HSBC To Sponsor Welcome Reception at AFP 2008 Annual Conference in Los Angeles

March 25, 2008 - Bethesda, MD – The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) announced today that HSBC will again sponsor this year’s Welcome Reception for the AFP Annual Conference in Los Angeles, to be held October 19-22, 2008.

Six thousand treasury and finance professionals from around the world will assemble at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the finance event of the year. Attendees will experience invaluable education sessions, enjoy numerous networking opportunities where peers can share their business challenges and solutions, and be exposed to leading industry products and services.

“The AFP Welcome Reception is a signature event at our annual conference and will provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues in a truly terrific setting; HSBC is a valued partner in the success of this event,” said Jim Kaitz, President and CEO of AFP.

“HSBC is delighted to serve as sponsor for the third consecutive year. The sponsorship underscores our commitment to this industry and to providing treasury services and products that can assist in improving corporate efficiencies, help reduce costs and enhance security across multiple countries,” said Michael Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Global Transaction Banking - North America at HSBC.

HSBC provides a wide array of transaction banking products and services including cash management, trade and supply chain services, securities services and funds administration and bank notes. HSBC was named “2007 Best in Cash Management in North America” by Euromoney for a second consecutive year.

The Welcome Reception is scheduled for Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at the renown Getty Museum, featuring a range of exhibitions and programming in the visual arts.

View the AFP Conference Web site for both hotel and registration information

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AFP’s Annual Conference, Los Angeles, October 19-22, 2008

Media interested in attending the finance event of the year should register for complimentary press passes by contacting Billy Treger at wtreger@afponline.org.

About HSBC
HSBC Bank USA, N.A. and its sister bank, HSBC National Bank USA, have more than 460 bank branches throughout the United States, with about 380 in New York state; branches in California and Pennsylvania; and a growing network of branches in Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Florida, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. There is also a branch in each of the following states: Delaware, Illinois, Oregon and Washington State.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. is the principal subsidiary of HSBC USA Inc., an indirectly-held, wholly-owned subsidiary of HSBC North America Holdings Inc. HSBC USA Inc. is one of the nation's 10 largest bank holding companies by assets.

About AFP
The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) serves more than 16,000 individual members throughout all stages of their careers in treasury and financial management. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, AFP provides professional certification, continuing education, research, development of industry standards, financial tools and publications, training and career development and representation to legislators and regulators. AFP’s global reach includes AFP of Canada, a membership organization and gtnews, a London-based, on-line resource for the treasury and finance community.

AFP is the daily resource for its members to seek answers, solutions, best practices and collaboration with peers. For more information about AFP, visit www.AFPonline.org.