HSBC Appoints Irene Grant Regional Commercial Executive for California Region

Grant is responsible for serving the needs of the growing number of internationally minded mid-to-large companies

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (HSBC) today announced the appointment of Irene Grant as Senior Vice President and Regional Commercial Executive for the California region. Based in Los Angeles, Grant will work with mid-to-large companies that have international operations, are trading internationally or are interested in expanding overseas.

With 23 years of international banking experience at HSBC and Credit Lyonnais, Grant has extensive experience in personal and commercial banking, as well as international trade finance and risk management. Additionally, Grant brings significant experience in international markets having worked in the United Kingdom and Asia. Previous to her current role, Grant led HSBC’s Commercial Banking business in Scotland. She earned a M.A. in French and Business Studies from the University of Edinburgh.

“HSBC continues to expand its presence in the West Coast and having someone with Irene’s experience on-the-ground is key,” said Christopher P. Davies, Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Commercial Banking for HSBC - North America. “We have found that 70 percent of California-based mid-to-large sized businesses anticipate increased international revenues in the coming years. Having an advisor with in-depth knowledge of what companies need to do when expanding or operating their business overseas is essential to a region that is the eighth largest economy in the world.”

“California has excellent companies operating in the global marketplace and many others aspiring to do so. HSBC is ideally placed to help by providing them with our international expertise and worldwide presence,” added Irene Grant. “We can assist with day-to-day challenges and help them navigate international markets that are becoming an increasingly important factor to a company’s success.”

According to the latest HSBC International Business Survey, more than half (58 percent) of California businesses with annual sales ranging from US$20 million to US$5 billion have already seen their international revenue grow faster than domestic revenues.

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About HSBC Bank USA, N.A.

HSBC Bank USA, National Association operates more than 470 bank branches throughout the United States. There are over 375 in New York state as well as branches in Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, California, Delaware, Illinois, Oregon and Washington State. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc., one of the nation's largest bank holding companies by assets. HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is a member of the FDIC.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A., with total assets of $190 billion as of 30 September 2010, serves its 3.9 million customers through its personal financial services, commercial banking, private banking, asset management, and global banking and markets segments.

HSBC Bank in California

Through its network of 36 branches located across the Greater Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego Metropolitan areas, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. offers a full range of banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, corporations and institutions. It leverages HSBC Group's international network to provide market leading product and services to meet its clients growing international needs.

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 87 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, North America, Latin America and the Middle East. With assets of US$2,418 billion at 30 June 2010, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as “the world’s local bank.”