George Foussianes to Join HSBC As Head of Americas Advisory Group.

NEW YORK -- HSBC Group today announced that George Foussianes will join as managing director and head of its Americas advisory group within Global Investment Banking. In this new position at HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., he will play a critical role in developing HSBC's fast growing advisory capabilities in the U.S.

Foussianes will be based in New York and report to Francois Teissonniere, acting head of Global Investment Banking advisory and chief operating officer, Global Investment Banking Americas, and functionally to Robin Osmond, co-head of Global Investment Banking and John Studzinski, chief executive and co-head of Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets (CIBM).

"We are delighted George is joining HSBC. His 17 years of experience providing strategic and financial advice to top U.S. and international corporations will strengthen our investment banking capabilities in the Americas and globally," said John Studzinski. "George's decision to join HSBC demonstrates our continuing ability to attract seasoned practitioners as we build out our advisory platform in the U.S. "

Foussianes will join in July from Goldman Sachs, where he has worked since 1988 in a variety of investment banking roles in the U.S. Most recently, he was a managing director in Goldman's industrials and natural resources industry group.

Foussianes will work closely with David Livingstone, head of Global Investment Banking's advisory business for Europe, Middle East and Africa and Steven Wallace, head of the advisory group in Asia. Both senior bankers were hired last year from Goldman Sachs.

Notes to Editors:

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is a financial services leader, serving a wide-range of corporate and institutional clients. It engages in underwriting, dealing, and brokering a full range of debt and equity securities and futures contracts and serves as a primary dealer in US government and federal agency securities. Through its global network, HSBC provides its clients with seamless, 24-hour trading capabilities.

HSBC Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets (CIBM) provides tailored financial products and services to major government, corporate and institutional clients. Within client-focused business lines, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Global Investment Banking, Global Markets and Global Transaction Banking, CIBM offers a full range of capabilities, including foreign exchange, fixed income, derivatives, risk advisory, investment banking financing, investment banking advisory, payments and cash management, trade services, and securities services. For more information on CIBM, please visit www.hsbcnet.com.