HBCYF HSBC Holding Plc (PK)

DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

The following summary description of certain material terms and provisions of the Notes supplements the description of certain terms and provisions of senior unsecured debt securities of any series described in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Description of Debt Securities.” The terms described here, together with the relevant terms of senior unsecured debt securities contained in the accompanying prospectus, constitute a description of the material terms of the Notes. In cases of inconsistency between the terms described here and the relevant terms of the prospectus, the terms presented here will apply and replace those described in the prospectus.

The Notes will constitute senior unsecured notes issued under the indenture dated as of August 26, 2009 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the “Base Indenture”) among us, The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as paying agent, registrar and exchange rate agent, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to our registration statement on Form F-3 (the “Registration Statement”). The Base Indenture will be supplemented and amended by a twenty-eighth supplemental indenture, which is expected to be entered into on March 9, 2023 (the “Issue Date”) among us, the trustee, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as paying agent, registrar and calculation agent (the Base Indenture, together with the twenty-eighth supplemental indenture, the “Indenture”), the form of which will be filed as an exhibit to a report on Form 6-K on or about the Issue Date, and which will be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.

If you purchase the Notes, your rights will be determined by the Notes, the Indenture and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). You can read the Indenture and the form of Notes at the location listed under “Where You Can Find More Information About Us.”

The 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000, and, unless previously redeemed or otherwise cancelled as described under “—Redemption,” the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will mature on March 9, 2029 (the “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date”).

The 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $2,250,000,000, and, unless previously redeemed or otherwise cancelled as described under “—Redemption,” the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will mature on March 9, 2034 (the “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date”).

The 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be issued in an aggregate principal amount of $2,750,000,000, and, unless previously redeemed or otherwise cancelled as described under “—Redemption,” the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will mature on March 9, 2044 (the “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date”).

The Notes will be issued only in registered form in minimum denominations of $200,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

Interest

2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes

From (and including) the Issue Date to (but excluding) March 9, 2028 (the “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period”), interest on the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable at a rate of 6.161% per annum (the “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate”). During the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, interest on the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrear on each 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

From (and including) March 9, 2028 to (but excluding) the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date (the “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period”), the interest rate on the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be equal to the Benchmark (as defined below) plus 1.970% per annum (the “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate

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Notes Margin”). During the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, interest on the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable quarterly in arrear on each 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date. The interest rate on the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be calculated quarterly on each applicable Interest Determination Date.

2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes

From (and including) the Issue Date to (but excluding) March 9, 2033 (the “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period”), interest on the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable at a rate of 6.254% per annum (the “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate”). During the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, interest on the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrear on each 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

From (and including) March 9, 2033 to (but excluding) the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date (the “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period”), the interest rate on the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be equal to the Benchmark (as defined below) plus 2.390% per annum (the “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin”). During the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, interest on the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable quarterly in arrear on each 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date. The interest rate on the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be calculated quarterly on each applicable Interest Determination Date.

2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes

From (and including) the Issue Date to (but excluding) March 9, 2043 (the “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period”), interest on the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable at a rate of 6.332% per annum (the “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate”). During the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, interest on the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable semi-annually in arrear on each 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

From (and including) March 9, 2043 to (but excluding) the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date (the “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period”), the interest rate on the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be equal to the Benchmark (as defined below) plus 2.650% per annum (the “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin”). During the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, interest on the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be payable quarterly in arrear on each 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date. The interest rate on the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes will be calculated quarterly on each applicable Interest Determination Date.

Each Series of Notes

The regular record dates for the Notes will be the 15th calendar day preceding each Interest Payment Date, whether or not a business day.

During the applicable Fixed Rate Period:

During the applicable Floating Rate Period:

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All percentages resulting from any calculation in connection with any interest rate on the Notes shall be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred thousandth of a percentage point, with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upward (for example, 9.876545% (or 0.09876545) would be rounded to 9.87655% (or 0.0987655)), and all U.S. dollar amounts would be rounded to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward.

The interest rate on the Notes during the applicable Floating Rate Interest Period will in no event be higher than the maximum rate permitted by law or lower than 0% per annum.

Calculation of the Benchmark

The “Benchmark” means, initially, Compounded Daily SOFR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to SOFR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement.

“Compounded Daily SOFR” means, in relation to a Floating Rate Interest Period, the rate of return of a daily compound interest investment (with SOFR as reference rate for the calculation of interest) during the related Observation Period and will be calculated by the calculation agent on the related Interest Determination Date as follows:

Where:

“d” means, in relation to any Observation Period, the number of calendar days in such Observation Period;

“d₀” means, in relation to any Observation Period, the number of USGS Business Days in such Observation Period;

“i” means, in relation to any Observation Period, a series of whole numbers from one to d₀, each representing the relevant USGS Business Day in chronological order from (and including) the first USGS Business Day in such Observation Period;

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“n_i” means, in relation to any USGS Business Day “i” in the relevant Observation Period, the number of calendar days from (and including) such USGS Business Day “i” up to (but excluding) the following USGS Business Day;

“Observation Period” means, in respect of each Floating Rate Interest Period, the period from (and including) the date which is five USGS Business Days prior to the first day of such Floating Rate Interest Period to (but excluding) the date which is five USGS Business Days prior to the Interest Payment Date for such Floating Rate Interest Period; provided that the first Observation Period shall commence on (and include) the date which is five USGS Business Days prior to (i) with respect to the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes, the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date; (ii) with respect to the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date; and (iii) with respect to the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes, the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date;

“SOFR” means, in relation to any day, the rate determined by the calculation agent in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) the daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate for trades made on such day, available at or around the Reference Time on the NY Federal Reserve’s Website;

(2) if the rate specified in (1) above is not available at or around the Reference Time for such day (and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred), the daily Secured Overnight Financing Rate in respect of the last USGS Business Day for which such rate was published on the NY Federal Reserve’s Website;

“SOFR_i” means, in relation to any USGS Business Day “i” in the relevant Observation Period, SOFR in respect of such USGS Business Day; and

“USGS Business Day” means any day except for a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association or any successor thereto (“SIFMA”) recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in U.S. government securities.

Notwithstanding clauses (1) and (2) of the definition of “SOFR” above, if we (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) determine on or prior to the relevant Interest Determination Date that a Benchmark Transition Event and related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to SOFR, then the “Benchmark Transition Provisions” set forth below will thereafter apply to all determinations of the rate of interest payable on the Notes during the applicable Floating Rate Period.

In accordance with and subject to the Benchmark Transition Provisions, after a Benchmark Transition Event and related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, the amount of interest that will be payable for each interest period on the Notes during the applicable Floating Rate Period will be determined by reference to a rate per annum equal to the Benchmark Replacement plus the applicable Margin.

Benchmark Transition Provisions

If we (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) determine that a Benchmark Transition Event and related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the applicable Reference Time in respect of any determination of the Benchmark on any date, the applicable Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Notes during the applicable Floating Rate Period in respect of such determination on such date and all determinations on all subsequent dates; provided that, if we (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the

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calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) are unable to or do not determine a Benchmark Replacement in accordance with the provisions below prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York time) on the relevant Interest Determination Date, the interest rate for the related Floating Rate Interest Period will be equal to the interest rate in effect for the immediately preceding Floating Rate Interest Period or in the case of the Interest Determination Date prior to the first Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date, the applicable Initial Interest Rate.

“Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by us (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, we (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) will have the right to make changes to (1) any Interest Determination Date, Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date, Reference Time, business day convention or Floating Rate Interest Period, (2) the manner, timing and frequency of determining the rate and amounts of interest that are payable on the Notes during the applicable Floating Rate Period and the conventions relating to such determination and calculations with respect to interest, (3) rounding conventions, (4) tenors and (5) any other terms or provisions of the Notes during the applicable Floating Rate Period, in each case that we (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) determine, from time to time, to be appropriate to reflect the determination and implementation of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if we (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) decide that implementation of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or determine that no market practice for use of the Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as we (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) determine is appropriate (acting in good faith)) (the “Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes”). Any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will apply to the Notes for all future Floating Rate Interest Periods.

We will promptly give notice of the determination of the Benchmark Replacement, the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment and any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes to the trustee, the paying agent, the calculation agent and the noteholders; provided that failure to provide such notice will have no impact on the effectiveness of, or otherwise invalidate, any such determination.

All determinations, decisions, elections and any calculations made by us, the calculation agent or our designee for the purposes of calculating the applicable interest on the Notes will be conclusive and binding on the noteholders, us, the trustee and the paying agent, absent manifest error. If made by us, such determinations, decisions, elections and calculations will be made in consultation with the calculation agent, to the extent practicable. If made by our designee, such determinations, decisions, elections and calculations will be made after consulting with us, and our designees will not make any such determination, decision, election or calculation to which we object. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture or the Notes, any determinations, decisions, calculations or elections made in accordance with this provision will become effective without consent from the noteholders or any other party.

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Any determination, decision or election relating to the Benchmark not made by the calculation agent will be made on the basis described above. The calculation agent shall have no liability for not making any such determination, decision or election. In addition, we may designate an entity (which may be our affiliate) to make any determination, decision or election that we have the right to make in connection with the determination of the Benchmark.

Notwithstanding any other provision of “Benchmark Transition Provisions” set forth above, no Benchmark Replacement will be adopted, nor will the applicable Benchmark Replacement Adjustment be applied, nor will any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes be made, if in our determination, the same could reasonably be expected to prejudice the qualification of the Notes as eligible liabilities or loss absorbing capacity instruments for the purposes of the Loss Absorption Regulations.

Agreement with Respect to the Benchmark Replacement

By its acquisition of the Notes, each noteholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) (i) will acknowledge, accept, consent and agree to be bound by our or our designee’s determination of a Benchmark Transition Event, a Benchmark Replacement Date, the Benchmark Replacement, the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment and any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, including as may occur without any prior notice from us and without the need for us to obtain any further consent from such noteholder, (ii) will waive any and all claims, in law and/or in equity, against the trustee, the paying agent and the calculation agent or our designee for, agree not to initiate a suit against the trustee, the paying agent and the calculation agent or our designee in respect of, and agree that none of the trustee, the paying agent or the calculation agent or our designee will be liable for, the determination of or the failure to determine any Benchmark Transition Event, any Benchmark Replacement Date, any Benchmark Replacement, any Benchmark Replacement Adjustment and any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, and any losses suffered in connection therewith and (iii) will agree that none of the trustee, the paying agent or the calculation agent or our designee will have any obligation to determine any Benchmark Transition Event, any Benchmark Replacement Date, any Benchmark Replacement, any Benchmark Replacement Adjustment and any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes (including any adjustments thereto), including in the event of any failure by us to determine any Benchmark Transition Event, any Benchmark Replacement Date, any Benchmark Replacement, any Benchmark Replacement Adjustment and any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.

Redemption

We may redeem the Notes, in our sole discretion, in a Make-Whole Redemption (as defined below) in a Par Redemption (as defined below), following the occurrence of a Loss Absorption Disqualification Event (as defined below) or upon the occurrence of certain tax events (as described below).

The Notes will not be redeemable at the option of the noteholders at any time.

The Notes will not be subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the accompanying prospectus, the Indenture or the Notes, we may only redeem or repurchase the Notes prior to the Maturity Date if we have obtained any Relevant Supervisory Consent.

Any redemption of the Notes will also be subject to our giving not less than 10 days’, nor more than 60 days’, prior notice to each noteholder.

Unless we default on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the applicable redemption date for the Notes, or portions thereof, called for redemption.

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Make-Whole Redemption

2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption

We may, in our sole discretion, redeem the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes during the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period (as defined below), in whole at any time during such period or in part from time to time during such period, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

in each case, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes to be redeemed to (but excluding) the applicable redemption date (each, a “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption”).

The “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period” means the period beginning on (and including) September 9, 2023 (six months following the Issue Date) to (but excluding) March 9, 2028 (the “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date”); provided that if any additional notes of the same series are issued after the Issue Date, the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period for such additional notes shall begin on (and include) the date that is six months following the issue date for such additional notes.

