HSBC NAMED WORLD'S MOST VALUABLE INTERNATIONAL BANKING BRAND

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- HSBC has been named as the world's most
valuable international banking brand at the 2009 BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable
Global Brands.

The top 100 brands in the annual rankings comprised 17 categories, including
financial institutions, insurance, technology, mobile operators, technology,
retail and luxury, HSBC said in a statement here Friday.

It is estimated that the total value of the 100 most valuable brands in the
world is US$1.95 trillion and HSBC, with an estimated brand value of US$19.1
billion, emerged 30th in the overall ranking.

The BrandZ ranking report said while many Western banks have suffered
significant decreases in brand value as a result of the financial crisis, HSBC
is the UK-based bank least affected as it was insulated by its strong presence
in emerging markets.

Chief executive officer of HSBC in Asia Pacific, Sandy Flockhart, said the
HSBC name remained not only widely recognised but also highly valued during
these difficult economic times.

"HSBC's brand actually gained value, a testament to our financial strength
and to the commitment of our staff in upholding HSBC's long-standing values,"
she said.
-- BERNAMA