CYPRUS POPULAR BANK PUBLIC CO LTD
SHARE CAPITAL INCREASE IN THE FORM OF NIL PAID RIGHTS ISSUE - APPROVAL OF PROSPECTUS
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN.
MARFIN POPULAR BANK PUBLIC CO LTD ("MPB", the "Bank") wishes to announce to investors that the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission approved on 21.12.2010 the Prospectus which has been prepared in accordance with the Public Offer and Prospectus Law of 2005 and which concerns the issue and listing of 976.335.208 nil paid Rights, as well as the shares resulting from the exercise of the nil paid Rights on the Cyprus Stock Exchange ("CSE") and the Athens Stock Exchange ("ASE").
This public offer is exclusively available in Cyprus, Greece and the United Kingdom and is solely addressed to persons who can legally accept it. In particular, and in compliance with relevant securities legislation in the following countries, this public offer is not addressed in any way or form (in writing or otherwise), directly or indirectly, within or to the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Japan or to any other country ("Exempt Countries") in which, according to the law of such a country, this public offer or the posting/distribution of the Prospectus is illegal or constitutes a breach of any applicable legislation, rule or regulation. For this reason, it is prohibited to address, distribute, post or in any other way promote copies of this Prospectus and any other relevant promotional documents or other material relating to this public offer from any person to or from the Exempt Countries. Moreover, participation in the present rights issue by residents of the Exempt Countries is also prohibited.
The Prospectus dated 21.12.2010, as approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, will be available without charge during the effective period of the Prospectus:
in electronic form as from 22.12.2010, as follows:
- on the Bank's website (www.laiki.com - Choose Investors Relations / Prospectuses)
- on the Lead Manager's "Investment Bank of Greece S.A." website (www.ibg.gr)
- on the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission website (www.cysec.gov.cy)
- on the Cyprus Stock Exchange website (www.cse.com.cy)
- on the Athens Stock Exchange website (www.ase.gr)
in printed form as from 31.12.2010 until the listing of the new shares on the CSE and ASE as follows:
- at the Head Office of the Bank (154 Limassol Avenue, Nicosia)
- at the branch network of "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd" in Cyprus and "Marfin Egnatia Bank S.A." in Greece
- at the offices of the Lead Manager / Prospectus Drawing up Lead Manager, "Marfin CLR (Financial Services) Ltd" (26 Vyronos Avenue, Nicosia 1096)
- at the offices of the Lead Manager "Investment Bank of Greece S.A." (24B Kifisias, Marousi, Athens 15125)
Issue and Listing of nil paid Rights
In accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors of the Bank which was taken on 11.11.2010, the Bank will issue new shares of the Bank to its existing shareholders via the issuance of nil paid Rights. The nil paid Rights shall be issued and offered free of charge to the shareholders of the Bank who shall be registered both at the Central Depository / Registry of the Cyprus Stock Exchange ("CSE") as well as the Dematerialised Securities System ("DSS") of Hellenic Exchanges ("HELEX") on 07.01.2011 (record date) at a ratio of one (1) nil paid Right for every one (1) ordinary share. The ex-rights date is the 04.01.2011. Consequently the offer of the nil paid Rights will be addressed to the persons who will acquire shares of "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd" until 03.01.2011 (last cum date). Every two (2) nil paid Rights that shall be exercised at a total price of €1.00,shalll be converted into one (1) fully paid new share of the Bank.
It is noted that all shareholders shall have Subscription Rights, which shall be exercised concurrently with their nil paid Rights for the acquisition of additional new shares, in case they remain undisposed of at the end of the period for the exercise of the nil paid Rights.
The shareholders of "Marfin Egnatia Bank S.A." ("MEB"), who shall acquire MEB shares by the last cum date (03.01.2011) shall have the right to participate in the present share capital increase by exercising their Subscription Rights. MEB shareholders are entitled to priority Subscription Rights, in accordance with the terms and procedures of the approved Prospectus.
