Trinkaus & Burkhardt Interims

HSBC Holdings PLC
27 July 2005

The following text is the English translation of a news release issued in
Germany by HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt which is approximately 73.5 per cent
indirectly owned by HSBC Holdings plc.


  HSBC TRINKAUS & BURKHARDT REPORTS INCREASED NET FEES AND INTEREST INCOME IN
                                FIRST HALF 2005

• Net fees & commissions increased by 12.4 per cent to EUR123.5 million in
  the first six months of 2005; net interest income rose by 10.3 per cent to
  EUR35.4 million.

• Operating profit of EUR48.9 million was slightly higher than the strong
  performance reported in the first half of 2004 (EUR48.8 million).

• This autumn, T-Systems International GmbH will acquire 49 per cent of
  International Transaction Services GmbH, creating a new joint venture
  designed to acquire increasingly high quality mandates in securities
  processing.

HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt, which is approximately 73.5 per cent indirectly owned
by HSBC Holdings plc, reported operating profits of EUR48.9 million, slightly
higher than the strong result reported in the first half of 2004 (EUR48.8
million). The increase in operating profit reflected an expansion of customer
business resulting in both higher net fees and commissions and net interest
income. However, trading profits were lower than in the comparable period in
2004. Net profit after tax fell in the first half of 2005 to EUR40.7 million;
13.6 per cent lower than the comparable period last year. This fall is mainly
due to the impact of disposing of the indirect holding in HSBC Guyerzeller Bank
in 2004 which contributed EUR18.5 million.

The most important element of the bank's profit, net fees and commissions,
increased in the first six months by 12.4 per cent or EUR13.6 million to
EUR123.5 million. An improving stock market, which did not initially translate
into higher levels of business from institutional and private customers,
resulted in higher securities commissions in the latter part of the first half
of 2005.

Net interest income rose in the first half, by 10.3 per cent, or EUR3.3 million,
to EUR35.4 million, reversing the fall reported in 2004. The pressure on
interest margins was more than compensated for by the impact of higher volumes
of deposits and lending to banks in the money markets.

Risk provisions on credit business remained low, totalling EUR1.6 million
compared to EUR2.1 million in the first half of 2004. The bank's conservative
credit policy protected it from large losses.

Trading profits, totalling EUR27.3 million, were 18 per cent lower than the
comparable period in 2004. The decrease resulted from lower profits from bank's
proprietary assets, which made a significant contribution to last year's trading
profits. The operative trading divisions have met the Managing Partners'
expectations. Trading in equity and index-related derivatives were the highest
contribution to trading profits.

Total administrative expenses rose by 7.1 per cent to EUR135.9 million. The
increase in expenses was mainly due to an increase in the number of employees,
especially in fund administration and securities processing as a result of
higher volumes and business transactions, respectively. The cost:income ratio
was maintained at 68.9 per cent; and therefore remained below the 70 per cent
target.

In the first six months the bank has seen satisfactory growth, as reflected in
the good growth in assets. Revenues have continued to increase from business
with institutional and private banking customers. The acquisition of new funds
in the high-net worth customer segment exceeded plan. In the institutional
banking segment, the good results achieved in the prior year were further
improved upon with the successful diversification into fixed income sales and
asset management businesses. Revenues in the corporate banking business were
slightly lower as competitors reduced margins to gain market share. HSBC
Trinkaus & Burkhardt continued to be successful in winning new corporate
customers and corporate banking business cross-referrals to the HSBC Group from
HSBC Trinkaus & Burkhardt increased.

Further growth in net fees and commissions in the second half-year will depend
on trends in capital markets. As planned, the securities processing business
will be transferred to International Transaction Services GmbH. On 1 October
2005, T-Systems International GmbH will acquire 49 per cent of International
Transactions Services GmbH. The Managing Partners are confident that this joint
venture will allow it to position the company to win high-quality mandates in
the securities processing business in the future.

Based on improving results in the second quarter of this year and against the
background of anticipated positive developments in the stock market in the
second half of 2005, the Managing Partners are optimistic that the bank will
grow operating profits in the second half and exceed the prior year's results.







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            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange