First Interim Dividend 2006

HSBC Holdings PLC
26 June 2006



                               HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

            PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS, STERLING

                              OR HONG KONG DOLLARS

On 2 May 2006, the Directors of HSBC Holdings plc declared a first interim
dividend for 2006 of US$0.15 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on 6
July 2006 to shareholders on the Principal Register, the Hong Kong Overseas
Branch Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register at close of business on
19 May 2006 in cash in United States dollars, sterling or Hong Kong dollars, or
a combination of these currencies and with a scrip dividend alternative.

In the absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the Principal
Register will automatically receive dividends in sterling. However, if
shareholders have an address in the United States they will automatically
receive any dividend payable in United States dollars unless they currently
receive payment in one of the other currencies or make an election to do so. In
the absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the Hong Kong
Overseas Branch Register and the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register will
automatically receive dividends in Hong Kong dollars and United States dollars
respectively.

Dividends payable in cash in sterling or Hong Kong dollars will be converted
from United States dollars at the forward exchange rates to 6 July 2006 quoted
by HSBC Bank plc in London at 11.00 am on 26 June 2006 (US$1 = HK$7.7631 and £1
= US$1.82035). Accordingly, the amount payable on 6 July will be:

     US$0.15 per share;

     approximately HK$1.164465 per share; or

     approximately £0.082402 per share.

The dividend payable to holders of American Depositary Shares ('ADSs'), each of
which represents five ordinary shares, will be US$0.75 per ADS. The dividend
will be paid on 6 July 2006 in cash in United States dollars or in new shares to
those who have elected to receive the scrip dividend alternative. The cash
dividend for participants in the dividend reinvestment plan, operated by the
depositary, will be invested in additional ADSs.



R G Barber

Group Company Secretary

HSBC Holdings plc


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