The Banker, the renowned UK-based magazine for banking and finance professionals, has awarded UniCredit “Most Innovative Investment Bank in Central and Eastern Europe 2015”.

According to the jury UniCredit has shown innovation in the bond market through transactions such as Republic of Bulgaria's triple-tranche bond issue as well as in areas including real estate and project finance. UniCredit's CEE M&A advisory business is amongst the leading in the region, showing innovation in cross-border transactions within CEE as well as outside and in takeovers with private equity involvement.

The Banker's editor Brian Caplen said: "Congratulations to everyone at UniCredit for being our most innovative investment bank from Central and Eastern Europe. The judges were impressed with the range of expertise shown by the bank across a number of areas such as real estate financing, bond underwriting, public private partnerships and M&A. A standout deal was Bulgaria’s first ever triple-tranche bond offering including the longest ever maturity for the sovereign. This is a truly impressive all round performance from UniCredit."

“I am proud of this internationally acclaimed award, which is a well-deserved acknowledgement of the outstanding work of our team and proof of our sustainable achievements in a challenging business. I´d like to thank all of our staff for their constant commitment,” said Carlo Vivaldi, Head of CEE Division at UniCredit. “We do not differentiate between investment banking and corporate banking, but offer our customers an unrivalled combination of in-depth expertise, a geographically broad presence and a wide range of services instead. We strive for adding value by tailor-made solutions,” Mr Vivaldi added.

The awards, presented at the Investment Banking Awards´ dinner last night in London, were determined by a jury of experienced journalists chaired by The Banker’s editor, Brian Caplen.

UniCredit

UniCredit is one of Europe's leading commercial bank with strong roots in 17 European countries. Our network, which is present in roughly 50 markets, includes over 7,100 branches and over 127,000 FTEs (as of June 30, 2015).

In the CEE region, the Group operates a large international banking network with almost 2,400 branches (3,400 including Turkey).

UniCredit operates in the following countries: Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine and Hungary.

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