Third Interim Dividend 2005

HSBC Holdings PLC
09 January 2006





                               HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

            PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS, STERLING

                              OR HONG KONG DOLLARS

On 7 November 2005, the Directors of HSBC Holdings plc declared a third interim
dividend for 2005 of US$0.14 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on 19
January 2006 to shareholders on the Principal Register, the Hong Kong Overseas
Branch Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register at close of business on
25 November 2005 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 have made 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 quoted by HSBC Bank plc
in London at 11.00 am on 9 January 2006 (US$1 = HK$7.75065 and £1 =
US$1.767675). Accordingly, the amount payable on 19 January will be:


                US$0.14 per share;

                approximately HK$1.0851 per share; or

                approximately £0.0792 per share.

The dividend payable to holders of American Depositary Shares ('ADSs'), each of
which represents five ordinary shares, will be US$0.70 per ADS. The dividend
will be paid on 19 January 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

Company Secretary

HSBC Holdings plc


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