SCPLC Half Year Results 2025 - Part 1
Source: RNS
Standard Chartered PLC - Half Year Results 2025 - Part 1
Table of content
Performance highlights |
02 |
Statement of results |
04 |
Group Chief Executive's review |
05 |
Group Chief Financial Officer's review |
07 |
Financial review |
10 |
Supplementary financial information |
17 |
Underlying versus reported results reconciliations |
25 |
Alternative performance measures |
27 |
Group Chief Risk Officer's review |
29 |
Shareholder information |
36 |
Important notices |
38 |
Unless another currency is specified, the word 'dollar' or symbol '$' in this document means US dollar and the word 'cent' or symbol 'c' means one-hundredth of one US dollar.
The information within Performance highlights to Capital review and Other supplementary information to Glossary is unreviewed.
Unless the context requires, within this document, 'China' refers to the People's Republic of China and, for the purposes of this document only, excludes Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Hong Kong), Macau Special Administrative Region (Macau) and Taiwan. 'Korea' or 'South Korea' refers to the Republic of Korea.
Within the tables in this report, blank spaces indicate that the number is not disclosed, dashes indicate that the number is zero and nm stands for not meaningful. Standard Chartered PLC is incorporated in England and Wales with limited liability. Standard Chartered PLC is headquartered in London.
The Group's head office provides guidance on governance and regulatory standards. Standard Chartered PLC stock codes are: HKSE 02888 and LSE STAN.LN
- page 01 -
Standard Chartered PLC - Results for the first half and second quarter ended 30 June 2025
All figures are presented on an underlying basis and comparisons are made to 2024 on a reported currency basis, unless otherwise stated. A reconciliation of restructuring and other items excluded from underlying results is set out below.
Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, said:
"Our strong first-half performance reflects continued successful execution of our strategy, through our focus on cross-border and affluent banking. We delivered record net new money in the second quarter, alongside double-digit income growth in Wealth Solutions, Global Markets and Global Banking. Through our unique network across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, we offer our clients the means to navigate volatile external conditions. We're performing well, while keeping a tight grip on costs, credit risk and capital. As a result, we delivered a 41 per cent increase in earnings per share in the first half and have announced a further buyback of $1.3 billion."
Selected information on Q2'25 financial performance with comparisons to Q2'24 unless otherwise stated
• Operating income of $5.5bn up 14% at constant currency (ccy), up 15% at ccy excluding notable1 items.
- Excluding $238m gain on the Solv India transaction with Jumbotail, income up 10% at ccy.
- Net interest income (NII) was broadly flat at ccy at $2.7bn.
- Non NII up 31% at ccy to $2.8bn, up 33% at ccy excluding notable items.
- Wealth Solutions up 20% at ccy, with double-digit growth in both Investment Products and Bancassurance.
- Global Markets up 47% at ccy, with strong performance in both flow and episodic income.
- Global Banking up 12% at ccy, driven by higher origination and distribution volumes, and increased capital markets activity.
• Operating expenses up 3% at ccy to $3bn, driven by targeted investments for business growth, and inflation, partly offset by efficiency saves.
• Credit impairment charge of $117m; Wealth & Retail Banking (WRB) charge of $153m up year-on-year albeit lower quarter-on-quarter due to reduction in some unsecured portfolios, partly offset by a $44m release in Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB).
- Loan-loss rate of 12 basis points (bps).
• Underlying profit before tax of $2.4bn, up 34% at ccy; reported profit before tax of $2.3bn, up 48% at ccy.
• Restructuring and other charges of $123m include $87m related to the Fit for Growth programme.
• Balance sheet remains strong, liquid and well diversified:
- Loans and advances to customers of $287bn up 2% since 31.03.25; up $1bn on an underlying basis, after adjusting for foreign exchange (FX), and Treasury and Global Markets securities backed lending activities.
- Customer deposits of $517bn up 5% since 31.03.25; up 4% at ccy; growth in CIB and WRB CASA and Term Deposits in WRB.
• Risk-weighted assets (RWA) of $260bn, up $6bn since 31.03.25.
- Credit risk RWA up $7.1bn; driven by FX translation, asset growth and mix, a sovereign downgrade, partly offset by optimisation activities. Reduction in Market risk RWA of $1bn.
• The Group remains strongly capitalised:
- Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio 14.3% (31.03.25: 13.8%).
- $1.3bn share buyback starting imminently is expected to reduce CET1 ratio by approximately 50bps.
- Interim ordinary dividend increased 37% to 12.3 cents per share ($288m).
- Tangible net asset value per share of $16.80, up 119 cents quarter-on-quarter.
• Return on Tangible Equity (RoTE) of 19.7%, up 7%pts.
1 Notable items relating to Ghana hyperinflation and revaluation of FX positions in Egypt
- page 02 -
Selected information on H1'25 financial performance with comparisons to H1'24 unless otherwise stated
• Underlying earnings per share (EPS) increased 40.7 cents or 41% to 139.2 cents; reported EPS increased 45.8 cents or 55% to 129.1 cents.
• Operating income up 9% to $10.9bn, up 10% at ccy; up 13% at ccy excluding notable items.
- NII up 4% at ccy to $5.5bn; non NII up 18% at ccy to $5.4bn, up 25% at ccy excluding notable items.
- Wealth Solutions up 24% at ccy, particularly strong growth in capital market products.
- Global Banking up 14% at ccy driven by higher origination and distribution volumes.
- Global Markets up 28% at ccy with episodic income up 50% and flow income up 19%.
• Operating expenses up 5% to $6bn, up 4% at ccy.
• Credit impairment charge of $336m, includes WRB charges $332m.
• Underlying profit before tax of $4.7bn, up 22% at ccy; reported profit before tax of $4.4bn, up 30% at ccy.
• Tax charge of $1.1bn; underlying effective tax rate of 23.7%.
• RoTE of 18.1%, up 4%pts.
Guidance
2025 and 2026 guidance:
• Income:
- Operating income to increase 5-7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in 2023-2026 at ccy excluding the deposit insurance reclassification; tracking towards the upper end of the range
- 2025 growth expected to be around the bottom of the 5-7% range at ccy excluding notable items
• Expenses:
- Operating expenses to be below $12.3bn1 in 2026 at ccy, including the UK bank levy and the ongoing impact of the deposit insurance reclassification
- Expense saves of around $1.5bn and cost to achieve of no more than $1.5bn from the Fit for Growth programme
- Positive income-to-cost jaws in each year at ccy, excluding notable items
• Assets and RWA:
- Low single-digit percentage growth in underlying loans and advances to customers and RWA
- Basel 3.1 day-1 RWA impact expected to be close to neutral
- Continue to expect the loan-loss rate to normalise towards the historical through-the-cycle 30 to 35bps range
• Capital:
- Continue to operate dynamically within the full 13-14% CET1 ratio target range
- Plan to return at least $8bn to shareholders cumulative 2024-2026
- Continue to increase full-year dividend per share over time
• RoTE approaching 13% in 2026 and to progress thereafter.
1 Currently running at $12.4 billion due to FX
- page 03 -
Statement of results
|
6 months ended 30.06.25 |
6 months ended 30.06.24 |
Change¹ |
Underlying performance |
|
|
|
Operating income |
10,899 |
9,958 |
9 |
Operating expenses |
(5,965) |
(5,673) |
(5) |
Credit impairment |
(336) |
(249) |
(35) |
Other impairment |
(9) |
(143) |
94 |
Profit from associates and joint ventures |
91 |
64 |
42 |
Profit before taxation |
4,680 |
3,957 |
18 |
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders² |
3,307 |
2,567 |
29 |
Return on ordinary shareholders' tangible equity (%) |
18.1 |
14.0 |
410bps |
Cost-to-income ratio (%) |
54.7 |
57.0 |
230bps |
Reported performance⁷ |
|
|
|
Operating income |
10,906 |
9,791 |
11 |
Operating expenses |
(6,247) |
(6,056) |
(3) |
Credit impairment |
(336) |
(240) |
(40) |
Goodwill and other impairment |
(19) |
(147) |
87 |
Profit from associates and joint ventures |
79 |
144 |
(45) |
Profit before taxation |
4,383 |
3,492 |
26 |
Taxation |
(1,057) |
(1,123) |
6 |
Profit for the period |
3,326 |
2,369 |
40 |
Profit attributable to parent company shareholders |
3,309 |
2,378 |
39 |
Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders2 |
3,065 |
2,169 |
41 |
Return on ordinary shareholders' tangible equity (%) |
16.4 |
11.9 |
450bps |
Cost-to-income ratio (%) |
57.3 |
61.9 |
460bps |
Net interest margin (%) (adjusted)6,9 |
2.05 |
1.98 |
7bps |
|
30.06.25 |
31.12.24 |
Change¹ |
Balance sheet and capital |
|
|
|
Total assets |
913,936 |
849,688 |
8 |
Total equity |
54,670 |
51,284 |
7 |
Average tangible equity attributable to ordinary shareholders2 |
37,676 |
36,876 |
2 |
Loans and advances to customers |
286,731 |
281,032 |
2 |
Customer accounts |
517,390 |
464,489 |
11 |
Risk-weighted assets |
259,684 |
247,065 |
5 |
Total capital |
53,281 |
53,091 |
- |
Total capital ratio (%) |
20.5 |
21.5 |
(97)bps |
Common Equity Tier 1 |
37,260 |
35,190 |
6 |
Common Equity Tier 1 ratio (%) |
14.3 |
14.2 |
11bps |
Advances-to-deposits ratio (%)3 |
51.0 |
53.3 |
(230)bps |
Liquidity coverage ratio (%) |
146 |
138 |
830bps |
UK leverage ratio (%) |
4.7 |
4.8 |
(11)bps |
|
30.06.25 |
30.06.24 |
Change¹ |
Information per ordinary share8 |
|
|
|
Earnings per share4 - underlying (cents) |
139.2 |
98.5 |
40.7 |
- reported (cents) |
129.1 |
83.3 |
45.8 |
Net asset value per share5 (cents) |
1,941 |
1,683 |
258 |
Tangible net asset value per share5 (cents) |
1,680 |
1,444 |
236 |
Number of ordinary shares at period end (millions) |
2,330 |
2,550 |
(9) |
1 Variance is better/(worse) other than assets, liabilities and risk-weighted assets. Change is percentage points difference between two points rather than percentage change for total capital ratio (%), Common Equity Tier 1 ratio (%), net interest margin (%), advances-to-deposits ratio (%), liquidity coverage ratio (%), leverage ratio (%), cost-to-income ratio (%) and return on ordinary shareholders' tangible equity (%)
2 Profit/(loss) attributable to ordinary shareholders is after the deduction of dividends payable to the holders of non-cumulative redeemable preference shares and Additional Tier 1 securities classified as equity
3 When calculating this ratio, total loans and advances to customers excludes reverse repurchase agreements and other similar secured lending, excludes approved balances held with central banks, confirmed as repayable at the point of stress and includes loans and advances to customers held at fair value through profit and loss. Total customer accounts include customer accounts held at fair value through profit or loss
4 Represents the underlying or reported earnings divided by the basic weighted average number of shares. Results represent six months ended the reporting period
5 Calculated on period end net asset value, tangible net asset value and number of shares
6 Net interest margin is calculated as adjusted net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets, annualised
7 Reported performance/results within this interim financial report means amounts reported under UK-adopted International Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards
8 Change is cents difference between the two periods for earnings per share, net asset value per share and tangible net asset value per share. Number of ordinary shares at period end is percentage difference between the two periods
9 Net interest income has been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025 to reflect the reclassification of funding cost mismatches to non NII
- page 04 -
Group Chief Executive's review
Focused strategy, strong delivery
The continuing disciplined execution of our strategy is delivering strong financial results and improving shareholder returns. Income of $10.9 billion was up 10 per cent year-on-year at constant currency with an underlying return on tangible equity of 18.1 per cent in the first half of the year.
Our strategic objectives are clear and continue to resonate with our clients and employees. We combine differentiated cross-border capabilities for corporate and institutional clients with leading wealth management expertise for affluent clients.
This focus on areas of greatest competitive advantage is yielding results, with double-digit income growth in Wealth Solutions, Global Markets and Global Banking in the first half of 2025. Our ambition is to outperform consistently in these areas, and we are seeing encouraging signs, including a record net new money in our affluent business, providing demonstrable progress towards our ambition to deliver $200 billion of net new money from 2025 to 2029. In the broader Wealth & Retail Banking (WRB) business, we are reinforcing our position as a leading wealth manager across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. With a strong combination of product innovation, advisory expertise and digital capabilities, we are seeing continued momentum across our fast-growing and high-returning international affluent franchise. In Asia, we are now the number three wealth manager by assets under management.
Our deep-rooted and diversified global network gives us a unique ability to help our clients grow and protect their business and wealth across borders. In the first half of the year our cross-border income was up 9 per cent year-on-year excluding the impact of rates and we saw a 17 per cent increase in the intra-ASEAN corridor. Such capability is valuable in any environment, but at times of elevated global economic and geopolitical uncertainty, it provides a much-needed service to our client base.
Our footprint informs our perspective on the sustainability challenges and opportunities facing our clients and communities. This puts us in a strong position to direct capital to where it is needed most, and we remain committed to that goal. In the first half of 2025, our sustainable finance income grew 5 per cent year-on-year while sustainable finance issuances contracted across the broader market, and we are on track to achieve our target of at least $1 billion by 2025. We have also mobilised $136 billion in sustainable finance since 2021 towards our $300 billion target by 2030, with notable transactions in the first half including our first-ever Social Bond ('Viñals Social Bond') of €1 billion, first Indonesia Just Energy Transition solar project, and a £2.5 billion landmark carbon capture transaction in the UK.
We will continue to invest in our strategy while exploring alternative and complementary business models to serve clients seeking non-traditional solutions. One such area is digital assets, which is a growing and increasingly integral part of financial services. As institutional demand builds and regulatory clarity improves, we are at the forefront; for example we are the only global systemically important bank to offer spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether. Through businesses in our Ventures portfolio like Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, we are expanding our digital asset capabilities, bridging traditional finance with the evolving digital ecosystem and opening up new, future-facing opportunities. Clients choose us for the trust and credibility we bring as a regulated institution in a rapidly evolving space.
More broadly, SC Ventures will continue to advance a culture of innovation across the Group, by incubating and scaling new business models. We remain disciplined in how we manage the SC Ventures portfolio. This quarter, the Solv India transaction with Jumbotail, one of India's leading B2B marketplaces, reflects our focus on scaling ventures where we see the strongest strategic fit and long-term value creation. Also, our digital banks, Mox and Trust, are gaining traction with volume growth.
Executing with discipline and purpose
We have set ourselves clear and ambitious transformation goals that will structurally improve our profitability and help us to deliver our strategy at greater pace and scale. This is hard work, challenging us to raise the bar across the organisation. I am encouraged by the incremental progress we are making and continue to be impressed by the resilience and dedication our people bring to delivering these objectives.
Our new Group Chair, Maria Ramos, and I share a passion for developing people and promoting talent. There has always been a sense of pride running through the organisation - what our previous Group Chair, José Viñals, referred to as its 'soul'. What we now see and encourage is a renewed confidence, built on our consistent performance. This is critical in delivering our strategy, especially as we focus on developing creative, innovative solutions for our clients.
- page 05 -
To build on this momentum, we will continue to hone a high-performance culture; one that complements who we are, further highlights our distinctiveness, and remains anchored in the purpose that our clients and partners value.
Returning value to shareholders
We remain committed to sharing our success with our shareholders and will continue to actively manage our capital position with this in mind. We are announcing a further share buyback programme of $1.3 billion, to commence imminently. This new share buyback, and the interim dividend of $288 million, brings our total shareholder returns announced since the full-year 2023 results to $6.5 billion; well on our way to our target of at least $8 billion through to the end of 2026.
A high-growth outlook across our footprint
Downside risks to the global economy persist amid elevated trade policy uncertainty and wider geopolitical change. We expect the 2025 global growth forecast to moderate slightly to 3.1 per cent from the 3.2 per cent projected in late 2024.
