Sustainable investments risk disclosure
- “Sustainable investments” include investment approaches or instruments which consider environmental, social, governance and/or other sustainability factors (collectively, “sustainability”) to varying degrees. Certain instruments we include within this category may be in the process of changing to deliver sustainability outcomes.
- There is no guarantee that sustainable investments will produce returns similar to those which don’t consider these factors. Sustainable investments may diverge from traditional market benchmarks.
- In addition, there is no standard definition of, or measurement criteria for sustainable investments, or the impact of sustainable investments (“sustainability impact”). Sustainable investment and sustainability impact measurement criteria are (a) highly subjective and (b) may vary significantly across and within sectors.
- Sustainable investment and sustainability impact measurement criteria are (a) highly subjective and (b) may vary significantly across and within sectors.
- HSBC may rely on measurement criteria devised and/or reported by third party providers or issuers. HSBC does not always conduct its own specific due diligence in relation to measurement criteria. There is no guarantee: (a) that the nature of the sustainability impact or measurement criteria of an investment will be aligned with any particular investor’s sustainability goals; or (b) that the stated level or target level of sustainability impact will be achieved.
- Sustainable investing is an evolving area and new regulations may come into effect which may affect how an investment is categorised or labelled. An investment which is considered to fulfil sustainable criteria today may not meet those criteria at some point in the future.
Green, Social and Sustainability Bonds risk disclosure
- Green, Social and Sustainability (GSS) Bond labelling is a voluntary and recommended process and framework established by ICMA, the International Capital Markets Association. It aims to promote the integrity of the green, social and sustainability bond market. The intention is to encourage transparency and disclose on the specific use of proceeds to show investors the environmental and/or social projects financed by the financial instrument. The ICMA framework recommends a specific approved list of use of proceeds, a process for project evaluation and selection, management of proceeds and annual reporting on use of proceeds.
- Although the use of proceeds for a GSS bond can be verified by a second party opinion, third party verification or other equivalent process, the Bank cannot guarantee the issuer will indeed manage the use of proceeds to fund green or social projects throughout the life of the outstanding bond as there is no legal way to enforce the declared use of proceeds.
Sustainability-linked bonds:
- Sustainability-linked bonds are any type of bond instrument for which the financial and/or structural characteristics can vary depending on whether the issue achieves predefined sustainability/ESG objectives. sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) labelling is a voluntary and recommended process and framework established by ICMA, the International Capital Markets Association. The objectives are (i) measured through predefined key performance indicators (KPIs) and (ii) assessed against predefined sustainability performance targets (SPTs). There is no guarantee SLBs will deliver on their sustainability performance targets and the proceeds of the instrument are not tied to specific environmental and/or social projects.
- Although the progress made against the KPIs and SPTs can be verified by a second party opinion, third party verification or other equivalent process, the Bank cannot guarantee the issuer of the financial instrument is making progress against those sustainability/ESG objectives.
Risk disclosure for stocks:
- Stocks may be considered as part of a healthy, diversified portfolio.
- Investment involves risk. You should carefully consider whether any investment products or services mentioned herein are appropriate for you in view of your investment experience, objectives, financial resources and relevant circumstances. The price of stocks may move up or down. Losses may be incurred as well as profits made as a result of buying and selling stocks. Frequent trading in stocks will incur greater fees, in terms of brokerage and associated trading costs, notwithstanding the offer of preferential rates, and this may impact your investment returns from trading. The information above is neither a recommendation, an offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to purchase any investment. The Bank does not provide investment advice.
- Depending on your monthly trading volume, you may prefer to remain in our standard pricing programme. For US stocks in particular, by opting-in to the HSBC Top Trader Club your current tariff of USD18 for your first 1,000 shares + USD0.015 for additional shares will be replaced with the HSBC Top Trader Club pricing.
Risk disclosure for bonds and certificates of deposit:
- Bond is an investment product. The investment decision is yours but you should not invest in this product unless the intermediary who sells it to you has explained to you that the product is suitable for you having regard to your financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives.
