Form 424B2 HSBC USA INC /MD/

September 2017

Pricing Supplement

Registration Statement No. 333-202524

Dated September 12, 2017

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)

If, on any of the first 9 determination dates, the determination closing value of each underlying is greater than or equal to its initial value, the securities will be automatically redeemed for an early redemption payment on the 3rd business day following the related determination date. No further payments will be made on the securities once they have been redeemed.

The securities will not be redeemed if the determination closing value of any underlying on a determination date is below its initial value.

·     If the official closing value for each underlying on every scheduled trading day during the relevant quarterly observation period is greater than or equal to its coupon barrier value, we will pay a contingent quarterly payment at an annual rate of 9.30% of the stated principal amount per security (corresponding to $23.25 (or 2.325%) per quarter per security, rounded to two decimal places) on the related contingent payment date.

·     If the official closing value of any underlying on any scheduled trading day during the relevant quarterly observation period is less than its coupon barrier value, no contingent quarterly payment will be made with respect to that observation period.

It is possible that one or more underlyings will remain below their respective coupon barrier values on at least one scheduled trading day during most or all of the quarterly observation periods so that you will receive few or no contingent quarterly payments during the term of the securities.

If any scheduled trading day during an observation period is not a trading day or a market disruption event occurs with respect to any underlying on that day, the official closing value of that underlying as of that day will be disregarded in terms of determining whether the contingent quarterly payment is payable for that observation period.

$20.00⁽¹⁾

$5.00⁽²⁾

$48,000.00

$12,000.00

On any of the first 9 determination dates, the determination closing value of each underlying is greater than or equal to its initial value.

§     The securities will be automatically redeemed for (i) the stated principal amount plus (ii) the contingent quarterly payment with respect to the related observation period, if payable.

§     Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlyings from their respective initial values.

The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final value of each underlying is greater than or equal to its downside threshold value.

§     The payment due at maturity will be (i) the stated principal amount and (ii) if payable.

§     Investors will not participate in any appreciation of the underlyings from their respective initial values.

The securities are not automatically redeemed prior to maturity and the final value of any underlying is less than its downside threshold value.

§     The payment due at maturity will be (i) the stated principal amount multiplied by (ii) the performance factor of the worst performing underlying.

§     Investors will lose a significant portion, and may lose all, of their principal in this scenario.

60.00 (below the

coupon barrier level)

90.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

95.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

60.00 (below the

coupon barrier level)

90.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

85.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

85.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

105.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

100.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

60.00 (below the

coupon barrier level)

90.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

95.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level)

110.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level) (also the determination closing value)

105.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level) (also the determination closing value)

110.00 (at or above the

coupon barrier level) (also the determination closing value)

The securities may be suitable for you if:

§     You believe that the closing value of each underlying will be equal to or greater than its coupon barrier value on every scheduled trading day during most or all observation periods, and not below its downside threshold value on the final determination date.

§     You are willing to make an investment that is potentially exposed to downside performance of the worst performing underlying on a 1-to-1 basis.

§     You are willing to hold the securities that will be automatically called on any of the determination dates on which the closing value of each underlying is at or above its initial value.

§     You are willing to invest in securities, the maximum potential return of which is limited to any contingent quarterly payments payable on the securities.

§     You are willing to forgo dividends or other distributions paid to holders of the stocks included in the relevant underlying, or the underlying itself, as applicable.

§     You are willing to hold the securities to maturity.

§     You do not seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

§     You are willing to accept the risk and return profile of the securities versus a conventional debt security with a comparable maturity issued by HSBC or another issuer with a similar credit rating.

§     You are comfortable with the creditworthiness of HSBC, as Issuer of the securities.

The securities may not be suitable for you if:

§     You believe that the closing values of any underlying will be less than its coupon barrier value on at least one scheduled trading day during most or all observation periods, and/or below its downside threshold value on the final determination date.

§     You are unwilling to make an investment that is potentially exposed to the downside performance of the worst performing underlying on a 1-to-1 basis.

§     You are unable or unwilling to hold the securities that will be automatically called on any of the determination dates on which the closing value of each underlying is at or above its initial value.

