Both departures are most certainly connected, Flints departure was announced at the same time as the broadly positive results were announced ie mix both good and bad news together. Something else that has escaped attention is that the Chief Risk Officer for Asia is being replaced as well. If the stories about HSBC lending PBOC $400 B are accurate all three would have signed off on the deal.
HSBC’s Asia Chief Risk Officer was at retirement age and is retiring, rather than resigning. His retirement was known about months ago, so probably not related to Flint’s resignation.
Person in the news - Mark Tucker - HSBC chairman
https://www.ft.com/content/bcd82db8-ba7f-11e9-8a88-aa6628ac896c