FORM 6

FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of  August 2008

 

HSBC Holdings plc

42nd Floor, 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England

 

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F).

Form 20-F   X              Form 40-F ......

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

Yes.......          No    X

(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ..............).

 

  


The following is the text of an announcement made today by Hang Seng Bank, a 62.14 per cent owned subsidiary of the HSBC Group.



4 August 2008


HANG SENG BANK LIMITED

2008 INTERIM RESULTS - HIGHLIGHTS














   

       The capital adequacy and core capital ratios at 30 June 2008 were calculated in accordance with Basel II – foundation internal ratings-based approach which became effective on 1 January 2008, while those at 31 December 2007 were calculated in accordance with Basel II – standardised approach.

 


 

      Within this document, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic
      of China has been referred to as 'Hong Kong'.





Hang Seng Bank Limited


__________________________________________________________________________________________




Comment by Raymond K F Ch'ien, Chairman 


Hang Seng's 2008 interim results reflect good performance in an increasingly challenging market environment. 


Net interest income increased by 23.2 percent, underpinned by good growth in Treasury balance sheet management income, expansion of higher-yield lending and improved loan spreads. 


Our wealth management business remained a key driver of growth. We launched innovative investment products and strengthened service delivery channels, which supported increases in the securities and investment fund account bases. Our life insurance business was Hong Kong's number one provider in terms of new annualised premiums during the first quarter of the year. 


We expanded and deepened commercial customer relationships to positive effect. Corporate wealth management's contribution to Commercial Banking's total operating income increased to 11.2 per cent. We enjoyed strong growth in average commercial customer deposits and advances in mainland China.


Mainland business increased its contribution to total profit before tax to 9.4 per cent, reflecting progress by Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited ('Hang Seng China') and a big rise in our share of profits from our strategic partner, Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. We took further steps to boost deposits growth, which significantly expanded our lending capacity.


At a bank-wide level, operating profit excluding loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions rose by 15.5 per cent to HK$9,300 million. Operating profit increased by 17.2 per cent to HK$9,112 million. 


Profit attributable to shareholders was up 2.2 per cent at HK$9,064 million compared to the first-half result in 2007, which included a HK$1,465 million one-off dilution gain from our strategic holding in Industrial Bank. Excluding this gain, attributable profit increased by 22.5 per cent. Earnings per share were HK$4.74, compared with HK$4.64 for the same period last year.


Net operating income before loan impairment charges rose by 15.1 per cent to HK$12,620 million, reflecting continued growth across all our core business lines and outpacing the 13.9 per cent rise in operating expenses. This contributed to an improved cost efficiency ratio of 26.3 per cent - 0.3 percentage points better than a year earlier.


Profit before tax was up 3.1 per cent at HK$10,530 million. Excluding the gain on dilution in the first half of 2007, profit before tax rose by 20.3 per cent.


Return on average shareholders' funds was 32.8 per cent, compared with 36.6 per cent (30.5 per cent excluding the dilution gain) for the first half of 2007. Return on average total assets was 2.4 per cent, compared with 2.5 per cent (2.1 per cent excluding the dilution gain) for the same period last year.


On 30 June 2008, our capital adequacy ratio and core capital ratio were 13.9 per cent and 11.3 per cent respectively, as calculated in accordance with the 'foundation internal ratings-based approach' under Basel II.


The Directors have declared a second interim dividend of HK$1.10 per share, payable on 4 September 2008. This brings the total distribution for the first half of 2008 to HK$2.20 per share, the same as in the first half of 2007.  


Outlook


Looking ahead, economic growth in Hong Kong and on the Mainland will likely be affected by the US economic slowdown as well as growing inflationary pressures. 


The global credit crunch and surging oil prices will continue to exert pressure on major industrialised economies, which may impact activity in Hong Kong's external sector. However, domestic demand remains resilient on the back of the tight employment market and relatively low interest rate environment, pointing to moderate expansion.


Despite the Sichuan earthquake and mounting inflationary pressures, the Mainland is still on track to achieve solid growth this year - exports will face increasing challenges but private consumption is holding up well.


Investments in people, IT and our mainland network have strengthened our operational capabilities and provide a good foundation for the continued development of our business.


We will further leverage our competitive strengths - particularly our strong brand, market leadership position and comprehensive portfolio of products and services - to achieve sustainable growth.


  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Review by Raymond C F Or, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive


In a less favourable operating environment, Hang Seng made good progress in the first half of 2008, recording income growth across all core customer groups. 


We maintained leadership in wealth management by strengthening our retirement planning proposition and using our time-to-market competitive advantage. We rolled out new products to reflect changing investor sentiment, including Hong Kong's first Securities and Futures Commission-authorised mainland China bond fund, a Taiwan index fund and several capital-protected instruments.


We took successful steps to expand higher-yield credit cards and commercial lending.


Treasury achieved impressive growth, reflecting supportive interest rate conditions and further success with income diversification efforts.


Commercial Banking leveraged its strong customer relationship capabilities to record encouraging rises in average customer advances and corporate wealth management business. It also enhanced its 'one-stop' service for customers operating in Hong Kong and on the Mainland.


Corporate Banking developed initiatives to expand non-interest income and capitalised on opportunities for the upward repricing of loans.


Our mainland business recorded good increases in the customer bases and deposits, underpinned by Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited's expanding network of outlets in high-growth regions, the launch of new investment products and strengthened service capabilities. 



Customer Groups


With outstanding results achieved last year, Personal Financial Services maintained its good earnings in more challenging market conditions. Profit before tax was HK$5,284 million - a slight increase of 0.1 per cent year on year. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges dropped by 4.4 per cent to HK$5,141 million.


Excluding Private Banking, Personal Financial Services' profit before tax grew by 5 per cent. 


Wealth management business continued to grow, recording a 2.2 per cent rise in income compared with a year earlier to reach HK$3,518 million.


We expanded our range of investment products, enhanced online services, launched new marketing campaigns, and strengthened cross-referral mechanisms. This led to an encouraging increase in our number of investment services customers as well as rises in income from structured product sales, securities-related services and investment fund business.


Following strong growth last year, Private Banking was adversely affected by weak investment sentiment. Refinements to relationship management teams supported a 15.4 per cent increase in the customer base, but customer transactions fell in the more uncertain market conditions, resulting in a 44.5 per cent drop in wealth management income.


Our broad range of retirement planning solutions facilitated a 44.9 per cent rise in net earned life insurance premiums.  


Our new enJoy credit card and well-developed card loyalty scheme underpinned encouraging increases in the cards in issue, spending and receivables. Personal loans grew by 39 per cent year on year. Despite strong competition, we maintained our market share for mortgage business, achieving double-digit lending growth.


Commercial Banking's operating profit excluding loan impairment charges grew by 13.3 per cent to HK$1,219 million. Including the share of profits from associates, profit before tax rose by 32.5 per cent to HK$1,703 million.


Our strong relationship management teams and expanding product range drove good growth in the corporate wealth management business, which increased its contribution to Commercial Banking's total operating income by 1.8 percentage points compared with a year earlier to reach 11.2 per cent. Net fee income and trading income rose by 14.9 per cent and 68.9 per cent respectively. The establishment of new teams to serve specific customer segments facilitated a 67.8 per cent increase in investment and treasury income.


Enhanced offerings for retailers, particularly our Octopus card merchant services, helped us grow our number of new commercial customers by 13.5 per cent in the first half of the year. 


Commercial Banking teams in Hong Kong stepped up efforts with their mainland and Macau counterparts to provide 'joined-up' services to middle-market enterprises. This contributed to good increases in average customer advances and deposits on the Mainland.


Corporate Banking achieved a 90.1 per cent increase in profit before tax to HK$365 million, underpinned by a 30.4 per cent rise in net interest income as well as lower loan impairment charges. In the tightening credit market, we took good advantage of opportunities to reprice credit facilities. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges was up 22.5 per cent at HK$365 million.


Treasury achieved an impressive 272.4 per cent increase in operating profit to HK$1,698 million. Profit before tax, including share of profits from associates, rose 247.3 per cent to HK$1,983 million. 


Treasury's net interest income grew strongly by HK$1,129 million, or 277.4 per cent, to reach HK$1,536 million. We took further steps to grow income from proprietary trading and customer-driven business by exploring new trading opportunities, strengthening product development capabilities and deepening relationships with customers.


Reduced investor appetite for equities facilitated the successful promotion of foreign exchange and interest rate-linked products and capital-protected investment instruments. Treasury's trading income grew by 80.4 per cent to reach HK$294 million.


Mainland Business


Hang Seng China opened seven sub-branches during the first half of 2008, taking its number of outlets to 30 across nine cities. To support this expansion and drive future growth, its number of full-time equivalent staff rose by 19.6 per cent to 1,312.


The launch of new wealth management products helped us to increase our Prestige Banking mainland customer base by 74 per cent compared with the end of 2007, while the establishment in May of our first commercial sub-branch in ChangAn county in Dongguan is helping us capture new Commercial Banking business. Overall, our number of customers on the Mainland grew by 36 per cent.


Along with increased marketing, improved cross-group referrals and closer collaboration between mainland and Hong Kong teams, this drove a 94.1 per cent increase in deposits compared with last year-end. Lending rose by 14.7 per cent. 


Year on year, deposits and advances were up 292.5 per cent and 55 per cent respectively. Total operating income increased by 66.9 per cent.


Profit before tax was up 23.3 per cent, affected in part by investments in expanding the network and headcount as well as a foreign exchange loss on the revaluation of US dollar capital held by Hang Seng China against the renminbi.


Including our share of profits from Industrial Bank, mainland business contributed 9.4 per cent of total profit before tax, compared with 5.9 per cent and 7 per cent in the first and second halves of 2007 respectively.


On 31 January 2008, we signed an agreement to subscribe for 20 per cent of the enlarged share capital of Yantai City Commercial Bank - one of the largest city commercial banks in Shandong Province - for a total consideration of RMB800 million. Upon completion of the acquisition, we will strengthen our foothold in the rapidly developing Bohai Economic Rim region.



Looking Ahead


Hang Seng's 2008 interim results reflect our competitive strength in changing market conditions. 


We will continue to invest and build on our strength in wealth management, using our comprehensive range of products and services, well-established brand and leading market position as a springboard to achieve continued growth.  


We will step up customer acquisitions in the affluent segment by opening more Prestige Banking centres and concentrating on tailor-made wealth management solutions. 


We will increase our market share among younger customers by offering convenient, fast and environmentally friendly banking services with a strong emphasis on electronic channels.


We will capitalise on our large base of commercial customers in Hong Kong and growing mainland capabilities to become the bank of choice for Greater China business flows. We will take more steps to 'join up' Hong Kong and mainland Commercial Banking teams to deliver seamless banking services wherever customers do business.


Supported by our strong relationship management structures, we will expand our corporate wealth management business. 


In Corporate Banking, we will focus on further income diversification and seek opportunities to improve yields on our loan portfolio.


We will build on the good progress made in developing a more balanced and diversified Treasury income base. We will streamline service delivery, strengthen cross-group cooperation to broaden and deepen product penetration, and further explore emerging opportunities on the Mainland. 


Through Hang Seng China, we will pursue new avenues of business to increase our customer base. We will grow our wealth management business and expand our deposit base by opening more outlets in cities with good growth potential, expanding renminbi product offerings and accelerating brand-building initiatives. 


By the end of this year, we will have new branches in Tianjin and Kunming and more sub-branches in key cities. 


We will capitalise on the synergies created by our strategic partnerships to good effect.


We will remain vigilant in identifying and managing credit risk.


We have established an excellent platform for future expansion. Supported by our strong brand, premium customer service and good market knowledge, we will continue to grow our core businesses, generate increasing value for shareholders and enhance our position as a leading financial institution in Greater China.

  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Results summary


Hang Seng Bank Limited ('the bank') and its subsidiaries and associates ('the group') reported an unaudited profit attributable to shareholders of HK$9,064 million for the first half of 2008, a rise of 2.2 per cent over the first half of 2007. Earnings per share were HK$4.74, up HK$0.10 from the first half of 2007. Excluding the dilution gain arising from the bank's strategic investment in Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. ('Industrial Bank') in the first half of 2007, profit attributable to shareholders increased by 22.5 per cent.  


- Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions rose by HK$1,247 million, or 15.5 per cent, to HK$9,300 million, a robust performance riding in part on the momentum and record-breaking results achieved last year. This growth reflects a significant rise in net interest income and sustained leadership in wealth management business in less favourable market conditions.


- Net interest income grew by HK$1,556 million, or 23.2 per cent, with an increase of 6.8 per cent in average interest-earning assets. Net interest income also benefited from improved loan spreads and better yields on Treasury balance sheet management portfolios, which outweighed the drop in contribution from net free funds due to the fall in market interest rates. Net interest margin for the first half of 2008 was 2.43 per cent - up 32 basis points compared with the same period last year. Net interest spread improved by 48 basis points to 2.20 per cent while contribution from net free funds declined by 16 basis points to 0.23 per cent.


- Net fees and commissions rose by HK$165 million, or 5.8 per cent, to HK$3,027 million. The group's dedicated efforts to continue expanding fee-based income proved rewarding. Against a backdrop of slower stock market activity due to uncertainty over the global credit crunch and rising crude oil prices, encouraging growth was registered in income from stockbroking and related services (9.5 per cent), sales of retail investment funds (6.2 per cent) and sales of third-party structured investment products (19.3 per cent). Credit card business continued to gain market share in terms of cards in issue, spending and receivables to achieve remarkable income growth of 29.0 per cent. Income from remittances and trade services grew by 17.6 per cent and 5.3 per cent respectively. Private banking investment services fee income fell significantly by 46.8 per cent. The downturn in equities markets resulted in dampened customer appetite for investment and reduced transaction volume exacerbated by declining asset values. 