Growth in our footprint across Asia, Africa and the Middle East, is set to outpace global growth in 2025, with average growth of 4.9 per cent in Asia, 4.1 per cent in Africa and 3.4 per cent in Middle East, in contrast to an average of 1.3 per cent for major developed economies.
We are uniquely positioned to take advantage of growth opportunities that will continue to emerge from the markets in our footprint, generating value for our clients and the communities in which we operate. We remain committed to investing in our core capabilities serving our institutional clients' cross-border needs, with a particular focus on affluent clients in WRB.
Conclusion
As we look ahead, we do so with confidence, grounded in our focused strategy, the resilience, agility and diversity of our network, and the capabilities we continue to build.
Maintaining a strong financial performance and the return of a further $1.3 billion to shareholders, demonstrates the strength of our franchise.
While the global environment remains complex and uncertain, our unique positioning in some of the world's most dynamic markets, combined with our disciplined execution, leaves us well placed to capture opportunities and help our clients navigate and capitalise on these conditions.
And as ever, it is the dedication of our people that enables us to serve our clients with conviction and generate sustainable, long-term value for our shareholders.
Thank you for your continued trust and support as we shape a bank that is not only fit for the future but also helping to build it.
Bill Winters
Group Chief Executive
31 July 2025
- page 06 -
Group Chief Financial Officer's review
The Group delivered a strong performance in the first half of 2025
All commentary that follows is on an underlying basis and comparisons are made to the equivalent period in 2024 on a constant currency basis, unless otherwise stated. H1 2024 included items totalling $258 million relating to gains on revaluation of FX positions in Egypt and a hyperinflationary accounting adjustment in Ghana (the notable items).
The Group delivered a strong performance in the first half of 2025 amidst an evolving macro and geopolitical environment. Operating income grew by 10 per cent to $10.9 billion. Excluding the impact of the notable items, operating income was up 13 per cent. Underlying expenses increased 4 per cent driven by continued investment into business initiatives, resulting in positive income-to-cost jaws of 6 per cent. Credit impairment charges of $336 million were equivalent to an annualised loan-loss rate of 19 basis points. This resulted in an underlying profit before tax of $4.7 billion, up 22 per cent, and underlying earnings per share of 139 cents, up 41 per cent also benefitting from a reduction in share count.
The Group remains well capitalised and highly liquid with a diverse and stable deposit base. The liquidity coverage ratio of 146 per cent reflects disciplined asset and liability management. The Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) ratio of 14.3 per cent remains above the target range, with profit accretion in the first half partly offset by shareholder distributions and growth in risk-weighted assets (RWA). This capital strength has enabled the Board to announce an interim ordinary dividend of 12.3 cents per share, up 3.3 cents or 37 per cent, and announce a further $1.3 billion share buyback programme to commence imminently. This follows on from the $1.5 billion share buyback commenced in February 2025.
Operating income of $10.9 billion increased by 10 per cent or 13 per cent excluding the two notable items. The growth was driven by record performance in Wealth Solutions, strong pipeline execution in Global Banking and elevated client activity in Global Markets.
Net interest income (NII) increased 4 per cent, benefitting from improved mix and roll-off of legacy short-term hedges which was partly offset by the impact of lower interest rates and margin compression.
Non NII increased 18 per cent or 25 per cent excluding the notable items. This was driven by continued momentum in Wealth Solutions, strong performance in Global Banking and record Global Markets income, supported by a $238 million gain from the Solv India transaction.
Operating expenses increased 4 per cent. This was largely driven by continued investments into business growth initiatives and inflation which were partly offset by efficiency savings. The Group generated 6 per cent positive income-to-cost jaws and the cost-to-income ratio improved 3 percentage points to 55 per cent.
Credit impairment was a charge of $336 million, an increase of $87 million. Wealth & Retail Banking charge of $332 million increased $65 million primarily from higher charge-offs in a few select markets. Corporate & Investment Banking impairments continued to be well managed with a net release of $14 million. Ventures impairments were lower as delinquency rates continued to improve in Mox. The first half charge includes a non-linearity charge of $34 million, reflecting an increased probability weighting for the two downside scenarios given the heightened uncertainty around trade tariffs.
Other impairment charge decreased by $134 million to $9 million due to the non-repeat of software asset write-offs.
Profit from associates and joint ventures increased by $27 million reflecting higher profits at China Bohai Bank.
Restructuring, Fit For Growth, Debit Valuation Adjustment (DVA) and other items totalled $297 million including $160 million charge related to the Fit for Growth programme and $137 million restructuring charges primarily relating to the simplification of technology platforms and losses relating to business and portfolio exits.
Taxation was $1.1 billion on a reported basis, with an underlying effective tax rate of 23.7 per cent down from 30.1 per cent in the prior year reflecting changes in geographic mix of profits, lower level of non-deductible losses in the UK, lower non-tax-deductible costs and adjustments related to prior periods.
Underlying RoTE of 18.1 per cent increased 410 basis points due to higher profits and lower taxation partly offset by higher tangible equity. On a reported basis, RoTE increased 450 basis points to 16.4 per cent with growth in underlying profits and reduced charges relating to other items.
- page 07 -
Underlying basic earnings per share (EPS) increased 41 cents or 41 per cent to 139.2 cents and reported increased 46 cents or 55 per cent to 129.1 cents reflecting both the increase in profits and reduction in share count following the execution of successive share buyback programmes.
Diego De Giorgi
Group Chief Financial Officer
31 July 2025
- page 08 -
Summary of financial performance
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'24 |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q1'25 |
Change |
Constant currency change¹ |
Underlying net interest income2 |
5,499 |
5,350 |
3 |
4 |
2,703 |
2,694 |
- |
- |
2,796 |
(3) |
(4) |
Underlying non NII2 |
5,400 |
4,608 |
17 |
18 |
2,806 |
2,112 |
33 |
31 |
2,594 |
8 |
8 |
Underlying operating income |
10,899 |
9,958 |
9 |
10 |
5,509 |
4,806 |
15 |
14 |
5,390 |
2 |
2 |
Underlying operating expenses |
(5,965) |
(5,673) |
(5) |
(4) |
(3,050) |
(2,887) |
(6) |
(3) |
(2,915) |
(5) |
(3) |
Underlying operating profit before impairment and taxation |
4,934 |
4,285 |
15 |
18 |
2,459 |
1,919 |
28 |
30 |
2,475 |
(1) |
- |
Credit impairment |
(336) |
(249) |
(35) |
(32) |
(117) |
(73) |
(60) |
(51) |
(219) |
47 |
48 |
Other impairment |
(9) |
(143) |
94 |
94 |
(3) |
(83) |
96 |
97 |
(6) |
50 |
50 |
Profit from associates and |
91 |
64 |
42 |
42 |
64 |
65 |
(2) |
(8) |
27 |
137 |
103 |
Underlying profit before taxation |
4,680 |
3,957 |
18 |
22 |
2,403 |
1,828 |
31 |
34 |
2,277 |
6 |
7 |
Restructuring5 |
(137) |
(64) |
(114) |
(144) |
(40) |
(19) |
(111) |
(105) |
(97) |
59 |
55 |
FFG5 |
(160) |
(86) |
(86) |
(86) |
(87) |
(76) |
(14) |
(14) |
(73) |
(19) |
(19) |
DVA |
5 |
(26) |
119 |
123 |
9 |
22 |
(59) |
(52) |
(4) |
nm |
nm |
Other items |
(5) |
(289) |
98 |
98 |
(5) |
(177) |
97 |
97 |
- |
nm |
nm |
Reported profit before taxation |
4,383 |
3,492 |
26 |
30 |
2,280 |
1,578 |
44 |
48 |
2,103 |
8 |
10 |
Taxation |
(1,057) |
(1,123) |
6 |
3 |
(546) |
(604) |
10 |
9 |
(511) |
(7) |
(6) |
Profit for the period |
3,326 |
2,369 |
40 |
45 |
1,734 |
974 |
78 |
83 |
1,592 |
9 |
11 |
Net interest margin (%)3,4 |
2.05 |
1.98 |
7 |
|
1.98 |
2.03 |
(5) |
|
2.12 |
(14) |
|
Underlying return on tangible |
18.1 |
14.0 |
410bps |
|
19.7 |
12.9 |
680bps |
|
16.4 |
330bps |
|
Underlying earnings per share (cents) |
139.2 |
98.5 |
41 |
|
76.6 |
45.5 |
68 |
|
62.7 |
22 |
|
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Underlying Net Interest Income (NII) has been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025 to reflect the reclassification of funding cost mismatches to underlying non NII
3 Net interest margin has been restated due to the revision of underlying net interest income as outlined in footnote 2
4 Change is the basis points (bps) difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
5 FFG (Fit for Growth) charge previously reported within Restructuring has been re-presented as a separate item
Reported financial performance summary
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'24 |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q1'25 |
Change |
Constant currency change |
Net interest income |
3,044 |
3,175 |
(4) |
(3) |
1,463 |
1,603 |
(9) |
(9) |
1,581 |
(7) |
(9) |
Non NII |
7,862 |
6,616 |
19 |
20 |
4,064 |
3,058 |
33 |
32 |
3,798 |
7 |
7 |
Reported operating income |
10,906 |
9,791 |
11 |
12 |
5,527 |
4,661 |
19 |
18 |
5,379 |
3 |
2 |
Reported operating expenses |
(6,247) |
(6,056) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3,201) |
(3,059) |
(5) |
(3) |
(3,046) |
(5) |
(3) |
Reported operating profit before impairment and taxation |
4,659 |
3,735 |
25 |
29 |
2,326 |
1,602 |
45 |
48 |
2,333 |
- |
1 |
Credit impairment |
(336) |
(240) |
(40) |
(37) |
(119) |
(75) |
(59) |
(49) |
(217) |
45 |
46 |
Goodwill and Other impairment |
(19) |
(147) |
87 |
87 |
(4) |
(87) |
95 |
96 |
(15) |
73 |
73 |
Profit from associates and |
79 |
144 |
(45) |
(45) |
77 |
138 |
(44) |
(46) |
2 |
nm |
nm |
Reported profit before taxation |
4,383 |
3,492 |
26 |
30 |
2,280 |
1,578 |
44 |
48 |
2,103 |
8 |
10 |
Taxation |
(1,057) |
(1,123) |
6 |
3 |
(546) |
(604) |
10 |
9 |
(511) |
(7) |
(5) |
Profit for the period |
3,326 |
2,369 |
40 |
45 |
1,734 |
974 |
78 |
83 |
1,592 |
9 |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported return on tangible equity (%)2 |
16.4 |
11.9 |
450bps |
|
17.9 |
10.4 |
750bps |
|
14.8 |
310bps |
|
Reported earnings per share (cents) |
129.1 |
83.3 |
55 |
|
72.5 |
36.7 |
98 |
|
56.6 |
28 |
|
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Change is the basis points (bps) difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
- page 09 -
Financial review
Operating income by product
|
H1'25 |
H1'24² |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'24² |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q1'25 |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Transaction Services |
2,996 |
3,196 |
(6) |
(6) |
1,469 |
1,593 |
(8) |
(8) |
1,527 |
(4) |
(4) |
Payments & Liquidity |
2,074 |
2,300 |
(10) |
(9) |
1,013 |
1,139 |
(11) |
(11) |
1,061 |
(5) |
(5) |
Securities & Prime Services |
309 |
294 |
5 |
6 |
158 |
153 |
3 |
4 |
151 |
5 |
5 |
Trade & Working Capital |
613 |
602 |
2 |
3 |
298 |
301 |
(1) |
- |
315 |
(5) |
(6) |
Global Banking |
1,096 |
960 |
14 |
14 |
548 |
488 |
12 |
12 |
548 |
- |
(1) |
Lending & Financial Solutions |
928 |
836 |
11 |
11 |
476 |
422 |
13 |
12 |
452 |
5 |
4 |
Capital Markets & Advisory |
168 |
124 |
35 |
37 |
72 |
66 |
9 |
11 |
96 |
(25) |
(25) |
Global Markets |
2,355 |
1,837 |
28 |
28 |
1,172 |
796 |
47 |
47 |
1,183 |
(1) |
(1) |
Macro Trading |
1,939 |
1,515 |
28 |
28 |
961 |
631 |
52 |
52 |
978 |
(2) |
(2) |
Credit Trading |
409 |
332 |
23 |
24 |
187 |
165 |
13 |
14 |
222 |
(16) |
(16) |
Valuation & Other Adj |
7 |
(10) |
170 |
170 |
24 |
- |
nm |
nm |
(17) |
nm |
nm |
Wealth Solutions |
1,519 |
1,234 |
23 |
24 |
742 |
618 |
20 |
20 |
777 |
(5) |
(5) |
Investment Products |
1,103 |
868 |
27 |
28 |
544 |
444 |
23 |
22 |
559 |
(3) |
(3) |
Bancassurance |
416 |
366 |
14 |
15 |
198 |
174 |
14 |
14 |
218 |
(9) |
(10) |
Deposits & Mortgages |
1,996 |
2,061 |
(3) |
(3) |
990 |
1,041 |
(5) |
(5) |
1,006 |
(2) |
(2) |
CCPL & Other Unsecured Lending |
539 |
530 |
2 |
2 |
282 |
270 |
4 |
4 |
257 |
10 |
9 |
Ventures |
320 |
80 |
nm |
nm |
278 |
48 |
nm |
nm |
42 |
nm |
nm |
Digital Banks |
88 |
62 |
42 |
48 |
46 |
33 |
39 |
48 |
42 |
10 |
5 |
SCV |
232 |
18 |
nm |
nm |
232 |
15 |
nm |
nm |
- |
nm |
nm |
Treasury & Other |
78 |
60 |
30 |
nm |
28 |
(48) |
158 |
nm |
50 |
(44) |
(45) |
Total underlying operating income |
10,899 |
9,958 |
9 |
10 |
5,509 |
4,806 |
15 |
14 |
5,390 |
2 |
2 |
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Products have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025 with no change in total income
The operating income by product commentary that follows is on an underlying basis and comparisons are made to the equivalent period in 2024 on a constant currency basis, unless otherwise stated. H1 2024 included items totalling $258 million relating to gains on revaluation of foreign exchange (FX) positions in Egypt and a hyperinflationary accounting adjustment in Ghana (the notable items).
Transaction Services income decreased 6 per cent as growth in Securities & Prime Services and Trade & Working Capital was more than offset by lower Payments & Liquidity. Securities & Prime Services income grew 6 per cent from higher custody, funds and prime brokerage fees, while Trade & Working Capital income increased 3 per cent driven by higher volumes and fees. Payments & Liquidity income decreased 9 per cent as volume growth was more than offset by the impact of lower interest rates and margin compression.
Global Banking income increased 14 per cent. Lending & Financial Solutions income grew 11 per cent as increased deal completion led to higher origination and distribution volumes. This resulted in increases in both carry and fee income. Capital Market & Advisory grew 37 per cent on the back of higher bond issuances and increased Mergers & Acquisitions activity.
Global Markets income was up 28 per cent with broad-based growth across all products. Macro Trading increased 28 per cent with double-digit growth across Rates and Commodities while Credit Trading income grew 24 per cent. Flow income grew by 19 per cent supported by sustained momentum from our key strategic initiatives and investments, while episodic income increased by 50 per cent, benefitting from heighted market volatility which led to elevated client activity.
Wealth Solutions income was up 24 per cent, driven by double-digit growth in both Investment Products and Bancassurance, in particular capital market products. This was driven by continued investment in product innovation, digitisation and advisory capabilities; and sustained momentum in Affluent new-to-bank with 135,000 clients onboarded in the first half of 2025, and $28 billion of Affluent net new money.
- page 10 -
Deposits & Mortgages income was down 3 per cent as growth in Mortgages income was more than fully offset by a decline in Deposit income. Mortgage income was up, driven by margin expansion and higher volumes in select markets as interest rates declined. Deposit income was reduced as the impact of margin compression in a lower interest rate environment was partly offset by higher volumes and pricing actions.