§     You are unwilling to invest in securities, the maximum potential return of which is limited to any contingent quarterly payments payable on the securities.

§     You are unwilling to forgo dividends or other distributions paid to holders of the stocks included in the relevant underlying, or the underlying itself, as applicable.

§     You are unwilling to hold the securities to maturity.

§     You prefer to receive guaranteed periodic interest payments on your investment.

§     You seek an investment for which there will be an active secondary market.

§     You prefer the lower risk, and therefore accept the potentially lower returns, of conventional debt securities with comparable maturities issued by HSBC or another issuer with a similar credit rating.

§     You are not willing or are unable to assume the credit risk associated with HSBC, as Issuer of the securities.

Historical Performance of the Russell 2000^® Index – Daily Official Closing Levels

January 2, 2008 to September 12, 2017

Historical Performance of the S&P 500^® Index – Daily Official Closing Levels

January 2, 2008 to September 12, 2017

Historical Performance of the EEM – Daily Official Closing Prices

January 2, 2008 to September 12, 2017

If the securities have become immediately due and payable following an event of default (as defined in the accompanying prospectus) with respect to the securities, the calculation agent will determine the accelerated payment due and payable at maturity in the same general manner as described in “Payment at maturity” in this pricing supplement except that the accelerated contingent quarterly payment will be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. In that case, the scheduled trading day preceding the date of acceleration will be used as the final determination date for purposes of determining the final value of each underlying. If a market disruption event exists with respect to an underlying on that scheduled trading day, then the accelerated final determination date for the applicable underlying will be postponed for up to 5 scheduled trading days (in the same manner used for postponing the originally scheduled final determination date). The accelerated maturity date will then be the 3rd business day following the postponed accelerated final determination date. For the avoidance of doubt, if no market disruption event exists with respect to any underlying on the scheduled trading day immediately preceding the date of acceleration, the determination of that underlying’s final value will be made on such date, irrespective of the existence of a market disruption event with respect to the any other underlyings occurring on that date.

If the securities have become immediately due and payable following an event of default, you will not be entitled to any additional payments with respect to the securities. For more information, see “Description of Debt Securities—Senior Debt Securities—Events of Default” in the prospectus.

Prospective investors should note that the discussion under the section called “U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the accompanying prospectus supplement does not apply to the securities issued under this document and is superseded by the following discussion.

The following summary is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal tax consequences of ownership and disposition of the securities. This discussion applies only to initial investors in the securities who:

·      purchase the securities at their “issue price”; and

·      hold the securities as capital assets, within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of the holder’s particular circumstances or to holders subject to special rules, such as:

·      certain financial institutions;

·      insurance companies;

·      certain dealers and traders in securities, commodities or foreign currencies;

·      investors holding the securities as part of a “straddle,” conversion transaction, integrated transaction or constructive sale transaction;

·      U.S. Holders, as defined below, whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar;

·      partnerships or other entities classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

·      regulated investment companies;

·      real estate investment trusts;

·      tax-exempt entities, including an “individual retirement account” or “Roth IRA”, as defined in Section 408 or 408A of the Code, respectively; or

·      persons subject to the alternative minimum tax.

As the law applicable to the U.S. federal income taxation of instruments such as the securities is technical and complex, the discussion below necessarily represents only a general summary. Moreover, the effect of any applicable state, local or non-U.S. tax laws is not discussed.

This discussion is based on the Code, administrative pronouncements, judicial decisions and final, temporary and proposed U.S. Treasury Department regulations, all as of the date hereof, changes to any of which subsequent to the date of this document may affect the tax consequences described herein. Persons considering the purchase of the securities should consult their tax advisors with regard to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to their particular situations as well as any tax

consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction.