- Trading income  improved by HK$175 million, or 30.0 per cent, to HK$759 million. Foreign exchange income rose by 35.8 per cent, attributable to increased customer activity and good trading opportunities captured by Treasury under the volatile market conditions. This increase was affected by the exchange loss on forward contracts used in 'funding swap' activities in the balance sheet management portfolios and on the revaluation of certain US dollar capital funds - maintained in the bank's mainland subsidiary bank and subject to regulatory controls - against the appreciating renminbi. Excluding these unfavourable factors, foreign exchange income registered remarkable growth of 57.5 per cent. Securities, derivatives and other trading income grew by 17.9 per cent as a result of the group expanding its treasury product portfolio and higher demand for equity-linked investment products.


  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Results summary  (continued)


Income  from insurance business, including net earned insurance premiums, net interest income, net fee income and net income from financial instruments designated at fair value, the change in present value of in-force business, and after deducting net insurance claims incurred and movement in policyholders' liabilities, fell by 8.2 per cent to HK$1,009 million. Life insurance business continued to gain market share and was ranked first in Hong Kong in terms of new annualised regular life insurance premiums for the first quarter of 2008. Our expanding range of products - particularly for retirement planning - drove strong growth in new annualised premiums. This underpinned the 44.9 per cent rise in net earned life insurance premiums to HK$6,774 million. Net interest income and fee income from life insurance business grew by 40.1 per cent due to the increase in investment portfolio size. However, investment returns on life insurance funds were adversely affected by the poorly performing global capital markets. 


- Net operating income before loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions  increased by HK$1,653 million, or 15.1 per cent, to HK$12,620 million, reflecting the group's core profitability across a wide range of products and customer segments. 


- Operating expenses rose by HK$406 million, or 13.9 per cent, compared with the first half of 2007, driven principally by further investments in mainland network expansion and business development in Hong Kong and on the Mainland. These investments supported growth, with net operating income before loan impairment charges outpacing the increase in costs. This helped the bank to improve its cost efficiency ratio, which fell by 0.3 percentage points to 26.3 per cent. The bank's mainland operations accounted for HK$159 million, or 39.3 per cent, of the increase in operating expenses, reflecting the expansion of the mainland network of our wholly owned banking subsidiary, Hang Seng Bank (China) Ltd ('Hang Seng China'), from 23 to 30 outlets as well as its rise in net headcount from 1,097 to 1,312 during the first half of 2008. Excluding mainland operations, operating expenses increased by 9.1 per cent, due mainly to increased headcount and annual salary increments, as well as rises in rents, IT costs, depreciation and marketing expenses.


- Operating profit  grew by HK$1,339 million, or 17.2 per cent, to HK$9,112 million, after accounting for the HK$92 million reduction in loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions.


- Profit before tax  was up 3.1 per cent at HK$10,530 million after taking the following items into account:



 

  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Results summary  (continued)


Balance sheet and key ratios


Total assets increased by HK$1.9 billion, or 0.3 per cent, to HK$747.9 billion. Customer advances rose by 9.3 per cent with encouraging growth in commercial lending, trade finance, mainland lending and personal loans. In a competitive operating environment, the bank took good advantage of opportunities to grow its residential mortgage lending in the active property market in the first half of the year. Interbank placing rose 20.8 per cent while investment in money market instruments fell by 24.4 per cent, reflecting a strategy of identifying quality investment opportunities to optimise returns while prudently managing risk. Customer deposits fell marginally by HK$10.5 billion, or 1.8 per cent, to HK$580.1 billion in the low interest rate environment. At 30 June 2008, the advances-to-deposits ratio was 58.1 per cent, compared with 52.2 per cent and 55.7 per cent at the end of December 2007 and June 2007 respectively.


As at 30 June 2008, shareholders' funds (excluding proposed dividends) were HK$53,505 million, an increase of HK$2,785 million, or 5.5 per cent. Retained profits rose by HK$4,485 million, reflecting the increase in attributable profit (excluding first and second interim dividends) for the first half of 2008. The adverse effects of the global credit market upheaval led to a decline in the available-for-sale investments reserve. 


The return on average total assets was 2.4 per cent, compared with 2.5 per cent for the first half of 2007. The return on average shareholders' funds was 32.8 per cent (36.6 per cent, or 30.5 per cent excluding the gain on dilution, in the first half of 2007).


On 30 June 2008, the capital adequacy ratio was 13.9 per cent, up from 11.2 per cent at the end of 2007. The core capital ratio was 11.3 per cent, up from 8.4 per cent. The ratios were calculated in accordance with the Banking (Capital) Rules issued by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority ('HKMA') for the implementation of Basel II. In December 2007, the bank obtained the HKMA's approval to adopt the more sophisticated 'foundation internal ratings-based approach' under the Basel II framework to calculate its capital ratios, effective from 1 January 2008. The capital adequacy ratio and core capital ratio at 31 December 2007 were, however, calculated using the 'standardised (credit risk) approach' under the Basel II framework. As there are significant differences between the two approaches, the capital ratios of the two reporting periods are not directly comparable. 


The bank maintained a strong liquidity position. The average liquidity ratio for the first half of 2008 was 47.3 per cent (calculated in accordance with the Fourth Schedule of the Hong Kong Banking Ordinance), compared with 52.9 per cent for the first half of 2007.


The cost efficiency ratio for the first half of 2008 was 26.3 per cent, compared with 26.6 per cent for both the first and second halves of 2007. 


Dividends


The Directors have declared a second interim dividend of HK$1.10 per share, which will be payable on 4 September 2008 to shareholders on the register of shareholders as of 20 August 2008. Together with the first interim dividend, the total distribution for the first half of 2008 will amount to HK$2.20 per share, the same as in the first half of 2007.

  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Customer group performance



Personal 









Inter-





Financial

Commercial

Corporate





segment




Figures in HK$m

Services


Banking


Banking


Treasury


Other

elimination


Total

















Half-year ended















30 June 2008






























Net interest income

4,295


1,211


442


1,536


768


__


8,252


Net fee income/(expense)

2,380


547


61


(17

)

56


__


3,027


Trading income/(loss)

485


125


8


294


(153

)

__


759


Net (loss)/income from 















  financial instruments 















  designated at fair value 

(1,029

)

(1

)

__


6


__


__


(1,024

)

Dividend income

17


5


__


__


32


__


54


Net earned insurance premiums

6,832


96


2


__


__


__


6,930


Other operating income/(loss)

435


24


__


(1

)

67


__


525


Inter-segment income

__


__


__


__


233


(233

)

__


Total operating income

13,415


2,007


513


1,818


1,003


(233

)

18,523


Net insurance claims















  incurred and movement















  in policyholders' liabilities

(5,843

)

(59

)

(1

)

__


__


__


(5,903

)

Net operating income before















  loan impairment charges















  and other credit risk















  provisions

7,572


1,948


512


1,818


1,003


(233

)

12,620


Loan impairment charges















  and other credit risk provisions

(86

)

(71

)

(31

)

__


__


__


(188

)

Net operating income

7,486


1,877


481


1,818


1,003


(233

)

12,432


Total operating expenses 

(2,237

)

(699

)

(143

)

(115

)

(126

)

__


(3,320

)

Inter-segment expenses

(194

)

(30

)

(4

)

(5

)

__


233


__


Operating profit

5,055


1,148


334


1,698


877


__


9,112


Gains less losses from financial 















  investments and fixed assets

175


96


31


__


(56

)

__


246


Net surplus on property















  revaluation

__


__


__


__


229


__


229


Share of profits from associates

54


459


__


285


145


__


943


Profit before tax

5,284


1,703


365


1,983


1,195


__


10,530


Share of profit before tax

50.2

%

16.2

%

3.5

%

18.8

%

11.3

%

__


100.0

%
















Operating profit excluding















  inter-segment transactions

5,249


1,178


338


1,703


644


__


9,112

















Operating profit excluding loan















  impairment charges















  and other credit risk provisions

5,141


1,219


365


1,698


877


__


9,300

















Depreciation/amortisation 















  included in total operating 















  expenses

(64

)

(11

)

(3

)

(2

)

(148

)

__


(228

)































At 30 June 2008






























Total assets

210,593


93,416


85,595


320,004


38,308


__


747,916


Total liabilities

473,224


96,559


46,288


37,937


38,300


__


692,308


Investments in associates

379


2,412


__


1,923


2,435


__


7,149


Capital expenditure 















  incurred during the period

203


25


6


2


131


__


367









Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Customer group performance (continued)



Personal 









Inter-





Financial

Commercial

Corporate





segment




Figures in HK$m

Services


Banking


Banking


Treasury


Other

elimination


Total

















Half-year ended















30 June 2007






























Net interest income

4,142


1,119


339


407


689


__


6,696


Net fee income/(expense)

2,307


476


54


(11

)

36


__


2,862


Trading income/(loss)

358


74


4


163


(15

)

__


584


Net income/(loss) from 















  financial instruments 















  designated at fair value 

689


__


__


(3

)

__


__


686


Dividend income

6


__


__


__


20


__


26


Net earned insurance premiums

4,741


79


1


__


__


__


4,821


Other operating income

300


25


__


__


72


__


397


Inter-segment income

__


__


__


__


187


(187

)

__


Total operating income

12,543


1,773


398


556


989


(187

)

16,072


Net insurance claims















  incurred and movement















  in policyholders' liabilities

(5,061

)

(44

)

__


__


__


__


(5,105

)

Net operating income before















  loan impairment charges















  and other credit risk















  provisions

7,482


1,729


398


556


989


(187

)

10,967


Loan impairment charges















  and other credit risk provisions

(122

)

(45

)

(113

)

__


__


__


(280

)

Net operating income

7,360


1,684


285


556


989


(187

)

10,687


Total operating expenses 

(1,939

)

(636

)

(97

)

(96

)

(146

)

__


(2,914

)

Inter-segment expenses

(163

)

(17

)

(3

)

(4

)

__


187


__


Operating profit

5,258


1,031


185


456


843


__


7,773


Gain on dilution of investment in















  associate

__


__


__


__


1,465


__


1,465


Gains less losses from financial 















  investments and fixed assets

__


__


7


__


267


__


274


Net surplus on property















  revaluation

__


__


__


__


266


__


266


Share of profits from associates

20


254


__


115


51


__


440


Profit before tax

5,278


1,285


192


571


2,892


__


10,218


Share of profit before tax

51.7

%

12.6

%

1.8

%

5.6

%

28.3

%

__


100.0

%
















Operating profit excluding















  inter-segment transactions

5,421


1,048


188


460


656


__


7,773

















Operating profit excluding loan















  impairment charges and other















  credit risk provisions

5,380


1,076


298


456


843


__


8,053

















Depreciation/amortisation 















  included in total operating















  expenses

(56

)

(8

)

(2

)

(1

)

(113

)

__


(180

)

















At 30 June 2007






























Total assets

191,312


74,766


82,688


353,011


39,545


__


741,322


Total liabilities

432,416


93,988


51,983


70,109


39,878


__


688,374


Investments in associates

155


1,951


__


880


2,293


__


5,279


Capital expenditure 















  incurred during the period

135


43


8


3


29


__


218








Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Customer group performance (continued)



Personal 









Inter-





Financial

Commercial

Corporate





segment




Figures in HK$m

Services


Banking


Banking


Treasury


Other

elimination


Total

















Half-year ended















31 December 2007






























Net interest income

4,559


1,245


380


905


934


__


8,023


Net fee income/(expense)

3,419


529


55


(14

)

35


__


4,024


Trading income/(loss)

728


99


5


305


(42

)

__


1,095


Net income from 















  financial instruments 















  designated at fair value 

1,212


2


__


7


__


__


1,221


Dividend income

8


1


__


__


17


__


26


Net earned insurance premiums

4,778


102


1


__


__


__


4,881


Other operating income/(loss)

243


22


__


(3

)

88


__


350


Inter-segment income

__


__


__


__


186


(186

)

__


Total operating income

14,947


2,000


441


1,200


1,218


(186

)

19,620


Net insurance claims















  incurred and movement

 















  in policyholders' liabilities

 

(5,523

 

)

 

(48

 

)

 

(1

 

)

 

__

 


__

 


__

 


(5,572

 

)

 

Net operating income before















  loan impairment charges















  and other credit risk















  provisions

9,424


1,952


440


1,200


1,218


(186

)

14,048


Loan impairment charges















  and other credit risk provisions

(155

)

(120

)

(21

)

__


__


__


(296

)

Net operating income

9,269


1,832


419


1,200


1,218


(186

)

13,752


Total operating expenses 

(2,503

)

(801

)

(137

)

(118

)

(177

)

__


(3,736

)

Inter-segment expenses

(162

)

(17

)

(3

)

(4

)

__


186


__


Operating profit

6,604


1,014


279


1,078


1,041


__


10,016


Gains less losses from financial 















  investments and fixed assets

4


1


4


__


433


__


442


Net surplus on property















  revaluation

__


__


__


__


113


__


113


Share of profits from associates

32


401


__


180


69


__


682


Profit before tax

6,640


1,416


283


1,258


1,656


__


11,253


Share of profit before tax

59.0

%

12.6

%

2.5

%

11.2

%

14.7

%

__


100.0

%
















Operating profit excluding















  inter-segment transactions

6,766


1,031


282


1,082


855


__


10,016

















Operating profit excluding loan















  impairment charges















  and other credit risk provisions

6,759


1,134


300


1,078


1,041


__


10,312

















Depreciation/amortisation 















  included in total operating 















  expenses

(62

)

(13

)

(3

)

(2

)

(121

)

__


(201

)































At 31 December 2007






























Total assets

190,696


80,479


79,419


358,306


37,099


__


745,999


Total liabilities

459,756


100,857


53,373


42,486


33,071


__


689,543


Investments in associates

201


2,520


__


1,138


2,318


__


6,177


Capital expenditure 















  incurred during the period

91


33


13


__


186


__


323











Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Customer group performance (continued)


Personal Financial Services ('PFS') maintained its year-on-year earnings with a slight increase of 0.1 per cent in profit before tax to HK$5,284 million for the first half of 2008. Operating profit excluding loan impairment charges was down 4.4 per cent at HK$5,141 million.


