Margins improved for HSBC in Australia and New Zealand over the June 2010 half, the interim management statement for the global banking group, published overnight, shows.HSBC did not break out the margins for its local business but did report a steady increase in profit. The bank said net profit in Australia was US$136 million in the six months to June 2010, up from US$114 million in the December 2009 half and US$84 million in the June 2009 half.Commercial banking provided the majority of the increase in profit, followed by residential lending.According to HSBC's global accounts, overall lending at the bank in Australia and New Zealand increased, in US dollar terms, by five per cent over six months and by 20 per cent over 12 months.APRA data, in Australian dollars, shows a different trend with lending down three per cent and in line with the experience of other banks. However, APRA data relates only to the incorporated banking business and HSBC may account for some Australian banking activities elsewhere.