47		$	(56	)		(100+	)%
Business banking and middle market enterprises		(6	)		6			(12	)		(100+	)
Large corporate		28			(31	)		59			100+
Other commercial		(15	)		(14	)		(1	)		(7.1	)

Total commercial		(2	)		8			(10	)		(100+	)

Consumer:
Residential mortgages, excluding home equity mortgages		53			(23	)		76			100+
Home equity mortgages		8			9			(1	)		(11.1	)
Credit card receivables		12			14			(2	)		(14.3	)
Auto finance		-			-			-			0.0
Other consumer		7			2			5			100+

Total consumer		80			2			78			100+

Total provision for credit losses	$	78		$	10		$	68			100+	%

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							Increase
							(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Commercial:
Construction and other real estate	$	13		$	92		$	(79	)		(85.9	)%
Business banking and middle market enterprises		(15	)		12			(27	)		(100+	)
Large corporate		22			(148	)		170			100+
Other commercial		(25	)		(19	)		(6	)		(31.6	)

Total commercial		(5	)		(63	)		58			92.1

Consumer:
Residential mortgages, excluding home equity mortgages		99			(32	)		131			100+
Home equity mortgages		31			(6	)		37			100+
Credit card receivables		31			52			(21	)		(40.4	)
Auto finance		-			35			(35	)		(100.0	)
Other consumer		15			7			8			100+

Total consumer		176			56			120			100+

Total provision for credit losses	$	171		$	(7	)	$	178			100+	%

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we increased our credit loss reserves as the provision for credit losses was higher than net charge-offs by $33 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we decreased our credit loss reserves as the provision for credit losses was lower than net charge-offs by $73 million. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, we decreased our credit loss reserves as the provision for credit losses was lower than net charge-offs by $154 million and $592 million, respectively.

Our commercial loan loss provision improved in the three month period ended September 30, 2011 driven by the benefit of a partial recovery of a previously charged-off loan relating to a single client relationship and lower commercial real estate and business banking charge-offs partially offset by a $35 million specific provision associated with a corporate lending relationship. In the nine month period, we experienced a lower recovery of commercial loan provision as reserve reductions on troubled debt restructures in commercial real estate and middle market enterprises and the impact of the partial recovery and lower charge-offs which was partially offset by the specific provision as discussed above, were more than offset by a $45 million specific provision associated with the downgrade of an individual commercial real estate loan recorded in the second quarter of 2011. Our commercial loan provision in both 2011 and 2010 also reflects managed reductions in certain exposures and improvements in the financial circumstances of several customer relationships which led to credit upgrades on certain problem credits and lower levels of nonperforming loans and criticized assets. Given the nature of the factors driving the change in commercial loan provision during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, provision levels recognized in the current quarter and year-to-date period of 2011 should not be considered indicative of provision levels in the future.

The provision for credit losses on residential mortgages including home equity mortgages increased $75 million and $168 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the year-ago periods. While residential mortgage loan credit quality continues to improve as delinquency and charge-off levels continue to decline, the prior year periods reflect a reduction in loss reserves associated with certain portfolio risk factors that did not recur in 2011.

The provision for credit losses associated with credit card receivables decreased $2 million and $21 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the year-ago periods reflecting lower receivable levels, improved economic and credit conditions, including lower dollars of delinquency, improvements in early stage delinquency roll rates and higher recovery rates. Lower receivable levels reflect fewer active customer accounts and an increased focus by consumers to pay down credit card debt.

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Provision expense associated with our auto finance portfolio decreased in both periods as a result of the sale in August 2010 of the remaining auto loans purchased from HSBC Finance in August 2010.

Our methodology and accounting policies related to the allowance for credit losses are presented in “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in MD&A and in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements” in our 2010 Form 10-K. See “Credit Quality” in this MD&A for additional discussion on the allowance for credit losses associated with our various loan portfolios.

Other Revenues The components of other revenues are summarized in the following table.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Credit card fees	$	31		$	33		$	(2	)		(6.1	)%
Other fees and commissions		223			209			14			6.7
Trust income		26			26			-			-
Trading revenue		(107	)		126			(233	)		(100+	)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses		-			(4	)		4			100.0
Other securities gains, net		49			37			12			32.4
HSBC affiliate income:
Fees and commissions		41			38			3			7.9
Other affiliate income		9			4			5			100+

Total HSBC affiliate income		50			42			8			19.0
Residential mortgage banking revenue⁽¹⁾		34			11			23			100+
Gain on instruments at fair value and related derivatives		379			89			290			100+
Other income:
Valuation of loans held for sale		(9	)		(5	)		(4	)		(80.0	)
Insurance		2			4			(2	)		(50.0	)
Earnings from equity investments		10			15			(5	)		(33.3	)
Miscellaneous income		(21	)		15			(36	)		(100+	)

Total other income		(18	)		29			(47	)		(100+	)

Total other revenues	$	667		$	598		$	69			11.5	%

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							Increase
							(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Credit card fees	$	95		$	93		$	2			2.2	%
Other fees and commissions		608			693			(85	)		(12.3	)
Trust income		82			79			3			3.8
Trading revenue		243			419			(176	)		(42.0	)
Net other-than-temporary impairment losses		-			(45	)		45			100.0
Other securities gains, net		105			59			46			78.0
HSBC affiliate income:
Fees and commissions		127			98			29			29.6
Other affiliate income		25			13			12			92.3

Total HSBC affiliate income		152			111			41			36.9
Residential mortgage banking revenue (loss)⁽¹⁾		48			(106	)		154			100+
Gain on instruments at fair value and related derivatives		440			317			123			38.8
Other income:
Valuation of loans held for sale		(28	)		56			(84	)		(100+	)
Insurance		8			13			(5	)		(38.5	)
Earnings from equity investments		29			22			7			31.8
Miscellaneous income		10			110			(100	)		(90.9	)

Total other income		19			201			(182	)		(90.5	)

Total other revenues	$	1,792		$	1,821		$	(29	)		(1.6	)%


⁽¹⁾		Includes servicing fees received from HSBC Finance of $2 million and $7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, and $2 million and $6 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

Credit Card Fees Credit card fees remained relatively flat in both periods as higher interchange fees due to increased customer purchase volumes was offset by lower receivable levels as a result of fewer active customer accounts, changes in customer behavior, improved delinquency levels and the implementation of certain provisions of the CARD Act subsequent to January 2010. The CARD Act has resulted in significant decreases in overlimit fees as customers must now opt-in for such fees, restrictions on fees charged to process on-line and telephone payments and lower late fees due to limits on fees that can be assessed all of which are considered in determining the purchase price of the receivables purchased daily from HSBC Finance.

Other fees and commissions Other fee-based income increased during the three month period but decreased during the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. The increase in the three month period was driven by higher loan syndication fees which were more than offset in the year-to-date period by lower refund anticipation loan fees as we did not offer these products during the 2011 tax season.

Trust income Trust income was flat in the three month period but increased in the nine month period due to an increase in fee income associated with our management of fixed income assets, partially offset by reduced fee income associated with the continued decline in money market assets under management.

Trading revenue is generated by participation in the foreign exchange, rates, credit and precious metals markets. The following table presents trading related revenue by business. The data in the table includes net interest income earned on trading instruments, as well as an allocation of the funding benefit or cost associated with the trading positions. The trading related net interest income component is included in net interest income on the consolidated

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statement of income. Trading revenues related to the mortgage banking business are included in residential mortgage banking revenue.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Trading revenue	$	(107	)	$	126		$	(233	)		(100+	)%
Net interest income		20			(1	)		21			100+

Trading related revenue	$	(87	)	$	125		$	(212	)		(100+	)%

Business:
Derivatives	$	(136	)	$	68		$	(204	)		(100+	)%
Balance sheet management		(21	)		2			(23	)		(100+	)
Foreign exchange		55			33			22			66.7
Precious metals		33			12			21			100+
Global banking		(1	)		10			(11	)		(100+	)
Other trading		(17	)		—			(17	)		—

Trading related revenue	$	(87	)	$	125		$	(212	)		(100+	)%


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Trading revenue	$	243		$	419		$	(176	)		(42.0	)%
Net interest income		63			18			45			100+

Trading related revenue	$	306		$	437		$	(131	)		(30.0	)%

Business:
Derivatives	$	134		$	202		$	(68	)		(33.7	)%
Balance sheet management		(32	)		67			(99	)		(100+	)
Foreign exchange		150			118			32			27.1
Precious metals		77			46			31			67.4
Global banking		(1	)		(7	)		6			85.7
Other trading		(22	)		11			(33	)		(100+	)

Trading related revenue	$	306		$	437		$	(131	)		(30.0	)%

Trading revenue declined during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, as weakness in the credit markets drove credit spreads wider which adversely affected the performance of derivatives trading revenue. Partly offsetting the decline in derivative trading revenue was higher foreign exchange and precious metals revenue in both periods.

Trading revenue related to derivatives declined in both periods as weakness in the credit markets led to a widening of credit spreads and trading losses on credit derivatives. These losses were partly offset by an increase in new deal activity for interest rate derivatives.

Trading revenue related to balance sheet management activities declined during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 primarily due to losses on instruments used to hedge non-trading assets and lower net interest income as holdings of certain collateralized mortgage obligations were sold for risk management purposes.

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Foreign exchange trading revenue increased during both periods due to increased trading volumes and improved margins.

Precious metals trading revenues increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 as customer demand for metals as a perceived safe haven investment continued to generate strong trading volumes drove prices higher.

Global banking trading revenue in both periods reflects the sale of substantially all of its risk exposure during the fourth quarter of 2010.

Other trading revenue decreased during both periods due to movements in the forward swap curve used to value certain instruments. In addition, the prior year-to-date period benefitted from a one-time settlement of a counterparty receivable.

Net Other-Than-Temporary Impairment Losses During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 there were no other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, 5 debt securities and 38 debt securities, respectively, were determined to have either initial other-than-temporary impairment or changes to previous other-than-temporary impairment estimates with only the credit component of such other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings. The following table presents the other-than-temporary impairment recognized in earnings.


	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 30,					September 30,
	2011		2010			2011		2010

	(in millions)

Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in the consolidated statement of income	$	-	$	(4	)	$	-	$	(45	)

Other Securities Gains, Net We maintain various securities portfolios as part of our balance sheet diversification and risk management strategies. During the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, we sold $3.3 billion and $17.0 billion, respectively, of U.S. Treasury, mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities as part of a strategy to adjust portfolio risk duration as well as to reduce risk-weighted asset levels and recognized gains of $73 million and $213 million and losses of $24 million and $108 million, respectively, which are included as a component of other security gains, net above.

During the third quarter and first nine months of 2010, we sold $3.2 billion and $14.0 billion, respectively, of these securities and recognized gains of $59 million and $142 million and losses of $22 million and $83 million, respectively. Gross realized gains and losses from sales of securities are summarized in Note 5, “Securities,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

HSBC affiliate income Affiliate income increased in both periods due to higher fees and commissions earned as compared to the year-ago periods and, as it related to the year-to-date period, higher fees and commissions earned from HSBC Finance affiliates driven by the transfer in July 2010 of certain real estate default servicing employees from HSBC Finance partially offset by lower fees on tax refund anticipation loans transferred to HSBC Finance as we did not offer this loan program during the 2011 tax season.

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Residential Mortgage Banking Revenue The following table presents the components of residential mortgage banking revenue. The net interest income component of the table is included in net interest income in the consolidated statement of income and reflects actual interest earned, net of interest expense and corporate transfer pricing.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	62		$	54		$	8			14.8	%

Servicing related income:
Servicing fee income		27			30			(3	)		(10.0	)
Changes in fair value of MSRs due to:
Changes in valuation inputs or assumptions used in valuation model		(110	)		1			(111	)		(100+	)
Realization of cash flows		(23	)		(30	)		7			23.3
Trading – Derivative instruments used to offset changes in value of MSRs		130			71			59			83.1

Total servicing related income		24			72			(48	)		(66.7	)

Originations and sales related income (loss):
Gains on sales of residential mortgages		4			5			(1	)		(20.0	)
Provision for repurchase obligations		(1	)		(95	)		94			98.9
Trading and hedging activity		3			21			(18	)		(85.7	)

Total originations and sales related income (loss)		6			(69	)		75			100+

Other mortgage income		4			8			(4	)		(50.0	)

Total residential mortgage banking revenue included in other revenues		34			11			23			100+

Total residential mortgage banking related revenue	$	96		$	65		$	31			47.7	%

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							Increase
							(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	179		$	164		$	15			9.1	%

Servicing related income:
Servicing fee income		83			92			(9	)		(9.8	)
Changes in fair value of MSRs due to:
Changes in valuation inputs or assumptions used in valuation model		(132	)		(113	)		(19	)		(16.8	)
Realization of cash flows		(57	)		(75	)		18			24.0
Trading – Derivative instruments used to offset changes in value of MSRs		155			219			(64	)		(29.2	)

Total servicing related income		49			123			(74	)		(60.2	)

Originations and sales related income (loss):
Gains on sales of residential mortgages		27			28			(1	)		(3.6	)
Provision for repurchase obligations		(41	)		(285	)		244			85.6
Trading and hedging activity		(8	)		6			(14	)		(100+	)

Total originations and sales related income (loss)		(22	)		(251	)		229			91.2

Other mortgage income		21			22			(1	)		(4.5	)

Total residential mortgage banking revenue included in other revenues		48			(106	)		154			100+

Total residential mortgage banking related revenue	$	227		$	58		$	169			100+	%

Higher net interest income during both periods reflects wider spreads on relatively flat average outstanding balances. We continue to sell the majority of new loan originations to government sponsored enterprises. Consistent with our Premier strategy, additions to the portfolio are comprised largely of Premier relationship products.

Total servicing related income decreased in both periods due to lower servicing fee income as the average serviced loan portfolio declined with new originations sold more than offset by prepayments and the narrowing of the positive net hedged MSR performance.

Originations and sales related income (loss) improved both periods, driven largely by lower loss provisions for loan repurchase obligations associated with loans previously sold. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded charges of $1 million and $41 million, respectively, with respect to changes in our estimated exposure associated with repurchase obligations on loans previously sold compared to a charge of $95 million and $285 million, respectively, recorded in the year-ago periods for such exposure.

Gain (loss) on instruments designated at fair value and related derivatives We have elected to apply fair value option accounting to commercial leveraged acquisition finance loans, unfunded commitments, certain own fixed-rate debt issuances and all structured notes and structured deposits issued after January 1, 2006 that contain embedded derivatives. We also use derivatives to economically hedge the interest rate risk associated with certain financial instruments for which fair value has been elected. See Note 12, “Fair Value Option,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information including a breakout of these amounts by individual component. The increase in both periods was driven largely by higher gains on the fair value of our own debt.

Valuation of loans held for sale Included in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is an $89 million settlement relating to certain whole loans previously purchased for re-sale from a third party. Excluding the impact of this item, valuation adjustments on loans held for sale were flat in the three months ended September 30, 2011 but improved during the months ended September 30, 2011 due to lower average balances and reduced volatility. Valuations on

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loans held for sale relate primarily to residential mortgage loans purchased from third parties and HSBC affiliates with the intent of securitization or sale. Included in this portfolio are sub-prime residential mortgage loans with a fair value of $212 million and $391 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Loans held for sale are recorded at the lower of their aggregate cost or fair value, with adjustments to fair value being recorded as a valuation allowance. Valuations on residential mortgage loans held for sale that we originate are recorded as a component of residential mortgage banking revenue in the consolidated statement of income.

Other Income Excluding the valuation of loans held for sale as discussed above, other income decreased in both periods due to lower miscellaneous income. Other income in the 2010 year-to-date period includes a gain of $66 million relating to the sale of our equity investment in Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank (“WHTB”), a $9 million gain on the sale of auto finance loans to SC USA, as well as a $5 million gain associated with a final payment from a judgment related to our purchase of a community bank from CT Financial Services.

Operating Expenses The components of operating expenses are summarized in the following tables.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Salaries and employee benefits:
Salaries	$	164		$	155		$	9			5.8	%
Employee benefits		101			130			(29	)		(22.3	)

Total salaries and employee benefits		265			285			(20	)		(7.0	)

Occupancy expense, net		73			65			8			12.3

Support services from HSBC affiliates:
Fees paid to HSBC Finance for loan servicing and other administrative support		8			8			-			-
Fees paid to HMUS		71			72			(1	)		(1.4	)
Fees paid to HTSU		279			194			85			43.8
Fees paid to other HSBC affiliates		55			32			23			71.9

Total support services from HSBC affiliates		413			306			107			35.0

Other expenses:
Equipment and software		12			12			-			-
Marketing		16			28			(12	)		(42.9	)
Outside services		19			32			(13	)		(40.6	)
Professional fees		36			20			16			80.0
Postage, printing and office supplies		3			4			(1	)		(25.0	)
Off-balance sheet credit reserves		(2	)		(17	)		15			88.2
FDIC assessment fee		16			34			(18	)		(52.9	)
Insurance business		-			1			(1	)		(100.0	)
Miscellaneous		70			53			17			32.1

Total other expenses		170			167			3			1.8

Total operating expenses	$	921		$	823		$	98			11.9	%

Personnel – average number		9,719			9,875
Efficiency ratio		71.16	%		60.83	%

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							Increase
							(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Salaries and employee benefits:
Salaries	$	490		$	435		$	55			12.6	%
Employee benefits		362			378			(16	)		(4.2	)

Total salaries and employee benefits		852			813			39			4.8

Occupancy expense, net		208			201			7			3.5

Support services from HSBC affiliates:
Fees paid to HSBC Finance for loan servicing and other administrative support		27			93			(66	)		(71.0	)
Fees paid to HMUS		192			215			(23	)		(10.7	)
Fees paid to HTSU		725			557			168			30.2
Fees paid to other HSBC affiliates		150			95			55			57.9

Total support services from HSBC affiliates		1,094			960			134			14.0

Other expenses:
Equipment and software		131			34			97			100+
Marketing		53			81			(28	)		(34.6	)
Outside services		49			61			(12	)		(19.7	)
Professional fees		99			49			50			100+
Postage, printing and office supplies		11			11			-			-
Off-balance sheet credit reserves		(27	)		(29	)		2			6.9
FDIC assessment fee		87			103			(16	)		(15.5	)
Insurance business		-			(2	)		2			100.0
Miscellaneous		187			203			(16	)		(7.9	)

Total other expenses		590			511			79			15.5

Total operating expenses	$	2,744		$	2,485		$	259			10.4	%

Personnel – average number		10,049			9,258
Efficiency ratio		75.88	%		65.24	%

Salaries and employee benefits Total salaries and employee benefits expense decreased during the three months ended September 30, 2011 but increased in the year-to-date period. Salaries and employee benefits in both periods reflect the impact of continued cost management efforts which were partially offset by higher salaries expense related to expansion activities associated with certain businesses and in the year-to-date period higher severance costs. In the year-to-date period, the impact from increased costs associated with the transfer in July 2010 of certain employees from HSBC Finance to the default mortgage loan servicing department of a subsidiary of HSBC Bank USA also served to drive the overall increase.

Occupancy expense, net Occupancy expense during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 includes $11 million relating to the write-off of leasehold improvements associated with the consolidation of certain retail branch offices and in the nine month period, a charge of $5 million in the second quarter of 2011 associated with the closure of the Amherst Data Center. In addition, occupancy expense during the nine month period ended September 30, 2010 includes $8 million in lease abandonment costs associated with the closure of several non-strategic branches. Excluding the impact of these items, occupancy expense decreased in both periods driven by lower depreciation and lower utilities costs.

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HSBC USA Inc.

Support services from HSBC affiliates includes technology and certain centralized support services, including human resources, corporate affairs and other shared services, legal, compliance, tax and finance charged to us by HTSU. Support services from HSBC affiliates also includes services charged to us by an HSBC affiliate located outside of the United States which provides operational support to our businesses, including among other areas, customer service, systems, risk management, collection and accounting functions as well as servicing fees paid to HSBC Finance for servicing nonconforming residential mortgage loans, credit card receivables and auto finance receivables until the auto finance portfolio was sold in August 2010.

Higher support services from HSBC affiliates in both periods largely reflects the impact of higher compliance costs, including costs associated with our BSA/AML remediation activities, partially offset by lower fees paid to HMUS and lower charges from HSBC Finance due to lower levels of receivables being serviced and the impact of the sale in 2010 of all remaining auto loans purchased from HSBC Finance as well as in the year-to-date period, lower expenses for servicing and assuming the credit risk associated with refund anticipation loans originated as we did not offer this loan program during the 2011 tax season.

Marketing expenses Lower marketing and promotional expenses in both periods resulted from continued optimization of marketing spend as a result of general cost saving initiatives, partially offset by a continuing investment in HSBC brand activities, primarily within the RBWM and CMB business segments.

Other expenses Other expenses (excluding marketing expenses) increased in both periods. Other expenses in the year-to date period includes a charge of $94 million included within equipment and software relating to the impairment of certain previously capitalized software development costs which are no longer realizable. Excluding the impact of this charge, other expenses increased in both periods largely due to increased professional fees partially offset by lower FDIC assessment fees and, in the three month period, higher reductions in estimated off-balance sheet risk exposure.

Efficiency ratio Our efficiency ratio from continuing operations was 71.16 percent and 75.88 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively compared to 60.83 percent and 65.24 percent in the year-ago periods. Our efficiency ratio during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was impacted by the change in the fair value of our debt for which we have elected fair value option accounting. Additionally, the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 were impacted by software development cost impairment charges. The deterioration in the efficiency ratio in both periods reflects higher operating expenses as discussed above, while total net interest income and other revenues increased marginally in the three month period and declined in the year-to-date period.

Segment Results – IFRSs Basis

As discussed in our 2010 Form 10-K, we initiated a process in late 2010 to re-evaluate the financial information used to manage our business including the scope and content of the financial data being reported to our management and Board of Directors. During the first quarter of 2011, we completed our evaluation and decided we would no longer manage and evaluate the performance of the receivables purchased from HSBC Finance as a separate operating segment. Rather, we would manage and evaluate the performance of these assets as a component of our Retail Banking and Wealth Management (formerly Personal Financial Services) operating segment, consistent with HSBC’s globally defined business segments. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2011, our management reporting was changed to reflect this decision and we now report our financial results under four reportable segments: Retail Banking and Wealth Management (formerly Personal Financial Services), Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets and Private Banking. Segment financial information for all periods presented reflect this new segmentation.

HSBC previously announced that with effect from March 1, 2011, Retail Banking and Wealth Management (“RBWM”) would be managed as a single global business. This business is the historical Personal Financial Services with Asset Management moving from Global Banking and Markets to this new single business. Therefore, to coincide with the change in our management reporting effective beginning in the second quarter of 2011, we changed the name of our Personal Financial Services segment to RBWM and have included the results of Asset

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Management, which provides investment solutions to institutions, financial intermediaries and individual investors, in this segment for all periods presented. There have been no other changes in the basis of our segmentation or measurement of segment profit as compared with the presentation in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Our segment results are reported on a continuing operations basis. As previously discussed, we agreed to sell our GM and UP credit card receivables as well as our private label credit card and closed-end receivables to Capital One. Because the credit card and private label receivables being sold have been classified as held for sale and the operations and cash flows from these receivables will be eliminated from our ongoing operations upon disposition without any significant continuing involvement, we have determined we have met the requirements to report the results of these credit card and private label card receivables being sold, which were previously included in the Retail Banking and Wealth Management segment, as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

We report to our parent, HSBC, in accordance with its reporting basis, IFRSs. As a result, our segment results are presented on an IFRSs Basis (a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure) as operating results are monitored and reviewed, trends are evaluated and decisions about allocating resources such as employees are made almost exclusively on an IFRSs basis. However, we continue to monitor capital adequacy, establish dividend policy and report to regulatory agencies on a U.S. GAAP basis. The significant differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRSs as they impact our results are summarized in Note 17, “Business Segments,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and under the caption “Basis of Reporting” in this MD&A.

Retail Banking and Wealth Management (“RBWM”) Our RBWM segment provides banking and wealth products and services, including personal loans, credit cards, deposits, branch services, financial planning products and asset management services such as mutual funds, investments and insurance.

During 2011, we continue to direct resources towards the expansion of wealth services and HSBC Premier, HSBC’s global banking service that offers customers a seamless international service. We remain focused on providing differentiated premium services to internationally minded mass affluent and upwardly mobile customers.

We continue to sell the majority of new residential mortgage loan originations to government sponsored enterprises. Consistent with our strategy, additions to our portfolio primarily consisted of Premier relationship products. In addition to normal sales activity, at times we have historically sold prime adjustable and fixed rate mortgage loan portfolios to third parties, however no such sales occurred during 2011 or 2010. We retain the servicing rights in relation to the mortgages upon sale. As a result, average residential mortgage loans outstanding remained relatively flat during the first nine months of 2011 compared to 2010.

The following table summarizes the IFRSs Basis results for our RBWM segment:


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	259		$	261		$	(2	)		0	%
Other operating income		148			157			(9	)		(5.7	)

Total operating income		407			418			(11	)		(2.6	)
Loan impairment charges		76			(2	)		78			100+

		331			420			(89	)		(21.2	)
Operating expenses		368			382			(14	)		(3.7	)

Profit before tax	$	(37	)	$	38		$	(75	)		(100+	)%

136

HSBC USA Inc.


						Increase
						(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010		Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	756		$	827	$	(71	)		(8.6	)%
Other operating income		337			218		119			54.6

Total operating income		1,093			1,045		48			4.6
Loan impairment charges		166			24		142			100+

		927			1,021		(94	)		9.2
Operating expenses		1,187			987		200			20.3

Profit before tax	$	(260	)	$	34	$	(294	)		(100+	)%

Our RBWM segment reported a lower profit before tax during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. The decrease in the three month period was due to lower net interest income, higher loan impairment charges and lower operating income, partially offset by lower operating expense. The decrease in the nine month period reflects lower net interest income, higher operating expenses and higher loan impairment charges, partially offset by higher other operating income.

Net interest income was lower during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 driven by lower auto loan receivables as a result of the sale of the auto loan portfolio in August 2010. The decrease also reflected lower credit card yields due to the continued focus on originating to premium customers resulting in a lower proportion of revolving balances. In addition, the implementation of certain provisions of the CARD Act including periodic re-evaluation of rate increases had negatively impacted net interest income. Also contributing to the decrease in net interest income was higher interest charges on tax exposures. These decreases were partially offset by improvements in deposit spreads driven by customer rate reductions.

Other operating income increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily due to lower provision for mortgage loan repurchase obligations associated with previously sold loans. We also experienced higher fees earned from HSBC Finance due to the transfer in July 2010 of certain real estate default loan servicing employees which we bill back to HSBC Finance for services provided. Partially offsetting the increase in the nine month period are changes in the ability to charge overdraft fees on debit card transactions implemented on July 1, 2010, which resulted in lower deposit fee income as compared to the prior year periods.

Loan impairment charges increased in both periods, driven largely by continued high levels of unemployment and, as it relates to residential mortgage loans, continued weakness in the housing market including depressed property values. These factors were partially offset by improvements in credit card credit quality as dollars of delinquency continued to decline leading to continued improvements in our future loss estimates.

Operating expenses decreased in the three month period and increased in nine month period. Operating expenses include the impairment of previously capitalized software development costs, which resulted in a charge of $73 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2011. In addition, the prior year nine month period also includes a $48 million pension curtailment gain as a result of the decision in February 2010 to cease all future benefit accruals for legacy participants under the final average pay formula components of the HSBC North America defined benefit pension plan effective January 1, 2011. Excluding these amounts, operating expenses remained higher in both periods due primarily to higher costs associated with compliance, technology, mortgage foreclosure, litigation, asset management and in the year-to-date period, costs associated with the transfer of certain employees of HSBC Finance to our default loan servicing department in July 2010. These increases were partially offset in the nine month period and were more than offset in the three month period by lower FDIC assessments as beginning in the second quarter of 2011 assessments are based on assets rather than deposits. In addition there were savings from several cost reduction initiatives including optimizing the branch network and reducing marketing spend.

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Commercial Banking (“CMB”) Our Commercial Banking segment serves three client groups, notably Middle Market Enterprises, Business Banking and Commercial Real Estate. CMB’s business strategy is to be the leader in international banking in target markets. In the U.S., CMB strives to execute on that vision and strategy by proactively targeting the growing number of U.S. companies that are increasingly in need of international banking, financial products and services. The products and services provided to these client groups are offered through multiple delivery systems including the branch banking network. We continue to focus on building our core proposition to mid-size international companies, including expansion opportunities on the west coast and in Texas and Florida.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, interest rate spreads continued to be pressured from a low interest rate environment while loan impairment charges improved. An increase in demand for loans which began towards the end of 2010 and continued during the first nine months of 2011 has resulted in a 34 percent increase in loans outstanding to middle-market customers since September 30, 2010. Expansion of the customer base has also led to significant increases in lending commitments as new approved credit facilities to middle-market customers in the first nine months of the year grew 43 percent as compared to the first nine months of 2010. The business banking loan portfolio has seen a 4 percent decrease in loans outstanding since September 30, 2010 resulting from an increase in paydowns and a decline in the demand for new credit facilities. The commercial real estate business continues to focus on deal quality and portfolio management rather than volume, which resulted in a 7 percent decline in outstanding receivables for this portfolio since September 30, 2010. Average customer deposit balances across all CMB business lines during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 increased 9 percent as compared to the year-ago period and average loans increased 6 percent as compared to the year-ago period.

The following table summarizes the IFRSs Basis results for our CMB segment:


						Increase
						(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010		Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	179		$	172	$	7			4.1	%
Other operating income		115			111		4			3.6

Total operating income		294			283		11			3.9
Loan impairment charges (recoveries)		(5	)		50		(55	)		(100+	)

		299			233		66			28.3
Operating expenses		177			178		(1	)		(0.6	)

Profit before tax	$	122		$	55	$	67			100+	%


					Increase
					(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011		2010		Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	527	$	535	$	(8	)		(1.5	)%
Other operating income		325		362		(37	)		(10.2	)

Total operating income		852		897		(45	)		(5.0	)
Loan impairment charges		7		98		(91	)		(92.9	)

		845		799		46			5.8
Operating expenses		553		499		54			10.8

Profit before tax	$	292	$	300	$	(8	)		(2.7	)%

Our CMB segment reported higher profit before tax during the three months ended September 30, 2011 driven by higher net interest income, higher operating income, lower operating expenses and lower loan impairment charges.

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HSBC USA Inc.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, a slightly lower profit before tax reflected lower net interest income, lower other operating income and higher operating expenses, partially offset by lower loan impairment charges.

Net interest income in both periods reflects the favorable impact of higher loans balances. In the year-to-date period, this was more than offset by lower deposit spreads resulting from changing product mix.

Other operating income reflects higher fee income in both periods and in the year-to date period, higher gains on the sale of certain commercial real estate assets. In the year-to-date period, this was more than offset by the impact of a $66 million gain recorded during the first quarter of 2010 on the sale of our equity investment in Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank.