2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption

We may, in our sole discretion, redeem the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes during the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period (as defined below), in whole at any time during such period or in part from time to time during such period, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

in each case, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes to be redeemed to (but excluding) the applicable redemption date (each, a “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption”).

The “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period” means the period beginning on (and including) September 9, 2023 (six months following the Issue Date) to (but excluding) March 9, 2033 (the “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date”); provided that if any additional notes of the same series are issued after the Issue Date, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period for such additional notes shall begin on (and include) the date that is six months following the issue date for such additional notes.

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2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption

We may, in our sole discretion, redeem the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes during the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period (as defined below), in whole at any time during such period or in part from time to time during such period, at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

in each case, plus any accrued and unpaid interest on the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes to be redeemed to (but excluding) the applicable redemption date (each, a “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption”).

The “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period” means the period beginning on (and including) September 9, 2023 (six months following the Issue Date) to (but excluding) March 9, 2043 (the “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date”); provided that if any additional notes of the same series are issued after the Issue Date, the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period for such additional notes shall begin on (and include) the date that is six months following the issue date for such additional notes.

“Make-Whole Redemption” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption, as applicable.

“Make-Whole Redemption Period” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period, as applicable.

“Reference Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Price Determination Date, the rate per annum equal to:

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The Reference Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Determination Agent on the third business day preceding the applicable redemption date (the “Price Determination Date”).

In determining the Reference Treasury Rate, the below terms will have the following meaning:

“Determination Agent” means an investment bank or financial institution of international standing selected by us (which may be the calculation agent or our affiliate).

“H.15” means the weekly statistical release designated as such and published by the Board of Governors of the United States Federal Reserve System, or any successor or replacement publication that establishes yields on actively traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity, and “most recent H.15” means the H.15 published closest in time but prior to 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the applicable Price Determination Date.

“Reference Treasury” means, with respect to any Price Determination Date, the U.S. Treasury security or securities selected by us (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the Determination Agent) (i) with an actual or interpolated maturity comparable with the remaining term to the applicable Par Redemption Date and (ii) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars and a maturity comparable to the remaining term to the applicable Par Redemption Date.

“Reference Treasury Price” means, with respect to any Price Determination Date, (i) the arithmetic average of the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Price Determination Date, after excluding the highest quotation (or, in the event of more than one highest quotation, one of the highest) and lowest quotation (or, in the event of more than one lowest quotation, one of the lowest), or (ii) if fewer than five but more than one such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations are received, the arithmetic average of all such quotations, or (iii) if only one such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation is received, then such quotation; each as quoted in writing to the Determination Agent by a Reference Treasury Dealer.

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means, with respect to any Price Determination Date, each of up to five banks selected by us (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the Determination Agent), or the affiliates of such banks, which are (i) primary U.S. Treasury securities dealers, and their respective successors, or (ii) market makers in pricing corporate bond issues denominated in U.S dollars.

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Price Determination Date, the arithmetic average, as determined by the Determination Agent, of the bid and offered prices for the applicable Reference Treasury, expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount, quoted by the applicable Reference Treasury Dealer at 11:00 a.m. (New York City time), on such Price Determination Date.

If we determine, in our sole discretion, that the inclusion of the Make-Whole Redemption provisions in the terms of the Indenture and any of the Notes could reasonably be expected to prejudice the qualification of such Notes as eligible liabilities or loss absorbing capacity instruments for the purposes of the Loss Absorption Regulations, then the provisions relating to the Make-Whole Redemption shall be deemed not to apply for all purposes relating to such Notes and we shall not have any right to redeem such Notes pursuant to a Make-Whole Redemption. In such circumstances, we shall promptly provide notice to the trustee, the paying agent, the

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calculation agent and the noteholders that the Make-Whole Redemption does not apply; provided that failure to provide such notice will have no impact on the effectiveness of, or otherwise invalidate, any such determination. No action taken in accordance with this paragraph shall be deemed to be an amendment requiring the consent of holders under Section 9.02 of the Base Indenture.

Par Redemption

2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption

Following the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period, we may also redeem the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes in whole (but not in part) in our sole discretion on March 9, 2028 (the “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date”) (a “2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption”). The redemption price will be equal to 100% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date.

2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption

Following the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period, we may also redeem the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes in whole (but not in part) in our sole discretion on March 9, 2033 (the “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date”) (a “2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption”). The redemption price will be equal to 100% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date.

2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption

Following the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period, we may also redeem the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes in whole (but not in part) in our sole discretion on March 9, 2043 (the “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date”) (a “2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption”). The redemption price will be equal to 100% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date.

“Par Redemption” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption, as applicable.

“Par Redemption Date” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date, as applicable.

Redemption upon Loss Absorption Disqualification Event

Following the occurrence of a Loss Absorption Disqualification Event, we may, within 90 days of the occurrence of the relevant Loss Absorption Disqualification Event, in our sole discretion, redeem such Notes in whole, but not in part (such option to redeem being referred to herein as a “Loss Absorption Disqualification Event Redemption Option”), at a redemption price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the applicable redemption date.

A “Loss Absorption Disqualification Event” shall be deemed to have occurred if the Notes become fully or partially ineligible to meet our and/or the HSBC Group’s minimum requirements for (A) eligible liabilities and/or (B) loss absorbing capacity instruments, in each case as determined in accordance with and pursuant to the relevant Loss Absorption Regulations applicable to us and/or the HSBC Group, as a result of any:

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provided, however, that a Loss Absorption Disqualification Event shall not occur where the exclusion of the Notes from the relevant minimum requirement(s) is due to the remaining maturity of the Notes being less than any period prescribed by any applicable eligibility criteria for such minimum requirement(s) under the relevant Loss Absorption Regulations effective with respect to us and/or the HSBC Group on the Issue Date.

If we determine, in our sole discretion, that the inclusion of the Loss Absorption Disqualification Event Redemption Option provisions in the terms of the Indenture and any series of Notes could reasonably be expected to cause a Loss Absorption Disqualification Event to occur, then the provisions relating to the Loss Absorption Disqualification Event Redemption Option shall be deemed not to apply for all purposes relating to such Notes and we shall not have any right to redeem such Notes pursuant to a Loss Absorption Disqualification Event Redemption Option. In such circumstances, we shall promptly provide notice to the trustee, the paying agent, the calculation agent and the holders of such Notes that the Loss Absorption Disqualification Event Redemption Option does not apply; provided that failure to provide such notice will have no impact on the effectiveness of, or otherwise invalidate, any such determination. No action taken in accordance with this paragraph shall be deemed to be an amendment requiring the consent of holders under Section 9.02 of the Base Indenture.

Tax Event Redemption

We may redeem the Notes in whole (but not in part) in our sole discretion upon the occurrence of certain tax events. The redemption price will be equal to 100% of their principal amount plus any accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of redemption (a “Tax Event Redemption”). See “Description of Debt Securities—Redemption” in the accompanying prospectus.

Purchases

Members of the HSBC Group other than HSBC Holdings may purchase or otherwise acquire any of the outstanding Notes at the same or differing prices in the open market, negotiated transactions, or otherwise without giving prior notice to or obtaining any consent from noteholders, in accordance with the Loss Absorption Regulations and, if required, subject to obtaining any Relevant Supervisory Consent.

Events of Default and Defaults

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the accompanying prospectus, the Notes and the Indenture specify certain events that will constitute an event of default or a default.

An “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes means any one of the following events:

In addition to Events of Default, the Indenture also will provide separately for “Defaults.” A Default with respect to the Notes means any one of the following events:

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If a Default occurs, the trustee may institute proceedings in England (but not elsewhere) for our winding-up; provided that the trustee may not, upon the occurrence of a Default, accelerate the maturity of any outstanding Notes, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, failure to make any payment in respect of the Notes will not be a Default in respect of the Notes if such payment is withheld or refused:

provided, however, that the trustee may, by notice to us, require us to take such action (including but not limited to proceedings for a declaration by a court of competent jurisdiction) as the trustee may be advised in an opinion of counsel, upon which opinion the trustee may conclusively rely, is appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances to resolve such doubt, in which case we will forthwith take and expeditiously proceed with such action and will be bound by any final resolution of the doubt resulting therefrom. If any such resolution determines that the relevant payment can be made without violating any applicable law, regulation or order then the preceding sentence will cease to have effect and the payment will become due and payable on the expiration of the relevant grace period of 30 days after the trustee gives written notice to us informing us of such resolution.

Acceleration

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the trustee may or, if requested by the holder or holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes will, declare the principal amount together with accrued but unpaid payments with respect to the Notes to be due and payable immediately (an “acceleration”) by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the noteholders), and upon such declaration such principal amount will become immediately due and payable; provided that after such declaration, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes, by written notice to us and the trustee, may (under certain circumstances) rescind and annul such declaration.

Under the terms of the Indenture and the Notes, the exercise of the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority with respect to the Notes will not be stated to be an Event of Default or a Default. As a result, noteholders will not have the right to request that the trustee declare an acceleration or institute proceedings for our winding up solely due to the exercise of the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Indenture or the Notes, the right of any noteholder to receive payment of the principal of, or interest on, the Notes on or after the due dates thereof and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such noteholder.

Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power

By its acquisition of the Notes, each noteholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will acknowledge, accept, consent and agree, notwithstanding any other term of the Notes, the Indenture or any other agreements, arrangements or understandings between us and any noteholder, to be bound by (a) the effect of the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority in relation to any Notes that

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(without limitation) may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof: (i) the reduction of all, or a portion, of the Amounts Due; (ii) the conversion of all, or a portion, of the Amounts Due into our or another person’s ordinary shares, other securities or other obligations (and the issue to, or conferral on, the noteholder of such ordinary shares, other securities or other obligations), including by means of an amendment, modification or variation of the terms of the Notes or the Indenture; (iii) the cancellation of the Notes; and/or (iv) the amendment or alteration of the Maturity Date of the Notes or amendment of the amount of interest payable on the Notes, or the interest payment dates, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and (b) the variation of the terms of the Notes or the Indenture, if necessary, to give effect to the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority. No repayment or payment of Amounts Due will become due and payable or be paid after the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority if and to the extent such amounts have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a result of such exercise. Moreover, each noteholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will consent to the exercise of any UK bail-in power as it may be imposed without any prior notice by the relevant UK resolution authority of its decision to exercise such power with respect to the Notes.

For these purposes,

According to the principles of the Banking Act, we expect that the relevant UK resolution authority would respect creditor hierarchies when exercising its UK bail-in power in respect of the Notes and that the holders of the Notes would be treated pari passu with the claims of holders of all our senior unsecured instruments which in each case by law rank, or by their terms are expressed to rank, pari passu with the Notes at that time being subjected to the exercise of the UK bail-in power.

DTC—UK Bail-in Power

Upon the exercise of the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority with respect to the Notes, we will provide a written notice to the noteholders through The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) as soon as practicable regarding such exercise of the UK bail-in power. We will also deliver a copy of such notice to the trustee for information purposes. Any delay or failure by us in delivering the notices referred to in this paragraph to the noteholders or the trustee shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the UK bail-in power.

By purchasing the Notes, each noteholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will be deemed to have authorized, directed and requested DTC and any direct participant in DTC or other

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intermediary through which it holds such Notes to take any and all necessary action, if required, to implement the exercise of any UK bail-in power with respect to the Notes as it may be imposed, without any further action or direction on the part of such noteholder, the trustee or the paying agent.

Noteholder Set-off

To the fullest extent permitted by law, noteholders, in respect of any claims of such noteholders to payment of any principal, premium or interest in respect of the Notes, by their acceptance of the Notes, will be deemed to have waived any right of set-off or counterclaim that they might otherwise have.

Modification and Waiver

In addition to our and the trustee’s rights to modify and amend the Indenture described in the accompanying prospectus under “Description of Debt Securities—Modification and Waiver,” modifications of, and amendments to, the terms of the Indenture or the Notes may be made by us and the trustee, without the further consent of the noteholders, to the extent necessary to give effect to the exercise by the relevant UK resolution authority of the UK bail-in power. Moreover, we will agree not to amend the consent of the noteholders to the exercise of the UK bail-in power (see “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power”) without the prior consent of the Relevant Regulator.

Trustee and Trustee’s Duties

The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee under the Indenture.

The trustee will undertake certain procedures and seek certain remedies in the event of an Event of Default or a Default. See “Description of Debt Securities—Trustee’s Duties” in the accompanying prospectus. However, by its acquisition of the Notes, each noteholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will acknowledge and agree that the exercise of the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority with respect to the Notes will not give rise to a Default or Event of Default for purposes of Section 315(b) (Notice of Default) and Section 315(c) (Duties of the Trustee in Case of Default) of the Trust Indenture Act.

By its acquisition of the Notes, each noteholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner), to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, will waive any and all claims, in law and/or in equity, against the trustee for, agree not to initiate a suit against the trustee in respect of, and agree that the trustee will not be liable for, any action that the trustee takes, or abstains from taking, in either case in accordance with the exercise of (i) the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority with respect to the Notes or (ii) the limited remedies available under the Indenture for a non-payment of principal and/or interest on the Notes.

Additionally, by its acquisition of the Notes, each noteholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will acknowledge and agree that, upon the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority,

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, following the completion of the exercise of the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority, the Notes remain outstanding (for example, if the exercise of the UK bail-in power results in only a partial write-down of the principal of the Notes), then the trustee’s duties under the

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Indenture will remain applicable with respect to the Notes following such completion to the extent that we and the trustee will agree pursuant to another supplemental indenture or an amendment to the Indenture; provided, however, that notwithstanding the exercise of the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK authority, there will at all times be a trustee for the Notes in accordance with the Indenture, and the resignation and/or removal of the trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee will continue to be governed by the Indenture, including to the extent no additional supplemental indenture or amendment to the Indenture is agreed upon in the event the Notes remain outstanding following the completion of the exercise of the UK bail-in power.

Payments Subject to Fiscal Laws

All payments are subject in all cases to any applicable fiscal or other laws, regulations and directives in any jurisdiction, but without prejudice to the “Description of Securities—Additional Amounts—Senior Debt Securities and Undated Subordinated Debt Securities” provisions in the accompanying prospectus. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the phrase “fiscal or other laws, regulations and directives” will include any obligation on us to withhold or deduct from a payment pursuant to an agreement described in Section 1471(b) of the Code, or otherwise imposed pursuant to FATCA.

Additional Amounts

All payments made under or with respect to the Notes will be paid by us without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, or withholdings whatsoever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of the UK or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein having the power to tax (each, a “Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless required by law. If such deduction or withholding will at any time be required by the law of the Taxing Jurisdiction, we will pay such additional amounts in respect of payments of interest only (and not principal) on the Notes (the “Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amounts (including Additional Amounts) paid to the noteholders, after such withholding or deduction, will be equal to the respective amounts of interest which the noteholders would have been entitled to receive in respect of the Notes in the absence of such withholding or deduction; provided that the foregoing will not apply to any such tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding which:

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if the information or declaration is required or imposed by a statute, treaty, regulation, ruling or administrative practice of the Taxing Jurisdiction as a precondition to exemption from withholding or deduction of all or part of the tax, duty, assessment or other governmental charge;

We will agree in the Indenture that at least one paying agent for the Notes will be located outside the UK.

As provided in “—Payments Subject to Fiscal Laws,” all payments in respect of the Notes will be made subject to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to FATCA, and we will not be required to pay any Additional Amounts on account of any such deduction or withholding required pursuant to FATCA.

Whenever we refer in this prospectus supplement, in any context, to the payment of any interest on, or in respect of, the Notes, we mean to include the payment of Additional Amounts to the extent that, in the context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable.

Paying Agent

Payments of principal of and interest on the Notes will be made in U.S. dollars and such payments on Notes represented by a global security will be made through one or more paying agents to DTC or its nominee. Initially, the paying agent will be HSBC Bank USA, National Association. We may change the paying agent without prior notice to the noteholders, and in such an event we may act as paying agent. Payments of principal of, and interest on, the Notes represented by a global security will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

Calculation Agent

The calculation agent is HSBC Bank USA, National Association, or its successor appointed by us, pursuant to a calculation agent agreement expected to be entered into on the Issue Date.

Subsequent Holders’ Agreement

Any noteholder (which for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner of the Notes) that acquires the Notes in the secondary market and any successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of any noteholder or beneficial owner of the Notes will be deemed to acknowledge, accept, agree to be bound by and consent to the same provisions specified herein to the same extent as the noteholders or beneficial owners of the Notes that acquire the Notes upon their initial issuance, including, without limitation, with respect to the acknowledgement and agreement to be bound by and consent to the terms of the Notes related to the UK bail-in power, the Benchmark and the limited remedies available under the Indenture and the Notes for a non-payment of principal and/or interest on the Notes.

Governing Law

The Indenture and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. Any legal proceedings arising out of, or based upon, the Indenture or the Notes may be instituted in any state or federal court in the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, New York.

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Listing

Application will be made for the Notes to be admitted to listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

Definitions

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes” means the 6.161% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Senior Unsecured Notes due in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000.

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means March 9 and September 9 of each year during the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, beginning on September 9, 2023.

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period” means, during the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, the period beginning on (and including) a 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date; provided that the first 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period will begin on (and include) March 9, 2028 and will end on (but exclude) the first 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means June 9, 2028, September 9, 2028, December 9, 2028 and March 9, 2029.

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate” means 6.161% per annum.

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date” means any 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date or 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning given to that term in the fourth paragraph of this “Description of the Notes.”

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes” means the 6.254% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Senior Unsecured Notes due in an aggregate principal amount of $2,250,000,000.

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“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest— Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means March 9 and September 9 of each year during the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, beginning on September 9, 2023.

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period” means, during the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, the period beginning on (and including) a 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date; provided that the first 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period will begin on (and include) March 9, 2033 and will end on (but exclude) the first 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means June 9, 2033, September 9, 2033, December 9, 2033 and March 9, 2034.

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate” means 6.254% per annum.

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date” means any 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date or 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning given to that term in the fifth paragraph of this “Description of the Notes.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes” means the 6.332% Fixed Rate/Floating Rate Senior Unsecured Notes due in an aggregate principal amount of $2,750,000,000.

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest— Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means March 9 and September 9 of each year during the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, beginning on September 9, 2023.

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period” means, during the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, the period beginning on (and including) a 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date and ending on (but excluding) the next succeeding 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date; provided that the first 2044 Fixed/Floating

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Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period will begin on (and include) March 9, 2043 and will end on (but exclude) the first 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means June 9, 2043, September 9, 2043, December 9, 2043, and March 9, 2044.

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate” means 6.332% per annum.

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date” means any 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date or 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date.

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Make-Whole Redemption Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Fixed/Floating Rate Notes.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning given to that term in the sixth paragraph of this “Description of the Notes.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Par Redemption Date” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Additional Amounts” has the meaning given to that term under “—Additional Amounts.”

“Amounts Due” has the meaning given to that term under “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power.”

“Banking Act” means the UK Banking Act 2009, as amended.

“Base Indenture” has the meaning given to that term in the second paragraph of this “Description of the Notes.”

“Benchmark Replacement” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest—Benchmark Transition Provisions.”

“Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by us (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date:

(1) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been (i) selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) determined by us (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) in accordance with the

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method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body, in each case for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement;

(2) if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA Fallback Adjustment;

(3) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by us (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) giving due consideration to industry-accepted spread adjustments (if any), or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar-denominated floating rate notes at such time.

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest— Benchmark Transition Provisions.”

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or

(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein.

For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination.

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the then-current Benchmark:

(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark, permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark;

(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark, the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark, a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark, which states that the administrator of the Benchmark has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark; or

(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative.

“Benchmark Transition Provisions” has the meaning given to that term under “—Interest —Calculation of the Benchmark.”

“business day” means a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments and are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in London, England, and in the City of New York, New York. “Clearing System Business Day” means a day on which each Clearing System for which any global security is being held is open for business.

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“Clearstream Luxembourg” means Clearstream Banking S.A.

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

“Compounded Daily SOFR” has the meaning given to that term under “—Calculation of the Benchmark.”

“Corresponding Tenor” with respect to a Benchmark Replacement means a tenor (including overnight) having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustments) as the applicable tenor for the then-current Benchmark.

“Determination Agent” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“DTC” has the meaning given to that term under “—DTC—UK Bail-in Power.”

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank SA/NV.

“EUWA” means the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended.

“Events of Default” has the meaning given to that term under “—Events of Default and Defaults.”

“FATCA” means (i) sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code or any associated regulations or other official guidance; (ii) any treaty, law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of clause (i); or (iii) any agreement pursuant to the implementation of clauses (i) or (ii) with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction.

“Fixed Rate Period” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period, as applicable.

“Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means any of a 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date, a 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date, or a 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Fixed Rate Period Interest Payment Date, as applicable.

“Floating Rate Interest Period” means any of a 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period, a 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period, or a 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Interest Period, as applicable.

“Floating Rate Period” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period, as applicable.

“Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date” means any of a 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date, a 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date, or a 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Floating Rate Period Interest Payment Date, as applicable.

“H.15” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

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“HSBC Group” means HSBC Holdings plc together with its subsidiary undertakings.

“Indenture” has the meaning given to that term in the second paragraph of this “Description of the Notes.”

“Initial Interest Rate” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Initial Interest Rate, as applicable.

“Interest Determination Date” means the third business day preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.

“Interest Payment Date” means any of a 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date, a 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date, or a 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Interest Payment Date, as applicable.

“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time.

“ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor.

“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment.

“Issue Date” has the meaning given to that term in the second paragraph of this “Description of the Notes.”

“Loss Absorption Disqualification Event” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Loss Absorption Disqualification Event Redemption Option” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Loss Absorption Regulations” means, at any time, the laws, regulations, requirements, guidelines, rules, standards and policies from time to time relating to minimum requirements for own funds and eligible liabilities and/or loss absorbing capacity instruments in effect in the UK and applicable to us from time to time, including, without limitation to the generality of the foregoing, the Banking Act and UK CRR (whether or not such requirements, guidelines or policies are applied generally or specifically to us or to us and any of our holding or subsidiary companies or any subsidiary of any such holding company) in each case as amended, supplemented or replaced from time to time.

“Make-Whole Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Make-Whole Redemption Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Margin” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Margin, as applicable.

“Maturity Date” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes Maturity Date, as applicable.

“noteholders” means holders of the Notes.

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“Notes” means any of the 2029 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes, the 2034 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes, or the 2044 Fixed/Floating Rate Notes, as applicable.

“NY Federal Reserve’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org (or any successor website).

“Observation Period” has the meaning given to that term under “—Calculation of the Benchmark.”

“Par Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Par Redemption Date” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“PRA” means the UK Prudential Regulation Authority or any successor entity.

“Price Determination Date” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Reference Time” means (1) if the Benchmark is Compounded Daily SOFR, for each USGS Business Day, 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on the next succeeding USGS Business Day, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Compounded Daily SOFR, the time determined by us (in consultation, to the extent practicable, with the calculation agent) or our designee (in consultation with us) in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes.

“Reference Treasury” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Reference Treasury Dealer” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotation” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Reference Treasury Price” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“Reference Treasury Rate” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption.”

“regulated entity” has the meaning given to that term under “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power.”

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“NY Federal Reserve”), or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve and/or the NY Federal Reserve or any successor thereto.

“Relevant Regulator” means the PRA or any successor entity or other entity primarily responsible for our prudential supervision.

