Starting today VUB Bank in colours of Intesa Sanpaolo

Bratislava, May 15, 2008 – VÚB Bank changes logo and its colour today. This change is a part of global rebranding performed by the majority shareholder - Italian Banking Group Intesa Sanpaolo in all its subsidiaries. Some subsidiaries change also their original names within rebranding, but the majority retains them with the view of their history and business value. It is also the case of VÚB Bank changing only logo and its colour while the name of VÚB Bank remains the same.

„Rebranding is neither unexpected nor sudden – it must have happened one day. This step joins all members of large banking group of Intesa Sanpaolo, and also VÚB Bank clearly and obviously claims their identity that is regarding the logo connected with green colour and symbol of the traditional aqueduct, which primarily symbolizes link between countries and cultures. We are very satisfied with the change and its preparatory steps”, said Ignacio Jaquotot, Chairman of Management Board and CEO of VUB Bank.

The rebranding process in Slovakia is starting today and since now the bank will be using the logo with the Roman aqueduct in all its outputs and printouts for clients. Within this process, also the logos of bank’s daughter companies will be changed.

Global rebranding was announced by top managers of Intesa Sanpaolo led by Corrado Passera already in January 2008 at the conference in Vienna. The group also presented the business vision for the coming years focused in addition to Italian market also on strengthening positions on Central and Eastern European markets.

Rebranding is the culmination of last year’s merger of the original shareholder of VÚB Bank Banca Intesa with another Italian bank Sanpaolo IMI. The merger formed the Intesa Sanpaolo Group, which with the market capitalization at over EUR 61 billion as at last 30 April ranks the fifth largest bank in Europe and currently serves approximately 18.4 million clients. It has a strong position mainly in the Central and Eastern Europe. The Group has its subsidiaries spread across 12 countries operating 1,262 branches and serving approximately 6.9 million clients there. In addition, Intesa Sanpaolo runs an international network to support its corporate clients covering a total of 34 countries including USA, Russia, China and India.

Intesa Sanpaolo is the clear market leader in Italy. It has the biggest market share not only in deposits and loans, but also in mutual and pension funds, factoring and foreign payments. In its home country, Intesa Sanpaolo has 6,566 branches and approximately 11.5 million clients.

VÚB Bank, which belongs to the most successful banks of the Group, is the second largest bank in Slovakia operating 207 retail branches, 32 corporate branches and 11 mortgage centres. Through its subsidiaries, VUB provides also mutual funds, factoring, leasing, consumer financing, and pension funds services. The Bank is serving approximately 1.5 million clients and through its Prague branch is active also in the Czech Republic.

For more information contact:
Alena Walterová
Spokeswoman and Head of Press Department
Tel.: +421-2-5055 2130
E-mail: awalterova@vub.sk

Michal Kopecký
PR Specialist
Tel.: +421-2-5055 2424
E-mail: mkopecky@vub.sk