Euromoney’s 2005 Global Foreign Exchange Survey has shown that HSBC has made significant progress in this industry over the past twelve months. This survey, regarded as the benchmark for the foreign exchange industry around the world, this year interviewed 4,492 clients. The survey showed that HSBC is in first place by market share in the following foreign exchange markets;

• Euro / Sterling, up from fourth place

• US Dollar / Sterling, up from second place

• Forwards of major (G20) currencies, up from fourth place

HSBC also placed first and second place in all foreign exchange advisory categories as well as second place in Vanilla and Exotic options.

In terms of foreign exchange, HSBC now ranks in fourth place by market share globally, up from twelfth place in 2002.

In the Euromoney survey, HSBC was found to be the best foreign exchange provider in London and Hong Kong while the bank’s rating also improved in Tokyo and Paris.

“HSBC’s foreign exchange services go from strength to strength around the world. The excellent results from this survey, published by one of the world’s leading financial magazines, show that customers are appreciating our efforts. In Malta, the commitment to delivering the best service possible is equally strong and Maltese customers can also benefit from our foreign exchange services, whether they are simply going on holiday or for business purposes,” said HSBC’s director and head of capital markets, Charles J. Farrugia.