re CCF priv banking in Greece

HSBC Holdings PLC
17 May 2004

                       MARFIN FINANCIAL GROUP TO ACQUIRE
                   CCF'S PRIVATE BANKING OPERATIONS IN GREECE

Marfin Financial Group has signed an agreement for Marfin Bank SA, a member of
the Marfin Group, to acquire the private banking business of CCF SA in Greece.

CCF currently provides private banking services to domestic clients. This sale
is in line with its intention to concentrate on its corporate banking business
in Greece.

According to the terms and conditions of the agreement, the transaction is
expected to close no later than 28 June 2004. The final consideration will be up
to EUR70,000 depending on the value of actual assets transferred.

Notes to editors:

1. HSBC in Greece
CCF has been operating in Greece since 1981 and provides a range of commercial
banking services to Greek and multinational companies through its branch in
Athens.

HSBC Bank plc has been operating in Greece since 1981. It offers a full range of
products and services to both personal and corporate and institutional banking
customers.

The HSBC Group is also present in Greece through Laiki Bank (Hellas) S.A.

2. The HSBC Group
CCF and HSBC Bank plc are wholly-owned subsidiaries of HSBC Holdings plc, and
members of the HSBC Group. Serving over 110 million customers worldwide, the
HSBC Group has more than 9,500 offices in 79 countries and territories in
Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With
assets of US$1,034 billion at 31 December 2003, 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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