Name of applicant:

HSBC Holdings plc

Name of scheme:

• Employee Share Option Scheme

• Executive Share Option Scheme

• Employee SAYE Plan

• Ongoing obligations to issue shares in connection with the acquisition of HSBC Finance Corporation (formerly Household International Inc.)

• HSBC Holdings Group Share Option Plan

Period of return:

From:

01.07.09

To:

31.12.09

Balance of unallotted securities under scheme(s) from previous return:

• 122,418 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each

• 6,609,194 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each

• 35,868,570 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each

• 68,325,450 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each

• 21,869,388 ordinary shares of US$0.50 each

Plus:  The amount by which the block scheme(s) has been increased since the date of the last return (if any increase has been applied for):

• 0

• 0

• 0

• 0

• 0

Less:  Number of securities issued/allotted under scheme(s) during period (see LR3.5.7G):

• 0

• 912,232

• 4,669,703

• 0

• 1,547,125

Equals:  Balance under scheme(s) not yet issued/allotted at end of period:

• 122,418

• 5,696,962

• 31,198,867

• 68,325,450

• 20,322,263

Name of contact:

Nicola Black, Assistant Group Company Secretary

Telephone number of contact:

020 7991 2652