Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus
EFG HELLAS PLC (incorporated with limited liability in England and Wales) as Issuer and EFG HELLAS (CAYMAN ISLANDS) LIMITED (incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands) as Issuer and EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A. (incorporated with limited liability in the Hellenic Republic) as Guarantor €9,000,000,000 Programme for the Issuance of Debt Instruments
Application has been made for debt instruments (“Instruments”) issued under the €9,000,000,000 Programme for the Issuance of Debt Instruments (the “Programme”) described in this prospectus (the “Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus”) to be admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s regulated market and to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Application may also be made for notification to be given to competent authorities in other Member States of the European Economic Area in order to permit Instruments issued under the Programme to be offered to the public and admitted to trading on regulated markets in such other Member States in accordance with the procedures under Article 18 of Directive 2003/71/EC (the “Prospectus Directive”). References in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus to Instruments which are intended to be “listed” (and all related references) in Luxembourg shall mean that such Instruments have been admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s regulated market and have been listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s regulated market is a regulated market for the purposes of the Investment Services Directive (Directive 93/22/EEC). The Programme provides that Instruments may be listed or admitted to trading, as the case may be, on such other or further stock exchanges or markets as may be agreed between the relevant Issuer and the relevant Dealer. Each Issuer may also issue unlisted Instruments and/or Instruments not admitted to trading on any market. Instruments will be issued in such denominations as may be specified in the relevant Final Terms (as defined below), subject to compliance with all applicable legal and/or regulatory and/or central bank requirements. The minimum denomination of each Instrument admitted to trading on a regulated market within the European Economic Area or offered to the public in a Member State of the European Economic Area in circumstances which require the publication of a prospectus under the Prospectus Directive will be €1,000 (or, if the Instruments are denominated in a currency other than euro, the equivalent amount in such currency). The relevant Issuer and the Guarantor may agree with any Dealer that Instruments may be issued in a form not contemplated by the Terms and Conditions of the Instruments herein, in which event a supplemental Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus, if appropriate, will be made available which will describe the effect of the agreement reached in relation to such Instruments.
Co-Arrangers DEUTSCHE BANK MORGAN STANLEY
Dealers BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LIMITED BANCA IMI BARCLAYS CAPITAL CALYON CORPORATE AND INVESTMENT BANK CITIGROUP CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON DEUTSCHE BANK EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A. GOLDMAN SACHS INTERNATIONAL HSBC JPMORGAN MERRILL LYNCH INTERNATIONAL MORGAN STANLEY NATEXIS BANQUES POPULAIRES NOMURA INTERNATIONAL
9 August 2005 This Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus comprises two base prospectuses, a base prospectus for the issuance of Instruments under the Programme by EFG Hellas PLC and a base prospectus for the issuance of Instruments under the Programme by EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited. Each base prospectus constitutes a base prospectus for the purposes of Article 5.4 of the Prospectus Directive.
EFG Hellas PLC and EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited (each an “Issuer” and, together, the “Issuers’’) and EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. (the “Guarantor’’ or the “Bank’’ and, together with the Issuers, the “Responsible Persons”) accept responsibility for the information contained in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus. Having taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case, the information contained in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus is, to the best of the knowledge of each Issuer and the Guarantor, in accordance with the facts and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such information.
In relation to each Tranche (as defined in “Summary of the Programme” below), the aggregate nominal amount of the Instruments of such Tranche, the interest (if any) payable in respect of the Instruments of such Tranche, the issue price and any other terms and conditions not contained herein which are applicable to such Tranche will be set out in a final terms supplement (“Final Terms”) which, with respect to Instruments to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, will be delivered to the CSSF on or before the date of issue of the Instruments of such Tranche. Copies of the Final Terms relating to Instruments which are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or offered in circumstances which require a prospectus to be published will be available on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at www.bourse.lu and, free of charge, at the registered office of each Issuer and the Guarantor.
This Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus should be read and construed with any amendment or supplement hereto and with any other documents incorporated by reference and, in relation to any Series (as defined under “Terms and Conditions of the Instruments”) of Instruments, should be read and construed together with the relevant Final Terms.
No person has been authorised by either Issuer or the Guarantor to give any information or to make any representation not contained in, or not consistent with, this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any other document entered into in relation to the Programme or any information supplied by either Issuer or the Guarantor and, if given or made, such information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorised by either Issuer, the Guarantor or any Dealer.
No representation or warranty is made or implied by any of the Dealers or any of their respective affiliates, and none of the Dealers and their respective affiliates makes any representation or warranty or accepts any responsibility, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus. Neither the delivery of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any Final Terms nor the offering, sale or delivery of any Instrument shall, in any circumstances, create any implication that the information contained in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus is true subsequent to the date hereof or the date upon which this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus has been most recently amended or supplemented or that there has been no material adverse change in the prospects of either Issuer or the Guarantor since the date thereof or, if later, the date upon which this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus has been most recently amended or supplemented or that any other information supplied in connection with the Programme is correct at any time subsequent to the date on which it is supplied or, if different, the date indicated in the document containing the same.
