UK Bank Windfall Tax Calls Mount as Big Four Post £29bn in Profits

Moody’s affirmed HSBC’s A3 senior unsecured debt ratings, shifting the outlook to positive from stable. The upgrade reflects stronger profitability, business simplification, and resilient financial metrics. Moody’s expects HSBC to maintain 17%+ return on tangible equity and 14.0%-14.5% CET1 capital ratio by 2028. The ratings agency also upgraded HSBC Bank and HSBC Continental Europe’s Baseline Credit Assessments to baa2.

HSBC (HSBC) announced the cancellation of 817,400 additional shares as part of its buy-back program. The bank purchased 505,000 shares on UK venues at an average price of £15.1862 and 312,400 shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange at an average price of HK$159.0793. Since the program began, HSBC has repurchased 36.2 million shares for $745.9 million.

HSBC has become the custodian, depositary, and fund administrator for Royal London Asset Management's two Ireland-based fund structures, with combined assets of £21 billion. Both companies expressed optimism about the partnership and its role in supporting future growth.

HSBC has secured a £21bn mandate from State Street for custody, depositary, and fund administration services for two Ireland-based funds. This expands a long-standing relationship with the asset management arm of the mutual, dating back 20 years.

Asian bank stocks fell sharply, led by Japanese lenders, after Bank of America warned of weaker trading and investment banking activity. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial, Nomura, and others declined. Higher yields and softer revenue trends contributed to the selloff.

HSBC (HSBC) repurchased 29.5 million shares since August 5, 2026, spending $609.6 million. On September 14, 2026, it bought 800,000 shares in the UK and 314,400 in Hong Kong, with average prices of £15.3331 and HK$164.0240 respectively. The company's total issued shares now stand at 17.16 billion.