Thirteen Banks finalise the acquisition of 183 branches from UniCredit

Following the agreements reached on 16 May 2008, Banca Popolare di Milano, Credito Emiliano, Banca popolare dell'Emilia Romagna, Banca Popolare del Mezzogiorno (Banca Popolare dell'Emilia Romagna Group), Banca Carige, Banca Popolare dell'Etruria e del Lazio, Banca Agricola Popolare di Ragusa, Banca Popolare S. Angelo, BCC San Giuseppe di Petralia Sottana, BCC di Lercara Friddi, BCC Don Rizzo - Credito Cooperativo della Sicilia Occidentale, BCC di Sambuca, BCC 'G. Toniolo' di San Cataldo (together, the 'Purchasing Banks') finalised the acquisition of 183 branches from UniCredit Group.

The transaction - which will become effective on 1 December 2008 - is in compliance with the commitments made by UniCredit to the Italian Antitrust Authority in the context of the merger with Capitalia S.p.A.

The Purchasing Banks have been assisted by Mediobanca - Banca di Credito Finanziario, KPMG Corporate Finance and Rothschild as financial advisors and by Chiomenti Studio Legale and Studio Legale Iuris Prof. Avv. Bonfatti (for Credem) as legal advisors whilst UniCredit has been assisted by Morgan Stanley and UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking as financial advisors, by Legance Studio Legale Associato as legal advisor.