The UK’s largest bank reported pre-tax profits of $4.5bn (£2.8bn) in the third quarter, compared to $3.5bn in the same period in 2012, a 30% increase. 

HSBC said the strong figures were driven by the performance of its home markets of the UK and Hong Kong, which contributed more than half of the underlying pre-tax profits over the quarter and year-to-date.

Improved mortgage spreads and higher average mortgage balances in the UK and Hong Kong markets were also cited as a reason for revenue increases.

The group said it continues to remodel its business in the US to support growth and improve profitability. HSBC continued to run-down its US consumer mortgage portfolio and said it hopes an improving housing market can accelerate its progress.

Pre-tax profits for the nine months to the end of September came in at $18.6bn, up 15% on the previous year.

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Group chief executive Stuart Gulliver said: “We see reasons for optimism with some evidence of a broadening recovery.

“We remain focused on delivering organic growth, streamlining the businesses and implementing global standards, and so supporting a progressive dividend.”