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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; border-bottom: Black 2.25pt double"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8.5pt">As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt">August 4, 2014</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 8.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: right; text-indent: 1.5in"><B>Registration No. 333-</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 3pt; text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">FORM S-8</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">REGISTRATION STATEMENT</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">UNDER</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 3pt; text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 14pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center">HSBC Holdings plc</P>

<P STYLE="font: 6.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><I>(Exact name of Registrant as specified in
its charter)</I></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>England</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 6.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><I>(State or other jurisdiction of</I></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 6.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><I>incorporation or organization)</I></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font: 6.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt"><B>98-0209906</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 6.5pt"><I>(I.R.S. Employer </I></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 6.5pt"><I>Identification Number)</I></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt"><B>8 Canada Square</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt"><B>London E14 5HQ, England</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt"><B>011-44-20-7991-8888</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 6.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 3pt; text-align: center"><I>(Address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area code, of Registrant&#8217;s principal executive offices)</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 3pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 1in"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>HSBC International Share Purchase Plan</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 7pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 3pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-weight: normal">(Full
Title of the Plan)</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
<BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><B>Stuart Alderoty</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>HSBC North America Holdings Inc.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>452 Fifth Avenue</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>New York, NY 10018</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>Tel. No.: (212) 525 5000</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 6.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 3pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in"><I>(Name, address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</I></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt; text-align: center">Copies to:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt; text-align: center"><B>David I. Gottlieb, Esq.<BR>
Cleary Gottlieb Steen &amp; Hamilton LLP<BR>
55 Basinghall Street<BR>
London EC2V 5EH, England<BR>
<BR>
</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#8220;large accelerated
filer,&#8221; &#8220;accelerated filer&#8221; and &#8220;smaller reporting company&#8221; in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 49%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 9pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 9pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt">Large accelerated filer </FONT>[X]</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 51%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 9pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 9pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt">Accelerated filer </FONT>[_]</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 9pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 9pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt">Non-accelerated filer </FONT>[_]</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 9pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; font-size: 9pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt">Smaller Reporting Company </FONT>[_]</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt; text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>


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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 1in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 8.5pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 3pt; text-align: center">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 31%; border-top: Black 2.25pt double; font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 82%"><B>TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED(1)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 17%; border-top: Black 2.25pt double; border-left: Black 1pt solid; font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 82%"><B>AMOUNT TO BE&nbsp;&nbsp;REGISTERED(2)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 17%; border-top: Black 2.25pt double; border-left: Black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt/82% Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt/82% Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>PER SHARE(3)</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 19%; border-top: Black 2.25pt double; border-left: Black 1pt solid; font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt; line-height: 82%"><B>PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(3)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 16%; border-top: Black 2.25pt double; border-left: Black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt/82% Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>AMOUNT OF</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt/82% Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>REGISTRATION FEE</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-top: Black 1pt solid; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 9pt; text-indent: -0.2in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt"><B>Ordinary Shares, </B></FONT><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt"><B>nominal value US$0.50 each</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; border-top: Black 1pt solid; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; border-left: Black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 8.1pt 0 0; text-align: center"><B>3,500,000</B></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; border-top: Black 1pt solid; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; border-left: Black 1pt solid; font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: -5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt"><B>$10.59</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; border-top: Black 1pt solid; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; border-left: Black 1pt solid; font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; padding-right: -4.95pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 8pt"><B>$37,065,000</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-top: Black 1pt solid; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; border-left: Black 1pt solid; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 8pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>$4,773.97</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.3in; text-indent: -0.3in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 22.5pt"><FONT STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(1)</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt">This Registration Statement registers ordinary shares, 50 cents par value each (&#8220;Ordinary
Shares&#8221;), of HSBC Holdings plc (the &#8220;Registrant&#8221;) that may <FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">be
granted pursuant to the </FONT></FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">HSBC International Share Purchase Plan</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 9pt">
(the &#8220;Plan&#8221;)<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">. </FONT>A portion of the Ordinary Shares may
be represented by American Depositary Shares (&#8220;ADSs&#8221;). ADSs evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (&#8220;ADRs&#8221;)
issuable upon deposit of Ordinary Shares have been registered under three separate registration statements on Form F-6 (File No.