- Bonds and certificates of deposit (CDs) are NOT equivalent to a time deposit. CDs are not a protected deposit and are not protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
- Issuer's Risk - Bond and CDs are subject to both the actual and perceived measures of credit worthiness of the issuer. There is no assurance of protection against a default by the issuer in respect of the repayment obligations. In the worst case scenario, you might not be able to recover the principal and any coupon if the issuer defaults on the bond or CD.
- Bonds and CDs are mainly medium to long term fixed income products, not for short term speculation. You should be prepared to hold your funds in bonds and CDs for the full tenor; you could lose part or all of your principal if you choose to sell bonds or CDs prior to maturity.
- It is the issuer to pay interest and repay principal of bonds or CDs. If the issuer defaults, the holder of the bonds or CDs may not be able to receive back the interest and principal. The holder of bonds or CDs bears the credit risk of the issuer and has no recourse to HSBC unless HSBC is the issuer itself.
- The indicative price of bonds or CDs are available and the price of bonds or CDs do fluctuate when market changes. Factors affecting the market price of bonds or CDs include, and are not limited to, fluctuations in interest rates, credit spreads, and liquidity premiums. The fluctuation in yield generally has a greater effect on prices of bonds or CDs with longer tenors. There is an inherent risk that losses may be incurred rather than profit made as a result of buying and selling bonds or CDs.
- If you wish to sell your bonds or CDs, HSBC may repurchase them based on the prevailing market price under normal market circumstances, but the selling price may differ from the original buying price due to changes in market conditions.
- There may be exchange rate risks if you choose to convert payments made on bonds or CDs to your home currency.
- The secondary market for bonds and CDs may not provide significant liquidity or may trade at prices based on the prevailing market conditions and may not be in line with the expectations of holders of bonds or CDs.
- If the bonds or CDs are redeemed early, you may not be able to enjoy the same rates of return when you use the funds to purchase other products.
For Renminbi (RMB) products:
- There may be exchange rate risks if you choose to convert RMB payments made on the bonds to your home currency.
- RMB debt instruments are subject to interest rate fluctuations, which may adversely affect the return and performance of the RMB products.
- RMB products may suffer significant losses in liquidating the underlying investments if such investments do not have an active secondary market and their prices have large bid/offer spreads.
- You could lose part or all of your principal if you choose to sell your RMB bonds prior to maturity.
Risk disclosure for unit trusts:
- Unit trusts are investment products and some may involve derivatives. The investment decision is yours but you should not invest in the unit trusts unless the intermediary who sells it to you has explained to you that the product is suitable for you having regard to your financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives.
- Unit trusts are NOT equivalent to time deposits.
- In the worst case scenario, the value of the unit trusts may be worth substantially less than the original amount you have invested.
Risk disclosure for structured products:
- The information shown in this website is neither a recommendation, an offer, nor a solicitation for any investment product or service. Investment involves risk. You should carefully consider whether any investment product or service mentioned herein is appropriate for you in view of your personal circumstances. Past performance is no guide to future performance. Investors should refer to the individual product explanatory memorandum or offering document for further details and risks involved. The price of investment products may move up or down. Losses may be incurred as well as profits made as a result of buying and selling investment products.
- Structured products involve derivatives. The investment decision is yours but you should not invest in structured products unless the intermediary who sells it to you has explained to you that the product is suitable for you having regard to your financial situation, investment experience and investment objectives.
- A structured product is NOT equivalent to a time deposit. It is not a protected deposit and is not protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
- Issuer's Risk – you rely on the issuer's creditworthiness. The products are subject to both the actual and perceived measures of the credit worthiness of the issuer and there is no assurance of protection against a default by the issuer in respect of its payment obligations.
- In the worst case scenario (eg insolvency of issuer), the investor may get nothing back and the potential maximum loss could be 100% of investment amount and no coupon received.
- Deposit Plus and Structured Investment Deposit are not available for customers who are US citizen / with US nationality, are US resident or US tax payer, or have a US address (eg primary mailing, residence or business address in the US).
Risk disclosure for Deposit Plus:
- Not a time deposit – Deposit Plus is NOT equivalent to, nor should it be treated as a substitute for, time deposit. It is NOT a protected deposit and is NOT protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
- Derivatives risk – Deposit Plus is embedded with FX option(s). Option transactions involve risks, especially when selling an option. Although the premium received from selling an option is fixed, you may sustain a loss well in excess of such premium amount, and your loss could be substantial.
