Subsid's Acquisition

HSBC Hldgs PLC
9 June 2000


The following text is the English translation of a news
release issued today in Germany by HSBC Holdings plc's
subsidiary company.



HUK-COBURG HOLDING GMBH ACQUIRES SHAREHOLDING IN THE INTERNET
                      BROKER PULSIV.COM


With effect from 9 June 2000 pulsiv AG, the internet broker,
has increased the number of its shareholders to include the
HUK-COBURG insurance group. HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt KGaA,
Dusseldorf, which is approximately 73.5 per cent indirectly-
owned by HSBC Holdings plc, is the majority shareholder in
pulsiv AG ('pulsiv') with a 70 per cent shareholding.

HUK-COBURG Holding GmbH ('Coburg') has become a shareholder
in pulsiv AG to begin business co-operation with the internet
broker. To this effect, pulsiv's shareholder Heyde AG sold 7
per cent of its shares and Lang & Schwarz Wertpapierhandel AG
sold 3 per cent of its shares to Coburg. HSBC Trinkaus &
Burkhardt KGaA's shareholding remains unchanged at 70 per
cent.

Following the re-structuring, shareholdings in pulsiv are as
follows: HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt KGaA holds 70 per cent and
the other shareholders, Heyde AG, Lang & Schwarz
Wertpapierhandel AG and HUK-COBURG Holding GmbH, each hold 10
per cent.

In addition, HUK-COBURG Holding GmbH has the option to
acquire - in the case of pulsiv's IPO or at a stipulated date
- further shares in pulsiv; 5 per cent from Heyde AG and 2
per cent from Lang & Schwarz Wertpapierhandel AG.