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
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 3 August 2009, the Directors of HSBC Holdings plc declared a second interim dividend for 2009 of US$0.08 per ordinary share. The dividend is payable on 7 October 2009 to shareholders on the Principal Register, the Hong Kong Overseas Branch Register or the Bermuda Overseas Branch Register at close of business on 21 August 2009 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 7 October 2009 will be converted from United States dollars at the forward exchange rates quoted by HSBC Bank plc in London at 11.00 am on 28 September 2009 (US$1 = HK$7.74965 and £1 = US$1.58756). Accordingly, the amount payable on 7 October 2009 will be:
US$0.08 per share;
approximately HK$0.619972 per share; or
approximately £0.050392 per share.
The dividend payable to holders of American Depositary Shares ('ADSs'), each of which represents five ordinary shares, will be US$0.40 per ADS. The dividend will be paid on 7 October 2009 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.
P A Stafford
Deputy Group Company Secretary
HSBC Holdings plc
28 September 2009
SIGNATURE
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: 28 September 2009