Excluding Private Banking, Personal Financial Services' profit before tax grew by 5 per cent. 


Net interest income recorded moderate growth of 3.7 per cent, supported by stable customer deposit balances.


Non-interest income declined slightly by 1.9 per cent. Wealth management income was negatively affected by the economic slowdown and subsequent market volatility, but insurance was able to maintain its sales momentum. In the first half of 2008, new annualised life insurance premiums exceeded HK$2 billion, underpinning the 44.9 per cent rise in net earned insurance premiums. In the first quarter of the year, the group's life insurance business ranked number one in Hong Kong in terms of new business, with a market share of 16.2 per cent. 


Total operating income from unsecured lending recorded significant year-on-year growth of 32.5 per cent as the bank's credit card business continued to gain market share in terms of cards in force, spending and receivables. The launch of a new credit card employing innovative contactless payment technology and a series of promotion campaigns helped drive the number of cards in issue to 1.64 million, representing year-on-year growth of 13.9 per cent. Card receivables grew strongly by 19.3 per cent year on year to reach HK$11.7 billion, attributable mainly to successful card utilisation campaigns and robust consumer spending. Personal lending also registered impressive growth with a 39.0 per cent year-on-year increase in loan balances to HK$3.2 billion.


Residential mortgage business benefited from market anticipation of asset price inflation, achieving double-digit growth in first half of the year. Despite the recent market slowdown, the bank maintained its market share in terms of total mortgage loans outstanding at around 16.0 per cent and secured the number two position in new mortgage loan drawdowns for the first half of 2008.


Commercial Banking ('CMB')  achieved an increase of 13.3 per cent in operating profit excluding loan impairment charges, underpinned by satisfactory growth in net fee income and net trading income. Taking into account the contribution from Industrial Bank, profit before tax rose by 32.5 per cent to HK$1,703 million, representing 16.2 per cent of the group's total profit before tax.


Average customer advances rose by 21.9 per cent as a result of balanced growth in lending to the manufacturing, wholesale and retail and property sectors, and increases in trade finance and factoring. This good growth was partly offset by the narrowing of deposit margins, resulting in a moderate rise of 8.2 per cent in net interest income.  


   

Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Customer group performance (continued)


Driven by concerted efforts to grow corporate wealth management business, net fee income and net trading income reported good growth of 14.9 per cent and 68.9 per cent respectively. Corporate wealth management income contributed 11.2 per cent of CMB's total operating income in the first half of 2008, up 1.8 percentage points compared with the first half of 2007. With the establishment of designated corporate teams to serve the diverse investment needs of different customer segments, investment and treasury income registered robust growth of 67.8 per cent compared with the first half of 2007.


CMB's efforts to offer enhanced services to customers in the retail sector continued to generate positive returns. Net fee income from card merchant-acquiring business achieved strong growth of 10.9 per cent. Octopus card merchant services helped to strengthen the bank's franchise in the small and medium-sized enterprise ('SME') sector, as evidenced by the fact that 70 per cent of Octopus merchants acquired in the first half of 2008 were new customers for the bank. Overall, the number of new commercial customers acquired in the first half of 2008 grew by 13.5 per cent. 


CMB continued to strengthen its relationships with middle-market enterprises ('MME'). The collaborative efforts of the Hong Kong, Mainland and Macau teams have put CMB in a better position to provide one-stop banking solutions for MME customers with operations in the Pearl River Delta, Yangtze River Delta and Bohai Economic Rim regions. Average customer deposits and average customer advances on the Mainland registered strong growth of 324.0 per cent and 119.5 per cent respectively. The establishment of Hang Seng China's first commercial banking sub-branch at ChangAn, Dongguan, in June 2008, will help further to extend CMB's catchment area in the region.


At 30 June 2008, over 57,000 customers had registered for Business e-Banking services, an increase of 30.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2007. The number of online business banking transactions grew by 31.7 per cent.


Corporate Banking ('CIB')  achieved an increase of 22.5 per cent in operating profit excluding loan impairment charges, driven largely by satisfactory growth of 30.4 per cent in net interest income. CIB continued to focus on liability-driven business and higher-yield loan transactions. Average customer deposits rose by 16.2 per cent. Average customer advances were up 10.3 per cent, due mainly to increased lending to real estate companies, hotels and investment holding companies. Profit before tax rose strongly by HK$173 million, or 90.1 per cent, to HK$365 million.


CIB remained active in financing mainland projects of Hong Kong-based corporations during 2008 and continued to expand its mainland customer base. Average customer deposits and average customer advances on the Mainland recorded encouraging growth of 354.7 per cent and 32.1 per cent respectively.


Treasury ('TRY')  reported a strong 272.4 per cent growth in operating profit. Profit before tax, taking into account the increase in share of profits from associates, rose by 247.3 per cent to HK$1,983 million, contributing 18.8 per cent to the group's total profit before tax.


 



Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Customer group performance (continued)


Benefiting from the rate cut cycle in the United States that began in September 2007, the interest margin of balance sheet management portfolios improved significantly. Coupled with good portfolio positioning and a prudent strategy of investing in high quality instruments, net interest income from balance sheet management portfolios registered remarkable growth of HK$1,129 million, or 277.4 per cent. Including the net increase of HK$82 million in funding swap costs (described below) - which were recognised as foreign exchange losses - net interest income rose by HK$1,047 million, or 475.9 per cent.


Trading income reversed its declining trend of 2007 to record growth of HK$131 million, or 80.4 per cent, attributable mainly to foreign exchange and derivative trading activities. This good trading income result was partly offset by the mirror effect of 'funding swap' activities in the balance sheet management portfolios, which reported a loss of HK$269 million in the first six months of 2008. Excluding the impact of such activities, trading income increased by HK$213 million.



 Treasury from time to time employs foreign exchange swaps for its funding activities, which in essence involve swapping a currency ('original currency') into another currency ('swap currency') at the spot exchange rate for short-term placement and simultaneously entering into a forward exchange contract to convert the funds back to the original currency on maturity of the placement. In accordance with HKAS39, the exchange difference of the spot and forward contracts is required to be recognised as a foreign exchange gain/loss, while the corresponding interest differential between the original and swap funding is reflected in net interest income.

  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Mainland business


Headquartered in Shanghai, the bank's mainland subsidiary, Hang Seng China, marked its first anniversary in May 2008. At 30 June 2008, Hang Seng China's network had grown from 23 to 30 outlets since the end of 2007, comprising nine branches and 21 sub-branches operating across nine cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen, Fuzhou, Nanjing, Hangzhou and Ningbo. The bank has a branch in Shenzhen for foreign currency wholesale business and a representative office in Xiamen. To support expansion and strengthen sales and marketing capabilities, Hang Seng China's number of full-time equivalent staff increased by 215 to 1,312 in the first half of 2008. 


Supported by the robust mainland economy, Hang Seng China capitalised on new opportunities to grow its business by offering a comprehensive range of premium banking services, including renminbi services. Mainland lending grew by 14.7 per cent compared with the end of last year. The launch of full renminbi deposit services for local residents and new investment-linked deposit products contributed to the strong 94.1 per cent increase in customer deposits during the first half of 2008. Year on year, deposits and advances were up 292.5 per cent and 55.0 per cent respectively. Total operating income rose by 66.9 per cent, representing good growth in both interest income and non-interest income. 


The combined effects of the cost of network expansion, investment in human resources, a foreign exchange loss on the revaluation of US dollar capital funds held by Hang Seng China against the renminbi, and a decline in loan impairment charges, resulted in a 23.3 per cent increase in profit before tax.


Mainland PFS successfully grew its share of the mass affluent and affluent segments, expanding its customer base by 38 per cent since the end of last year and enjoying particular success with Prestige Banking, which recorded a 74 per cent increase in customers. Leveraging the bank's well-established corporate customer base in Hong Kong, Hang Seng China's CMB and CIB teams collaborated closely with their Hong Kong counterparts to offer 'joined-up' services to customers with operations in Hong Kong and on the Mainland, helping to expand the commercial customer base and renminbi business. TRY continued to manage the funding positions of the branches and launched new structured investment products to meet a wide range of customer needs.  


Including the bank's share of profit from Industrial Bank, mainland business contributed 9.4 per cent of total profit before tax, compared with 5.9 per cent and 7.0 per cent for the first and second halves of 2007 respectively.

  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Contents

__________________________________________________________________________________________




The financial information in this news release is based on the unaudited consolidated financial statements of Hang Seng Bank Limited ('the bank') and its subsidiaries and associates ('the group') for the six months ended 30 June 2008.


           1    Highlights of Results

          2    Chairman's Comment

           4    Chief Executive's Review

          8    Results Summary

        11    Customer Group Performance

        17    Mainland Business

         18    Contents

         20    Consolidated Income Statement 

        21    Consolidated Balance Sheet

        22    Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense

        23    Consolidated Cash Flow Statement

        24    Financial Review

        24    Net interest income

        26    Net fee income

        27    Trading income 

        28    Other operating income

        28    Analysis of income from wealth management business

        31    Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions

        32    Operating expenses

        33    Gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets

        33    Gain on dilution of investment in associate

        34    Tax expense

        35    Earnings per share

        35    Dividends per share

        35    Segmental analysis

        38    Cash and balances with banks and other financial institutions

        38    Placings with and advances to banks and other financial institutions

        38    Trading assets

        39    Financial assets designated at fair value

        39    Advances to customers

        40    Loan impairment allowances against advances to customers

        41    Impaired advances and allowances

        42    Overdue advances

        43    Rescheduled advances

        43    Segmental analysis of advances to customers by geographical area

        44    Gross advances to customers by industry sector

        46    Financial investments

        46    Investments in associates

        47    Other assets

        47    Current, savings and other deposit accounts

        48    Certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue

        48    Trading liabilities

        49    Other liabilities

        49    Subordinated liabilities

        50    Shareholders' funds

        51    Capital resources management

        52    Liquidity ratio

        53    Reconciliation of cash flow statement

        54    Contingent liabilities, commitments and derivatives

        58    Statutory accounts and accounting policies

        58    Comparative figures

        58    Acquisition

        59    Property revaluation

        59    Foreign currency positions

        60    Ultimate holding company

        60    Register of shareholders

        60    Proposed timetable for the remaining 2008 quarterly dividends

        61    Code on corporate governance practices

        61    Board of directors

        61    News release

  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

   Consolidated Income Statement (unaudited)

_________________________________________________________________________________________





Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended




30 June



30 June



31 December

 


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007

 

 












Interest income


13,665



16,318



  18,088

 

 


Interest expense


(5,413

)


(9,622

)


  (10,065

)

Net interest income


8,252



6,696



  8,023

 

 


Fee income


3,368



3,163



  4,519 


Fee expense


(341

)


(301

)


  (495

 

 

)

Net fee income


3,027



2,862



  4,024

 

 


Trading income 


759



584



  1,095

 

 


Net (loss)/income from 










  financial instruments designated at fair value  


(1,024

)

  

686



  1,221

 

 


Dividend income


54



 26



  26

 

 


Net earned insurance premiums


6,930



4,821



  4,881

 

 


Other operating income 


525



397



  350

 

 


Total operating income 


18,523



16,072



  19,620

 

 


Net insurance claims incurred and










  movement in policyholders' liabilities


(5,903

)


(5,105

)


  (5,572

 

 

)

Net operating income before loan










  impairment charges and








   


  other credit risk provisions


12,620



10,967



  14,048

 

 


Loan impairment charges and










  other credit risk provisions


(188

)


(280

)


  (296

 

 

)

Net operating income 


12,432



10,687



13,752

 

 


Employee compensation and benefits


(1,736

)


(1,598

)


  (1,987

 

 

)

General and administrative expenses 


(1,356

)


(1,136

)


  (1,548

 

 

)

Depreciation of premises, plant 








   


  and equipment 


(201

)


(169

)


  (179

 

 

)

Amortisation of intangible assets


(27

)


(11

)


  (22

 

 

)

Total operating expenses


(3,320

)


(2,914

)


  (3,736

 

 

)

Operating profit 


9,112



7,773



  10,016 

 


Gain on dilution of investment in an associate


    __



1,465

 

 

 



  __

 

 


Gains less losses from financial investments










  and fixed assets


  246

 

 



274



  442

 

 


Net surplus on property revaluation


229



266



  113

 

 


Share of profits from associates  


943



440



  682

 

 


Profit before tax

 


10,530



10,218



  11,253

 

 


Tax expense

 


(1,466

)


(1,150

)


  (1,715

)

Profit for the period

 


9,064



9,068



  9,538 












Profit attributable to shareholders

 


9,064



8,867



  9,375 


Profit attributable to minority interests

 


    __



201



  163 




9,064



9,068



  9,538 












Dividends

 


4,206



4,206



  7,839 


Earnings per share (in HK$)

 

 


4.74



4.64



4.90

 

 





The HSBC Group reports interest income and interest expense arising from financial assets and financial liabilities held for trading as 'Net trading income' and arising from financial instruments designated at fair value through profit and loss as 'Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value' (other than for debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities, together with derivatives managed in conjunction with them).


