HSBC Bank Canada says it earned a pre tax profit of $231 million in the third quarter, down eight per cent from the $251 million it earned in same period in 2013.

Basic earnings per common share were 32 cents in the three-month period.

The Vancouver-based bank says the decrease in profit was primarily due to lower income from the run-off of its consumer finance portfolio, foreign exchange products and associates, and higher loan impairment charges.

Profit attributable to common shareholders during the quarter was $163 million, down three per cent from the same period in 2013.

The bank says return on average common equity was 14.5 per cent in the quarter ended Sept. 30, compared with 16 per cent in the same period in 2013.

HSBC says it had $84.7 billion in total assets as of Sept 30, compared with $84.3 billion on Dec 31, 2013.