Banca Românească to invest over 20 million Euros this year

• Banca Românească estimates a 10% asset increase by the end of 2009

A.D.

Banca Românească, part of the National Bank of Greece group, has set a budget of approximately EUR 20 million budget for the year 2009, with most of the amount intended to go into the implementation of the new IT system. Another investment project involves the relocation of its central headquarters.

According to the report approved by the Board, Banca Românească estimates a 10% increase of its balance sheet results YOY in 2009.

The bank"s solvency ratio is 22%, exceeding the average ratio for the banking system (12%), as well as the minimum required solvency ratio of 8%. "Banca Românească is one of the best capitalized banks in Romania, meaning that for the 2009-2010 period, no additional share capital increases will be needed, as confirmed by the stress tests of the National Bank of Romania", said Andreas Maragkoudakis.

The last two share capital increases occurred last year, and led to a share capital of approximately 100 million Euros. One of the main goals of bank is to increase its efficiency. On the business side, the bank will emphasize attracting resources and providing funding solutions in particular for existing customers, as well as for potential customers.

Andreas Maragkoudakis, CEO Banca Românească, said: "We want to focus on maintaining the balanced structure and preserving the quality of our assets, and at the same time we hope to increase our assets by 10%". With over EUR 200 million in share capital and a nationwide network of 150 branches, Banca Românească has been operating in Romania for over 16 years. In October 2003, the largest financial group in South-Eastern Europe, National Bank of Greece (NBG), acquired a controlling interest in Banca Românească, and it currently owns 89.07% of the share capital. Another major shareholder is the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), that holds 10.21% of the bank"s share capital. Some of the most relevant companies owned by National Bank of Greece in Romania include: ETEBA România, Garanta Asigurări and NBG Leasing.