Bangkok--22 Jan--HSBC HSBC in Thailand will offer a wide range of exceptional benefits to customers and Thai community throughout 2008 to celebrate its 120 years of operations in the country. Established as the first commercial bank in Thailand, HSBC will commemorate the 120th anniversary this year. Since 1888, HSBC has provided outstanding services to customers in Thailand and has played an important role in the development of the country’s trade and finance sectors. HSBC was entrusted by the Siamese government to issue the country’s first currency notes and to underwrite the first offshore loan to construct a local railway system. With long established understanding of local needs and international service standards, HSBC is now recognized as The Best Bank in Thailand* with a wide range of financial services to cater to both corporate and retail customers. Mr. Willie Tham, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC in Thailand, said “HSBC is proud to have provided an unrivaled level of financial services to customers in Thailand over the past 120 years. As the World’s Local Bank, we have combined our enriched local knowledge and world-class capability to meet customers’ requirements, no matter how their financial needs and the country’s economic conditions have changed over the years.” “On the special occasion of our 120th anniversary in Thailand, HSBC will provide a series of exceptional offers to customers and the Thai society to express our gratitude and commitment to them.” Mr Tham added. * HSBC has been awarded The Best Bank in Thailand by The Asset magazine during 2003-2007 HSBC in Thailand celebrates 120th anniversary offering exceptional benefits to customers and the community / Page 2 HSBC Credit Card customers will be presented with unresistable offers from “HSBC’s Red Campaign” throughout the year. To start off, the cardholders will be awarded with “Red Cash” when making purchases at Central Department Store, Big C, MK restaurant, Fuji, Oishi Grand, Oishi Buffet and the Pizza Company from 15 January to 31 March 2008. HSBC Premier MasterCard members will receive 12% cash back for every 20,000 baht purchase. HSBC Visa Platinum Card, HSBC Gold/ Classic Card members will receive 8% cash back for every 8,000 baht purchase and 6% cash back for every 6,000 baht purchase respectively. In addition, HSBC Credit Card members will receive their own red carpet treatment with ‘Red Deal’ privileges from 26 January to 31 March 2008 as follows: ‘Red Slip @ Central’ : the chance to win Central gift vouchers worth 12,000 baht when shopping at participating branch of Central Department Stores every Saturday ‘Red Basket@ Big C’: Pay only 120 baht for the whole shopping basket once the red alarm rings when making a payment with HSBC Credit Card at participating branches of Big C ‘Red Dish @ Fuji, The Pizza Company and Sizzler’: a free dish worth up to 2,700 baht for the first 120 cardholders who dine at Fuji, The Pizza Company and Sizzler every Sunday, plus a free set of chicken sticks when buying a pizza set worth 250 baht up (when dining-in only) at every branch of The Pizza Company ‘Red Seat with Nok Air’: Enjoy a special airfare of 1,200 baht per trip (inclusive of airfare, fuel charges, and airport tax) for every domestic route when flying with Nok Air between 15 January-31 March 2008 HSBC’s corporate clients and other retail customers will also receive special treatment and benefits from HSBC’s 120th anniversary campaigns which will run throughout 2008. HSBC believes that it has an important role to play in the sustainable development of the communities it works in. Apart from its continuing contribution to the Thai financial sector, HSBC has supported the local communities through education, environmental and philanthropic activities. In 2008, HSBC aims to provide educational and self-development opportunities for at least 1,200 Thai children through a number of Corporate Social Responsibility programmes, including the HSBC Young Entrepreneur Awards, a business plan writing competition with business skill training; the School Ecological Footprint Challenge, a practical learning approach for children to combat climate change; and HSBC staff volunteer activities which support the disadvantaged children around the country. “120 years of history forms an excellent foundation for HSBC in Thailand. With talented Thai staff, international standards of services, a global network and our strong commitment to the country, we are confident that HSBC will continue to contribute to the sustainable development of the kingdom and be the bank of choice for customers in the years to come.”, said Mr. Tham. Media enquiries to Varanandha Sutthapreeda on 0-2614-4609 or Savittree Muadmuang on 0-2614-4606.