“Relevant Supervisory Consent” means, in relation to any redemption or purchase of the Notes, any required permission of the Relevant Regulator applicable to us or the relevant UK resolution authority (as applicable). For the avoidance of doubt, Relevant Supervisory Consent will not be required if either (i) none of the Notes qualify as part of our regulatory capital, or own funds and eligible liabilities or loss absorbing capacity instruments, as the case may be, each pursuant to the Loss Absorption Regulations, (ii) the relevant Notes are repurchased for market-making purposes in accordance with any permission given by the Relevant Regulator pursuant to the Loss Absorption Regulations within the limits prescribed in such permission or (iii) the relevant Notes are being redeemed or repurchased pursuant to any general prior permission granted by the Relevant Regulator or the relevant UK resolution authority (as applicable) pursuant to the Loss Absorption Regulations within the limits prescribed in such permission.

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“relevant UK resolution authority” has the meaning given to that term under “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power.”

“SOFR” has the meaning given to that term under “—Calculation of the Benchmark.”

“SOFR_i” has the meaning given to that term under “—Calculation of the Benchmark.”

“Tax Event Redemption” has the meaning given to that term under “—Redemption—Tax Event Redemption.”

“Trust Indenture Act” has the meaning given to that term in the third paragraph of this “Description of the Notes.”

“UK bail-in power” has the meaning given to that term under “—Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power.”

“UK CRR” means Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013, as amended or supplemented, as it forms part of domestic law in the UK by virtue of the EUWA.

“Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

“USGS Business Day” has the meaning given to that term under “—Calculation of the Benchmark.”

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FORM, SETTLEMENT AND CLEARANCE

The Notes will be issued in the form of one or more global securities registered in the name of the nominee for, and deposited with, DTC. For a discussion of the form, settlement and clearance of the Notes, see the section titled “Description of Debt Securities—Form, Settlement and Clearance” beginning on page 11 of the accompanying prospectus.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

Debt securities offered through this prospectus will be issued under one of three indentures between HSBC Holdings, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The dated subordinated debt securities will be issued under the indenture for dated subordinated debt securities, the undated subordinated debt securities will be issued under the indenture for undated subordinated debt securities and the senior debt securities will be issued under the indenture for senior debt securities. The following summary of certain provisions of the debt securities and the indentures and any such summary in any prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are subject and are qualified by reference to all the provisions of the debt securities and the relevant indenture. Defined terms used in this section but not otherwise defined in this prospectus have the meanings assigned to them in the relevant indenture.

General

The indentures do not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue under them and provide that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series.

Please refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of debt securities offered through this prospectus for the following terms, where applicable, of the debt securities:

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Debt securities of any series may be sold at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates, may be redeemable at a premium, or may be otherwise designated by us as issued with original issue discount. We will discuss certain tax considerations that may be relevant to holders of such discount securities, undated or perpetual debt securities and debt securities providing for indexed, contingent or variable payments or payments in a currency other than the currency in which such debt securities are denominated in the prospectus supplement relating to such securities.

Debt securities and any coupons relating to such debt securities will become void unless presented for payment within 10 years with respect to a payment of principal and premium, if any, and five years with respect to a payment of interest. All monies paid by us to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of principal of (and premium, if any, on) or any interest on any debt security that remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium, or interest will have become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of such debt security must look to us for payment thereof.

Form, Settlement and Clearance

General. Unless the relevant prospectus supplement states otherwise, the debt securities will initially be represented by one or more global securities in registered form, without coupons attached, and will be deposited with or on behalf of one or more depositaries, including, without limitation, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), Euroclear Bank SA/NV (“Euroclear”) and/or Clearstream Banking S.A. (“Clearstream Luxembourg”), and will be registered in the name of such depositary or its nominee. Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the trustee, run only to persons who are registered as holders of the debt securities. Unless and until the debt securities are exchanged in whole or in part for other securities that we issue or the global securities are exchanged for definitive securities, the global securities may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee or a successor of the depositary.

The debt securities may be accepted for clearance by DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream Luxembourg. Unless the relevant prospectus supplement states otherwise, the initial distribution of the debt securities will be cleared through DTC only. In such event, beneficial interests in the global debt securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, the book-entry records maintained by DTC and its direct and indirect participants, including, as applicable, Euroclear and Clearstream Luxembourg.

The laws of some states may require that certain investors in securities take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability of investors to own interests in book-entry securities.

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So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the holder of a global debt security, the depositary or its nominee will be considered the sole holder of such global debt security for all purposes under the relevant indenture. Except as described below under the heading “—Definitive Debt Securities,” no participant, indirect participant or other person will be entitled to have debt securities registered in its name, receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form or be considered the owner or holder of the debt securities under the relevant indenture. Each person having an ownership or other interest in debt securities must rely on the procedures of the depositary, and, if a person is not a participant in the depositary, must rely on the procedures of the participant or other securities intermediary through which that person owns its interest to exercise any rights and obligations of a holder under the relevant indenture or the debt securities.

DTC has advised us that: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book- entry changes in participants’ accounts thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Payments on the Global Debt Security. Payments of any amounts in respect of any global securities will be made by the paying agent to the depositary. Payments will be made to beneficial owners of debt securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of the depositary or its direct and indirect participants, as applicable. Neither we nor the trustee nor any of our agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of any securities intermediary in the chain of intermediaries between the depositary and any beneficial owner of an interest in a global security, or the failure of the depositary or any intermediary to pass through to any beneficial owner any payments that we make to the depositary.

All such payments will be distributed without deduction or withholding for any UK taxes or other UK governmental charges, or if any such deduction or withholding is required to be made under the provisions of any applicable UK law or regulation, then, except as described under “Additional Amounts,” such additional amounts will be paid as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received by any holder of the global security and by the owners of interests in the debt securities, after such deduction or withholding, will equal the net amounts that such holder and owners would have otherwise received in respect of the global security or interests in the debt securities, as the case may be, if such deduction or withholding had not been made.

Settlement. Initial settlement for the debt securities and settlement of any secondary market trades in the debt securities will be made in same-day funds. The debt securities will settle in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System.

Definitive Debt Securities. Owners of interests in the debt securities will be entitled to receive definitive debt securities in registered form in respect of such interest if: (1) (i) DTC notifies us in writing that it is unwilling to or unable to continue as a depositary for the debt securities of such series or the debt securities, as the case may be, or (ii) if at any time DTC ceases to be eligible as a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act or we become aware of such ineligibility and, in either case, a successor is not appointed by us within 90 days; or (2) an event of default has occurred and is continuing and the registrar has received a request from DTC; or (3) the applicable prospective supplement provides otherwise with respect to a particular series.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, definitive debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 and will be issued in registered form. Such definitive

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debt securities will be registered in the name or names of such person or persons as the registrar will notify the trustee based on the instructions of DTC.

Payments

Any payments of interest and, in the case of subordinated dated debt securities and senior debt securities, principal and premium (if any), on any particular series of debt securities will be made on such dates and, in the case of payments of interest, at such rate or rates, as are set forth in, or as are determined by the method of calculation described in, the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of such series.

Undated Subordinated Debt Securities. We are not required to make payments with respect to any series of undated subordinated debt securities on any payment date specified for such payment in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of such series. Failure to make any such payment on any such payment date will not constitute a default by us for any purpose. Any payment not made by us in respect of any series of undated subordinated debt securities on any applicable payment date, together with any other unpaid payments, will, so long as they remain unpaid, constitute “missed payments” and will accumulate until paid. Missed payments will not bear interest.

Missed payments, if any, may be paid at our option in whole or in part at any time on not less than 14 days’ notice to the trustee, but all missed payments in respect of all undated subordinated debt securities of a particular series at the time outstanding will (subject to any solvency condition) become due and payable in full on whichever is the earliest of:

If we give notice of our intention to pay the whole or part of the missed payments on the undated subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be obliged, subject to any solvency condition, to do so upon the expiration of such notice. Where missed payments in respect of undated subordinated debt securities of any series are paid in part, each part payment will be deemed to be in respect of the full amount of missed payments accrued relating to the earliest payment date or consecutive payment dates in respect of such undated subordinated debt securities.

If we are unable to make any payment on or with respect to the undated subordinated debt securities of any series because we are not able to satisfy a solvency condition, the amount of any such payment which would otherwise be payable will be available to meet our losses. In the event of our winding up, the right to claim for interest, including missed payments, and any other amount payable on such undated subordinated debt securities may be limited by applicable insolvency law.

Computation of Interest. Except as otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement with respect to the debt securities of any series, any interest on the debt securities of each series, which is not denominated in Euro, will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Interest on debt securities of each series denominated in Euro will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the calculation period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of that calculation period falls in a leap year, the sum of (a) the actual number of days in that portion of the calculation period falling in a leap year, divided by 366 and (b) the actual number of days in that portion of the calculation period falling in a non-leap year, divided by 365).

Additional Amounts

Senior Debt Securities

Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all payments made under or with respect to any senior debt securities shall be paid by us without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all

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present and future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, or withholdings whatsoever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of the UK (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein having the power to tax) (each, a “Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless required by law. If such deduction or withholding shall at any time be required by the law of the Taxing Jurisdiction, we shall pay such additional amounts in respect of any payments of principal or interest on such senior debt securities (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amounts (including Additional Amounts) paid to the noteholders after such deduction or withholding, shall be equal to the respective amounts of principal or interest which the noteholders would have been entitled to receive in respect of such senior debt securities in the absence of such deduction or withholding, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to any such tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding which:

Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all payments in respect of the senior debt securities will be made subject to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to (i) sections 1471 to 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any associated regulations or other official guidance; (ii) any treaty, law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any other jurisdiction, or relating to an

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intergovernmental agreement between the United States and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of clause (i); or (iii) any agreement pursuant to the implementation of clauses (i) or (ii) with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction (collectively, for the purposes of this section “—Additional Amount—Senior Debt Securities”, “FATCA”) and we will not be required to pay any additional amounts on account of any such deduction or withholding required pursuant to FATCA.

With respect to any series of senior debt securities, any paying agent shall be entitled to make a deduction or withholding from any payment which it makes under the senior debt securities of such series and the relevant indenture for or on account of (i) any present or future taxes, duties or charges if and to the extent so required by any applicable law and (ii) any deduction or withholding required by FATCA (together, “Applicable Law”). In either case, the paying agent shall make any payment after a deduction or withholding has been made pursuant to Applicable Law and shall report to the relevant authorities the amount so deducted or withheld. However, such deduction or withholding shall not apply to payments made under the senior debt securities of such series and this prospectus through the relevant clearing systems. In all cases, the paying agent shall have no obligation to gross up any payment made subject to any deduction or withholding pursuant to Applicable Law. In addition, amounts deducted or withheld by the paying agent under this provision shall be treated as paid to the noteholder of a senior debt security, and we shall not pay Additional Amounts in respect of such deduction or withholding, except to the extent these provisions explicitly provide otherwise.

Dated Subordinated Debt Securities

Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all amounts of principal of and interest on any dated subordinated debt securities will be made without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions, or withholdings whatsoever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of the Taxing Jurisdiction, unless required by law. If such deduction or withholding will at any time be required by the law of the Taxing Jurisdiction, we will pay additional amounts of, or in respect of, the principal amount of (and premium, if any, on) and interest on such dated subordinated debt securities as may be necessary so that the net amount (including additional amounts) paid to the noteholders, after such deduction or withholding, will be equal to the amount to which the noteholders would have been entitled in the absence of such deduction or withholding, provided that the foregoing will not apply to any such tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding which:

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Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all payments in respect of the dated subordinated debt securities will be made subject to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (for the purposes of this section “—Additional Amount—Dated Subordinated Debt Securities”, “FATCA”), and we will not be required to pay any additional amounts on account of any such deduction or withholding required pursuant to FATCA.

