HSBC Notice to Shareholders

HSBC Hldgs PLC
30 March 2001


The following is the text of an advertisement to inform
former shareholders of The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited, who under the Scheme of Arrangement
dated 1 February 1991 were deemed to be untraceable, of
their right to claim shares in HSBC Holdings plc. This 
advertisement will appear in the Financial Times (in the UK),
the Hong Kong iMail and Hong Kong Economic Times (in HK) on 
Friday, 30March.


Notice to Former Shareholders of The Hongkong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited


Scheme of Arrangement
Pursuant to a Scheme of Arrangement between The Hongkong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited ('the Bank') and its
shareholders ('the Scheme'), which became effective on 2
April 1991, HSBC Holdings plc ('HSBC Holdings') acquired the
entire issued share capital of the Bank. Shares in HSBC
Holdings were issued in exchange for shares in the Bank and
certificates were mailed to shareholders on 6 April 1991.

The Trust
The Ordinary Shares in HSBC Holdings which would otherwise
have been allotted to the Bank's shareholders who were
'untraceable' (as defined in the Scheme) were allotted under
the terms of the Scheme to Coutts (Jersey) Limited (formerly
NatWest  International Trust Corporation (Jersey) Limited)
('Coutts') in accordance with the terms of a Trust  Deed
dated 1 February 1991 between HSBC Holdings and Coutts.
Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Deed, the HSBC Holdings
shares in respect of which claims had not been received were
sold on 13 May 1997 and the proceeds invested pending
receipt of claims. By virtue of a Deed of Retirement and
Appointment of Trustee dated 9 August 1999, Coutts retired
as trustee of the trust created by the Trust Deed and was
replaced by Royal Bank of Canada Trust Company (Jersey)
Limited ('the Trustee').

Claims
Any person who believes he or she is entitled to the
proceeds from the sale of HSBC Holdings shares issued in
exchange for the Bank's shares under the Scheme (and any
other property held by the Trustee  with respect  to  or
derived from such shares) and who has not received  the
relevant share certificates or proceeds should address a
claim to the Exchange Agent, Central Registration Hong Kong
Limited, Rooms 1901-5, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road
East, Hong Kong (who has been appointed by the Trustee for
the purpose of receiving and processing such claims)
enclosing (wherever possible) certificates for the
appropriate number of the Bank's shares.

For and on behalf of
HSBC Holdings plc
R G Barber
Group Company Secretary


HSBC Holdings plc
Incorporated in England with limited liability. Registered in
England: number 617987
Registered Office and Group Head Office: 10 Lower Thames  Street,
London EC3R 6AE, United Kingdom