HSBC LINKS UP WITH YAHOO! TO LAUNCH 'STUDENT ZONE'
New website provides essential tips and advice to students

With Britain's 1.5 million students increasingly turning to the internet as their first port of call for information on student life, HSBC has linked up with Yahoo! UK & Ireland to launch Student Zone, a website offering a one-stop-shop of information and advice on how to survive university.

Research conducted by HSBC found that students see themselves as living a 24-hour lifestyle, needing access to information 24-hours a day. In addition to HSBC's 2,000 student advisers specifically trained to advise on student finances, the new website has the advantage of being accessible at any time of day or night and covers a whole range of
issues, from managing a budget to finding a flatmate.

The site, at www.yahoo.co.uk/student, is divided into four main sections:
· getting started - information on scholarships, grants and student loans.
· freshers' essentials - the essential guide to freshers' week.
· money guide - how to make the most out of your money at university.
· travel and transport - where to find the best deals.

It's also packed with useful information and links, including:
· a course search facility.
· tips on how to stay on top of student life.
· links to essential websites, including distance learning.
· coping with workload - how to study effectively.
· advice on renting property and the costs involved.
· contact details for university clearing applications.
· advice on applying for post-degree education and courses.
· regular user polls on student issues.
· planning a gap year - where to go, how to get there, and what to do once you're there.

Rebecca Stephenson, head of personal customer marketing at HSBC said: "HSBC already provides comprehensive student and graduate banking services. The Student Zone website rounds this off by giving individual students answers to many of their questions on all aspects of student life. Although finances are an essential part of their time during university, the website also covers necessary topics like studying, exams and keeping a balance between work and play.

"More students than ever are banking online and our research also tells us that the internet is now their preferred choice for sourcing information. This is why we have chosen to partner with Yahoo!, who with 13 million users a month, are one of the world's leading websites. We hope that this will enable us to talk to and help even more students, both at the start and throughout their university life."

Media enquiries to Jo Thorne on 0207 991 0634 or email joannathorne@hsbc.com

Notes to editors:

The HSBC Group
HSBC Bank plc is a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, and a member of the HSBC Group. Serving over 110 million customers worldwide, the HSBC Group has more than 10,000 offices in 76 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,154 billion at 30 June 2004, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.

About Yahoo
Yahoo! UK & Ireland, a subsidiary of Yahoo! Inc. is a leading provider of comprehensive online products and services to consumers and businesses worldwide. Yahoo! is the No. 1 Internet brand globally and the most trafficked Internet destination worldwide. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Yahoo!'s global network includes 25 World properties and is available in 13 languages.