Dear HSBC Customer,

This letter contains important information about HSBC’s acquisition of the business and operations of The Chinese Bank.

Please be informed that, subject to regulatory approval and successful Closing of the transaction contemplated by the General Assignment and Assumption Agreement signed by and among The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (“HSBC”), The Chinese Bank (“TCB”), the Central Deposit Insurance Corporation (“CDIC”), and the Reconstruction Fund on 19 December 2007, HSBC will acquire selected business and operations of TCB with effect from 00:00 on 29 March 2008.

HSBC first established an agency business presence in Taiwan in 1885. HSBC’s business in Taiwan has grown very significantly since this date and the acquisition of selected business and operations of The Chinese Bank demonstrates HSBC’s continued and growing commitment to the important Taiwan market.

The full integration of the acquired business and operations of The Chinese Bank with our existing business will take some time and, as The Chinese Bank operates on a separate banking system and will continue to do so until this is replaced with HSBC’s own system in the future, you will not be able to access or operate your HSBC account via former-TCB branches. However, you may use your HSBC ATM card in any TCB ATM, in the same way as is the case today.

Please therefore continue to use only the existing HSBC branches and/or internet channels for your banking services after 29 March 2008 and until further notice. Please continue to direct your business enquiries to us via the contact telephone numbers and/or email addresses that you use today. We will advise you in writing of any change in contact details and when you may use former-TCB branches in the same way that you use HSBC branches today. A list of existing HSBC branches together with their addresses and contact numbers is appended below this note for your convenient reference.

In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, changes to HSBC’s product and service mix, or, terms and conditions and pricing will be notified you in writing and we will also post such information at our branches and on our internet website (www.hsbc.com.tw) on or after 29 March 2008.

We would like to respectfully remind you in the interests of your financial security that HSBC will never ask you to provide personal or commercial account information via internet email or via telephone call. Please feel free to contact HSBC using the contact numbers provided in this letter if you have any concerns about the security of your personal or commercial account information at any time.

Thank you for your business. HSBC looks forward to serving your financial services needs through its expanding Taiwan business network in the future. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact your existing branch, relationship manager or service contact; or, call our customer enquiry team on (02) 8072-3000 for assistance at any time.

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Taiwan

List of HSBC Branches: