FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a - 16 or 15d - 16
of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of September, 2008
HSBC Holdings plc
42nd Floor, 8 Canada Square, London E14 5HQ, England
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F).
Form 20-F X Form 40-F ......
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).
Yes....... No X
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ..............).
HSBC HOLDINGS PLC
PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS IN UNITED STATES DOLLARS, STERLING
OR HONG KONG DOLLARS
On 4 August 2008, the Directors of HSBC Holdings plc declared a second interim dividend for
2008 of US$0.18 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on 8 October 2008 to
shareholders on the Principal Register, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register or the
Bermuda Overseas Branch Register at close of business on 22 August 2008 in cash in United
States dollars, sterling or Hong Kong dollars, or a combination of these currencies and
with a scrip dividend alternative.
In the absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the Principal Register will
automatically receive dividends in sterling. However, shareholders with addresses in the
United States will automatically receive dividends in United States dollars unless they
currently receive payment in one of the other currencies or make an election to do so. In
the absence of instructions to the contrary, shareholders on the Hong Kong Overseas Branch
Register and the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register will automatically receive dividends in
Hong Kong dollars and United States dollars respectively.
Dividends payable in cash in sterling or Hong Kong dollars on 8 October 2008 will be
converted from United States dollars at the forward exchange rates quoted by HSBC Bank
plc in London at 11.00 am on 29 September 2008 (US$1 = HK$7.7668 and £1 =
US$1.7993). Accordingly, the amount payable on 8 October 2008 will be:
US$0.18 per share;
approximately HK$1.398024 per share; or
approximately £0.100039 per share.
The dividend payable to holders of American Depositary Shares ('ADSs'), each of which
represents five ordinary shares, will be US$0.90 per ADS. The dividend will be paid on 8
October 2008 in cash in United States dollars or in new shares to those who have elected to
receive the scrip dividend alternative. The cash dividend for participants in the dividend
reinvestment plan, operated by the depositary, will be invested in additional ADSs.
R G Barber
Group Company Secretary
HSBC Holdings plc
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
HSBC Holdings plc
By:
Name: P A Stafford
Title: Assistant Group Secretary
Date: September 29, 2008