Republic New York Shareholders Approve Acquisition

HSBC Hldgs PLC
30 November 1999


The following statement was issued in New York today by Republic New York
Corporation:

   REPUBLIC NEW YORK CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS APPROVE
          ACQUISITION BY HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

Republic New York Corporation stockholders approved the 
corporation's acquisition by HSBC Holdings plc, at a special
stockholders' meeting held today. 

Completion of the transaction is subject to the approvals
of regulatory authorities.

HSBC is one of the leading financial service companies in
the world, with more than 5,000 offices in over 79
countries and territories and 170,000 shareholders in more 
than 90 countries and territories. As of 30 June 1999, HSBC had
total assets of US$497 billion.