NATIONAL BANK OFGREECE

PRESS RELEASE

At its meeting today,7 December 2012, the Board of Directors of National Bank ofGreeceunanimously approved the Bank's participation in the debt buyback program arranged by the Public Debt Management Agency for the account of theHellenicRepublic.

The Board's decision was based on financial and technical considerations, and the opinions of independent financial and legal advisors, and reflects the Bank's ongoing support for the national endeavour to exit the crisis.

Athens, 7/12/2012