For Immediate Release

(HONG KONG, 12 January 2001) Hutchison Whampoa and CSFBdirect (NYSE:DIR; formerly DLJdirect), the online brokerage service of Credit Suisse First Boston, today launched an online investment joint venture, Hutchison CSFBdirect, which sets out to bring value-added online investing services and greater convenience to private investors in Hong Kong.

The new service was launched today by Mr. Canning Fok, Group Managing Director of Hutchison Whampoa, and Mr. K. Blake Darcy, Chief Executive Officer of CSFBdirect.

Hutchison CSFBdirect allows clients to conveniently open accounts and make stock transactions on multiple channels including the Internet and wireless Internet. Customers can access these channels with their choice of devices, including PC, notebook PC and WAP enabled mobile phone. Built upon a state-of-the-art technology, clients will enjoy instant, easy access to stock market information including real-time quotes and financial news. Through the secured platform, orders can be placed, and execution checked anytime, anywhere. Furthermore, the service is backed up with a 24-hour hotline to ensure efficient, first-class personal service.

Backed by two powerhouses from the East and West, Hutchison CSFBdirect benefits from CSFBdirect's expertise in online financial services and innovative Internet technologies, whilst it also leverages on Hutchison's strong brand, extensive customer network and marketing expertise, global data center, call center, WAP telecom capabilities and a comprehensive Internet infrastructure.

Hutchison Whampoa Group Managing Director Canning Fok remarked, "We are pleased to partner with CSFBdirect which is recognized as a premier online broker across the globe. CSFBdirect has a brilliant proven track record in online investing services which have won numerous prestigious awards across different markets over the past 12 years."

"With the powerful combination of Hutchison Whampoa and CSFBdirect, we are enthusiastically looking forward to developing and expanding our online services for our customers and also share our success with them. "

Citing the growing expansion of online investing worldwide, K. Blake Darcy, CEO of CSFBdirect, said, "Retail investors throughout the world are better informed and more sophisticated as a result of the Internet than at any other time in history. CSFBdirect is pleased to join with Hutchison to bring online investing to the Asian markets."

Ms. Rosemary McFadden, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison CSFBdirect, said, "The launch of Hutchison CSFBdirect brings a high standard of services and convenience to investors in Hong Kong. We believe that there is tremendous potential for online investing services in Hong Kong and we will become a leading player in this market."

Hutchison CSFBdirect's customers will always enjoy the "4 FREEs". i.e. no account opening fees, no minimum balance, no minimum deposit, no maintenance fees. To celebrate the launch, customers can enjoy free-of-charge real-time quotes services and trading commission rebates of HK$888 until the end of March, 2001. They will also enjoy a competitive commission fee of 0.2% until the end of April this year.

For press information, contact:

Hutchison CSFBdirect
Royce Yuen, 852-3151-1166 (royce.yuen@hcbdirect.com)

Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide
Fanny Suen 852-2884 8523 (fanny.suen@ogilvy.com)
Wendy Wu 852-2884 8542 (Wendy.wu@ogilvy.com)