In case that there are nil paid Rights that have not been exercised after the end of the period for the exercise of the nil paid Rights and the fulfilment of the Subscription Rights of the Bank's existing Shareholders and the entitled to priority Subscription Rights of MEB Shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Bank, at its sole discretion, shall proceed to their allocation, to the benefit of the Bank, within fourteen (14) working days from the end of the period for the exercise of the nil paid Rights, under the same terms and at the price that shall be at least equal to that of the offer.
03.01.2011 Last cum date of the Bank's shares, i.e. date until which the persons who shall acquire Bank shares shall be entitled to participate in the allotment of nil paid Rights.
04.01.2011 Ex-rights date after which the shares shall be traded without the benefit of nil paid Rights.
07.01.2011 Date of registration/record date at the end of which the persons entitled to take part in the allotment of nil paid Rights are registered in the records of the CSE and ASE.
14.01.2011 Dispatch date of allotment letters/informative letter to the shareholders.
24.01.2011 Launch of the nil paid Rights trading period, launch of the nil paid Rights exercise period and, at the same time, launch of the Subscription Rights period.
04.02.2011 End of the nil paid Rights' trading period.
11.02.2011 End of the exercise of nil paid Rights period and of the Subscription Rights period.
15.02.2011 Decision of the Board of Directors for the allotment of any nil paid Rights not exercised.
21.02.2011 Date of issue and dispatch of allotment letters for the new shares to be issued from the exercise of the nil paid Rights that have been exercised.
25.02.2011 Commencement of trading of new shares.
It is noted that the time-schedule depends on imponderable factors and it may thus be amended through an announcement to the CSE and the ASE, as well as to the Greek and Cypriot press, or with the issue of a Supplementary Prospectus, if applicable.
The exercise of the nil paid Rights will be made during the above stated period as follows:
- In Cyprus
-At any branch of "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd"
- In Greece
-At any branch of "Marfin Engatia Bank S.A.", or
-Through the stockbrokers (except the Hellenic Exchanges (HELEX)) of the securities accounts (stock broking company or custodian) following the submission of the necessary documents and provided the stockbroker agrees.
For more information or clarifications the shareholders could apply to:
- "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd"
Tel No.: 0035722812310
- "Marfin CLR (Financial Services) Ltd"
Tel No.: 0035722367367
- "Investment Bank of Greece S.A."
Tel No.: 00302108173000
MARFIN POPULAR BANK PUBLIC CO LTD ("MPB", the "Bank") wishes to announce to investors that the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission approved on 21.12.2010 the Prospectus which has been prepared in accordance with the Public Offer and Prospectus Law of 2005 and which concerns the issue and listing of 976.335.208 nil paid Rights, as well as the shares resulting from the exercise of the nil paid Rights on the Cyprus Stock Exchange ("CSE") and the Athens Stock Exchange ("ASE").
This public offer is exclusively available in Cyprus, Greece and the United Kingdom and is solely addressed to persons who can legally accept it. In particular, and in compliance with relevant securities legislation in the following countries, this public offer is not addressed in any way or form (in writing or otherwise), directly or indirectly, within or to the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Japan or to any other country ("Exempt Countries") in which, according to the law of such a country, this public offer or the posting/distribution of the Prospectus is illegal or constitutes a breach of any applicable legislation, rule or regulation. For this reason, it is prohibited to address, distribute, post or in any other way promote copies of this Prospectus and any other relevant promotional documents or other material relating to this public offer from any person to or from the Exempt Countries. Moreover, participation in the present rights issue by residents of the Exempt Countries is also prohibited.
