UniCredit Bulbank received the award Bank of the Year in Bulgaria from the international magazine The Banker, member of the Financial Times Group. The most prestigious award in the banking sector was handed yesterday evening to the Chief Executive Officer of UniCredit Bulbank Mr.Levon Hampartsoumian and the Chief Operative Officer of the bank, Mr. Andrea Casini, at an official ceremony in London.

The Banker’s annual awards are the culmination of the various rankings by countries during the year and in the financial circles they are also known as “Bank Oscars”.

„The award for Bank of the Year 2011 in Bulgaria is true recognition for the excellent work of UniCredit Bulbank during the year and an award for the bank’s employees and customers just a few days before Banker’s Day“, commented Mr. Levon Hampartzoumian. He added that in the present challenging economic setting, the strategy of UniCredit Bulbank has two main goals – the bank to continue supporting its customers by providing excellent service and quick answers to their needs, and at the same time to perform better than the market.

Hampartzoumian pointed out as the biggest success of UniCredit Bulbank the fact that the bank managed in the past few years to simplify its procedures and to bring its products closer to the customers. „This allowed the bank to keep over the years its leading position in terms of the most important indicators such as deposits, loans, capital, profit, etc..“, said Hampratzoumian.

The eurozone crisis and the regulatory reforms put the resilience of the banks to the test. “The Banker’s 12th Bank of the Year Awards celebrates those banks that have risen to the challenge, displaying innovation and economic efficiency”, states the magazine’s official publication for announcement of the winners. The Banker’s jury admitted that 2011 was one of the most difficult years ever witnessed by most bankers because of the debt crisis, the doubts around the course of development of the US economy and the fears for the Chinese banking system.

„In spite of all hindrances, however, the greater part of the institutions nominated for the Bank of the Year award have achieved a lot more than simply surviving. Once again they have demonstrated how skilled they are in being innovative and creating products, which bring value for the customers and the economies, in which they operate“, points out The Banker.

The candidates had to provide information about their revenues, assets, Tier 1 capital and the return on capital. Yet, the good indicators alone, were not enough.The jury of The Banker sought for evidence that the winner banks in the respective countries really set the standard in the sector – regardless of whether they have been using new technologies, whether they have been innovative or have used cost-efficient ways for business expansion.

This year UniCredit Bulbank received also many other awards, distinguishing it as the best financial institution in Bulgaria in various categories. The financial edition emeafinance recognized UniCredit Bulbank as the best bank in Bulgaria in its annual Europe Banking Awards 2010. Apart from that, this year, for the sixth time running, UniCredit Bulbank was rated the best custodian bank in Bulgaria 2010. The bank was awarded also by Deutsche Bank for the quality of its foreign payments.

More information for media:

UniCredit Bulbank, Identity & Communications Department

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

More information for clients: UniCredit Bulbank, Call Centre Phone: 0700 1 84 84