• Prominent artists from Arena di Verona, to which UniCredit is a main partner, enchanted with their performance clients and partners of the bank.
• The event gathered around 600 guests and among them the CEO of UniCredit Andrea Orcel, the Head for Central and Eastern Europe Teodora Petkova and other top representatives of the pan-European group.
• UniCredit Leasing also celebrated its 25th anniversary in the country.

Almost 600 guests, among which ambassadors, clients, partners, representatives of the top management of UniCredit and more celebrated the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the bank, known today as UniCredit Bulbank. The leading financial institution commemorated the historic milestone with an Opera Gala with top performers from Arena di Verona, whose main partner is UniCredit.

„The 60 years of Bulbank’s life have seen remarkable change in Bulgaria and its neighbouring countries. During periods of political and economic upheaval, Bulbank has remained steadfast; a symbol of stability while constantly evolving“, pointed in his speech at the event Andrea Orcel. Bulbank has been part of the UniCredit family since 2000, transforming to become a modern commercial bank, and creating an entirely new retail business.

„At a milestone occasion like this, we tend to talk about the highlights of the past, but I want to focus on the future. The truth is there is incredible dynamism, energy, and innovative thinking here in Bulbank, just as there is across the UniCredit Group.  This is what UniCredit Unlocked is about. This is the winning culture that we are building”, he pointed.

According to Andrea Orcel Bulgaria itself is a fast-growing economy. “Its technology, energy and tourism sectors are all expanding at pace. It is a symbol of the new and expanding Europe, the kind of growth market where UniCredit as a group is so focused. Bulbank is showing how banks can be instrumental in empowering communities to progress – the core of our purpose across the UniCredit Group”, said UniCredit’s CEO.

“UniCredit Bulbank is a key factor in the Bulgarian economy - serving over 70% of the international business in the country, 2 out of every three companies with a turnover of up to 100 million and 3 out of every 4 with a turnover over 100 million. UniCredit Bulbank is also a key factor in the Bulgarian culture, supporting a number of valuable projects. UniCredit Bulbank is key part of Bulgarian history and the development of the sector with all the innovations it has brought - such as the first investment solutions, the concept of a branch of the future, the development of online channels, etc. I believe that UniCredit Bulbank is also a key factor for the growth story of UniCredit in CEE”, summed up Teodora Petkova, Head of Central Europe and Eastern Europe in UniCredit.

The event was hosted by the CEO of UniCredit Bulbank, Tsvetanka Mintcheva, who defined the three main factors for the bank's success.

"First and foremost, you, our customers and partners, who trust us to manage your money and finance your projects. We are proud of what you achieve. In second place is the fact that we are part of UniCredit, which gives us stability, challenges us to be better and gives us the opportunity to bring the knowledge and experience of the whole group to our market. The third factor is the bank's people - those who bring it to life every day, those who stand behind all successful projects and implementations, those who fight side by side for their clients' projects or to avoid risks and ensure stability," said Mintcheva.

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Additional media information:

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

Darina Radoslavova, tel +359 887 505273, Ebsjob/SbeptmbwpwbAVojDsfejuHspvq/CH