HSBC Strengthens Electronic Trading in the Americas with the Hire of I

    Business Editors/Financial Editors

    NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2005--HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. today announced it has hired James Leman as managing director, head of execution trading for the Americas. In this new role, he will be responsible for all program, algorithmic and Direct Market Access trading done on behalf of institutional and corporate clients and report to Kevin Bourne, global head of execution trading and Anthony Murphy, CEO, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. Leman, an electronic trading industry veteran with 22 years of experience, will be based in New York.
    "There is probably no one better in the industry to lead our electronic trading business in one of the world's most competitive markets," said Joe Belfatto, global head of equities. "His recent experience at SunGard has put him at the cutting edge of trading systems development and will help propel HSBC to the top of electronic trading in the industry."
    "Jim brings a deep knowledge of global electronic trading, external connectivity, systems development and middle office operational management that will allow HSBC to provide the best global electronic execution capabilities and stay ahead of clients' needs," said Thomas Del Zoppo, head of North American equity sales.
    Leman joins from SunGard where most recently he served as president of SunGard's BRASS business unit and managed the company's range of broker/dealer sell side products including BRASS, Broker Direct U2 and UMA among others. From 1992 to 2004, he was responsible for Citigroup/Salomon Brothers' global electronic trading and connectivity. While at Salomon, he was a founding member of the Financial Information Exchange (FIX) protocol. Leman began his career at the New York Stock Exchange in 1972.
    Wall Street & Technology Magazine in December 1999 recognized Leman as one of the top 10 "Financial Technology Innovators of the Decade." He is also a decorated U.S. Army Captain who served as a helicopter pilot with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam.

    Notes to editors:

    HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. is a financial services leader, serving a wide-range of corporate and institutional clients. It engages in underwriting, dealing, and brokering a full range of debt and equity securities and futures contracts and serves as a primary dealer in US government and federal agency securities. Through its global network, HSBC provides its clients with seamless, 24-hour trading capabilities.
    HSBC Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets (CIBM) provides tailored financial products and services to major government, corporate and institutional clients. Within client-focused business lines, Corporate and Institutional Banking, Global Investment Banking, Global Markets and Global Transaction Banking, CIBM offers a full range of capabilities, including foreign exchange, fixed income, derivatives, risk advisory, investment banking financing, investment banking advisory, payments and cash management, trade services, and securities services. Further details can be found at www.hsbcnet.com.

--30--BS/ny*

CONTACT: HSBC Juanita Gutierrez, 212-525-6282

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.

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