Nation's only separately chartered trade bank first to offer overseas financing in both domestic and foreign currency SAN FRANCISCO, May 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Wells Fargo HSBC Trade Bank, the only nationally chartered bank in the U.S. exclusively devoted to international trade, launched a cross-border lending initiative today that makes it the first financial services company to offer financing in both domestic and foreign currency for middle market firms doing business in China. Where most U.S. Banks lend only against a company's domestic collateral in the U.S., the Trade Bank's unique equity joint venture partnership between Wells Fargo and the HSBC Group allows it to finance overseas credit needs of $10 million or less secured in part by collateral held in China. "The Trade Bank is able to supply the missing piece to U.S. based middle market companies who need financing overseas," said Sanjiv Sanghvi, Trade Bank CEO. "Securing credit in-country, in a local currency, based on overseas collateral helps companies expand overseas without tapping out their potential for domestic growth." The Trade Bank is currently the only such institution offering this service to U.S. businesses doing business abroad. The service is best suited for U.S. based middle market firms earning between $20 - $500 million in revenues with a local presence in China. "The Trade Bank serves clients engaged in many facets of international commerce, not just trade," said Tim Evans, Chief Operating Officer of the Trade Bank. "Owing to our unique partnership, we can leverage HSBC's international capabilities together with Wells Fargo's proven domestic expertise to provide full financial services support for our customers doing business in China." A sponsor of World Trade Week in Los Angeles, the Trade Bank -- one of "The Major Trade Banks" according to World Trade magazine (April 2004) -- helps local companies increase international sales while reducing risk, accelerating cash flow and improving operating margins. Combining Wells Fargo's wide array of financial services with HSBC's extensive network of international locations, The Trade Bank delivers import-export financing solutions and international expertise to U.S. companies doing business internationally. The Trade Bank delivers extensive trade services, cash management and international treasury services to its customers online over Wells Fargo's industry-leading Commercial Electronic Office(R) Business Portal. It also brings its customers local market knowledge through the HSBC network covering 76 countries and territories. Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $486 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 6,000 stores and the internet (http://wellsfargo.com/) across North America and internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the U.S., and one of only two banks worldwide, to have the highest credit rating from both Moody's Investors Service, "Aaa," and Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, "AAA." HSBC Holdings plc is headquartered in the UK. The HSBC Group serves over 125 million customers worldwide from more than 9,500 offices in 76 countries in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$1,738 billion at 30 June 2006, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as 'the world's local bank'. DATASOURCE: Wells Fargo & Company CONTACT: Chris Buckley of Wells Fargo, +1-415-396-3983 Web site: http://www.wellsfargo.com/

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