Loan impairment charges decreased in both periods of 2011 largely driven by lower reserves required on troubled debt restructures in commercial real estate and middle market enterprises as well as lower charge-offs in business banking due to improved credit quality and lower delinquency levels. The decrease in the nine month period was partially offset by a $45 million specific provision associated with the downgrade of an individual commercial real estate loan.

Operating expense decreased slightly during the three months ended September 30, 2011 due to lower FDIC assessments, partially offset by higher staff costs. Operating expense increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 due to higher expenses relating to staff as well as infrastructure costs such as compliance, the impairment of previously capitalized software development costs which resulted in a charge of $19 million, and higher technology costs. Additionally, the first quarter of 2010 includes a $16 million pension curtailment gain as previously discussed.

Global Banking and Markets Our Global Banking and Markets business segment supports HSBC’s emerging markets-led and financing-focused global strategy by leveraging HSBC Group advantages and scale, strength in developed and emerging markets and Global Markets products expertise in order to focus on delivering international products to U.S. clients and local products to international clients, with New York as the hub for the Americas business.

There are three major lines of business within Global Banking and Markets: Global Banking, Global Markets and Transaction Banking. The Global Banking business line includes corporate lending and investment banking activities, and this unit also coordinates client relationships across all Global Markets and Banking products. The Global Markets business services the requirements of central banks and financial institutions, corporate and middle market clients and institutional and Private Banking investors through our global trading platforms and distribution capabilities. Transaction Banking provides payments and cash management, trade finance, supply chain and fund administration and issuer services primarily to corporations and financial institutions.

The Global Banking and Markets segment results during the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 were adversely affected by weakened credit market conditions during the third quarter of 2011, which led to a decline in value of legacy structured credit products and other credit derivative exposures. Our risk management efforts to improve the credit quality of our corporate lending relationships has resulted in carrying lower loan balances and a tightening of the net interest margin compared the year-ago periods. In addition, sales of subprime mortgage loans and negotiated unwinds of legacy structured credit product exposures further reduced our revenue volatility, as well as absolute revenue compared to the prior year. Partially offsetting these reductions were significantly higher revenues from foreign exchange, metals and interest rate derivatives trading activity.

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HSBC USA Inc.

The following table summarizes IFRSs Basis results for the Global Banking and Markets segment.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	119		$	187		$	(68	)		(36.4	)%
Other operating income		67			151			(84	)		(55.6	)

Total operating income		186			338			(152	)		(45.0	)
Loan impairment charges (recoveries)		28			(45	)		73			100+

		158			383			(225	)		(58.7	)
Operating expenses		269			204			65			31.9

Profit (loss) before tax	$	(111	)	$	179		$	(290	)		(100+	)%


						Increase
						(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011		2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	382	$	473		$	(91	)		(19.2	)%
Other operating income		756		825			(69	)		(8.4	)

Total operating income		1,138		1,298			(160	)		(12.3	)
Loan impairment charges (recoveries)		1		(193	)		194			100+

		1,137		1,491			(354	)		(23.7	)
Operating expenses		735		562			173			30.8

Profit (loss) before tax	$	402	$	929		$	(527	)		(56.7	)%

Our Global Banking and Markets segment reported a lower profit before tax during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 driven by lower net interest income, lower other operating income, lower recoveries of loan impairment charges and higher operating expenses.

Net interest income decreased during both periods due to lower corporate loan balances and lower average yields as the business continues to manage down high risk credit exposures.

Other operating income decreased in the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011. Credit market conditions deteriorated during the third quarter which led to a decline in the value of certain legacy structured credit exposures and other credit derivative positions. Partially offsetting these declines was an increase in revenues in foreign exchange and metals, which benefitted from price volatility and strong customer demand, as well as from higher revenue from interest rate derivatives due to an increase new deal activity. In addition, the prior year-to-date period includes a gain of $89 million associated with a settlement relating to certain loans previously purchased for resale from a third party recognized in the first quarter of 2010.

Other operating income reflects losses on structured credit products of $80 million and gains of $62 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to gains of $36 million and $90 million during the year-ago periods. Exposure to insurance monolines continued to impact revenues resulting in losses of $16 million and gains of $16 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to gains of $16 million and $89 million during the year-ago periods. Valuation losses of $9 million and $22 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, were recorded against the fair values of sub-prime residential mortgage loans held for sale as compared to valuation losses of $9 million and $50 million during the year-ago periods.

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HSBC USA Inc.

Loan impairment charges were higher in both periods as reductions in higher risk rated loan balances and stabilization of credit downgrades in both periods resulted in an overall lower release in loss reserves during the current year periods. In addition, both periods in 2011 included a $35 million specific provision associated with a corporate lending relationship.

Operating expenses increased during both periods driven by higher staff costs, higher compliance costs associated with our AML/BSA remediation activities and higher FDIC assessments. The increase in FDIC assessments was due to a methodology change from a deposit driven to an asset driven assessment base, effective at the beginning of the second quarter of 2011. The prior year-to-date period also included a $7 million pension curtailment gain.

Private Banking (“PB”) As part of HSBC’s global network, the PB segment offers integrated domestic and international services to high net worth individuals, their families and their businesses. These services address both resident and non-resident financial needs. During the first nine months of 2011, we continued to dedicate resources to strengthen product and service leadership in the wealth management market. Areas of focus are banking and cash management, investment advice including discretionary portfolio management, banking and cash management, residential mortgages, as well as wealth planning for trusts and estates.

Average client deposit levels increased 5 percent compared to the prior year quarter as withdrawals in deposits from Latin America core clients was offset by increased deposits from other international and domestic clients. Total average loans in the third quarter increased 4 percent compared to the prior year quarter from pay offs and reductions of commercial loan borrowings offset by growth in the tailored mortgage product. Overall client assets were flat compared to the prior year quarter to $45 billion due to increases in assets from core domestic and international clients across different wealth management products partially offset by a reduction in highly liquid assets held by quasi-institutional investors.

The following table summarizes IFRSs Basis results for the PB segment.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	44		$	47		$	(3	)		(6.3	)%
Other operating income		28			34			(6	)		(17.6	)

Total operating income		72			81			(9	)		(11.1	)
Loan impairment recoveries		(24	)		(13	)		(11	)		(84.6	)

		96			94			2			2.1
Operating expenses		65			63			2			3.2

Profit before tax	$	31		$	31		$	-			0.0	%


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	134		$	139		$	(5	)		(3.6	)%
Other operating income		97			103			(6	)		(5.8	)

Total operating income		231			242			(11	)		(4.5	)
Loan impairment recoveries		(34	)		(24	)		(10	)		(41.7	)

		265			266			(1	)		0.0
Operating expenses		194			180			14			7.8

Profit before tax	$	71		$	86		$	(15	)		(17.4	)%

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HSBC USA Inc.

Our PB segment reported a lower profit before tax during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 driven by lower net interest income, lower other operating income and higher operating expenses including the impact of a pension gain in the prior year-to-date period, partially offset by lower loan impairment charges (recoveries). For the three months ended September 30, 2011, profit before tax was flat as lower net interest income, lower other operating income and higher operating expenses including the impact of a pension gain in the prior year-to-date period were offset by lower loan impairment charges (recoveries)

Net interest income was lower during the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 due to lower corporate allocated revenues, offset by improvements of lending and banking spreads.

Other operating income was lower in both periods as higher fees on managed and structured investment products, funds and insurance more than offset lower credit-related fees and recoveries received from other private bank regions.

Recoveries on loan impairment charges were higher in both periods reflecting continued improved credit conditions and client credit ratings consistent with the year-ago periods.

Operating expenses increased during the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 due to higher costs for shared services such as compliance. Additionally, the prior year-to-date period included a $5 million pension curtailment gain as previously discussed.

Other The other segment primarily includes adjustments made at the corporate level for fair value option accounting related to certain debt issued, the offset to funding credits provided to CMB for holding certain investments, income and expense associated with certain affiliate transactions, adjustments to the fair value on HSBC shares held for stock plans, interest expense associated with certain tax exposures in 2011 and in 2010, gains on the sale of various owned properties and the impact of the resolution of a lawsuit as discussed below.

The following table summarizes IFRSs Basis results for the Other segment.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Three Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	(6	)	$	1		$	(7	)		(100+	)%
Gain on own debt designated at fair value and related derivatives		400			34			366			100+
Other operating income		(20	)		1			(21	)		(100+	)

Total operating income		374			36			338			100+
Loan impairment recoveries		-			(1	)		1			100.0

		374			37			337			100+
Operating expenses		13			17			(4	)		(23.5	)

Profit before tax	$	361		$	20		$	341			100+	%

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HSBC USA Inc.


							Increase
							(Decrease)
Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Net interest income	$	(73	)	$	(9	)	$	(64	)		(100+	)%
Gain on own debt designated at fair value and related derivatives		407			231			176			76.2
Other operating income		(44	)		36			(80	)		(100+	)

Total operating income		290			258			32			12.4
Loan impairment charges		-			(1	)		1			100.0

		290			259			31			12.0
Operating expenses		51			47			4			8.5

Profit before tax	$	239		$	212		$	27			12.7	%

Profit before tax increased $341 million and $27 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, driven largely by credit and interest rate related changes in the fair value of certain of our own debt for which fair value option was elected and lower net interest income due to increased interest expense associated with changes in estimated tax exposure. In addition, other operating income during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 also includes a $56 million gain on the sale of our 452 Fifth Avenue property in New York City, including the 1 W. 39th Street building.

Operating expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 includes higher costs relating to a $5 million charge associated with the closure of a data center.

Reconciliation of Segment Results As previously discussed, segment results are reported on an IFRS Basis. See Note 17, “Business Segments,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the differences between IFRSs and U.S. GAAP. For segment reporting purposes, intersegment transactions have not been eliminated. We generally account for transactions between segments as if they were with third parties. Also see Note 17, “Business Segments,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of our IFRS Basis segment results to U.S. GAAP consolidated totals.

Credit Quality

In the normal course of business, we enter into a variety of transactions that involve both on and off-balance sheet credit risk. Principal among these activities is lending to various commercial, institutional, governmental and individual customers. We participate in lending activity throughout the U.S. and, on a limited basis, internationally.

Allowance for Credit Losses For commercial loans, we conduct a periodic assessment on a loan-by-loan basis of losses we believe to be inherent in the loan portfolio. When it is deemed probable based upon known facts and circumstances that full contractual interest and principal on an individual loan will not be collected in accordance with its contractual terms, the loan is considered impaired. An impairment reserve is established based on the present value of expected future cash flows, discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate, or as a practical expedient, the loan’s observable market price or the fair value of the collateral if the loan is collateral dependent. Updated appraisals for collateral dependent loans are generally obtained only when such loans are considered troubled and the frequency of such updates are generally based on management judgment under the specific circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Problem commercial loans are assigned various obligor grades under the allowance for credit losses methodology. Each credit grade has a probability of default estimate.

Our credit grades align with U.S. regulatory risk ratings and are mapped to our probability of default master scale. These probability of default estimates are validated on an annual basis using back-testing of actual default rates and benchmarking of the internal ratings with external rating agency data like S&P ratings and default rates. Substantially all appraisals in connection with commercial real estate loans are ordered by the independent

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real estate appraisal unit at HSBC. The appraisal must be reviewed and accepted by this unit. For loans greater than $250,000, an appraisal is generally ordered when the loan is classified as Substandard as defined by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. On average, it is approximately four weeks from the time the appraisal is ordered until it is completed and the values accepted by HSBC’s independent appraisal review unit. Subsequent provisions or charge-offs are completed shortly thereafter, generally within the quarter in which the appraisal is received.

In situations where an external appraisal is not used to determine the fair value the underlying collateral of impaired loans, current information such as rent rolls and operating statements of the subject property are reviewed and presented in a standardized format. Operating results such as net operating income and cash flows before and after debt service are established and reported with relevant ratios. Third-party market data is gathered and reviewed for relevance to the subject collateral. Data is also collected from similar properties within the portfolio. Actual sales levels of condominiums, operating income and expense figures and rental data on a square foot basis are derived from existing loans and, when appropriate, used as comparables for the subject property. Property specific data, augmented by market data research, is used to project a stabilized year of income and expense to create a 10-year cash flow model to be discounted at appropriate rates into present value. These valuations are then used to determine if any impairment on the underlying loans exists and an appropriate allowance is recorded when warranted.

Probable losses for pools of homogeneous consumer loans are generally estimated 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. This analysis considers delinquency status, loss experience and severity and takes into account whether loans are in bankruptcy, have been re-aged or are subject to forbearance, an external debt management plan, hardship, modification, extension or deferment. The allowance for credit losses on consumer receivables also takes into consideration the loss severity expected based on the underlying collateral, if any, for the loan in the event of default based on historical and recent trends.

The roll rate methodology is a migration analysis based on contractual delinquency and rolling average historical loss experience which captures the increased likelihood of an account migrating to charge-off as the past due status of such account increases. The roll rate models used were developed by tracking the movement of delinquencies by age of delinquency by month (bucket) over a specified time period. Each “bucket” represents a period of delinquency in 30-day increments. The roll from the last delinquency bucket results in charge-off. Contractual delinquency is a method for determining aging of past due accounts based on the status of payments under the loan. The roll percentages are converted to reserve requirements for each delinquency period (i.e., 30 days, 60 days, etc.). Average roll rates are developed to avoid temporary aberrations caused by seasonal trends in delinquency experienced by some product types. We have determined that a 12-month average roll rate balances the desire to avoid temporary aberrations, while at the same time analyzing recent historical data. The calculations are performed monthly and are done consistently from period to period. In addition, loss reserves on consumer receivables including credit card receivables are maintained to reflect our judgment of portfolio risk factors which may not be fully reflected in the statistical roll rate calculation.

Our allowance for credit losses methodology and our accounting policies related to the allowance for credit losses are presented in further detail under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements,” in our 2010 Form 10-K. Our approach toward credit risk management is summarized under the caption “Risk Management” in our 2010 Form 10-K. There have been no material revisions to our policies or methodologies during the first quarter of 2011, although we continue to monitor current market conditions and will adjust credit policies as deemed necessary.

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The following table sets forth the allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:


	September 30,			June 30,			December 31,
	2011			2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Allowance for credit losses	$	749		$	746		$	852

Ratio of Allowance for credit losses to:
Loans:⁽¹⁾
Commercial		1.44	%		1.53	%		1.74	%
Consumer:
Residential mortgages, excluding home equity mortgages		1.36			1.16			1.22
Home equity mortgages		1.87			1.85			2.02
Credit card receivables		4.70			4.06			4.64
Other consumer loans		2.57			2.34			2.60

Total consumer loans		1.63			1.52			1.66

Total		1.51	%		1.53	%		1.71	%

Net charge-offs⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾:
Commercial⁽³⁾		NM	%		210.14	%		144.88	%
Consumer		129.65			111.11			105.11

Total		402.69	%		156.39	%		126.41	%

Nonperforming loans⁽¹⁾:
Commercial		52.00	%		55.07	%		52.99	%
Consumer		32.02			29.06	%		31.33

Total		41.80	%		40.85	%		41.83	%


⁽¹⁾		Ratios exclude loans held for sale as these loans are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value.

⁽²⁾		Quarter-to-date net charge-offs, annualized.

⁽³⁾		The ratio of allowance for credit losses to net charge-offs for commercial loans is not meaningful (NM) for September 30, 2011 because recoveries exceeded charge-offs in the quarter.

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Changes in the allowance for credit losses by general loan categories for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are summarized in the following table:


	Commercial												Consumer
													Residential
				Business									Mortgage,
	Construction			Banking and									Excl Home			Home
	and Other			Middle Market			Large			Other			Equity			Equity			Credit			Auto			Other
	Real Estate			Enterprises			Corporate			Comm’l			Mortgages			Mortgages			Card			Finance⁽¹⁾			Consumer			Total

	(in millions)

Three months ended September 30, 2011:
Balances at beginning of period	$	229		$	96		$	110		$	21		$	162		$	62		$	44		$	-		$	22		$	746
Provision charged to income		(9	)		(6	)		28			(15	)		53			8			12			-			7			78
Charge offs		(3	)		(9	)		-			-			(24	)		(15	)		(16	)		-			(7	)		(74	)
Recoveries		-			2			-			22			1			-			3			-			1			29

Net charge offs		(3	)		(7	)		-			22			(23	)		(15	)		(13	)		-			(6	)		(45	)
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			(10	)		(4	)		(6	)		(6	)		-			(4	)		(30	)
Other																							-

Balance at end of period	$	217		$	83		$	138		$	18		$	188		$	49		$	37		$	-		$	19		$	749

Three months ended September 30, 2010:
Balances at beginning of period	$	292		$	151		$	168		$	66		$	244		$	104		$	73		$	33		$	35		$	1,166
Provision charged to income		47			6			(31	)		(14	)		(23	)		9			14			-			2			10
Charge offs		(29	)		(22	)		(6	)		(2	)		(46	)		(32	)		(26	)		-			(9	)		(172	)
Recoveries		-			3			-			1			1			-			2			-			1			8

Net charge offs		(29	)		(19	)		(6	)		(1	)		(45	)		(32	)		(24	)		-			(8	)		(164	)
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			(33	)		-			(33	)
Other		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-			-

Balance at end of period	$	310		$	138		$	131		$	51		$	176		$	81		$	63		$	-		$	29		$	979

Nine months ended September 30, 2011:
Balances at beginning of period	$	243		$	132		$	116		$	32		$	167		$	77		$	58		$	-		$	27		$	852
Provision charged to income		13			(15	)		22			(25	)		99			31			31			-			15			171
Charge offs		(46	)		(42	)		-			(2	)		(78	)		(53	)		(56	)		-			(23	)		(300	)
Recoveries		7			8			-			23			4			-			10			-			4			56

Net charge offs		(39	)		(34	)		-			21			(74	)		(53	)		(46	)		-			(19	)		244
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			(10	)		(4	)		(6	)		(6	)		-			(4	)		(30	)
Other																							-

Balance at end of period	$	217		$	83		$	138		$	18		$	188		$	49		$	37		$	-		$	19		$	749

Nine months ended September 30, 2010:
Balances at beginning of period	$	303		$	184		$	301		$	119		$	347		$	185		$	80		$	36		$	47		$	1,602
Provision charged to income		92			12			(148	)		(19	)		(32	)		(6	)		52			35			7			(7	)
Charge offs		(91	)		(72	)		(24	)		(52	)		(141	)		(98	)		(76	)		(37	)		(29	)		(620	)
Recoveries		6			14			2			1			2			-			7			(1	)		4			35

Net charge offs		(85	)		(58	)		(22	)		(51	)		(139	)		(98	)		(69	)		(38	)		(25	)		(585	)
Allowance on loans transferred to held for sale		-			-			-			-			-			-			-			(33	)		-			(33	)
Other		-			-			-			2									-			-			-			2

Balance at end of period	$	310		$	138		$	131		$	51		$	176		$	81		$	63		$	-		$	29		$	979


⁽¹⁾		In August 2010, we sold all the remaining auto loans previously purchased from HSBC Finance.

The allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2011 was broadly unchanged as compared to June 30, 2011 and decreased $103 million, or 12 percent as compared to December 31, 2010. Our allowance for our residential mortgage loan portfolio, excluding home equity loans, increased in both periods largely due to higher troubled debt restructures which were partially offset by lower reserve requirements in our home equity loan portfolios due to lower outstanding balances. The lower allowance on our credit card portfolio was due to lower receivable levels and

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improved credit quality including lower delinquency levels as well as an increased focus by consumers to reduce outstanding credit card debt. Reserve levels for all consumer loan categories however remain elevated due to ongoing weakness in the U.S. economy, including elevated unemployment rates and as it relates to residential mortgage loans, continued weakness in the housing market. Reserve requirements in our commercial loan portfolio while remaining unchanged since June 30, 2011 have declined since December 31, 2010 due to pay-offs, including managed reductions in certain exposures and improvements in the financial circumstances of several customer relationships which led to credit upgrades on certain problem credits and lower levels of nonaccrual loans and criticized assets.

The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of total loans at September 30, 2011 decreased as compared to December 31, 2010 for the reasons discussed above.

The allowance for credit losses as a percentage of net charge-offs improved in 2011, as the decline in dollars of net charge-off outpaced the decline in reserves. Net charge-off levels continued to decline in the first nine months of 2011 due to improved economic conditions as the decline in delinquency levels experienced in prior periods are resulting in lower charge-off.

The allowance for credit losses by major loan categories, excluding loans held for sale, is presented in the following table:


	September 30, 2011					June 30, 2011					December 31, 2010
			% of					% of					% of
			Loans to					Loans to					Loans to
			Total					Total					Total
	Amount		Loans⁽¹⁾			Amount		Loans⁽¹⁾			Amount		Loans⁽¹⁾

	(dollars are in millions)

Commercial⁽²⁾	$	456		63.73	%	$	456		60.07	%	$	523		60.24	%
Consumer:
Residential mortgages, excluding home equity mortgages		188		27.91			162		28.41			167		27.50
Home equity mortgages		49		5.28			62		7.27			77		7.67
Credit card receivables		37		1.59			44		2.39			58		2.51
Other consumer		19		1.49			22		1.86			27		2.08

Total consumer		293		36.27			290		39.93			329		39.76

Total	$	749		100.00	%	$	746		100.00	%	$	852		100.00	%


⁽¹⁾		Excludes loans held for sale.

⁽²⁾		Components of the commercial allowance for credit losses, including exposure relating to off-balance sheet credit risk, and the increases (decreases) since December 31, 2010, are summarized in the following table:


	September 30,		June 30,		December 31,
	2011		2011		2010

	(in millions)

On-balance sheet allowance:
Specific	$	226	$	196	$	178
Collective		210		250		335
Unallocated		20		22		23

Total on-balance sheet allowance		456		468		536

Off-balance sheet allowance		160		162		94

Total commercial allowances	$	616	$	630	$	630

While our allowance for credit loss is available to absorb losses in the entire portfolio, we specifically consider the credit quality and other risk factors for each of our products in establishing the allowance for credit losses.

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Reserves for Off-Balance Sheet Credit Risk We also maintain a separate reserve for credit risk associated with certain off-balance sheet exposures, including letters of credit, unused commitments to extend credit and financial guarantees. This reserve, included in other liabilities, was $160 million, $162 million and $94 million at September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The related provision is recorded as a miscellaneous expense and is a component of operating expenses. The increase in off-balance sheet reserves since December 31, 2010 reflects the deconsolidation of the Bryant Park commercial paper conduit in the first quarter of 2011 which resulted in the establishment of a $94 million liability for our credit exposure related to our commitments to this entity. The decrease as compared to June 30, 2011 reflects improved credit conditions and lower outstanding exposure on other commitments. Off-balance sheet exposures are summarized under the caption “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations” in this MD&A.

Delinquency The following table summarizes dollars of two-months-and-over contractual delinquency and two-months-and-over contractual delinquency as a percent of total loans and loans held for sale (“delinquency ratio”) for both continuing and discontinuing operations:


	September 30,			June 30,			December 31,
	2011			2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Dollars of Delinquency:
Continuing operations:
Commercial	$	533		$	542		$	737
Consumer:
Residential mortgage, excluding home equity mortgages⁽²⁾		1,205			1,182			1,272
Home equity mortgages		175			168			183

Total residential mortgages⁽¹⁾		1,380			1,350			1,455
Credit card receivables		25			25			34
Other consumer		33			31			32

Total consumer		1,438			1,406			1,521

Total continuing operations		1,971			1,948			2,258
Discontinued credit card and private label operations		510			493			726

Total	$	2,481		$	2,441		$	2,984

Delinquency Ratio:
Continuing operations:
Commercial		1.64	%		1.77	%		2.35	%
Consumer:
Residential mortgage, excluding home equity mortgages		8.06			8.08			8.68
Home equity mortgages		4.98			4.66			4.79

Total residential mortgages⁽¹⁾		7.47			7.40			7.88
Credit card receivables		2.08			2.09			2.70
Other consumer		3.36			3.10			2.86

Total consumer		6.96			6.88			7.30

Total continuing operations		4.66			4.79			5.71
Discontinued credit card and private label operations		2.55			2.50			3.31

Total		3.39	%		3.45	%		4.02	%

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⁽¹⁾		The following reflects dollars of contractual delinquency and delinquency ratios for interest-only loans and ARM loans:


	September 30,			June 30,			December 31,
	2011			2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Dollars of Delinquency:
Interest-only loans	$	127		$	114		$	169
ARM loans		442			407			470
Delinquency Ratio:
Interest-only loans		3.12	%		4.10	%		4.52	%
ARM loans		5.09			4.93			5.72


⁽²⁾		At September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, residential mortgage loan delinquency includes $683 million, $748 million and $852 million, respectively, of loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value less cost to sell.

Our total two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio on a continuing operations basis decreased 13 basis points as compared to the prior quarter. Our two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio for consumer loans on a continuing operations basis increased to 6.96 percent at September 30, 2011 as compared to 6.88 percent at June 30, 2011, driven by higher delinquencies in our residential mortgage portfolio and our other consumer portfolio. Dollars of delinquency increased in our residential mortgage loan portfolio driven by seasonality and our decision in late 2010 to suspend new foreclosure proceedings which has resulted in loans which would otherwise have been foreclosed and transferred to REO remaining in loan account, however the delinquency ratio for this portfolio remained relatively flat as outstanding balances increased. Dollars of delinquency in our credit card receivable portfolio reflect stable credit quality due to the continued increased focus by consumers to make payments. Overall delinquency levels, however, continue to be impacted by elevated unemployment levels and, as it relates to residential mortgages, continued weakness in the housing market.

Our commercial two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio decreased 13 basis points since June 30, 2011 driven by lower dollars of commercial real estate delinquency and higher outstanding loan balances.

Compared to December 31, 2010, our two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio on a continuing operations basis decreased 34 basis points largely due to lower dollars of delinquency and improved economic and credit conditions.

Our two-months-and-over contractual delinquency ratio for our discontinued credit card and private label operations increased compared to June 30, 2011 due to seasonality and lower outstanding balances. Compared to December 31, 2010, the delinquency ratio fell reflecting lower dollars of delinquency due to lower outstanding balances and improved economic and credit conditions.

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Net Charge-offs of Loans The following table summarizes net charge-off dollars as well as the net charge-off of loans for the quarter, annualized, as a percent of average loans, excluding loans held for sale, (“net charge-off ratio”) for both continuing and discontinued operations:


	September 30,			June 30,			September 30,
	2011			2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Net Charge-off Dollars:
Continuing operations:
Commercial:
Construction and other real estate	$	3		$	38		$	29
Business banking and middle market enterprises		7			16			18
Large corporate		-			-			7
Other commercial		(22	)		2			2

Total commercial		(12	)		56			56

Consumer:
Residential mortgage, excluding home equity mortgages		23			26			45
Home equity mortgages		15			18			32

Total residential mortgages		38			44			77
Credit card receivables		13			16			24
Auto finance⁽¹⁾		-			-			-
Other consumer		6			5			8

Total consumer		57			65			109

Total continuing operations		45			121			165
Total discontinued credit card and private label operations		151			284			486

Total	$	196		$	405		$	651

Net Charge-off Ratio:
Continuing operations:
Commercial:
Construction and other real estate		.15	%		1.86	%		1.35	%
Business banking and middle market enterprises		.31			.76			.95
Large corporate		-			-			.26
Other commercial		(2.98	)		.29			.32

Total commercial		(0.13	)		.71			.77

Consumer:
Residential mortgage, excluding home equity mortgages		.65			.74			1.32
Home equity mortgages		1.88			1.98			3.23

Total residential mortgages		.88			1.00			1.74
Credit card receivables		3.55			5.42			7.45
Auto finance⁽¹⁾		-			-			-
Other consumer		2.83			2.08			2.82

Total consumer		1.16			1.32			2.06

Total continuing operations		0.34			0.93			1.23

Total discontinued credit card and private label operations		2.98			5.44			8.38

Total		.35	%		.96	%		1.30	%


⁽¹⁾		In August 2010, we sold all the remaining auto loans previously purchased from HSBC Finance.

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Our net charge-off ratio as a percentage of average loans on a continuing operations basis decreased 59 basis points compared to the prior quarter primarily due to lower commercial and to a lesser extent residential mortgage charge-offs driven by improved credit quality, partially offset in the case of residential mortgage loans by the impact from continued high unemployment levels and continued weakness in the housing markets.

Commercial charge-off dollars and ratios decreased compared to the prior quarter driven by lower charge-offs in construction and other real estate as well as business banking and middle market enterprises and a partial recovery of a loan to an individual customer relationship that had previously been charged-off.

Charge-off dollars and ratios in the residential mortgage loan portfolio improved compared to the prior quarter reflecting the impact of the lower delinquency levels we first began to experience in the second quarter of 2010. Charge-off dollars and ratios for credit card receivables also declined compared to the prior quarter due to lower delinquency levels as a result of lower receivable balances including an increased focus by consumers to paydown debt, lower levels of personal bankruptcy filings and higher recoveries, partially offset by the impact of higher unemployment levels.

Compared to the year-ago quarter, our charge-off ratio on a continuing operations basis decreased 89 basis points, driven by lower charge-offs across all products due to improved economic conditions.

Our charge-off dollars and ratios also improved for our discontinued credit card and private label operations compared to both the prior quarter and the prior year quarter due to lower delinquency levels as a result of lower receivable levels, including an increased focus by consumers to paydown debt, lower levels of personal bankruptcy filings and higher recoveries, partially offset by the impact of higher unemployment levels.

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Nonperforming Assets Nonperforming assets are summarized in the following table for both continuing and discontinuing operations.


	September 30,			June 30,			December 31,
	2011			2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Nonaccrual loans:
Continuing operations:
Commercial:
Real Estate:
Construction and land loans	$	152		$	163		$	70
Other real estate		441			410			529
Business banking and middle market enterprises		69			84			116
Large corporate		147			74			74
Other commercial		35			11			12

Total commercial		844			742			801

Consumer:
Residential mortgages, excluding home equity mortgages		774			855			900
Home equity mortgages		92			93			93

Total residential mortgages(2)		866			948			993
Credit card receivables		-			-			-
Others		8			8			9

Total consumer loans		874			956			1,002

Nonaccrual loans held for sale		122			112			186

Total continuing operations		1,840			1,810			1,989
Total discontinued credit card and private label operations		-			-			-

Total nonaccruing loans	$	1,840		$	1,810		$	1,989

Accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more:
Continuing operations:
Commercial:
Real Estate:
Construction and land loans	$	-		$	-		$	-
Other real estate		10			53			137
Business banking and middle market enterprises		22			30			47
Large corporate		-			-			-
Other commercial		1			3			2

Total commercial		33			86			186

Consumer:
Credit card receivables		17			18			24
Other consumer		24			24			23

Total consumer loans		41			42			47

Total continuing operations		74			128			233
Total discontinued credit card and private label operations		355			344			533

Total accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more		429			472			766

Total nonperforming loans		2,269			2,282			2,755
Other real estate owned		100			228			159

Total nonperforming assets	$	2,369		$	2,510		$	2,914

Allowance for credit losses as a percent of nonperforming loans⁽¹⁾:
Commercial		52.00	%		55.07	%		52.99	%
Consumer		32.02			29.06			31.33


⁽¹⁾		Represents our commercial or consumer allowance for credit losses, as appropriate divided by the corresponding outstanding balance of total nonperforming loans held for investment. Nonperforming loans include accruing loans contractually past due 90 days or more. Ratio

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		excludes nonperforming loans associated with loan portfolios which are considered held for sale as these loans are carried at the lower of amortized cost or market.

