Press Release

The grants are part of Household’s nationwide initiative to assist consumers in developing their budgeting, saving and credit management skills, and learning more about homeownership.

In addition to the Columbus area, Household in 2004 has awarded over $1 million in financial education grants to 10 organizations in Seattle, Phoenix and Tucson. Since 2002, Household has distributed more than $3 million in financial education grants to 36 local organizations in 11 U.S. markets.

The need for consumer financial education has never been greater. In 2003, more than 40,000 Ohio residents filed for bankruptcy in the Southern District of Ohio, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute.

Household has awarded 2004 financial education grants to four local organizations:

• Dayspring Christian Community Development Corporation received $100,000 to provide financial education, debt management classes and home ownership assistance -- in collaboration with the BTFC Development Corporation -- through its Breaking The Curse Development Program.

• Homes on the Hill Community Development Corp. will use its $100,000 grant to provide homeownership counseling and down payment assistance for homeownership to low-income Hispanics and immigrants.

• Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission received $80,000 to fund financial and home ownership education programs, including down payment assistance and credit counseling classes.

"Our primary mission is to give our community members the appropriate resources to build better futures for themselves," said Bill Dodson, executive director, Dayspring Christian Community Development. "Household’s support enables us to expand our efforts to provide financial counsel to those in need."

"We have a longstanding commitment to consumer financial education – it is critical that families understand how they can control their financial future," said Loretta Abrams, national director of consumer affairs at Household. "Working through these dedicated community organizations ensures that we reach as many Columbus-area residents as possible to help them with ongoing financial education."

Household’s financial education program is a $13 million multi-year investment by the company to educate consumers about how to build a brighter financial future for themselves and their families. Partnering with national organizations and local community groups, Household arms consumers with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed financial decisions.

For more information about the grant program, contact Household’s community relations department at communityrelations@household.com.

About Household International, Inc.

Household International’s businesses are leading providers of consumer loans, credit cards, auto finance and credit insurance products in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. Household is a member of HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE: HBC), one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. Household companies operate under the two oldest and most recognized names in consumer finance - HFC and Beneficial. Additionally, Household's businesses are some of the nation's largest issuers of private label and general-purpose credit cards, including The GM Card® and the AFL-CIO's Union Plus® card. For more information, visit www.household.com.

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For more information, contact:

Mark Friedlander
HSBC North America Holdings
(847) 564-6137
mrfriedlander@household.com