The table below presents the interest income and interest expense of Hang Seng, as included within the HSBC Group accounts:

 



Half-year ended



Half-year ended



Half-year ended


Figures in HK$m


30 June 2008



30 June 2007



31 December 2007












Interest income


13,376

 



15,941

 



17,760

 


Interest expense


(4,679

 

)

 


(8,354

 

)

 


(8,989)

 

Net interest income


8,697

 



7,587

 



8,771

 


Net interest income and expense reported as 'Net trading income'


(551

)


(938

)


(815

)

Net interest income and expense reported as 'Net income from










  financial instruments designated at fair value'


106

 



47

 



67

 















 



Hang Seng Bank Limited

Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




 




At 30 June


At 30 June


At 31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007

 












Assets










Cash and balances with banks and










  other financial institutions


19,755

 



12,921

 



16,864

 


Placings with and advances to banks and










  other financial institutions


136,534

 



94,485

 



113,029

 


Trading assets


13,689

 



9,848

 



10,390

 


Financial assets designated at fair value 


12,607

 



9,827

 



13,892

 


Derivative financial instruments


6,043

 



2,348

 



4,702

 


Advances to customers


337,157

 



310,972

 



308,356

 


Financial investments


184,654

 



251,191

 



244,294

 


Investments in associates


7,149

 



5,279

 



6,177

 


Investment properties


2,776

 



2,457

 



2,581

 


Premises, plant and equipment 


7,487

 



6,342

 



6,794

 


Interest in leasehold land held for own use










  under operating lease


558

 



572

 



565

 


Intangible assets


3,297

 



2,347

 



2,889

 


Other assets 


16,210

 



32,733

 



15,466

 




747,916

 



741,322

 



745,999

 












Liabilities










Current, savings and other deposit accounts


535,148



512,450



546,653


Deposits from banks


19,247

 



57,834

 



19,736

 


Trading liabilities 


53,767

 



44,294

 



48,151

 


Financial liabilities designated at fair value


1,431

 



1,473

 



1,498

 


Derivative financial instruments


8,882

 



2,118

 



4,683

 


Certificates of deposit and other 










  debt securities in issue 


4,026

 



7,282

 



5,685

 


Other liabilities 


17,629

 



22,123

 



17,850

 


Liabilities to customers under










  insurance contracts 


38,737

 



27,942

 



33,089

 


Deferred tax and current tax liabilities 


4,086

 



3,485

 



2,844

 


Subordinated liabilities 


9,355

 



9,373

 



9,354

 




692,308

 



688,374

 



689,543

 












Capital resources










Minority interests


__



1,917



__


Share capital


9,559



9,559



9,559


Retained profits


37,358



32,706



32,873


Other reserves


6,588



6,663



8,288


Proposed dividends


2,103



2,103



5,736


Shareholders' funds


55,608



51,031



56,456




55,608



52,948



56,456




747,916



741,322



745,999















  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

  Consolidated Statement of Recognised Income and Expense (unaudited)

__________________________________________________________________________________________





Half-year ended



Half-year ended



Half-year ended



30 June



30 June



31 December


Figures in HK$m

2008



2007



2007











Unrealised surplus on revaluation of 









  premises, net of tax

467



218



  225

 


Tax on realisation of revaluation surplus 









  on disposal of premises

3



10



  35

 


Available-for-sale investments reserve,









  net of tax:







   


- fair value changes taken to equity









  -- on debt securities

(1,353

)


(524

)


95

 


  -- on equity shares

(1,080

)


795



1,228

 


- fair value changes transferred to 









  income statement:









  -- on impairment

67



__



__


  -- on hedged items

(20

)


73



  (254

 

)

  -- on disposal

(368

)


(247

)


  (197

 

)

Cash flow hedges reserve, net of tax:









- fair value changes taken to equity

39



(127

)


  273

 


- fair value changes transferred to 









  income statement

(194

)


141



  77

 


Actuarial (losses)/gains on 







   


  defined benefit plans, net of tax

(423

)


369



  (1,612)

 


Exchange differences on translation of









  financial statements of overseas







   


  branches, subsidiaries and associates

682



180



  347

 


Effect of decrease in tax rate in









  deferred tax balance at 1 January

30



__



__


Net (expense)/income recognised 









  directly in equity

(2,150

)


888



  217 

 


Profit for the period

9,064



9,068



  9,538

 


Total recognised income and expense









  for the period

6,914



9,956



  9,755

 




















Attributable to shareholders

6,914



9,755



  9,592

 


Attributable to minority interests

__



201



  163

 



6,914



9,956



  9,755

 














  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

   Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (unaudited)

__________________________________________________________________________________________





Half-year ended


Half-year ended 





30 June



30 June



Figures in HK$m


2008



2007











Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities


(44,918

)


12,376











Cash flows from investing activities
















Dividends received from associates


258



195



Purchase of available-for-sale investments


(27,368

)


(47,529

)


Purchase of held-to-maturity debt securities


(134

)


(420

)


Proceeds from sale or redemption of








  available-for-sale investments


84,669



33,895



Proceeds from redemption of held-to-maturity








  debt securities


71



33



Purchase of fixed assets and intangible assets


(367

)


(218

)


Proceeds from sale of fixed assets and asset held for sale


233



212



Interest received from available-for-sale investments


5,218



4,691



Dividends received from available-for-sale investments


54



10



Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities


62,634



(9,131

)








Cash flows from financing activities














Dividends paid 


(7,839

)


(5,736

)

Interest paid for subordinated liabilities


(205

)


(212

)

Proceeds from subordinated liabilities  


__



2,342


Net cash outflow from financing activities


(8,044

)


(3,606

)








Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents


9,672



(361

)








Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January


113,474



90,275


Effect of foreign exchange rate changes


988



1,197


Cash and cash equivalents at 30 June


124,134



91,111












  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Net interest income


Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June



30 June



31 December


Figures in HK$m

2008



2007



2007











Net interest income/(expense) arising from:








- financial assets and liabilities that are 









  not at fair value through profit and loss

8,717



7,609



8,795


- trading assets and liabilities  

(551

)


(938

)


(815

)

- financial instruments designated









  at fair value

86



25



43



8,252



6,696



8,023











Average interest-earning assets

682,728



639,539



683,042











Net interest spread

2.20

%


1.72

%


1.95

%

Net interest margin 

2.43

%


2.11

%


2.33

%




Net interest income rose by HK$1,556 million, or 23.2 per cent, to HK$8,252 million. Average interest-earning assets increased by HK$43.2 billion, or 6.8 per cent, to HK$682.7 billion. 


Average customer advances rose 12.7 per cent, with notable increases in mainland loans within regulatory limits, higher yielding card advances and personal loans and trade finance. An active property market boosted average mortgage lending, with strong volume growth more than offsetting the effect of tighter spreads on mortgages in the intensely competitive and low interest rate environment. Overall,  the total loan portfolio contributed HK$529 million to the growth in net interest income.


Deposit products contributed HK$34 million to the increase in net interest income, supported by the 7.8 per cent growth in average customer deposits, mainly low-cost savings balances. Under the low interest rate environment, spreads on time deposits were affected by a lower value of funds as there was little room for reduction on interest rates paid to customers, but this was compensated for the increase in low-cost savings balances. 


Treasury balance sheet management income recorded encouraging growth, contributing HK$1,269 million to net interest income. The accrual portfolio benefited from falling US dollar interest rates in the second half of 2007 which led to lower funding costs as well as Treasury's strong positioning for capturing yield enhancement opportunities. The life insurance fund investments portfolio grew by 55.8 per cent, adding HK$173 million. 


Despite an increase in the level of net free funds (including non-interest bearing account balances and net shareholders' funds), their contribution to net interest income fell by HK$449 million due to the decline in market interest rates. 


  



Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Net interest income (continued)


Net interest margin rose by 32 basis points to 2.43 per cent. Net interest spread improved by 48 basis points to 2.20 per cent, benefiting from better yields on Treasury balance sheet management portfolios and improved spreads on lending business. The contribution from net free funds, however, dropped by 16 basis points to 0.23 per cent as a result of the fall in average interest rates. Including the net increase of HK$82 million in funding swap costs - which were recognised as foreign exchange losses under trading income - net interest income increased by HK$1,474 million, or 22.6 per cent, and net interest margin improved by 30 basis points to 2.35 per cent.  


Compared with the second half of 2007, net interest income improved by HK$229 million, or 2.9 per cent, with average interest-earning assets maintained at the same level. Net interest margin improved by 10 basis points. 


The HSBC Group reports interest income and interest expense arising from financial assets and financial liabilities held for trading as 'Net trading income'. That arising from financial instruments designated at fair value through profit and loss is reported as 'Net income from financial instruments designated at fair value' (other than for debt securities in issue and subordinated liabilities, together with derivatives managed in conjunction with them).


The table below presents the net interest income of Hang Seng, as included within the HSBC Group accounts:

 



Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007












Net interest income


8,697



7,587



8,771


Average interest-earning assets


664,892



620,830



666,107












Net interest spread


2.33

%


1.87

 

%


2.08

%

Net interest margin 


2.63

%


2.46

 

%


2.61

%




  




Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Net fee income


Half-year ended



Half-year ended



Half-year ended



30 June



30 June



31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008




2007




2007














- Stockbroking and related services


808




738




  1,247 


- Retail investment funds 


773




728




  948 


- Structured investment products


297




249




  412 


- Insurance 


54




56




  59 


- Account services


141




144




  140 


- Private banking


177




333




  667 


- Remittances


107




91




  102 


- Cards


623




483




  565 


- Credit facilities


60




56




  54 


- Trade services


199




189




  217 


- Other


129




96




  108 


Fee income


3,368




3,163




  4,519 


Fee expense


(341

 

)



(301

 

)



(495

 

)



3,027




2,862




4,024

















Net fee income rose by HK$165 million, or 5.8 per cent, compared with the first half of 2007, to HK$3,027 million. 


With the slowdown of equities markets dampening investment market sentiment in Hong Kong, stockbroking and related services recorded good growth of 9.5 per cent. Income from retail investment funds increased by 6.2 per cent. Income from sales of structured investment products grew by 19.3 per cent, mainly reflecting sales of equity-linked instruments. Private banking investment services fee income was adversely affected, declining by 46.8 per cent, due largely to a lower transaction volume in the less favourable investment environment. 


Card services income grew significantly by 29.0 per cent, supported by the 13.9 per cent increase in the number of cards in circulation and the 19.3 per cent rise in cardholder spending year on year. The launch of the enJoy affinity credit card was extremely well received by the market, increasing the number of cards in issue by about 9.0 per cent. Remittance and trade services fees rose by 17.6 per cent and 5.3 per cent respectively. 


Compared with the second half of 2007, net fee income declined by HK$997 million, or 24.8 per cent, mainly reflecting dampened sentiment in the investment and stock markets in first half of 2008, compared with the buoyancy of the preceding six months.


  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Trading income



Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007












Trading income:










- foreign exchange


535



394



467


- securities, derivatives and 










  other trading activities


224

 



190

 



628

 




759



584



1,095





Trading income rose by HK$175 million, or 30.0 per cent, to HK$759 million, compared with the first half of 2007. The HK$141 million increase in foreign exchange income takes into account two specific items not related to normal foreign exchange trading. First, an exchange loss of HK$269 million was incurred in the first half of 2008 (HK$187 million in first half of 2007) on forward contracts used in 'funding swap' activities in the balance sheet management portfolios. Second, capital funds of Hang Seng China injected in US dollars and pending regulatory approval for conversion into renminbi were recorded at the historical rate. The subsequent revaluation loss on the US dollar funds against the renminbi - amounting to HK$185 million in the first half of 2008 (HK$47 million in first half of 2007) - was recognised as a foreign exchange loss. Excluding these two unfavourable items, normal foreign exchange trading returned excellent results, growing by HK$361 million, or 57.5 per cent, to HK$989 million, reflecting the bank's ability successfully to capture opportunities to expand proprietary trading and customer-driven business. 


Income from securities, derivatives and other trading grew by HK$34 million, or 17.9 per cent, attributable to the improvement in trading results and the profit earned on equity-linked structured products. 


Treasury from time to time employs foreign exchange swaps for its funding activities, which in essence involve swapping a currency ('original currency') into another currency ('swap currency') at the spot exchange rate for short-term placement and simultaneously entering into a forward exchange contract to convert the funds back to the original currency on maturity of the placement. In accordance with HKAS39, the exchange difference of the spot and forward contracts is required to be recognised as foreign exchange gain/loss, while the corresponding interest differential between the original and swap funding is reflected in net interest income.

