The international rating agency Standard and Poor’s affirmed the highest possible for this moment rating for UniCredit Bulbank. After recent thorough review of the bank, this week the agency announced the affirmation of rating BBB/A-3 with a Stable outlook. This means that the rating of the bank is equal to the rating of Bulgaria.

The agency notes that, the affirmation of the rating reflects S&P’s view that Unicredit Bulbank's direct parent, Austria-based Unicredit Bank Austria AG would provide extraordinary support in case of need to its almost fully owned Bulgarian subsidiary.

The stable outlook reflects that on the long-term sovereign credit rating on Bulgaria and S&P’s expectation that Unicredit Bulbank's financial profile will remain relatively unchanged over the next 12 months.

Complete ratings information is available to subscribers of RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal at www.globalcreditportal.com.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

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

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