Credit Cards and Personal Loans (CCPL) & Other Unsecured Lending income was up 2 per cent as benefit from margin expansion was partly offset by lower volumes resulting from portfolio optimisation actions.
Ventures income increased $242 million as SC Ventures booked a $238 million gain relating to the Solv India transaction (refer to note 6). Digital Banks income increased by $26 million from continued increase in lending and deposit volumes.
Treasury & Other income increased $56 million as the benefit to income from the repricing of longer dated assets and roll-off of the legacy loss-making short-term hedges in February 2024 was partly offset by the non-repeat of the notable items.
Profit before tax by client segment
|
H1'25 |
H1'242 |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'242 |
Change |
Constant currency change1 |
Q1'25 |
Change |
Constant currency change |
Corporate & Investment Banking2 |
3,442 |
3,098 |
11 |
13 |
1,701 |
1,476 |
15 |
18 |
1,741 |
(2) |
(1) |
Wealth & Retail Banking2 |
1,398 |
1,336 |
5 |
8 |
652 |
654 |
- |
3 |
746 |
(13) |
(12) |
Ventures |
46 |
(197) |
123 |
125 |
130 |
(86) |
nm |
nm |
(84) |
nm |
nm |
Central & other items2 |
(206) |
(280) |
26 |
35 |
(80) |
(216) |
63 |
56 |
(126) |
37 |
29 |
Underlying profit before taxation |
4,680 |
3,957 |
18 |
22 |
2,403 |
1,828 |
31 |
34 |
2,277 |
6 |
7 |
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Underlying profit before taxation has been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025 to reflect the reallocation of Treasury income and certain costs across segments
The client segment commentary that follows is on an underlying basis and comparisons are made to the equivalent period in 2024 on a constant currency basis, unless otherwise stated. H1 2024 included items totalling $258 million relating to gains on revaluation of FX positions in Egypt and a hyperinflationary accounting adjustment in Ghana (the notable items).
Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB) profit before taxation increased 13 per cent. Income grew 7 per cent, with strong double-digit growth in Global Markets and Global Banking partly offset by a decrease in Transaction Services. Expenses were 3 per cent higher and credit impairments were a net release of $14 million versus a release of $54 million in the prior year. Other impairments were lower by $105 million due to a non-repeat of software asset write-off.
Wealth & Retail Banking (WRB) profit before taxation increased 8 per cent, with income up 8 per cent led by a record performance in Wealth Solutions. Expenses increased 7 per cent, mainly from hiring of Affluent relationship managers and increased investment spend on revenue accretive initiatives. Credit impairment charge of $332 million was up $65 million, mainly from an increase in unsecured portfolios and partnerships. However, credit impairment decreased $30 million in Q2'25 as compared to Q1'25 as a result of portfolio optimisation actions.
Ventures achieved profit before tax of $46 million compared to a prior year loss of $197 million, due to a $238 million gain from the Solv India transaction by SC Ventures. Digital Banks income increased by $30 million driven by continued growth in customers and volumes. Expenses were up 4%, while the $24 million impairment charge declined $20 million as delinquency rates improved in Mox.
Central & other items (C&O) loss before tax improved to $206 million versus $280 million in the prior year. Treasury benefitted from the repricing of longer dated assets and roll-off of the legacy loss-making hedges in February 2024; this was in part offset by the non-repeat of the notable items. Associates' profit share increased by $32 million, reflecting higher profits at China Bohai Bank.
- page 11 -
Adjusted net interest income and margin
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
Change1 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'24 |
Change1 |
Q1'25 |
Change |
Adjusted net interest income2 |
5,499 |
5,362 |
3 |
2,702 |
2,696 |
- |
2,797 |
(3) |
Average interest-earning assets |
541,385 |
543,788 |
- |
546,709 |
533,869 |
2 |
535,999 |
2 |
Average interest-bearing liabilities |
564,056 |
537,608 |
5 |
571,401 |
538,054 |
6 |
556,629 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross yield (%)3 |
4.75 |
5.39 |
(64) |
4.61 |
5.42 |
(81) |
4.89 |
(28) |
Rate paid (%)3 |
2.59 |
3.44 |
85 |
2.51 |
3.36 |
85 |
2.67 |
16 |
Net yield (%)3 |
2.16 |
1.95 |
21 |
2.10 |
2.06 |
4 |
2.22 |
(12) |
Net interest margin (%)3,4 |
2.05 |
1.98 |
7 |
1.98 |
2.03 |
(5) |
2.12 |
(14) |
1 Variance is better/(worse), other than assets and liabilities which is increase/(decrease)
2 Adjusted net interest income has been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025 to reflect the reclassification of funding cost mismatches to non NII. Adjusted net interest income is reported net interest income less trading book funding cost, Treasury currency management activities, cash collateral and prime services
3 Change is the basis points (bps) difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change. Net interest margin has been re-presented due to the revision to Adjusted net interest income as outlined in footnote 2
4 Adjusted net interest income divided by average interest-earning assets, annualised
Adjusted net interest income increased 3 per cent, driven by increase in the net interest margin which averaged 205 basis points during the first half, increasing 7 basis points year-on-year. An improvement in asset and deposit mix and benefit from roll-off of legacy short-term hedges was partly offset by lower interest rates, leading to margin compression, while volumes were broadly stable.
Adjusted net interest income in the second quarter declined 3 per cent compared to the prior quarter, as volume growth was more than offset by the drag from lower interest rates and margin compression. Average interest-earning assets were up $11 billion on the prior quarter driven by strong growth across products in Global Banking, Mortgages and Wealth Solutions partly offset by lower trade volumes. Average interest-bearing liabilities were up by $15 billion on the prior quarter mostly from growth in CIB and WRB deposits. Gross yields and rates paid decreased 28 basis points and 16 basis points respectively, reflecting a declining interest rate environment, while the impact of changes in balance sheet mix was broadly neutral in the quarter. This resulted in a net interest margin drop of 14 basis points compared to the prior quarter.
Credit risk summary
Income statement (Underlying view)
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
Change1 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'24 |
Change1 |
Q1'25 |
Change1 |
Total credit impairment charge/(release)2 |
336 |
249 |
35 |
117 |
73 |
60 |
219 |
(47) |
Of which stage 1 and 22 |
179 |
73 |
145 |
67 |
12 |
nm |
112 |
(40) |
Of which stage 32 |
157 |
176 |
(11) |
50 |
61 |
(18) |
107 |
(53) |
1 Variance is increase/(decrease) comparing current reporting period to prior reporting period
2 Refer to Credit Impairment charge table in Risk review for reconciliation from underlying to reported credit impairment
- page 12 -
Balance sheet
|
30.06.25 |
31.03.25 |
Change1 |
31.12.24 |
Change1 |
30.06.24 |
Change1 |
Gross loans and advances to customers2 |
291,811 |
286,812 |
2 |
285,936 |
2 |
280,893 |
4 |
Of which stage 1 |
273,155 |
269,282 |
1 |
269,102 |
2 |
264,249 |
3 |
Of which stage 2 |
12,520 |
11,447 |
9 |
10,631 |
18 |
10,005 |
25 |
Of which stage 3 |
6,136 |
6,083 |
1 |
6,203 |
(1) |
6,639 |
(8) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expected credit loss provisions |
(5,080) |
(5,024) |
1 |
(4,904) |
4 |
(4,997) |
2 |
Of which stage 1 |
(553) |
(537) |
3 |
(483) |
14 |
(480) |
15 |
Of which stage 2 |
(465) |
(462) |
1 |
(473) |
(2) |
(362) |
28 |
Of which stage 3 |
(4,062) |
(4,025) |
1 |
(3,948) |
3 |
(4,155) |
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loans and advances to customers |
286,731 |
281,788 |
2 |
281,032 |
2 |
275,896 |
4 |
Of which stage 1 |
272,602 |
268,745 |
1 |
268,619 |
1 |
263,769 |
3 |
Of which stage 2 |
12,055 |
10,985 |
10 |
10,158 |
19 |
9,643 |
25 |
Of which stage 3 |
2,074 |
2,058 |
1 |
2,255 |
(8) |
2,484 |
(17) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cover ratio of stage 3 before/after collateral (%)3 |
66/82 |
66/81 |
0/1 |
64/78 |
2/4 |
63/82 |
3/0 |
Credit grade 12 accounts ($million) |
2,095 |
1,797 |
17 |
969 |
116 |
964 |
117 |
Early alerts ($million) |
4,485 |
4,451 |
1 |
5,559 |
(19) |
5,044 |
(11) |
Investment-grade corporate exposures (%)3 |
75 |
74 |
1 |
74 |
1 |
74 |
1 |
Aggregate top 20 corporate exposures as a percentage of Tier 1 capital3,4 |
56 |
60 |
(4) |
61 |
(5) |
58 |
(2) |
1 Variance is increase/(decrease) comparing current reporting period to prior reporting period
2 Includes reverse repurchase agreements and other similar secured lending held at amortised cost of $4,189 million (31 March 2025: $6,797 million; 31 December 2024: $9,660 million; 30 June 2024: $7,788 million)
3 Change is the percentage points difference between the two points rather than the percentage change
4 Excludes reverse repurchase agreements
Asset quality remained resilient in the first half, with an improvement in a number of underlying credit metrics. The Group continues to actively manage the credit portfolio while remaining alert to a volatile and challenging external environment including increased geopolitical tensions and evolving policy changes which may lead to idiosyncratic stress in a select number of geographies and industry sectors.
Credit impairment was a $336 million charge in the first half, up $87 million year-on-year, and representing an annualised loan-loss rate of 19 basis points. WRB charges for the first half totalled $332 million, up $65 million mainly from increased charges in unsecured and partnership portfolios. There was a $24 million charge in Ventures, down $20 million year-on-year as delinquency rates have improved in Mox following a change in credit criteria. In CIB, there was a net release of $14 million as releases from sovereign upgrades were in part offset by a low level of client downgrades. During the first half, the non-linearity impact increased by $34 million to $77 million. This reflects an increased probability weighting of the two downside scenarios from 32 per cent as at 31 December 2024 to 45 per cent while the base forecast probability weighting reduced from 68 per cent as at 31 December 2024 to 55 per cent. The Group retains a China commercial real estate (CRE) management overlay of $58 million and a $35 million overlay for clients who have exposure to the Hong Kong CRE sector. During the second quarter, CRE overlays dropped by $14 million for China CRE primarily driven by repayments and utilisation due to movement to stage 3 and $12 million for Hong Kong CRE due to risks being partially manifested in the portfolio modelled ECL.
Gross stage 3 loans and advances to customers of $6.1 billion remained broadly flat compared with 31 December 2024, as new inflows were mostly offset by repayments, client upgrades, a reduction in exposures and write-offs. Credit-impaired loans represent 2.1 per cent of gross loans and advances, down 7 basis points as compared with 31 December 2024.
The stage 3 cover ratio of 66 per cent improved 2 percentage points as compared with 31 December 2024, while the cover ratio post collateral at 82 per cent increased by 4 percentage points due to an increase in stage 3 provisions and a slight reduction in gross stage 3 balances.
Credit grade 12 balances increased $1.1 billion since 31 December 2024 to $2.1 billion reflecting downgrades from Early Alert accounts and upgrades from stage 3 assets. The Group continues to carefully monitor its exposures in select sectors and geographies, given the uncertain and volatile macroeconomic environment.
The proportion of investment-grade corporate exposures of 75 per cent improved by 1 percentage point compared with 31 December 2024.
- page 13 -
Restructuring, DVA, FFG and other items
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
||||||||
Restructuring |
FFG |
DVA |
Net gain/loss on businesses disposed of/held |
Other items |
Restructuring² |
FFG² |
DVA |
Net loss on businesses disposed of/held |
Other items1 |
|
Operating income |
7 |
- |
5 |
(5) |
- |
48 |
- |
(26) |
(189) |
- |
Operating expenses |
(129) |
(153) |
- |
- |
- |
(197) |
(86) |
- |
- |
(100) |
Credit impairment |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
9 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Other impairment |
(3) |
(7) |
- |
- |
- |
(4) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Profit from associates and joint ventures |
(12) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
80 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Profit/(loss) before taxation |
(137) |
(160) |
5 |
(5) |
- |
(64) |
(86) |
(26) |
(189) |
(100) |
1 Other items include $100 million charge relating to Korea equity linked securities (ELS) portfolio
2 FFG (Fit for Growth) charge previously reported within Restructuring has been re-presented as a separate item
3 Net loss on businesses disposal includes loss of $174 million relating to Zimbabwe exit
The Group's statutory performance is adjusted for profits or losses of a capital nature, amounts consequent to investment transactions driven by strategic intent, other infrequent and/or exceptional transactions that are significant or material in the context of the Group's normal business earnings for the period and items which management and investors would ordinarily identify separately when assessing underlying performance period-by-period.
Restructuring charges of $137 million reflect the impact of actions to simplify technology platforms, ongoing charges related to portfolios and businesses being exited, and optimising the Group's office space and property footprint.
Charges related to the Fit for Growth programme totalled $160 million.
Movements in Debit Valuation Adjustment (DVA) were positive $5 million, driven by the widening of Group's asset swap spreads on derivative liability exposures.
Net loss on businesses disposed of $189 million in the first half of 2024 included $174 million from the sale of Zimbabwe primarily related to the recycling of FX translation losses from reserves into the income statement, which had no impact on tangible net asset value and capital.
Balance sheet and liquidity
|
30.06.25 |
31.03.25 |
Change1 |
31.12.24 |
Change1 |
30.06.24 |
Change1 |
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loans and advances to banks |
42,386 |
45,604 |
(7) |
43,593 |
(3) |
45,231 |
(6) |
Loans and advances to customers |
286,731 |
281,788 |
2 |
281,032 |
2 |
275,896 |
4 |
Other assets |
584,819 |
547,054 |
7 |
525,063 |
11 |
514,300 |
14 |
Total assets |
913,936 |
874,446 |
5 |
849,688 |
8 |
835,427 |
9 |
Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deposits by banks |
30,883 |
28,569 |
8 |
25,400 |
22 |
28,087 |
10 |
Customer accounts |
517,390 |
490,921 |
5 |
464,489 |
11 |
468,157 |
11 |
Other liabilities |
310,993 |
302,488 |
3 |
308,515 |
1 |
287,856 |
8 |
Total liabilities |
859,266 |
821,978 |
5 |
798,404 |
8 |
784,100 |
10 |
Equity |
54,670 |
52,468 |
4 |
51,284 |
7 |
51,327 |
7 |
Total equity and liabilities |
913,936 |
874,446 |
5 |
849,688 |
8 |
835,427 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances-to-deposits ratio (%)2 |
51.0 |
51.8 |
|
53.3 |
|
52.6 |
|
Liquidity coverage ratio (%) |
146 |
147 |
|
138 |
|
148 |
|
1 Variance is increase/(decrease) comparing current reporting period to prior reporting periods
2 The Group excludes $14,239 million held with central banks (31 March 2025: $15,847 million, 31 December 2024: $19,187 million and 30 June 2024: $18,419 million) that has been confirmed as repayable at the point of stress. Advances exclude reverse repurchase agreement and other similar secured lending of $4,189 million (31 March 2025: $6,797 million, 31 December 2024: $9,660 million and 30 June 2024: $7,788 million) and include loans and advances to customers held at fair value through profit or loss of $8,119 million (31 March 2025: $7,692 million, 31 December 2024: $7,084 million and 30 June 2024: $6,877 million). Deposits include customer accounts held at fair value through profit or loss of $24,958 million (31 March 2025: $24,642 million, 31 December 2024: $21,772 million and 30 June 2024: $19,850 million)
- page 14 -
The Group's balance sheet remains strong, liquid and well diversified.
Loans and advances to customers increased by $6 billion from 31 December 2024. Underlying growth was $8 billion or 3 per cent excluding the impact of a $11 billion reduction from Treasury and securities-based loans held to collect and a $9 billion increase from currency translation. The underlying growth is primarily driven by Global Banking in CIB, and Mortgages and Wealth Solutions in WRB.
