News Release

HSBC – North America Publishes Toll-Free Number for Customers Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Company offering payment delay, waiver of fees

9 September 2005

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill. – HSBC – North America has established a special toll-free number – 866-727-HSBC (866-727-4722) – for customers who live in areas of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi that were directly impacted by Hurricane Katrina.

HSBC agents are available to assist customers with inquiries regarding accounts held with HFC, Beneficial, HSBC Mortgage Services, HSBC Auto Finance, HSBC Bank USA N.A. and HSBC Mortgage Corp., and customers who hold HSBC-issued retail cards and the HSBC Bank, Household Bank and Orchard Bank credit cards.

In addition, effective immediately, HSBC Bank will not assess fees on ATM transactions made with FEMA- or American Red Cross-issued debit cards.

As previously announced, HSBC – North America will enable consumer customers who live in FEMA-designated Individual Assistance disaster areas resulting from Hurricane Katrina to delay their payments for 30 days. HSBC – North America also will waive late and over-limit fees or other penalties that might normally be assessed. Consumer customers do not need to call the company in order to avail themselves of this additional payment flexibility.

In addition, these customers with HSBC-issued credit cards will receive waivers of cash-advance fees and may be eligible for emergency credit line increases. Customers of HFC and Beneficial may also be eligible for emergency lines of credit. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

HSBC – North America comprises all of HSBC's U.S. and Canadian businesses, including the former Household International businesses.  The company's businesses serve nearly 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: http://www.hsbcusa.com.

Media Contacts

• Rahsaan Johnson
• rahsaan.a.johnson@us.hsbc.com
• Manager, Public Affairs
• HSBC – North America
• (847) 564-7946