- Limited potential gain – The maximum potential gain is limited to the interest on the deposit.
- Maximum potential loss – Deposit Plus is not principal-protected. You must be prepared to incur loss as a result of depreciation in the value of the currency paid (if the deposit is converted to the linked currency at maturity). Such loss may offset the interest earned on the deposit and may even result in losses in the principal amount of the deposit.
- Not the same as buying the linked currency – Investing in Deposit Plus is not the same as buying the linked currency directly.
- Market risk – The net return of Deposit Plus will depend upon the exchange rate of the deposit currency against the linked currency prevailing at the deposit fixing time on the deposit fixing date. Movements in exchange rates can be unpredictable, sudden and drastic, and affected by complex political and economic factors.
- Liquidity risk – Deposit Plus is designed to be held until maturity. You do not have a right to request early termination of this product before maturity. Under special circumstances, the Bank has the right to accept your early redemption request at its sole discretion and on a case by case basis. The Bank will provide an indication of the redemption price upon such request. Your return upon such early redemption will likely be lower than that if the deposit were held until maturity and may be negative.
- Credit risk of the Bank – Deposit Plus is not secured by any collateral. When you invest in this product, you will be relying on the Bank's creditworthiness. If the Bank becomes insolvent or defaults on its obligations under this product, you can only claim as an unsecured creditor of the Bank. In the worst case, you could suffer a total loss of your deposit amount.
- Currency risk – If the deposit currency and/or linked currency is not your home currency, and you choose to convert it back to your home currency upon maturity, you may make a gain or loss due to exchange rate fluctuations.
- Risks relating to RMB – You should note that the value of RMB against other foreign currencies fluctuates and will be affected by, amongst other things, the PRC government's control (eg, the PRC government regulates conversion between RMB and foreign currencies), which may adversely affect your return under this product. The value of your investment will be subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuation. If you receive RMB as the linked currency at maturity and you choose to convert your maturity proceed to other currencies, you may suffer loss in principal. This product will be denominated (if the deposit currency is RMB) and settled (when the received currency at maturity is RMB) in RMB deliverable in Hong Kong, which is different from that of RMB deliverable in mainland China.
Risk disclosure for Capital-Protected Investment (CPI):
- Not a time deposit – CPI is NOT equivalent to, nor should it be treated as a substitute for, time deposit. It is NOT a protected deposit and is NOT protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
- Derivatives risk – CPI is embedded with FX option(s). Option transactions involve risks. If the exchange rate of the currency pair performs against expectation at the fixing time on the fixing date, you can only earn the minimum payout of the structure.
- Limited potential gain – The maximum potential gain is limited to higher payout on the deposit less the principal amount, when exchange rate of currency pair at fixing moves in line with your anticipated direction.
- Not the same as buying the linked currency – Investing in CPI is not the same as buying the linked currency directly.
- Market risk – The return of CPI will depend upon the exchange rates of currency pair against trigger rate at the fixing time on the fixing date. Movements in exchange rates can be unpredictable, sudden and drastic, and affected by complex political and economic factors. You must be prepared to take the risk of earning the lower payout or no return (if exchange rate performs against expectation) on the money invested.
- Liquidity risk – CPI is designed to be held until maturity. You do not have a right to request early termination of this product before maturity. Under special circumstances, the Bank has the right to accept your early redemption request at its sole discretion and on a case by case basis. The Bank will provide an indication of the redemption price upon such request. Your return upon such early redemption will likely be lower than that if the deposit were held until maturity and may be negative.
- Credit risk of the Bank – CPI is not secured by any collateral. When you invest in this product, you will be relying on the Bank's creditworthiness. If the Bank becomes insolvent or defaults on its obligations under this product, you can only claim as an unsecured creditor of the Bank. In the worst case, you could suffer a total loss of your deposit amount.
- Currency risk – If the deposit currency is not your home currency, and you choose to convert it back to your home currency upon maturity, you may make a gain or loss due to exchange rate fluctuations.
