News Release

Making the Earth a Greener Place, One Person at a Time

Local Earth Day Events Encourage Individual Efforts; Online Banking Cited as One Way to Reduce Environmental Impact

9 April 2007

“There’s No Small Change”

NEW YORK, N.Y. (April 9, 2007) – One person can make a world of difference in reducing our environmental footprint – that’s the idea behind HSBC-North America’s “There’s No Small Change” campaign for Earth Day 2007.  This year, the company takes its long-standing commitment to global responsibility to communities nationwide, spreading the word that “There’s No Small Change” when it comes to saving the environment.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. will host a series of local events in key markets, New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Oakland, Rochester and Buffalo, encouraging people to make small changes in their daily lives.  These small changes add up, and can make a significant impact on a global scale.

One of the easiest ways consumers can contribute is to enroll in online bill pay or sign up for eStatements which reduces paper waste and usage.  As an example, by participating in one of HSBC’s online banking options and viewing statements online, every individual can potentially save up to 20 pieces of paper each month, or 240 pieces a year.  If everyone in the United States participated, up to 18.5 million trees a year would be saved.

“We believe that every person can help make the world a better place for the future,” said Kevin R. Martin, Head of Marketing.  “We recognize that our role as an advisor, lender and industry leader provides us with an opportunity to help the people we serve adjust their own behavior to make a difference.  Our ‘There’s No Small Change’ campaign takes this concept to local communities, providing our customers with the tools they need to make a difference.”

Coming to a Community Near You

HSBC will participate in a wide variety of local Earth Day activities, from special community gatherings to clean-up fairs and speaking events.  The efforts will focus on working hand-in-hand with communities to educate residents and owners of small- and medium-sized businesses on how everyone can make a difference in the environment through small changes.

Reducing your impact is easier than you think.  Get the facts from HSBC at the following local events this Earth Day:

Our environmental commitment 
As the world’s local bank, HSBC has a long-standing commitment to the environment. The company became the world's first major bank to become carbon neutral in 2005. It has been named “Green Power Partner of the Year” by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy for the past two years.  

In 2007, the EPA presented HSBC with the distinguished “Climate Protection Award” which recognizes global leaders for their work to reduce climate change.  Additionally, the Financial Times named HSBC the “2006 Sustainable Bank of the Year.” HSBC is the world’s first bank to become 100 percent carbon-neutral, meaning that its worldwide operations contribute zero net carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

HSBC strives to use environmentally sound practices such as solar and wind power to supply energy to our buildings.  The company uses geothermal heating, solar-sensitive lighting in some locations and practices 100% green housekeeping wherever possible.  Over the past five years, HSBC has invested more than $50 million in eco-partnerships with such organizations as Earthwatch and the World Wildlife Fund.

For more information about the “There’s No Small Change” campaign, visit us online at www.us.hsbc.com/theresnosmallchange.com.

Media Contacts

• Linda Recupero
• Linda.s.Recupero@us.hsbc.com
• HSBC - North America
• 212.525.3800