 


  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Other operating income



Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007












Rental income from 










  investment properties


66

 



72

 



67

 


Movement in present value 










  of in-force long-term  










  insurance business


363



207



  190 


Other


96



118



  93 




525



397



  350 






Analysis of income from wealth management business


Half-year ended

Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June



30 June



31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008




2007




2007














Investment income:












- retail investment funds


773




728




948


- structured investment products


689




511




981


- private banking


187




337




672


- securities broking and related services


808

 




738

 




1,247


- margin trading and others 


52

 




30

 




48




2,509

 




2,344

 




3,896


Insurance income:












- life insurance


862




943




1,112

 


- general insurance and others


147




156




192




1,009

 




1,099

 




1,304


Total 


3,518

 




3,443

 




5,200





     Income from structured investment products includes income reported under net fee income on the sales of third-party structured investment products. It also includes profit generated from the selling of structured investment products in issue, reported under trading income.


Income from private banking includes income reported under net fee income on investment services and profit generated from selling of structured investment products in issue, reported under trading income.

 

Wealth management business continued to make a major contribution to the Bank's income. Leveraging its comprehensive portfolio of products and services, strong brand and leading market position, the bank continued to grow wealth management income in the first half, recording a rise of 2.2 per cent to HK$3,518 million in turbulent market conditions. 


  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Analysis of income from wealth management business  (continued)


Investment services income increased by 7.0 per cent, reflecting stable growth in securities broking and related services, retail investment funds and investment products, although this was partly offset by the decline in private banking income. Insurance income fell by 8.2 per cent, affected primarily by the investment loss on life insurance funds created by the slump in equities markets.  


Against a backdrop of depressed investment activity, the bank issued and launched a wide variety of investment funds to meet the changing risk appetites of investors. These included funds from both Hang Seng Investment Management and third-party providers. The timely rollout of Hong Kong's first Securities and Futures Commission-authorised mainland China bond fund to capture emerging market opportunities reflects the bank's efforts to enhance its product range to meet customer needs. Funds under management (excluding private banking) declined by 12.4 per cent to HK$71.8 billion compared with 2007 year-end, affected mainly by fund revaluation losses resulting from the volatile financial market conditions. Compared with the first half of 2007, investment fund income (including sales commissions and management fees) recorded steady growth of 6.2 per cent to HK$773 million.


Throughout the first half, equities markets remained difficult and market value declined. The bank continued to make progress in distributing competitive structured products packaged by both Hang Seng and third-party providers to broaden the range of investment options available to customers and offer yield enhancement. This proved a successful strategy, with structured investment product income registering a 34.8 per cent rise, related mainly to sales of equity-linked instruments.


With its enhanced business platform and effective e-service trading channels, the bank continued to capture more business opportunities and grew its number of securities accounts by 14.1 per cent year on year. Stockbroking and related service income increased by 9.5 per cent to HK$808 million.


Private banking business entered a period of consolidation, with the turbulent stock market leading to fewer customers' transactions and a 44.5 per cent decline in wealth management income in the first half of the year. Moving forward, the bank will work to expand its business by strengthening its relationship management team, enhancing investment services support and implementing a variety of wealth management initiatives that will ensure it can better exploit medium and long-term business opportunities. Private banking's customer base grew slightly by 15.4 per cent. Assets under management declined by 10.5 per cent due mainly to the volatile financial market conditions.


Life insurance fell by HK$81 million, or 8.6 per cent, to HK$862 million (analysed in the table below). Despite poor investment sentiment in the market, the bank was able to sustain robust growth in bancassurance. Its life insurance business ranked number one in Hong Kong in terms of new annualised premiums in the first quarter of 2008 and net earned insurance premium income grew by 44.9 per cent in the first half. A number of marketing campaigns were launched to support sales of insurance products and boost the savings insurance and health protection products which contributed to insurance's phenomenal success in the first half of 2008. Investment returns were adversely affected by the slowdown in the financial markets, recording a loss of HK$1,030 million compared with a profit of HK$689 million for the same period last year. The increase in movement in policyholders' liabilities was largely in line with the increase in premium income.


Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Analysis of income from wealth management business  (continued)


General insurance income fell by 5.8 per cent to HK$147 million.


Half-year ended

Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June



30 June



31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008




2007




2007














Life insurance:












- net interest income and fee income


601




429




514


- investment returns on life insurance 












  funds


(1,030)

 

 



689




1,214


- net earned insurance premiums


6,774




4,676




4,718


- claims, benefits and surrenders paid


(825

)



(618

)



(667

)

- movement in policyholders' liabilities 


(5,030

)



(4,445

)



(4,870

)

- reinsurers' share of claims incurred and












  movement in policyholders' liabilities


9

 




5

 




13

 


- movement in present value of in-force 












  long-term insurance business 


363

 




207

 




190




862

 




943

 




1,112


General insurance and others


147

 




156

 




192


Total 


1,009

 




1,099

 




1,304





 Including premium and investment reserves



  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions



Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007












Loan impairment charges:










- individually assessed


(56

 

)


(137

 

)


(113

)

- collectively assessed


(132

 

)


(143

 

)


(183

)



(188

 

)


(280

 

)


(296

)

Of which:










- new and additional 


(278

 

)


(349

 

)


(353

)

- releases


60



40



24


- recoveries


30



29



33




(188

 

)


(280

 

)


(296

)











Loan impairment charges and other 










  credit risk provisions


(188

)


(280

)


(296

)




Loan impairment charges and other credit risk provisions were lower - falling by HK$92 million, or 32.9 per cent, to HK$188 million. There was a reduction in individually assessed provisions due to lower provisions made for commercial banking loans and a net release in respect of the mortgage portfolio. 


Under collectively assessed charges, a HK$150 million charge was made on the card and personal loan portfolio, representing a rise of 48.5 per cent over the first half of 2007, related partly to the 5.3 per cent growth of this portfolio. The delinquency rate and level of loan losses continued to be satisfactory. A release of HK$18 million was made on advances not identified individually as impaired, compared with a charge of HK$42 million made in the first half of 2007. This reflects the update of historical loss rates and loan balances for the first half of 2008.


  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Operating expenses



Half-year ended

Half-year ended

Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007












Employee compensation and benefits:










- salaries and other costs


1,351



1,171



1,272


- performance-related pay


301



405



690


- retirement benefit costs


84



22



25




1,736



1,598



1,987


General and administrative expenses:










- rental expenses


203

 



170

 



209


- other premises and equipment 


422

 



363

 



457


- marketing and advertising expenses


242

 



225

 



376


- other operating expenses


489

 



378

 



506




1,356

 



1,136

 



1,548


Depreciation of business premises










  and equipment


201

 



169

 



179


Amortisation of intangible assets


27

 



11

 



22




3,320

 



2,914

 



3,736












Cost efficiency ratio


26.3

%


26.6

%


26.6

%






















Half-year ended

Half-year ended

Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007












Employee compensation and benefits:










- salaries and other costs


1,351



1,171



1,272


- performance-related pay


301



405



690


- retirement benefit costs


84



22



25




1,736



1,598



1,987


General and administrative expenses:










- rental expenses


203

 



170

 



209


- other premises and equipment 


422

 



363

 



457


- marketing and advertising expenses


242

 



225

 



376


- other operating expenses


489

 



378

 



506




1,356

 



1,136

 



1,548


Depreciation of business premises










  and equipment


201

 



169

 



179


Amortisation of intangible assets


27

 



11

 



22




3,320

 



2,914

 



3,736












Cost efficiency ratio


26.3

%


26.6

%


26.6

%






















At 30 June


At 30 June

At 31 December


Staff numbers by region


2008



2007



2007


Hong Kong


8,240



7,724



8,033


Mainland 


1,312



843



1,097


Others


58



58



60


Total 


9,610



8,625



9,190




 Full-time equivalent


Operating expenses rose by HK$406 million, or 13.9 per cent, compared with the first half of 2007. Employee compensation and benefits increased by HK$138 million, or 8.6 per cent. Of this amount, salaries and other costs increased by 15.4 per cent, reflecting the increase in headcount and annual salary increment. Performance-related pay expenses were lower while retirement benefit costs increased due to the change in actuarial assumption made on the expected rate of salary increase at the end of last year. General and administrative expenses increased by 19.4 per cent due to rising rental expenses, IT costs and marketing expenses. Rental expenses rose due to increased rents for branches in Hong Kong as well as new branches on the Mainland and the bank's large office premises in Kowloon Bay. Depreciation charges rose by 18.9 per cent, due mainly to the acquisition of equipment, fixtures and fittings for the Kowloon Bay office and the bank's Head Office in Central. Business expansion by Hang Seng China - which grew its network from 23 to 30 outlets and its full-time equivalent staff from 1,097 to 1,312 during the first half of 2008 - also contributed to the increase in operating expenses.


  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Operating expenses (continued)


The group's number of full-time equivalent staff rose by 420 compared with 2007 year-end. In Hong Kong, the expansion of CMB's relationship management and wealth management teams as well as IT systems development needs saw headcount grow by 207, accounting for 49.3 per cent of the total rise in staff number since the beginning of the year. New hires to support Hang Seng China's mainland expansion accounted for the remaining increase.


The cost efficiency ratio for the first half of  2008 was 26.3 per cent, compared with 26.6 per cent for the first and second halves of 2007.



Gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets  



Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007












Net gains from disposal of  










  available-for-sale equity securities


369



248



201












Impairment of available-for-sale

equity securities 


(118

 

)


__

 



__


Gains less losses on disposal of










  investment properties


__

 



20

 



188












Gains less losses on disposal of










  fixed assets


(5

 

)


6

 



53




246

 



274

 



442














Gains less losses from financial investments and fixed assets amounted to HK$246 million, a decrease of HK$28 million compared with the first half of 2007. Net gains from the disposal of available-for-sale equity securities increased by HK$121 million, or 48.8 per cent, comprised mainly of profit realised from the partial disposal of shares held in MasterCard Inc and the redemption of shares in Visa Inc following its IPO early this year. In accordance with the accounting standard, the significant and in some cases, prolonged decline in global equity markets led to an impairment charge of HK$118 million being made for certain available-for-sale equity securities acquired in recent years.



Gain on dilution of investment in associate


In the first half of 2007, the group recorded a dilution gain of HK$1,465 million resulting from its investment in Industrial Bank Co., Ltd. No such gain was made in the first half of 2008.

  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Tax expense


Taxation in the consolidated income statement represents:



Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended



30 June


30 June


31 December


Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007

 












Current tax - provision for 










  Hong Kong profits tax










Tax for the period


1,447

 



1,218

 



1,694


Adjustment in respect of 










  prior periods


(13

 

)


(141

)


__












Current tax - taxation outside










  Hong Kong










Tax for the period


5

 



28

 



1












Deferred tax










Origination and reversal of 










  temporary differences


75

 



45

 



20


Effect of decrease in tax rate










  on deferred tax balances 










  at 1 January


(48)

 

 


__

 



__


Total tax expenses


1,466

 



1,150

 



1,715















The current tax provision is based on the estimated assessable profit for the first half of 2008, and is determined for the bank and its subsidiaries operating in Hong Kong by using the Hong Kong profits tax rate of 16.5 per cent (17.5 per cent in 2007). For subsidiaries and branches operating in other jurisdictions, the appropriate tax rates prevailing in the relevant countries are used. Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised.




  

Hang Seng Bank Limited

Financial Review

(continued)

__________________________________________________________________________________________




Earnings per share


The calculation of earnings per share for the first half of 2008 is based on earnings of HK$9,064 million (HK$8,867 million and HK$9,375 million for the first and second halves of 2007 respectively) and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue of 1,911,842,736 shares (unchanged from the first and second halves of 2007).



Dividends per share



Half-year ended


Half-year ended


Half-year ended




30 June



30 June


31 December




2008



2007



2007



HK$

HK$m


HK$

HK$m


HK$

HK$m



per share



per share



per share













First interim

1.10

 

2,103

 


1.10

2,103


__

__


Second interim

1.10

 

2,103

 


1.10

2,103


__

__


Third interim 

__

 

__

 


__

__


1.10

2,103


Fourth interim

 

__

 

__

 


__

__


3.00

5,736


 

2.20

 

 

         

            4,206

 

 

        

         2.20

 

4,206

 

 

4.10

 

7,839






Segmental analysis 

Segmental information is presented in respect of business and geographical segments. Business by customer group information,
 which is more relevant to the g
roup in making operating and financial decisions, is chosen as the primary reporting format.

For the purpose of segmental analysis, the allocation of revenue reflects the benefits of capital and other funding resources allocated to the customer groups or geographical segments by way of internal capital allocation and fund transfer-pricing mechanisms. Cost allocation is based on the direct costs incurred by the respective customer groups and apportionment of management overheads. Rental charges at market rates for usage of premises are reflected as inter-segment income for the 'Other' customer group and inter-segment expenses for the respective customer groups.

(a)
    By customer group 

The g
roup's
 business comprises five customer groups. Personal Financial Services provides banking (including deposits, credit cards, mortgages and other retail lending) and wealth management services (including private banking, investment and insurance) to personal customers. Commercial Banking manages middle market and smaller corporate relationships and specialises in trade-related financial services. Corporate Banking handles relationships with large corporate and institutional customers. Treasury engages in balance sheet management and proprietary trading. Treasury also manages the funding 
and liquidity positions of the g
roup and other market risk positions arising from banking activities. 'Other' mainly represents management of shareholders' funds and investments in premises, investment properties and equity shares.

