Director Shareholding

HSBC Hldgs PLC
3 April 2001


                   NOTIFICATION OF DIRECTORS' SHARE INTERESTS
                              IN HSBC HOLDINGS PLC

Interests in shares of HSBC Holdings plc ('the Company') arising under sections
324 and 328 of the Companies Act 1985.

Following the acquisition of Credit Commercial de France (CCF) by HSBC  Holdings
plc, outstanding options over CCF shares granted between 1994 and 1999 (for  nil
consideration) have vested. Options granted over CCF shares in 2000 will vest in
2002. On exercise of the options, the CCF shares issued will become exchangeable
for  ordinary shares in HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC shares) in the same ratio as for
the  acquisition of CCF - 13 HSBC for 1 CCF share. The HSBC shares  are  to  be
provided through the HSBC Holdings General Employee Benefit Trust (the Trust),
the Trustee of which is HSBC Trustee (C.I.) Limited.

Mr  C F W de Croisset, a director of HSBC Holdings plc and HSBC Bank plc,
currently holds  options  over 186,000 CCF shares which he is obliged, upon 
exercise,  to exchange for 2,418,000 (186,000 x 13) HSBC shares.

As  a beneficiary of the Trust, Mr de Croisset also has a technical interest  in
all  of  the  HSBC  shares  held by the Trust (including  the  HSBC  shares 
which corresponds to his option over CCF shares enumerated above) as follows:

HSBC Holdings plc - Ordinary Shares US$0.50 each

Date             Nature of transaction by the Trust       Consideration

3 April 2001     Transfer by Trust of 13,000 HSBC         13 HSBC shares for
                 shares to an individual exercising       each CCF share
                 an option over 1,000 CCF shares.

At 3 April 2001 the Trust held a total of 39,825,800 HSBC shares.