(Editor's note: In a press release dated Dec. 22, 1999, the outlook of HSBC Bank Argentina S.A. was misstated in the ratings list. A corrected version follows.) NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's CreditWire) Dec. 22, 1999--Standard&Poor's today raised its ratings on HSBC Bank PLC (see list below). The ratings on HSBC USA Inc and its subsidiaries were also raised and removed from CreditWatch, where they were placed on July 16, 1999. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its ratings on Republic National Bank of New York, NY, Republic National Bank of New York (Canada), and Safra Republic Holdings S.A. and removed the ratings from CreditWatch, where they were placed May 10, 1999. The ratings of Republic