General

There is no direct legal authority as to the proper tax treatment of the securities, and therefore significant aspects of the tax treatment of the securities are uncertain as to both the timing and character of any inclusion in income in respect of the securities. Under one approach, a security could be treated as a single financial contract that provides for a contingent quarterly payment. Pursuant to the terms of the securities, you agree to treat a security for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a single financial contract that provides for a contingent quarterly payment that will be treated as ordinary income to you at the time received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting. Subject to the limitations described herein, and based on certain factual representations received from us, in the opinion of our special U.S. tax counsel, Morrison & Foerster LLP, it is reasonable to treat a security as a single financial contract that provides for a contingent quarterly payment.

Due to the absence of statutory, judicial or administrative authorities that directly address the treatment of the securities or instruments that are similar to the securities for U.S. federal income tax purposes, no assurance can be given that the IRS or the courts will agree with the tax treatment described herein. Accordingly, you should consult your tax advisor regarding all aspects of the U.S. federal tax consequences of an investment in the securities (including possible alternative treatments of the securities) and with respect to any tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. taxing jurisdiction. Unless otherwise stated, the following discussion is based on the treatment of each security as described in the previous paragraph.

We will not attempt to ascertain whether an underlying or any of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an underlying, as the case may be, would be treated as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) or United States real property holding corporation (“USRPHC”), both as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If an underlying or one or more of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an underlying, as the case may be, were so treated, certain adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences might apply. You should refer to information filed with the SEC and other authorities by the underlyings and the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, the underlyings, as the case may be, and consult your tax advisor regarding the possible consequences to you if an underlying or one or more of the entities whose stock is included in, or owned by, an underlying, as the case may be, is or becomes a PFIC or a USRPHC.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

·      an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States, for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

·      a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; or

·      an estate or trust, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source.

The term “U.S. Holder” also includes certain former citizens and residents of the United States.

Tax Treatment of the Securities

Assuming the treatment of the securities as set forth above is respected, the following U.S. federal income tax consequences should result.

Tax Basis. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities should equal the amount paid by the U.S. Holder to acquire the securities.

Tax Treatment of Contingent Quarterly Payment. Any contingent quarterly payment on the securities should be taxable as ordinary income to a U.S. Holder at the time received or accrued in accordance with the U.S. Holder’s regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Sale, Exchange, Early Redemption or Settlement of the Securities. Upon a sale, exchange, early redemption or settlement of the securities at maturity, a U.S. Holder should recognize capital gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized (other than with respect to cash attributable to the contingent quarterly payment, which should be treated as discussed above) on the sale, exchange, early redemption or settlement and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the securities sold, exchanged, redeemed or settled. Any such gain or loss recognized should be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder has held the securities for more than one year at the time of the sale, exchange, early redemption or settlement, and should be short-term capital gain or loss otherwise. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Possible Alternative Tax Treatments of an Investment in the Securities

Due to the absence of authorities that directly address the proper tax treatment of the securities, no assurance can be given that the IRS will accept, or that a court will uphold, the tax treatment described above. In particular, the IRS could seek to treat a security as a single debt instrument. Such a debt instrument would be subject to the special tax rules governing contingent payment debt instruments. If the securities are so treated, a U.S. Holder would generally be required to accrue interest income over the term of the securities based upon the yield at which we would issue a non-contingent fixed-rate debt instrument with other terms and conditions similar to the securities. In addition, any gain a U.S. Holder might recognize upon the sale, exchange, early redemption or settlement of the securities would be ordinary income and any loss recognized by a U.S. Holder would be ordinary loss to the extent of interest that same holder included in income in the current or previous taxable years in respect of the securities, and thereafter, would be capital loss. Because of the absence of authority regarding the appropriate tax characterization of the securities, it is also possible that the IRS could seek to characterize the securities in a manner that results in other tax consequences that are different from those described above. For example, the IRS could assert that any gain or loss that a U.S. Holder may recognize upon the sale, exchange, early redemption or maturity of the securities should be treated as ordinary gain or loss.

