Subsid's Re Directorate

HSBC Hldgs PLC
25 January 2001



               HSBC BANK BOARD APPOINTMENT

Jasminder Singh (aged 49) has been appointed to the Board of
HSBC Bank plc as a non-executive Director, with immediate
effect.

Mr Singh is Chairman and Chief Executive of the Edwardian
Group Ltd, which he established in 1979. The Edwardian Group
comprises 10 luxury hotels and is one of the UK's largest
privately owned hotel groups.

'Jasminder has built a hotel group with a reputation for first-
class service and a flexible, innovative approach to meeting
customer needs,' said Sir John Bond, HSBC Group Chairman and
Chairman of HSBC Bank plc. 'Banking is a customer driven
business and we are delighted to welcome Jasminder to our UK
Board and look forward to benefiting from his experience.'