333-168882, File No. 333-128246 and File No. 1033419). Each ADS represents five Ordinary Shares.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 22.5pt; text-indent: -22.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.3in">(2)</TD><TD>Together with an indeterminate number of Ordinary Shares that may be necessary to adjust the number of Ordinary Shares reserved
for issuance pursuant to the Plan as the result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding Ordinary
Shares.<BR>
<BR>
</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 9pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.3in">(3)</TD><TD>Estimated solely for the purposes of calculation of the registration fee with respect to the Ordinary Shares being registered
hereby pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#8220;Securities Act&#8221;), on the basis of
one-fifth of the average of the high and low reported prices of the ADRs reported on the New York Stock-Exchange-Composite Tape
on August 1, 2014. The average of the high and low reported price for one ADR was $52.95 on August 1, 2014.</TD></TR></TABLE>


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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-align: center">Part II</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-align: center">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt">Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">The reports listed below have been filed
with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &#8220;Commission&#8221;) by the Registrant and are incorporated
herein by reference to the extent not superseded by reports or other information subsequently filed or furnished. All of the Registrant&#8217;s
reports filed with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the &#8220;Exchange Act&#8221;), after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to filing a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such
reports.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">(a)&#9;The Registrant&#8217;s Annual
Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 on Form 20-F (File No. 001-14930) filed by the Registrant under the Exchange
Act on February 28, 2014.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">(b)&#9;All of the Registrant&#8217;s
other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by Annual Report
referred to in (a) above.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">(c)&#9;The description of the Ordinary
Shares contained under the heading &#8220;Description of HSBC Ordinary Shares&#8221; in Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant&#8217;s
Registration Statement on Form F-4 (No. 333-102027), filed with the Commission on February 25, 2003, pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">Any statement contained herein or in
a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt">Item 4. Description of Securities</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">Not applicable</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt">Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">Not applicable</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt">Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Article 173 of the Registrant&#8217;s Articles of Association provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;<FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif; letter-spacing: -0.15pt">Subject
to the provisions of the Act, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which he may be otherwise entitled, every person who is
or was at any time a Director, alternate Director, Secretary or other officer of the Company shall be entitled to be indemnified
out of the assets of the Company against all costs, charges, losses, damages and liabilities incurred by him for negligence, default,
breach of duty, breach of trust or otherwise in relation to the affairs of the Company or an associated company, or in connection
with the activities of the Company, or of an associated company, as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme</FONT><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">,
provided that this Article 173.1 shall be deemed not to provide for, or entitle any such person to, indemnification to the extent
that it would cause this Article 173.1, or any element of it, to be treated as void under the Act<FONT STYLE="letter-spacing: -0.15pt">.</FONT></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in"><FONT STYLE="letter-spacing: -0.15pt">&nbsp;</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Company may at the discretion
of the Board provide any person who is or was at any time a Director, <FONT STYLE="letter-spacing: -0.15pt">alternate Director,
Secretary or other officer</FONT> of the Company with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him (or to enable
such person to avoid incurring such expenditure) in</P>


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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">defending any criminal or civil proceedings or defending himself
in any investigation by, or against action proposed to be taken by, a regulatory authority in each case in connection with any
alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by that person in relation to the Company or an associated company
or in connection with any application under the provisions referred to in section 205(5) of the Act.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">The relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the &#8220;Companies
Act,&#8221; referred to as the &#8220;Act&#8221; in Article 173 of the Registrant&#8217;s Articles of Association) are sections
205, 206, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238 and 1157. Section 205 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;(1) Approval is not required under section 197, 198, 200
or 201 (requirement of members&#8217; approval for loans etc) for anything done by a company&#8212;(a) to provide a director of
the company or of its holding company with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him&#8212;(i) in defending any
criminal or civil proceedings in connection with any alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him in relation
to the company or an associated company, or (ii) in connection with an application for relief (see subsection (5)), or (b) to enable
any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure, if it is done on the following terms.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) The terms are&#8212;(a) that the loan is to be repaid, or (as
the case may be) any liability of the company incurred under any transaction connected with the thing done is to be discharged,
in the event of&#8212; (i) the director being convicted in the proceedings, (ii) judgment being given against him in the proceedings,
or (iii) the court refusing to grant him relief on the application; and (b) that it is to be so repaid or discharged not later
than&#8212;(i) the date when the conviction becomes final, (ii) the date when the judgment becomes final, or (iii) the date when
the refusal of relief becomes final.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) For this purpose a conviction, judgment or refusal of relief
becomes final&#8212;(a) if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal; (b) if appealed against, when
the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(4) An appeal is disposed of&#8212;(a) if it is determined and the
period for bringing any further appeal has ended, or (b) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(5) The reference in subsection (1)(a)(ii) to an application for
relief is to an application for relief under&#8212;section 661(3) or (4) (power of court to grant relief in case of acquisition
of shares by innocent nominee), or section 1157 (general power of court to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct).&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 206 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;Approval is not required under section 197, 198, 200 or 201
(requirement of members&#8217; approval for loans etc) for anything done by a company&#8212;(a) to provide a director of the company
or of its holding company with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending himself&#8212;(i) in an
investigation by a regulatory authority, or (ii) against action proposed to be taken by a regulatory authority, in connection with
any alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him in relation to the company or an associated company,
or (b) to enable any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 232 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;(1) Any provision that purports to exempt a director of a
company (to any extent) from any liability that would otherwise attach to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach
of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company is void.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) Any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides
an indemnity (to any extent) for a director of the company, or of an associated company, against any liability attaching to him
in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company of which he is a director
is void, except as permitted by&#8212; (a) section 233 (provision of insurance), (b) section 234 (qualifying third party indemnity
provision), or (c) section 235 (qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision).</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) This section applies to any provision, whether contained in