- Risk of early termination by the Bank – The Bank shall have the discretion to uplift a CPI or any part thereof prior to the maturity date (subject to the deduction of such break costs or the addition of such proportion of the return or redemption amount, which may result in a figure less than the original principal amount of the CPI) if it determines, in its sole discretion, that this is necessary or appropriate to protect any right of the Bank to combine accounts or set-off, or any security interest, or to protect the Customer's interests.
- Risks relating to RMB – You should note that the value of RMB against other foreign currencies fluctuates and will be affected by, amongst other things, the PRC government's control (for example, the PRC government regulates conversion between RMB and foreign currencies), which may adversely affect your return under this product when you convert RMB into your home currency. The value of your RMB deposit will be subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuation. If you choose to convert your RMB deposit to other currencies at an exchange rate that is less favourable than that in which you made your original conversion to RMB, you may suffer loss in principal. This product (if denominated in RMB) will be denominated and settled in RMB deliverable in Hong Kong, which is different from that of RMB deliverable in mainland China.
Risk disclosure for equity-linked investments (ELIs):
The following risks should be read together with the other risks contained in the 'risk warnings' section in the relevant offering documents of the ELIs.
- You should note that the information contained in this website does NOT form part of the offering documents of our ELIs. You should read all the offering documents of our ELIs (including the programme memorandum, the financial disclosure document, the relevant product booklet and the indicative term sheet and any addendum to any of such documents) before deciding whether to invest in our ELIs. If you have doubt on the content of this website, you should seek independent professional advice.
- Not a time deposit – ELI is NOT equivalent to, nor should it be treated as a substitute for, time deposit. It is NOT a protected deposit and is NOT protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
- Not principal protected – ELIs are not principal protected: you could lose all of your investment.
- Limited potential gain – you may not receive any potential cash dividend amount – The maximum potential gain under this product is capped at an amount equal to the sum of the difference between the issue price and the nominal amount of the ELIs (if any) (less any cash settlement expenses) and the maximum periodic potential cash dividend amount(s) payable during the scheduled tenor (ie the period from (and including) the issue date to (and including) the settlement date) of the ELIs. It is possible that you may not receive any potential cash dividend amount for the entire scheduled tenor of the ELIs.
- Re-investment risk – If our ELIs are terminated early, we will pay you the nominal amount of the ELIs (less any cash settlement expenses) and any accrued potential cash dividend amount calculated up to (and including) that call date. No further potential cash dividend amount will be payable following such early termination. Market conditions may have changed and you may not be able to enjoy the same rate of return if you re-invest these proceeds in other investments with similar risk parameters.
- No collateral – ELIs are not secured on any of our assets or any collateral.
- Limited market making arrangements are available and you may suffer a loss if you sell your ELIs before expiry – Our ELIs are designed to be held to their settlement date. Limited market making arrangements are available on a bi-weekly basis for all our ELIs. If you try to sell your ELIs before expiry, the amount you receive for each ELI may be substantially less than the issue price you paid for each ELI.
- Not the same as investing in the reference asset – Investing in our ELIs is not the same as investing in the reference asset. Changes in the market price of the reference asset may not lead to a corresponding change in the market value of, or your potential payout under, the ELIs.
- Not covered by Investor Compensation Fund – Our ELIs are not listed on any stock exchange and are not covered by the Investor Compensation Fund. There may not be any active or liquid secondary market.
Maximum loss upon HSBC’s default or insolvency – Our ELIs constitute general, unsecured and unsubordinated contractual obligations of HSBC as issuer and of no other person (including the ultimate holding company of our group, HSBC Holdings plc). When you buy our ELIs, you will be relying on HSBC’s creditworthiness. If HSBC becomes insolvent or defaults on its obligations under the ELIs, in the worst case scenario, you could lose all of your investment.
- Risks relating to RMB – You should note that the value of RMB against other foreign currencies fluctuates and will be affected by, amongst other things, the PRC government's control (for example, the PRC government regulates conversion between RMB and foreign currencies), which may adversely affect your return under this product when you convert RMB into your home currency. The value of your RMB-denominated ELIs will be subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuation. If you choose to convert your RMB deposit to other currencies at an exchange rate that is less favourable than that in which you made your original conversion to RMB, you may suffer loss in principal. This product (if denominated in RMB) will be denominated and settled in RMB deliverable in Hong Kong, which is different from that of RMB deliverable in mainland China.
