HSBC Retail Services Renews Private Label Credit Card Agreement with Darvin Furniture.

PROSPECT HEIGHTS, Ill. -- HSBC - North America's retail services business has extended its agreement with Darvin Furniture to manage the company's private label credit card program. Darvin Furniture is recognized as one of the top 100 furniture stores in America.

Darvin Furniture's

The new contract extends a business relationship that began in 1974 by providing private label credit financing for Darvin Furniture customers. The credit card allows cardholders to take advantage of exclusive deferred financing, low monthly payments and special sale offers.

"We are proud of our long-standing relationship with Darvin Furniture," said Richard Klesse, managing director of client relations for HSBC's retail services. "We have worked diligently with Darvin over the years to offer the type of flexible credit solutions that are critical in furniture sales."

"HSBC and Darvin Furniture are true partners in every sense of the word," said Steven Darvin, chairman of the board, Darvin Furniture. "HSBC is a full service provider, always looking for new ways to help us bring in new customers and increase our sales. They think of our customers as their own, treating them very professionally even after the initial sale."

About Darvin

Darvin Furniture is recognized as one of the top 100 furniture stores in America, having Chicagoland's best selection of quality, brand-name furniture all under one roof. No other Chicagoland store has the scope or breadth of brand names found at Darvin. Major brands include Pennsylvania House, Century, Broyhill, Berne, Lane, Berkline, Stanley, Sealy Serta, LazyBoy Kids, Simmons and others too numerous to mention.

About HSBC Retail Services

HSBC Retail Services is a leading issuer of private label (merchant branded) credit cards in the United States. This business provides flexible, customized credit card solutions for many of the world's premier retailers and manufacturers and has more than 60 active merchant relationships. For more information, visit www.hsbcretailservices.com.

About HSBC - North America

HSBC - North America comprises all of HSBC's U.S. and Canadian businesses, including the former Household businesses. The company's businesses serve nearly 60 million customers in five key areas: personal financial services, consumer finance, commercial banking, private banking and corporate investment banking and markets. Financial products and services are offered under the HSBC, HFC and Beneficial brands. For more information, visit: www.hsbcusa.com.