a company&#8217;s articles or in any contract with the company or otherwise.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(4) Nothing in this section prevents a company&#8217;s articles
from making such provision as has previously been lawful for dealing with conflicts of interest.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 233 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>


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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying directors)
does not prevent a company from purchasing and maintaining for a director of the company, or of an associated company, insurance
against any such liability as is mentioned in that subsection.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 234 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;(1) Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying
directors) does not apply to qualifying third party indemnity provision.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) Third party indemnity provision means provision for indemnity
against liability incurred by the director to a person other than the company or an associated company. Such provision is qualifying
third party indemnity provision if the following requirements are met.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) The provision must not provide any indemnity against&#8212;(a)
any liability of the director to pay&#8212;(i) a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, or (ii) a sum payable to a regulatory authority
by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or (b) any liability
incurred by the director&#8212;(i) in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted, or (ii) in defending civil proceedings
brought by the company, or an associated company, in which judgment is given against him, or (iii) in connection with an application
for relief (see subsection (6)) in which the court refuses to grant him relief.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(4) The references in subsection (3)(b) to a conviction, judgment
or refusal of relief are to the final decision in the proceedings.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(5) For this purpose&#8212;(a) a conviction, judgment or refusal
of relief becomes final&#8212;(i) if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal, or (ii) if appealed
against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of; and (b) an appeal is disposed of&#8212;(i) if it is
determined and the period for bringing any further appeal has ended, or (ii) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(6) The reference in subsection (3)(b)(iii) to an application for
relief is to an application for relief under&#8212;section 661(3) or (4) (power of court to grant relief in case of acquisition
of shares by innocent nominee), or section 1157 (general power of court to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct).&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 235 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;(1) Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying
directors) does not apply to qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) Pension scheme indemnity provision means provision indemnifying
a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme against liability incurred in connection with the company&#8217;s
activities as trustee of the scheme. Such provision is qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision if the following requirements
are met.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) The provision must not provide any indemnity against&#8212;(a)
any liability of the director to pay&#8212;(i) a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, or (ii) a sum payable to a regulatory authority
by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or (b) any liability
incurred by the director in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(4) The reference in subsection (3)(b) to a conviction is to the
final decision in the proceedings.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(5) For this purpose&#8212;(a) a conviction becomes final&#8212;(i)
if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal, or (ii) if appealed against, at the time when the appeal
(or any further appeal) is disposed of; and (b) an appeal is disposed of&#8212;(i) if it is determined and the period for bringing
any further appeal has ended, or (ii) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(6) In this section &#8220;occupational pension scheme&#8221; means
an occupational pension scheme as defined in section 150(5) of the Finance Act 2004 (c. 12) that is established under a trust.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 236 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;(1) This section requires disclosure in the directors&#8217;
report of&#8212;(a) qualifying third party indemnity provision, and (b) qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision. Such provision
is referred to in this section as &#8220;qualifying indemnity provision.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) If when a directors&#8217; report is approved any qualifying
indemnity provision (whether made by the company or otherwise) is in force for the benefit of one or more directors of the company,
the report must state that such provision is in force.</P>


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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) If at any time during the financial year to which a directors&#8217;
report relates any such provision was in force for the benefit of one or more persons who were then directors of the company, the
report must state that such provision was in force.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(4) If when a directors&#8217; report is approved qualifying indemnity
provision made by the company is in force for the benefit of one or more directors of an associated company, the report must state
that such provision is in force.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(5) If at any time during the financial year to which a directors&#8217;
report relates any such provision was in force for the benefit of one or more persons who were then directors of an associated
company, the report must state that such provision was in force.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 237 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;(1) This section has effect where qualifying indemnity provision
is made for a director of a company, and applies&#8212;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(a) to the company of which he is a director (whether the provision
is made by that company or an associated company), and (b) where the provision is made by an associated company, to that company.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) That company or, as the case may be, each of them must keep
available for inspection&#8212;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(a) a copy of the qualifying indemnity provision, or (b) if the
provision is not in writing, a written memorandum setting out its terms.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) The copy or memorandum must be kept available for inspection
at&#8212;(a) the company&#8217;s registered office, or (b) a place specified in regulations under section 1136.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(4) The copy or memorandum must be retained by the company for at
least one year from the date of termination or expiry of the provision and must be kept available for inspection during that time.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(5) The company must give notice to the registrar&#8212;(a) of the
place at which the copy or memorandum is kept available for inspection, and (b) of any change in that place, unless it has at all
times been kept at the company&#8217;s registered office.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(6) If default is made in complying with subsection (2), (3) or
(4), or default is made for 14 days in complying with subsection (5), an offence is committed by every officer of the company who
is in default.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(7) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine
not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(8) The provisions of this section apply to a variation of a qualifying
indemnity provision as they apply to the original provision.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(9) In this section &#8220;qualifying indemnity provision&#8221;
means&#8212; (a) qualifying third party indemnity provision, and (b) qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Section 238 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&#8220;(1) Every copy or memorandum required to be kept by a company
under section 237 must be open to inspection by any member of the company without charge.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) Any member of the company is entitled, on request and on payment
of such fee as may be prescribed, to be provided with a copy of any such copy or memorandum.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">The copy must be provided within seven days after the request is
received by the company.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) If an inspection required under subsection (1) is refused, or
default is made in complying with subsection (2), an offence is committed by every officer of the company who is in default.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine
not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(5) In the case of any such refusal or default the court may by
order compel an immediate inspection or, as the case may be, direct that the copy required be sent to the person requiring it.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0">Section&nbsp;1157 of the Companies Act provides:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0; text-indent: 4.5pt">&nbsp;(1) If in proceedings
for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against&#8212; (a) an officer of a company, or (b) a person employed
by a company as auditor (whether he is or is not an officer of the company), it appears to the court hearing the case that the
officer or person is or may be liable but that he acted honestly and reasonably, and that having regard to all the circumstances
of the case (including those connected with his appointment) he ought</P>


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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-right: 0; margin-left: 0">fairly to be excused, the court may relieve
him, either wholly or in part, from his liability on such terms as it thinks fit.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(2) If any such officer or person has reason to apprehend that a
claim will or might be made against him in respect of negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust&#8212; (a) he may
apply to the court for relief, and (b) the court has the same power to relieve him as it would have had if it had been a court
before which proceedings against him for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust had been brought.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">(3) Where a case to which subsection&nbsp;(1) applies is being tried
by a judge with a jury, the judge, after hearing the evidence, may, if he is satisfied that the defendant (in Scotland, the defender)
ought in pursuance of that subsection to be relieved either in whole or in part from the liability sought to be enforced against
him, withdraw the case from the jury and forthwith direct judgment to be entered for the defendant (in Scotland, grant decree of
absolvitor) on such terms as to costs (in Scotland, expenses) or otherwise as the judge may think proper.&#8221;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 6pt">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The Registrant has arranged appropriate insurance
cover in respect of legal action against directors and senior managers of the Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries. The
Registrant also provides protections for its and its consolidated subsidiaries&#8217; directors and senior managers against personal
financial exposure they may incur in their capacity as such. These include qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the
benefit of directors of the Registrant and other such persons, including, where applicable, in their capacity as directors of the
Registrant&#8217;s consolidated subsidiaries.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt">Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">Not applicable</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt">Item 8. Exhibits</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">The following exhibits are filed with
or incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">4.1</TD><TD>Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to
the Registrant&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, dated March 8, 2011).</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">4.2</TD><TD>HSBC International Share Purchase Plan.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">5.1</TD><TD>Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen &amp; Hamilton LLP, UK counsel to the Registrant, as to the legality of the shares being registered.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">23.1</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Consent of KPMG Audit Plc.</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in"></P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">23.2</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Consent of </FONT>Cleary Gottlieb Steen &amp; Hamilton LLP, UK counsel
to the Registrant <FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(included in Exhibit 5.1).</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>


<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">23.3</TD><TD>Consent of Wing Lui.</TD></TR></TABLE>


<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">23.4</TD><TD>Consent of C G Singer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0.5in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in">24.1</TD><TD>Power of Attorney (set forth
on the signature page hereto).</TD></TR></TABLE><P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in"></P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt">Item 9. Undertakings</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby
undertakes:</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 1in">(1) to file, during any period in which
offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any prospectus required
by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii)</P>


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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">to reflect in the prospectus
any facts or events arising after</FONT> the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post&#45;effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement; (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement; <U>provided</U>, <U>however</U>,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 1in">(2) that, for the purpose of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide</I>
offering thereof; and</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 1in">(3) to remove from registration by means
of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby
undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant&#8217;s annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of the employee benefit plan&#8217;s
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona fide</I> offering thereof.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 22.5pt"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(c)
</FONT>Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>


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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-align: center">SIGNATURES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 36.45pt"><FONT STYLE="text-transform: uppercase">Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City LONDON, ENGLAND, ON August 1, 2014.</FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 24pt; text-indent: 3in">HSBC HOLDINGS PLC</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 3in">By:<U>&nbsp; /s/ I. J. Mackay&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 3.25in">Name: I. J. Mackay</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt 3.25in">Title: Group Finance Director</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Know all persons by these presents, that each
officer or director whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of the directors named below, jointly and severally,
as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full and several power of substitution, for and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements
to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intends and purposes
as they or he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.<BR>
<BR>
</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED<BR>
ON AUGUST 1<FONT STYLE="text-transform: uppercase">, 2014</FONT>.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; width: 8%; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 45%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ D. J. Flint</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 47%; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">D. J. Flint, CBE</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Group Chairman </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ S. T. Gulliver</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">S. T. Gulliver</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Group Chief Executive</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><BR>
        <BR>
        </P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ I. J. MacKay</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">I. J. MacKay</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Group Finance Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; font-size: 10pt"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"><BR>
        <BR>
        </P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ M. M. Moses</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">M. M. Moses</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">Group Chief Risk Officer</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