- You may, at settlement, receive physical delivery of reference asset(s).
- Our ELIs may be terminated early by us according to the terms as set out in offering documents of our ELIs.
- Our ELIs are structured investment products which are embedded with derivatives.
- Investment returns (if any) not denominated in home currency are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations. Rates of exchange may cause the value of investments to go up or down.
Risk disclosure for private placement notes (PPN):
The following risks should be read together with the other risks contained in the 'risk factors' section in the relevant offering documents of the PPNs
- You should note that the information contained in this website does NOT form part of the offering documents of our PPNs. You should read all the offering documents of our PPNs (including the offering memorandum, and the indicative term sheet) before deciding whether to invest in our PPNs. If you have doubt on the content of this website, you should seek independent professional advice.
- Not a time deposit – PPN is NOT equivalent to, nor should it be treated as a substitute for, time deposit. It is NOT a protected deposit and is NOT protected by the Deposit Protection Scheme in Hong Kong.
Not principal protected – some PPNs are not principal protected: you could lose all of your investment.
Investment Return Risk – It is possible that you may not receive any potential cash dividend amount for the entire scheduled tenor of the PPNs.
- Re-investment risk – If our PPNs are terminated early, we will pay you the nominal amount of the PPNs (less any cash settlement expenses) and any accrued potential cash dividend amount calculated up to (and including) that call date. No further potential cash dividend amount will be payable following such early termination. Market conditions may have changed and you may not be able to enjoy the same rate of return if you re-invest these proceeds in other investments with similar risk parameters.
- No collateral – PPNs are not secured on any of our assets or any collateral.
- Limited market making arrangements are available and you may suffer a loss if you sell your PPNs before expiry – Our PPNs are designed to be held to their settlement date. Limited market making arrangements are available on a bi-weekly basis for all our PPNs. If you try to sell your PPNs before expiry, the amount you receive for each PPN may be substantially less than the issue price you paid for each PPN.
- Not the same as investing in the reference asset – Investing in our PPNs is not the same as investing in the reference asset. Changes in the market price of the reference asset may not lead to a corresponding change in the market value of, or your potential payout under, the PPNs.
- Not covered by Investor Compensation Fund – Our PPNs are not listed on any stock exchange and are not covered by the Investor Compensation Fund. There may not be any active or liquid secondary market.
Maximum loss upon HSBC’s default or insolvency – Our PPNs constitute general, unsecured and unsubordinated contractual obligations of HSBC as issuer and of no other person (including the ultimate holding company of our group, HSBC Holdings plc). When you buy our PPNs, you will be relying on HSBC’s creditworthiness. If HSBC becomes insolvent or defaults on its obligations under the PPNs, in the worst case scenario, you could lose all of your investment.
- Risks relating to RMB – You should note that the value of RMB against other foreign currencies fluctuates and will be affected by, amongst other things, the PRC government's control (for example, the PRC government regulates conversion between RMB and foreign currencies), which may adversely affect your return under this product when you convert RMB into your home currency. The value of your RMB-denominated PPNs will be subject to the risk of exchange rate fluctuation. If you choose to convert your RMB deposit to other currencies at an exchange rate that is less favourable than that in which you made your original conversion to RMB, you may suffer loss in principal. This product (if denominated in RMB) will be denominated and settled in RMB deliverable in Hong Kong, which is different from that of RMB deliverable in mainland China.
- You may, at settlement, receive physical delivery of reference asset(s).
Our PPNs may be terminated early by us according to the terms as set out in offering documents of our PPNs.
- Our PPNs are structured investment products which are embedded with derivatives.
- Investment returns (if any) not denominated in home currency are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations.
- Rates of exchange may cause the value of investments to go up or down.
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited is the issuer and product arranger of our ELIs.
The information contained in this website have not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong or any regulatory authority in Hong Kong.
Investment involves risk. The price of structured products may move up or down. Losses may be incurred as well as profits made as a result of buying and selling structured products.
You should carefully consider whether any investment products or services mentioned herein are appropriate for you in view of your investment experience, objectives, financial resources and circumstances.
The information contained in this website does not constitute a solicitation for making any deposit or an offer for the purchase or sale or investment in any products.