The distribution of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus and any Final Terms and the offering, sale and delivery of Instruments in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons into whose possession this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any Final Terms comes are required by each Issuer, the Guarantor and the Dealers to inform themselves about, and to observe, any such restrictions. For a description of certain restrictions on offers, sales and deliveries of Instruments and on the distribution of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any Final Terms and other offering material relating to the Instruments, see “Subscription and
2 Sale’’. In particular, the Instruments have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (as amended) and may include Instruments in bearer form which are subject to U.S. tax law requirements. Subject to certain exceptions, Instruments may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons. In addition, no action has been taken by either Issuer, the Guarantor or the Dealers which would permit a public offering of any Instruments outside the European Economic Area or distribution of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required.
Neither this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus nor any Final Terms constitutes an offer or an invitation to subscribe for or purchase any Instruments and should not be considered as a recommendation by either Issuer, the Guarantor, the Dealers or any of them that any recipient of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any Final Terms should subscribe for or purchase any Instruments. Each recipient of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any Final Terms shall be taken to have made its own investigation and appraisal of the condition (financial or otherwise) of the relevant Issuer and the Guarantor.
All references in this document to “U.S.$’’ and “$’’ are to United States dollars, those to “Sterling’’ and “£’’ are to pounds sterling and those to “€”, “euro’’, “Euro’’ and “EUR’’ are to the single currency introduced at the start of the third stage of European economic and monetary union pursuant to the Treaty establishing the European Communities as amended.
3 DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents, which have previously been published or are published simultaneously with this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus and have been filed with the CSSF, shall be incorporated in, and form part of, this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus:
(1) the audited annual consolidated and non-consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor for the financial year ended 31 December 2003 which appear on pages 75-78 and 80-83, respectively, of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2003, together with the auditor’s reports thereon on pages 79 and 83, respectively, and the audited annual consolidated and non-consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor for the financial year ended 31 December 2004 which appear on pages 45-48 and 50-53, respectively, of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2004, together with the auditor’s reports thereon on pages 49 and 53, respectively, in each case prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in Greece;
(2) the audited consolidated and non-consolidated cashflow statements of the Guarantor for the financial year ended 31 December 2003 which appear on pages 1-3 and 4-6, respectively, of the cashflow statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2003, together with the auditor’s reports thereon on pages 3 and 6, respectively, and the audited consolidated and non-consolidated cashflow statements of the Guarantor for the financial year ended 31 December 2004 which appear on pages 1-3 and 4-6, respectively, of the cashflow statements for the financial year ended 31 December 2004, together with the auditor’s reports thereon on pages 3 and 6, respectively, in each case prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in Greece;
(3) the auditors' report and audited annual non-consolidated financial statements of EFG Hellas PLC for the financial year ended 31 December 2003 which appear on pages 4 and 5-16, respectively, of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2003 and the auditors' report and audited annual non-consolidated financial statements of EFG Hellas PLC for the financial year ended 31 December 2004 which appear on pages 3 and 4-16, respectively, of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2004, in each case prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in the United Kingdom (EFG Hellas PLC does not prepare annual consolidated financial statements or interim financial statements);
(4) the auditors' report and audited annual non-consolidated financial statements of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited for the financial year ended 31 December 2003 which appear on pages 3-4 and 5-16, respectively, of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2003 and the auditors' report and audited annual non-consolidated financial statements of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited for the financial year ended 31 December 2004 which appear on pages 3 and 4-14, respectively, of the annual report for the year ended 31 December 2004, in each case prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in the United Kingdom (EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited does not prepare annual consolidated financial statements or interim financial statements); and
(5) the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor as at, and for the period ended, 31 March 2005 which appear on pages 2-38 of the 'Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the Three Months Ended 31 March 2005', prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) (the Guarantor does not prepare an interim non-consolidated balance sheet and income statement), save that any statement contained in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or in any of the documents incorporated by reference in, and forming part of, this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for the purpose of the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in any document subsequently incorporated by reference by way of a supplement prepared in accordance with Article 16 of the
4 Propsectus Directive modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus.
In the event of any significant new factor arising or any material mistake or inaccuracy relating to the information included in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus which is capable of affecting the assessment of any Instruments, the Issuers and the Guarantor will prepare and publish a supplement to this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or prepare and publish a new Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus for use in connection with any subsequent issue of Instruments.
Copies of documents incorporated by reference in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus can be obtained from the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s website at www.bourse.lu and, free of charge, from the registered office of each Issuer and the Guarantor.