Undated Subordinated Debt Securities

Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all amounts of principal, interest and related deferred payments and missed payments, if any, on any undated subordinated debt securities will be paid by us without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all present and future income, stamp and other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings whatsoever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of the Taxing Jurisdiction, unless such deduction or withholding is required by law. If deduction or withholding of any such taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings will at any time be required by the Taxing Jurisdiction, we will pay such additional amounts of, or in respect of, payments of principal, interest and related deferred payments and missed payments, if any, on such undated subordinated debt securities as may be necessary in order that the net amounts paid to the noteholders, after such deduction or withholding, will equal the respective amounts of payments of principal, interest and related deferred payments and missed payments, if any, which would have been payable in respect of such undated subordinated debt securities had no such deduction or withholding been required, provided that the foregoing will not apply to any such tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding which would not have been payable or due but for the fact that:

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Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all payments in respect of the undated subordinated debt securities will be made subject to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to the U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (for the purposes of this section “—Additional Amount—Undated Subordinated Debt Securities”, “FATCA”), and we will not be required to pay any additional amounts on account of any such deduction or withholding required pursuant to FATCA.

General

We have agreed in each indenture that at least one paying agent for each series of debt securities will be located outside the UK.

Whenever we refer in this prospectus, in any context, to the payment of the principal of, or any interest payments on, or in respect of any debt securities, we mean to include the payment of additional amounts to the extent that, in the context, additional amounts are, were or would be payable.

Redemption

In addition to, and unless otherwise stated in, the redemption provisions set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the debt securities of a series, the debt securities of any series may be redeemed, in whole but not in part, at our option, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at any time at a redemption price equal to the principal amount (or in the case of principal indexed debt securities, face amount) thereof (or premium, if any), together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption (or, in the case of discounted securities, the accreted face amount thereof, together with accrued interest, if any, or, in the case of an index-linked debt security, the amount specified in the related prospectus supplement) and any debt securities convertible into preference shares or other securities may, at our option, be converted as a whole, if, at any time, we determine that:

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provided, however, that, in the case of (a) above, no notice of redemption will be given earlier than 90 days prior to the earliest date on which we would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of such debt securities then due.

Any redemption of the undated subordinated debt securities may be subject to one or more solvency conditions, as specified in the relevant prospectus supplement.

We and any of our subsidiary undertakings may, in accordance with applicable law, repurchase debt securities for our or their account. Under the provisions of UK CRR, as applied by the PRA and the Bank of England at the date of this prospectus, any optional tax redemption and any other optional redemption or repurchase may require the prior consent of the PRA or the Bank of England, as relevant.

“UK CRR” means Regulation (EU) No. 575/2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013, as amended or supplemented from time to time, as it forms part of domestic law in the United Kingdom by virtue of the EUWA.

Modification and Waiver

Modifications of and amendments to the relevant indenture with respect to the debt securities may be made by us and the trustee, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series for certain purposes and otherwise with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount (or in the case of index-linked debt securities, face amount) of the debt securities of such series then outstanding; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected thereby:

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The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount (or, in the case of any principal indexed debt securities, face amount) of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned, our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture before the time for such compliance.

In addition, material variations in the terms and conditions of debt securities of any series, including modifications relating to subordination, redemption and events of default may require the consent of the PRA.

Subordinated Debt Securities—Subordination, Defaults and Events of Default

The subordinated debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations, and the subordinated debt securities of a series will rank equally and ratably without any preference among themselves. Our obligations pursuant to the subordinated debt securities will be subordinate in right of payment to depositors and all our other creditors other than claims which are by their terms, or are expressed to be, subordinated to, or pari passu with, the subordinated debt securities as described below under “—Subordination; Dated Subordinated Debt Securities” and “—Subordination; Undated Subordinated Debt Securities.”

The maturity of the subordinated debt securities will be subject to acceleration only in the event of our winding up or if an effective resolution is validly adopted by our shareholders for our winding up. See “—Defaults and Events of Default” below.

Subordination; Dated Subordinated Debt Securities. The rights of holders of dated subordinated debt securities will, in the event of our winding up, be subordinated in right of payment to claims of our depositors and all our other creditors other than claims which are by their terms, or are expressed to be, subordinated to the

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dated subordinated debt securities (including the undated subordinated debt securities) or pari passu therewith. The subordination provisions of the dated subordinated indenture, and to which the dated subordinated debt securities will be subject, will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales.

Subordination; Undated Subordinated Debt Securities. The rights of holders of undated subordinated debt securities will, in the event of our winding up, be subordinated in right of payment to claims of our depositors and all our other creditors other than claims which are by their terms, or are expressed to be, subordinated to, or pari passu with, the undated subordinated debt securities. The subordination provisions of the undated subordinated indenture, and to which the undated subordinated debt securities will be subject, will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales. In the event of our winding up, holders of undated subordinated debt securities will be treated in the same way as they would be treated if they were holders of a class of preference shares in our capital having a preferential right to a return of assets in such winding up over the holders of all other classes of shares in our capital for the time being issued and outstanding; they will receive an amount equal to the principal amount of the undated subordinated debt securities of such series then outstanding together with accrued interest, if any, to the extent that a holder of such class of preference shares would receive an equivalent amount.

Defaults and Events of Default. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement with respect to subordinated debt securities of a series, subject to certain exceptions, it will be an event of default only if an order is made by an English court which is not successfully appealed within 30 days after the date such order was made for our winding up or an effective resolution is validly adopted by our shareholders for our winding up. If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of subordinated debt securities, the trustee may, and if so requested by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series will, declare the principal amount (or such other amount as is specified in the prospectus supplement) together with accrued but unpaid interest (or, in the case of discount securities, the accreted face amount, together with accrued interest, if any, or, in the case of an index-linked debt security, the amount specified in the related prospectus supplement) with respect to the debt securities of such series due and payable immediately; provided that after such declaration, but before a judgment or decree based on such declaration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series may (under certain circumstances) rescind and annul such declaration.

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities and subject to the paragraph below relating to circumstances in which a relevant failure will not be a default, it will be a default with respect to dated subordinated debt securities of a series if:

Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities and subject to the paragraph below relating to circumstances in which a relevant failure will not be a default, it will be a default with respect to undated subordinated debt securities of a series if:

If a default occurs, the trustee may institute proceedings in England (but not elsewhere) for our winding up provided that the trustee may not, upon the occurrence of a default on the subordinated debt securities, accelerate

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the maturity of any of the dated subordinated debt securities of the relevant series or declare the principal of (or premium, if any, on) and any accrued but unpaid interest of the undated subordinated debt securities of the relevant series immediately due and payable unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing. For the purposes of determining whether or not an event of default has occurred on the undated subordinated debt securities, a payment will not be deemed to be due on any date on which any solvency condition is not satisfied. However, if we fail to make the payments set out in the two bullet points above, and at such time such solvency condition is satisfied, the trustee may institute proceedings in England (but not elsewhere) for our winding up.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, failure to make any payment in respect of a series of subordinated debt securities will not be a default in respect of such debt securities if such payment is withheld or refused:

provided, however, that the trustee may, by notice to us, require us to take such action (including but not limited to proceedings for a declaration by a court of competent jurisdiction) as the trustee may be advised in an opinion of counsel, upon which opinion the trustee may conclusively rely, is appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances to resolve such doubt, in which case, we will forthwith take and expeditiously proceed with such action and will be bound by any final resolution of the doubt resulting therefrom. If any such resolution determines that the relevant payment can be made without violating any applicable law, regulation or order then the preceding sentence will cease to have effect and the payment will become due and payable on the expiration of the relevant grace period of 14 or seven business days, as the case may be, with respect to the dated subordinated debt securities, or 30 or seven business days, as the case may be, with respect to the undated subordinated debt securities, after the trustee gives written notice to us informing us of such resolution.

After the end of each fiscal year, we will furnish to the trustee a certificate of certain officers as to the absence of an event of default or a default under the relevant indenture, as the case may be, specifying any such event of default or default.

Senior Debt Securities—Defaults and Events of Default

The senior debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and rank on a parity with our other senior unsecured indebtedness, and the senior debt securities of a series will rank equally and ratably without any preference among themselves. Senior indebtedness will not include any indebtedness that is expressed to be subordinated to or on par with the subordinated debt securities.

The maturity of the senior debt securities will be subject to acceleration only as specified under “—Defaults and Events of Default” below.

Defaults and Events of Default. Unless otherwise provided in a prospectus supplement with respect to any series of senior debt security, it will be a default with respect to senior debt securities of a series if:

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If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to a series of senior debt securities, the trustee may, and if so requested by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of such series will, declare the principal amount (or such other amount as is specified in the prospectus supplement) together with accrued but unpaid interest (or, in the case of discount securities, the accreted face amount, together with accrued interest, if any, or, in the case of an index-linked debt security, the amount specified in the related prospectus supplement) with respect to the senior debt securities of such series due and payable immediately; provided that after such declaration, but before a judgment or decree based on such declaration has been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding senior debt securities of such series may (under certain circumstances) rescind and annul such declaration.

No Right of Set-Off by Holders

To the fullest extent permitted by law, holders of subordinated debt securities, in respect of any claims of such holders to payment of any principal, premium or interest in respect of any subordinated debt securities, by their acceptance thereof, will be deemed to have waived any right of set-off or counterclaim that they might otherwise have. Holders of subordinated debt securities, by their acceptance thereof, will covenant and agree that if, on our winding up, they receive any sums by way of set-off, they will hold such sums on trust for our creditors that are senior to the subordinated debt securities and will, without undue delay, pay such sums to the liquidator to apply in payment of claims of such creditors.

Waiver of Events of Default and Defaults

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount (or, in the case of any principal indexed debt securities, face amount) of the outstanding debt securities of a series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past event of default or default under the applicable indenture with respect to debt securities of that series, except a default in the payment of any principal of (or premium, if any, on) or any installment of interest or missed payment on any debt securities of that series and except a default in respect of a covenant or provision, the modification or amendment of which would require the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security affected by it. Upon any such waiver, such event of default or default will cease to exist, and any event of default or default with respect to any series arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred; provided that no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other event of default or default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Limitation on Remedies and Suits

No remedy against us other than as specifically provided by the relevant indenture will be available to the trustee or the holders of debt securities whether for the recovery of amounts owing in respect of such debt securities or under the relevant indenture or in respect of any breach by us of any obligation, condition or provision under the relevant indenture or such debt securities or otherwise.

No holder of debt securities will be entitled to proceed directly against us, except as described below.

Before a holder of any debt securities may bypass the trustee and bring its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce its rights or protect its interests relating to any debt securities, the following must occur:

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Notwithstanding any other provision of the indentures or debt securities, the right of any holder of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on), or interest on, such debt securities on or after the due dates thereof and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may, without the consent of the holders of any of the debt securities, consolidate or amalgamate with, or merge into, any corporation, or convey, sell, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, provided that:

Assumption of Obligations

With respect to a series of debt securities, a holding company of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings may assume our obligations (or those of any corporation which will have previously assumed our obligations); provided, that:

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Upon any such assumption, the successor entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the relevant indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series with the same effect as if the successor entity had been named under the relevant indenture.

Defeasance and Discharge

If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to debt securities of a series that are payable only in U.S. dollars, we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of such series (with certain exceptions) if, at any time, inter alia, either

Any discharge will be subject to the consent of the PRA, if required.

If so specified in the applicable prospectus supplement with respect to dated subordinated securities or senior debt securities of a series that are payable only in U.S. dollars at our option, (i) we will be discharged from any obligations with respect to the dated subordinated securities or the senior debt securities of any series, as applicable, or (ii) we will cease to comply with the obligation to furnish to the trustee upon its request compliance certificates or opinions of counsel (“covenant defeasance”) (and any other restrictive covenant added in the prospectus supplement for the benefit of such series) if:

Any covenant defeasance will be subject to the consent of the PRA, if required.

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Conversion

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities may provide for the exchange or conversion of such debt securities.

Except as otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of undated subordinated debt securities, we will have the option to convert, in whole but not in part, the undated subordinated debt securities of any series into preference shares on any payment date. The related prospectus supplement will describe the other terms and conditions of the conversion provisions.

