Here is the 3Q25 earnings summary for HSBC.

1. Financial Performance Overview

2. Strategic Updates and Restructuring

3. Future Outlook and Targets

4. Capital and Dividends

5. Business Segment Highlights (Constant Currency Basis)


Based on the financial report for HSBC Holdings plc’s third quarter of 2025, the group confirmed a total of 1.4 billion USD in legal proceedings provisions. These charges are classified as “notable items” and primarily involve two historical cases:

1. Madoff Securities Fraud Litigation (Approx. 1.1 billion USD)

This represents the largest portion of the legal provisions this quarter, amounting to 1.1 billion USD.

2. French Tax Investigation (Approx. 0.3 billion USD)

Tax and Financial Implications


The Madoff investment scandal is the largest and most far-reaching Ponzi scheme in financial history. Orchestrated by Bernard Madoff, former chairman of the NASDAQ, this fraud operated for over 20 years and impacted victims worldwide.

Here is a breakdown of the core elements of the case:

1. Key Figure: Bernard Madoff

Madoff was an immensely prestigious figure on Wall Street. Not only did he found his own securities investment firm, but he also served as the Chairman of the NASDAQ Board of Directors. This background as a “pillar of the community” earned him the absolute trust of countless individual investors, charities, and even major global banks.

2. Modus Operandi: The Ponzi Scheme

Madoff’s investment strategy claimed to provide “stable and above-market” returns (roughly 10%–12% annually), regardless of market volatility.

3. The Collapse: 2008 Financial Crisis

A Ponzi scheme requires a constant influx of new capital to survive. When the 2008 global financial crisis hit, a wave of panicked investors requested redemptions totaling approximately 7 billion USD. Madoff did not have the cash to fulfill these requests, causing the scheme to collapse immediately.

4. Scale and Impact

5. Connection to HSBC Holdings

As noted in the financial summaries mentioned earlier, HSBC is still making provisions for this case (such as the 1.1 billion USD in 3Q25) because its service unit (HSSL) acted as a custodian or administrator for several Madoff “feeder funds.” Plaintiffs argue that HSBC failed in its duties regarding due diligence and asset protection, leading to over a decade of litigation.

The Madoff scandal fundamentally changed global financial regulation, prompting countries to strengthen oversight of investment advisors and requiring assets to be held by independent third-party custodians to prevent a “player-referee” conflict of interest.


Based on HSBC Holdings plc’s 3Q25 report, the Group continues to execute its strategy of organizational simplification and exiting non-core businesses. Below is a detailed summary of business disposal progress and plans:

1. Completed Transactions

2. Signed Agreements or Planned Transactions (Estimated Completion)

The Group has announced 11 transactions so far in 2025, aimed at creating investment capacity for growth.

3. Strategic Review and Future Planning

The Group is focusing on opportunities with clear competitive advantages and value-added returns, planning to redeploy approximately 1.5 billion USD in costs from non-strategic activities to growth areas over the medium term.

4. Financial Impact


According to HSBC Holdings plc’s 3Q25 financial report, the Group implemented a significant organizational simplification structure starting January 1, 2025. This initiative aims to make the bank simpler, more agile, and more focused on its core strengths.

Below is a detailed breakdown of the organizational simplification:

1. Four New Business Segments

The Group restructured its previous operating model into four primary business segments, complemented by a Corporate Centre:

2. Financial Targets and Progress

This restructuring is accompanied by clear commitments to cost savings:

3. Strategic Significance

Group Chief Executive Georges Elhedery stated that these simplification measures make HSBC a “simpler, more agile, and more focused bank,” placing the evolving needs of customers at the core. The new structure integrates similar businesses that were previously dispersed across different regions (such as merging commercial banking in non-core markets into CIB, while keeping the core Hong Kong and UK markets independent) to improve operational efficiency.


Based on the financial report for the third quarter of 2025, HSBC Holdings plc announced a proposal regarding the privatization of Hang Seng Bank on October 9, 2025. Below are the detailed specifics of the proposal:

1. Proposal Substance and Mechanism

2. Financial Consideration

3. Impact on Capital Structure

4. Impact on Share Buyback Strategy

5. Estimated Timeline


The privatization of Hang Seng Bank represents the most significant capital and organizational restructuring for HSBC Holdings in recent years. This decision is far more than a simple financial maneuver; it is a profound strategic realignment.

Below are the core strategic reasons behind the privatization proposal:

1. Deep Integration of Hong Kong Operations and Enhanced Efficiency

Under the new organizational structure implemented in 2025, HSBC has isolated “Hong Kong” as a standalone core segment.

2. Capturing Hang Seng’s Robust Capital and Liquidity

Hang Seng Bank has long been the “cash cow” of the HSBC Group, maintaining exceptionally high profit margins and capital adequacy ratios.

3. Resolving Brand Overlap and Internal Competition

For a long time, HSBC and Hang Seng have effectively competed against each other in the local market.

