Piraeus Bank announces that pursuing its strategic aim to further strengthen its capital base, it has placed yesterday through "UBS Limited" to international institutional investors 13,280,976 treasury shares representing 3.95% of the Bank's issued and outstanding ordinary shares. The trade price has been set at euro 7.70 per share, which represents a discount of 2.7% to the average closing price of May 2009 and a discount of 2.9% to the closing price of Friday, May 29th 2009. This transaction has enhanced Piraeus Group's own capital by euro 102 million, resulting in an increase of its Capital Adequacy Ratio by 30 basis points.
This announcement is not an offer or solicitation of an offer for sale, purchase or subscription of securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction including the Hellenic Republic. No public offering of securities is made in the United States or any other jurisdiction. The information contained herein is not for publication or distribution in the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration thereunder or an exemption from such registration requirements. This announcement is directed only to persons who have professional experience in matters relating to investments (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons".) This announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. This announcement is not and should not be construed or regarded as an invitation to the public for investment or collection of savings nor may it be construed as a solicitation to invest in the shares of Piraeus Bank by advertisement or otherwise.