5 TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY OF THE PROGRAMME ...... 7
RISK FACTORS ...... 13
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMME ...... 20
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INSTRUMENTS ...... 21
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE INSTRUMENTS WHILST IN GLOBAL FORM ...... 46
FORM OF FINAL TERMS...... 50
USE OF PROCEEDS ...... 61
EFG HELLAS PLC ...... 62
EFG HELLAS (CAYMAN ISLANDS) LIMITED ...... 66
EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A...... 70
FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A...... 89
FORM OF THE DEED OF GUARANTEE...... 111
TAXATION IN THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC ...... 118
TAXATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM ...... 120
TAXATION IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS ...... 122
TAXATION IN LUXEMBOURG ...... 123
SUBSCRIPTION AND SALE ...... 124
GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 128
In connection with the issue of any Tranche of Instruments, the Dealer or Dealers (if any) named as the Stabilising Institution(s) (or persons acting on behalf of any Stabilising Institution(s)) in the applicable Final Terms may over-allot Instruments (provided that, in the case of any Tranche of Instruments to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the aggregate principal amount of Instruments allotted does not exceed 105 per cent. of the aggregate principal amount of the relevant Tranche) or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the Instruments at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, there is no assurance that the Stabilising Institution(s) (or persons acting on behalf of a Stabilising Institution) will undertake stabilisation action. Any stabilisation action may begin on or after the date on which adequate public disclosure of the terms of the offer of the relevant Tranche of Instruments is made and, if begun, may be ended at any time, but it must end no later than the earlier of 30 days after the issue date of the relevant Tranche of Instruments and 60 days after the date of the allotment of the relevant Tranche of Instruments.
6 SUMMARY OF THE PROGRAMME
The following is a brief summary only and should be read in conjunction with the rest of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus and, in relation to any Instruments, in conjunction with the relevant Final Terms and, to the extent applicable, the Terms and Conditions of the Instruments set out herein. Any decision to invest in any Instruments should be based on a consideration of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus as a whole, including the documents incorporated by reference, by any investor.
Following the implementation of the relevant provisions of the Prospectus Directive in each Member State of the European Economic Area, no civil liability will attach to the Responsible Persons in any such Member State in respect of this Summary, including any translation hereof, unless it is misleading, inaccurate or inconsistent when read together with the other parts of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus. Where a claim relating to information contained in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus is brought before a court in a Member State of the European Economic Area, the claimant may, under the national legislation of the Member State where the claim is brought, be required to bear the costs of translating the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus before the legal proceedings are initiated.
Words and expressions defined in “Terms and Conditions of the Instruments” shall have the same meanings in this Summary.
Information relating to the Issuers and the Guarantor
Issuers: EFG Hellas PLC, a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales with registration number 3798157. The registered office of EFG Hellas PLC is 12 Hay Hill, London W1J 6DW.
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, an exempted company with limited liability incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands with number CR 117363. The registered office of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is at PO Box 309 GT, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Guarantor: EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., a public company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Hellenic Republic with registration number 6068/06/B/86/07. The registered office of EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. is at 8 Othonos Street, Athens 10557, Greece.
Business of the Issuers: Each Issuer is a finance subsidiary of the Guarantor whose principal business is raising debt to be deposited with the Guarantor.
Business of the Guarantor: The Guarantor is the third largest bank in Greece in terms of assets, loans and deposits.
It operates in the retail banking, small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”), investment banking, capital markets, private banking and asset management sectors, providing a wide range of banking and financial services to its individual and corporate clients. The Guarantor is also active in the wider financial services sector, with a presence in insurance, real estate and payroll services.
7 The Guarantor is part of the EFG Bank Group, which consists of banks and financial services companies.
Information relating to the Programme
Co-Arrangers: Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited
Dealers: Banc of America Securities Limited Banca IMI S.p.A. Barclays Bank PLC CALYON Citigroup Global Markets Limited Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Goldman Sachs International HSBC Bank plc J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. Merrill Lynch International Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited Natexis Banques Populaires Nomura International plc
and any other dealer appointed from time to time by the Issuers and the Guarantor either generally in respect of the Programme or in relation to a particular Tranche (as defined below) of Instruments.
Issue and Paying Agent: Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
Initial Programme Amount: €9,000,000,000 (and, for this purpose, any Instruments denominated in another currency shall be translated into euro at the date of the agreement to issue such Instruments using the spot rate of exchange for the purchase of such currency against payment of euro being quoted by the Issue and Paying Agent on the date on which the relevant agreement in respect of the relevant Tranche was made or such other rate as the relevant Issuer and the relevant Dealer may agree) in aggregate principal amount of Instruments outstanding at any one time. The maximum aggregate principal amount of Instruments which may be outstanding under the Programme may be increased from time to time, subject to compliance with the relevant provisions of the Dealership Agreement as defined under “Subscription and Sale’’.
