Marfin Financial Group announces that former Chairman of the Cyprus Popular Bank Public Company Ltd. (Laiki Group), Mr. Kikis Lazarides, who was ousted recently from the Board of Directors of the Company, gave a press conference in Cyprus yesterday condemning the planned three-way merger and personally attacking Marfin Financial Group''''s CEO using unfounded allegations. The Board of Directors of Laiki Group responded immediately by issuing the following statement, announced to the press by Mr. Platon Lanitis, board Member and largest individual shareholder of Laiki Group:
"The Board of Directors of Laiki Group unanimously condemns the false accusations made today by Mr. Kikis Lazarides which were obviously planned to create impressions ahead of the release of the findings of the Audit Committee of the bank which is conducting an internal investigation on Mr. Lazarides actions during his tenure. Since various documents and witnesses prove that the accusations made by Mr. Lazarides are totally unfounded, the Board of Directors of Laiki Group is determined to safeguard the interests and legal rights of all employees and shareholders of Laiki Group using all necessary legal means".
Commenting on the latest developments in Cyprus, ahead of today''''s Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Laiki Group, which will convene to approve among others the share capital increase for the purposes of creating Marfin Popular Bank, Mr. Andreas Vgenopoulos, CEO of Marfin Financial Group stated:
"We are witnessing the unraveling of a well orchestrated plan which through the use of unusual tactics aims to create false impressions ahead of the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Laiki Group. These actions cannot cause any significant obstacles to the building of the new group since the overwhelming majority of Laiki Group''s shareholders is in favour of the share capital increase, as proposed by the Board of Directors, and consequently of the creation of Marfin Popular Bank".