Other alternative federal income tax treatments of the securities are also possible, which if applied could also affect the timing and character of the income or loss with respect to the securities. On December 7, 2007, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS released a notice requesting comments on the U.S. federal income tax treatment of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments. The notice focuses on whether to require holders of “prepaid forward contracts” and similar instruments to accrue income over the term of their investment. It also asks for comments on a number of related topics, including the character of income or loss with respect to these instruments; whether short-term instruments should be subject to any such accrual regime; the relevance of factors such as the exchange–traded status of the instruments and the nature of the underlying property to which the instruments are linked; whether these instruments are or should be subject to the “constructive ownership” regime, which very generally can operate to recharacterize certain long-term capital gain as ordinary income and impose an interest charge; and appropriate transition rules and effective dates. While it is not clear whether instruments such as the securities would be viewed as similar to the prepaid forward contracts described in the notice, any U.S. Treasury Department regulations or other guidance promulgated after consideration of these issues could materially and adversely affect the tax consequences of an investment in the securities, possibly with retroactive effect. U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities, including possible alternative treatments and the issues presented by this notice.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Backup withholding may apply in respect of the amounts paid to a U.S. Holder, unless such U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number, or otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. The amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS. In addition, information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the securities and the proceeds from a sale, exchange, early redemption or other disposition of the securities, unless the U.S. Holder provides proof of an applicable exemption from the information reporting rules.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

This section applies to you only if you are a Non-U.S. Holder. As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a security that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

·      an individual who is classified as a nonresident alien;

·      a foreign corporation; or

·      a foreign trust or estate.

The term “Non-U.S. Holder” does not include any of the following holders:

·      a holder who is an individual present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition and who is not otherwise a resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

·      certain former citizens or residents of the United States; or

·      a holder for whom income or gain in respect of the securities is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States.

Such holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the securities.

Because the U.S. federal income tax treatment (including the applicability of withholding) of contingent

quarterly payments on the securities is uncertain, the entire amount of the contingent quarterly payments will be subject to U.S. federal income tax withholding at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty). We will not pay any additional amounts in respect of such withholding. In order to claim an exemption from or a reduction in the 30% withholding tax, a Non-U.S. Holder of the securities must comply with certification requirements to establish that it is not a U.S. person and is eligible for a reduction of, or an exemption from, withholding under an applicable tax treaty. If you are a Non-U.S. Holder, you should consult your tax advisors regarding the tax treatment of the securities, including the possibility of obtaining a refund of any withholding tax and the certification requirement described above.

A “dividend equivalent” payment is treated as a dividend from sources within the United States and such payments generally would be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax if paid to a Non-U.S. Holder. Under U.S. Treasury Department regulations, payments (including deemed payments) with respect to equity-linked instruments (“ELIs”) that are “specified ELIs” may be treated as dividend equivalents if such specified ELIs reference an interest in an “underlying security,” which is generally any interest in an entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes if a payment with respect to such interest could give rise to a U.S. source dividend. However, Internal Revenue Service guidance provides that withholding on dividend equivalent payments will not apply to specified ELIs that are not delta-one instruments and that are issued before January 1, 2019. Based on the Issuer’s determination that the securities are not “delta-one” instruments, Non-U.S. Holders should not be subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments, if any, under the securities. However, it is possible that the securities could be treated as deemed reissued for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the occurrence of certain events affecting the underlying or the securities, and following such occurrence the securities could be treated as subject to withholding on dividend equivalent payments. Non-U.S. Holders that enter, or have entered, into other transactions in respect of the underlying or the securities should consult their tax advisors as to the application of the dividend equivalent withholding tax in the context of the securities and their other transactions. If any payments are treated as dividend equivalents subject to withholding, we (or the applicable paying agent) would be entitled to withhold taxes without being required to pay any additional amounts with respect to amounts so withheld.