Method of Distribution: Instruments will be issued on a syndicated or non-syndicated basis. Instruments will be issued in series (each, a “Series’’). Each Series may comprise one or more tranches (“Tranches’’ and each, a “Tranche’’) issued on different issue dates. The Instruments of each Series will all be subject to identical terms, except that the issue date and the amount of the first payment of interest may be different in respect of different Tranches. The Instruments of each Tranche will all be subject to identical terms in all respects save that a Tranche may comprise Instruments of different denominations.
8 Form of Instruments: Instruments will be issued only in bearer form. In respect of each Tranche of Instruments, the relevant Issuer will deliver a temporary global Instrument (a “Temporary Global Instrument’’) or (if so specified in the relevant Final Terms in respect of Instruments to which U.S. Treasury Regulation §1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(c) (the “TEFRA C Rules’’) applies (as so specified in such Final Terms)) a permanent global instrument (a “Permanent Global Instrument’’). Such global Instrument will be deposited on or before the relevant issue date therefor with a depositary or a common depositary for Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear’’) and/or Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”), and/or any other relevant clearing system. Each Temporary Global Instrument will be exchangeable for a Permanent Global Instrument or, if so specified in the relevant Final Terms, for Instruments in definitive bearer form (“Definitive Instruments’’). Each Permanent Global Instrument will be exchangeable for Definitive Instruments in accordance with its terms. (See further under “Provisions Relating to the Instruments whilst in Global Form’’ below). Definitive Instruments will, if interest- bearing, either have interest coupons (“Coupons’’) attached and, if appropriate, a talon (“Talon’’) for further Coupons and will, if the principal thereof is repayable by instalments, have payment receipts (“Receipts’’) attached.
Currencies: Instruments may be denominated in any currency or currencies, subject to compliance with all applicable legal and/or regulatory and/or central bank requirements. Payments in respect of Instruments may also, subject to compliance as aforesaid, be made in and/or linked to, any currency or currencies other than the currency in which such Instruments are denominated.
Status of Instruments: Instruments may be issued on a subordinated or unsubordinated basis, as specified in the relevant Final Ter ms.
Status of Guarantee: Instruments will be unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed by the Guarantor on a subordinated or an unsubordinated basis, as specified in the relevant Final Terms, pursuant to a Deed of Guarantee to be dated 9 August 2005 (the “Deed of Guarantee’’).
Issue Price: Instruments may be issued at any price and either on a fully or partly paid basis, as specified in the relevant Final Terms.
Maturities: Any maturity subject, in relation to specific currencies, to compliance with all applicable legal and/or regulatory and/or central bank requirements.
Any Instruments which have a maturity of less than one year must, if the issue proceeds are received by the Issuer in the United Kingdom, (a) have a minimum denomination of £100,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) and be issued
9 only to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses; or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses or (b) be issued in other circumstances which do not constitute a contravention of section 19 of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) by the relevant Issuer.
Redemption: Instruments may be redeemable at par or at such other Redemption Amount (detailed in a formula or otherwise) as may be specified in the relevant Final Terms.
Early Redemption: Early redemption will be permitted for taxation reasons (but, in the case of Instruments specified in the relevant Final Terms as being subordinated Instruments, subject to consent thereto having been obtained from the Bank of Greece) as mentioned in “Terms and Conditions of the Instruments – Early Redemption for Taxation Reasons’’, but will otherwise be permitted only to the extent specified in the relevant Final Ter ms.
Interest: Instruments may be interest-bearing or non-interest bearing. Interest (if any) may accrue at a fixed or floating rate and may vary during the lifetime of the relevant Series.
Denominations: Instruments will be issued in such denominations as may be specified in the relevant Final Terms, subject to compliance with all applicable legal and/or regulatory and/or central bank requirements. The minimum denomination of each Instrument admitted to trading on a regulated market within the European Economic Area and/or offered to the public in a Member State of the European Economic Area in circumstances which require the publication of a prospectus under the Prospectus Directive will be €1,000 (or, if the Instruments are denominated in a currency other than euro, the equivalent amount in such currency).
Taxation: All payments in respect of the Instruments and the Coupons by the relevant Issuer will be made without deduction for, or on account of, withholding taxes of the United Kingdom (in the case of Instruments issued by EFG Hellas PLC) or the Cayman Islands (in the case of Instruments issued by EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited), as the case may be, and all payments in respect of the Instruments by the Guarantor under the Deed of Guarantee will be made without deduction for, or on account of, withholding taxes of the Hellenic Republic, as provided in Condition 9.
Governing Law: The Instruments and the Deed of Guarantee will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, English law except that Condition 4B and the provisions of the Deed of Guarantee relating to subordination will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Hellenic Republic.
10 Listing and admission to trading: Application has been made for Instruments issued under the Programme to be admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s regulated market and to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
Instruments may be listed or admitted to trading, as the case may be, on other or further stock exchanges or markets agreed between the relevant Issuer and the relevant Dealer in relation to the Series. Instruments which are neither listed nor admitted to trading on any market may also be issued. The applicable Final Terms will state whether or not the relevant Instruments are to be listed and/or admitted to trading and, if so, on which stock exchanges and/or markets.