Customer accounts of $517 billion increased by $53 billion from 31 December 2024. Excluding a $10 billion increase from currency translation, customer accounts increased by $44 billion, or 9 per cent, driven by an increase of $19 billion in CIB Current and Savings Account (CASA), a $5 billion increase in Corporate Term Deposits and a $19 billion increase in WRB across CASA and Time Deposits from targeted campaigns and Affluent net new money inflows.
Other assets increased 11 per cent, or $60 billion, from 31 December 2024. Financial assets held at FVTPL increased by $24 billion, primarily in debt securities and reverse repurchase agreements, while other assets increased by $11 billion from higher volumes of unsettled trades in Global Markets and increased $11 billion from precious metals. Investment securities and central bank balances increased by $ 14 billion and $17 billion respectively. These increases were partly offset by a $17 billion decrease in derivative asset balances.
Other liabilities increased 1 per cent or $2 billion, from 31 December 2024. Financial liabilities held at fair value through profit and loss increased by $14 billion, other liabilities increased by $4 billion and debt securities in issue increased by $5 billion. This was offset by a decrease of $12 billion in derivative balances and a $7 billion decrease in repurchase agreements.
The advances-to-deposits ratio decreased to 51 per cent from 53.3 per cent as of 31 December 2024. The point-in-time liquidity coverage ratio increased 8 percentage points in the first half to 146 per cent and remains well above the minimum regulatory requirement of 100 per cent.
Risk-weighted assets (RWAs)
|
30.06.25 |
31.03.25 |
Change1 |
31.12.24 |
Change1 |
30.06.24 |
Change1 |
By risk type |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credit risk |
191,348 |
184,274 |
4 |
189,303 |
1 |
185,004 |
3 |
Operational risk |
32,578 |
32,578 |
- |
29,479 |
11 |
29,479 |
11 |
Market risk |
35,758 |
36,744 |
(3) |
28,283 |
26 |
27,443 |
30 |
Total RWAs |
259,684 |
253,596 |
2 |
247,065 |
5 |
241,926 |
7 |
1 Variance is increase/(decrease) comparing current reporting period to prior reporting periods
Total RWAs of $259.7 billion increased $12.6 billion or 5.1 per cent in comparison to 31 December 2024:
• Credit risk RWA increased by $2.0 billion to $191.3 billion. This was primarily driven by an increase of $4.1 billion from asset growth and adverse credit migration, $5.0 billion from currency translation, partly offset by a decrease of $5.6 billion from optimisation actions and a $1.4 billion reduction from changes in models and methodology.
• Operational risk RWA increased by $3.1 billion to $32.6 billion mainly due to an increase in average income as measured over a rolling three-year time horizon with higher 2024 income replacing lower 2021 income.
• Market risk RWA increased by $7.5 billion to $35.8 billion as RWAs were deployed to help clients capture market opportunities.
Capital base and ratios
|
30.06.25 |
31.03.25 |
Change1 |
31.12.24 |
Change1 |
30.06.24 |
Change¹ |
CET1 capital |
37,260 |
35,122 |
6 |
35,190 |
6 |
35,418 |
5 |
Additional Tier 1 capital (AT1) |
6,517 |
7,507 |
(13) |
6,482 |
1 |
6,484 |
1 |
Tier 1 capital |
43,777 |
42,629 |
3 |
41,672 |
5 |
41,902 |
4 |
Tier 2 capital |
9,504 |
10,482 |
(9) |
11,419 |
(17) |
11,667 |
(19) |
Total capital |
53,281 |
53,111 |
- |
53,091 |
- |
53,569 |
(1) |
CET1 capital ratio (%)2 |
14.3 |
13.8 |
0.50 |
14.2 |
0.11 |
14.6 |
(0.29) |
Total capital ratio (%)2 |
20.5 |
20.9 |
(0.43) |
21.5 |
(0.97) |
22.1 |
(1.62) |
Leverage ratio (%)2 |
4.7 |
4.7 |
(0.01) |
4.8 |
(0.11) |
4.8 |
(0.08) |
1 Variance is increase/(decrease) comparing current reporting period to prior reporting periods
2 Change is percentage points difference between two points rather than percentage change
The Group's CET1 ratio of 14.3 per cent was up 11 basis points against the ratio as at 31 December 2024 and remains 3.9 percentage points above the Group's latest regulatory minimum CET1 requirement. Strong profit accretion was largely offset by shareholder distributions and an increase in RWAs.
- page 15 -
The 135 basis points of CET1 accretion from profits was supported by a further 11 basis points uplift from the combination of currency translation, fair value gains in other comprehensive income and certain regulatory capital adjustments. This was partly offset by 52 basis points reduction from an increase in RWA.
The Group spent $1.37 billion purchasing 93.5 million ordinary shares of $0.50 each during the first half, representing a volume weighted average price per share of £11.18. These shares were subsequently cancelled, reducing the total issued share capital by 3.9 per cent. The entire $1.5 billion is deducted from CET1 in the period, reducing the CET1 ratio by approximately 61 basis points.
The Group is accruing a provisional interim 2025 ordinary share dividend over the first half of 2025, which is calculated formulaically at one-third of the ordinary dividend paid in 2024, or 12.3 cents a share. This, combined with payments due to AT1 and preference shareholders, reduced the CET1 ratio by 23 basis points.
The Board has decided to carry out a share buyback commencing imminently for up to a maximum consideration of $1.3 billion to further reduce the number of ordinary shares in issue by cancelling the repurchased shares. The terms of the buyback will be announced, and it is expected to reduce the Group's CET1 ratio in the third quarter of 2025 by approximately 50 basis points.
The Group's leverage ratio of 4.7 per cent is 11 basis points lower than as at 31 December 2024. The Group's leverage ratio remains significantly above its minimum requirement of 3.7 per cent.
- page 16 -
Supplementary financial information
Underlying performance by client segment
|
H1'25 |
H1'242 |
||||||||
Corporate & Investment Banking |
Wealth & Retail Banking |
Ventures |
Central & |
Total |
Corporate & Investment Banking |
Wealth & Retail Banking |
Ventures |
Central & |
Total |
|
Operating income |
6,583 |
4,162 |
320 |
(166) |
10,899 |
6,194 |
3,884 |
80 |
(200) |
9,958 |
External |
6,317 |
1,834 |
321 |
2,427 |
10,899 |
5,221 |
1,761 |
80 |
2,896 |
9,958 |
Inter-segment |
266 |
2,328 |
(1) |
(2,593) |
- |
973 |
2,123 |
- |
(3,096) |
- |
Operating expenses |
(3,155) |
(2,429) |
(239) |
(142) |
(5,965) |
(3,045) |
(2,254) |
(228) |
(146) |
(5,673) |
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment losses and taxation |
3,428 |
1,733 |
81 |
(308) |
4,934 |
3,149 |
1,630 |
(148) |
(346) |
4,285 |
Credit impairment |
14 |
(332) |
(24) |
6 |
(336) |
54 |
(267) |
(43) |
7 |
(249) |
Other impairment |
- |
(3) |
- |
(6) |
(9) |
(105) |
(27) |
- |
(11) |
(143) |
Profit/(loss) from associates and |
- |
- |
(11) |
102 |
91 |
- |
- |
(6) |
70 |
64 |
Underlying profit/(loss) before taxation |
3,442 |
1,398 |
46 |
(206) |
4,680 |
3,098 |
1,336 |
(197) |
(280) |
3,957 |
Restructuring & |
(146) |
(130) |
(1) |
(20) |
(297) |
(77) |
(195) |
(1) |
(192) |
(465) |
Reported profit/(loss) before taxation |
3,296 |
1,268 |
45 |
(226) |
4,383 |
3,021 |
1,141 |
(198) |
(472) |
3,492 |
Total assets |
512,928 |
129,591 |
7,534 |
263,883 |
913,936 |
443,567 |
122,625 |
5,115 |
264,120 |
835,427 |
Of which: loans |
204,812 |
126,712 |
1,555 |
17,539 |
350,618 |
190,474 |
120,258 |
1,110 |
23,865 |
335,707 |
loans and advances to customers |
140,930 |
126,707 |
1,555 |
17,539 |
286,731 |
130,672 |
120,249 |
1,110 |
23,865 |
275,896 |
loans held at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL) |
63,882 |
5 |
- |
- |
63,887 |
59,802 |
9 |
- |
- |
59,811 |
Total liabilities |
507,646 |
244,591 |
6,010 |
101,019 |
859,266 |
469,158 |
208,419 |
4,347 |
102,176 |
784,100 |
Of which: customer accounts1 |
332,952 |
240,612 |
5,718 |
2,851 |
582,133 |
316,543 |
204,221 |
4,046 |
7,452 |
532,262 |
Risk-weighted assets |
182,129 |
57,610 |
3,288 |
16,657 |
259,684 |
162,682 |
57,440 |
2,129 |
19,675 |
241,926 |
Income return on risk-weighted assets (%) |
7.5 |
14.9 |
24.2 |
(1.7) |
8.6 |
7.6 |
13.3 |
8.2 |
(1.7) |
8.1 |
Underlying return on tangible equity (%) |
19.6 |
25.3 |
nm |
(12.3) |
18.1 |
17.3 |
22.0 |
nm |
(10.7) |
14.0 |
Cost to income |
47.9 |
58.4 |
nm |
nm |
54.7 |
49.2 |
58.0 |
nm |
nm |
57.0 |
1 Customer accounts includes FVTPL and repurchase agreements
2 Segment results have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025. Please refer note 2 Basis of preparation for details
- page 17 -
Corporate & Investment Banking
|
H1'25 |
H1'247,8 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'247,8 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q1'25 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Transaction Services |
2,996 |
3,196 |
(6) |
(6) |
1,469 |
1,593 |
(8) |
(8) |
1,527 |
(4) |
(4) |
Payments & Liquidity |
2,074 |
2,300 |
(10) |
(9) |
1,013 |
1,139 |
(11) |
(11) |
1,061 |
(5) |
(5) |
Securities & Prime Services |
309 |
294 |
5 |
6 |
158 |
153 |
3 |
4 |
151 |
5 |
5 |
Trade & Working Capital |
613 |
602 |
2 |
3 |
298 |
301 |
(1) |
- |
315 |
(5) |
(6) |
Global Banking |
1,096 |
960 |
14 |
14 |
548 |
488 |
12 |
12 |
548 |
- |
(1) |
Lending & Financial Solutions |
928 |
836 |
11 |
11 |
476 |
422 |
13 |
12 |
452 |
5 |
4 |
Capital Market & Advisory |
168 |
124 |
35 |
37 |
72 |
66 |
9 |
11 |
96 |
(25) |
(25) |
Global Markets |
2,355 |
1,837 |
28 |
28 |
1,172 |
796 |
47 |
47 |
1,183 |
(1) |
(1) |
Macro Trading |
1,939 |
1,515 |
28 |
28 |
961 |
631 |
52 |
52 |
978 |
(2) |
(2) |
Credit Trading |
409 |
332 |
23 |
24 |
187 |
165 |
13 |
14 |
222 |
(16) |
(16) |
Valuation & Other Adj |
7 |
(10) |
170 |
170 |
24 |
- |
nm |
nm |
(17) |
nm |
nm |
Treasury & Other |
136 |
201 |
(32) |
(30) |
72 |
105 |
(31) |
(30) |
64 |
13 |
12 |
Operating income8 |
6,583 |
6,194 |
6 |
7 |
3,261 |
2,982 |
9 |
9 |
3,322 |
(2) |
(2) |
Operating expenses |
(3,155) |
(3,045) |
(4) |
(3) |
(1,602) |
(1,518) |
(6) |
(3) |
(1,553) |
(3) |
(1) |
Operating profit before impairment losses and taxation |
3,428 |
3,149 |
9 |
10 |
1,659 |
1,464 |
13 |
16 |
1,769 |
(6) |
(5) |
Credit impairment |
14 |
54 |
(74) |
(72) |
44 |
63 |
(30) |
(24) |
(30) |
nm |
nm |
Other impairment |
- |
(105) |
100 |
100 |
(1) |
(51) |
98 |
98 |
1 |
nm |
nm |
Profit from associates and |
- |
- |
nm |
nm |
(1) |
- |
nm |
nm |
1 |
nm |
nm |
Underlying profit before taxation |
3,442 |
3,098 |
11 |
13 |
1,701 |
1,476 |
15 |
18 |
1,741 |
(2) |
(1) |
Restructuring & Other items |
(146) |
(77) |
(90) |
(93) |
(49) |
3 |
nm |
nm |
(97) |
49 |
48 |
Reported profit before taxation |
3,296 |
3,021 |
9 |
11 |
1,652 |
1,479 |
12 |
14 |
1,644 |
- |
2 |
Total assets |
512,928 |
443,567 |
16 |
15 |
512,928 |
443,567 |
16 |
15 |
494,395 |
4 |
3 |
Of which: loans and advances |
204,812 |
190,474 |
8 |
7 |
204,812 |
190,474 |
8 |
7 |
203,757 |
1 |
(1) |
Total liabilities |
507,646 |
469,158 |
8 |
7 |
507,646 |
469,158 |
8 |
7 |
485,427 |
5 |
3 |
Of which: customer accounts⁴ |
332,952 |
316,543 |
5 |
4 |
332,952 |
316,543 |
5 |
4 |
319,507 |
4 |
3 |
Risk-weighted assets |
182,129 |
162,682 |
12 |
nm |
182,129 |
162,682 |
12 |
nm |
175,445 |
4 |
nm |
Income return on risk-weighted assets (%)⁵ |
7.5 |
7.6 |
(10)bps |
nm |
7.3 |
7.3 |
- |
nm |
7.7 |
(40)bps |
nm |
Underlying return on tangible |
19.6 |
17.3 |
230bps |
nm |
19.4 |
14.7 |
470bps |
nm |
19.8 |
(40)bps |
nm |
Cost to income ratio (%)⁶ |
47.9 |
49.2 |
1.3 |
1.7 |
49.1 |
50.9 |
1.8 |
2.8 |
46.7 |
(2) |
(1) |
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Variance is better/(worse), other than risk-weighted assets, assets and liabilities, which is increase/(decrease)
3 Loans and advances to customers includes FVTPL and reverse repurchase agreements
4 Customer accounts includes FVTPL and repurchase agreements
5 Change is the basis points (bps) difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
6 Change is the percentage points difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
7 Segment results have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
8 Products have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
Performance highlights
All commentary below is on underlying basis. Percentage changes are shown on a constant currency basis versus the equivalent period in 2024 unless otherwise stated; reported dollar amount variances use actual exchange rates unless otherwise noted.
• Underlying profit before tax of $3,442 million, an increase of 13 per cent, primarily driven by strong growth in operating income, partly offset by higher operating expenses and lower impairment.
• Underlying operating income of $6,583 million increased 7 per cent, driven by strong performance in Global Markets and Global Banking. Global Markets income grew by 28 per cent, supported by strong growth across both flow and episodic income. Global Banking delivered double-digit growth of 14 per cent, driven by increased origination and distribution volumes. Transaction Services income declined by 6 per cent, with Payments & Liquidity down 9 per cent reflecting margin compression from lower interest rates, partly mitigated by active passthrough-rate management, growth in balances and higher fees. Securities Services income increased 6 per cent, largely supported by fee growth from higher client activity. Trade & Working Capital income rose by 3 per cent driven by higher fee income.
- page 18 -
• Operating expenses of $3,155 million increased by 3 per cent, mainly due to inflation and strategic investments, although this was part funded by efficiencies from the Fit for Growth programme. Cost growth remains well-managed relative to income momentum.
• Credit impairment was a net release of $14 million as releases from sovereign upgrades were in part offset by a low level of client downgrades. Other impairment declined by $105 million year-on-year, largely due to the non-repeat of prior-year software asset write-offs.
• Loans and advances to customers grew by 2 per cent since 31 December 2024, primarily driven by higher origination volumes in Global Banking.
