UniCredit Bulbank's CEO told Reuters reporters that the prime objective for the Bulgarian banking system nowadays is to regain complete trust.

We need a 3-4 % annual GDP growth in order to stimulate economic enthusiasm and to raise the level of customers' trust. These are the words of Levon Hampartzoumian, UniCredit Bulbank's CEO, at the initiative Eastern Europe Investment 2014 Reuters Summit. He answered the questions of journalists from CEE through a conference call. He, nevertheless, explained that this was more of a dream than a real prospect. He pointed out that Bulgaria's export is 25 % higher compared to last year's and that it has come back to its 2009 rates. The country's economy is expected to grow by 1.5 % this year, after a growth of 0.9 % in 2013.

"If after this week's elections there is a stable government, we will have the necessary conditions for a higher economic growth. It is a fact that 1 % of economic growth cannot be felt by the ordinary people, it can be felt only by large companies, business owners, etc.”, commented Levon Hampartzoumian.

UniCredit Bulbank's CEO told Reuters reporters that the prime objective for the Bulgarian banking system nowadays is to regain complete trust. This can be achieved through joining Europe's Single Supervisory Mechanism. Undoubtedly, another key objective for Bulgaria is to join the Eurozone and the Banking Union.

This year UniCredit Bulbank attracted new deposits and new corporate clients, which indicates that people want financial services of the highest possible quality. The bank actively finances good companies and business projects. According to Levon Hampartzoumian, the peak of bad loans has already passed. He added that the largest Bulgarian bank in terms of assets has always been more conservative than its peers, not only during the crisis, but also prior to it.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

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

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