Terms and Conditions: Final Terms will be prepared in respect of each Tranche of Instruments. A copy of such Final Terms will, in the case of Instruments to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, be delivered to the CSSF on or before the date of issue of such Instruments. The terms and conditions applicable to each Tranche will be those set out herein under “Terms and Conditions of the Instruments’’ as supplemented, modified or replaced by Part A of the relevant Final Terms.
In the case of Instruments in global form, investors’ rights will be governed by, in the case of Instruments issued by EFG Hellas PLC, an amended and restated Deed of Covenant (the “EFG Hellas PLC Deed of Covenant”) to be dated 9 August 2005, and, in the case of Instruments issued by EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, a Deed of Covenant (the “EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Deed of Covenant”) to be dated 9 August 2005, copies of which will be available for inspection at the specified office of the Issue and Paying Agent.
Representation of holders of There is no Trustee representing the holders of any Instruments: Instruments or any other person or entity under the Programme representing the holders of any Instruments.
Clearing Systems: Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg and/or, in relation to any Instruments, any other clearing system as may be specified in the relevant Final Terms.
Redenomination: The relevant Final Terms may provide that certain Instruments may be redenominated in euro. If so, the wording of the redenomination clause will be set out in full in the relevant Final Terms.
Risk Factors: There are certain factors that may affect the relevant Issuer’s ability to fulfil its obligations under Instruments issued under the Programme. These are set out under “Risk Factors” below and include the fact that each Issuer acts as a finance vehicle for the Guarantor and other subsidiaries of the Guarantor. There are also certain factors that may affect the Guarantor’s ability to fulfil its obligations under the Deed of Guarantee. These are also set out under “Risk Factors” below and include exposure to credit risk and market risk. In addition, there are
11 certain factors which are material for the purpose of assessing the market risks associated with Instruments issued under the Programme (see “Risk Factors”).
Selling Restrictions: For a description of certain restrictions on offers, sales and deliveries of Instruments and on the distribution of offering material in the United States of America, the European Economic Area (including the United Kingdom, the Republic of France and Greece), Japan, Switzerland and the Cayman Islands, see under “Subscription and Sale’’.
12 RISK FACTORS
Each Issuer and the Guarantor believes that the following factors may affect its ability to fulfil such Issuer’s obligations under Instruments issued by it under the Programme and the Guarantor’s obligations under the Deed of Guarantee. All of these factors are contingencies which may or may not occur and neither the Issuers nor the Guarantor is in a position to express a view on the likelihood of any such contingency occurring.
Factors which the Issuers and the Guarantor believe may be material for the purpose of assessing the market risks associated with Instruments issued under the Programme are also described below.
Each Issuer and the Guarantor believes that the factors described below represent the principal risks inherent in investing in Instruments issued under the Programme, but the relevant Issuer or the Guarantor may be unable to pay interest, principal or other amounts on or in connection with any Instruments for other reasons and none of the Issuers and the Guarantor represents that the statements below regarding the risks of holding any Instruments are exhaustive. Prospective investors should also read the detailed information set out elsewhere in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus and reach their own views prior to making any investment decision as these risk factors cannot be deemed complete.
Capitalised terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall bear the meanings ascribed to them in “Terms and Conditions of the Instruments” below.
Factors that may affect the relevant Issuer’s ability to fulfil its obligations under Instruments issued by it under the Programme
Each Issuer is a finance vehicle whose principal purpose is to raise debt to be deposited with the Guarantor. Accordingly, neither Issuer has any trading assets and does not generate trading income. Instruments issued under the Programme are guaranteed on a subordinated or an unsubordinated basis, as specified in the applicable Final Terms, pursuant to the Deed of Guarantee. Accordingly, if the Guarantor’s financial condition was to deteriorate, the Issuers and investors in the Instruments may suffer direct and materially adverse consequences.
Factors that may affect the Guarantor’s ability to fulfil its obligations under the Deed of Guarantee
Economic Activity in Greece
The Guarantor’s business activities are dependent on the level of banking, finance and financial services required by its customers. In particular, levels of borrowing are heavily dependent on customer confidence, employment trends, the state of the economy and market interest rates at the time. As the Guarantor currently conducts the majority of its business in Greece, its performance is influenced by the level and cyclical nature of business activity in Greece, which is in turn affected by both domestic and international economic and political events. There can be no assurance that a weakening in the Greek economy will not have a material effect on the Guarantor’s future results.
Risks Related to the Guarantor’s Business
As a result of its business activities, the Guarantor is exposed to a variety of risks, the most significant of which are credit risk, market risk, operational risk and liquidity risk. Failure to control these risks could result in material adverse effects on the Guarantor’s financial performance and reputation.
