HSBC Subsidiary Disposal

HSBC Hldgs PLC
5 December 2000


       HSBC DISPOSES OF THEMIS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

CCF Charterhouse Limited (a member of the HSBC Group) has
agreed, subject to regulatory approval, to dispose of the
entire issued share capital of Themis Investment Management
Limited to Aberdeen Asset Management PLC. The consideration
is £1.5 million in cash plus the net asset value of Themis
on completion. The net asset value of Themis at 30 November
2000 was £2.2 million.

Note to editors:
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.