⁽²⁾		At September 30, 2011, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, residential mortgage loan nonaccrual balances include $692 million, $718 million and $826 million, respectively, of loans that are carried at the lower of amortized cost or fair value less cost to sell.

Nonaccrual loans at September 30, 2011 increased as compared to June 30, 2011 due to higher levels of commercial nonaccrual loans due to downgrades which occurred during the quarter. Nonaccrual loans compared to December 31, 2010 decreased driven largely by lower levels of residential mortgage non-accrual loans and lower levels of nonaccrual loans held for sale due to sales partially offset by higher levels of commercial nonaccrual loans. Nonaccrual residential mortgage loans decreased since June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The level of nonaccrual residential mortgage loans has been impacted by our temporary suspension of foreclosure activity, which results in loans which would otherwise have been transferred into REO remaining in loan account as discussed above. Decreases in accruing loans past due 90 days or more since June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were driven by commercial loan and credit card receivables reflecting improvements in credit quality including lower dollars of delinquency at September 30, 2011.

Accrued but unpaid interest on loans placed on nonaccrual status generally is reversed and reduces current income at the time loans are so categorized. Interest income on these loans may be recognized to the extent of cash payments received. In those instances where there is doubt as to collectability of principal, any cash interest payments received are applied as reductions of principal. Loans are not reclassified as accruing until interest and principal payments are brought current and future payments are reasonably assured.

Our policies and practices for problem loan management and placing loans on nonaccrual status are summarized in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and New Accounting Pronouncements,” in our 2010 Form 10-K.

Impaired Commercial Loans A commercial loan is considered to be impaired when it is deemed probable that all principal and interest amounts due, according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, will not be collected. Probable losses from impaired loans are quantified and recorded as a component of the overall allowance for credit losses. Generally, impaired commercial loans include loans in nonaccrual status, loans that have been assigned a specific allowance for credit losses, loans that have been partially charged off and loans designated as troubled debt restructurings. Impaired commercial loan statistics are summarized in the following table:

September 30,

June 30,

December 31,

2011

2010

(in millions)

Impaired commercial loans:

Balance at end of period

1,153

1,029

1,127

Amount with impairment reserve

604

509

620

Impairment reserve

229

201

188

Criticized Loans Criticized loan classifications are based on the risk rating standards of our primary regulator. Problem loans are assigned various criticized facility grades. We also assign obligor grades which are used under

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our allowance for credit losses methodology. The following facility grades are deemed to be criticized. Criticized loans are summarized in the following table.


			Increase (Decrease) from						Increase (Decrease) from
	September 30,		June 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
	2011		Amount			%			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Special mention:
Commercial loans	$	1,742	$	(116	)		(6.2	)%	$	(542	)		(23.7	)%
Substandard:
Commercial loans		1,980		(27	)		(1.3	)		(280	)		(12.3	)
Consumer loans		1,399		5			0.4			(296	)		(17.5	)

Total substandard		3,379		(22	)		(0.6	)		(576	)		(14.6	)
Doubtful:
Commercial loans		289		40			16.1			87			43.1

Total	$	5,410	$	(98	)		(1.8	)	$	(1,031	)		(16.0	)

The overall decreases in criticized commercial loans in the first nine months of 2011 resulted primarily from changes in the financial condition of certain customers, some of which were upgraded during the period as well as paydowns related to certain exposures.

Geographic Concentrations Regional exposure at September 30, 2011 for certain loan portfolios is summarized in the following table.


	Commercial
	Construction and			Residential			Credit
	Other Real			Mortgage			Card
	Estate Loans			Loans			Receivables


New York State		48.2	%		35.6	%		69.3	%
North Central United States		4.2			7.5			3.0
North Eastern United States		10.0			9.5			9.2
Southern United States		18.9			17.4			9.9
Western United States		18.7			30.0			7.1
Other		-			-			1.5

Total		100	%		100	%		100	%

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Effective liquidity management is defined as making sure we can meet customer loan requests, customer deposit maturities/withdrawals and other cash commitments efficiently under both normal operating conditions and under unpredictable circumstances of industry or market stress. To achieve this objective, we have guidelines that require sufficient liquidity to cover potential funding requirements and to avoid over-dependence on volatile, less reliable funding markets. Guidelines are set for the consolidated balance sheet of HSBC USA to ensure that it is a source of strength for our regulated, deposit-taking banking subsidiary, as well as to address the more limited sources of liquidity available to it as a holding company. Similar guidelines are set for the balance sheet of HSBC Bank USA to ensure that it can meet its liquidity needs in various stress scenarios. Cash flow analysis, including stress testing scenarios, forms the basis for liquidity management and contingency funding plans.

During the first nine months of 2011, marketplace liquidity continues to remain ample and companies in the financial sector continue to be able to issue debt with credit spreads approaching levels historically seen prior to the

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financial crisis. The prolonged period of low Federal funds rates continues to put pressure on spreads earned on our deposit base.

Interest Bearing Deposits with Banks totaled $21.3 billion and $8.2 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Balances will fluctuate from year to year depending upon our liquidity position at the time and our strategy for deploying such liquidity. The balances increased during the first nine months of 2011, particularly at the Federal Reserve, as we redeployed surplus liquidity, driven by higher deposit levels.

Securities Purchased under Agreements to Resell totaled $5.1 billion and $8.2 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Balances will fluctuate from year to year depending upon our liquidity position at the time and our strategy for deploying such liquidity.

Short-Term Borrowings totaled $19.1 billion and $15.2 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. See “Balance Sheet Review” in this MD&A for further analysis and discussion on short-term borrowing trends.

Deposits totaled $132.8 billion and $120.6 billion at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. See “Balance Sheet Review” in this MD&A for further analysis and discussion on deposit trends.

Long-Term Debt increased to $18.6 billion at September 30, 2011 from $17.1 billion at December 31, 2010. The following table summarizes issuances and retirements of long-term debt during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:


Nine Months Ended September 30,	2011			2010

	(in millions)

Long-term debt issued	$	5,152		$	4,151
Long-term debt retired		(3,120	)		(1,936	)

Net long-term debt issued	$	2,032		$	2,215

Issuances of long-term debt during the first nine months of 2011 included $5.2 billion of medium term notes, of which $3.0 billion was issued to HSBC North America Holdings, Inc. in anticipation of upcoming debt maturities. Additionally, $503 million of the medium term notes were issued by HSBC Bank USA.

Under our shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we may issue debt securities or preferred stock. The shelf has no dollar limit, but the ability to issue debt is limited by the issuance authority granted by the Board of Directors. At September 30, 2011, we were authorized to issue up to $21.0 billion, of which $7.4 billion was available. HSBC Bank USA also has a $40.0 billion Global Bank Note Program of which $17.4 billion was available at September 30, 2011.

As a member of the New York Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), we have a secured borrowing facility which is collateralized by real estate loans and investment securities. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, long-term debt included $1.0 billion under this facility. The facility also allows access to further borrowings of up to $4.1 billion based upon the amount pledged as collateral with the FHLB.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we had a $2.5 billion unused line of credit with HSBC Bank plc, a U.K. based HSBC subsidiary to support issuances of commercial paper.

Preferred Equity See Note 19, “Preferred Stock,” in our 2010 Form 10-K for information regarding all outstanding preferred share issues.

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Common Equity During the first nine months of 2011, we did not receive any cash capital contributions from HNAI.

Selected Capital Ratios Capital amounts and ratios are calculated in accordance with current banking regulations. In managing capital, we develop targets for Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets, Total capital to risk weighted assets and Tier 1 capital to average assets. 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:


	September 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010


Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets		12.40	%		11.80	%
Total capital to risk weighted assets		18.03			18.14
Tier 1 capital to average assets		7.40			7.87
Total equity to total assets		8.79			9.10

HSBC USA manages capital in accordance with the HSBC Group policy. HSBC North America and HSBC USA have each approved an Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (“ICAAP”) that works in conjunction with the HSBC Group’s ICAAP. The ICAAP evaluates regulatory capital adequacy, economic capital adequacy, rating agency requirements and capital adequacy under various stress scenarios. Our initial approach is to meet our capital needs for these stress scenarios locally through activities which reduce risk. To the extent that local alternatives are insufficient or unavailable, we will rely on capital support from our parent in accordance with HSBC’s capital management policy. HSBC has indicated that they are fully committed and have the capacity to provide capital as needed to run operations, maintain sufficient regulatory capital ratios and fund certain tax planning strategies.

As discussed in previous filings, HSBC North America is required to implement Basel II provisions in accordance with current regulatory timelines. While HSBC USA Inc. will not report separately under the new rules, HSBC Bank USA will report under the new rules on a stand-alone basis. Prior to adoption of Basel II, we are required to successfully complete a parallel run by measuring regulatory capital under both the new regulatory capital rules and the existing general risk-based rules for a period of at least four quarters. Successful completion of the parallel run period requires the approval of U.S. regulators. We began the parallel run period in January 2010 which encompasses enhancements to a number of risk policies, processes and systems to align HSBC Bank USA with the Basel II final rule requirements. We are uncertain as to when we will receive approval from the Federal Reserve Board, our primary regulator. Regulatory approval may not occur until 2012. We have integrated Basel II metrics into our management reporting and decision making process.

In 2011, HSBC Bank USA has the ability to pay dividends under bank regulatory guidelines, as cumulative net profits for 2009 through 2011 year to date exceed dividends attributable to this period. In June 2011, HSBC Bank USA paid a $200 million dividend to HSBC USA, Inc.

U.S. regulators have issued proposed regulations and guidance on stress testing and capital planning, respectively, for bank holding companies. Under the proposed regulations, from January 1, 2012 bank holding companies would need to obtain approval of their annual capital plans prior to making capital distributions. Additionally, there are certain circumstances in which a bank holding company would be required to provide prior notice for approval of capital distributions, even if included in an approved plan.

HSBC Bank USA is subject to restrictions that limit the transfer of funds to its affiliates, including HSBC USA, and its nonbank subsidiaries in so-called “covered transactions.” In general, covered transactions include loans and other extensions of credit, investments and asset purchases, as well as certain other transactions involving the transfer of value from a subsidiary bank to an affiliate or for the benefit of an affiliate. Unless an exemption applies, covered transactions by a subsidiary bank with a single affiliate are limited to 10 percent of the subsidiary bank’s capital and surplus and, with respect to all covered transactions with affiliates in the aggregate, to 20 percent of the subsidiary bank’s capital and surplus. Also, loans and extensions of credit to affiliates generally are required to be secured in specified amounts. Where cash collateral is provided for an extension of credit to an affiliate, that loan is

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excluded from the 10 and 20 percent limitations. A bank’s transactions with its nonbank affiliates are also required to be on arm’s length terms.

We and HSBC Bank USA are required to meet minimum capital requirements by our principal regulators. Risk-based capital amounts and ratios are presented in Note 16, “Regulatory Capital,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

2011 Funding Strategy Our current range of estimates for funding needs and sources for 2011 are summarized in the following table.


	Actual			Estimated
	January 1			October 1
	through			through		Estimated
	September 30,			December 31,		Full Year
	2011			2011		2011

	(in billions)

Funding needs:
Net loan growth (attrition), excluding asset transfers	$	(3	)	$	3	$	-
Long-term debt maturities		3			3		6

Total funding needs	$	-		$	6	$	6

Funding sources:
Core deposit growth	$	3		$	-	$	3
Other deposit growth		9			-		9
Long-term debt issuance		5			1		6
Short-term funding/investments		(13	)		5		(8	)
Other, including capital infusions		(4	)		-		(4	)

Total funding sources	$	-		$	6	$	6

The above table reflects a long-term funding strategy. Daily balances fluctuate as we accommodate customer needs, while ensuring that we have liquidity in place to support the balance sheet maturity funding profile. Should market conditions deteriorate, we have contingency plans to generate additional liquidity through the sales of assets or financing transactions. Our prospects for growth are dependent upon our ability to attract and retain deposits and, to a lesser extent, access to the global capital markets. We remain confident in our ability to access the market for long-term debt funding needs in the current market environment. Deposits are expected to grow as we continue to expand our core domestic banking network. We continue to seek well-priced and stable customer deposits as customers move funds to larger, well-capitalized institutions.

We will continue to sell a majority of new mortgage loan originations to government sponsored enterprises and private investors.

For further discussion relating to our sources of liquidity and contingency funding plan, see the caption “Risk Management” in this MD&A.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of our normal operations, we enter into credit derivatives and various off-balance sheet arrangements with affiliates and third parties. These arrangements arise principally in connection with our lending and client intermediation activities and involve primarily extensions of credit and, in certain cases, guarantees.

As a financial services provider, we routinely extend credit through loan commitments and lines and letters of credit and provide financial guarantees, including derivative transactions that meet the definition of a guarantee. The contractual amounts of these financial instruments represent our maximum possible credit exposure in the event that

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a counterparty draws down the full commitment amount or we are required to fulfill our maximum obligation under a guarantee.

The following table provides maturity information related to our sell protection credit derivatives and off-balance sheet arrangements. Many of these commitments and guarantees expire unused or without default. As a result, we believe that the contractual amount is not representative of the actual future credit exposure or funding requirements. Descriptions of these arrangements are found in our 2010 Form 10-K under the caption “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations.”

Balance at September 30, 2011

One

Over One

Over

Balance at

Year

through

Five

December 31,

or Less

Five Years

Years

Total

2010

(in billions)

Standby letters of credit, net of participations⁽¹⁾

5.7

2.0

7.9

7.2

Commercial letters of credit

1.0

Credit derivatives⁽²⁾

69.1

240.5

44.2

353.8

354.8

Other commitments to extend credit:

Commercial

31.3

21.4

5.3

58.0

45.6

Consumer

9.2

7.2

Total

116.2

264.0

49.7

429.9

415.6


⁽¹⁾		Includes $622 million and $486 million issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

⁽²⁾		Includes $50.2 billion and $49.4 billion issued for the benefit of HSBC affiliates at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

We provide liquidity support to a number of multi-seller and single seller asset-backed commercial paper conduits (“ABCP conduits”). The tables below present information on our liquidity facilities with ABCP conduits at June 30, 2011. The maximum exposure to loss presented in the first table represents the maximum contractual amount of loans and asset purchases we could be required to make under the liquidity agreements. This amount assumes that we suffer a total loss on all amounts advanced and all assets purchased from the ABCP conduits. As such, we believe that this measure significantly overstates our expected loss exposure. See our 2010 Form 10-K under the caption “Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations” in MD&A for additional information on these ABCP conduits.


			Conduit Assets⁽¹⁾				Conduit Funding⁽¹⁾
	Maximum				Weighted				Weighted
	Exposure		Total		Average Life		Commercial		Average Life
Conduit Type	to Loss		Assets		(Months)		Paper		(Days)

	(dollars are in millions)

HSBC affiliate sponsored (multi-seller)	$	263	$	258		28	$	258		15
Third-party sponsored:
Single-seller		554		6,779		42		6,459		66

Total	$	817	$	7,037			$	6,717


⁽¹⁾		For multi-seller conduits, the amounts presented represent only the specific assets and related funding supported by our liquidity facilities. For single-seller conduits, the amounts presented above represent the total assets and funding of the conduit.

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	Average
	Asset			Average Credit Quality⁽¹⁾
Asset Class	Mix			AAA			AA+/AA			A			A−			BB/BB−			B−


Multi-seller conduits
Debt securities backed by:
Auto loans and leases		100	%		-	%		-	%		100	%		-	%		-	%		-	%

Single-seller conduits
Debt securities backed by:
Auto loans and leases		100	%		98	%		2	%		-	%		-	%		-	%		-	%


⁽¹⁾		Credit quality is based on Standard and Poor’s ratings at September 30, 2011 except for loans and trade receivables held by single-seller conduits, which are based on our internal ratings. For the single-seller conduits, external ratings are not available; however, our internal credit ratings were developed using similar methodologies and rating scales equivalent to the external credit ratings.

We receive fees for providing these liquidity facilities. Credit risk on these obligations is managed by subjecting them to our normal underwriting and risk management processes.

During the first nine months of 2011, U.S. asset-backed commercial paper volumes continued to be stable as most major bank conduit sponsors continue to extend new financing to clients but at a slow pace. Credit spreads in the multi- seller conduit market have generally remained consistent with year-end spreads. The low supply of ABCP has led to continued investor demand for the ABCP issued by large bank-sponsored ABCP programs. The improved demand for higher quality ABCP programs has led to less volatility in issuance spreads.

The preceding tables do not include information on liquidity facilities that we previously provided to certain Canadian multi-seller ABCP conduits that have been subject to restructuring agreements. As a result of specific difficulties in the Canadian asset backed commercial paper markets, we entered into various agreements during 2007 modifying obligations with respect to these facilities. Under one of these agreements, known as the Montreal Accord, a restructuring proposal to convert outstanding commercial paper into longer term securities was approved by ABCP noteholders and endorsed by the Canadian justice system in 2008. The restructuring plan was formally executed during the first quarter of 2009. As part of the enhanced collateral pool established for the restructuring, we have provided a $387 million Margin Funding Facility to new Master Conduit Vehicles, which is currently undrawn. HSBC Bank USA derivatives transactions with the previous conduit vehicles have been assigned to the new Master Conduit Vehicles. Under the restructuring, collateral provided to us to mitigate the derivatives exposures is significantly higher than it was prior to the restructuring.

Also in Canada but separately from the Montreal Accord, as part of an ABCP conduit restructuring executed in 2008, we agreed to hold long-term securities of CAD $300 million and provide a CAD $100 million credit facility. As of September 30, 2011 this credit facility was undrawn and approximately $97 million of long-term securities were held. As of December 31, 2010 this credit facility was undrawn and approximately $301 million of long-term securities were held.

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, other than the facilities referred to above, we no longer have outstanding liquidity facilities to Canadian ABCP conduits subject to the Montreal Accord or other agreements. However, we hold $10 million of long-term securities that were converted from a liquidity drawing which fell under the Montreal Accord restructuring agreement.

We have established and manage a number of constant net asset value (“CNAV”) money market funds that invest in shorter-dated highly-rated money market securities to provide investors with a highly liquid and secure investment. These funds price the assets in their portfolio on an amortized cost basis, which enables them to create and liquidate shares at a constant price. The funds, however, are not permitted to price their portfolios at amortized cost if that amount varies by more than 50 basis points from the portfolio’s market value. In that case, the fund would be required to price its portfolio at market value and consequently would no longer be able to create or liquidate shares

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at a constant price. We do not consolidate the CNAV funds as they are not VIEs and we do not hold a majority voting interest.

Fair Value

Fair value measurement accounting principles require a reporting entity to take into consideration its own credit risk in determining the fair value of financial liabilities. The incorporation of our own credit risk accounted for a decrease of $416 million and $461 million in the fair value of financial liabilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to an increase of $1 million and a decrease of $179 million during the prior year periods.

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, the gain on debt designated at fair value and related derivatives during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 should not be considered indicative of the results for any future period.

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 Finance. Finance establishes policies and procedures to ensure appropriate valuations. For fair values determined by reference to external quotations on the identical or similar assets or liabilities, an independent price validation process is utilized. For price validation purposes, quotations from at least two independent pricing sources are obtained 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;

	•	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 source of the fair value information.

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 structured such instruments, 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.

For fair values determined by using internal valuation techniques, valuation models and inputs are developed by the business and are reviewed, validated and approved by the Quantitative Risk and Valuation Group (“QRVG”) or other independent valuation control teams within Finance. Any subsequent material changes are reviewed and approved by the Valuation Committee which is comprised of representatives from the business and various control groups. Where available, we also participate in pricing surveys administered by external pricing services to validate our valuation models and the model inputs. The fair values of the majority of financial assets and liabilities are determined using well developed valuation models based on observable market inputs. The fair value measurements of these assets and liabilities require less judgment. However, certain assets and liabilities are valued based on proprietary valuation models that use one or more significant unobservable inputs and judgment is required to determine the appropriate level of adjustments to the fair value to address, among other things, model and input uncertainty. Any material adjustments to the fair values are reported to management.

Fair Value Hierarchy Fair value measurement accounting principles establish a fair value hierarchy structure that prioritizes the inputs 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

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reflect market participants’ assumptions. It emphasizes the use of valuation methodologies that maximize observable 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 our 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 and may change over time as market conditions evolve. We consider the following factors in developing the fair value hierarchy:


	•	whether the asset or liability is transacted in an active market with a quoted market price;

	•	the level of bid-ask spreads;

	•	a lack of pricing transparency due to, among other things, complexity of the product and market liquidity;

	•	whether only a few transactions are observed over a significant period of time;

	•	whether the pricing quotations vary substantially among independent pricing services;

	•	whether 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 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 over-the-counter (“OTC”) market where transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume. We regard financial instruments such as equity securities and derivative contracts listed on the primary exchanges of a country to be actively traded. Non-exchange-traded instruments classified as Level 1 assets include securities issued by the U.S. Treasury or by other foreign governments, to-be-announced (“TBA”) securities and non-callable securities issued by U.S. government sponsored entities.

Level 2 inputs are inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly but do not qualify as Level 1 inputs. We classify mortgage pass-through securities, agency and certain non-agency mortgage collateralized obligations, certain derivative contracts, asset-backed securities, corporate debt, preferred securities and leveraged loans as Level 2 measurements. Where possible, at least two quotations from independent sources are obtained based on transactions involving comparable assets and liabilities to validate the fair value of these instruments. Where significant differences arise among the independent pricing quotes and the internally determined fair value, we investigate and reconcile the differences. If the investigation results in a significant adjustment to the fair value, the instrument will be classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. In general, we have observed that there is a correlation between the credit standing and the market liquidity of a non-derivative instrument.

Level 2 derivative instruments are generally valued based on discounted future cash flows or an option pricing model adjusted for counterparty credit risk and market liquidity. The fair value of certain structured derivative products is determined using valuation techniques based on inputs derived from observable benchmark index tranches traded in the OTC market. Appropriate control processes and procedures have been applied to ensure that the derived inputs are applied to value only those instruments that share similar risks to the relevant benchmark indices and therefore demonstrate a similar response to market factors. In addition, a validation process has been established, which includes participation in peer group consensus pricing surveys, to ensure that valuation inputs incorporate market participants’ risk expectations and risk premium.

Level 3 inputs are unobservable estimates that management expects market participants would use to determine the fair value of the asset or liability. That is, 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

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best information available in the circumstances. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our Level 3 instruments included the following: collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) for which there is a lack of pricing transparency due to market illiquidity, certain structured credit and structured equity derivatives where significant inputs (e.g., volatility or default correlations) are not observable, credit default swaps with certain monoline insurers where the deterioration in the creditworthiness of the counterparty has resulted in significant adjustments to fair value, U.S. subprime mortgage loans and subprime related asset-backed securities, mortgage servicing rights, and derivatives referenced to illiquid assets of less desirable credit quality.

Transfers between leveling categories are recognized at the end of each reporting period.

Material Transfers Between Level 1 and Level 2 Measurements During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, there were no material transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 measurements.

Level 3 Measurements The following table provides information about Level 3 assets/liabilities in relation to total assets/liabilities measured at fair value as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.


	September 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010

	(dollars are in millions)

Level 3 assets⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	$	6,376		$	5,776
Total assets measured at fair value⁽³⁾		192,876			139,139
Level 3 liabilities		6,337			5,197
Total liabilities measured at fair value⁽¹⁾		129,246			83,444
Level 3 assets as a percent of total assets measured at fair value		3.3	%		4.2	%
Level 3 liabilities as a percent of total liabilities measured at fair value		4.9	%		6.2	%


⁽¹⁾		Presented without netting which allow the offsetting of amounts relating to certain contracts if certain conditions are met.

⁽²⁾		Includes $5.7 billion of recurring Level 3 assets and $714 million of non-recurring Level 3 assets at September 30, 2011 and $4.8 billion of recurring Level 3 assets and $992 million of non-recurring Level 3 assets at December 31, 2010.

⁽³⁾		Includes $192.1 billion of assets measured on a recurring basis and $779 million of assets measured on a non-recurring basis at September 30, 2011. Includes $137.6 billion of assets measured on a recurring basis and $1.5 billion of assets measured on a non-recurring basis at December 31, 2010.

Material Changes in Fair Value for Level 3 Assets and Liabilities

Derivative Assets and Counterparty Credit Risk We have entered into credit default swaps with monoline insurers to hedge our credit exposure in certain asset-backed securities and synthetic CDOs. Beginning in the second half of 2009 and continuing through 2010 and into the first nine months of 2011, the credit condition of some insurers began to improve. As a result, we made $16 million and $89 million positive credit risk adjustments to the fair value of our credit default swap contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which is reflected in trading revenue. We have recorded a cumulative credit adjustment reserve of $345 million and $361 million against our monoline exposure at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The fair value of our monoline exposure net of cumulative credit adjustment reserves equaled $759 million and $781 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. The decrease in the first nine months of 2011 reflects both reductions in our outstanding positions and improvements in exposure estimates.

Loans As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we have classified $228 million and $413 million, respectively, of mortgage whole loans held for sale as a non-recurring Level 3 financial asset. These mortgage loans are accounted for on a lower of amortized cost or fair value basis. Based on our assessment, we recorded a loss of $10 million and $16 million for such mortgage loans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to a loss of $5 million and a gain of $55 million during the prior year periods. The changes in fair value are recorded as other revenues in the consolidated statement of income.

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See Note 21, “Fair Value Measurements,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for information on additions to and transfers into (out of) Level 3 measurements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 as well as for further details including the classification hierarchy associated with assets and liabilities measured at fair value.

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Credit Quality of Assets Underlying Asset-backed Securities The following tables summarize the types and credit quality of the assets underlying our asset-backed securities as well as certain collateralized debt obligations and collateralized loan obligations held as of September 30, 2011:

Asset-backed securities backed by consumer finance collateral:

Credit Quality of Collateral:


				Commercial
				Mortgages				Prime				Alt-A				Sub-prime
				Prior to		2006 to		Prior to		2006 to		Prior to		2006 to		Prior to		2006 to
Year of Issuance:		Total		2006		Present		2006		Present		2006		Present		2006		Present

		(in millions)

Rating of securities:	Collateral type:
AAA	Home equity loans	$	2	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	1	$	-	$	1	$	-
	Student loans		14		-		-		-		-		14		-		-		-
	Residential mortgages		363		-		-		3		-		217		-		143		-
	Commercial mortgages		466		53		413		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Other		14		-		-		-		-		14		-		-		-

	Total AAA		859		53		413		3		-		246		-		144		-

AA	Home equity loans		125		-		-		-		-		-		125		-		-
	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Student loans		11		-		-		-		-		11		-		-		-
	Other		36		-		-		-		-		36		-		-		-

	Total AA		172		-		-		-		-		47		125		-		-

A	Home equity loans		1		-		-		-		-		1		-		-		-
	Residential mortgages		75		-		-		-		-		15		-		60		-
	Commercial mortgages		12		-		12		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Other		46		-		-		-		-		46		-		-		-

	Total A		134		-		12		-		-		62		-		60		-

BBB	Home equity loans		90		-		-		-		-		1		89		-		-
	Residential mortgages		23		-		-		-		-		23		-		-		-
	Other		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

	Total BBB		113		-		-		-		-		24		89		-		-

BB	Home equity		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Residential mortgages		2		-		-		-		-		2		-		-		-

	Total BB		2		-		-		-		-		2		-		-		-

B	Home equity		1		-		-		-		-		-		-		1		-
	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

	Total B		1		-		-		-		-		-		-		1		-

CCC	Home equity loans		74		-		-		-		-		-		74		-		-
	Residential mortgages		3		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		3

	Total CCC		77		-		-		-		-		-		74		-		3

CC	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

D	Home equity loans		1		-		-		-		-		1		-		-		-
	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

	Total D		1		-		-		-		-		1		-		-		-

Unrated	Home equity loans		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Residential mortgages		14		-		-		-		-		14		-		-		-
	Other		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-		-

	Total Unrated		14		-		-		-		-		14		-		-		-

		$	1,373	$	53	$	425	$	3	$	-	$	396	$	288	$	205	$	3

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Collateralized debt obligations (CDO) and collateralized loan obligations (CLO):


Credit quality of collateral:		Total		A or Higher		BBB		BB/B		CCC		Unrated

	(in millions)

Rating of securities:	Collateral type:
	Corporate loans	$	346	$	-	$	-	$	346	$	-	$	-
	Residential mortgages		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Commercial mortgages		216		-		-		160		56		-
	Trust preferred		145		-		145		-		-		-
	Aircraft leasing		-		-		-		-		-		-
	Others		-		-		-		-		-		-

			707	$	-	$	145	$	506	$	56	$	-

	Total asset-backed securities	$	2,080

Effect of Changes in Significant Unobservable Inputs The fair value of certain financial instruments is measured using valuation techniques that incorporate pricing assumptions not supported by, derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The resultant fair value measurements are dependent on unobservable input parameters which can be selected from a range of estimates and may be interdependent. Changes in one or more of the significant unobservable input parameters may change the fair value measurements of these financial instruments. For the purpose of preparing the financial statements, the final valuation inputs selected are based on management’s best judgment that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing similar assets or liabilities.

The unobservable input parameters selected are subject to the internal valuation control processes and procedures. When we perform a test of all the significant input parameters to the extreme values within the range at the same time, it could result in an increase of the overall fair value measurement of approximately $195 million or a decrease of the overall fair value measurement of approximately $507 million as of September 30, 2011. The effect of changes in significant unobservable input parameters are primarily driven by mortgage whole loans held for sale or securitization, certain asset-backed securities including CDOs, and the uncertainty in determining the fair value of credit derivatives executed against monoline insurers.

Risk Management

Overview Some degree of risk is inherent in virtually all of our activities. For the principal activities undertaken, the following are considered to be the most important types of risks:


	•	Credit risk is the potential that a borrower or counterparty will default on a credit obligation, as well as the impact on the value of credit instruments due to changes in the probability of borrower default. Credit risk includes risk associated with cross-border exposures.

	•	Liquidity risk is the potential that an institution will be unable to meet its obligations as they become due or fund its customers because of inadequate cash flow or the inability to liquidate assets or obtain funding itself.

	•	Interest rate risk is the potential impairment of net interest income due to mismatched pricing between assets and liabilities as well as losses in value due to rate movements.

	•	Market risk is the potential for losses in daily mark-to-market positions (mostly trading) due to adverse movements in money, foreign exchange, equity or other markets and includes both interest rate risk and trading risk.

	•	Operational risk is the risk of loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, or systems, or from external events (including legal risk but excluding strategic and reputational risk).

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	•	Compliance risk is the risk arising from failure to comply with relevant laws, regulations and regulatory requirements governing the conduct of specific businesses.

	•	Fiduciary risk is the risk associated with offering services honestly and properly to clients in a fiduciary capacity in accordance with Regulation 12 CFR 9, Fiduciary Activity of National Banks.

