Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

Corporate Information And Statement Of IFRS Compliance [Abstract]

Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies


1			Basis of preparation and significant accounting policies

(a) Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards

Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the policies set out in the 2021 annual financial statements and in accordance with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as adopted by the UK, IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (‘IASB’), IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as adopted by the EU, and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules sourcebook of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority. Therefore, they include an explanation of events and transactions that are significant to an understanding of the changes in HSBC’s financial position and performance since the end of 2021.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts 2021, which were prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards in conformity with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and international financial reporting standards adopted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002 as it applies in the European Union. These financial statements were also prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (‘IFRSs’) as issued by the IASB, including interpretations issued by the IFRS Interpretations Committee.

At 30 June 2022, there were no unendorsed standards effective for the half-year to 30 June 2022 affecting these financial statements, and there was no difference between IFRSs adopted by the UK, IFRSs as adopted by the EU, and IFRSs issued by the IASB in terms of their application to HSBC.

Standards applied during the half-year to 30 June 2022

There were no new standards or amendments to standards that had an effect on these interim condensed financial statements.

(b) Use of estimates and judgements

Management believes that our critical accounting estimates and judgements are those that relate to impairment of amortised cost and FVOCI debt financial assets, the valuation of financial instruments, deferred tax assets, provisions, interests in associates, impairment of goodwill and non-financial assets, and post-employment benefit plans. Management’s judgement with respect to the recognition of a deferred tax asset on the historical tax losses of HSBC Holdings changed during the period and a deferred tax asset of $1.8bn was recognised at 1H22. Management’s view is that improved profit forecasts for the UK, which reflect higher market interest rates and expectations of future increases, as well as the results for 1H22, represent convincing evidence that sufficient future taxable profits will be available to support recognition of the deferred tax asset. The improved forecasts reduced the expected recovery period of these tax losses, reducing the estimation uncertainty such that recognition of a deferred tax asset was considered appropriate.

Apart from the above deferred tax matter and estimates relating to ECL impairment, there were no material changes in the current period to any of the other critical accounting estimates and judgements disclosed in 2021, which are stated on pages 90 and 319 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

There were no material changes in the composition of the Group in the half-year to 30 June 2022. For further details of future business acquisitions and disposals, see Note 15 ‘Business acquisitions and disposals’.

(d) Future accounting developments

IFRS 17 ‘Insurance Contracts’ was issued in May 2017, with amendments to the standard issued in June 2020 and December 2021. It has been adopted in its entirety for use in the UK. IFRS 17 has been adopted by the EU subject to certain optional exemptions, except for the December 2021 requirements which are pending adoption.

The standard sets out the requirements that an entity should apply in accounting for insurance contracts it issues and reinsurance contracts it holds. Following the amendments, IFRS 17 will be effective from 1 January 2023. The Group is in the process of implementing IFRS 17. Industry practice and interpretation of the standard are still developing. Therefore, the likely impact of its implementation remains uncertain. However, compared with the Group’s current accounting policy for insurance, there will be no present value of in-force long-term insurance business (‘PVIF’) asset recognised. Instead, the estimated future profit will be included in the measurement of the insurance contract liability as the contractual service margin and gradually recognised in revenue as services are provided over the duration of the insurance contract.

(e) Going concern

The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, as the Directors are satisfied that the Group and parent company have the resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment, the Directors have considered a wide range of information relating to present and future conditions, including future projections of profitability, cash flows, capital requirements and capital resources. These considerations include stressed scenarios, as well as considering potential impacts from other top and emerging risks, and the related impact on profitability, capital and liquidity.

(f) Accounting policies The accounting policies that we applied for these interim condensed consolidated financial statements are consistent with those described on pages 318 to 328 of the Annual Report and Accounts 2021, as are the methods of computation.