Laiki merger plans approved

Cyprus Popular Bank Public Company Ltd announced that on December 5, 2006, the Central Bank of Cyprus approved its application for the acquisition – via a Public Offer – of 100% of the ordinary shares of ‘Marfin Financial Group SA’ and 100% of the ordinary and preference shares and convertible bonds of ‘Egnatia Bank SA’. Following the Central Bank approval, the provisions of paragraph 2.16A b of the Informative Memorandums on the Public Offers of Cyprus Popular Bank Public Company Ltd for the acquisition of shares of Marfin Financial Group SA and shares and bonds of Egnatia Bank SA have been fulfilled.