New release

For Immediate Release
May 6, 2009

HSBC Bank Canada invests $100K in Mount Royal students and
the environment

(CALGARY – May 6, 2009) Mount Royal announced yesterday that HSBC Bank Canada has donated $100,000 to support environmental science students. The announcement was made at a recognition event held at Mount Royal’s Lincoln Park campus in Calgary.

The bank’s contribution will be used to fund an endowment to assist students who are registered in their first year of studies in the Bachelor of Applied Science – Environmental Science program. The new HSBC Bank Canada Award will be given on an annual basis.

“We are very grateful to HSBC for their support of Mount Royal, especially at a time when the current state of the economy is affecting charitable giving in almost every sector,” said Dave Marshall, President of Mount Royal College. “This contribution demonstrates that HSBC Bank Canada values Mount Royal’s commitment to high quality undergraduate education.”

“At HSBC Bank Canada, we believe that providing improved access to higher education is key to building a healthy and successful community,” said Robin Penfold, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking, Prairie Region, HSBC Bank Canada. “We are very pleased to be helping students with an interest in environmental science, a subject which is crucial to the future of all of us.”

The Environmental Sciences program at Mount Royal is addressing the critical need identified by the government, academic and corporate sectors for Canada to invest in science and remain globally competitive during the current economic climate. Mount Royal's small class sizes and hands-on personal teaching provide the tools students need to become great scientists. HSBC Bank Canada's donation will help ensure Mount Royal's Environmental Science students receive the financial support they need to succeed in their field.

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About HSBC Bank Canada
HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, has more than 290 offices, including over 140 bank branches, and is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 9,500 offices in 86 countries and territories and assets of US$2,527 billion at 31 December 2008, the HSBC Group is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organizations.

For further information contact:
Fred Cheney, Media Relations Officer
Office of External Relations
Office: 403.440.5195
Cell: 403.542.7904
mediarelations@mtroyal.ca

Michael Edmonds, Senior Manager
Public Affairs
HSBC Bank Canada
Office: 416.868.8282
public_affairs@hsbc.ca