 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Segmental analysis 
(continued)

(a)
    By customer group 
(continued)

Profit before tax contributed by the customer groups for the periods stated is set out in the table below. More customer group analysis and discussions are set out in the 'Customer group performance' section on page 11.


Personal 











Financial
Commercial
Corporate






Figures in HK$m
Services

Banking

Banking

Treasury

Other
Total














Half-year ended 30 June 2008

























Profit before tax
5,284

1,703

365

1,983

1,195

10,530

Share of profit before tax
50.2
%
16.2
%
3.5
%
18.8
%
11.3
%
100.0
%













Half-year ended 30 June 2007

























Profit before tax
5,278

1,285

192

571

2,892

10,218

Share of profit before tax
51.7
%
12.6
%
1.8
%
5.6
%
28.3
%
100.0
%













Half-year ended 31 December 2007
























Profit before tax
6,640

1,416

283

1,258

1,656

11,253

Share of profit before tax
59.0
%
12.6
%
2.5
%
11.2
%
14.7
%
100.0
%



 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Segmental analysis 
(continued)
 
(b)
    By geographical region

The geographical regions in this analysis are classified by the location of the principal operations of the subsidiary co
mpanies or, in the case of the b
ank itself, by the location of the branches responsible for reporting the results or advancing the funds.







Mainland



Figures in HK$m
Hong Kong
Americas

and other

Total











Half-year ended 30 June 2008



















Income and expense









Total operating income

16,789

1,296

438

18,523

Profit before tax

8,410

1,273

847

10,530

Capital expenditure incurred 

313

__

54

367











At 30 June 2008



















Total assets

620,326

74,177

53,413

747,916

Total liabilities

658,663

3,453

30,192

692,308

Contingent liabilities and commitments

207,082

__

12,417

219,499











Half-year ended 30 June 2007



















Income and expense









Total operating income

15,001

794

277

16,072

Profit before tax

7,547

776

1,895

10,218

Capital expenditure incurred 

181

__

37

218











At 30 June 2007



















Total assets

639,154

67,972

34,196

741,322

Total liabilities

668,243

3,886

16,245

688,374

Contingent liabilities and commitments

176,613

__

13,218

189,831











Half-year ended 31 December 2007



















Income and expense









Total operating income

18,258

988

374

19,620

Profit before tax

9,603

972

678

11,253

Capital expenditure incurred 

251

__

72

323











At 31 December 2007



















Total assets

630,989

71,082

43,928

745,999

Total liabilities

663,333

4,020

22,190

689,543

Contingent liabilities and commitments

200,462

__

15,007

215,469



 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Cash and balances with banks and other financial institutions


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Cash in hand

3,099


4,626


3,308

Balances with central banks

2,049


562


6,004

Balances with banks and 









  other financial institutions

14,607


7,733


7,552



19,755


12,921


16,864















Placings with and advances to banks and other financial institutions 


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Placing with and advances to
banks and other financial institutions 









  maturing within one month

99,200


73,931


93,370

Placings with and advances to banks and other financial institutions 









    maturing after one month

37,334


20,554


19,659



136,534


94,485


113,029





Trading assets 


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Treasury bills

6,732


4,566


6,303

Certificates of deposit

__


61


__

Other debt securities

5,413


4,870


4,058

Debt securities

12,145


9,497


10,361

Equity shares

6


14


2

Total trading securities

12,151


9,511


10,363

Other


1,538


337


27

Total trading assets

13,689


9,848


10,390














 
This represents amount receivable from counterparties on trading transactions not yet settled.
 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________


 
Financial assets designated at fair value  


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Certificates of deposit

190


198


52

Other debt securities

9,813


4,521


7,860

Debt securities

10,003


4,719


7,912

Equity shares

 
 
2,604 


5,108


5,980



 
12,607 


9,827


13,892















Advances to customers


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Gross advances to customers

338,202


311,952


309,409

Less:









Loan impairment allowances:









- individually assessed

(415
)

(408
)

(417
)
- collectively assessed

(630
)

(572
)

(636
)


337,157


310,972


308,356





















Included in advances to customers are:









- trade bills

3,676


3,491


3,690

- loan impairment allowances

(12
)

(17
)

(14
)


3,664


3,474


3,676














 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Loan impairment allowances against advances to customers























Individually

Collectively




Figures in HK$m

assessed

assessed


Total











At 1 January 2008

417


636


1,053

Amounts written off

(64
)

(157
)

(221
)
Recoveries of advances









  written off in previous years

11


19


30

New impairment allowances









  charged to income statement

109


169


278

Impairment allowances released 









  to income statement

(53
)

(37
)

(90
)
Unwinding of discount of loan









  impairment allowances









  recognised as 'interest income'

(5
)

__


(5
)
At 30 June 2008

415


630


1,045




Total loan impairment allowances as a percentage of gross advances to customers are as follows:


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December



2008


2007


2007



%


%


%











Loan impairment allowances:









- individually assessed

0.12


0.13


0.13

- collectively assessed

0.19


0.18


0.21

Total loan impairment allowances

0.31


0.31


0.34














Total loan impairment allowances as a percentage of gross advances to customers was 0.31 per cent at 30 June 2008, 0.03 
percentage points 
lower than at the end of 2007. Individually assessed allowances as a percentage of gross advances fell by 0.01
 percentage points 
to 0.12 per cent, reflecting recoveries from doubtful accounts and the writing off of irrecoverable balances against impairment allowances
. The percentage of collectively assessed allowances decreased by 0.02
 percentage points 
to
 0.19 per cent, due mainly to the release in impairment allowances made on advances not identified as impaired as a result of the update of the historical loss rates and loan balances used for the first half of 2008
.




 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Impaired advances and allowances


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Gross impaired advances

1,391


1,432


1,261

Individually
assessed allowances 

(415
)

(408
)

(417
)


976


1,024


844











Individually assessed allowances









  as a percentage of









  gross impaired advances

29.8
%

28.5
%

33.1
%










Gross impaired advances 









  as a percentage of gross 









  advances to customers

0.4
%

0.5
%

0.4
%













Impaired advances are those advances where objective evidence exists that full repayment of principal or interest is considered unlikely. 

Gross impaired advances rose by HK$130 million, or 10.3 per cent, to HK$1,391
 million, 
mainly 
due to the downgrade of 
certain commercial banking accounts
 
which is partly offset by the 
write-off of irrecoverable balances against impairment all
owances and customer repayments
.
 
Same as the 
end of 200
7, 
gross impaired advances as a percentage of gross advances to customers 
stayed at 0.4 per cent.
 


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Gross individually assessed









  impaired advances

1,300


1,366


1,183

Individually assessed allowances 

(415
)

(408
)

(417
)


885


958


766











Gross individually assessed









  impaired advances









  as a percentage of









  gross advances to customers

0.4
%

0.4
%

0.4
%










Amount of collateral which









  has been taken into account









  in respect of individually assessed









  impaired advances to customers

848


922


754














 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Impaired advances and allowances
 
(continued)

Collateral includes any tangible security that carries a fair market value and is readily marketable. This includes (but is not limited to) cash and deposits, stocks and bonds, mortgages over properties and charges over other fixed assets such as plant and equipment. Where collateral values are greater than gross advances, only the amount of collateral up to the gross advance 
was included
.


Overdue advances 

Advances to customers that are more than three months overdue and their expression as a percentage of gross advances to customers are as follows:


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December




2008



2007



2007


HK$m

%

HK$m

%

HK$m

%














 
Gross
advances to customers












which have been overdue












with respect to either principal












or interest for periods of: 












 
- more than three months












  but not more than six        months
217

0.1

472

0.1

329

0.1

- more than six months












but not more than one year
164

__

178

0.1

312

0.1

- more than one year
336

0.1

173

0.1

112

__


717

0.2

823

0.3

753

0.2




Advances with a specific repayment date are classified as overdue when the principal or interest is overdue and remains unpaid at period-end. Advances repayable by regular instalments are treated as overdue when an instalment payment is overdue and remains unpaid at period-end. Advances repayable on demand are classified as overdue either when a demand for repayment has been served on the borrower but repayment has not been made in accordance with the demand notice, or when the advances have remained continuously outside the approved limit advised to the borrower for more than the overdue period in question.

Overdue advances fell by 4.8 per cent to HK$717 million at 30 June 2008. Overdue advances as a percentage of gross advances to customers stood at 0.2 per cent, the same as at the end of 2007.

 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Rescheduled advances

Rescheduled advances and their expression as a percentage of gross advances to customers are as follows:


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December




2008



2007



2007


HK$m

%

HK$m

%

HK$m

%

Rescheduled advances 












   
to customers
 
272

0.1

343

0.1

352

0.1

















Rescheduled advances are those advances that have been rescheduled or renegotiated for reasons related to the borrower's financial difficulties. This will normally involve the granting of concessionary terms and resetting the overdue account to non-overdue status. A rescheduled advance will continue to be disclosed as such unless the debt has been performing in accordance with the rescheduled terms for a period of six to 12 months. Rescheduled advances that have been overdue for more than three months under the rescheduled terms are repor
ted as overdue advances (page 42
).

Rescheduled advances decreased by HK$80 million, or 22.7 per cent, to HK$272 million at 30 June 2008, representing 0.1 per cent of gross advances to customers (unchanged from the previous year-end).


Segmental analysis of advances to customers by geographical area

Advances to customers by geographical area are classified according to the location of the counterparties after taking into account the transfer of risk. In general, risk transfer applies when an advance is guaranteed by a party located in an area that is different from that of the counterparty. At 30 June 2008, about 90 per cent (over 90 per cent at 30 June 2007 and 31 December 2007) of the 
g
roup's advances to customers, including related impaired advances and overdue advances, were classified under 
Hong Kong
. There was no geographical segment other than 
Hong Kong
 to which the 
b
ank's advances to customers is not less than 10 per cent of the total loans and advances.

 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Gross advances to customers by industry sector

The analysis of gross advances to customers by industry sector based on categories and definitions used by the HKMA is as follows:


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December



2008


2007


2007

Figures in HK$m

















Gross advances to customers for









  use in 
Hong Kong



















Industrial, commercial and









  financial sectors









Property development

20,658


17,855


20,431

Property investment

62,251


51,461


54,676

Financial concerns

2,468


1,917


3,232

Stockbrokers

313


7,976


524

Wholesale and retail trade

6,875


6,084


6,034

Manufacturing

13,767


8,098


8,311

Transport and transport equipment

8,837


9,431


9,368

Recreational activities

235


211


218

Information technology

1,051


911


913

Other

20,380


39,822


21,396



136,835


143,766


125,103

Individuals









Advances for the purchase of flats under 









  the Government Home Ownership









  Scheme, Private Sector Participation 









  Scheme and Tenants Purchase Scheme

17,934


19,126


18,437

Advances for the purchase of other









  residential properties

94,792


82,983


85,923

Credit card advances

11,685


9,804


11,354

Other

13,698


8,970


13,155



138,109


120,883


128,869

Total gross advances for









  use in 
Hong Kong

274,944


264,649


253,972

Trade finance

25,206


21,988


22,995

Gross advances for









  use outside 
Hong Kong

38,052


25,315


32,442

Gross advances to customers

338,202


311,952


309,409











    





 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Gross advances to customers by industry sector 
(continued)

Gross advances to customers rose by HK$28.8 billion, or 9.3 per cent, to HK$338.2 billion compared with the previous year-end.

New financing for CIB customers was active, reflecting strong growth in property investment lending to keep stride with the buoyant property market. Lending to the manufacturing industry and wholesale and retail sector grew by 65.6 per cent and 13.9 per cent respectively. Advances to the financial concerns and stockbrokers sectors fell by 23.6 per cent and 40.3 per cent respectively. Lending to the 'Other' sector fell by 4.7 per cent, due mainly to the decrease in advances to non-stockbroking companies. 

Trade finance recorded satisfactory growth of 9.6 per cent, reflecting CMB's achievements in broadening its range of product and service offerings for small and medium-sized enterprise ('SME') customers. CMB also enlarged its servicing teams and expanded deliv
ery channels to strengthen the b
ank's position as the preferred bank for SMEs in 
Hong Kong
.

Lending to individuals recorded a rise of 7.2 per cent. Excluding the fall in Government Home Ownership Scheme ('GHOS') mortgages, lending to individ
uals grew by 8.8 per cent. The b
ank enhanced its straight-through application 
capabilities available
 via its comprehensive e-mortgage channel and offered consultancy services to deliver personalised home-financing solutions. 
Supported by 
these efforts, residential mortgage lending to individuals
 rose by 10.3 per cent and the b
ank maintained its position as one of the market leaders in an intensely competitive sector. Mortgages under the GHOS fell at a slower pace of 2.7 per cent due to new loan drawdowns following the Housing Authority's re-launch of GHOS flat sales in early 2007. 

Sustained strong consumer spending saw card advances grow by 2.9 per cent, supported by a rise of 7.9 per cent in the number of cards in issue and a 19.3 per cent increase in cardholder spending. Lending to the 'Other' sector - mainly personal loans and overdrafts - increased by 4.1 per cent, due in part to a series of successful promotional initiatives.