	•	Reputational risk involves the safeguarding of our reputation and can arise from social, ethical or environmental issues, or as a consequence of operational and other risk events.

	•	Strategic risk is the risk to earnings or capital arising from adverse business decisions or improper implementation of those decisions.

There have been no significant changes to the policies or approach for managing various types of risk as disclosed in our 2010 Form 10-K, although we continue to monitor market conditions and will adjust risk management policies and procedures as deemed necessary. See “Risk Management” in MD&A in our 2010 Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the objectives of our risk management system as well as our risk management policies and practices. Our risk management process involves the use of various simulation models. We believe that the assumptions used in these models are reasonable, but actual events may unfold differently than what is assumed in the models. Consequently, model results may be considered reasonable estimates, with the understanding that actual results may vary significantly from model projections. Interest rate risk and liquidity metrics have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the pending First Niagara retail branch sale and Capital One credit card receivables sale transactions. The risk metrics reflect current assumed transaction dates, with balances reduced at projected sale date and the associated impact of that reduction is included in both base and shock scenarios.

Credit Risk Management Credit risk is the potential that a borrower or counterparty will default on a credit obligation, as well as the impact on the value of credit instruments due to changes in the probability of borrower default.

Credit risk is inherent in various on- and off-balance sheet instruments and arrangements, such as:


	•	loan portfolios;

	•	investment portfolios;

	•	unfunded commitments such as letters of credit and lines of credit that customers can draw upon; and

	•	treasury instruments, such as interest rate swaps which, if more valuable today than when originally contracted, may represent an exposure to the counterparty to the contract.

While credit risk exists widely in our operations, diversification among various commercial and consumer portfolios helps to lessen risk exposure. Day-to-day management of credit and market risk is performed by the Chief Credit Officer / Head of Wholesale Credit and Market Risk North America and the HSBC North America Chief Retail Credit Officer, who report directly to the HSBC North America Chief Risk Officer and maintain independent risk functions. The credit risk associated with commercial portfolios is managed by the Chief Credit Officer, while credit risk associated with retail consumer loan portfolios, such as credit cards, installment loans and residential mortgages, is managed by the HSBC North America Chief Retail Credit Officer. Further discussion of credit risk can be found under the “Credit Quality” caption in this MD&A.

Credit risk associated with derivatives is measured as the net replacement cost in the event the counterparties with contracts in a gain position to us fail to perform under the terms of those contracts. In managing derivative credit risk, both the current exposure, which is the replacement cost of contracts on the measurement date, as well as an estimate of the potential change in value of contracts over their remaining lives are considered. Counterparties to our derivative activities include financial institutions, foreign and domestic government agencies, corporations, funds (mutual funds, hedge funds, etc.), insurance companies and private clients as well as other HSBC entities. These counterparties are subject to regular credit review by the credit risk management department. To minimize credit risk, we enter into legally enforceable master netting agreements which reduce risk by permitting the closeout and netting of transactions with the same counterparty upon occurrence of certain events. In addition, we reduce credit

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risk by obtaining collateral from counterparties. The determination of the need for and the levels of collateral will vary based on an assessment of the credit risk of the counterparty.

The total risk in a derivative contract is a function of a number of variables, such as:


	•	volatility of interest rates, currencies, equity or corporate reference entity used as the basis for determining contract payments;

	•	current market events or trends;

	•	country risk;

	•	maturity and liquidity of contracts;

	•	credit worthiness of the counterparties in the transaction;

	•	the existence of a master netting agreement among the counterparties; and

	•	existence and value of collateral received from counterparties to secure exposures.

The table below presents total credit risk exposure measured using rules contained in the risk-based capital guidelines published by U.S. banking regulatory agencies. Risk-based capital guidelines recognize that bilateral netting agreements reduce credit risk and, therefore, allow for reductions of risk-weighted assets when netting requirements have been met. As a result, risk-weighted amounts for regulatory capital purposes are a portion of the original gross exposures.

The risk exposure calculated in accordance with the risk-based capital guidelines potentially overstates actual credit exposure because: the risk-based capital guidelines ignore collateral that may have been received from counterparties to secure exposures; and the risk-based capital guidelines compute exposures over the life of derivative contracts. However, many contracts contain provisions that allow us to close out the transaction if the counterparty fails to post required collateral. In addition, many contracts give us the right to break the transactions earlier than the final maturity date. As a result, these contracts have potential future exposures that are often much smaller than the future exposures derived from the risk-based capital guidelines.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Risk associated with derivative contracts:
Total credit risk exposure	$	48,329	$	39,652
Less: collateral held against exposure		6,854		4,577

Net credit risk exposure	$	41,475	$	35,075

Liquidity Risk Management There have been no material changes to our approach towards liquidity risk management since December 31, 2010. See “Risk Management” in MD&A in our 2010 Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of our approach to liquidity risk. Although our overall approach to liquidity management has not changed, we continue to enhance our implementation of that approach to reflect best practices. The past few years have suggested that in a market crisis, traditional sources of crisis liquidity such as secured lending and deposits with other banks may not be available. Similarly, the current regulatory initiatives are suggesting banks need to retain a portfolio of extremely high quality liquid assets. Consistent with these items, we are expanding our portfolio of high quality sovereign and sovereign guaranteed securities.

We continuously monitor the impact of market events on our liquidity positions. In general terms, the strains due to the recent credit crisis have been concentrated in the wholesale market as opposed to the retail market (the latter being the market from which we source core demand and time deposit accounts). Financial institutions with less reliance on the wholesale markets were in many respects less affected by those conditions. Our limited dependence upon the wholesale markets for funding has been a significant competitive advantage through the most recent period of financial market turmoil.

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Our liquidity management approach includes increased deposits and potential sales (e.g. residential mortgage loans) in liquidity contingency plans. Total deposits increased $12 billion during the first nine months of 2011.

Our ability to regularly attract wholesale funds at a competitive cost is enhanced by strong ratings from the major credit ratings agencies. At September 30, 2011, we and HSBC Bank USA maintained the following long and short-term debt ratings:

Moody’s

S&P

Fitch

DBRS⁽¹⁾

HSBC USA Inc.:

Short-term borrowings

P-1

A-1+

F1+

R-1

Long-term debt

AA−

HSBC Bank USA:

Short-term borrowings

P-1

A-1+

F1+

R-1

Long-term debt

Aa3


⁽¹⁾		Dominion Bond Rating Service.

As of September 30, 2011, there were no pending actions in terms of changes to ratings on the debt of HSBC USA Inc. or HSBC Bank USA from any of the rating agencies. Standard & Poor’s Corporation has announced that it intends to publish revised criteria for rating financial institutions in early November 2011 and will complete implementation of the new criteria by the middle of December 2011. While we do not expect the application of the new criteria to result in a negative change to the Standard & Poor’s Corporation credit rating for HSBC USA Inc. or HSBC Bank USA, we are currently unable to predict the likelihood or extent of any such action.

Interest Rate Risk Management Various techniques are utilized to quantify and monitor risks associated with the repricing characteristics of our assets, liabilities and derivative contracts. Our approach to managing interest rate risk is summarized in MD&A in our 2010 Form 10-K under the caption “Risk Management.” There have been no material changes to our approach towards interest rate risk management since December 31, 2010.

Present Value of a Basis Point (“PVBP”) is the change in value of the balance sheet for a one basis point upward movement in all interest rates. The following table reflects the PVBP position at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011		2010

	(in millions)

Institutional PVBP movement limit	$	8.0	$	8.0
PVBP position at period end		4.5		3.9

Economic value of equity is the change in value of the assets and liabilities (excluding capital and goodwill) for either a 200 basis point immediate rate increase or decrease. The following table reflects the economic value of equity position at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010.


	September 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010

	(values as a
	percentage)

Institutional economic value of equity limit		+/−15			+/−15
Projected change in value (reflects projected rate movements on January 1):
Change resulting from an immediate 200 basis point increase in interest rates		-			(7	)
Change resulting from an immediate 200 basis point decrease in interest rates		(7	)		(4	)

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The loss in value for a 200 basis point increase or decrease in rates is a result of the negative convexity of the residential whole loan and mortgage-backed securities portfolios. If rates decrease, the projected prepayments related to these portfolios will accelerate, causing less appreciation than a comparable term, non-convex instrument. If rates increase, projected prepayments will slow, which will cause the average lives of these positions to extend and result in a greater loss in market value.

Dynamic simulation modeling techniques are utilized to monitor a number of interest rate scenarios for their impact on net interest income. These techniques include both rate shock scenarios, which assume immediate market rate movements by as much as 200 basis points, as well as scenarios in which rates rise or fall by as much as 200 basis points over a twelve month period. The following table reflects the impact on net interest income of the scenarios utilized by these modeling techniques.


	September 30,						December 31,
	2011						2010
	Amount			%			Amount			%

	(dollars are in millions)

Projected change in net interest income (reflects projected rate movements on January 1):
Institutional base earnings movement limit					(9	)%					(10	)%
Change resulting from a gradual 100 basis point increase in the yield curve	$	204			6		$	43			1
Change resulting from a gradual 100 basis point decrease in the yield curve		(286	)		(8	)		(205	)		(4	)
Change resulting from a gradual 200 basis point increase in the yield curve		289			8			20			-
Change resulting from a gradual 200 basis point decrease in the yield curve		(336	)		(10	)		(374	)		(8	)
Other significant scenarios monitored (reflects projected rate movements on January 1):
Change resulting from an immediate 100 basis point increase in the yield curve		387			11			43			1
Change resulting from an immediate 100 basis point decrease in the yield curve		(316	)		(9	)		(335	)		(7	)
Change resulting from an immediate 200 basis point increase in the yield curve		417			12			(20	)		-
Change resulting from an immediate 200 basis point decrease in the yield curve		(348	)		(10	)		(531	)		(11	)

The projections do not take into consideration possible complicating factors such as the effect of changes in interest rates on the credit quality, size and composition of the balance sheet. Therefore, although this provides a reasonable estimate of interest rate sensitivity, actual results will vary from these estimates, possibly by significant amounts. Downward rate scenarios are subject to implicit floors of zero, with rates not permitted to become negative. Given the current level of short term rates, most down scenarios result in minimal change to short term rates as they move to zero, with more material changes to long term rates.

Capital Risk/Sensitivity of Other Comprehensive Income Large movements of interest rates could directly affect some reported capital balances and ratios. The mark-to-market valuation of available-for-sale securities is credited on a tax effective basis to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Although this valuation mark is excluded from Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital ratios, it is included in two important accounting based capital ratios: the tangible common equity to tangible assets and the tangible common equity to risk weighted assets. As of September 30, 2011, we had an available-for-sale securities portfolio of approximately $52.8 billion with a positive mark-to-market of $1.5 billion included in tangible common equity of $13.9 billion. An increase of 25 basis points in interest rates of all maturities would lower the mark-to-market by approximately $197 million to a net gain

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of $1.3 billion with the following results on our tangible capital ratios. As of December 31, 2010, we had an available-for-sale securities portfolio of approximately $45.5 billion with a positive mark-to-market of $116 million included in tangible common equity of $12.5 billion. An increase of 25 basis points in interest rates of all maturities would lower the mark-to-market by approximately $328 million to a net loss of $212 million with the following results on our tangible capital ratios.


	September 30, 2011						December 31, 2010
	Actual			Proforma⁽¹⁾			Actual			Proforma⁽¹⁾


Tangible common equity to tangible assets		6.73	%		6.67	%		6.91	%		6.80	%
Tangible common equity to risk weighted assets		11.64			11.53			10.29			10.10


⁽¹⁾		Proforma percentages reflect a 25 basis point increase in interest rates.

Market Risk Management There have been no material changes to our approach towards market risk management since December 31, 2010. See “Risk Management” in MD&A in our 2010 Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of our approach to market risk.

Value at Risk (“VAR”) is a technique used to estimate the maximum potential losses that could occur on risk positions as a result of movements in market rates and prices over a specified time horizon and to a given level of confidence.

VAR calculations are performed for all material trading activities and as a tool for managing interest rate risk inherent in non-trading activities. VAR is calculated daily for a one-day holding period to a 99 percent confidence level.

VAR − Trading Activities Our management of market risk is based on a policy of restricting individual operations to trading within an authorized list of permissible instruments, enforcing new product approval procedures and restricting trading in the more complex derivative products to offices with appropriate levels of product expertise and robust control systems. Market making trading is undertaken within Global Banking and Markets.

In addition, at both portfolio and position levels, market risk in trading portfolios is monitored and managed using a complementary set of techniques, including VAR and a variety of interest rate risk monitoring techniques as discussed above. These techniques quantify the impact on capital of defined market movements.

Trading portfolios reside primarily within the Markets unit of the Global Banking and Markets business segment, which include warehoused residential mortgage loans purchased with the intent of selling them, and within the mortgage banking subsidiary included within the RBWM business segment. Portfolios include foreign exchange, interest rate swaps and credit derivatives, precious metals (i.e. gold, silver, platinum), equities and money market instruments including “repos” and securities. Trading occurs as a result of customer facilitation, proprietary position taking and economic hedging. In this context, economic hedging may include forward contracts to sell residential mortgages and derivative contracts which, while economically viable, may not satisfy the hedge accounting requirements.

The trading portfolios have defined limits pertaining to items such as permissible investments, risk exposures, loss review, balance sheet size and product concentrations. “Loss review” refers to the maximum amount of loss that may be incurred before senior management intervention is required.

The following table summarizes trading VAR for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:


	September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011						December 31,
	2011		Minimum		Maximum		Average		2010

	(in millions)

Total trading	$	12	$	11	$	27	$	17	$	21
Equities		-		-		1		-		-
Foreign exchange		3		1		5		2		1
Interest rate directional and credit spread		10		-		24		15		18

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The following table summarizes the frequency distribution of daily market risk-related revenues for trading activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Market risk-related trading revenues include realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to trading activities, but exclude the related net interest income. Analysis of the gain (loss) data for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 shows that the largest daily gain was $20 million and the largest daily loss was $16 million.

Below

$(5)

$0 to

$5 to

Over

Ranges of daily treasury trading revenue earned from market risk-related activities

$(5)

to $0

$10

(dollars are in millions)

Number of trading days market risk-related revenue was within the stated range

VAR – Non-trading Activities Interest rate risk in non-trading portfolios arises principally from mismatches between the future yield on assets and their funding cost as a result of interest rate changes. Analysis of this risk is complicated by having to make assumptions on embedded optionality within certain product areas such as the incidence of mortgage repayments, and from behavioral assumptions regarding the economic duration of liabilities which are contractually repayable on demand such as current accounts. The prospective change in future net interest income from non-trading portfolios will be reflected in the current realizable value of these positions if they were to be sold or closed prior to maturity. In order to manage this risk optimally, market risk in non-trading portfolios is transferred to Global Markets or to separate books managed under the supervision of the local Asset and Liability Committee (“ALCO”). Once market risk has been consolidated in Global Markets or ALCO-managed books, the net exposure is typically managed through the use of interest rate swaps within agreed upon limits.

The following table summarizes non-trading VAR for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, assuming a 99% confidence level for a two-year observation period and a one-day “holding period”.


	September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011						December 31,
	2011		Minimum		Maximum		Average		2010

	(in millions)

Interest rate	$	99	$	6	$	146	$	114	$	138

Trading Activities – Trading occurs in mortgage banking operations as a result of an economic hedging program intended to offset changes in value of mortgage servicing rights and the salable loan pipeline. Economic hedging may include, for example, forward contracts to sell residential mortgages and derivative instruments used to protect the value of MSRs.

MSRs are assets that represent the present value of net servicing income (servicing fees, ancillary income, escrow and deposit float, net of servicing costs). MSRs are separately recognized upon the sale of the underlying loans or at the time that servicing rights are purchased. MSRs are subject to interest rate risk, in that their value will decline as a result of actual and expected acceleration of prepayment of the underlying loans in a falling interest rate environment.

