HSBC Expands in Korea

HSBC Holdings PLC
12 November 2007


                         HSBC EXPANDS IN KOREA THROUGH
                             INSURANCE ACQUISITION

HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings Limited (HSBC Insurance) has entered into
an agreement with Hana Financial Group, one of South Korea's largest financial
services groups, to acquire 50 per cent less one share of its wholly owned
subsidiary, Hana Life Insurance Company Limited (Hana Life), for a consideration
of KRW53 billion (equivalent to US$58.4 million).

The joint venture will allow HSBC to extend its growing insurance business to
Korea, an economy whose insurance market is the second largest in Asia. It is
also part of a region-wide strategy to extend the Group's reach in insurance,
where recent initiatives have been announced in high growth markets such as
India, China, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Middle East.

Under the terms of the agreement, HSBC Insurance and Hana Financial Group will
have equal representation on Hana Life's Board of directors. Hana Life was
established in 2003 to underwrite and distribute life insurance products for
personal and corporate customers. It currently has about 113,000 policies in
force and premium income was KRW207 billion* (equivalent to US$228.3 million)
for the year ending on 31 March 2007. Total assets were KRW705 billion*
(US$777.5 million) with KRW624 billion* (US$688.1 million) of assets under
management as at 31 March 2007. The company employs around 120 people and
benefits from access to Hana Financial Group's seven million customers through
more than 700 branches.

Clive Bannister, Group Managing Director, Insurance, HSBC Holdings plc, said:
"Today's announcement represents an exciting opportunity for HSBC Insurance to
contribute to Asia's third largest economy and the world's seventh biggest
insurance market with premium volumes of over US$65 billion. It ties in
completely with our stated goals of expanding in Asia and aim of becoming a top
ten global insurance player, with a focus on life and pensions and increasing
insurance-related earnings over time to 20 per cent of total Group profits."

The share purchase is subject to certain conditions being met and regulatory
approvals being obtained. The cash consideration will be met by HSBC Group
internal resources.

This is HSBC's fifth insurance-related announcement in Asia in the last two
months. In September, the bank confirmed a 10 per cent stake in Vietnam's
leading insurance provider Vietnam Insurance Corporation (Bao Viet), formalised
an agreement to establish a life insurance joint venture in India that will have
access to 40 million customers nationwide, received approval to form a joint
venture insurance company in China and opened a life insurance office in Taiwan.
In October, the bank also launched a new insurance brokerage service in the
Middle East.

                                  
* Extracted from results for year ended March 2007, prepared in accordance with
Korean GAAP.


Notes to editors:

HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings Limited
HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of The
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, is the parent company of four
underwriting companies, collectively known as HSBC Insurance: HSBC Insurance
(Asia) Limited; HSBC Life (International) Limited; HSBC Insurance (Singapore)
Pte Limited; and HSBC Amanah Takaful (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (49 per cent held). HSBC
Insurance offers customers the security, confidence and convenience of doing
business with one financial services organisation. It has offices in the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), the Macau SAR, Singapore and Malaysia.
In mainland China, it has representative offices in Beijing, Shanghai and
Guangzhou. HSBC Life also opened a representative office in Hanoi, Vietnam in
January 2007. HSBC Insurance (Asia Pacific)'s total assets stood at HK$100
billion at the end of June 2007.

HSBC in Korea
HSBC has had a continuous presence in Korea for over 110 years. It first entered
the Korean market in 1897 in Jemulpo (Incheon), and returned in 1982 by opening
a branch in Busan. Today, HSBC has 11 branches and five commercial banking
centres, employing over 1,350 people. HSBC is one of the largest investors
amongst foreign banks in Korea. Total assets of HSBC Korea are KRW17, 458
billion as of 30 June 2007.

                                    




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