HSBC Bank Increase in Capital

HSBC Hldgs PLC
21 December 2000


             HSBC BANK PLC INCREASE IN SHARE CAPITAL

As part of a reorganisation of the HSBC Group's private
banking business into HSBC Bank plc, HSBC Holdings plc has
subscribed for an additional £1,327 million of ordinary share
capital from HSBC Bank plc.

Note to editors:
Headquartered in London, with some 6,000 offices in 81
countries and territories and assets of US$580 billion at 30
June 2000, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest
banking and financial services organisations.