Milano, 28 June 2002

Today IntesaBci acquired from Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria 57,204,563 ordinary shares of Carinord 1 SpA, equal to 46.16% of the company’s share capital, at a total price of 172,660,408 euro.


Following the acquisition, IntesaBci, which already held a 3.84% stake in the company, reaches a 50% stake in Carinord 1, the company created from the total spin-off of Carinord Holding SpA.


For at least 5 years IntesaBci and Fondazione Alessandria will exercise joint control over Carinord 1, whose main asset is the controlling interest in Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria.


Cassa di Risparmio di Alessandria has 73 branches and 595 employees. It closed fiscal year 2001 with a net income of 12 million euro and boasts over 3 billion euro of customer deposits under administration.