Trustee’s Duties

Except during the continuance of an event of default or a default, the trustee will only be liable for performing those duties specifically set forth in the relevant indenture. In the event an event of default or default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the relevant indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

If an event of default or default occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of a series, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the relevant indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of debt securities of such series, unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the trustee, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount (or, in the case of an index-linked debt security, the face amount) of the outstanding debt securities of a series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series. However, (i) this direction must not be in conflict with any rule of law or the relevant indenture and (ii) the trustee will have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the trustee in good faith, by a responsible officer of the trustee, determines that the proceeding so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the holders of debt securities of such series not joining in any such direction. The trustee also may take any other action it deems proper, which is not inconsistent with such direction.

The trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of an event of default or default with respect to the debt securities of a series, give to the holders of the affected debt securities of such series notice of such event of default or default, unless such event of default or default has been cured or waived. However, the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors and/or responsible officers of the trustee reasonably determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the holders of debt securities of such series.

Following the exercise of a UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority (as defined below), the trustee’s duties will be different from those set forth herein and will be fully detailed in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power

The debt securities will be subject to the exercise of the UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In particular, by its acquisition of the debt securities, each holder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will acknowledge, accept, consent and agree, notwithstanding any other term of the debt securities or the relevant indenture or any other agreements, arrangements, or understandings between us and any holder, to be bound by (a) the effect of the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority that may include and result in any of

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the following, or some combination thereof: (i) the reduction of all, or a portion, of the amounts due; (ii) the conversion of all, or a portion, of the amounts due into our or another person’s ordinary shares, other securities or other obligations (and the issue to, or conferral on, the holder of such ordinary shares, other securities or other obligations), including by means of an amendment, modification or variation of the terms of the debt securities or the relevant indenture; (iii) the cancellation of the debt securities; and/or (iv) the amendment or alteration of the redemption date of the debt securities or amendment of the amount of interest payable on the debt securities, or the interest payment dates, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and (b) the variation of the terms of the debt securities or the relevant indenture, if necessary, to give effect to the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority.

No repayment or payment of amounts due will become due and payable or be paid after the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority if and to the extent such amounts have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a result of such exercise. Moreover, each securityholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will consent to the exercise of any UK bail-in power as it may be imposed without any prior notice by the relevant UK resolution authority of its decision to exercise such power with respect to the debt securities.

The Banking Act specifies the order in which the bail-in tool should be applied, reflecting the hierarchy of capital instruments under the UK capital framework and otherwise respecting the hierarchy of claims in an ordinary insolvency.

As used in this prospectus, a “UK bail-in power” is any write-down, conversion, transfer, modification, or suspension power existing from time to time under, and exercised in compliance with, any laws, regulations, rules or requirements in effect in the UK relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (otherwise than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings) in each case as amended or replaced from time to time, including but not limited to Part I of the UK Banking Act 2009, as amended (the “Banking Act”) and the instruments, rules and standards created thereunder, pursuant to which (i) any obligation of a regulated entity (or other affiliate of such regulated entity) can be reduced, cancelled, modified or converted into shares, other securities or other obligations of such regulated entity or any other person (or suspended for a temporary period); or (ii) any right in a contract governing an obligation of a regulated entity may be deemed to have been exercised. A reference to a “regulated entity” is to any BRRD Undertaking as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook promulgated by the Prudential Regulation Authority (the “PRA”), as amended from time to time, which includes certain credit institutions, investment firms, and certain of their parent or holding companies or any comparable future definition intended to designate entities within the scope of the UK recovery and resolution regime; and (iii) the “relevant UK resolution authority” is any authority with the ability to exercise a UK bail-in power.

Governing Law

Except as stated above, each indenture and the debt securities of each series will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. See “Subordinated Debt Securities— Subordination, Defaults and Events of Default.”

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service

We have consented to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the City of New York with respect to any suit or proceeding arising out of, or relating to, the indentures or the debt securities of any series and have appointed HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as agent for service of process.

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DESCRIPTION OF CONTINGENT CAPITAL SECURITIES

Contingent capital securities offered through this prospectus will be issued under a contingent capital securities indenture between HSBC Holdings, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, as heretofore supplemented and amended. The following summary of certain provisions of the contingent capital securities and the contingent capital securities indenture and any such summary in any prospectus supplement do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified by reference to, all the provisions of the contingent capital securities and the contingent capital securities indenture.

General

The contingent capital securities indenture does not limit the amount of contingent capital securities that we may issue under it and provides that we may issue contingent capital securities from time to time in one or more series.

The contingent capital securities will be our direct and unsecured obligations. The contingent capital securities of each series will rank pari passu among themselves, without any preference one over the other by reason of the date they were issued or otherwise. The relevant prospectus supplement will set forth the nature of the subordinated ranking of each series of contingent capital securities relative to the debt and equity issued by us, including to what extent the contingent capital securities may rank junior in right of payment to our other obligations or in any manner.

Please refer to the prospectus supplement relating to the particular series of contingent capital securities offered through this prospectus for the following terms, where applicable, of such contingent capital securities:

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Form, Settlement and Clearance

General. Unless the relevant prospectus supplement states otherwise, the contingent capital securities initially will be represented by one or more global securities in registered form, without coupons attached, and will be deposited with or on behalf of one or more depositaries, including, without limitation, DTC, Euroclear and/or Clearstream Luxembourg, and will be registered in the name of such depositary or its nominee. Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the trustee, run only to persons who are registered as holders of the contingent capital securities. Unless and until the contingent capital securities are exchanged in whole or in part for other securities that we issue or the global securities are exchanged for definitive contingent capital securities (see “—Definitive Contingent Capital Securities”), the global contingent capital securities may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to a nominee or a successor of the depositary.

The contingent capital securities may be accepted for clearance by DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream Luxembourg. Unless the relevant prospectus supplement states otherwise, the initial distribution of the contingent capital securities will be cleared through DTC only. In such event, beneficial interests in the global contingent capital securities will be shown on, and transfers thereof will be effected only through, the book-entry records maintained by DTC and its direct and indirect participants, including, as applicable, Euroclear and Clearstream Luxembourg.

The laws of some states may require that certain investors in securities take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability of investors to own interests in book-entry securities.

So long as the depositary, or its nominee, is the holder of a global contingent capital security, the depositary or its nominee will be considered the sole holder of such global contingent capital security for all purposes under the contingent capital securities indenture. Except as described below under the heading “—Definitive

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Contingent Capital Securities,” no participant, indirect participant or other person will be entitled to have contingent capital securities registered in its name, receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of contingent capital securities in definitive form or be considered the owner or holder of the contingent capital securities under the contingent capital securities indenture. Each person having an ownership or other interest in contingent capital securities must rely on the procedures of the depositary, and, if a person is not a participant in the depositary, must rely on the procedures of the participant or other securities intermediary through which that person owns its interest to exercise any rights and obligations of a holder under the contingent capital securities indenture or the contingent capital securities.

DTC has advised us that: DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly.

Payments on the Global Contingent Capital Security. Payments of any amounts in respect of any global contingent capital securities will be made by the paying agent to the depositary. Payments will be made to beneficial owners of contingent capital securities in accordance with the rules and procedures of the depositary or its direct and indirect participants, as applicable. Neither we nor the trustee nor any of our agents will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records of any securities intermediary in the chain of intermediaries between the depositary and any beneficial owner of an interest in a global contingent capital security, or the failure of the depositary or any intermediary to pass through to any beneficial owner any payments that we make to the depositary.

All such payments will be distributed without deduction or withholding for any UK taxes or other UK governmental charges, or if any such deduction or withholding is required to be made under the provisions of any applicable UK law or regulation, then, except as described under “Additional Amounts,” such additional amounts will be paid as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received by any holder of the global contingent capital security and by the owners of interests in the contingent capital securities, after such deduction or withholding, will equal the net amounts that such holder and owners would have otherwise received in respect of the global contingent capital security or interests in the contingent capital securities, as the case may be, if such deduction or withholding had not been made.

Settlement. Initial settlement for the contingent capital securities and settlement of any secondary market trades in the contingent capital securities will be made in same-day funds. The contingent capital securities will settle in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System.

Definitive Contingent Capital Securities. Owners of interests in the contingent capital securities will not be entitled to receive definitive contingent capital securities in registered form in respect of such interest unless: (1) (i) DTC notifies us in writing that it is unwilling to or unable to continue as a depositary for the contingent capital securities of such series or the contingent capital securities, as the case may be, or (ii) if at any time DTC ceases to be eligible as a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act or we become aware of such ineligibility and, in either case, a successor is not appointed by us within 90 days, (2) a contingent capital event of default has occurred and is continuing and the registrar has received a request from DTC, (3) we, at our option and sole discretion, determine that a global contingent capital security should be exchanged for definitive contingent capital securities or (4) the applicable prospective supplement provides otherwise with respect to a particular series.

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Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, definitive contingent capital securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 and will be issued in registered form. Such definitive contingent capital securities will be registered in the name or names of such person or persons as the registrar will notify the trustee based on the instructions of DTC.

Payments

Payments of interest, principal and premium (if any), on any particular series of contingent capital securities will be made on such dates and, in the case of payments of interest, at such rate or rates, as are set forth in, or as are determined by the method of calculation described in, the prospectus supplement relating to the contingent capital securities of such series.

Additional Amounts

Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all payments made under or with respect to the contingent capital securities shall be paid without deduction or withholding for, or on account of, any and all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions or withholdings whatsoever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or on behalf of the UK (or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein having the power to tax) (each, a “Taxing Jurisdiction”) unless required by law.

If such deduction or withholding will at any time be required by the law of the Taxing Jurisdiction, we shall pay such additional amounts in respect of any payments of interest in respect of the contingent capital securities (but not, for the avoidance of doubt, in respect of the payment of principal in respect of the contingent capital securities) (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the net amounts (including Additional Amounts) paid to the securityholders after such deduction or withholding shall be equal to the respective amounts of interest which the securityholders would have been entitled to receive in respect of the contingent capital securities in the absence of such deduction or withholding; provided that the foregoing will not apply to any such tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding which:

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We have agreed in the contingent capital securities indenture that at least one paying agent for the contingent capital securities will be located outside the UK.

Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, all payments in respect of the contingent capital securities will be made subject to any withholding or deduction required pursuant to (i) sections 1471 to 1474 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any associated regulations or other official guidance; (ii) any treaty, law, regulation or other official guidance enacted in any other jurisdiction, or relating to an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and any other jurisdiction, which (in either case) facilitates the implementation of clause (i); or (iii) any agreement pursuant to the implementation of clauses (i) or (ii) with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. government or any governmental or taxation authority in any other jurisdiction (collectively, for the purposes of this section “––Additional Amounts”, “FATCA”) and we will not be required to pay any additional amounts on account of any such deduction or withholding required pursuant to FATCA.

Whenever we refer in this prospectus, in any context, to the payment of interest, if any, on, or in respect of any contingent capital securities, such mention should be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts, to the extent that, in the context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this prospectus and the indenture for contingent capital securities and as if express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) were made in any provision thereof where such express mention is not made.

Redemption

Any terms of the redemption of any series of contingent capital securities, whether at our option or upon the occurrence of certain circumstances (including, but not limited to, the occurrence of certain tax or regulatory events), will be set forth in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Modification and Waiver

Modifications of, and amendments to, the contingent capital securities indenture with respect to the contingent capital securities of a series may be made by us and the trustee, without the consent of the holders of the contingent capital securities of such series for certain purposes and otherwise with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the contingent capital securities of such series then outstanding; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding contingent capital security affected thereby:

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The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding contingent capital securities of a series may, on behalf of all holders of contingent capital securities of that series, waive, insofar as that series is concerned, our compliance with certain restrictive provisions of the contingent capital securities indenture before the time for such compliance.