13 Credit Risk
Risks arising from changes in credit quality and the recoverability of loans and amounts due from counterparties are inherent in a wide range of the Guarantor’s businesses. Adverse changes in the credit quality of the Guarantor’s borrowers and counterparties or a general deterioration in the Greek, US or global economic conditions, or arising from systematic risks in the financial systems, could affect the recoverability and value of its assets and require an increase in the Guarantor’s provision for bad and doubtful debts and other provisions.
Market Risk
The most significant market risks the Guarantor faces are interest rate, foreign exchange and bond and equity price risks. Changes in interest rate levels, yield curves and spreads may affect the interest rate margin realised between lending and borrowing costs. Changes in currency rates affect the value of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and may affect income from foreign exchange dealing. The performance of financial markets may cause changes in the value of the Guarantor’s investment and trading portfolios. The Guarantor has implemented risk management methods to mitigate and control these and other market risks to which the Guarantor is exposed and exposures are constantly measured and monitored. However, it is difficult to predict with accuracy changes in economic or market conditions and to anticipate the effects that such changes could have on the Guarantor’s financial performance and business operations.
Operational Risk
The Guarantor’s businesses are dependent on the ability to process a very large number of transactions efficiently and accurately. Operational risk and losses can result from fraud, errors by employees, failure to document transactions properly or to obtain proper internal authorisation, failure to comply with regulatory requirements and conduct of business rules, equipment failures, natural disasters or the failure of external systems, for example, those of the Guarantor’s suppliers or counterparties. Although the Guarantor has implemented risk controls and loss mitigation actions, and substantial resources are devoted to developing efficient procedures and to staff training, it is not possible to implement procedures which are fully effective in controlling each of the operational risks.
Liquidity Risk
The inability of a bank, including the Guarantor, to anticipate and provide for unforeseen decreases or changes in funding sources could have an adverse effect on such bank’s ability to meet its obligations when they fall due.
Impact of Regulatory Changes
The Guarantor is subject to financial services laws, regulations, administrative actions and policies in each location that the Guarantor operates. Changes in supervision and regulation, in particular in Greece, could materially affect the Guarantor’s business, the products and services offered or the value of its assets. Although the Guarantor works closely with its regulators and continually monitors the situation, future changes in regulation, fiscal or other policies can be unpredictable and are beyond the control of the Guarantor.
International Financial Reporting Standards
The Guarantor has adopted IFRS for reporting periods beginning 1 January 2005 and thereafter. These standards are, in a number of ways, different from existing generally accepted accounting principles in Greece and their implementation may have a significant effect on the presentation of the Guarantor’s financial statements.
14 The independent auditor’s reports relating to the Guarantor’s financial statements for the years ended 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004 were qualified since in certain cases the Guarantor applied IFRS and diverged from the requirements of Greek Company Law 2190/1920. An explanation of the nature of the qualifications is given in the audit report relating to each respective financial period as set out under “Financial Information Relating to EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.” below.
Factors which are material for the purpose of assessing the market risks associated with Instruments issued under the Programme
Instruments may not be a suitable investment for all investors
Each potential investor in any Instruments must determine the suitability of that investment in light of its own circumstances. In particular, each potential investor should:
(i) have sufficient knowledge and experience to make a meaningful evaluation of the relevant Instruments, the merits and risks of investing in the relevant Instruments and the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus, the applicable Final Terms or any applicable supplement;
(ii) have access to, and knowledge of, appropriate analytical tools to evaluate, in the context of its particular financial situation, an investment in the relevant Instruments and the impact such investment will have on its overall investment portfolio;
(iii) have sufficient financial resources and liquidity to bear all of the risks of an investment in the relevant Instruments, including where principal or interest is payable in one or more currencies, or where the currency for principal or interest payments is different from the currency in which such investor’s financial activities are principally denominated;
(iv) understand thoroughly the terms of the relevant Instruments and be familiar with the behaviour of any relevant indices and financial markets; and
(v) be able to evaluate (either alone or with the help of a financial adviser) possible scenarios for economic, interest rate and other factors that may affect its investment and its ability to bear the applicable risks.
Some Instruments are complex financial instruments and such Instruments may be purchased as a way to reduce risk or enhance yield with an understood, measured, appropriate addition of risk to their overall portfolios. A potential investor should not invest in Instruments which are complex financial instruments unless it has the expertise (either alone or with the assistance of a financial adviser) to evaluate how such Instruments will perform under changing conditions, the resulting effects on the value of such Instruments and the impact this investment will have on the potential investor’s overall investment portfolio.
Risks related to the structure of a particular issue of Instruments
A wide range of Instruments may be issued under the Programme. A number of these Instruments may have features which contain particular risks for potential investors. Set out below is a description of certain such features:
Instruments subject to optional redemption by the relevant Issuer
An optional redemption feature is likely to limit the market value of Instruments. During any period when the relevant Issuer may elect to redeem Instruments, the market value of those Instruments generally will not rise substantially above the price at which they can be redeemed. This also may be true prior to any redemption period.
