HSBC 2011 Annual Report Download - page 301

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Overview Operating & Financial Review Corporate Governance Financial Statements Shareholder Information
estimate the amount of loans that will eventually be written off as a result of the events occurring before the
balance sheet date which HSBC is not able to identify on an individual loan basis, and that can be reliably
estimated. Under this methodology, loans are grouped into ranges according to the number of days past due
and statistical analysis is used to estimate the likelihood that loans in each range will progress through the
various stages of delinquency, and ultimately prove irrecoverable. In addition to the delinquency groupings,
loans are segmented according to their credit characteristics as described above. Current economic
conditions are also evaluated when calculating the appropriate level of allowance required to cover inherent
loss. The estimated loss is the difference between the present value of expected future cash flows,
discounted at the original effective interest rate of the portfolio, and the carrying amount of the portfolio. In
certain highly developed markets, sophisticated models also take into account behavioural and account
management trends as revealed in, for example, bankruptcy and rescheduling statistics.
− When the portfolio size is small or when information is insufficient or not reliable enough to adopt a roll
rate methodology, HSBC adopts a basic formulaic approach based on historical loss rate experience.
In normal circumstances, historical experience provides the most objective and relevant information from which
to assess inherent loss within each portfolio, though sometimes it provides less relevant information about the
inherent loss in a given portfolio at the balance sheet date, for example, when there have been changes in
economic, regulatory or behavioural conditions which result in the most recent trends in portfolio risk factors
being not fully reflected in the statistical models. In these circumstances, the risk factors are taken into account
by adjusting the impairment allowances derived solely from historical loss experience.
These additional portfolio risk factors may include recent loan portfolio growth and product mix, unemployment
rates, bankruptcy trends, geographic concentrations, loan product features (such as the ability of borrowers to
repay adjustable-rate loans where reset interest rates give rise to increases in interest charges), economic
conditions such as national and local trends in housing markets and interest rates, portfolio seasoning, account
management policies and practices, current levels of write-offs, changes in laws and regulations and other factors
which can affect customer payment patterns on outstanding loans, such as natural disasters. These risk factors,
where relevant, are taken into account when calculating the appropriate level of impairment allowances by
adjusting the impairment allowances derived solely from historical loss experience.
Roll rates, loss rates and the expected timing of future recoveries are regularly benchmarked against actual
outcomes to ensure they remain appropriate.
Write-off of loans and advances
Loans (and the related impairment allowance accounts) are normally written off, either partially or in full, when
there is no realistic prospect of recovery. Where loans are secured, this is generally after receipt of any proceeds
from the realisation of security. In circumstances where the net realisable value of any collateral has been
determined and there is no reasonable expectation of further recovery, write-off may be earlier.
Reversals of impairment
If the amount of an impairment loss decreases in a subsequent period, and the decrease can be related objectively
to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the excess is written back by reducing the loan
impairment allowance account accordingly. The write-back is recognised in the income statement.
Reclassified loans and advances
Where financial assets have been reclassified out of the fair value through profit or loss category to the loans and
receivables category, the effective interest rate determined at the date of reclassification is used to calculate any
impairment losses.
Following reclassification, where there is a subsequent increase in the estimates of future cash receipts as a result
of increased recoverability of those cash receipts, the effect of that increase is recognised as an adjustment to the
effective interest rate from the date of change in the estimate rather than as an adjustment to the carrying amount
of the asset at the date of change in the estimate.