HSBC Provides Major Grant To Sponsor Institutes on Environmental Economics.

DAVIS, Calif. -- The Foundation for Teaching Economics and HSBC - North America have launched an "Institute on the Environment and the Economy," through which FTE will conduct 15 four-day environmental economics workshops for hundreds of teachers throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

The program is underwritten by a $500,000 HSBC grant.

"We are honored to have an organization such as HSBC - North America as our partner in this valuable series of environmental education programs" noted Dr. Gary Walton, FTE president. "This funding will allow us to serve over 450 teachers nationwide and impact nearly 100,000 students."

Conducted as a business style conference, the four-day workshops are designed to help teachers develop an understanding of how market solutions may be used to deal with environmental issues. Each Institute combines a variety of in-class lectures with simulations and a field trip to help teachers effectively use the content in their respective classes. Teachers can elect to receive graduate credit in economics, offered by Florida Gulf Coast University, upon successful completion of the Institute.

"HSBC is thrilled to support FTE's efforts to provide the tools for teachers to educate our leaders of tomorrow on the environment and the economy," said Donna Funk, HSBC's vice president of community and philanthropic services. "FTE is an international leader in economic education and this unique program supports HSBC's global goals to improve education and the environment."

HSBC began its partnership with FTE in 1996 by sponsoring individual programs for teachers. The sponsorship of all 15 Institutes on the Environment and the Economy represents the first time HSBC has sponsored a full national program series in partnership with FTE.

The 2006 program series begins in late January in Brentwood, TN and concludes in November with the Hilton Head, SC Institute. Information listing all program sites may be found at www.fte.org. There is no cost or tuition expense for teachers to attend any of the Institutes - HSBC funding will cover all of the costs, including lodging, most meals, registration, program materials and the field trips.

HSBC's partnership with FTE aligns with the financial services firm's philanthropic focus areas of youth education and the environment. In 2005, HSBC provided $2.2 million to Junior Achievement (JA) to support economic education for young people. HSBC has also funded Earthwatch, World Wildlife Fund and Investing in Nature.