Andrea Casini, former General Manager and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank was awarded the Honorary medal of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria. The President Rosen Plevneliev personally presented the honorary medal to Mr Casini, who will be the Co-head of the Italian business of UniCredit from the 1st of September. Casini was selected for the position by the Board of UniCredit after approximately 11 years of successful mandate at UniCredit Bulbank.

The high state distinction is bestowed on Andrea Casini for his personal contribution to the development of the friendly relations and co-operation between Bulgaria and Italy, as well as to the encouragement of the successful and sustainable business in Bulgaria. “As a General Manager of the biggest Bulgarian bank Andrea Casini contributed to the development of a modern, free and responsible Bulgarian economy. Throughout the years UniCredit Bulbank earned the clients’ trust. The bank has been working in a healthy competition on the market. In addition, together with Andrea Casini UniCredit Bulbank has pursued a consistent policy of corporate social responsibility and has supported numerous projects of value to the community. In this way the company has contributed to a cleaner and better Bulgaria”, said Rosen Plevneliev. “We know that you will be thinking about Bulgaria and that you will be happy coming back here” President Plevneliev finished his address to Andrea Casini.

“Behind UniCredit there is the idea of Europe. Different countries, different people that work together for a good idea and a good cause,” Andrea Casini said. “I am not leaving Bulgaria but my second home. Together we have built something unique which in many respects is a source of the best business practices for UniCredit, too. Due to my experience here I would be a trustworthy witness in Italy for the opportunities for business development in Bulgaria” shared Casini. He expressed his gratitude to the President for the honor and said that he considered the medal of honor “a recognition for all colleagues from the bank with whom I was working throughout the years”. Casini presented special thanks to the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank, Levon Hampartzoumian “for the perfect co-operation and support that I have received”.

Andrea Casini is a professional banker. He started his career at UniCredit in 1987 as a Branch Manager of Credito Italiano in Brescia. He took various managerial positions in Italy and in 2001 he became the Head of Corporate Banking of UniCredit Group for the countries of New Europe. From 2002 until 2005 he was the General Manager of the banks of UniCredit Group in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Since 2005 he has been the General Manager and Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank. For his personal support (and the one of UniCredit Bulbank) of important social causes Andrea Casini has received a number of awards during his work in Bulgaria. In 2012 with a decree of the President of the Republic of Italy Giorgio Napolitano he was proclaimed Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy. In 2013 he was distinguished by the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order Fra’ Matthew Festing with the grade of Commander Pro Merito Melitensi for merits related to the fostering of Christian values and charitable work. In 2015 the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain in Bulgaria His Excellency Jose Luis Tapia awarded him on behalf of His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain with an Officer’s Cross of the Order of Civil Merit.

Viktoria Blajeva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

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