15 The relevant Issuer may be expected to redeem Instruments when its cost of borrowing is lower than the interest rate on the Instruments. At those times, an investor generally would not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds at an effective interest rate as high as the interest rate on the Instruments being redeemed and may only be able to do so at a significantly lower rate. Potential investors should consider reinvestment risk in light of other investments available at that time.
Index linked Instruments and Instruments whose currency of payment is different to the currency in which they are denominated
Each Issuer may issue Instruments with principal or interest determined by reference to an index or formula, to changes in the prices of securities or commodities, to movements in currency exchange rates or other factors (each, a “Relevant Factor”). In addition, each Issuer may issue Instruments with principal or interest payable in one or more currencies which may be different from the currency in which the Instruments are denominated. Potential investors should be aware that:
(i) the market price of such Instruments may be volatile;
(ii) they may receive no interest;
(iii) payment of principal or interest may occur at a different time or in a different currency than expected;
(iv) the amount of principal payable at redemption may be less than the nominal amount of such Instruments or even zero;
(v) a Relevant Factor may be subject to significant fluctuations that may not correlate with changes in interest rates, currencies or other indices;
(vi) if a Relevant Factor is applied to Instruments in conjunction with a multiplier greater than one or contains some other leverage factor, the effect of changes in the Relevant Factor on principal or interest payable likely will be magnified; and
(vii) the timing of changes in a Relevant Factor may affect the actual yield to investors, even if the average level is consistent with their expectations. In general, the earlier the change in the Relevant Factor, the greater the effect on yield.
Partly-paid Instruments
Each Issuer may issue Instruments where the issue price is payable in more than one instalment. Failure to pay any subsequent instalment could result in an investor losing all of its investment.
Variable rate Instruments with a multiplier or other leverage factor
Instruments with variable interest rates can be volatile investments. If they are structured to include multipliers or other leverage factors, or caps or floors, or any combination of those features or other similar related features, their market values may be even more volatile than those for securities that do not include those features.
Inverse Floating Rate Instruments
Inverse Floating Rate Instruments have an interest rate equal to a fixed rate minus a rate based upon a reference rate such as LIBOR. The market values of such Instruments typically are more volatile than market values of other conventional floating rate debt securities based on the same reference rate (and with otherwise comparable terms). Inverse Floating Rate Instruments are more volatile because an increase in the reference rate not only decreases the interest rate of the Instruments, but may also reflect an increase in prevailing interest rates, which further adversely affects the market value of these Instruments.
16 Fixed/Floating Rate Instruments
Fixed/Floating Rate Instruments may bear interest at a rate that the relevant Issuer may elect to convert from a fixed rate to a floating rate, or from a floating rate to a fixed rate. The relevant Issuer’s ability to convert the interest rate will affect the secondary market and the market value of such Instruments since the relevant Issuer may be expected to convert the rate when it is likely to produce a lower overall cost of borrowing. If the relevant Issuer converts from a fixed rate to a floating rate, the spread on the Fixed/Floating Rate Instruments may be less favourable than then prevailing spreads on comparable Floating Rate Instruments tied to the same reference rate. In addition, the new floating rate at any time may be lower than the rates on other Instruments. If the relevant Issuer converts from a floating rate to a fixed rate, the fixed rate may be lower than then prevailing rates on its Instruments.
Instruments issued at a substantial discount or premium
The market values of securities issued at a substantial discount or premium to their nominal amount tend to fluctuate more in relation to general changes in interest rates than do prices for conventional interest-bearing securities. Generally, the longer the remaining term of the securities, the greater the price volatility as compared to conventional interest-bearing securities with comparable maturities.
The relevant Issuer’s obligations under Subordinated Instruments are subordinated
As described under Condition 3B under “Terms and Conditions of the Instruments”, the payment obligations of the relevant Issuer in respect of Subordinated Instruments issued by it will be subordinated and will rank behind the claims of Senior Creditors of the relevant Issuer. “Senior Creditors of the Issuer” means creditors of the relevant Issuer who are either unsubordinated creditors of the relevant Issuer or who are subordinated creditors of the relevant Issuer but whose claims are expressed to rank in priority to the claims of the Holders of Subordinated Instruments (whether only in the winding up of the relevant Issuer or otherwise). Payments of principal and interest in respect of Subordinated Instruments (whether in the winding up of the relevant Issuer or otherwise) will be conditional upon the relevant Issuer being solvent at the time of making such payments. Principal or interest will not be paid in respect of Subordinated Instruments except to the extent that the relevant Issuer could make such payment and still be solvent immediately thereafter.
