HSBC Takes $400 Million Fraud-Related Charge Tied to MFS Exposure

HSBC said it booked a $400 million fraud-related charge in the first quarter of 2026, weighing on quarterly profit. The bank said the charge was linked to indirect exposure through a financial sponsor to the collapsed UK mortgage lender Market Financial Solutions (MFS).

The exposure stems from financing HSBC provided to private credit firms, a practice osourcesen referred to as “back leverage,” which can create indirect links to underlying borrowers. According to the article, Apollo’s asset-backed lending unit Atlas SP had exposure to MFS.

Insolvency documents cited in the report said Atlas SP funds held £1 billion of debt across two MFS lending vehicles. Atlas SP has stated that its net economic exposure is £400 million.

The disclosure follows Barclays’ recent £228 million loss related to MFS. Creditors of the collapsed lender face a more than £1.3 billion shortfall amid allegations of double-pledged collateral.

HSBC said total expected credit losses for the first quarter rose 50% year-on-year to $1.3 billion. The bank also allocated $300 million for impairments related to the Middle East conflict.

HSBC reported pre-tax profit of $9.4 billion for the quarter, down $100 million and below analyst expectations of $9.6 billion, according to the article. Operating expenses rose $600 million year-on-year to $8.7 billion, exceeding consensus forecasts.

Revenue increased 6% to $18.6 billion, driven by growth in wealth management and insurance, particularly in Hong Kong.