Following a letter we have received from the Athens Exchange to comment on press articles in two Greek newspapers published on 13 October regarding the Group profit and the amount of the interim dividend we state the following:
- The Bank of Cyprus Group announced on 27 July 2006 that ''...the Group profit after tax for the full year of 2006 is expected to reach C£160 mn (Euro 278 mn)''.
- The Bank of Cyprus Group announced on 12 October 2006 that ''...the Board of Directors of Bank of Cyprus Public Company Ltd will convene on Friday 3 November 2006 to examine the possible payment of an interim dividend''.
It is noted that the decision to pay an interim dividend or not and the amount of such a dividend (if it is decided that it will be paid) will be taken at the specific forthcoming meeting of the Board of Directors.