In addition, material variations in the terms and conditions of contingent capital securities of any series, including modifications relating to subordination, redemption and events of default may require the consent of the PRA.

Subordination

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on a series of contingent capital securities will be subordinated to the claims of the holders of certain of our other present and future obligations to the extent and in the manner described in the relevant prospectus supplement. The subordination provisions will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of England and Wales.

Contingent Capital Events of Default

Unless the relevant prospectus supplement provides otherwise, a “contingent capital event of default” with respect to the contingent capital securities will result if (i) a court of competent jurisdiction in England (or such other jurisdiction in which we may be organized) makes an order for our winding-up which is not successfully appealed within 30 days of the making of such order, or (ii) our ordinary shareholders adopt an effective resolution for our winding-up (other than, in the case of either (i) or (ii) above, under or in connection with a scheme of reconstruction, merger or amalgamation not involving a bankruptcy or insolvency). Subject to certain provisions relating to the subordination of the contingent capital securities, if a contingent capital event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities may declare the principal amount of the securities (and any accrued but unpaid interest) to be due and payable immediately. However, if the contingent capital event of default has been cured after this declaration, but before the trustee obtains a judgment or decree for payment of money due, then the declaration of acceleration and its consequences will be rescinded.

Other than the limited remedies specified above, on the occurrence of a contingent capital event of default which is continuing, no remedy against us will be available to the trustee or the holders of the contingent capital

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securities whether for the recovery of amounts owing in respect of such contingent capital securities or under the contingent capital securities indenture in relation thereto or in respect of any breach by us of any of our other obligations under or in respect of such contingent capital securities or under the contingent capital securities indenture in relation thereto; provided that (1) our obligations to pay the fees and expenses of, and to indemnify, the trustee and the trustee’s rights to apply money collected to first pay its fees and expenses will survive any such contingent capital event of default and will not be subject to any subordination provisions applicable to the contingent capital securities of such series and (2) the trustee will have such powers as are required to be authorized to it under the Trust Indenture Act in respect of the rights of the holders of the contingent capital securities in response to such contingent capital event of default under the provisions of the contingent capital securities indenture and provided that any payments on the contingent capital securities of such series are subject to the subordination provisions set forth in the contingent capital securities indenture.

Waiver of Contingent Capital Events of Default and Defaults

The holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding contingent capital securities of a series may, on behalf of all holders of contingent capital securities of that series, waive any past contingent capital event of default or default under the contingent capital securities indenture with respect to contingent capital securities of that series, except a default in the payment of any principal of (or, premium, if any, on) or any installment of interest on any contingent capital securities of that series and except a default in respect of a covenant or provision, the modification or amendment of which would require the consent of the holder of each outstanding contingent capital security affected by it. Upon any such waiver, such contingent capital event of default or default will cease to exist, and any contingent capital event of default or default with respect to any series arising therefrom will be deemed to have been cured and not to have occurred; provided that no such waiver will extend to any subsequent or other contingent capital event of default or default or impair any right consequent thereon.

No Right of Set-Off by Holders

Subject to applicable law and unless the applicable prospectus supplement provides otherwise, holders of contingent capital securities, by their acceptance thereof, and the trustee in respect of any claims of such holders to payment of any principal, premium or interest in respect of the contingent capital securities, will be deemed to have waived any right of set-off or counterclaim that they might otherwise have. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if any of the rights and claims of any holder of contingent capital securities are discharged by set-off, such holder will immediately pay an amount equal to the amount of such discharge to us or, if applicable, the liquidator or trustee or receiver in our bankruptcy and, until such time as payment is made, will hold a sum equal to such amount in trust for us or, if applicable, the liquidator or trustee or receiver in our bankruptcy. Accordingly, such discharge will be deemed not to have taken place.

Limitation on Suits

No holder of contingent capital securities will be entitled to proceed directly against us, except as described below.

Subject to any further limitations provided in the relevant prospectus supplement, before a holder of the contingent capital securities may bypass the trustee and bring its own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce its rights or protect its interests relating to the contingent capital securities, the following must occur:

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Notwithstanding any other provision of the contingent capital indenture or the contingent capital securities, the right of any holder of contingent capital securities to receive payment of the principal of (and premium, if any, on), and interest on, the contingent capital securities, on or after the due dates thereof or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, will not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may, without the consent of the holders of any of the contingent capital securities, consolidate or amalgamate with, or merge into, any corporation, or convey, sell, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person, provided that:

Assumption of Obligations

With respect to a series of contingent capital securities, a holding company of us or any of our subsidiary undertakings may assume our obligations (or those of any corporation which will have previously assumed our obligations); provided that:

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Upon any such assumption, the successor entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise all of our rights and powers under the contingent capital securities indenture with respect to the contingent capital securities of such series with the same effect as if the successor entity had been named under the contingent capital securities indenture.

Trustee’s Duties

Except during the continuance of a contingent capital event of default, the trustee will only be liable for performing those duties specifically set forth in the contingent capital securities indenture. In the event a contingent capital event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the contingent capital indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

If a contingent capital event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the contingent capital securities, the trustee will have no obligation to take any action at the direction of any holders of the contingent capital securities, unless they have offered the trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the trustee in its sole discretion. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding contingent capital securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding in the name of and on the behalf of the trustee for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the contingent capital securities. However, this direction (a) must not be in conflict with any rule of law or the contingent capital securities indenture and (b) must not be unjustly prejudicial to the holder(s) of the contingent capital securities not taking part in the direction, in the case of either (a) or (b) as determined by the trustee in its sole discretion. The trustee may also take any other action, consistent with the direction, that it deems proper.

The trustee will, within 90 days of a contingent capital event of default with respect to the contingent capital securities of any series, give to each affected holder of the contingent capital securities of the affected series notice of any contingent capital event of default it knows about, unless the contingent capital event of default has been cured or waived. However, the trustee will be entitled to withhold notice if a trust committee of responsible officers of the trustee determines in good faith that withholding of notice is in the interest of the holders.

Following the exercise of a UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority, the trustee’s duties will be different from those set forth herein and will be fully detailed in the relevant prospectus supplement.

Agreement with Respect to the Exercise of UK Bail-in Power

The contingent capital securities will be subject to the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. In particular, by its acquisition of the contingent capital securities, each holder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will acknowledge, accept, consent and agree, notwithstanding any other term of the contingent capital securities or the contingent capital securities indenture or any other agreements, arrangements or understandings between us and any holder, to be bound by (a) the effect of the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority that may include and result in any of the following, or some combination thereof: (i) the reduction of all, or a portion, of the amounts due; (ii) the conversion of all, or a portion, of the amounts due into our or another person’s ordinary shares, other securities or other obligations (and the issue to, or conferral on, the holder of such ordinary shares, other securities or other obligations), including by means of an amendment,

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modification or variation of the terms of the contingent capital securities or the relevant indenture; (iii) the cancellation of the contingent capital securities; and/or (iv) the amendment or alteration of the redemption date of the contingent capital securities or amendment of the amount of interest payable on the contingent capital securities, or the interest payment dates, including by suspending payment for a temporary period; and (b) the variation of the terms of the contingent capital securities or the contingent capital securities indenture, if necessary, to give effect to the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority.

No repayment or payment of amounts due will become due and payable or be paid after the exercise of any UK bail-in power by the relevant UK resolution authority if and to the extent such amounts have been reduced, converted, cancelled, amended or altered as a result of such exercise. Moreover, each securityholder (which, for these purposes, includes each beneficial owner) will consent to the exercise of any UK bail-in power as it may be imposed without any prior notice by the relevant UK resolution authority of its decision to exercise such power with respect to the contingent capital securities.

The Banking Act specifies the order in which the bail-in tool should be applied, reflecting the hierarchy of capital instruments under the UK capital framework and otherwise respecting the hierarchy of claims in an ordinary insolvency.

Governing Law

Except as stated above, the contingent capital securities indenture and the contingent capital securities of each series will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. See “Subordination”.

Jurisdiction; Consent to Service

We have consented to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court in the City of New York with respect to any suit or proceeding arising out of, or relating to, the contingent capital securities indenture or the contingent capital securities of any series and have appointed HSBC North America Holdings Inc. as agent for service of process.

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DESCRIPTION OF ORDINARY SHARES

HSBC Holdings’ ordinary shares of nominal value $0.50 each (the “ordinary shares”) will be offered solely in connection with the offer of any contingent capital securities (which may be converted into ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of such contingent capital securities).

The following is a summary of the material terms of the ordinary shares, as set out in the Articles of Association and relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2006. Holders of ordinary shares are encouraged to read the Articles of Association and shareholders’ resolutions passed at HSBC Holdings’ Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) relating to the authority of our board of directors (the “board”) to allot shares. A copy of the Articles of Association has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

General

At the 2020 AGM, the holders of ordinary shares passed an ordinary resolution granting the board the general and unconditional authority pursuant to, and for the purposes of, section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 to exercise all the powers of HSBC Holdings to allot ordinary shares and to grant rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, ordinary shares up to a specified aggregate nominal amount.

Subject to certain specified limitations described below, the board was given the authority to allot ordinary shares (a) up to an aggregate nominal amount of $2,033,193,983, including for the allotment of ordinary shares and rights to subscribe for, or to convert any security into, ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of any share plan for employees of HSBC, (b) up to an aggregate nominal amount of $3,388,656,638 in connection with an offer or invitation to (x) holders of ordinary shares, in proportion to the respective number of ordinary shares held by them, and (y) holders of other securities, bonds, debentures or warrants which, in accordance with the rights attaching thereto, are entitled to participate in such an offer or invitation or as the board considers necessary, (c) comprising equity securities (as defined in section 560 of the Companies Act 2006) up to an aggregate nominal amount of $6,777,313,276 in connection with a rights issue to (i) holders of ordinary shares, in proportion to the respective number of ordinary shares held by them, and (ii) holders of other securities, bonds, debentures or warrants which, in accordance with the rights attaching thereto, are entitled to participate in such an offer or invitation or as the board considers necessary and (d) up to an aggregate nominal amount of £150,000 (in the form of 15,000,000 non-cumulative preference shares of £0.01 each), €150,000 (in the form of 15,000,000 non-cumulative preference shares of €0.01 each) and US$150,000 (in the form of 15,000,000 non-cumulative preference shares of US$0.01 each). However, (i) no more than $3,388,656,638 can be allotted or granted under clauses (a) and (b) on a combined basis and (ii) no more than $6,777,313,276 can be allotted under clauses (a), (b) and (c) on a combined basis.

In addition, the board was given the authority to allot ordinary shares up to an aggregate nominal amount of $2,033,193,983 in relation to any issue by HSBC Holdings of contingent capital securities that automatically convert into or are exchanged for ordinary shares in prescribed circumstances. See “Description of Contingent Capital Securities.”

These authorities will expire at the earlier of the conclusion of the 2021 AGM or at the close of business on June 30, 2021, following which we will need to seek a new general authority to allot shares.

HSBC Holdings maintains a principal share register in London and overseas branch share registers in Bermuda and Hong Kong.

Voting

Unless otherwise required by the Companies Act 2006 or the Articles of Association, the holders of ordinary shares vote by ordinary resolution (such as for the election of directors, the declaration of a dividend, the appointment of auditors or the grant of authority to allot shares) at general meetings.

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For the purposes of determining which persons are entitled to attend or vote at a meeting and how many votes such persons may cast, HSBC Holdings may, pursuant to the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (as amended) (the “Regulations”), specify in the notice of the meeting a time, not more than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, by which a person must be entered on the register of members of HSBC Holdings kept pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 (the “Principal Register”) or a register of members resident in Hong Kong (the “Hong Kong Branch Register”) or a register of members resident in any such other countries or territories that the board may from time to time, in its sole discretion, determine (together with the Hong Kong Branch Register, the “Overseas Branch Registers”) in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting.

Subject to the restrictions referred to under “Restrictions on Voting” and any special voting rights or restrictions attached to any class of shares, ordinary resolutions will be decided on a show of hands by a simple majority of holders of ordinary shares present and voting at the meeting where each holder of ordinary shares has one vote, regardless of the number of ordinary shares held, unless a poll is demanded. On a poll, every holder who is present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote will have one vote for each ordinary share held. Holders of record of ordinary shares may appoint a proxy to attend and vote on their behalf.

HSBC Holdings will send out written notice at least 21 clear days before an annual general meeting, and at least 14 clear days before all other general meetings or such longer period as may be required by law from time to time. For general meetings to be valid, at least three holders of ordinary shares entitled to vote must be present in person or by proxy.

The board shall determine in relation to each general meeting the means of attendance at and participation in the meeting, including whether the persons entitled to attend and participate in the general meeting shall be enabled to do so partly by simultaneous attendance and participation at a physical place anywhere in the world determined by it, and partly by means of an electronic facility or facilities determined by it in accordance with the Articles of Association. The holders of ordinary shares present in person or by proxy at the satellite meeting places or through an electronic facility will be counted in the quorum for the general meeting. The satellite meeting places and electronic facilities offered by the board must enable holders of ordinary shares to participate in the business for which the meeting has been convened. Holders of ordinary shares must be able to hear all persons who speak at the meeting and be heard by all other persons attending and participating in the meeting if they wish to speak themselves.

For the purpose of controlling the level of attendance or ensuring the safety of those attending at any place specified for the holding of a general meeting, the board may make from time to time such arrangements as the board, in its absolute discretion, considers to be appropriate. In any such case, the board will direct that the meeting be held at a specified place, where the chairman of the meeting shall preside, and make arrangements for simultaneous attendance and participation by holders of ordinary shares and proxies at other locations. The chairman of a general meeting has express authority to interrupt or adjourn the meeting if, in his opinion, it has become necessary to do so in order to secure the proper conduct of the meeting. Annual general meetings of HSBC Holdings are to be held at such time and in such place as the board may determine.

A corporate holder of ordinary shares may appoint a representative to attend and vote at a general meeting on its behalf.

Disclosure of Interests in Ordinary Shares

The Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the FCA require any person to notify HSBC Holdings and the FCA if the voting rights held by such person through its direct or indirect holding of ordinary shares or certain financial instruments reach, exceed or fall below 3% and each 1% threshold thereafter up to 100%. For the purposes of determining whether a person has such a notification obligation, certain voting rights in HSBC Holdings may be disregarded under the Disclosure, Guidance and Transparency Rules, which can, in certain circumstances, have the effect of removing a notification obligation entirely or, in the case of certain investment managers, result in the need to notify only at higher thresholds.

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Section 793 of the Companies Act 2006 gives HSBC Holdings the power to require persons whom it believes to be, or to have been within the previous three years, interested in its voting shares (including the ordinary shares) to disclose prescribed particulars of those interests. Under Section 794 of the Companies Act 2006, and Article 84 of the Articles of Association, failure to supply the information required may lead to disenfranchisement of the relevant shares and, where those shares represent at least 0.25% of the shares in issue, a prohibition on their transfer and receipt of dividends and other payments in respect of those shares.

HSBC Holdings has a similar power under the Securities and Futures Ordinance, which applies to companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (“SEHK”), to require persons whom it knows or has reasonable cause to believe that person has an interest in HSBC Holdings to confirm that fact or whether or not this is the case.

Restrictions on Voting

Any holder of ordinary shares (or any other person appearing to be interested in the ordinary shares) who has been served with a notice under section 793 of the Companies Act 2006, as described above, and has not given HSBC Holdings any information required by the notice within 14 days from receiving the notice, will not be entitled to be present or to vote either personally or by proxy at a general meeting, unless the directors determine that this restriction should not apply.

A holder of ordinary shares can vote (whether in person or by proxy) and exercise other rights or privileges as a holder of ordinary shares only if he has paid all calls or other amounts presently due.

Dividends and Other Distributions

HSBC Holdings may, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends to be paid to holders of ordinary shares, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the board. The board may pay or declare and pay interim dividends as appear to the board to be justified by the profits available for distribution. In the absence of a resolution from the board as to when an interim dividend will constitute a debt from HSBC Holdings, it will not constitute a debt due from HSBC Holdings until payment.

The board may, with the prior authority of an ordinary resolution and subject to such terms and conditions as the board may determine, offer to any holder of ordinary shares the right to elect to receive ordinary shares, credited as fully paid, instead of cash in any currency in respect of the whole (or some part, to be determined by the board) of any dividend specified by the ordinary resolution. At the annual general meeting of HSBC Holdings held on 12 April 2019, holders of ordinary shares renewed the authority to give the directors authority to offer a scrip dividend alternative until the conclusion of the AGM of HSBC Holdings in 2022.

On any distribution by way of capitalisation, the amount to be distributed will be appropriated among the holders of ordinary shares (whether or not fully paid) in proportion to their holdings of ordinary shares and apply such amount on their behalf either in or towards paying up the amounts, if any, for the time being unpaid on any ordinary shares held by them, or in paying up in full unissued shares or debentures of HSBC Holdings of a nominal amount equal to that amount, and allot the shares or debentures to those holders of ordinary shares.

The dollar preference shares, sterling preference shares and euro preference shares carry the right in priority to the payment of any dividend to the holders of ordinary shares and any other class of shares (other than other preference shares that rank pari passu or in priority as regards income) to a non-cumulative preference dividend payable at such rate and on such terms as the board may determine prior to the allotment of such shares.

A dividend will not be declared or paid on the dollar preference shares, sterling preference shares or euro preference shares if payment of the dividend would cause HSBC Holdings not to meet the applicable capital adequacy requirements of the PRA or if the profits of HSBC Holdings available for distribution, in the opinion of the board, are not sufficient to enable it to pay in full both dividends on those preference shares and on any other shares scheduled to be paid on the same date and that have an equal right to dividends.

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All dividends shall be apportioned and paid proportionately to the percentage of the nominal amount paid up on the shares during any portion(s) of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid, save that if any share is issued on terms providing that it shall rank for dividend as from a particular date, it shall rank for dividend accordingly. Subject to the rights attaching to any shares, any dividend or other monies payable in respect of a share may be paid in such currency as the board may determine. If and whenever the shares on which a dividend is declared are denominated in different currencies, the dividend shall be declared in a single currency (which may be any currency).

Any dividend unclaimed for 12 months after having become payable may be invested or otherwise made use of by the board for the benefit of HSBC Holdings until claimed and HSBC Holdings is not constituted as a trustee over such unclaimed dividends. Any dividend unclaimed for a period of 12 years after having become due for payment (if the board so resolves) may be forfeited and revert to HSBC Holdings. No dividends or other monies payable on or in respect of a share shall bear interest against HSBC Holdings.

On a return of capital, whether in a winding-up or otherwise, the ordinary shares will rank equally in all respects and the preference shares in HSBC Holdings will be entitled to the rights attaching to them on issue.

Liquidation Rights

Subject to applicable insolvency laws and the Articles of Association, on a winding-up of HSBC Holdings, holders of the dollar preference shares, sterling preference shares and euro preference shares have the right to receive out of assets available for distribution to members, in priority to any payment to holders of ordinary shares and any other class of shares (other than other preference shares that rank pari passu or in priority as regards repayment of capital), a sum equal to any unpaid dividend on the relevant shares and the amount paid up on the relevant shares together with such premium (if any) as may be determined by the board prior to the allotment thereof.

On a winding up of HSBC Holdings, the ordinary shares rank equally in all respects and distributions of HSBC Holdings’ assets to holders of ordinary shares will be made in accordance with applicable insolvency laws.

If HSBC Holdings is wound up, after payment of all liabilities, preferred shares and the deduction of any provision made under section 247 of the Companies Act 2006 or section 187 of the Insolvency Act 1986 (which enables the liquidator to make payments to employees or former employees on the cessation or transfer of HSBC Holdings’ business), the remaining assets available for distribution to holders of the ordinary shares will be distributed among the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to the number of ordinary shares that they hold. On the date of the distribution, the amount paid to any holders of ordinary shares whose ordinary shares are not fully paid up will be reduced to reflect the amount owed. After receiving approval of the holders of ordinary shares by an extraordinary resolution and meeting any legal requirements, the liquidator may divide the assets in kind among the holders of ordinary shares in the manner that it sees fit.

Untraced Holders of Ordinary Shares

HSBC Holdings can sell any ordinary shares of a holder (or any ordinary share to which a person is entitled by transmission on death or bankruptcy or otherwise by operation of law) if such holder has not claimed a dividend for a period of 12 years during which at least three dividends were payable with respect to the ordinary shares. HSBC Holdings must advertise its intention to sell the ordinary shares in newspapers published in the UK and one newspaper circulating in the area of the address on the register or other last known address of the member or the person entitled by transmission to the ordinary share or the address for the service of notices notified under Article 165.3 of the Articles of Association (unless any such address is in Hong Kong), and in one leading English language daily newspaper and one leading Chinese language daily newspaper printed and circulating in Hong Kong (in the manner specified in the Articles of Association) and inform the stock exchanges on which the ordinary shares and HSBC Holdings’ American depository shares are listed and traded.

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HSBC Holdings may then sell the ordinary shares if it does not receive any response from the holders of those ordinary shares within three months of publishing the advertisements. After selling the ordinary shares, the net proceeds of the sale will be forfeited and will belong to HSBC Holdings. HSBC Holdings will not be liable in any respect to the person who would have been entitled to the ordinary shares by law for the proceeds of sale. HSBC Holdings may use the money for such good causes as the board from time to time thinks fit.

Transfer of Ordinary Shares

The ordinary shares may be transferred by an instrument in any usual form or in any other form approved by the board. The board may refuse, in their absolute discretion, to register a transfer, unless:

The board may refuse to register a transfer of uncertificated ordinary shares in such other circumstances as may be permitted or required by the UK Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (the “Regulations”) and the relevant system.

Moreover, a transfer of ordinary shares will not be registered if the holder has failed to provide the required particulars as described under “Disclosure of Interests in Ordinary shares.”

The transferor will remain the holder of the ordinary shares concerned until the name of the transferee is entered in the share register in respect of the transfer.

If the board refuses to register a transfer of an ordinary share, it must inform the transferee of its refusal within two months of receiving the transfer request, together with the reasons for the refusal. The board must return the refused instrument of transfer to the person depositing it, except in the case of suspected fraud.

The board is required to keep the following registers of its members:

Subject to applicable law, any class of shares may be held, registered, converted to, transferred or otherwise dealt with, in uncertificated form or certificated form and converted from uncertificated form to certificated form in accordance with the Regulations and the practices instituted by Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited, or such other person as may from time to time be approved by Her Majesty’s Treasury under the Regulations as operator of the relevant system.

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Variation of Class Rights and Alteration of Share Capital

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Act 2006, the consent in writing of the holders of at least three- quarters in nominal value of the issued shares in a class (excluding any shares held as treasury shares), or the sanction by the shareholders of that class of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting, is required to vary or abrogate the rights of the class, unless otherwise provided by the terms of issue of the shares of that class. Two persons holding or representing by proxy at least one third of the nominal amount of the shares of the relevant class must be present for the separate general meeting to be valid (except at an adjourned meeting, at which the quorum will be any holder of shares of the class, present in person or by proxy) and any such person may demand a poll.

HSBC Holdings may also vary or abrogate rights attached to the shares by a special resolution without the separate consent or sanction of the holders of any class of shares so long as the rights attached to all the shares are varied or abrogated in the same manner and to the same extent.

The issuance of new shares ranking in priority to, or pari passu with, an existing class of shares is not considered to be a “variation” in the rights of already existing shares, unless the existing shares provide so expressly.

HSBC Holdings may issue shares with rights or restrictions as it sees fit, including redeemable shares, so long as it does so in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and the Articles of Association and without reducing any rights attached to any existing shares.

As a matter of English law, HSBC Holdings may: