News Release

HSBC Premieres Global Personal Banking Service

15 March 2000

HSBC today launches HSBC Premier, its first premium global banking service for personal customers.

The key aims of the new service are to provide high value personal customers with a tailored range of products and services which make full use of HSBC's formidable financial strength and global reach. The new service will have particular appeal to customers who travel frequently or work internationally. HSBC's branch and subsidiary network today spans 82 countries and territories worldwide and the HSBC Premier service will be accessible to customers in virtually every major city in the world.

Initially, HSBC Premier will be offered to up to half a million customers in Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, UAE, UK and the USA. The service will be designed around customers' requirements and will include a selection of the following features:

• A dedicated relationship manager to look after each customer's financial needs;
  
• Consolidated statements;
  
• HSBC's best rates on savings and credit card accounts;
  
• A priority 24-hour telephone service accessible from anywhere in the world;
  
• Over 50 dedicated HSBC Premier branches worldwide;
  
• Free access to current account funds through any HSBC cash machine worldwide;
  
• Extensive global travel services, including commission-free currency and travellers checks, and emergency travel recovery services;
  
• HSBC Premier Rewards, a new and attractive loyalty program;
  Free check cashing worldwide.

In addition to these features, further enhancements to the HSBC Premier service are being developed. These include a global calling card and free Internet services. HSBC member banks worldwide will also be offering local benefits and enhancements to the service.

Commenting on the new service, Keith Whitson, HSBC's Group Chief Executive, said: "HSBC Premier is a truly global service which offers tangible benefits for banking with a worldwide financial services organisation. It is a logical development from the Group's establishment of a global brand last year. Now, with our instantly recognizable name and hexagon symbol, customers will be able to walk into an HSBC branch in most countries in the world and be offered a Premier service."

"Through HSBC Premier, we will reward our customers not just with preferential terms on traditional banking products, but also with other services aimed at making customers' lives easier. The benefits will range from a global 24-hour telephone service, to commission-free currency and travellers checks, to restaurant bookings and hotel information."