Today, Banca Intesa - in the framework of the transaction agreement signed with ABS Banka, Sarajevo on 28th February 2005 for acquisition of  the latter’s control - has launched a takeover bid for up to 100% of the voting share capital of ABS Banka for a consideration of KM24.3 million (corresponding to €12.4 million) at a value of  KM146 for each share (around €75) having already received the approval from the regulatory authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Italy. In compliance with the local stock exchange regulations, the bid will remain open for 45 calendar days and will not be binding for Banca Intesa if on expiry of the offer period less than 50% plus one share from the total number of the Issuer's shares are given for acceptance. The acquisition is expected to close by the end of this September.

At 2004 year-end, ABS Banka had €73 million of assets, €57 million of customer deposits, €40 million of customer loans and €9.4 million of shareholders’ equity. For the twelve months ended 31st December 2004, its net profit amounted to €227,000. Its network of 9 branches and 40 agencies serves over 42,000 clients.

In addition, Banca Intesa has completed today the acquisition of 90% plus one share of the voting share capital of Delta Banka, Belgrade by way of the sellers’ acceptance of the takeover bid as launched on 20th July 2005 for a consideration of €333 million, following the receipt of all required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of all conditions in the relevant Share Purchase Agreement.

The exercise, over the course of the next four years, of a call option by Banca Intesa and a put option by the sellers on the remaining 10% minus one share stake is regulated by an attendant shareholders agreement.

Delta Banka is the second largest bank in Serbia and Montenegro in terms of total assets. As at December 2004, it registered €691 million of assets, €553 million of customer deposits, €332 million of customer loans and €114 million of shareholders’ equity. For the twelve months ended 31st December 2004, its net profit amounted to €22 million; its nationwide network was made up of 144 branches and 16 outlets serving over 400,000 clients.

As a result of the acquisition, Banca Intesa strengthens its position in Central-Eastern Europe in accordance with its selective acquisition strategy confirmed in the 2005-2007 Business Plan.

Banca Intesa is already operational in Central-Eastern Europe with Hungary’s fourth largest bank Central-European International Bank (CIB), Croatia’s second largest bank Privredna Banka Zagreb (PBZ) and Slovakia’s second largest bank Vseobecna Uverova Banka (VUB) while is completing the acquisition of KMB in the Russian Federation, where the Bank has already a presence with ZAO Banca Intesa - the only Italian banking subsidiary licensed to operate in Russia - and a representative office in Moscow. Banca Intesa is also active in the Czech Republic through VUB, in Slovenia with the operations of its Italian banking subsidiary Banca Popolare FriulAdria and in Poland with a representative office in Warsaw.

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investorelations@bancaintesa.it

Media Relations
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