Levon Hampartzoumian, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO of UniCredit Bulbank, was presented by Fra' Matthew Festing, Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, with an Order of Merit ranked Grand Officer (Grand Officer pro Merito Melitensi).

The symbols of the Order were bestowed by His Excellency the Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Bulgaria, Camilo Zuccoli, at an official reception. The event was attended by senior representatives of the government, the diplomatic corps and the business sector in Bulgaria. At the bestowing of the Order Camilo Zuccoli asked for one minute of silence in commemoration of the flood victims in Bulgaria. The provision of support to the victims is one of the tasks of the Order of Malta's volunteers at the moment.

In 2013 UniCredit Bulbank and the Sovereign Order of Malta worked on a joint charity project in support of "Hug me" Art Studio. As a result from this project, in 2014 the "UniCredit Studio" gallery for modern art hosted the exhibition of children's works of art, entitled "Hug me" Art Studio travels". It included paintings from the travels of 14 children and 2 educators coming from three care homes. In the course of 10 days the children visited the 7 Bulgarian historical sites included in UNESCO's World Heritage list. With the help of artists and educators the children compiled a book - travel notes, financed by UniCredit Bulbank, containing some of the best pictures and photographs describing this exciting adventure.

Levon Hampartzoumian is also bearer of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity (Ordine della Stella della Solidarietà Italiana) and was awarded with the title of Comendatore by the President of Italy - Giorgio Napolitano in 2008. Last year UniCredit's Chief Operating Officer, Andrea Casini, was also presented with an Order and the title Comandor Pro Merito Melitensi by the Order of Malta.

About the Sovereign Order of Malta

The Sovereign Order of Malta was given its status of a state by Pope Paskal II in 1113. Currently it maintains full diplomatic relations with 104 states and with the European Union, and has Standing Representation with the UN in New York and with all specialized agencies of the United Nations.

The humanitarian and hospitaller work of the Order is carried out in 120 countries on all continents, with the daily participation of 80,000 volunteers.

Bulgaria and the Order of Malta established diplomatic relations in 1994. The Embassy of the Order in Sofia has been working since 2005, and for the past 8 years has performed 213 humanitarian and social actions in 83 different spots in Bulgaria.

UniCredit Bulbank FOR people

UniCredit Bulbank implements a consistent policy of corporate social responsibility, part of which are the projects implemented in collaboration with the Order of Malta. The Bank supports valuable projects in the field of education, sports, culture and arts.

This year UniCredit Bulbank is celebrating its 50-year anniversary by a series of events and initiatives designed for clients and in support of local communities.

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