Issuance of Subordinated Notes

29 March 2010

HSBC ISSUANCE OF SUBORDINATED NOTES

On 29 March 2010, HSBC Holdings plc issued GBP900,000,000 of 6% Subordinated Notes 2040 (the "New Notes").

Application has been made to list the New Notes on the London Stock Exchange.

Note to editors:

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.