HSBC Financial Qualifies MTN Program

HSBC Financial Corporation Ltd. completed the qualification of a $2 billion medium term note program to be offered pursuant to a base shelf prospectus dated April 22, 2005. On May 3, 2005, HSBC Financial accessed the program completing a $400 million note offering.

Leslie Ann Johnson, Bradley Kruger and David Gossen (securities) of Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP acted for the agents, led by HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc. and including RBC Dominion Securities Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc. and Scotia Capital Inc.

Ernest McNee, Markus Viirland and Mark Rushton (securities) of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP represented HSBC Financial and HSBC Finance Corp., the guarantor of the securities.

Lawyer(s)

Markus Viirland Bradley G. Kruger Mark K.J. Rushton Leslie A. Johnson David Gossen Ernest McNee