U.S. Federal Estate Tax

Under current law, while the matter is not entirely clear, individual Non-U.S. Holders, and entities whose property is potentially includible in those individuals’ gross estates for U.S. federal estate tax purposes (for example, a trust funded by such an individual and with respect to which the individual has retained certain interests or powers), should note that, absent an applicable treaty benefit, the securities are likely to be treated as U.S. situs property, subject to U.S. federal estate tax. These individuals and entities should consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal estate tax consequences of investing in the securities.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on the securities and the proceeds from a sale, exchange, early redemption or other disposition. A Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to backup withholding in respect of amounts paid to the Non-U.S. Holder, unless such Non-U.S. Holder complies with certification procedures to establish that it is not a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise establishes an exemption. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against the Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the Non-U.S. Holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act imposes a 30% U.S. withholding tax on certain U.S. source payments, including interest (and original issue discount), dividends, other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gain, profits, and income, and on the gross proceeds from a disposition of property of a type which can produce U.S. source interest or dividends (“Withholdable Payments”), if paid to a foreign financial institution (including amounts paid to a foreign financial institution on behalf of a holder), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to collect and provide to the U.S. Treasury Department substantial information regarding U.S. account holders, including certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners, or otherwise establishes an exemption. The legislation also generally imposes a withholding tax of 30% on Withholdable Payments made to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or a certification identifying the direct and indirect substantial U.S. owners of the entity or otherwise establishes an exemption.

The U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS have announced that withholding on payments of gross proceeds from a sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the securities will only apply to dispositions after December 31, 2018. Holders are urged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding

Pursuant to the terms of a distribution agreement, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., an affiliate of HSBC, will purchase the securities from HSBC for distribution to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will act as agent for the securities and will receive a fee of $25.00 per $1,000.00 stated principal amount and will pay Morgan Stanley Wealth Management a fixed sales commission of $20.00 for each security they sell. Of the $25.00 per $1,000.00 stated principal amount received by HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., acting as agent for HSBC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. will pay Morgan Stanley Wealth Management a structuring fee of $5.00 for each security.

In addition, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or another of its affiliates or agents may use this pricing supplement in market-making transactions after the initial sale of the securities, but is under no obligation to make a market in the securities and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without notice.

Delivery of the securities will be made against payment for the securities on the original issue date set forth above, which is more than two business days following the pricing date. Under Rule 15c6-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to that trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the securities more than two business days prior to the original issue date will be required to specify an alternate settlement cycle at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement, and should consult their own advisors. See “Supplemental Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)” on page S-59 in the prospectus supplement.

This pricing supplement relates to an offering of securities linked to the underlyings. The purchaser of a security will acquire a senior unsecured debt security of HSBC USA Inc. Although the offering of the securities relates to the underlyings, you should not construe that fact as a recommendation as to the merits of acquiring an investment linked to the underlyings or as to the suitability of an investment in the securities.

HSBC has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus, a prospectus supplement, Equity Index Underlying Supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement) with the SEC for the offering to which this pricing supplement relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus, prospectus supplement, Equity Index Underlying Supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement in that registration statement and other documents HSBC has filed with the SEC for more complete information about HSBC and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. or any dealer participating in this offering will arrange to send you the prospectus, prospectus supplement, Equity Index Underlying Supplement and ETF Underlying Supplement if you request them by calling toll-free 1-866-811-8049.

You should read this document together with the prospectus dated March 5, 2015, the prospectus supplement dated March 5, 2015, the Equity Index Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015 and the ETF Underlying Supplement dated March 5, 2015. If the terms of the securities offered hereby are inconsistent with those described in the accompanying prospectus supplement, prospectus, Equity Index Underlying Supplement, or ETF Underlying Supplement, the terms described in this pricing supplement shall control. You should carefully consider, among other things, the matters set forth in “Risk Factors” herein, on page S-2 of the accompanying Equity Index Underlying Supplement and page S-1 of the accompanying ETF Underlying Supplement and prospectus supplement, as the securities involve risks not associated with conventional debt securities. We urge you to consult your investment, legal, tax, accounting and other advisors before you invest in the securities. As used herein, references to the “Issuer”, “HSBC”, “we”, “us” and “our” are to HSBC USA Inc.

You may access these documents on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov as follows:

The Equity Index Underlying Supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014327/v403626_424b2.htm

The ETF Underlying Supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014329/v403640_424b2.htm

The prospectus supplement at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000114420415014311/v403645_424b2.htm

The prospectus at: http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/83246/000119312515078931/d884345d424b3.htm