The negotiations for the purchase of a minority stake in "EGNATIA BANK S.A." by "MARFIN FINANCIAL GROUP S.A. HOLDINGS" took place on 22.03.2006 between the President of EGNATIA BANK S.A.'s Board of Directors Mr. Vassilios Theocharakis and MARFIN's Vice-President Mr. Andreas Vgenopoulos. Following this, the members of the Board of Directors of "EGNATIA BANK S.A." were duly informed and on the following day, 23.03.2006, "EGNATIA BANK S.A." proceeded to advise the Athens Exchange of this agreement through a corporate announcement. Finally, as was also duly announced to the capital markets regulatory authorities, "MARFIN FINANCIAL GROUP S.A. HOLDINGS" increased its holding in "EGNATIA BANK S.A." to 34,45% of total common registered shares of the Bank as of 29.03.2006.