HSBC Joins Townsend Analytics' Global Multi-Broker Network

CHICAGO and LONDON, June 28 /PRNewswire/ --

- HSBC gains sponsored institutional order flow from both firms'
international clients

Townsend Analytics (http://www.townsendanalytics.com), a leading provider
of multi-broker, multi-asset, multi-currency, and multi-route electronic
trading solutions for the global capital markets, has added HSBC to its
global multi-broker network.

Clients of both HSBC and Townsend are now able to route order flow
directly to HSBC's Block, Program & Direct Market Access (DMA) trading desks
in 25 countries, which provide client access to over 130 cash and derivative
exchanges globally, with a strong focus on Asian, European, Middle East and
other Emerging markets.

Kevin Bourne, Global Head of Execution Trading for HSBC, comments that
"We are pleased to be part of the Townsend Analytics network. Townsend's
full-featured RealTick EMS also provides the ability to send managed
orders to HSBC's sales trading desk for more efficient routing."

"We are proud that such a leader in electronic trading as HSBC has joined
our global connectivity network," comments Michel Finzi, Global head of
sales, account management and marketing for Townsend Analytics. "This further
delivers on our mission to provide our clients with an ever-growing range of
markets and asset classes, and a greater choice of execution venues
throughout the world."

As part of the integration, Townsend has also certified order flow with
HSBC to their internal OMS via FIX, providing for seamless reporting of trade
executions. The new multi-broker link with HSBC supports multiple order
types, including market orders, limit orders, cancels, cancel/replace,
unsolicited cancels, trade busts, and Good-til-Cancels (GTCs).

About RealTick

RealTick, created by Townsend Analytics, is the electronic trading
industry's premier multi-asset, multi-broker, and multi-route direct-access
trading platform. RealTick delivers real-time market data, news and
analytics; sophisticated trading tools; unrivaled access to brokers,
exchanges and ECNs; and risk management tools to institutions, broker-dealers
and individual investors. RealTick's advanced technical design is supported
by state-of-the-art data centers and a redundant network for market data and
orders. For more information, visit http://www.realtick.com.

-- RealTick is a registered trademark of Townsend Analytics, Ltd.

About Townsend Analytics

Townsend Analytics has been changing the way the world trades since 1985.
The Chicago-based company created many technology innovations that are now
considered standards in the financial services industry. These include the
first real-time financial software under Microsoft Windows(R); the first
product to provide real-time streaming data over the Internet; the first
integrated solution for NASDAQ trading rooms; and the first Windows-based
direct-access trading solution. Townsend Analytics also developed Archipelago
and the Archipelago Exchange, the nation's first all-electronic, fully open
exchange. The firm has engineered direct-access solutions for money managers,
asset managers, hedge funds and mutual funds worldwide. The firm's four main
lines of business include Trading Services, Content Services, Exchange
Services, and Risk Management Services. Townsend Analytics, Ltd. is a wholly
owned, independently-operated subsidiary of Lehman Brothers. For more
information, visit http://www.taltrade.com.

About HSBC

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, Global Banking
and Global Markets, CIBM offers a full range of capabilities, including
foreign exchange, fixed income, equities, derivatives, risk advisory,
corporate and investment banking, equity sales and trading, and equity and
debt capital markets. For more information on CIBM, please visit
http://www.hsbcnet.com.

HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc serves over 125 million customers worldwide through
some 10,000 offices in 82 countries and territories in Europe, the
Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of
USD 1,861 billion at 31 December 2006, HSBC is one of the world's largest
banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as
'the world's local bank'.

Web site: http://www.hsbcnet.com
              http://www.townsendanalytics.com
              http://www.taltrade.com
              http://www.realtick.com