The 2012 Annual report that was published in March 2013.

[http://www.hsbc.com/investor-relations/financial-results]

Looking at the figures, one can see the strong position that the bank is in, good news for UK plc, good news for worried depositors and good news for borrowers.

Total assets US$ 2,692,538 million [US$ 2.692 Trillion] = UK£ 1.745 Trillion = UK £1,745 Billion
Total liabilities 2,509,409 million [US$ 2.509 Trillion] = UK£ 1.626 Trillion = UK £1,626 Billion
Total equity 183,129

Customer deposits US$ 1,340,014 million [US$ 1.340 Trillion] = UK£ 0.686 Trillion = UK £868 Billion
Loans and advances to customers US$ 997,623 million = UK£ 626,724 Million = UK £626 Billion

In short the bank has more cash on deposit (UK£ 868 Billion) than loans advanced (UK £626 Billion)

A bank with more cash than loans. A strong capital position.

How big is HSBC ?
Well, it is massive.

UK HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) collected UK £469 Billion in taxes in 2012-13.
UK Government spent UK £694.89 Billion in 2012.