Acq of Credit Card Portfolio

HSBC Holdings PLC
13 April 2006



                  HSBC ACQUIRES BOSCOV'S CREDIT CARD PORTFOLIO

HSBC Retail Services, a business unit of HSBC North America Holdings, Inc., has
entered into a strategic alliance to acquire the credit receivables, and manage
the ongoing credit programme, of Boscov's Department Stores, the largest
family-owned, independent department store in the United States.

HSBC Retail Services, through HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A., is purchasing the consumer
accounts and approximately US$170 million in receivables. Under the terms of the
10-year agreement, HSBC is paying upfront a US$29 million premium on the credit
card portfolio. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of
2006.

By partnering with HSBC, Boscov's customers will continue to enjoy all of the
benefits of their existing card programme. This includes a points-based rewards
programme where customers earn up to four points for every dollar charged on
their Boscov's private label card.

In addition, Boscov's will be able to take advantage of HSBC's expertise in
credit, marketing analytics and customer loyalty to acquire new customers and
build market share as it continues to grow its business.

Joseph Hoff, chief executive officer, HSBC Retail Services, said: "We are
committed to providing additional value to Boscov's credit programme. Making
full use of our industry expertise, being responsive to our partner's needs in a
credit programme, and offering flexible financing solutions are what we do best.
Delivering on our commitment to help Boscov's enhance its customer relationships
is our top priority."

Dean Sheaffer, controller and senior vice president of credit and customer
relationship management, Boscov's, said: "After careful consideration of all
possible options to add value to Boscov's credit programme for our customers and
stakeholders, the obvious choice was HSBC. Taking the Boscov's programme to the
next level required that we find a partner with deep retail private label,
operational, risk management and marketing skills. HSBC is clearly the industry
leader delivering this skill-set. We look forward to working with our new
strategic partner to deepen our knowledge of our customer base and to develop
initiatives to enhance the Boscov's credit programme's value to our customers
and our company."

Notes to editors:

1. Boscov's
Boscov's Department Stores is the largest full-line, family owned independent
department store in the country, operating 40 stores including Pennsylvania, 
New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. The stores sell men's,
women's and children's apparel, shoes and accessories; also jewellery,
cosmetics, housewares, appliances, toys, and sporting goods. Some stores also
feature Ritz Camera Centers, travel agencies, vision centres, hair salons, and
restaurants. Boscov's was founded by Solomon Boscov in 1921. Today the company
generates yearly sales revenue of about US$1.1 billion.

2. HSBC Retail Services
HSBC Retail Services, a business unit of HSBC North America Holdings, Inc., is a
leading issuer of private label (merchant branded) credit cards in the United
States. This business provides flexible, customised credit card solutions for
many of the world's premier retailers and manufacturers and has more than 60
active merchant relationships. For more information, visit
www.hsbcretailservices.com.

3. HSBC North America Holdings, Inc.
HSBC - North America comprises all of HSBC's US 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:
www.hsbcusa.com.

4. HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc serves over 125 million customers worldwide through some 9,500
offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the
Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,502 billion at 31
December 2005, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services
organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.





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