Interest rate risk is mitigated through an active hedging program that uses trading securities and derivative instruments to offset changes in value of MSRs. Since the hedging program involves trading activity, risk is quantified and managed using a number of risk assessment techniques.

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Modeling techniques, primarily rate shock analyses, are used to monitor certain interest rate scenarios for their impact on the economic value of net hedged MSRs, as reflected in the following table.


	September 30,			December 31,
	2011			2010

	(in millions)

Projected change in net market value of hedged MSRs portfolio (reflects projected rate movements on October 1 and January 1, respectively):
Value of hedged MSRs portfolio	$	237		$	394
Change resulting from an immediate 50 basis point decrease in the yield curve:
Change limit (no worse than)		(20	)		(10	)
Calculated change in net market value		5			(2	)
Change resulting from an immediate 50 basis point increase in the yield curve:
Change limit (no worse than)		(8	)		(8	)
Calculated change in net market value		5			5
Change resulting from an immediate 100 basis point increase in the yield curve:
Change limit (no worse than)		(12	)		(12	)
Calculated change in net market value		18			12

The economic value of the net hedged MSRs portfolio is monitored on a daily basis for interest rate sensitivity. If the economic value declines by more than established limits for one day or one month, various levels of management review, intervention and/or corrective actions are required.

The following table summarized the frequency distribution of the weekly economic value of the MSR asset during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This includes the change in the market value of the MSR asset net of changes in the market value of the underlying hedging positions used to hedge the asset. The changes in economic value are adjusted for changes in MSR valuation assumptions that were made during the course of the year.


	Below		$(2) to		$0 to		$2 to		Over
Ranges of mortgage economic value from market risk-related activities	$(2)		$0		$2		$4		$4

			(dollars are in millions)

Number of trading weeks market risk-related revenue was within the stated range		4		12		10		9		4

Operational Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward operational risk since December 31, 2010.

Compliance Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward compliance risk since December 31, 2010. However, as a result of the Servicing Consent Orders, we have submitted plans and continue to review related areas to address the deficiencies noted in the joint examination and described in the consent orders.

Fiduciary Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward fiduciary risk since December 31, 2010.

Reputational Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward reputational risk since December 31, 2010.

Strategic Risk There have been no material changes to our approach toward strategic risk since December 31, 2010.

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HSBC USA Inc.

Consolidated Average Balances and Interest Rates

The following table shows the quarter-to-date average balances of the principal components of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity together with their respective interest amounts and rates earned or paid, presented on a taxable equivalent basis. The calculation of net interest margin includes interest expense of $61 million and $94 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which has been allocated to our discontinued operations. This allocation of interest expense to our discontinued operations was in accordance with our existing internal transfer pricing policies as external interest expense is unaffected by these transactions.


	2011								2010
Three Months Ended September 30,	Balance			Interest		Rate⁽¹⁾			Balance			Interest		Rate⁽¹⁾

	(dollars are in millions)

*Assets*
Interest bearing deposits with banks	$	28,626		$	21		0.29	%	$	22,297		$	15		0.28	%
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements		4,493			14		1.25			6,824			11		0.62
Trading securities		14,044			53		1.48			5,775			33		2.27
Securities		49,585			311		2.49			40,983			316		3.05
Loans:
Commercial		31,636			227		2.84			30,697			226		2.92
Consumer:
Residential mortgages		15,064			162		4.27			14,525			165		4.51
HELOCs and home equity mortgages		3,341			28		3.31			3,934			32		3.23
Credit cards		1,260			22		6.98			1,221			22		7.24
Auto finance		-			-		-			762			26		13.39
Other consumer		975			17		6.81			1,161			19		6.67

Total consumer		20,640			229		4.40			21,603			264		4.86

Total loans		52,276			456		3.45			52,300			490		3.72

Other		5,783			10		0.68			6,602			12		0.69

Total earning assets		154,807		$	865		2.21	%		134,781		$	877		2.58	%

Allowance for credit losses		(728	)							(1,131	)
Cash and due from banks		1,497								1,287
Other assets		28,500								26,772
Assets of discontinued operations		20,870								22,509

*Total assets*	$	204,946							$	184,218

*Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity*
Deposits in domestic offices:
Savings deposits	$	57,912		$	64		0.44	%	$	53,983		$	86		0.63	%
Other time deposits		15,632			32		0.83			16,542			42		1.01
Deposits in foreign offices:
Foreign banks deposits		5,887			2		0.11			6,633			6		0.34
Other interest bearing deposits		19,609			4		0.08			18,574			5		0.11
Deposits held for sale		9,914			6		.22			-			-		-

Total interest bearing deposits		108,954			108		0.39			95,732			139		0.58

Short-term borrowings		17,493			10		0.24			19,057			22		0.47
Long-term debt		18,844			161		3.39			15,755			141		3.55

Total interest bearing deposits and debt		145,291			279		0.76			130,544			302		0.92
Other		387			12		12.41			-			-		-

Total interest bearing liabilities		145,678			291		0.79			130,544			302		0.92

Net interest income/Interest rate spread				$	574		1.42	%				$	575		1.66	%

Noninterest bearing deposits		21,173								21,432
Other liabilities		18,656								13,691
Liabilities of discontinued operations		1,541								1,755
Total shareholders’ equity		17,898								16,796

*Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity*	$	204,946							$	184,218

Net interest margin on average earning assets							1.47	%							1.69	%
Net interest margin on average total assets							1.23	%							1.41	%


⁽¹⁾		Rates are calculated on unrounded numbers.

173

HSBC USA Inc.

Total weighted average rate earned on earning assets is interest and fee earnings divided by daily average amounts of total interest earning assets, including the daily average amount on nonperforming loans. Loan interest for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 included fees of $19 million and $18 million, respectively.

The following table shows the year-to-date average balances of the principal components of assets, liabilities and shareholders’ equity together with their respective interest amounts and rates earned or paid, presented on a taxable equivalent basis. This calculation of net interest margin includes interest expense of $199 million and $306 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, 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 these transactions.


	2011								2010
Nine Months Ended September 30,	Balance			Interest		Rate⁽¹⁾			Balance			Interest		Rate⁽¹⁾

	(dollars are in millions)

*Assets*
Interest bearing deposits with banks	$	26,497		$	59		0.30	%	$	28,914		$	58		0.27	%
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under resale agreements		5,368			45		1.12			4,578			25		0.73
Trading securities		13,138			156		1.59			5,854			100		2.29
Securities		47,772			945		2.64			37,236			837		3.00
Loans:
Commercial		31,399			667		2.84			31,246			688		2.94
Consumer:
Residential mortgages		14,775			482		4.36			14,657			513		4.68
HELOCs and home equity mortgages		3,573			88		3.28			4,016			98		3.26
Credit cards		1,267			64		6.78			1,221			62		6.81
Auto finance		-			-		-			1,327			169		17.03
Other consumer		1,035			45		5.75			1,179			63		7.19

Total consumer		20,650			679		4.39			22,400			905		5.41

Total loans		52,049			1,346		3.46			53,646			1,593		3.97

Other		5,970			32		0.74			6,219			35		0.75

Total earning assets		150,794		$	2,583		2.29	%		136,447		$	2,648		2.59	%

Allowance for credit losses		(840	)							(1,321	)
Cash and due from banks		1,616								1,466
Other assets		26,036								25,347
Assets of discontinued operations		21,224								23,953

*Total assets*	$	198,830							$	185,892

*Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity*
Deposits in domestic offices:
Savings deposits	$	57,966		$	213		0.49	%	$	53,708		$	290		0.72	%
Other time deposits		16,463			94		0.76			16,896			131		1.03
Deposits in foreign offices:
Foreign banks deposits		6,377			7		0.15			8,518			17		0.27
Other interest bearing deposits		19,123			14		0.10			19,915			15		0.10
Deposits held for sale		3,341			6		0.25			-			-		-

Total interest bearing deposits		103,270			334		0.43			99,037			453		0.61

Short-term borrowings		18,425			31		0.23			18,216			62		0.46
Long-term debt		18,371			481		3.50			15,457			391		3.38

Total interest bearing deposits and debt		140,066			846		0.81			132,710			906		0.91
Other		297			97		43.56			-			-		-

Total interest bearing liabilities		140,363			943		0.92			132,710			906		0.91

Net interest income/Interest rate spread				$	1,640		1.37	%				$	1,742		1.68	%

Noninterest bearing deposits		23,498								21,376
Other liabilities		16,351								13,479
Liabilities of discontinued operations		1,196								2,302
Total shareholders’ equity		17,422								16,025

*Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity*	$	198,830							$	185,892

Net interest margin on average earning assets							1.45	%							1.71	%
Net interest margin on average total assets							1.23	%							1.45	%


⁽¹⁾		Rates are calculated on unrounded numbers.

174

HSBC USA Inc.

Total weighted average rate earned on earning assets is interest and fee earnings divided by daily average amounts of total interest earning assets, including the daily average amount on nonperforming loans. Loan interest for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 included fees of $57 million and $48 million, respectively.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Refer to Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the captions “Interest Rate Risk Management” and “Trading Activities” 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 USA 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. Our 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 September 30, 2011 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 Note 21, “Litigation and Regulatory Matters,” in the accompanying consolidated financial statements beginning on page 93 for our legal proceedings disclosure, which is incorporated herein by reference.

175

HSBC USA Inc.

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits included in this Report:


10		Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated August 10, 2011 among HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC USA Inc., HSBC Technology and Services (USA) Inc., and Capital One Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 12, 2011)
12		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings 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 HSBC USA Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”) interactive date files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 and December 31. 2010, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and (v) 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.

176

HSBC USA Inc.

Index

Assets:

by business segment 64

consolidated average balances 173

fair value measurements 78

nonperforming 35, 37, 152

trading 13, 120

Asset-backed commercial paper conduits 70

Asset-backed securities 14, 90, 164

Balance sheet:

consolidated 4

consolidated average balances 173

review 117

Basel II 112, 157

Basis of reporting 113

Business:

consolidated performance review 104

Capital:

2011 funding strategy 157

common equity movements 156

consolidated statement of changes 6

regulatory capital 62

selected capital ratios 62, 109, 158

Cash flow (consolidated) 8

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking

statements 101

Collateral — pledged assets 78

Collateralized debt obligations 90, 165

Commercial banking segment results

(IFRSs) 64

Compliance risk 168

Controls and procedures 175

Credit card fees 128

Credit quality 34, 35, 110, 143, 164

Credit risk:

adjustment 93

component of fair value option 50

concentration 37

exposure 167

management 166

related contingent features 48

related arrangements 73

Current environment 101

Deferred tax assets 52

Deposits 121, 122, 155

Derivatives:

cash flow hedges 45

fair value hedges 43

notional value 49

trading and other 46

Discontinued operations 10

Equity:

consolidated statement of changes 6

ratios 62, 109, 156

Equity securities available-for-sale 14

Estimates and assumptions 9

Executive overview 101

Fair value measurements:

assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a

recurring basis 80

assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a

non-recurring basis 86

control over valuation process 160

financial instruments 79

hierarchy 160

transfers into/out of level one and

two 82, 162

transfers into/out of level two and

three 85, 162

valuation techniques 87

Fiduciary risk 166

Financial assets:

designated at fair value 50

Financial highlights metrics 109

Financial liabilities:

designated at fair value 50

fair value of financial liabilities 79, 80

Forward looking statements 101

Funding 112

Gain on instruments designated at fair value and related

derivatives 50

Gains less losses from securities 20, 130

Global Banking and Markets:

balance sheet data (IFRSs) 64

segment results (IFRSs) 64, 139

Geographic concentration of receivables 154

Goodwill 43

Guarantee arrangements 73

Impairment:

available-for-sale securities 18

credit losses 38, 125, 145

nonperforming loans 35, 37, 152

impaired loans 153

Intangible assets 41

Income tax expense 52

Internal control 175

Interest rate risk 165

Key performance indicators 109

Legal proceedings 175

Leveraged finance transactions 50

177

HSBC USA Inc.

Liabilities:

commitments, lines of credit 157

deposits 121, 125, 155

financial liabilities designated at

fair value 50

long-term debt 122

short-term borrowings 122

trading 13, 120

Liquidity and capital resources 154

Liquidity risk 165

Litigation and regulatory matters 93

Loans:

by category 24, 118

by charge-off (net) 38, 146

by delinquency 35, 148

criticized assets 34, 153

geographic concentration 154

held for sale 40, 119

impaired 28, 153

nonperforming 35, 37, 152

overall review 118

purchases from HSBC Finance 57

risk concentration 37

troubled debt restructures 28

Loan impairment charges — see Provision for

credit losses

Loan-to-deposits ratio 109

Market risk 165

Market turmoil:

exposures 167

impact on liquidity risk 154

Monoline insurers 20, 108, 140

Mortgage lending products 24, 118

Mortgage servicing rights 41

Net interest income 123

New accounting pronouncements 99

Off balance sheet arrangements 157

Operating expenses 133

Operational risk 166

Other revenue 127

Other segment results (IFRSs) 64, 135

Pension and other postretirement benefits 55

Performance, developments and trends 104

Pledged assets 78

Private banking segment results (IFRSs) 64, 141

Profit (loss) before tax:

by segment — IFRSs 64

consolidated 3

Provision for credit losses 125

Ratios:

capital 62, 109, 156

charge-off (net) 150

credit loss reserve related 145

delinquency 35, 148

earnings to fixed charges — Exhibit 12

efficiency 107, 135

financial 109

loans-to-deposits 109

Real estate owned 123

Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP results to IFRSs 114

Refreshed loan-to-value 119

Related party transactions 56

Reputational risk 166

Results of operations 123

Retail banking and wealth management segment

results (IFRSs) 64, 136

Risk elements in the loan portfolio 37

Risk management:

credit 165

compliance 166

fiduciary 166

interest rate 165

liquidity 165

market 165

operational 165

reputational 166

strategic 166

Securities:

fair value 14

impairment 18

maturity analysis 23

Segment results — IFRSs basis:

retail banking and wealth management 64, 136

commercial banking 64, 138

global banking and markets 64, 139

private banking 64, 141

other 64, 142

overall summary 135

Selected financial data 109

Sensitivity:

projected net interest income 123

Statement of changes in shareholders’ equity 6

Statement of changes in comprehensive income 6

Statement of income 3

Strategic risk 166

Table of contents 2

Tax expense 52

Trading:

assets 13, 120

derivatives 13, 120

liabilities 13, 120

portfolios 13

Trading revenue (net) 129

Troubled debt restructures 28

Value at risk 170

Variable interest entities 68

178

Exhibit Index


10		Purchase and Assumption Agreement, dated August 10, 2011 among HSBC Finance Corporation, HSBC USA Inc., HSBC Technology and Services (USA) Inc., and Capital One Financial Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 12, 2011)
12		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings 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 HSBC USA Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, formatted in eXentsible Business Reporting Language (“XBRL”) interactive date files: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2011 and December 31. 2010, (iii) the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and (v) 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.


Part/Item No.		Page

Part I.

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited):
	Consolidated Statement of Income		3
	Consolidated Balance Sheet		4
	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:		101
	Forward-Looking Statements		101
	Executive Overview		101
	Basis of Reporting		113
	Balance Sheet Review		117
	Real Estate Owned		123
	Results of Operations		123
	Segment Results – IFRSs Basis		135
	Credit Quality		143
	Liquidity and Capital Resources		154
	Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements		157
	Fair Value		160
	Risk Management		165
	Average Balances and Interest Rates		173
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		175
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		175

Part II

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		175
Item 6.	Exhibits		176
Index			177
Signature			179