Agreement entitles UniCredit advisors to use Morningstar research and market analysis in their client presentations and educational materials;

Deal benefits UniCredit clients in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Slovenia

UniCredit CEE Private Banking has entered into an agreement with the investment research firm Morningstar to help support the financial education provided to the bank’s clients.

The agreement entitles UniCredit Private Banking advisors in Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Slovenia to access to and to use Morningstar research and market analysis in their presentations and educational materials to help UniCredit clients better assess and monitor their investments’ risks and opportunities.

UniCredit’s decision to obtain access to Morningstar research was based on surveys demonstrating the extent to which time-strapped private investors make investment decisions in areas such as stocks, bonds, real estate and mutual funds that are based on superficial considerations.

Manuela D’Onofrio, Head of UniCredit Global Investment Strategy said the agreement with Morningstar would facilitate better client investment decisions. “The main lesson I learned in the field is that investment decisions based on emotions – whether greed or fear – very often translate into losses,” said D’Onofrio. “Only constant research and analysis of markets and their ever-changing dynamics can create a sound portfolio – one that’s capable of delivering return on risk that is compatible with the investor needs.”

UniCredit CEE Private Banking will supplement its provision of investment advice to its clients with use of the Morningstar investment research materials. The independent stance of Morningstar´s investment research fits well with the Investment Principles of UniCredit Private Banking, which establish a common understanding between customers and advisors, and enable them to work together in trust and confidence.

“Everybody at UniCredit Private Banking has one common goal, and that’s to offer customers stability and security for their financial assets – protecting and increasing those assets in the long-term,” said Jan Tronicek, Head of UniCredit Private Banking in Central and Eastern Europe. “What clients appreciate most is the value of their advisor’s insight as they look for expertise in identifying new opportunities and mitigating risk”, he explained.

“Financial markets offer specific possibilities for keeping and sustainable increasing of the wealth of our clients in time. Our major professional aim is not only to help our clients optimize the return on their assets, but to provide them with the necessary expertise. We would like to help our clients make informed decisions, not influenced by emotions and unjustified expectations“, said Ivan Djonov, Head of Private Banking, UniCredit Bulbank.

Morningstar’s “investors first” approach to business has earned the firm a strong reputation for independence and objectivity. Morningstar is also known for innovation within the investment industry, particularly by bringing relevant information to a broad audience. All of the Morningstar investment research and market analysis materials included in the agreement are reviewed by the United States Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

UniCredit

UniCredit is a leading European commercial bank with strong roots in 20 countries. Our overall global network embraces approximately 50 markets with nearly 9,080 branches and more than 150,000 employees (as of 30 June 2013).

In the CEE Region, UniCredit runs the largest and most diversified international banking network with more than 3,600 branches (Poland included).

The Group operates in Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine (as of 30 June 2013).

Morningstar Italy

Morningstar Italy is the Italian subsidiary of Morningstar Inc. (based in Chicago), a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia.

The company offers an extensive line of products and services for individuals, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. Morningstar provides data on approximately 437,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 10 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets.

Morningstar also offers investment management services through its registered investment advisor subsidiaries and has more than $176 billion in assets under advisement or management as of Sept 30, 2013. The company has operations in 27 countries. Morningstar has more than 200 analysts worldwide and provides independent research on nearly 2,000 funds and Exchange traded funds and 1,800 equities.

More information for clients:

UniCredit Bulbank, Call Centre

Phone: 0700 1 84 84

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

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

Ekaterina Ancheva, Phone: + 359 2 9264 963, flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Magdalena Ivanova, Phone: + 359 2 9232 528, nbhebmfob/jwbopwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch