Press Release

Calling All Cabbies!

HSBC Announces Citywide Search for New Yorks Most Knowledgeable Cabbie

3 March 2003

New York – How often do you find yourself telling a cab driver which route to take to save time? Do you know where to find the best pizza at 3:00 in the morning? Are you equipped with the nerves of steel needed to battle New York City traffic? If this sounds like you, perhaps youre ready to become the quintessential New York Cab driver.

Cabbies, cabbie wannabes and all-around New York experts are invited to compete for the honor of being the first-ever HSBC BankCabbie: New Yorks Most Knowledgeable Cabbie. Finalists will have a chance to prove their New York prowess at the BankCabbie contest in April at Ellens Stardust Diner.

The ideal candidate has a gift for gab; limitless knowledge of New York City places, people, and trivia; and a superhuman tolerance for mind-numbing traffic. That, plus a valid drivers license, a clean driving record, and no felony convictions will land one lucky New Yorker a cabbie contract for nine months.

The winner will drive the HSBC BankCab, a refurbished mint condition Checker Cab around New York from mid-April through December, taxiing HSBC customers and VIPs and making appearances as necessary.

"HSBC is the worlds local bank and that means we recognize our customers needs and understand what makes their community unique. This program will identify the most knowledgeable and charismatic New York cabbie and provide our customers with access to his or her incomparable skills at locating the best food, entertainment, shopping and services in Manhattan," said David Kotheimer, Regional President for Metropolitan New York, HSBC Bank USA.

Successful contestants will know the correct answers to questions such as:

Whats the quickest way to Zabars from Battery Park?
Where can you get fresh bagels after midnight?
Whats the best route from midtown to the Upper East Side when the UN General Assembly is in session?
Interested applicants do not need to have previous experience driving a cab. To enter, contestants should send a photo, resume, and statement of why theyre qualified for the job via email to cabbie@mbooth.com, or by mail to Cabbie c/o MBA, 300 Park Avenue South, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10010.