MATIAS SANTA CRUZ JOINS HSBC LATIN AMERICA EQUITY CAPITAL MKTS

(The following press release from HSBC was received by e-mail and was reformatted. The sender verified the statement.)

MATIAS SANTA CRUZ JOINS HSBC LATIN AMERICA EQUITY CAPITAL MARKETS TEAM

New York, NY (June 11, 2012) – HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. today announced that Matias Santa Cruz has joined its Latin America Equity Capital Markets team reporting to David Noble, Head of Equity Capital Markets (“ECM”) for the Americas. It is expected that Santa Cruz will relocate later this year to São Paulo to be Head of Brazil ECM, while retaining broader responsibilities for the origination and execution of ECM transactions across the region as a senior member of the Latin America ECM team.

“Matias is a well respected banker with a deep knowledge of the equity capital markets and an excellent record in executing deals for Brazilian and Latin American companies,” said Gerardo Mato, CEO of Global Banking for the Americas. “His skill set combined with HSBC's presence in key markets around the world will allow us to dedicate more resources to Latin America while strategically supporting our global banking clients who are looking to HSBC for a wide range of capital raising solutions.”

Santa Cruz joins after more than eleven years with UBS working in investment banking and equity capital markets in Europe, US and Latin America. Most recently, he was responsible for origination, syndication and execution of Latin America equity capital market transactions.

Media inquiries: Juanita Gutiérrez +1 212 525 6282 juanita.gutierrez@us.hsbc.com

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