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    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; width: 8%; font-size: 10pt"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 45%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        /s/ K. L Casey</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0"></P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%; font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">K. L. Casey</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; font-size: 10pt"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="font-size: 12pt">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE><TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; width: 8%"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 45%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ S. A. Catz</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 47%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">S. A. Catz</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">L. M. L. Cha, GBS</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ Sir J. D. Evans</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Sir J. D. Evans</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ J. Faber</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">J. Faber</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ R. A. Fairhead</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">R. A. Fairhead, CBE</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ R. Fassbind</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">R. Fassbind</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ W. S. H. Laidlaw</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">W. S. H. Laidlaw</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ J. P. Lipsky</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">J.P. Lipsky</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ J. R. Lomax</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">J. R. Lomax</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>

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    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
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<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; width: 8%"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 45%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ Sir S. M. Robertson</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; width: 47%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Sir S. M. Robertson</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Non-executive Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ J. R. Symonds</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">J. R. Symonds, CBE</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Director</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">By:</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in"><BR>
        &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">/s/ Stuart Alderoty</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Name:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Stuart Alderoty</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Title:</FONT></TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Authorised Representative in the United States</FONT></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 12pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0">&nbsp;</P>


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    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-align: center"><U>EXHIBIT INDEX</U></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 18%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0in"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><U>Exhibit No.</U></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 29%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0in; text-align: center"><BR>
<FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><U>Description</U></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 48%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><BR>
        <U>Method of Filing</U></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-left: 5.4pt">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0in">Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles
        of Association of the Registrant</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant&#8217;s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, dated March 8, 2011.</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;4.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">HSBC International Share Purchase Plan</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed herewith.</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen &amp; Hamilton LLP, UK counsel to the Registrant, as to the legality of the shares being registered</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed herewith</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Consent of KPMG Audit Plc </FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed herewith</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Consent of </FONT><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Cleary Gottlieb Steen &amp; Hamilton LLP, UK counsel to the Registrant <FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">(included in Exhibit 5.1)</FONT></FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed herewith</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">23.3</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Consent of Wing Lui</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed herewith</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">23.4</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Consent of C G Singer</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Filed herewith</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Power of Attorney</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 10pt">Included on Signature Pages</FONT></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 5.4pt; padding-bottom: 12pt; padding-left: 5.4pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 12pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "HSBC HOLDINGS PLC", "cik": "0001089113", "assigned-sic": "6035", "irs-number": "000000000", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-197839", "film-number": "141013634"}, "business-address": {"street1": "8 CANADA SQUARE", "city": "LONDON", "state": "X0", "zip": "E145HQ", "phone": "442079912652"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "8 CANADA SQUARE", "city": "LONDON", "state": "X0", "zip": "E14 5HQ"}}
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
August 4, 2014
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
HSBC Holdings plc
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in
its charter)
England
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
98-0209906
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
8 Canada Square
London E14 5HQ, England
011-44-20-7991-8888
(Address, including zip code, and
telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)
HSBC International Share Purchase Plan
(Full
Title of the Plan)
Stuart Alderoty
HSBC North America Holdings Inc.
452 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10018
Tel. No.: (212) 525 5000
(Name, address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
David I. Gottlieb, Esq.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
55 Basinghall Street
London EC2V 5EH, England
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated
filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
[X]
Accelerated filer
[_]
Non-accelerated filer
[_]
Smaller Reporting Company
[_]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED(1)
AMOUNT TO BE  REGISTERED(2)
PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE
PER SHARE(3)
PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE OFFERING PRICE(3)
AMOUNT OF
REGISTRATION FEE
Ordinary Shares,
nominal value US$0.50 each
3,500,000
$10.59
$37,065,000
$4,773.97
(1)
This Registration Statement registers ordinary shares, 50 cents par value each ("Ordinary
Shares"), of HSBC Holdings plc (the "Registrant") that may
be
granted pursuant to the
HSBC International Share Purchase Plan
(the "Plan")
.
A portion of the Ordinary Shares may
be represented by American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"). ADSs evidenced by American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs")
issuable upon deposit of Ordinary Shares have been registered under three separate registration statements on Form F-6 (File No.
333-168882, File No. 333-128246 and File No. 1033419). Each ADS represents five Ordinary Shares.
(2)
Together with an indeterminate number of Ordinary Shares that may be necessary to adjust the number of Ordinary Shares reserved
for issuance pursuant to the Plan as the result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding Ordinary
Shares.
(3)
Estimated solely for the purposes of calculation of the registration fee with respect to the Ordinary Shares being registered
hereby pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), on the basis of
one-fifth of the average of the high and low reported prices of the ADRs reported on the New York Stock-Exchange-Composite Tape
on August 1, 2014. The average of the high and low reported price for one ADR was $52.95 on August 1, 2014.
2
Part II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION
STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The reports listed below have been filed
with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by the Registrant and are incorporated
herein by reference to the extent not superseded by reports or other information subsequently filed or furnished. All of the Registrant's
reports filed with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Exchange Act"), after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to filing a post-effective amendment
which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such
reports.
(a)	The Registrant's Annual
Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 on Form 20-F (File No. 001-14930) filed by the Registrant under the Exchange
Act on February 28, 2014.
(b)	All of the Registrant's
other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by Annual Report
referred to in (a) above.
(c)	The description of the Ordinary
Shares contained under the heading "Description of HSBC Ordinary Shares" in Amendment No. 4 to the Registrant's
Registration Statement on Form F-4 (No. 333-102027), filed with the Commission on February 25, 2003, pursuant to the Securities
Act of 1933.
Any statement contained herein or in
a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document which also is or is
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities
Not applicable
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not applicable
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Article 173 of the Registrant's Articles of Association provides:
"
Subject
to the provisions of the Act, but without prejudice to any indemnity to which he may be otherwise entitled, every person who is
or was at any time a Director, alternate Director, Secretary or other officer of the Company shall be entitled to be indemnified
out of the assets of the Company against all costs, charges, losses, damages and liabilities incurred by him for negligence, default,
breach of duty, breach of trust or otherwise in relation to the affairs of the Company or an associated company, or in connection
with the activities of the Company, or of an associated company, as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme
,
provided that this Article 173.1 shall be deemed not to provide for, or entitle any such person to, indemnification to the extent
that it would cause this Article 173.1, or any element of it, to be treated as void under the Act
.
Subject to the provisions of the Act, the Company may at the discretion
of the Board provide any person who is or was at any time a Director,
alternate Director,
Secretary or other officer
of the Company with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him (or to enable
such person to avoid incurring such expenditure) in
1
defending any criminal or civil proceedings or defending himself
in any investigation by, or against action proposed to be taken by, a regulatory authority in each case in connection with any
alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by that person in relation to the Company or an associated company
or in connection with any application under the provisions referred to in section 205(5) of the Act."
The relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Companies
Act," referred to as the "Act" in Article 173 of the Registrant's Articles of Association) are sections
205, 206, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238 and 1157. Section 205 of the Companies Act provides:
"(1) Approval is not required under section 197, 198, 200
or 201 (requirement of members' approval for loans etc) for anything done by a company—(a) to provide a director of
the company or of its holding company with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him—(i) in defending any
criminal or civil proceedings in connection with any alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him in relation
to the company or an associated company, or (ii) in connection with an application for relief (see subsection (5)), or (b) to enable
any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure, if it is done on the following terms.
(2) The terms are—(a) that the loan is to be repaid, or (as
the case may be) any liability of the company incurred under any transaction connected with the thing done is to be discharged,
in the event of— (i) the director being convicted in the proceedings, (ii) judgment being given against him in the proceedings,
or (iii) the court refusing to grant him relief on the application; and (b) that it is to be so repaid or discharged not later
than—(i) the date when the conviction becomes final, (ii) the date when the judgment becomes final, or (iii) the date when
the refusal of relief becomes final.
(3) For this purpose a conviction, judgment or refusal of relief
becomes final—(a) if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal; (b) if appealed against, when
the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of.
(4) An appeal is disposed of—(a) if it is determined and the
period for bringing any further appeal has ended, or (b) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.
(5) The reference in subsection (1)(a)(ii) to an application for
relief is to an application for relief under—section 661(3) or (4) (power of court to grant relief in case of acquisition
of shares by innocent nominee), or section 1157 (general power of court to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct)."
Section 206 of the Companies Act provides:
"Approval is not required under section 197, 198, 200 or 201
(requirement of members' approval for loans etc) for anything done by a company—(a) to provide a director of the company
or of its holding company with funds to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending himself—(i) in an
investigation by a regulatory authority, or (ii) against action proposed to be taken by a regulatory authority, in connection with
any alleged negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by him in relation to the company or an associated company,
or (b) to enable any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure."
Section 232 of the Companies Act provides:
"(1) Any provision that purports to exempt a director of a
company (to any extent) from any liability that would otherwise attach to him in connection with any negligence, default, breach
of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company is void.
(2) Any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides
an indemnity (to any extent) for a director of the company, or of an associated company, against any liability attaching to him
in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company of which he is a director
is void, except as permitted by— (a) section 233 (provision of insurance), (b) section 234 (qualifying third party indemnity
provision), or (c) section 235 (qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision).
(3) This section applies to any provision, whether contained in
a company's articles or in any contract with the company or otherwise.
(4) Nothing in this section prevents a company's articles
from making such provision as has previously been lawful for dealing with conflicts of interest."
Section 233 of the Companies Act provides:
2
"Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying directors)
does not prevent a company from purchasing and maintaining for a director of the company, or of an associated company, insurance
against any such liability as is mentioned in that subsection."
Section 234 of the Companies Act provides:
"(1) Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying
directors) does not apply to qualifying third party indemnity provision.
(2) Third party indemnity provision means provision for indemnity
against liability incurred by the director to a person other than the company or an associated company. Such provision is qualifying
third party indemnity provision if the following requirements are met.