4. Maximizing Shareholder Value (RoTE)

HSBC recently upgraded its Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) target to 15% or better.

Potential Challenges and Costs

While the strategic significance is high, the transaction comes with a steep price:


Here is the detailed income statement for HSBC Holdings plc for the third quarter of 2025, comparing results with the same period in 2024.

1. Consolidated Income Statement

Units: Millions of US Dollars ($m)

Line Item3Q25% of Total Revenue3Q24Year-on-Year (YoY)
Net interest income8,77749.3%7,637+14.9%
Net fee income3,50619.7%3,122+12.3%
Trading & Fair Value Income4,51325.4%5,298-14.8%
Net income from Insurance8324.7%390+113.3%
Other operating income/expense1600.9%551-71.0%
Total Revenue17,788100.0%16,998+4.6%
Expected Credit Losses (ECL)(1,008)-5.7%(986)+2.2%
Net operating income16,78094.3%16,012+4.8%
Operating expenses(10,076)-56.6%(8,143)+23.7%
Operating profit6,70437.7%7,869-14.8%
Share of profit in associates5913.3%607-2.6%
Profit before tax7,29541.0%8,476-13.9%
Tax expense(1,792)-10.1%(1,727)+3.8%
Profit after tax5,50330.9%6,749-18.5%

2. Segment Revenue

Revenue performance by business segment (Reported Basis).

Units: Millions of US Dollars ($m)

Business Segment3Q25% of Total Revenue3Q24Year-on-Year (YoY)
Hong Kong3,96422.3%3,806+4.2%
UK3,34118.8%3,048+9.6%
Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB)6,72937.8%6,725+0.1%
International Wealth & Premier Banking (IWPB)3,82321.5%3,632+5.3%
Corporate Centre(69)-0.4%(213)+67.6%
Total Group17,788100.0%16,998+4.6%

3. Financial Notes and Analysis


Here is the summary of the consolidated balance sheet for HSBC Holdings plc, with comparisons between September 30, 2025, and December 31, 2024 (Year-to-Date).

1. Summary Consolidated Balance Sheet

Units: Millions of US Dollars ($m)

AssetsSep 30, 2025% of Total AssetsDec 31, 2024Change (vs Year-end 24)
Cash & balances at central banks246,8217.6%267,674-7.8%
Trading assets357,41811.1%314,842+13.5%
Derivatives213,9036.6%268,637-20.4%
Loans and advances to customers982,88630.4%930,658+5.6%
Financial investments563,15917.4%493,166+14.2%
Assets held for sale46,0261.4%27,234+69.0%
Other assets824,01025.5%714,837+15.3%
Total Assets3,234,223100.0%3,017,048+7.2%
Liabilities & EquitySep 30, 2025% of Total AssetsDec 31, 2024Change (vs Year-end 24)
Customer accounts1,737,24753.7%1,654,955+5.0%
Deposits by banks98,1263.0%73,997+32.6%
Trading liabilities73,1822.3%65,982+10.9%
Financial liabilities designated at fair value162,9145.0%138,727+17.4%
Derivatives217,4386.7%264,448-17.8%
Debt securities in issue98,2403.0%105,785-7.1%
Insurance contract liabilities120,1693.7%107,629+11.7%
Liabilities of disposal groups held for sale52,6161.6%29,011+81.4%
Other liabilities475,60314.7%384,241+23.8%
Total Liabilities3,035,53593.9%2,824,775+7.5%
Total shareholders’ equity191,4305.9%184,973+3.5%
Non-controlling interests7,2580.2%7,300-0.6%
Total Equity198,6886.1%192,273+3.3%

2. Key Data Analysis

  1. Asset Growth: Total assets increased by 7.2% to 3.23 trillion USD compared to the end of 2024. This growth was primarily driven by increases in trading assets and financial investments.
  2. Loans and Deposits (LDR):
    • Customer Loans: Increased by 52.2 billion USD (+5.6%). Key drivers include growth in commercial and mortgage lending in the UK, alongside expanded lending in the International Wealth & Premier Banking (IWPB) segment in Asia.
    • Customer Deposits: Increased by 82.3 billion USD (+5.0%), largely due to growth in Corporate & Institutional Banking (CIB) accounts across Asia, Europe, the UK, and the US.
    • Loan-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR): Stood at 56.6%, a slight decrease from 57.1% as of June 30, 2025, indicating continued strong liquidity.
  3. Surge in Assets/Liabilities Held for Sale: This reflects the Group’s ongoing strategic disposals. During the third quarter, several operations—including UK Life Insurance, Uruguay, Sri Lanka Retail Banking, and German Fund Administration—were reclassified as “held for sale,” adding approximately 8.5 billion USD to these categories.
  4. Shareholders’ Equity: Total equity rose to 191.4 billion USD, reflecting profit generation during the period, which was partially offset by dividend payouts and share buybacks.

HSBC


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