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

BETHESDA, Md., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- 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, CA, 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.

Please visit the AFP Conference Web site for both hotel and registration
information at http://www.afponline.org/pub/conf/annual_conference.html

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.

SOURCE Association for Financial Professionals

Billy Treger of Association for Financial Professionals, +1-301-961-8869