(3) The provision must not provide any indemnity against—(a)
any liability of the director to pay—(i) a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, or (ii) a sum payable to a regulatory authority
by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or (b) any liability
incurred by the director—(i) in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted, or (ii) in defending civil proceedings
brought by the company, or an associated company, in which judgment is given against him, or (iii) in connection with an application
for relief (see subsection (6)) in which the court refuses to grant him relief.
(4) The references in subsection (3)(b) to a conviction, judgment
or refusal of relief are to the final decision in the proceedings.
(5) For this purpose—(a) a conviction, judgment or refusal
of relief becomes final—(i) if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal, or (ii) if appealed
against, at the time when the appeal (or any further appeal) is disposed of; and (b) an appeal is disposed of—(i) if it is
determined and the period for bringing any further appeal has ended, or (ii) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.
(6) The reference in subsection (3)(b)(iii) to an application for
relief is to an application for relief under—section 661(3) or (4) (power of court to grant relief in case of acquisition
of shares by innocent nominee), or section 1157 (general power of court to grant relief in case of honest and reasonable conduct)."
Section 235 of the Companies Act provides:
"(1) Section 232(2) (voidness of provisions for indemnifying
directors) does not apply to qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision.
(2) Pension scheme indemnity provision means provision indemnifying
a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme against liability incurred in connection with the company's
activities as trustee of the scheme. Such provision is qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision if the following requirements
are met.
(3) The provision must not provide any indemnity against—(a)
any liability of the director to pay—(i) a fine imposed in criminal proceedings, or (ii) a sum payable to a regulatory authority
by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any requirement of a regulatory nature (however arising); or (b) any liability
incurred by the director in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted.
(4) The reference in subsection (3)(b) to a conviction is to the
final decision in the proceedings.
(5) For this purpose—(a) a conviction becomes final—(i)
if not appealed against, at the end of the period for bringing an appeal, or (ii) if appealed against, at the time when the appeal
(or any further appeal) is disposed of; and (b) an appeal is disposed of—(i) if it is determined and the period for bringing
any further appeal has ended, or (ii) if it is abandoned or otherwise ceases to have effect.
(6) In this section "occupational pension scheme" means
an occupational pension scheme as defined in section 150(5) of the Finance Act 2004 (c. 12) that is established under a trust."
Section 236 of the Companies Act provides:
"(1) This section requires disclosure in the directors'
report of—(a) qualifying third party indemnity provision, and (b) qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision. Such provision
is referred to in this section as "qualifying indemnity provision."
(2) If when a directors' report is approved any qualifying
indemnity provision (whether made by the company or otherwise) is in force for the benefit of one or more directors of the company,
the report must state that such provision is in force.
3
(3) If at any time during the financial year to which a directors'
report relates any such provision was in force for the benefit of one or more persons who were then directors of the company, the
report must state that such provision was in force.
(4) If when a directors' report is approved qualifying indemnity
provision made by the company is in force for the benefit of one or more directors of an associated company, the report must state
that such provision is in force.
(5) If at any time during the financial year to which a directors'
report relates any such provision was in force for the benefit of one or more persons who were then directors of an associated
company, the report must state that such provision was in force."
Section 237 of the Companies Act provides:
"(1) This section has effect where qualifying indemnity provision
is made for a director of a company, and applies—
(a) to the company of which he is a director (whether the provision
is made by that company or an associated company), and (b) where the provision is made by an associated company, to that company.
(2) That company or, as the case may be, each of them must keep
available for inspection—
(a) a copy of the qualifying indemnity provision, or (b) if the
provision is not in writing, a written memorandum setting out its terms.
(3) The copy or memorandum must be kept available for inspection
at—(a) the company's registered office, or (b) a place specified in regulations under section 1136.
(4) The copy or memorandum must be retained by the company for at
least one year from the date of termination or expiry of the provision and must be kept available for inspection during that time.
(5) The company must give notice to the registrar—(a) of the
place at which the copy or memorandum is kept available for inspection, and (b) of any change in that place, unless it has at all
times been kept at the company's registered office.
(6) If default is made in complying with subsection (2), (3) or
(4), or default is made for 14 days in complying with subsection (5), an offence is committed by every officer of the company who
is in default.
(7) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine
not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.
(8) The provisions of this section apply to a variation of a qualifying
indemnity provision as they apply to the original provision.
(9) In this section "qualifying indemnity provision"
means— (a) qualifying third party indemnity provision, and (b) qualifying pension scheme indemnity provision."
Section 238 of the Companies Act provides:
"(1) Every copy or memorandum required to be kept by a company
under section 237 must be open to inspection by any member of the company without charge.
(2) Any member of the company is entitled, on request and on payment
of such fee as may be prescribed, to be provided with a copy of any such copy or memorandum.
The copy must be provided within seven days after the request is
received by the company.
(3) If an inspection required under subsection (1) is refused, or
default is made in complying with subsection (2), an offence is committed by every officer of the company who is in default.
(4) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on
summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale and, for continued contravention, a daily default fine
not exceeding one-tenth of level 3 on the standard scale.
(5) In the case of any such refusal or default the court may by
order compel an immediate inspection or, as the case may be, direct that the copy required be sent to the person requiring it."
