For a third year in a row UniCredit Bulbank is chosen for “Best bank in Bulgaria” by the prestigious financial magazine Euromoney. Each year the international jury of the magazine bestows its Awards for Excellence, which are highly respected in the financial world.

The award for UniCredit Bulbank will be given to Mr. Levon Hampartzoumian, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank during the traditional Euromoney conference held in Dubrovnik in October.

UniCredit Bulbank wins the prize for Best bank in Bulgaria during the challenging 2009. The latest statistics show that the assets of the bank, which is undisputable leader in the country, increased with 24.5% on an annual base. In comparison, for the same period – May to May – the increase of the total assets of the banking sector is around 11%. Again, the end-of-May statistics show that UniCredit Bulbank has an annual increase of 21% in credit activities which is 5 percentage points above the market.

The previous 2008 was more than successful for UniCredit Bulbank. The bank finished the year as number one in: assets (BGN 11.015 billion), equity (BGN 1.37 billion), net profit (BGN 291.7 million), operating income (BNG 612 milllion). The bank is market leader in terms of Investment, Private and Corporate banking and with leading positions in Retail Banking.

UniCredit Bulbank has more than 4 000 employees which serve above 1.2 million clients in more than 260 branches.

About Euromoney Awards for Excellence

The annual Euromoney Awards for Excellence are considered one of the most respected international acknowledgements in the banking sector. The criteria for selection of Best Bank in the various countries include evaluation of quantitative and qualitative data, gathered by the jury from the Annual reports of the banks and other official sources. The award for Best Bank is given to the financial institution, which implemented during the year innovative product and structural initiatives, and shows strong growth. The assets and volume of business, as well as main efficiency and profitability indicators are part of the quantitative data.

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Additional media information:

UniCredit Bulbank, Public Relations and Corporate Communications

Victoria Blajeva, tel +359 (0) 2 9264 993, wjlj/ebwjepwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch

Ekaterina Ancheva, tel +359 894 518 193 , flbufsjob/bodifwbAvojdsfejuhspvq/ch