Household HSBC Watch

TORONTO, Aug. 19 /CNW/ - The Investment Dealers Association of Canada
(IDA) announced today that a hearing will be held before a Hearing Panel
appointed pursuant to IDA By-law 20 for the presentation, review and
consideration of a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement is between Staff of the IDA and HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc., which was at all material times a Member of the IDA, and relates to matters for which it may be disciplined. The conduct which is the subject of the hearing relates to Market Timing activity in mutual funds that occurred during the time period from January 2002 to July 2002. The hearing also concerns under-reporting by HSBC Securities (Canada) Inc. of information requested by the IDA.