Section 1157 of the Companies Act provides:
(1) If in proceedings
for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against— (a) an officer of a company, or (b) a person employed
by a company as auditor (whether he is or is not an officer of the company), it appears to the court hearing the case that the
officer or person is or may be liable but that he acted honestly and reasonably, and that having regard to all the circumstances
of the case (including those connected with his appointment) he ought
4
fairly to be excused, the court may relieve
him, either wholly or in part, from his liability on such terms as it thinks fit.
(2) If any such officer or person has reason to apprehend that a
claim will or might be made against him in respect of negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust— (a) he may
apply to the court for relief, and (b) the court has the same power to relieve him as it would have had if it had been a court
before which proceedings against him for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust had been brought.
(3) Where a case to which subsection (1) applies is being tried
by a judge with a jury, the judge, after hearing the evidence, may, if he is satisfied that the defendant (in Scotland, the defender)
ought in pursuance of that subsection to be relieved either in whole or in part from the liability sought to be enforced against
him, withdraw the case from the jury and forthwith direct judgment to be entered for the defendant (in Scotland, grant decree of
absolvitor) on such terms as to costs (in Scotland, expenses) or otherwise as the judge may think proper."
The Registrant has arranged appropriate insurance
cover in respect of legal action against directors and senior managers of the Registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries. The
Registrant also provides protections for its and its consolidated subsidiaries' directors and senior managers against personal
financial exposure they may incur in their capacity as such. These include qualifying third party indemnity provisions for the
benefit of directors of the Registrant and other such persons, including, where applicable, in their capacity as directors of the
Registrant's consolidated subsidiaries.
Item 7. Exemption From Registration Claimed
Not applicable
Item 8. Exhibits
The following exhibits are filed with
or incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
4.1
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to
the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, dated March 8, 2011).
4.2
HSBC International Share Purchase Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, UK counsel to the Registrant, as to the legality of the shares being registered.
23.1
Consent of KPMG Audit Plc.
23.2
Consent of
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, UK counsel
to the Registrant
(included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.3
Consent of Wing Lui.
23.4
Consent of C G Singer.
24.1
Power of Attorney (set forth
on the signature page hereto).
Item 9. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby
undertakes:
(1) to file, during any period in which
offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any prospectus required
by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii)
5
to reflect in the prospectus
any facts or events arising after
the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this
Registration Statement; (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed
in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;
provided
,
however
,
that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement;
(2) that, for the purpose of determining
any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating
to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof; and
(3) to remove from registration by means
of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby
undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual
report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of the employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant
of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered,
the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court
of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
6
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City LONDON, ENGLAND, ON August 1, 2014.
HSBC HOLDINGS PLC
By:
/s/ I. J. Mackay
Name: I. J. Mackay
Title: Group Finance Director
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Know all persons by these presents, that each
officer or director whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of the directors named below, jointly and severally,
as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full and several power of substitution, for and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements
to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intends and purposes
as they or he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or
their substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES INDICATED
ON AUGUST 1
, 2014
.
By:
/s/ D. J. Flint
Name:
D. J. Flint, CBE
Title:
Group Chairman
By:
/s/ S. T. Gulliver
Name:
S. T. Gulliver
Title:
Group Chief Executive
By:
/s/ I. J. MacKay
Name:
I. J. MacKay
Title:
Group Finance Director
By:
/s/ M. M. Moses
Name:
M. M. Moses
Title:
Group Chief Risk Officer
7
By:
/s/ K. L Casey
Name:
K. L. Casey
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ S. A. Catz
Name:
S. A. Catz
Title:
Director
By:
Name:
L. M. L. Cha, GBS
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ Sir J. D. Evans
Name:
Sir J. D. Evans
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ J. Faber
Name:
J. Faber
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ R. A. Fairhead
Name:
R. A. Fairhead, CBE
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ R. Fassbind
Name:
R. Fassbind
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ W. S. H. Laidlaw
Name:
W. S. H. Laidlaw
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ J. P. Lipsky
Name:
J.P. Lipsky
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ J. R. Lomax
Name:
J. R. Lomax
Title:
Director
8
By:
/s/ Sir S. M. Robertson
Name:
Sir S. M. Robertson
Title:
Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Non-executive Director
By:
/s/ J. R. Symonds
Name:
J. R. Symonds, CBE
Title:
Director
By:
/s/ Stuart Alderoty
Name:
Stuart Alderoty
Title:
Authorised Representative in the United States
9
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
Method of Filing
4.1
Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles
        of Association of the Registrant
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, dated March 8, 2011.
4.2
HSBC International Share Purchase Plan
Filed herewith.
5.1
Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, UK counsel to the Registrant, as to the legality of the shares being registered
Filed herewith
23.1
Consent of KPMG Audit Plc
Filed herewith
23.2
Consent of
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, UK counsel to the Registrant
(included in Exhibit 5.1)
Filed herewith
23.3
Consent of Wing Lui
Filed herewith
23.4
Consent of C G Singer
Filed herewith
24.1
Power of Attorney
Included on Signature Pages
10