For personal and corporate customers:

HSBC top-rated for internet banking

HSBC has been recognized by the Global Finance magazine for its best-in-class internet banking services for personal and corporate customers.

In Global Finance's 2009 World's Best Internet Banks competition for Asia, HSBC took the top awards for its consumer internet banking in Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. In the Corporate/Institutional Internet Banking category, HSBC took the award in Brunei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. CEO of HSBC in Asia-Pacific, Sandy Flockhart, said, "We are very happy to receive these awards which acknowledge our continuous efforts to enhance our internet banking services and security.

The development of our internet capabilities is one of our top priorities. We are investing in the development of innovative solutions to ensure HSBC remains a leader in providing convenience, choice, ease of use and security for our online customers." Regionally, HSBC was awarded Best Online Consumer Credit Site, Best Online Cash Management and Trade Finance Services as well as Best Information Security Initiatives.

Chief Executive Officer HSBC Sri Lanka and Maldives Nick Nicolaou, said, "HSBC has always been at the forefront of innovation with many 'firsts' in the industry resulting in the bank winning the Best Internet Bank Award for Sri Lanka, for four consecutive years and Best Corporate/Institutional Banking for the second consecutive year. These accolades will re-define personal and corporate internet banking services in Sri Lanka, whilst enabling customers to experience world-class on-line banking solutions at their fingertips".

The awards won are due to HSBC's commitment to developing and evolving world-class solutions, with the flagship channels of Personal and Business Internet Banking, Internet Trade Services and HSBCnet providing Sri Lankan customers with global systems.