In the High Court of Justice

Chancery Division

Companies Court

Claim No.: 6968 of 2003

IN THE MATTER OF PART VII OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000

And in the Matter of:

(1) HSBC Equator Bank plc

(2) HSBC Bank plc

Applicants

Take notice that, on 3rd November 2003, an application was made to the High Court, under section 107 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “Act”) and pursuant to the Regulations made under the Act, for (Inter alia) an order under section 111(1) of the Act sanctioning a scheme (the “Scheme”) for the transfer of the banking business carried on by HSBC Equator Bank plc to HSBC Bank plc, together with such other orders, including ancillary orders pursuant to s112 of the Act, as shall be thought fit. The majority of the banking business to be transferred has been designated by HSBC Bank plc to be booked on the balance sheet of the branch of HSBC Bank plc being established in Johannesburg, South Africa with the remainder to be booked on the balance sheet of the International Department of HSBC Bank plc in London.

HSBC Equator Bank plc is a public limited company, incorporated in England and Wales, with registration number 3193708, HSBC Bank plc is a public limited company, incorporated in England and Wales with registration number 14259. Both HSBC Equator Bank plc and HSBC Bank plc have their registered office at 8 Canada Square, London, E14 5HQ. HSBC Bank plc is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc and HSBC Equator Bank plc is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc.

The application (Claim No. 6968 of 2003) will he heard on 15th December 2003 before the Applications Judge at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London, WC2A 2LL. Any person, including any employee of any of the two banks, who alleges that he would be adversely affected by the carrying out of the Scheme is entitled to be heard (either personally or through counsel) on the application. Any person who intends so to appear should give not less than 2 clear days’ notice in writing of such intention and of the reasons therefor to the solicitors named below.

A statement setting out the terms of the Scheme may be obtained, free of charge, from Alison Conroy at HSBC Bank plc, Level 26, 8 Canada Square, London, E14 5HQ, during normal office hours (telephone: 020 7991 0296; fax: 020 7992 4617; e-mail: alisonconroy@hsbc.com.)

Norton Rose, Kempson House, Camomile Street, London EC3A 7AN. Ref: AA57028/MAC, Solicitors to the Applicants.