HSBC APPOINTS CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER

Hamilton, Bermuda: 13 January 2012 - HSBC Holdings plc announces the appointment of Stuart Levey as Chief Legal Officer. Mr Levey will be based in London and report to Stuart Gulliver, Group Chief Executive.

Richard Bennett, Group Managing Director and Group General Counsel, will work with Mr Levey during a transition period and retire from HSBC after over 33 years of service at the end of 2012. Mr Bennett will continue as a part-time adviser to the Group Chief Executive after he retires.

Mr Levey served as the first Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the US Department of the Treasury from July 2004 to February 2011 under Presidents Bush and Obama. Prior to his Treasury appointment, he was the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General at the US Department of Justice (DoJ). Prior to joining the DoJ in 2001, Mr Levey spent 11 years in private practice in Washington. Mr Levey is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School.

Stuart Gulliver commented: "I am delighted Stuart is joining HSBC after a distinguished career in private practice and government service. His experience dealing with international financial and legal issues is highly relevant to a global bank such as HSBC. I am also pleased Stuart will be able to draw on Richard’s extensive experience over the next few months, and that Richard has agreed to continue as an adviser to me after he retires."