HSBC BANK ARMENIA OPENS BUSINESS PHONE BANKING CENTER IN YEREVAN

ARKA
June 12, 2009

YEREVAN, June 12. /ARKA/. The HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC has opened a
business phone bankingcenter in Yerevan.

Speaking at the presentation of the center, Tim Slater, CEO, HSBC Bank
Armenia, said that this is the first phone bankingcenter in Armenia.

He said that the bank’s clients will from now on be able to effect
transactions by means of the center in conformity with international
security standards. He reported that 6,700 clients have wished to
use the center’s services.

Mr. Slater pointed any cashless transaction can be effected by means
of telephone banking, particularly effect money transfers, obtain
balance information on all accounts held and get foreign exchange
and interest rate information. He reported that clients can effect
cashless transactions by dialing 515-000.

Mr. Slater said that the HSBC Bank was the first to introduce business
phone bankingin Great Britain, and Armenia is the last country the
bank has introduced this service in.

Mr. Slater also said that phone bankingis part of the bank’s strategy,
namely, the second stage of the program. The installation of ATMs
was the first stage, and internet banking will be the third.

He stressed that clients can choose business types most suitable for
them and get in touch with the bank when necessary.

Mr. Slater also said that telephone and internet banking services
ar e available not only to residents of Armenia, but also Armenians
living abroad, which can consolidate the ties between Armenia and
the 10-milliong-strong Armenian Diaspora.

He pointed out that projects like this are in line with the RA
Government’s policy of transforming Armenia into a regional banking
center.

Speaking of the plans, Mr. Slater said that the bank plans to introduce
a package of long-term savings. With this end in view, the bank will
pay much attention to its reliability.

Clients trust their bank, and the bank must do its best for those
wishing to have long-term savings, Slater said.

The business phone bankingcenter has an 11-member staff. It will
operate without days off – from 8:00 a.m. to 23:00 p.m. on workdays,
and from 11:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m. on nonwork days.

The HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC, a subsidiary of the HSBC Bank plc. It was
incorporated on September 25, 1995. HSBC Bank plc holds 70% of the HSBC
Bank Armenia CJSC stock, with 30% held by Armenian investors abroad.

The HSBC Bank Armenia CJSC has ten branches, a head office in Yerevan
and 44 ATMs.