In response to various press articles concerning its indirect participation in the Hellenic Bank of Cyprus and in accordance with the provisions of Capital Markets Commission rule 5/204/2000, as in force and Article 281 of the Regulation of the Athens Exchange, PROTON ΒΑΝΚ states that: 1) The participation of PROTON ΒΑΝΚ in INTERFUND Investments Ltd is 13,02% and not 18,50%, whereas the participation of the Bank in the Hellenic Bank of Cyprus is 0,18% and not 1,4%. 2) These participations are of a purely investment nature. More specifically, the participation in INTERFUND is based on a fairly old position in an investment fund, within the context of our Bank's strategy to participate in investment funds trading at a discount and it is in no way related to a possible participation in the Hellenic Bank of Cyprus. 3) PROTON ΒΑΝΚ reiterates its commitment, which in any event is its obligation, to provide all relevant information to its shareholders in the event that there are further developments with respect to any cooperation with any domestic or international institution or investor.