Wealth & Retail Banking
|
H1'25 |
H1'248,9 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'248,9 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q1'25 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Wealth Solutions |
1,519 |
1,234 |
23 |
24 |
742 |
618 |
20 |
20 |
777 |
(5) |
(5) |
Investment Products |
1,103 |
868 |
27 |
28 |
544 |
444 |
23 |
22 |
559 |
(3) |
(3) |
Bancassurance |
416 |
366 |
14 |
15 |
198 |
174 |
14 |
14 |
218 |
(9) |
(10) |
Deposits & Mortgages |
1,996 |
2,061 |
(3) |
(3) |
990 |
1,041 |
(5) |
(5) |
1,006 |
(2) |
(2) |
CCPL & Other Unsecured Lending |
539 |
530 |
2 |
2 |
282 |
270 |
4 |
4 |
257 |
10 |
9 |
Treasury & Other |
108 |
59 |
83 |
86 |
38 |
45 |
(16) |
(20) |
70 |
(46) |
(48) |
Operating income9 |
4,162 |
3,884 |
7 |
8 |
2,052 |
1,974 |
4 |
4 |
2,110 |
(3) |
(4) |
Operating expenses |
(2,429) |
(2,254) |
(8) |
(7) |
(1,248) |
(1,169) |
(7) |
(4) |
(1,181) |
(6) |
(4) |
Operating profit before impairment losses and taxation |
1,733 |
1,630 |
6 |
9 |
804 |
805 |
- |
3 |
929 |
(13) |
(13) |
Credit impairment |
(332) |
(267) |
(24) |
(26) |
(153) |
(128) |
(20) |
(20) |
(179) |
15 |
17 |
Other impairment |
(3) |
(27) |
89 |
89 |
1 |
(23) |
104 |
104 |
(4) |
125 |
125 |
Underlying profit before taxation |
1,398 |
1,336 |
5 |
8 |
652 |
654 |
- |
3 |
746 |
(13) |
(12) |
Restructuring & Other items3 |
(130) |
(195) |
33 |
31 |
(55) |
(62) |
11 |
14 |
(75) |
27 |
27 |
Reported profit before taxation |
1,268 |
1,141 |
11 |
14 |
597 |
592 |
1 |
5 |
671 |
(11) |
(10) |
Total assets |
129,591 |
122,625 |
6 |
3 |
129,591 |
122,625 |
6 |
3 |
123,698 |
5 |
1 |
Of which: loans and advances |
126,712 |
120,258 |
5 |
2 |
126,712 |
120,258 |
5 |
2 |
121,031 |
5 |
1 |
Total liabilities |
244,591 |
208,419 |
17 |
15 |
244,591 |
208,419 |
17 |
15 |
227,645 |
7 |
6 |
Of which: customer accounts7 |
240,612 |
204,221 |
18 |
16 |
240,612 |
204,221 |
18 |
16 |
223,847 |
7 |
6 |
Risk-weighted assets |
57,610 |
57,440 |
- |
nm |
57,610 |
57,440 |
- |
nm |
56,704 |
2 |
nm |
Income return on risk-weighted assets (%)5 |
14.9 |
13.3 |
160bps |
nm |
14.7 |
13.6 |
110bps |
nm |
15.1 |
(40)bps |
nm |
Underlying return on tangible |
25.3 |
22.0 |
330bps |
nm |
24.0 |
21.3 |
270bps |
nm |
26.7 |
(270)bps |
nm |
Cost to income ratio (%)6 |
58.4 |
58.0 |
(0.4) |
0.5 |
60.8 |
59.2 |
(1.6) |
(0.3) |
56.0 |
(4.8) |
(4.3) |
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Variance is better/(worse), other than risk-weighted assets, assets and liabilities, which is increase/(decrease)
3 Other items in H1 2024 include $100 million provision relating to Korea ELS
4 Loans and advances to customers includes FVTPL
5 Change is the basis points (bps) difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
6 Change is the percentage points difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
7 Customer accounts includes FVTPL
8 Segment results have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
9 Products have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
Performance highlights
All commentary below is on underlying basis. Percentage changes are shown on a constant currency basis versus the equivalent period in 2024 unless otherwise stated; reported dollar amount variances use actual exchange rates unless otherwise noted.
• Underlying profit before tax of $1,398 million, increased by 8 per cent reflecting strong income growth, partly offset by higher operating expenses and higher impairments.
• Operating income of $4,162 million increased by 8 per cent, primarily driven by robust 24 per cent growth in Wealth Solutions. Within Wealth Solutions, there was growth across all products, in particular capital market products driven by continued investment in product innovation, digitisation and advisory capabilities; and sustained momentum in affluent new-to-bank with 135,000 clients onboarded in the first half of 2025 and $28 billion of affluent net-new-money.
- page 19 -
• Operating expenses increased by 7 per cent to $2,429 million, reflecting continued investment in our affluent strategy, including the hiring of relationship managers, and investments into new products, capabilities and platforms, partly offset by efficiency savings from the Fit for Growth programme.
• Credit impairment charges increased to $332 million, reflecting higher delinquencies in unsecured portfolios partly offset by portfolio optimisation actions.
Ventures
|
H1'25 |
H1'247 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'247 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q1'25 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Digital Banks |
88 |
62 |
42 |
48 |
46 |
33 |
39 |
48 |
42 |
10 |
5 |
SCV |
232 |
18 |
nm |
nm |
232 |
15 |
nm |
nm |
- |
nm |
nm |
Operating income |
320 |
80 |
nm |
nm |
278 |
48 |
nm |
nm |
42 |
nm |
nm |
Operating expenses |
(239) |
(228) |
(5) |
(4) |
(127) |
(116) |
(9) |
(7) |
(112) |
(13) |
(11) |
Operating profit/(loss) before impairment losses and taxation |
81 |
(148) |
155 |
156 |
151 |
(68) |
nm |
nm |
(70) |
nm |
nm |
Credit impairment |
(24) |
(43) |
44 |
45 |
(14) |
(15) |
7 |
7 |
(10) |
(40) |
(40) |
Loss from associates and |
(11) |
(6) |
(83) |
(83) |
(7) |
(3) |
(133) |
(133) |
(4) |
(75) |
(75) |
Underlying profit/(loss) |
46 |
(197) |
123 |
125 |
130 |
(86) |
nm |
nm |
(84) |
nm |
nm |
Restructuring |
(1) |
(1) |
- |
- |
(1) |
(1) |
- |
- |
- |
nm |
nm |
Reported profit/(loss) |
45 |
(198) |
123 |
124 |
129 |
(87) |
nm |
nm |
(84) |
nm |
nm |
Total assets |
7,534 |
5,115 |
47 |
42 |
7,534 |
5,115 |
47 |
42 |
6,791 |
11 |
11 |
Of which: loans and advances |
1,555 |
1,110 |
40 |
38 |
1,555 |
1,110 |
40 |
38 |
1,472 |
6 |
4 |
Total liabilities |
6,010 |
4,347 |
38 |
34 |
6,010 |
4,347 |
38 |
34 |
5,740 |
5 |
2 |
Of which: customer accounts6 |
5,718 |
4,046 |
41 |
37 |
5,718 |
4,046 |
41 |
37 |
5,379 |
6 |
4 |
Risk-weighted assets |
3,288 |
2,129 |
54 |
nm |
3,288 |
2,129 |
54 |
nm |
2,589 |
27 |
nm |
Income return on risk-weighted assets (%)4 |
24.2 |
8.2 |
nm |
nm |
39.8 |
9.1 |
nm |
nm |
6.7 |
nm |
nm |
Underlying return on tangible |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
Cost-to-income ratio (%)5 |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Variance is better/(worse) other than risk-weighted assets, assets and liabilities which is increase/(decrease)
3 Loans and advances to customers includes FVTPL
4 Change is the basis points (bps) difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
5 Change is the percentage points difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
6 Customer accounts includes FVTPL
7 Segment results have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
Performance highlights
All commentary below is on underlying basis. Percentage changes are shown on a constant currency basis versus the equivalent period in 2024 unless otherwise stated; reported dollar amount variances use actual exchange rates unless otherwise noted.
• Underlying profit before tax increased by $243 million to $46 million, mostly driven by a gain from the Solv India transaction of $238 million. Our digital banks, Mox and Trust, continue to scale rapidly, with income up 48 per cent.
• Operating expenses increased by 4 per cent, primarily due to increased costs from the consolidated Ventures as they continue to build, partly offset by efficiency saves within the Digital Banks and SCV platform costs.
• Credit impairment decreased by 45 per cent to $24 million, reflecting improved delinquency rates in Mox.
• Strong balance sheet expansion reflecting both customer and volume growth in the digital banks. Loans and advances to customers of $1.6 billion increased by 11 per cent since 31 December 2024, while customer deposits increased by 12 per cent to $5.7 billion.
- page 20 -
Central & other items
|
H1'25 |
H1'248,9 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q2'25 |
Q2'248,9 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Q1'25 |
Change2 |
Constant currency change1,2 |
Treasury & Other9 |
(166) |
(200) |
17 |
29 |
(82) |
(198) |
59 |
53 |
(84) |
2 |
2 |
Operating income |
(166) |
(200) |
17 |
29 |
(82) |
(198) |
59 |
53 |
(84) |
2 |
2 |
Operating expenses |
(142) |
(146) |
3 |
5 |
(73) |
(84) |
13 |
12 |
(69) |
(6) |
(10) |
Operating (loss)/profit before impairment losses and taxation |
(308) |
(346) |
11 |
19 |
(155) |
(282) |
45 |
40 |
(153) |
(1) |
(3) |
Credit impairment |
6 |
7 |
(14) |
(14) |
6 |
7 |
(14) |
(17) |
- |
nm |
nm |
Other impairment |
(6) |
(11) |
45 |
54 |
(3) |
(9) |
67 |
70 |
(3) |
- |
- |
Profit from associates and |
102 |
70 |
46 |
46 |
72 |
68 |
6 |
- |
30 |
140 |
109 |
Underlying (loss)/profit |
(206) |
(280) |
26 |
35 |
(80) |
(216) |
63 |
56 |
(126) |
37 |
29 |
Restructuring & Other items7 |
(20) |
(192) |
90 |
90 |
(18) |
(190) |
91 |
91 |
(2) |
nm |
nm |
Reported (loss)/profit |
(226) |
(472) |
52 |
56 |
(98) |
(406) |
76 |
73 |
(128) |
23 |
16 |
Total assets |
263,883 |
264,120 |
- |
(2) |
263,883 |
264,120 |
- |
(2) |
249,562 |
6 |
4 |
Of which: loans and advances |
17,539 |
23,865 |
(27) |
(30) |
17,539 |
23,865 |
(27) |
(30) |
18,371 |
(5) |
(6) |
Total liabilities |
101,019 |
102,176 |
(1) |
(1) |
101,019 |
102,176 |
(1) |
(1) |
103,166 |
(2) |
(2) |
Of which: customer accounts6 |
2,851 |
7,452 |
(62) |
(62) |
2,851 |
7,452 |
(62) |
(62) |
5,385 |
(47) |
(47) |
Risk-weighted assets |
16,657 |
19,675 |
(15) |
nm |
16,657 |
19,675 |
(15) |
nm |
18,858 |
(12) |
nm |
Income return on risk-weighted assets (%)4 |
(1.7) |
(1.7) |
- |
nm |
(1.6) |
(3.6) |
200bps |
nm |
(1.7) |
10bps |
nm |
Underlying return on tangible |
(12.3) |
(10.7) |
(160)bps |
nm |
(3.2) |
(6.0) |
280bps |
nm |
(21.8) |
nm |
nm |
Cost to income ratio (%)5 |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
nm |
1 Comparisons presented on the basis of the current period's transactional currency rate, ensuring like-for-like currency rates between the two periods
2 Variance is better/(worse) other than risk-weighted assets, assets and liabilities which is increase/(decrease)
3 Loans and advances to customers includes FVTPL
4 Change is the basis points (bps) difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
5 Change is the percentage points difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
6 Customer accounts includes FVTPL
7 Other items in H1 2024 includes $174 million primarily relating to recycling of FX translation losses from reserves into profit and loss on the sale of Zimbabwe
8 Segment results have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
9 Products have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
Performance highlights
All commentary below is on underlying basis. Percentage changes are shown on a constant currency basis versus the equivalent period in 2024 unless otherwise stated; reported dollar amount variances use actual exchange rates unless otherwise noted.
• Underlying loss before tax of $206 million reduced by $74 million year-on-year, mainly driven by lower income losses and a $32 million increase in profit from associates and joint ventures, mostly relating to the Group's investment in China Bohai Bank.
• Income loss of $166 million improved by $34 million year-on-year. Treasury income increased $153 million to $(26) million, benefitting from the maturation of short-term hedges in the first half of 2024, and improved yields from repricing longer-dated Treasury assets partly offset by the non-repeat of translation gains on the revaluation of FX positions in Egypt. Other income was down $119 million to $(140) million, primarily reflecting the non-repeat of hyperinflation accounting adjustments in Ghana.
- page 21 -
Underlying performance by key market
The following tables provide information for key markets in which the Group operates. These numbers are prepared in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025.
|
H1'25 |
||||||||||
Hong Kong |
Korea |
China |
Taiwan |
Singapore |
India |
UAE |
UK |
US |
Other |
Group |
|
Operating income |
2,775 |
561 |
666 |
290 |
1,651 |
795 |
606 |
901 |
598 |
2,056 |
10,899 |
Operating expenses |
(1,160) |
(367) |
(398) |
(165) |
(805) |
(442) |
(295) |
(820) |
(286) |
(1,227) |
(5,965) |
Operating profit before impairment losses and taxation |
1,615 |
194 |
268 |
125 |
846 |
353 |
311 |
81 |
312 |
829 |
4,934 |
Credit impairment |
(168) |
(27) |
(57) |
(18) |
(48) |
(19) |
16 |
24 |
- |
(39) |
(336) |
Other impairment |
(1) |
1 |
(3) |
- |
(1) |
(1) |
- |
(1) |
- |
(3) |
(9) |
Profit from associates and |
- |
- |
103 |
- |
1 |
- |
- |
(2) |
- |
(11) |
91 |
Underlying profit before taxation |
1,446 |
168 |
311 |
107 |
798 |
333 |
327 |
102 |
312 |
776 |
4,680 |
Total assets employed |
209,923 |
53,654 |
45,573 |
24,526 |
114,423 |
33,336 |
21,902 |
265,713 |
56,506 |
88,380 |
913,936 |
Of which: loans and advances |
86,140 |
31,328 |
15,243 |
12,628 |
65,063 |
13,616 |
8,464 |
65,615 |
22,039 |
30,482 |
350,618 |
Total liabilities employed |
214,165 |
45,178 |
38,422 |
21,401 |
109,253 |
25,260 |
18,323 |
258,501 |
47,405 |
81,358 |
859,266 |
Of which: customer accounts2 |
187,036 |
35,057 |
30,959 |
18,841 |
99,094 |
17,383 |
15,471 |
99,032 |
18,277 |
60,983 |
582,133 |
|
H1'243 |
||||||||||
Hong Kong |
Korea |
China |
Taiwan |
Singapore |
India |
UAE |
UK |
US |
Other4 |
Group |
|
Operating income |
2,211 |
580 |
748 |
300 |
1,291 |
753 |
642 |
753 |
436 |
2,244 |
9,958 |
Operating expenses |
(1,061) |
(327) |
(435) |
(164) |
(781) |
(440) |
(258) |
(730) |
(271) |
(1,206) |
(5,673) |
Operating profit before impairment losses and taxation |
1,150 |
253 |
313 |
136 |
510 |
313 |
384 |
23 |
165 |
1,038 |
4,285 |
Credit impairment |
(93) |
(19) |
(87) |
(19) |
(15) |
(8) |
4 |
12 |
(1) |
(23) |
(249) |
Other impairment |
(14) |
(1) |
(4) |
- |
(101) |
(6) |
(3) |
(9) |
- |
(5) |
(143) |
Profit from associates and |
- |
- |
72 |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
(3) |
- |
(8) |
64 |
Underlying profit before taxation |
1,043 |
233 |
294 |
117 |
397 |
299 |
385 |
23 |
164 |
1,002 |
3,957 |
Total assets employed5 |
191,794 |
50,798 |
45,164 |
21,221 |
103,825 |
34,835 |
22,207 |
232,519 |
58,984 |
74,080 |
835,427 |
Of which: loans and advances |
82,324 |
26,944 |
16,749 |
11,002 |
65,265 |
14,797 |
8,445 |
65,738 |
16,313 |
28,130 |
335,707 |
Total liabilities employed5 |
189,615 |
42,082 |
36,366 |
18,794 |
92,547 |
27,267 |
19,737 |
242,944 |
42,660 |
72,088 |
784,100 |
Of which: customer accounts2 |
163,742 |
32,323 |
27,081 |
16,983 |
83,078 |
20,661 |
16,459 |
97,722 |
17,528 |
56,685 |
532,262 |
1 Loans and advances to customers includes FVTPL and reverse repurchase agreements
2 Customer accounts includes FVTPL and repurchase agreements
3 Underlying profit before taxation has been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
4 Other includes notable items of Egypt revaluation and Ghana hyperinflation
5 Balance sheet numbers have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025
- page 22 -
Quarterly underlying operating income by product
|
Q2'25 |
Q1'25 |
Q4'241 |
Q3'241 |
Q2'241 |
Q1'241 |
Q4'231 |
Q3'231 |
Transaction Services |
1,469 |
1,527 |
1,666 |
1,572 |
1,593 |
1,603 |
1,647 |
1,654 |
Payments & Liquidity |
1,013 |
1,061 |
1,193 |
1,112 |
1,139 |
1,161 |
1,207 |
1,196 |
Securities & Prime Services |
158 |
151 |
161 |
156 |
153 |
141 |
140 |
138 |
Trade & Working Capital |
298 |
315 |
312 |
304 |
301 |
301 |
300 |
320 |
Global Banking |
548 |
548 |
500 |
475 |
488 |
472 |
400 |
447 |
Lending & Financial Solutions |
476 |
452 |
434 |
407 |
422 |
414 |
358 |
393 |
Capital Markets & Advisory |
72 |
96 |
66 |
68 |
66 |
58 |
42 |
54 |
Global Markets |
1,172 |
1,183 |
773 |
840 |
796 |
1,041 |
534 |
716 |
Macro Trading |
961 |
978 |
654 |
683 |
631 |
884 |
463 |
595 |
Credit Trading |
187 |
222 |
138 |
174 |
165 |
167 |
92 |
122 |
Valuation & Other Adj |
24 |
(17) |
(19) |
(17) |
- |
(10) |
(21) |
(1) |
Wealth Solutions |
742 |
777 |
562 |
694 |
618 |
616 |
412 |
526 |
Investment Products |
544 |
559 |
452 |
507 |
444 |
424 |
298 |
364 |
Bancassurance |
198 |
218 |
110 |
187 |
174 |
192 |
114 |
162 |
Deposits & Mortgages |
990 |
1,006 |
1,058 |
1,051 |
1,041 |
1,020 |
1,008 |
1,036 |
CCPL & Other Unsecured Lending |
282 |
257 |
270 |
281 |
270 |
260 |
259 |
270 |
Ventures |
278 |
42 |
60 |
43 |
48 |
32 |
32 |
35 |
Digital Banks |
46 |
42 |
41 |
39 |
33 |
29 |
26 |
27 |
SCV |
232 |
- |
19 |
4 |
15 |
3 |
6 |
8 |
Treasury & Other |
28 |
50 |
(55) |
(52) |
(48) |
108 |
(268) |
(281) |
Total underlying operating income |
5,509 |
5,390 |
4,834 |
4,904 |
4,806 |
5,152 |
4,024 |
4,403 |
1 Products have been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025 with no change in total income
Earnings per ordinary share
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
Change |
Q2'25 |
Q2'24 |
Change |
Q1'25 |
Change |
Profit for the period attributable to |
3,326 |
2,369 |
40 |
1,734 |
974 |
78 |
1,592 |
9 |
Non-controlling interest |
(17) |
9 |
nm |
(15) |
1 |
nm |
(2) |
nm |
Dividend payable on preference shares |
(244) |
(209) |
(17) |
(11) |
(29) |
62 |
(233) |
95 |
Profit for the period attributable to |
3,065 |
2,169 |
41 |
1,708 |
946 |
81 |
1,357 |
26 |
Items normalised:2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring |
137 |
64 |
114 |
40 |
19 |
111 |
97 |
(59) |
FFG |
160 |
86 |
86 |
87 |
76 |
14 |
73 |
19 |
DVA |
(5) |
26 |
nm |
(9) |
(22) |
59 |
4 |
nm |
Net loss on sale of businesses |
5 |
189 |
(97) |
5 |
177 |
(97) |
- |
nm |
Other items |
- |
100 |
nm |
- |
- |
nm |
- |
nm |
Tax on normalised items |
(55) |
(67) |
18 |
(26) |
(22) |
(18) |
(29) |
10 |
Underlying profit attributable to |
3,307 |
2,567 |
29 |
1,805 |
1,174 |
54 |
1,502 |
20 |
Basic - Weighted average number of |
2,375 |
2,605 |
(9) |
2,355 |
2,578 |
(9) |
2,396 |
(2) |
Diluted - Weighted average number of |
2,443 |
2,669 |
(8) |
2,422 |
2,645 |
(8) |
2,464 |
(2) |
Basic earnings per ordinary share (cents)1 |
129.1 |
83.3 |
45.8 |
72.5 |
36.7 |
35.8 |
56.6 |
15.9 |
Diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)1 |
125.5 |
81.3 |
44.2 |
70.5 |
35.8 |
34.7 |
55.1 |
15.4 |
Underlying basic earnings per ordinary |
139.2 |
98.5 |
40.7 |
76.6 |
45.5 |
31.1 |
62.7 |
13.9 |
Underlying diluted earnings per ordinary share (cents)1 |
135.4 |
96.2 |
39.2 |
74.5 |
44.4 |
30.1 |
61.0 |
13.5 |
1 Change is the difference between the two periods rather than the percentage change
2 Refer to Profit before taxation (PBT) table in underlying versus reported reconciliation
- page 23 -
Return on Tangible Equity
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
Change |
Q2'25 |
Q2'24 |
Change |
Q1'25 |
Change |
Average parent company Shareholders' Equity |
45,077 |
44,180 |
2 |
45,645 |
44,171 |
(3) |
44,474 |
3 |
Less Average preference share capital and |
(1,494) |
(1,494) |
- |
(1,494) |
(1,494) |
- |
(1,494) |
- |
Less Average intangible assets |
(5,907) |
(6,157) |
4 |
(5,965) |
(6,128) |
(3) |
(5,815) |
(3) |
Average Ordinary Shareholders' |
37,676 |
36,529 |
3 |
38,186 |
36,549 |
(4) |
37,165 |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit for the period attributable to |
3,326 |
2,369 |
40 |
1,734 |
974 |
78 |
1,592 |
9 |
Non-controlling interests |
(17) |
9 |
nm |
(15) |
1 |
nm |
(2) |
nm |
Dividend payable on preference shares |
(244) |
(209) |
(17) |
(11) |
(28) |
61 |
(233) |
95 |
Profit for the period attributable to |
3,065 |
2,169 |
41 |
1,708 |
947 |
80 |
1,357 |
26 |
Items normalised:1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring |
137 |
64 |
114 |
40 |
19 |
111 |
97 |
(59) |
FFG |
160 |
86 |
86 |
87 |
76 |
14 |
73 |
19 |
DVA |
(5) |
26 |
nm |
(9) |
(22) |
59 |
4 |
nm |
Ventures FVOCI (gains)/losses net of tax |
72 |
(15) |
nm |
72 |
(3) |
nm |
- |
nm |
Net loss on sale of businesses |
5 |
189 |
(97) |
5 |
177 |
(97) |
- |
nm |
Other items |
- |
100 |
nm |
- |
- |
nm |
- |
nm |
Tax on normalised items |
(55) |
(67) |
18 |
(26) |
(22) |
(18) |
(29) |
10 |
Underlying profit for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders |
3,379 |
2,552 |
32 |
1,877 |
1,172 |
60 |
1,502 |
25 |
Underlying Return on Tangible Equity |
18.1% |
14.0% |
410bps |
19.7% |
12.9% |
680bps |
16.4% |
330bps |
Reported Return on Tangible Equity |
16.4% |
11.9% |
450bps |
17.9% |
10.4% |
750bps |
14.8% |
310bps |
1 Refer to Profit before taxation (PBT) table in underlying versus reported reconciliation
Net Tangible Asset Value per Share
|
30.06.25 |
30.06.24 |
Change |
31.12.24 |
Change |
31.03.25 |
Change |
Parent company shareholders' equity |
46,730 |
44,413 |
5 |
44,388 |
5 |
44,559 |
5 |
Less preference share capital and share premium |
(1,494) |
(1,494) |
- |
(1,494) |
- |
(1,494) |
- |
Less intangible assets |
(6,091) |
(6,103) |
- |
(5,791) |
(5) |
(5,838) |
(4) |
Net shareholders tangible equity |
39,145 |
36,816 |
6 |
37,103 |
6 |
37,227 |
5 |
Ordinary shares in issue, excluding own shares (millions) |
2,330 |
2,550 |
(9) |
2,408 |
(3) |
2,384 |
(2) |
Net Tangible Asset Value per share (cents)1 |
1,680 |
1,444 |
236 |
1,541 |
139 |
1,561 |
119 |
1 Change is cents difference between the two periods rather than percentage change
- page 24 -
Underlying versus reported results reconciliations
Reconciliations between underlying and reported results are set out in the tables below:
Operating income by client segment
Reconciliation of underlying versus reported operating income by client segment set out in note 2 Segmental information.
Net interest income and non NII
|
H1'25 |
H1'24 |
||||||
Underlying |
Restructuring |
Adjustment for Trading book funding cost |
Reported |
Underlying1 |
Restructuring |
Adjustment for Trading book funding cost |
Reported |
|
Net interest income |
5,499 |
- |
(2,455) |
3,044 |
5,350 |
12 |
(2,187) |
3,175 |
Non NII |
5,400 |
7 |
2,455 |
7,862 |
4,608 |
(179) |
2,187 |
6,616 |
Total income |
10,899 |
7 |
- |
10,906 |
9,958 |
(167) |
- |
9,791 |
1 Underlying net interest income has been re-presented in line with the RNS on Re-Presentation of Financial Information issued on 2 April 2025 to reflect the reclassification of funding cost mismatches to Underlying non NII
Profit/(loss) before taxation (PBT)
Reconciliation of underlying versus reported PBT set out in note 2 Segmental information.
Profit/(loss) before taxation (PBT) by client segment
Reconciliation of underlying versus reported PBT by client segment set out in note 2 Segmental information.
Return on tangible equity (RoTE)
Reconciliation of RoTE is set out in Supplementary financial information.
Net charge-off ratio
|
30.06.25 |
30.06.24 |
||||
Credit impairment (charge)/ release for the year/period |
Net average exposure |
Net |
Credit impairment (charge)/ release for the year/period |
Net average exposure |
Net |
|
Stage 1 |
(18) |
313,387 |
0.01% |
46 |
312,091 |
(0.01)% |
Stage 2 |
(158) |
11,570 |
1.37% |
(129) |
10,015 |
1.29% |
Stage 3 |
(156) |
2,176 |
7.17% |
(173) |
2,715 |
6.37% |
Total exposure |
(332) |
327,133 |
0.10% |
(256) |
324,821 |
0.08% |
- page 25 -
Earnings per ordinary share (EPS)
|
H1'25 |
|||||||
Underlying |
Restructuring |
FFG |
Net loss on sale of businesses |
Other items |
DVA |
Tax on normalised items |
Reported |
|
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders |
3,307 |
(137) |
(160) |
(5) |
- |
5 |
55 |
3,065 |
Basic - Weighted average number of shares (millions) |
2,375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,375 |
Basic earnings per ordinary |
139.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
129.1 |
|
H1'24 |
|||||||
Underlying |
Restructuring |
FFG |
Net loss on sale of businesses |
Other items1 |
DVA |
Tax on normalised items |
Reported |
|
Profit/(loss) for the period attributable to ordinary shareholders |
2,567 |
(64) |
(86) |
(189) |
(100) |
(26) |
67 |
2,169 |
Basic - Weighted average number of shares (millions) |
2,605 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2,605 |
Basic earnings per ordinary |
98.5 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
83.3 |
1 Other items include $100 million provision relating to Korea ELS
- page 26 -
Alternative performance measures
An alternative performance measure is a financial measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows, other than a financial measure defined or specified in the applicable financial reporting framework. The following are key alternative performance measures used by the Group to assess financial performance and financial position.
Advances-to-deposits/customer advances-to-deposits (ADR) ratio: The ratio of total loans and advances to customers relative to total customer accounts, excluding approved balances held with central banks, confirmed as repayable at the point of stress. A low advances-to-deposits ratio demonstrates that customer accounts exceed customer loans resulting from emphasis placed on generating a high level of stable funding from customers.
Average interest-earning balance: Daily average of the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities balances excluding the daily average cash collateral balances in other assets and other liabilities that are related to the Global Markets trading book.
Constant currency basis: A performance measure on a constant currency basis is presented such that comparative periods are adjusted for the current year's functional currency rate. The following balances are presented on a constant currency basis when described as such: 1. Operating income, 2. Operating expenses, 3. Profit before tax and 4. RWAs or risk-weighted assets.
Cost-to-income ratio (CIR): The proportion of total operating expenses to total operating income.
Cover ratio: The ratio of impairment provisions for each stage to the gross loan exposure for each stage.
Cover ratio after collateral/cover ratio including collateral: The ratio of impairment provisions for stage 3 loans and realisable value of collateral held against these non-performing loan exposures to the gross loan exposure of stage 3 loans.
Gross yield: Reported interest income divided by average interest-earning assets.
Income return on risk weighted assets (IRoRWA): Annualised underlying income as a percentage of average RWA.
Jaws: The difference between the rates of change in revenue and operating expenses. Positive jaws occurs when the percentage change in revenue is higher than, or less negative than, the corresponding rate for operating expenses.
Loan-loss rate: Credit impairment profit and loss on loans and advances to banks and customers over gross average loans and advances to banks and customers excluding FVTPL loans.
Net charge-off ratio: The ratio of net credit impairment charge or release to average outstanding net loans and advances.
Net Interest Margin (NIM): Reported net interest income adjusted for trading book funding cost, reclassification of accounting asymmetry on account of Treasury currency management activities, cash collateral and prime services on interest-earning assets, divided by average interest-earning assets.
Net tangible asset value per share: Ratio of net tangible assets (total tangible assets less total liabilities) to the number of ordinary shares outstanding at the end of a reporting period.
Net yield: Gross yield on average assets less rate paid on average liabilities.
Non NII: Reported non NII is a sum of net fees and commission, net trading income and other operating income.
Rate paid: Reported interest expense adjusted for interest expense incurred on amortised cost liabilities used to fund financial instruments held at fair value through profit or loss, divided by average interest-bearing liabilities.
Return on Ordinary Shareholders' Tangible Equity (RoTE): The ratio of the current year's profit available for distribution to ordinary shareholders to the average tangible equity, being ordinary shareholders' equity less the average intangible assets for the reporting period. Where a target RoTE is stated, this is based on profit and equity expectations for future periods.
TSR or Total Shareholder Return: The total return of the Group's equity (share price growth and dividends) to investors.
Underlying net interest income: Reported net interest income normalised to an underlying basis adjusted for trading book funding cost, reclassification of accounting asymmetry on account of Treasury currency management activities, cash collateral and prime services.
- page 27 -
Underlying/normalised: A performance measure is described as underlying/normalised if the reported result has been adjusted for restructuring and other items representing profits or losses of a capital nature; DVA; amounts consequent to investment transactions driven by strategic intent, excluding amounts consequent to Ventures transactions, as these are considered part of the Group's ordinary course of business; and other infrequent and/or exceptional transactions that are significant or material in the context of the Group's normal business earnings for the period, and items which management and investors would ordinarily identify separately when assessing performance period-by-period. Restructuring includes impacts to profit or loss from businesses that have been disclosed as no longer part of the Group's ongoing business, redundancy costs, costs of closure or relocation of business locations, impairments of assets and other costs which are not related to the Group's ongoing business. Restructuring in this context is not the same as a restructuring provision as defined in IAS 37. A reconciliation between underlying/normalised and reported performance is contained in Note 2 to the financial statements. The following balances and measures are presented on an underlying basis when described as such: 1. Operating income, 2. Operating expenses, 3. Profit before tax and 4. Earnings per share (basic and diluted) 5. CIR 6. Jaws and 7. RoTE.
Underlying non NII: Reported non NII normalised to an underlying basis adjusted for trading book funding cost and reclassification of accounting asymmetry on account of Treasury currency management activities.
Underlying RoTE: The ratio of the current year's underlying profit attributable to ordinary shareholders plus fair value on OCI equity movement relating to Ventures segment to the weighted average tangible equity, being ordinary shareholders' equity less the intangible assets for the reporting period.
- page 28 -
Group Chief Risk Officer's review
"Managing our risks proactively amid a complex geopolitical and macroeconomic environment"
Managing Risk
The global economy in H1 2025 was marked by heightened trade tensions following the announcement and subsequent pause of new US tariffs, and increased geopolitical risks, particularly in Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East. Constant fluctuations in policy changes and escalating conflicts have led to increased economic uncertainty, risking fragmentation of interest rates across developed economies, commodities price volatility and elevating refinancing risks across emerging markets, among others.
Amid an unpredictable external environment, we have stayed focused on managing risks proactively and been forward-looking in identifying emerging risks. Ahead of the US tariff announcements in 2025, we conducted assessments of trade linkages and identified countries that were most vulnerable to rising tariffs. Beyond the direct impact of the tariffs, we continue to closely monitor second-order impacts and regularly assess country risks through our Country Risk Early Warning System (CREWS). Through this process, markets considered high risk were subject to enhanced monitoring with risk strategies in place. We remain vigilant in managing risks arising from the escalation of conflicts and broader impact. Assessing the impact of potential downside scenarios is key to our risk management as we continued to build on our stress testing capability by increasing the number of Management Stress Tests we perform and scanning for topical and emerging risks.
Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB)
Our CIB credit portfolio remained resilient amid fluid market conditions, with overall good asset quality as evidenced by our largely investment-grade corporate portfolio (30 June 2025: 75 per cent; 31 December 2024: 74 per cent). In consideration of the macroeconomic challenges, we have been pre-emptive in assessing potential impacts of a possible trade war escalation by conducting extensive stress tests and portfolio reviews since H2 2024 across vulnerable countries, sectors and clients. While the risk of re-escalation in global tariffs has somewhat moderated, we regularly update our assessments, and based on latest developments, take timely risk mitigating actions as appropriate. Outside tariffs, we remain vigilant in monitoring geopolitical risks across geographies including the Middle East and the resultant impact it could have on certain commodities prices.
Our CIB Traded Risk increased during H1 2025, as evidenced by the higher Value at Risk (30 June 2025: Trading total $23.0 million; non-trading total $62.3 million; 31 December 2024: Trading total $20.8 million, non-trading total $38.8 million). The higher non-trading VaR was driven by an increase in the interest rate risk of the Treasury portfolio, larger United States agency bonds inventory in the CIB non-trading portfolio and the implementation of an enhanced VaR model more responsive to upturns in market volatility. While elevated, the increased risk remained within Risk Appetite during the period. Stress tests were used extensively to detect any emerging issue in terms of Market Risk or Counterparty Credit Risk, with mitigating actions taken where required. There were no margin call issues with our collateralised counterparties, including hedge funds. Concentration risk is monitored tightly and contained by limits. We remain vigilant and are continuously enhancing our modelling and stress testing capabilities in anticipation of further market volatility in H2 2025.
Wealth & Retail Banking (WRB)
The WRB credit portfolio continued to demonstrate resilience amid the economic uncertainties in several key markets and geopolitical challenges. As a result of credit portfolio actions taken, we are seeing signs of credit performance improvement in some larger markets, but overall net cost of risk remains elevated. Portfolio management actions have continued to be dynamically adjusted in the last 18 months in response to the challenging and rapidly changing macroeconomic and operating conditions, with scenario testing being utilised to manage the uncertainties. We remain focused on taking proactive actions across origination, portfolio management and collections to manage the risks and the impact of global trade disruptions and associated market volatility on the WRB portfolios, as well as the successful execution of the pivot to Affluent across WRB markets.
Treasury Risk
Liquidity remained resilient across the Group and major legal entities. The liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) is 146 per cent (31 December 2024: 138 per cent) with a surplus to both Risk Appetite and regulatory requirements. Amid the uncertain environment, we are focused on assessing and proactively managing our capital, Interest Rate Risk in the Banking Book (IRRBB) and liquidity risks, including assessing and increasing contingent liquidity as appropriate, and enhancing our framework for managing Treasury Risks in volatile market scenarios. The Group remains well capitalised with CET1 ratio at 14.3 per cent (31 December 2024: 14.2 per cent), while the leverage ratio was 4.7 per cent (31 December 2024: 4.8 per cent).
- page 29 -
Our risk management approach
Our Enterprise Risk Management Framework (ERMF) sets out the principles and minimum requirements for risk management and governance across the Group. The ERMF is complemented by frameworks, policies and standards which are mainly aligned to the Principal Risk Types (PRTs) and is embedded across the Group, including its branches and subsidiaries1.
The ERMF enables the Group to manage enterprise-wide risks, with the objective of maximising risk-adjusted returns while remaining within our Risk Appetite (RA).
1 The Group's ERMF and system of internal control applies only to wholly controlled subsidiaries of the Group, and not to Associates, Joint Ventures or Structured Entities of the Group.
Principal Risk Types and Risk Appetite
PRTs are those risks that are inherent in our strategy and business model and have been formally defined in the Group's ERMF. These risks are managed through distinct Risk Type Frameworks which are approved by the Group Chief Risk Officer.
The table below details the Group's current PRTs, their definitions and RA statements.
Principal Risk Types |
Definition |
Risk Appetite statement |
Credit Risk |
Potential for loss due to failure of a counterparty to meet its agreed obligations to pay the Group. |
The Group manages its credit exposures following the principle of diversification across products, geographies, client segments and industry sectors. |
Traded Risk |
Potential for market or counterparty credit risk losses resulting from activities undertaken by the Group in fair valued financial market instruments. |
The Group should control its financial markets activities to ensure that market and counterparty credit risk losses do not cause material damage to the Group's franchise. |
Treasury Risk |
Potential for insufficient capital, liquidity or funding to support our operations, the risk of reductions in earnings or value from movements in interest rates impacting banking book items and the potential for losses from a shortfall in the Group's pension plans. |
The Group should maintain sufficient capital, liquidity and funding to support its operations, and an interest rate profile ensuring that the reductions in earnings or value from movements in interest rates impacting banking book items does not cause material damage to the Group's franchise. In addition, the Group should ensure its pension plans are adequately funded. |
Operational and |
Potential for loss resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, technology events, human error, or from the impact of external events (including legal risks). |
The Group aims to control operational and technology risks to ensure that operational losses (financial or reputational), including those related to the conduct of business matters, do not cause material damage to the Group's franchise. |
Information and Cyber Security Risk |
Risk to the Group's assets, operations, and individuals due to the potential for unauthorised access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction of information assets and/or information systems. |
The Group aims to mitigate and control ICS risks to ensure that incidents do not cause the Bank material harm, business disruption, financial loss or reputational damage - recognising that while incidents are unwanted, they cannot be entirely avoided. |
Financial Crime Risk2 |
Potential for legal or regulatory penalties, material financial loss or reputational damage resulting from the failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations relating to international sanctions, anti-money laundering and anti-bribery and corruption, and fraud. |
The Group has no appetite for breaches of laws and regulations related to Financial Crime, recognising that while incidents are unwanted, they cannot be entirely avoided. |
Compliance Risk |
Potential for penalties or loss to the Group or for an adverse impact to our clients or stakeholders or to the integrity of the markets we operate in through a failure on our part to comply with laws, or regulations. |
The Group has no appetite for breaches of laws and regulations related to regulatory non-compliance; recognising that while incidents are unwanted, they cannot be entirely avoided. |
Environmental, Social |
Potential or actual adverse impact on the environment and/or society, the Group's financial performance, operations, or the Group's name, brand or standing, arising from environmental, social or governance factors, or as a result of the Group's actual or perceived actions or inactions. |
The Group aims to measure and manage financial and non-financial risks arising from climate change, reduce emissions in line with our net zero strategy and protect the Group from material reputational damage by upholding responsible conduct and striving to do no significant environmental and social harm. |
Model Risk |
Potential loss that may occur because of decisions or the risk of mis-estimation that could be principally based on the output of models, due to errors in the development, implementation or use of such models. |
The Group has no appetite for material adverse implications arising from misuse of models or errors in the development or implementation of models, while accepting some model uncertainty. |
2 Fraud forms part of the Financial Crime RA statement but, in line with market practice, does not apply a zero-tolerance approach
- page 30 -
Topical and Emerging Risks (TERs)
Topical Risks refer to themes that may have emerged but are still evolving rapidly and unpredictably. Emerging Risks refer to unpredictable and uncontrollable outcomes from certain events which may have the potential to adversely impact our business.
As part of our risk identification process, we have updated the Group's TERs from those disclosed in the 2024 Annual Report. Below is a summary of the TERs, and the actions we are taking to mitigate them based on our current knowledge and assumptions. The TER list is not exhaustive and there may be additional risks which could have an adverse effect on the Group. There are some horizon risks that, although not highly likely at present, could become future threats and thus we are monitoring them. Our mitigation approach for these risks may not eliminate them but demonstrates the Group's awareness and attempt to mitigate or manage their impact.
Macroeconomic and geopolitical considerations
There is a complex interconnectedness between risks due to the direct influence of geopolitics on macroeconomics, as well as the global or concentrated nature of key supply chains. A more complex and less integrated global landscape could challenge cross-border business models, but also provide new business opportunities.
The Group is exposed to these risks directly through investments, infrastructure and employees, and also indirectly through its clients. While the primary impact is financial, there may be other ramifications such as reputational, compliance or operational considerations.
Expanding array of global tensions and transition of the international order
The global geopolitical landscape has undergone a transition, with a shift from a rules-based international order to a system driven by relative power dynamics. More fluid political and economic alliances are evolving as a result, with the landscape further complicated by complex conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Fragmentation is also hampering collaboration on key worldwide challenges. The erosion of the international rules-based system and the organisations that underpin it could undermine efforts to reach globally agreed solutions to structural issues.
There were many changes of governments in 2024, with a growing worldwide trend for short-term populist measures outweighing longer-term political necessities, such as addressing climate change or managing demographic transitions.
The Group may be affected directly or impacted by the second-order effects of countries engaged in conflicts. Escalation of tensions in the Middle East following the strikes on Iran could affect markets in the Group's footprint.
The positioning of 'middle powers' is complex and evolving, with a rise in 'mini-lateral' groups of countries that are ideologically or geographically aligned. The negotiating power of these alliances can be strengthened where they are located in strategic areas or export key resources.
While focus has been on East-West dynamics in recent years, US tariffs have caused fractures with traditional allies such as Canada and Europe, leaving many long-standing bilateral relationships in a state of flux globally.
The malicious use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled disinformation could further undermine trust in the political process. Combined with increasingly polarised societies and persistent inequality, this may lead to heightened societal tensions and the threat of terrorism. Cyber warfare may also disrupt infrastructure in rival countries.
Tariffs and trade tensions
Uncertainty caused by the tariffs saw a risk-off sentiment across the globe, with equities falling and safe havens such as gold seeing historic rises. Rapid market swings caused huge price moves across a range of asset classes.
Macroeconomic unpredictability has led to companies reassessing their business models and supply chains and delaying investment plans. Tariffs are likely to hit small businesses more severely, as they have less resources and financial buffers to withstand prolonged volatility.
In an extreme case, the rest of the world may vastly reduce trade with the US. This could disrupt the macroeconomic status quo, leading to US dollar weakening and challenging its status as the global reserve currency, or risk premia on traditionally risk-free assets such as US Treasuries.
- page 31 -
Uncertain interest rate trajectory and credit downturn
Although the rate cut cycle has begun across most major central banks, the short-term trajectory remains uncertain. Tariffs, supply chain disruption and higher deficits could be inflationary, leading to higher rates. In contrast, aggressive cuts could further fuel inflation. 'Higher-for-longer' rates amid ongoing market disruption would continue to stretch companies and sovereigns alike. Volatile interest rates could also impact the Group's Net Interest Income outlook.
Direct public rebukes of the Federal Reserve threaten to impact its independence. The tension between the Federal Reserve's caution and the US Government's open desire for lower rates, as well as shifting investor perception on the attractiveness of US assets, has further clouded the outlook in the world's most influential economy.
Economic challenges in China
The IMF forecasts that China's growth will reduce to 4 per cent this year and elevated tariffs could mean a further downside for China's GDP. The government has announced multiple rounds of stimulus measures, with further actions expected throughout 2025.
Competition with the US and the EU remains intense. To combat this, China has sought agreements with other nations, and the tariff actions from the US could drive nations towards China as the main alternative economic superpower. Continued volatility in Western economics could see companies further diversify their payments, with China the most obvious beneficiary.
A prolonged slowdown in China would have wider implications across the supply chain, especially for its trading partners, and for countries which rely on it for investment.
Sovereign risk
Governments are likely to find it difficult to reduce debt levels due to the prevailing political backdrop, weak GDP growth, demographic challenges and pressure to increase national security and defence. This was further evidenced by Moody's action to downgrade the US's rating due to rising debt levels and interest costs. This in turn could lead to scrutiny on the levels of US debt on global balance sheets.
Refinancing costs remain elevated, and interest payments are an increasing burden on both emerging and developed markets. Although a weaker US dollar may provide some respite, this is generally offset by increased economic uncertainty and the significant tariffs directly imposed.
Some countries also face a heightened risk of failing to manage societal demands and increasing political vulnerability. Food and security challenges exacerbated by armed conflict and climate change also have the potential to drive social unrest.
Supply chain issues and key material shortages
Geopolitical volatility, tariffs, shifts towards protectionism, and ongoing conflicts have complicated the operation of global supply chains. With increased trade barriers, countries are 'de-risking' by reducing reliance on rivals or concentrated suppliers and looking to either re-industrialise or make use of near-shoring and friend-shoring production.
The growing need for minerals and rare earth elements to power future technologies can be leveraged to achieve economic or political aims by restricting access. This can bolster the negotiating influence of refiners and producers such as China, Indonesia and some African markets.
How these risks are mitigated
• We conduct portfolio reviews and stress tests at Group, country and business level, with regular reviews of vulnerable sectors.
• We explored the implications of a second Trump administration, evaluating policy direction under different scenarios. We performed targeted portfolio analyses to identify clients that may be impacted by tariffs.
• We run daily Market Risk stress scenarios to assess the impact of unlikely but plausible market shocks.
• We run a suite of management scenarios with differing severities to assess their impact on key risk appetite metrics.
• We have a dedicated Country Risk team that closely monitors sovereign risk.
• We maintain a diversified portfolio across products and geographies, with specific risk appetite metrics to monitor concentrations.
• Increased scrutiny is applied when onboarding clients in sensitive industries and ensuring compliance with sanctions.
• We regularly review our supply chains and third-party arrangements to improve operational resilience.
- page 32 -
• We actively review and test our crisis management and business continuity plans.
• We conduct regular threat intelligence monitoring and news scanning, and reviews of politically exposed persons.
Environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations
Evolving ESG dynamics
Higher frequencies of extreme weather events are observed each year and the cost of managing the climate impacts is increasing, with the burden disproportionately borne by developing markets.
Other environmental risks pose incremental challenges to food, health systems and energy security. Modern slavery and human rights concerns are increasingly in focus, with the scope expanding beyond direct operations to extended supply chains.
There is increasing stakeholder scrutiny on ESG commitments and practices, including greenwashing. Growing economic pressures and geopolitical tensions such as tariff wars may also push companies to consider deprioritising their climate transition, potentially impacting progress towards the Group's net zero targets.
The ESG regulatory landscape also continues to evolve, with growing requirements on ESG risk management, stress testing, disclosures, transition planning, taxonomies, and sustainable finance frameworks across many of the Group's footprint markets. We are also closely monitoring the changing attitudes towards ESG, particularly in the US.
Frontier technologies such as quantum computing and AI may also come with substantial energy demands. These need to be understood, particularly the impact on companies' ability to deliver against sustainability targets.
How these risks are mitigated/next steps
• Climate Risk considerations are embedded across relevant Principal Risk Types. We perform client-level Climate Risk assessments and set adequate mitigants or controls.
• We seek to increase the proportion of our electricity usage that comes from renewable sources and optimising energy efficiency for our own operations.
• We embed our values through our Position Statements for sensitive sectors and a list of prohibited activities. We also maintain ESG and Reputational Risk standards to identify, assess and manage risks when providing services to clients.
• Management of greenwashing risks is integrated into our ESG and Reputational Risk (ESGR) Framework, ESGR policy, Sustainable Finance frameworks, and relevant product and marketing standards.
• Detailed portfolio reviews and scenario analyses are conducted to assess the resilience of climate-related physical and transition risks and there are ongoing initiatives to enhance modelling capabilities.
• We assess our corporate clients and suppliers against various international human rights principles, as well as through our social safeguards.
Modern slavery statement: sc.com/modernslavery
Human Rights Position Statement: sc.com/humanrights
New business structures, channels and competition
Competitive disruption
The rapid adoption of AI is a key focus. There has been a large increase in the use of AI in fraud, scams and spreading misinformation. There are also potential societal and economic impacts from replacement of jobs across many sectors. Leveraging the benefits of augmented AI while managing these risks will be a core part of the Group's business model.
The integration of more sophisticated insights utilising big data and AI could greatly enhance the services offered to customers. However, it also raises other considerations such as the ethical use of data and protecting privacy and security.
The impact of more nascent technologies such as quantum computing needs to be proactively managed to avoid falling behind the technological frontier. This may lead to sunk costs into projects that are ultimately not required, or do not become part of daily operations.
Traditional banking also faces competitive challenges from a range of fintechs and private credit players. These provide customers with alternative channels for payments and borrowing. Increased adoption of stablecoins and digital currencies could also create alternative deposit channels.
- page 33 -
Cyber, data and operational resilience
The Group's digital footprint is expanding. This increases inherent cyber risk as more services and products are digitised, outsourced and made more accessible. It also expands opportunities for cybercriminals to gain entry or access to corporate assets, including infrastructure such as cloud and third-party enabled services.
The risks of cyber incidents and sophisticated scams are amplified by highly organised cybercriminals. Emerging technologies such as AI enable novel or augmented attack types, and cross-border tensions further drive the arms race to develop more innovative cyber capabilities, both offensive and defensive. In the longer term, advances in quantum computing could threaten encryption, one of the core aspects of security, with a complex global transition to enhance data architecture.
The rapid adoption of new technologies also compounds the risk of obsolescence. While an option is to outsource functionality such as cloud storage and computing, this requires enhanced due diligence to ensure secure adoption. There are also concentration risks given the relatively small number of firms that dominate the sector.
Reliance on third parties for critical processes is an increasing regulatory focus, and growing dependency can introduce significant risks if these third parties fail to deliver or face operational issues. Managing critical relationships requires robust oversight, continuous monitoring and effective risk management practices.
The adoption of new technologies, products or business models requires clear operating models and risk frameworks. It is essential to upskill our people to develop in-house capabilities to manage associated risks. People, process and technology agendas must be viewed holistically to effectively implement new infrastructure.
How these risks are mitigated/next steps
• We continuously monitor and evaluate emerging technology trends, business models and opportunities, with key themes tabled at Board Strategy meetings.
• We have enhanced governance for evolving areas, such as the Digital Asset Risk Committee and the Responsible AI Council.
• We manage data and information security risks through our Compliance and Information and Cyber Security (ICS) Risk Type Frameworks. We maintain a global Group Data Conduct Policy.
• The Group is investing to enhance its resilience capabilities, focusing on data centres, single technology asset upgrades, and remediation and re-platforming of legacy infrastructure.
• We ensure that software is built secure by default, and is validated through robust testing and assurance activities before they go live.
• The Group has implemented a 'defence-in-depth' ICS control environment strategy to protect, detect and respond to known and emerging ICS threats.
• New risks are identified through the New Initiatives Risk Assessment and Third-Party Risk Management Policy and Standards.
• We have initiated a post quantum cryptography programme to manage the bank-wide transition to post-quantum encryption standards.
• We periodically test the effectiveness of our crisis management and continuity strategies through a series of severe but plausible disruption scenarios.
Regulatory considerations
Regulatory evolution and fragmentation
Aside from changes in prudential, financial markets, climate and data regulations, we are seeing a rise in consultations relating to digital assets and greater regulatory interest in the use of AI, particularly around its ethical application in decision-making. However some AI use cases are seeing regulatory bodies lagging the development of technology, with key questions around safety and ethics, systems interoperability, and productivity challenges.
The US administration has signalled an intent to relax regulation, and its adoption of Basel 3.1 rules may differ from proposed policies to align with international standards. The UK also delayed its implementation of Basel 3.1 to 2027. However, some Asian markets have gone live as of 2025. Other areas of divergence include ESG regulation, and extraterritorial and localisation requirements.
- page 34 -
Whilst some deregulation can be beneficial, an uncoordinated global regime can create systemic risks. This makes it challenging to manage cross-border activities, with additional complexity and cost.
How these risks are mitigated
• We actively monitor regulatory developments and respond to consultations either bilaterally with regulators and external legal advisors or through well-established industry bodies.
• We track evolving country-specific requirements, and actively collaborate with regulators to support important initiatives.
• We are leveraging new technology to identify and map new regulations.
Demographic considerations
Skills and the competition for talent
Evolving client expectations and the rapid development of technologies such as AI are transforming the workplace, accelerating changes to how people work, connect and collaborate. The future workforce will continue to augment, with a focus on ensuring that human and technical skills intertwine efficiently, keeping pace with ongoing changes and client needs.
Workforce expectations also continue to evolve, with health, wellbeing and purpose becoming top focuses for talent attraction. Maintaining an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) that caters for multiple generations with differing priorities is a key challenge to build a high performing, integrated employee base.
Flexible working is an increasingly important factor for colleagues and an overall positive factor in workforce experience. However, there are risks around potential lack of development opportunities from face-to-face interaction, especially for more junior staff. As such the role of people leaders will continue to evolve to enable the right balance for both individuals and teams.
Demographic and migration trends
Divergent demographic trends across developed and emerging markets create contrasting challenges. Developed markets' budgets will be increasingly strained by ageing populations. Conversely, emerging markets are experiencing fast-growing, younger workforces. Population growth will put pressure on key resources and government budgets to fully capitalise on the 'demographic dividend'.
Population displacement is rising, which may increase the fragility of societal structures in vulnerable centres. Both forced and economic migration are increasingly influential in the political discourse. Large scale movement could cause social unrest, as well as propagate disease transmission and accelerate spread of future pandemics.
Societal unrest continues to increase, with protests on topics ranging from pro-democracy, nationalism, climate change and the cost of living. The threat of terrorist activity has also increased over the past 12 months.
Net population growth for the 21st century will be in less-developed countries. Anticipating and proactively planning for these demographic shifts will be essential in maintaining an efficient global business model.
How these risks are mitigated/next steps
• Colleagues are empowered to build capabilities. We have an internal Talent Marketplace which enables colleagues to sign up for projects to access diverse experiences and career opportunities.
• We place an emphasis on skills and identifying talent to accelerate, and how to deploy them in areas with the highest impact for our clients and the business.
• We emphasise frequent two-way feedback through performance and development conversations to embed a culture of continuous learning and development.
• We provide support and resources to help balance productivity, collaboration and wellbeing, with more than 60 per cent of our staff working flexibly.
• Our Human Rights Position Statement outlines our commitment to maintain a safe, supportive, diverse and inclusive workplace, and to support social and economic development in the communities in which we operate.
Sadia Ricke
Group Chief Risk Officer
31 July 2025
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Shareholder information
Dividend and interest payment dates
Ordinary shares |
2025 interim dividend (cash only) |
Results and dividend announced |
31 July 2025 |
Ex-dividend date |
7 (UK) 6 (HK) August 2025 |
Record date |
8 August 2025 |
Last date to amend currency election instructions for cash dividend* |
5 September 2025 |
Dividend payment date |
30 September 2025 |
* in either US dollars, sterling, or Hong Kong dollars
|
2025 final dividend (provisional only) |
Results and dividend announcement date |
24 February 2026 |
Preference shares |
Second half-yearly dividend |
7 3/8 per cent non-cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each |
1 October 2025 |
8 ¼ per cent non-cumulative irredeemable preference shares of £1 each |
1 October 2025 |
6.409 per cent non-cumulative preference shares of $5 each |
30 July 2025 and 30 October 2025 |
7.014 per cent non-cumulative preference shares of $5 each |
30 July 2025 |
Further details regarding dividends can be found on our website at www.sc.com/shareholders.
ShareCare
ShareCare is available to shareholders on the Company's UK register who have a UK address and bank account. It allows you to hold your Standard Chartered PLC shares in a nominee account. Your shares will be held in electronic form so you will no longer have to worry about keeping your share certificates safe. If you join ShareCare, you will still be invited to attend the Company's AGM and you will receive any dividend paid at the same time as everyone else. ShareCare is free to join and there are no annual fees to pay. If you would like to receive more information, please visit our website at www.sc.com/sharecare or contact the shareholder helpline on 0370 702 0138.
Donating shares to ShareGift
Shareholders who have a small number of shares often find it uneconomical to sell them. An alternative is to consider donating them to the charity ShareGift (registered charity 1052686), which collects donations of unwanted shares until there are enough to sell and uses the proceeds to support UK charities. There is no implication for capital gains tax (no gain or loss) when you donate shares to charity, and UK taxpayers may be able to claim income tax relief on the value of their donation. Further information can be obtained from the Company's registrars or from ShareGift on 020 7930 3737 or from
www.sharegift.org.
Bankers' Automated Clearing System (BACS)
Dividends can be paid straight into your bank or building society account. Please register online at www.investorcentre.co.uk or contact our registrar for a mandate form.
Registrars and shareholder enquiries
If you have any enquiries relating to your shareholding and you hold your shares on the UK register, please contact our registrar at www.investorcentre.co.uk/contactus. Alternatively, please contact Computershare Investor Services PLC, The Pavilions, Bridgwater Road, Bristol, BS99 6ZZ or call the shareholder helpline number on 0370 702 0138.
If you hold your shares on the Hong Kong branch register and you have enquiries, please contact Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, 17M Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. You can check your shareholding at: computershare.com/hk/investors.
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Chinese translation
If you would like a Chinese version of this Half Year Report, please contact: Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited at 17M Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
本半年報告之中文譯本可向香港中央證券登記有限公司索取,地址:香港灣仔皇后大道東183號合和中心17M樓。
Shareholders on the Hong Kong branch register who have asked to receive corporate communications in either Chinese or English can change this election by contacting Computershare. If there is a dispute between any translation and the English version of this Half Year Report, the English text shall prevail.
Electronic communications
If you hold your shares on the UK register and in future you would like to receive the Half Year Report electronically rather than by post, please register online at: investorcentre.co.uk. Click on 'register now' and follow the instructions. You will need to have your shareholder or ShareCare reference number to hand. You can find this on your share certificate or ShareCare statement. Once you have registered and confirmed your email communication preference, you will receive future notifications via email enabling you to submit your proxy vote online. In addition, as a member of Investor Centre, you will be able to manage your shareholding online and change your bank mandate or address information.
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Important notices
Forward-looking statements
The information included in this document may contain 'forward-looking statements' based upon current expectations or beliefs as well as statements formulated with assumptions about future events. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections, estimates, commitments, plans, approaches, ambitions and targets (including, without limitation, ESG commitments, ambitions and targets). Forward-looking statements often use words such as 'may', 'could', 'will', 'expect', 'intend', 'estimate', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'plan', 'seek', 'aim', 'continue' or other words of similar meaning to any of the foregoing. Forward-looking statements may also (or additionally) be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, and the Group's plans and objectives, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Readers should not place reliance on, and are cautioned about relying on, any forward-looking statements.
There are several factors which could cause the Group's actual results and its plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. The factors include (but are not limited to): changes in global, political, economic, business, competitive and market forces or conditions, or in future exchange and interest rates; changes in environmental, geopolitical, social or physical risks; legal, regulatory and policy developments, including regulatory measures addressing climate change and broader sustainability-related issues; the development of standards and interpretations, including evolving requirements and practices in ESG reporting; the ability of the Group, together with governments and other stakeholders to measure, manage, and mitigate the impacts of climate change and broader sustainability-related issues effectively; risks arising out of health crises and pandemics; risks of cyber attacks, data, information or security breaches or technology failures involving the Group; changes in tax rates or policy; future business combinations or dispositions; and other factors specific to the Group, including those identified in Standard Chartered PLC's Annual Report and the financial statements of the Group. To the extent that any forward-looking statements contained in this document are based on past or current trends and/or activities of the Group, they should not be taken as a representation that such trends or activities will continue in the future.
No statement in this document is intended to be, nor should be interpreted as, a profit forecast or to imply that the earnings of the Group for the current year or future years will necessarily match or exceed the historical or published earnings of the Group. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date that it is made. Except as required by any applicable laws or regulations, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement contained within this document, regardless of whether those statements are affected as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Please refer to Standard Chartered PLC's Annual Report and the financial statements of the Group for a discussion of certain of the risks and factors that could adversely impact the Group's actual results, and cause its plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements.
Non-IFRS performance measures and alternative performance measures
This document may contain: (a) financial measures and ratios not specifically defined under: (i) International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) (Accounting Standards) as adopted by the European Union; or (ii) UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS); and/or (b) alternative performance measures as defined in the European Securities and Market Authority guidelines. Such measures may exclude certain items which management believes are not representative of the underlying performance of the business and which distort period-on-period comparison. These measures are not a substitute for IAS or IFRS measures and are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to uncertainties and change. Please refer to Standard Chartered PLC's Annual Report and the financial statements of the Group for further information, including reconciliations between the underlying and reported measures.
Financial instruments
Nothing in this document shall constitute, in any jurisdiction, an offer or solicitation to sell or purchase any securities or other financial instruments, nor shall it constitute a recommendation or advice in respect of any securities or other financial instruments or any other matter.
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Caution regarding climate and environment-related information
Some of the climate and environment-related information in this document is subject to certain limitations, and therefore the reader should treat the information provided, as well as conclusions, projections and assumptions drawn from such information, with caution. The information may be limited due to a number of factors, which include (but are not limited to): a lack of reliable data; a lack of standardisation of data; and future uncertainty. The information includes externally sourced data that may not have been verified. Furthermore, some of the data, models and methodologies used to create the information is subject to adjustment which is beyond our control, and the information is subject to change without notice.
General
You are advised to exercise your own independent judgement (with the advice of your professional advisers as necessary) with respect to the risks and consequences of any matter contained in this document. The Group, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents expressly disclaim any liability and responsibility for any decisions or actions which you may take and for any damage or losses you may suffer from your use of or reliance on the information contained in this document.
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