FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of November

HSBC Holdings plc

42^nd Floor, 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England

 

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F).

Form 20-F   X              Form 40-F ......

(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

Yes.......          No    X

(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ..............).

 

 

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18 November 2009

STATEMENT

HSBC confirms that it is in exclusive discussions which may lead to the sale and leaseback for an initial nine year period of HSBC France's buildings at 103 avenue des Champs Elysées and 15 rue Vernet in Paris to a subsidiary of a French OPCI (Organisme de Placement Collectif Immobilier). If a transaction is concluded, HSBC France will continue to occupy the building.

These discussions are ongoing and a further announcement will be made as and when appropriate.

 

Media enquiries to Brendan McNamara on +44 (0) 20 7991 0655 or at [email protected]
 

Notes to editors:

1. HSBC France

HSBC France, previously CCF, which was founded in 1894, joined the HSBC Group in 2000 and switched to the HSBC France brand in November 2005. HSBC France is headquartered in Paris. Serving customers from around 430 offices across France and more than 11,600 employees, HSBC France is a universal bank serving both personal and business customers.  
 
 

2. HSBC Holdings plc

HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 9,500 offices in 86 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,527 billion at 31 December 2008, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

HSBC Holdings plc

                                                                                                       By:       

                                                                                                                          Name: P A Stafford

                                                                                                                                            Title: Assistant Group Secretary

                                                                                                                                                                                                         Date: 18 November 2009