Expat Explorer Returns Again in 2010

Calling Expats Everywhere - Make Sure You Have Your Say!

LONDON, April 27, 2010 - This week marks the official launch of Expat Explorer - the largest
global survey of expats - where expats from all over the world can have their
say about life as an expat and the challenges and opportunities they face
living and working abroad.

2010 is the third year of the highly insightful survey, which in 2009 saw
over 3,100 expats participate from more than 50 countries across the globe,
making it the largest independent survey of expats, worldwide.

This year, HSBC Bank International is calling for even more expats to
take part to ensure that their adopted country makes it into the 2010 survey
and features in the league tables published in the Expat Explorer reports.

"Expats from a huge range of countries took part in the survey last year
but we couldn't feature some locations because there weren't enough
respondents to meet our statistical criteria," said Lisa Wood, Head of
Marketing and Communications at HSBC Bank International.

"We would love to have them involved in 2010 and that's why we are asking
expats from all over the globe to not only fill in the survey themselves, but
to also pass it around to any expat friends, family and colleagues in order
to make sure that their country doesn't miss out again."

The 2010 survey will continue to take an in-depth look at expat life,
examining how this unique group experience new cultures, new lifestyles and,
importantly, how they have been dealing with a new financial landscape as the
world continues to recover from the global economic crisis. Last year's
survey found that a large percentage of expats had been strongly affected by
the global downturn, with a higher number in the UK and US admitting that
they were considering a move back to their home country.

    Other key findings from the 2009 research included:

    - The US, Thailand and South Africa were the most affected by
      the global economic crisis
    - Emerging markets ranked above established centres for expat
      finances
    - Despite the economic crisis, expats were wealthier and saved more
      than in their country of origin
    - Canada, Australia and Thailand were the top three locations for
      expat lifestyle, with established markets in general outperforming
      emerging markets
    - Expats generally enjoy a better quality of life
    - Australia ranked number one for raising children, followed by
      Singapore and Hong Kong

"In 2009 we were given an excellent insight into how expats had been
affected by the changes in the global economic climate, how they had adapted
their lifestyles accordingly and also how there was a stark contrast between
countries that offered strong prospects for an expat's finances, and those
that offered high quality of living," said Lisa.

"If you're an expat and want to find out how your country compares, how
your expat counterparts have managed over the last year and even where you
might want to go next, make sure you get involved today!"

If you're an expat, please share your experience of life abroad by
filling in the Expat Explorer 2010 survey at
www1.gfk-wi.com/wix/p76220993.aspx.

Follow the updates and join the debate online:

Tweet at: twitter.com/expatexplorer

Share your experiences: expatexplorer.blogspot.com/

Notes to editors:

About the Expat Explorer survey

The Expat Explorer survey, now in its third year, is the largest global
survey of expats. Commissioned by HSBC Bank International and conducted by a
third party research company, more than 3,100 expats took part in 2009.

Individuals from four continents described the opportunities and
challenges they experienced living away from home. The survey provided an
insight into how expat life differs from country to country, continent to
continent and from an expats' country of origin.

An expat is defined as someone over the age of 18 years old and currently
living away from their home country (country of origin). The survey was
designed to capture the views of the internationally representative expat
population.

HSBC Bank International

HSBC Bank International is an award winning provider of offshore
financial services, with its head office based in Jersey, Channel Islands. It
also has representation in the Isle of Man, Dubai, Hong Kong, South Africa,
Singapore and an affiliate office in London. Being a part of HSBC Holdings
plc, HSBC Bank International has the experience to offer customers living and
or working abroad, tailored offshore financial solutions.

For more information visit: www.offshore.hsbc.com

Media enquiries to: Tim Mullen, Hill & Knowlton, +44(0)207-413-3465, tim.mullen at hillandknowlton.com