CCF Acq Banque Worms Branches

HSBC Holdings PLC
06 February 2003

              CCF ACQUIRES TWO BRANCHES FROM BANQUE WORMS IN PARIS

CCF has agreed to acquire two branches in Paris from Banque Worms. The purchase
price will be up to EUR9 million in cash based on the retained value of the
acquired business at the end of May 2003. The acquisition will be funded from
CCF's own capital.

Under the terms of the agreement, CCF will acquire the branches in Georges V and
Rive Gauche, Paris. The Georges V branch is dedicated to affluent customers,
while the other in Rive Gauche focuses on commercial banking activities. The
transaction is expected to close in March 2003.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange