Press Release

The single brand allows HSBC in North America to better align its businesses, providing a stronger platform to serve customers and advance its plans for growth. HSBC North America Holdings Inc. ranks among the top 10 financial services companies in the United States, with assets approaching US$300 billion.

The rebranding, which commenced on September 30, means all those businesses previously operating under the Household name will be called HSBC. HSBC's consumer lending business will retain the HFC and Beneficial brands, now accompanied by the Group's endorsement signature, "Member HSBC Group."

The HSBC brand positions the company to expand the breadth of products and services to its 60 million consumer and business customers in North America. Most Household businesses will adopt the HSBC brand and many of Household's customers will soon see the HSBC red and white logo.

"A strong brand - HSBC - helps us realize our strategy to build a bigger, better and broader company," said William F. Aldinger, chairman and chief executive officer of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. "Operating under a single brand allows us to unify our vision and goals as well as deepen our relationships and services to our customers."

The global HSBC brand, established five years ago, has become one of the world's most valued and respected in the financial services industry. Fortune magazine recently ranked HSBC as the world's fourth most admired financial services company. In addition, HSBC was designated the fastest growing financial services brand in the world according to BusinessWeek/Interbrand rankings.

"We are confident that before long HSBC will be as much a familiar name in North America as it is in many other parts of the world," Aldinger said.

HSBC acquired the 125-year-old Household International on March 28, 2003. HSBC - North America has more than 53,000 employees, and has won numerous Employer of Choice awards.

HSBC's North American businesses include HSBC Bank USA, National Association; HSBC Bank Canada; HSBC Mortgage Services; HSBC Card Services; HSBC Retail Services; HSBC Auto Finance; HFC Canada; and HSBC Taxpayer Financial Services as well as the consumer lending business.

Celebrations to introduce HSBC - North America will take place at nine former Household facilities: Salinas, Calif.; San Diego; New Castle, Del.; Brandon, Fla.; London, Ky.; Las Vegas; Tigard, Ore.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; and Chesapeake, Va. For more information about these events, go to www.hsbcnorthamerica.com.

About HSBC – North America

HSBC - North America comprises all of HSBC’s U. S. and Canadian businesses, including the former Household International businesses. HSBC in North America serves more than 60 million customers in five key areas: personal financial services, consumer finance, commercial banking, private banking and corporate investment banking and markets. Financial products and services are offered under the HSBC, HFC and Beneficial brands. For more information, visit: www.hsbcnorthamerica.com.

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For more information, contact:

Kathleen Rizzo Young
HSBC - North America
716-841-5003
kathleen.rizzo.young@us.hsbc.com