UK Pension Sheme

HSBC Holdings PLC
23 December 2005


                         HSBC BANK (UK) PENSION SCHEME

HSBC Holdings plc on 22 December 2005 has subscribed for an additional £700
million of ordinary share capital in HSBC Bank plc in support of the injection
by HSBC Bank plc on the same day of £1 billion into its defined benefit pension
scheme, the HSBC Bank (UK) Pension Scheme, which closed to new members in July
1996.

HSBC is committed to ensuring that its pension schemes are properly supported
and has taken this action to demonstrate that commitment.

Note to editors:

HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc is headquartered in the UK. The HSBC Group serves over 110
million customers worldwide from more than 9,700 offices in 77 countries and
territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East
and Africa. With assets of US$1,467 billion at 30 June 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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