Excellent funding and liquidity profiles; Solid capitalization; Robust asset quality; and Core member of the HSBC Group. Organic revenue growth and cost management have historically been less strong than certain U.K. peers; and Higher proportional exposure to corporate and commercial banking than some peers. The ratings on U.K.-incorporated HSBC Bank PLC recognize its stand-alone credit profile, which reflects its excellent liquidity, solid capitalization, and robust earnings. The bank's strong franchise is based upon its position as a U.K. clearing bank, albeit the smallest of the "big four", while its ownership of HSBC Group's continental European and private banking businesses benefit geographic and product diversity. A key strength of the bank is its comfortable liquidity profile, as indicated by its 91%