Loans for use outside 
Hong Kong
 increased by HK$5,610 million, or 17.3 per cent, compared with the end of 2007. This was due largely to the 14.7 per cent expansion of 
m
ainland loan portfolios, which reached HK$29.8 billion. Strong growth was recorded in corporate lending, driven by renminbi loans. Trade finance 
o
the M
ainland rose significantly by 55.5 per cent, benefiting from the 
b
ank's strong capabilities and experience, premium services, and broad customer base in the Pearl River Delta region. Residential mortgage business grew by 4.7 per cent.
 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Financial investments 


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Available-for-sale at fair value:









- debt securities

156,464


230,075


 
220,998

- equity shares

2,987


2,802


4,299

Held-to-maturity debt securities 









   
at amortised cost

25,203


18,314


 
18,997



184,654


251,191


244,294











Fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities

24,720


17,556


19,526











Treasury bills

3,796


3,629


3,089

Certificates of deposit

21,694


25,635


30,247

Other debt securities

156,177


219,125


206,659

Debt securities

181,667


248,389


239,995

Equity shares

2,987


2,802


4,299



184,654


251,191


244,294




Available-for-sale investments include treasury bills, certificates of deposit, other debt securities and equity shares intended to be held for an indefinite period of time, but which may be sold in response to needs for liquidity or changes in the market environment. Available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value with the gains and losses from changes in fair value recognised through equity reserves.

Held-to-maturity debt securities are stated at amortised cost. Where debt securities have been purchased at a premium or discount, the carrying value of the security is adjusted to reflect the effective interest rate of the debt security taking into account such premium or discount. 

Financial investments fell by HK$59,640 million, or 24.4 per cent, against last year-end, due mainly to the shift of funds from money market instruments to the interbank market in light of continued volatility in the credit market
. At 30 June 2008, about 92 per cent of the Group's financial investments were 
assigned with 
grade A or above
 
by rating agencies. The Group did not h
old
 any sub
-
prime related assets such as collaterali
s
ed debt obligations, mortgages and asset
-
backed securities
, and
 
structured investment vehicles
 at 30 June 2008
.


Investments in associates


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Share of net assets

6,848


5,007


5,894

Goodwill 

301


272


283



7,149


5,279


6,177




Investment
s
 in associates increased by HK$972 million, mai
nly due to the increase in the b
ank's share of net assets of 
Industrial Bank Co., Ltd.
 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Other assets


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











 
Items in the course of collection









  from other banks

6,856
 


21,350
 


6,193

Prepayments
and accrued income

3,072


3,990


4,433

 
Deferred tax assets

5


1


 
1

Assets held for sale









 
- Repossessed assets

99


111


 
116

 
- Other assets held for sale

62


915


 
83

Acceptances and endorsements

3,834


3,237


3,294

 
Retirement benefit assets

88


1,366


 
109

 
Other accounts

2,194


1,763


 
1,237



16,210


32,733


 
15,466














 
Current, savings and other deposit accounts


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Current, savings and 









  other deposit accounts:









- as stated in consolidated balance









  sheet

535,148


512,450


546,653

- structured deposits reported as









  trading liabilities

31,067


27,571


24,162



566,215


540,021


570,815

By type:









- demand and current accounts

37,674


36,555


34,130

- savings accounts

259,058


227,101


254,976

- time and other deposits

269,483


276,365


281,709



566,215


540,021


570,815




 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











 
 
Certificates of deposit and  









 other debt securities in issue:









 
- as stated in consolidated balance 









  sheet

4,026


7,282


5,685

 
   - structured certificates of deposit 









  and other debt securities in issue









  reported as trading liabilities

9,867


11,116


14,087

 

13,893


18,398


19,772











By type: 









- certificates of deposit in issue

4,660


13,504


9,212

- other debt securities in issue

9,233


4,894


10,560



13,893


18,398


19,772
























Customer deposits and certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue fell by 1.8 per cent to HK$580.1 billion, with notable 
reductions 
in time deposits, structured certificates of deposit and other debt securities in issue. Structured deposits, however, recorded an increase of
 28.6 per cent, reflecting the b
ank's efforts to broaden the range of investment options and yield enhancement products available to meet 
the 
diverse needs
 of its customers
.

In tandem with the expanding scope of renminbi banking services offered by Hang Seng 
China
, deposits from m
ainland branches registered
 very strong
 growth of 94.1 per cent. Hang Seng 
China
 will continue to expand its number of outlets and provide premium customer service and comprehensive renminbi services to grow its customer base. In order to further grow personal banking and wealth management business, a variety of investment-linked deposit products are being offered to customers on the Mainland.

 
Trading liabilities


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Structured certificates of deposit and









  other debt securities in issue

9,867


11,116


14,087

Structured deposits

31,067


27,571


24,162

Short positions in securities and other

12,833


5,607


9,902



53,767


44,294


48,151














 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Other liabilities


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007











Items in the course of transmission









  to other banks

7,951


13,332


8,407

Accruals

2,775


2,805


3,836

Acceptances and endorsements

3,834


3,237


3,294

Retirement benefit liabilities

1,098


__


633

Other

1,971


2,749


1,680



17,629


22,123


17,850














 
Subordinated liabilities



At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m


200
8


2007


2007












Nominal value
Description




















Amount owed to third parties




















 
HK$1,500 million
 
Callable floating rate










  subordinated notes










  due June 2015

1,497


1,496


1,497












HK$1,000 million
4.125 per cent callable










  fixed rate subordinated









 
  notes due June 2015 

979


969


989












US$450 million
Callable floating rate 










  subordinated notes










  due July 2016 

3,498


3,503


3,497












US$300 million
Callable floating rate 










  subordinated notes










  due July 2017 

2,332


2,342


2,332












Amount owed to HSBC Group undertakings




















US$260 million
Callable floating rate










  subordinated loan debt










  due December 2015

2,028


2,032


2,028




10,334


10,342


10,343

Representing:










- measured at amortised cost

9,355


9,373


9,354

- designated at fair value

979


969


989




10,334


10,342


10,343












Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Subordinated liabilities
 
(continued)

There was no subordinated debt issued during the first half of 2008. The outstanding subordinated notes, which qualify as supplement
ary capital, serve to help the b
ank maintain a more balanced capital structure and support business growth.

 
Shareholders' funds 


At 30 June

At 30 June
At 31 December


Figures in HK$m

2008


2007


2007













Share capital

9,559


9,559


9,559


Retained profits

37,358


32,706


32,873


Premises revaluation reserve

4,094


3,621


3,639


Cash flow hedges reserve

(11
)

(206
)

144


Available-for-sale investment
s
 reserve










- on debt securities

(2,214
)

(575
)

(841
)

- on equity securities

1,352


1,595


2,733


Capital redemption reserve

99


99


99


Other reserves

3,268


2,129


2,514


Total reserves

43,946


39,369


41,161




53,505


48,928


50,720


Proposed dividends

2,103


2,103


5,736


Shareholders' funds

55,608


51,031


56,456













Return on average shareholders' funds
32.8%
36.6%
34.3%


 
 
Shareholders' funds (excluding proposed dividends) grew by HK$2,785 million, or 5.5 per cent, to HK$53,505 million at 30 June 2008. Retained profits rose by HK$4,485 million, mainly reflecting the growth in attributable profit (excluding first and second interim dividends) during the period. The premises revaluation reserve increased by HK$455 million on the back of the strong property market
. The available-for-sale investments reserve on debt securities showed a deficit of HK$2,214 million compared with a deficit of HK$841 million at last year-end, reflecting the significant widening of credit spreads due to continued credit market disruption. During the period, the Group has assessed that there are no objective indications that the debt securities have suffered 
any 
impairment
,
 and 
thus, 
no im
pairment loss has been recognized.
 The available-for-sale investment
s
 reserve on equity securities was reduced by HK$1,381 million to HK$1,352 million since last year-end, mainly attributable to the decrease in the fair value of 
certain 
equity securities which were
 not impaired but
 adversely affected by the slowdown of the equities market. 

In accordance with the accounting standard, we have written down the value of certain 
impaired 
equity securities acquired in recent years amounted to HK$118 million and recognised through the income statement as a result of the significant and in some case, prolonged decline in global equity markets. 

The return on average shareholders' funds was 32.8 per cent, compared with 36.6 per cent for the first half of 2007 and 34.3 per cent for the second half of 2007.

There was no purchase, sale or redemp
tion by the b
ank, or any of its subsidiaries, of the 
b
ank's securities during the first half of 2008.
 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Capital resources management

Analysis of capital base and risk-weighted assets


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December


Figures in HK$m

2008


2007

2007












Capital base










Core capital:










- Share capital

9,559


9,559


9,559


- Retained profits

33,262


27,546


29,437


- Classified as regulatory reserve

   (1,061
)

(572
)

(911
)

- Less: goodwill

(301)

(272)

(283)

- Less: 50 per cent of total 










  unconsolidated investments and 










  other deductions

(6,430
)

(2,416
)

(5,875
 ) 

- Total core capital

35,029


33,845


31,927













Supplementary capital:










   - Fair value gains on the revaluation  










  of property

3,750


3,328


3,466


-Fair value gains on the      
revaluation 










of available-for-sale investment










  and equity 

507


599


823


- Collective impairment allowances

68


572


636


- Regulatory reserve

127


572


911


- Term subordinated debt 

10,354


10,343


10,354


- Less: 50 per cent of total 










 unconsolidated investments      
and










other deductions

(
6,430
)

(2,416
)

(5,875
)

- Total supplementary capital

8,376


12,998


10,315











Total capital base after deductions

43,405


46,843


42,242











Risk-weighted assets









- Credit risk

272,701


348,698


342,798

- Market risk

2,333


1,313


2,166

- Operational risk

36,314


30,377


33,558



311,348


380,388


378,522











Capital adequacy ratio
13.9%
12.3%
11.2%
Core capital ratio
11.3%
8.9%
8.4%



 
 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Capital resources management 
(continued)

Capital ratios at 30 June 2008 were compiled in accordance with the Banking (Capital) Rules ('the Capital Rules') issued by the HKMA under section 98A of the Hong Kong Banking Ordinance for the implementation of Basel II, which came into effect on 1 January 2007. Having obtained approval from the HKMA to adopt the 'foundation internal ratings-based approach' ('FIRB') to calculate the risk-weighted assets for credit
 risk from 1 January 2008, the b
ank used the FIRB approach to calculate its credit risk exposure at 30 June 2008. The standardised (operational risk) approach and internal models approach were used to calculate its operational risk and market risk respectively. The capital adequacy ratio and core capital ratio at 31 December 2007 were calculated using the standardised (credit risk) approach ('STC'). As there are significant differences between the FIRB and STC approaches, the capital ratios of the two periods are not directly comparable.

The basis of consolidation for calculation of capital ratios under the Capital Rules follows the basis of consolidation for financial reporting with the exclusion of subsidiaries which are 'regulated financial entities' (e.g. insurance and securities companies) as defined by the Capital Rules. Accordingly, the investment costs of these unconsolidated regulated financial entities are deducted from the capital base.

In accordance with the HKMA guideline 
Impact of the New Hong Kong Accounting Standards on Authorised Institutions' Capital Base and Regulatory Reporting
, the g
roup has earmarked a 'regulatory reserve' of HK$1,061 million from retained profits. 

 
Liquidity ratio

The average liquidity ratio for the periods indicated, calculated in accordance with the Fourth Schedule of the Hong Kong Banking Ordinance, is as follows:


Half-year ended

Half-year ended

Half-year ended



30 June


30 June

31 December



 
2008


 
2007


2007











The b
ank and its subsidiaries 









  designated by the HKMA 

47.3
%

52.9
%

53.0
%













 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Reconciliation of cash flow statement 

(a)
    Reconciliation of operating profit to net cash flow from operating activities


Half year ended

Half year ended



30 June


30 June

Figures in HK$m
    

2008


2007








Operating profit

9,112


7,773

Net interest income

(8,252
)

(6,696
)
Dividend income

(54 )
)

(26
) )
Loan impairment charges and other






  credit risk provisions

188


280

Impairment of available-for-sale equity securities

118


__

Depreciation

201


169

Amortisation of intangible assets

27


11

Amortisation of available-for-sale investments

(333
)

(392
 )
Amortisation of held-to-maturity debt securities

__


(2
)
Advances written off net of recoveries

(192
)

(215
)
Interest received

7,021


12,029

Interest paid

(4,818
)

(9,372
)
Operating profit before changes in working capital

3,018


3,559

Change in treasury bills and certificates of deposit






  with original maturity more than three months

9,223


(3,108
 )
Change in placings with and advances to banks






  maturing after one month

(17,675
)

3,429
)
Change in trading assets

(2,881
))

1,677

Change in financial assets designated at fair value

(125
)

(472
)
Change in derivative financial instruments

3,069


806

Change in advances to customers

(28,797
)

(31,685
)
Change in other assets

(3,354
)

4,164

Change in financial liabilities designated at fair value

(10
)

486

Change in current, savings and other deposit accounts

(11,505
)

29,125

Change in deposits from banks

(1,101
))

40,154

Change in trading liabilities

5,616


(15,799
 )
Change in certificates of deposit and






  other debt securities in issue

(1,659
)

(313
)
Change in other liabilities

4,724


(15,665
 )
Elimination of exchange differences






  and other non-cash items

(3,435
)

(3,560
 )
Cash 
(used in)/
generated from operating activities

(44,892
))

12,798

Taxation paid

(26
)

(422
 )
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating activities

(44,918
))

12,376




 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Reconciliation of cash flow statement 
(continued)

(b)
    Analysis of the balances of cash and cash equivalents


At 30 June

At 30 June

Figures in HK$m

2008


2007








Cash and balances with banks and






  other financial institutions

19,755


12,921

Placings with and advances to banks and other 






  financial institutions maturing within one month

96,126


71,487

Treasury bills

5,371


6,258

Certificates of deposit

2,882


445



124,134


91,111




 
Contingent liabilities, commitments and derivatives





Credit 

Risk-


Contract
equivalent
weighted

Figures in HK$m

amount

amount

amount









At 30 June 2008















Direct credit substitutes

3,554

3,554

1,775

Transaction-related contingencies

1,233

616

555

Trade-related contingencies

11,203

2,241

1,460

Forward asset purchases

196

196

196

Undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines







  and other commitments to lend:







not unconditionally cancellable


33,121

23,389

8,318

- unconditionally cancellable

147,070

28,
786

5,527



196,377

58,
782

17,831









Exchange rate contracts:







Spot and forward foreign exchange

487,800

7,351

1,852

Other exchange rate contracts

80,674

1,777

870



568,474

9,128

2,722









Interest rate contracts:







Interest rate swaps

226,277

2,078

406

Other interest rate contracts

262

1

__



226,539

2,079

406









Other derivative contracts

29,714

2,948

1,678












 The contract amount for undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines and other commitments to lend with original maturity of 'not more than one year' and 'more than one year' were HK$16,028 million and HK$17,093 million respectively.


Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Contingent liabilities, commitments and derivatives
 (continued)





Credit 

Risk-


Contract
equivalent
weighted



amount

amount

amount

Figures in HK$m
(restated)













At 30 June 2007















Direct credit substitutes

4,167

4,167

3,43
7

Transaction-related contingencies

677

339

335

Trade-related contingencies

10,911

2,182

2,172

Forward asset purchases

45

45

45

Undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines







  and other commitments to lend:







- not more than one year

29,3
23

5,865

5,865

- more than one year

17,384

8,692

7,40
9

- unconditionally cancellable

110,015

__

__



17
2,5
22

21,290

19,263









Exchange rate contracts:







Spot and forward foreign exchange

390,707

4,
601

1,1
80

Other exchange rate contracts

20,295

50
4

12
3



411,002

5,105

1,303









Interest rate contracts:







Interest rate swaps

176,490

1,524

347

Other interest rate contracts

323

1

__



176,813

1,525

347









Other derivative contracts

8,860

637

293












 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Contingent liabilities, commitments and derivatives
 (continued)





Credit 

Risk-


Contract
equivalent
weighted

Figures in HK$m

amount

amount

amount









At 31 December 2007















Direct credit substitutes

4,651

4,651

3,638

Transaction-related contingencies

812

406

398

Trade-related contingencies

10,274

2,055

2,045

Forward asset purchases

115

115

115

Undrawn formal standby facilities, credit lines







  and other commitments to lend:







- not more than one year

20,253

4,051

4,051

- more than one year

15,973

7,986

6,752

- unconditionally cancellable

145,641

__

__



197,719

19,264

16,999









Exchange rate contracts:







Spot and forward foreign exchange

580,889

7,606

2,196

Other exchange rate contracts

25,957

803

189



606,846

8,409

2,385









Interest rate contracts:







Interest rate swaps

189,703

2,121

520

Other interest rate contracts

312

__

__



190,015

2,121

520









Other derivative contracts

26,709

2,294

1,263













The tables above give the nominal contract, credit equivalent and risk-weighted amounts of off-balance-sheet transactions. The credit equivalent amounts are calculated for the purposes of deriving the risk-weighted amounts. The nominal contract amounts, credit equivalent amounts, risk-weighted amounts and the consolidation basis for the periods indicated were calculated in accordance with the Banking (Capital) Rules issued by the HKMA, which came into effect on 1 January 2007. 

For the above analysis, contingent liabilities and commitments are credit-related instruments that include acceptances and endorsements, letters of credit, guarantees and commitments to extend credit. The risk involved is essentially the same as the credit risk involved in extending loan facilities to customers. These transactions are, therefore, subject to the same credit origination, portfolio maintenance and collateral requirements as for customers applying for loans. 
As the facilities may expire without being drawn upon, the total of the contract amounts is not representative of future liquidity requirements.





Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Contingent liabilities, commitments and derivatives
 (continued)

Derivative financial instruments are held for trading or designated as either fair value hedges or cash flow hedges. The following table shows the nominal contract amounts and marked-to-market value of assets and liabilities by class of derivatives. 


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December


2008

 
2007

2007

Figures in HK$m
Trading

Hedging

 
Trading

 
Hedging

Trading

Hedging














Contract amounts:












Interest rate contracts
149,919

77,233

110,819

66,737

129,861

60,232

Exchange
rate contracts
732,597

__

557,212

__

725,862

__

Other
derivative contracts 
46,185

__

13,120

__

43,983

__


928,701

77,233

681,151

66,737

899,706

60,232














Derivative assets:












Interest rate contracts
987

562

412

650

703

935

Exchange
rate contracts
3,326

__

1,214

__

2,512

__

Other
derivative contracts
1,168

__

72

__

552

__


5,481

562

1,698

650

3,767

935














Derivative liabilities:












Interest rate contracts
1,041

256

580

185

777

148

Exchange
rate contracts
2,667

__

1,260

__

2,073

__

Other
derivative contracts
4,918

__

93

__

1,685

__


8,626

256

1,933

185

4,535

148




The above derivative assets and liabilities, being the positive or negative marked-to-market value of the respective derivative contracts, represent gross replacement costs, as none of these contracts are subject to any bilateral netting arrangements.

 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Additional information
 
 
1.         Statutory accounts and accounting policies
 
 
The information
 in this news
 release is not audited and does not constitute statutory accounts.

Certain fin
ancial information in this news
 release is extracted from the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2007 ('2007 accounts'), which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the HKMA. The auditors expressed an unqualified opinion on those statutory accounts in their report dated 3 March 2008.

Disclosures required by the Banking (Disclosure) Rules issued by
 the HKMA are contained in the b
ank's Interim Report which will be published on the websites of The Stock Exchang
e of Hong Kong Limited and the b
ank on the
 date of the issue of this news
 release.

This news
 release has been prepared on a basis consistent with the accounting policies adopted in the 2007 accounts
 except for the following:

HK(IFRIC)-Int 11 'Group and Treasury Share Transactions' is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 March 2007. On application of this interpretation, with effect from 1 January 2008, the 
g
roup has recognised all share-based payment transactions as equity-settled. In prior years, certain share-based payment transactions involving principally achievement and restricted 
share awards were recognis
ed as cash-settled transactions, whereby a liability was recognised in respect of the fair value of such awards at each reporting date. With effect from 1 January 2008, when these are recognised as equity-settled transactions, the fair value of the awards at grant date are recognised in 'Other reserves' under shareholders' equity, instead of the fair value being remeasured at each reporting date as a liability. The application of the HK(IFRIC)-Int 11 does not have significant financial and presentation effects on the 
g
roup's financial statements. As a result, no restatement of comparative figures was made as the amounts were immaterial.

 
2.
    Comparative figures

Certain comparative figures have been reclassified to conform with the current period's presentation.

 
3.
    Acquisition

On 31 January 2008, the b
ank signed an agreement to subscribe for 20 per cent of the enlarged share capital of Yantai City Commercial Bank ('YTCCB') - one of the largest city commercial banks in Shandong province - for a total consideration of RMB800 million. Upon completion of the acquisition, which is subject to the relevant regulatory and YTCCB shareholder approvals, the 
b
ank will become the largest shareholder of YTCCB.
 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Additional information
 
(continued)

4.
    Property revaluation

A revaluation of Hang Seng's premises and investment properties in 
Hong Kong
 was performed in June 2008 to reflect property market movements in the first half of 2008. The group's premises and investment properties were revalued by DTZ Debenham Tie Leung Limited, an independent professional valuer, and carried out by qualified persons who are members of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors. 
The basis of the valuation of premises was open market value for existing use and the basis of valuation for investment properties was open market value. The revaluation surplus for 
g
roup premises amounted to HK$598 million of which HK$39 million was a reversal of revaluation deficits previously charged to the income statement. The balance of HK$559 million was credited to the premises revaluation reserve. Revaluation gains of HK$190 million on investment properties were recognised through the income statement. The relat
ed deferred tax provisions for g
roup premises and investment properties were HK$99 million and HK$31 million respectively.

The revaluation exercise also covered business premises/investment properties reclassified as properties held for sale. In accordance with HKFRS 5, there was no revaluation gain/loss recognised through the income statement.

 
5.
    Foreign currency positions 

Foreign currency exposures include those arising from trading, non-trading and structural positions. Net option position is calculated on the basis of delta-weighted positions of all foreign exchange options contracts. At 30 June 2008, the US dollar (US$) and renminbi (RMB) were the currencies in which the 
g
roup had non-structural foreign currency positions that 
were 
not less than 10 per cent of the total net position 
in all foreign currencies. The g
roup 
also 
had a renminbi structural foreign currency position, which was not less than 10 percent of the total net structural position in all foreign currencies.


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December

Figures in HK$m


2008



2007



2007


US$

RMB

US$

RMB

US$

RMB

Non-structural position












Spot assets
211,580

41,181

218,083

22,021

227,698

26,160

Spot liabilities
(195,205
)
(42,101
)
(212,016
)
(22,935
)
(184,258
)
(26,149
)
Forward purchases
284,711

44,852

241,832

4,049

298,806

26,549

Forward sales
(298,470
)
(45,877
)
(238,922
)
(6,144
)
(335,592
)
(28,330
)
Net option position
(29
)
__

60

__

32

__

Net long/(short) non-structural position
2,587

(1,945
)
9,037

(3,009
)
6,686

(1,770
)
















 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Additional information
 
(continued)

5.
    Foreign currency positions 
(continued)

At 30 June 2008, the g
roup's major structural foreign currency positions were in US$ and RMB.


At 30 June

At 30 June

At 31 December




2008



2007



2007




% of  



% of  



% of  




total net



total net



total net




structural



structural



structural


HK$m

position

HK$m

position

HK$m

position

Structural positions












US dollar
287

2.2

287

2.9

286

2.5

Renminbi
12,265

96.0

9,469

95.9

10,752

95.8





6.
    Ultimate holding company

Hang Seng Bank is an indirectly held, 62.14 per cent-owned, subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc
.

 
7.
    Register of shareholders

The register of shareholders of Hang Seng Bank will be closed on Wednesday, 20 August 2008, during which no transfer of shares can be registered. In order to qualify for the second interim dividend, all transfers, accompanied by the relevant share certificates, must be lodged with the Bank's registrars, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, Rooms 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong, for registration no later than 4:30 pm on Tuesday, 19 August 2008. The second interim dividend will be payable on Thursday, 4 September 2008 to shareholders on the register of shareholders of the Bank on Wednesday, 20 August 2008. Shares of the Bank will be traded ex-dividend as from Monday, 18 August 2008.

 
8.
    Proposed timetable for the remaining 2008 quarterly dividends 


Third
Fourth

interim dividend
interim dividend



Announcement
3 November 2008
2 March 2009
Book close and record date
20 November 2008
18 March 2009
Payment date
10 December 2008
31 March 2009



 
 

Hang Seng Bank Limited
Financial Review
(continued)
__________________________________________________________________________________________



Additional information
 
(continued)

9. 
    Code on Corporate Governance Practices

The b
ank is committed to high standards of corporate governance and follows the module on 'Corporate Governance of Locally Incorporated Authorised Institutions' under the Supervisory Policy Manual issued by the Hon
g Kong Monetary Authority. The b
ank has also followed all the code provisions set out in the Code on Corporate Governance Practices contained in Appendix 14 of the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited throughout the six months ended 30 June 2008.

The Audit Committee of the b
ank has reviewed the results for the six months ended 30 June 2008.

 
10. 
    Board of Directors

As at 4 August 2008, the Board of 
Directors of the b
ank comprises Dr Raymond K F Ch'ien* (Chairman), Mr Raymond C F Or (Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive), Mr Edgar D Ancona
#
, Mr John C C Chan*, Mr Patrick K W Chan, Dr Y T Cheng*, Dr Marvin K T Cheung*, Mr 
Alexander A Flockhart
#
, Mr Jenkin Hui*, Mr Peter T C Lee*, Dr Eric K C Li*, Dr Vincent H S Lo
#
, Mr Joseph C Y Poon, Dr David W K Sin*, Mr Richard Y S Tang* and Mr Peter T S Wong
#
.

*
    Independent non-executive Directors
#
    Non-executive Directors

 
11.
    
News
 release

Copies of this news
 release may be obtained from Legal and Company Secretarial Services Department, Level 10, 
83 Des Voeux Road
 Central, 
Hong Kong
; or from Hang Seng's website 
www.hangseng.com
.

The 2008 Interim Report and Financial Statements, which contains all disclosures required by the Banking (Disclosure) Rules issued by the HKMA, will be published on the websites of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and Hang Seng Bank on the
 date of the issue of this news
 release. Printed copies of the 2008 Interim Report will be sent to shareholders in late August 2008.

Media
 enquiries to
:

Walter Cheung 
Telephone: (852) 2198 4020
Michelle Chan
Telephone: (852) 2198 4236




 

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

HSBC Holdings plc

                                                                                                       By:       

                                                                                                                          Name: P A Stafford

                                                                                                                                            Title: Assistant Group Secretary

                                                                                                                                                               Date: August 04, 2008