The Prospectus dated 21.12.2010, as approved by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, will be available without charge during the effective period of the Prospectus:
in electronic form as from 22.12.2010, as follows:
- on the Bank's website (www.laiki.com - Choose Investors Relations / Prospectuses)
- on the Lead Manager's "Investment Bank of Greece S.A." website (www.ibg.gr)
- on the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission website (www.cysec.gov.cy)
- on the Cyprus Stock Exchange website (www.cse.com.cy)
- on the Athens Stock Exchange website (www.ase.gr)
in printed form as from 31.12.2010 until the listing of the new shares on the CSE and ASE as follows:
- at the Head Office of the Bank (154 Limassol Avenue, Nicosia)
- at the branch network of "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd" in Cyprus and "Marfin Egnatia Bank S.A." in Greece
- at the offices of the Lead Manager / Prospectus Drawing up Lead Manager, "Marfin CLR (Financial Services) Ltd" (26 Vyronos Avenue, Nicosia 1096)
- at the offices of the Lead Manager "Investment Bank of Greece S.A." (24B Kifisias, Marousi, Athens 15125)
Issue and Listing of nil paid Rights
In accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors of the Bank which was taken on 11.11.2010, the Bank will issue new shares of the Bank to its existing shareholders via the issuance of nil paid Rights. The nil paid Rights shall be issued and offered free of charge to the shareholders of the Bank who shall be registered both at the Central Depository / Registry of the Cyprus Stock Exchange ("CSE") as well as the Dematerialised Securities System ("DSS") of Hellenic Exchanges ("HELEX") on 07.01.2011 (record date) at a ratio of one (1) nil paid Right for every one (1) ordinary share. The ex-rights date is the 04.01.2011. Consequently the offer of the nil paid Rights will be addressed to the persons who will acquire shares of "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd" until 03.01.2011 (last cum date). Every two (2) nil paid Rights that shall be exercised at a total price of €1.00,shalll be converted into one (1) fully paid new share of the Bank.
It is noted that all shareholders shall have Subscription Rights, which shall be exercised concurrently with their nil paid Rights for the acquisition of additional new shares, in case they remain undisposed of at the end of the period for the exercise of the nil paid Rights.
The shareholders of "Marfin Egnatia Bank S.A." ("MEB"), who shall acquire MEB shares by the last cum date (03.01.2011) shall have the right to participate in the present share capital increase by exercising their Subscription Rights. MEB shareholders are entitled to priority Subscription Rights, in accordance with the terms and procedures of the approved Prospectus.
In case that there are nil paid Rights that have not been exercised after the end of the period for the exercise of the nil paid Rights and the fulfilment of the Subscription Rights of the Bank's existing Shareholders and the entitled to priority Subscription Rights of MEB Shareholders, the Board of Directors of the Bank, at its sole discretion, shall proceed to their allocation, to the benefit of the Bank, within fourteen (14) working days from the end of the period for the exercise of the nil paid Rights, under the same terms and at the price that shall be at least equal to that of the offer.
03.01.2011 Last cum date of the Bank's shares, i.e. date until which the persons who shall acquire Bank shares shall be entitled to participate in the allotment of nil paid Rights.
04.01.2011 Ex-rights date after which the shares shall be traded without the benefit of nil paid Rights.
07.01.2011 Date of registration/record date at the end of which the persons entitled to take part in the allotment of nil paid Rights are registered in the records of the CSE and ASE.
14.01.2011 Dispatch date of allotment letters/informative letter to the shareholders.
24.01.2011 Launch of the nil paid Rights trading period, launch of the nil paid Rights exercise period and, at the same time, launch of the Subscription Rights period.
04.02.2011 End of the nil paid Rights' trading period.
11.02.2011 End of the exercise of nil paid Rights period and of the Subscription Rights period.
15.02.2011 Decision of the Board of Directors for the allotment of any nil paid Rights not exercised.
21.02.2011 Date of issue and dispatch of allotment letters for the new shares to be issued from the exercise of the nil paid Rights that have been exercised.
25.02.2011 Commencement of trading of new shares.
It is noted that the time-schedule depends on imponderable factors and it may thus be amended through an announcement to the CSE and the ASE, as well as to the Greek and Cypriot press, or with the issue of a Supplementary Prospectus, if applicable.
The exercise of the nil paid Rights will be made during the above stated period as follows:
- In Cyprus
-At any branch of "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd"
- In Greece
-At any branch of "Marfin Engatia Bank S.A.", or
-Through the stockbrokers (except the Hellenic Exchanges (HELEX)) of the securities accounts (stock broking company or custodian) following the submission of the necessary documents and provided the stockbroker agrees.
For more information or clarifications the shareholders could apply to:
- "Marfin Popular Bank Public Co Ltd"
Tel No.: 0035722812310
- "Marfin CLR (Financial Services) Ltd"
Tel No.: 0035722367367
- "Investment Bank of Greece S.A."
Tel No.: 00302108173000