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 February, 2006

                                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- ..............)





                            THE CYPRUS POPULAR BANK

Further to the announcement of 11 January 2006, HSBC Holdings plc has reached
agreement for the sale of its 21.16 per cent shareholding in The Cyprus Popular
Bank Public Company Limited, for a consideration of approximately US$235 million
in cash.

The purchasers are: Marfin Financial Group, Tosca Fund and Laiki Bank (Nominees)
Ltd.

HSBC Holdings plc has been advised by its investment banking arm and Investment
Bank of Greece S.A. acted for the purchasers on the transaction.

Note to editors:

HSBC Holdings plc
HSBC Holdings plc is headquartered in the UK. The HSBC Group serves over 110
million customers worldwide from more than 9,700 offices in 77 countries and
territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East
and Africa. With assets of US$1,467 billion at 30 June 2005, HSBC is one of the
world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed
worldwide as 'the world's local bank'.






                                    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:  02 February 2006