In the event of the dissolution, liquidation and/or bankruptcy of the relevant Issuer, the Holders of Subordinated Instruments will only be paid by the relevant Issuer after all Senior Creditors of the Issuer have been paid in full.
The Guarantor’s obligations under the Deed of Guarantee in respect of Subordinated Instruments are subordinated
As described under Condition 4B of “Terms and Conditions of the Instruments”, the payment obligations of the Guarantor under the Deed of Guarantee in respect of Subordinated Instruments will be subordinated and will rank behind the claims of Senior Creditors of the Guarantor. “Senior Creditors of the Guarantor” means creditors of the Guarantor who are either unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor or who are subordinated creditors of the Guarantor but whose claims are expressed to rank in priority to the claims of the Holders of Subordinated Instruments or other persons claiming under the Deed of Guarantee (whether only in the winding up of the Guarantor or otherwise). Payments under the Deed of Guarantee will be conditional upon the Guarantor being solvent at the time of making such payments. Payment will not be made under the Deed of Guarantee except to the extent that the Guarantor could make such payment and still be solvent immediately thereafter.
17 In the event of the dissolution, liquidation and/or bankruptcy of the Guarantor, the Holders of Subordinated Instruments will only be paid by the Guarantor after all Senior Creditors of the Guarantor have been paid in full.
Although Subordinated Instruments may pay a higher rate of interest than comparable Instruments which are not subordinated, there is a significant risk that an investor in Subordinated Instruments will lose all or some of his investment in the event that the relevant Issuer and the Guarantor become insolvent.
Risks related to Instruments generally
Set out below is a brief description of certain risks relating to the Instruments generally:
Modification, waivers and substitution
The conditions of the Instruments contain provisions for calling meetings of Holders of Instruments to consider matters affecting their interests generally. These provisions permit defined majorities to bind all Holders of Instruments including Holders who did not attend and vote at the relevant meeting and Holders who voted in a manner contrary to the majority.
EU Savings Directive
Under EC Council Directive 2003/48/EC on the taxation of savings income, Member States are required, from 1 July 2005, to provide to the tax authorities of another Member State details of payments of interest (or similar income) paid by a person within its jurisdiction to an individual resident in that other Member State. However, for a transitional period, Belgium, Luxembourg and Austria are instead required (unless during that period they elect otherwise) to operate a withholding system in relation to such payments (the ending of such transitional period being dependent upon the conclusion of certain other agreements relating to information exchange with certain other countries). A number of non-EU countries and territories including Switzerland have agreed to adopt similar measures (a withholding system in the case of Switzerland) with effect from the same date.
If, following implementation of this Directive, a payment were to be made or collected through a Member State which has opted for a withholding system and an amount of, or in respect of tax were to be withheld from that payment, neither the Issuer nor any Paying Agent nor any other person would be obliged to pay additional amounts with respect to any Instrument as a result of the imposition of such withholding tax. If a withholding tax is imposed on payment made by a Paying Agent following implementation of this Directive, the Issuers will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in a Member State that will not be obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to the Directive.
Change of law
The Terms and Conditions of the Instruments are based on English law (save for the subordination provisions in Condition 4B and the subordination provisions set out in the Deed of Guarantee which are governed by the laws of the Hellenic Republic) in effect as at the date of issue of the relevant Instruments. No assurance can be given as to the impact of any possible judicial decision or change to English law (or the laws of the Hellenic Republic, as applicable) or administrative practice after the date of issue of the relevant Instruments.
Risks related to the market generally
Set out below is a brief description of certain market risks, including liquidity risk, exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk:
18 The secondary market generally
Instruments may have no established trading market when issued, and one may never develop. If a market does develop, it may not be liquid. Therefore, investors may not be able to sell their Instruments easily or at prices that will provide them with a yield comparable to similar investments that have a developed secondary market. This is particularly the case for Instruments that are especially sensitive to interest rate, currency or market risks, are designed for specific investment objectives or strategies or have been structured to meet the investment requirements of limited categories of investors. These types of Instruments generally would have a more limited secondary market and more price volatility than conventional debt securities. Illiquidity may have a severely adverse effect on the market value of Instruments.
Exchange rate risks and exchange controls
The relevant Issuer will pay principal and interest on the Instruments and the Guarantor will make any payments under the Deed of Guarantee in the Currency of Payment specified in the applicable Final Terms. This presents certain risks relating to currency conversions if an investor’s financial activities are denominated principally in a currency or currency unit (the “Investor’s Currency”) other than the Currency of Payment. These include the risk that exchange rates may significantly change (including changes due to devaluation of the Currency of Payment or revaluation of the Investor’s Currency) and the risk that authorities with jurisdiction over the Investor’s Currency may impose or modify exchange controls. An appreciation in the value of the Investor’s Currency relative to the Currency of Payment would decrease (i) the Investor’s Currency-equivalent yield on the Instruments, (ii) the Investor’s Currency-equivalent value of the principal payable on the Instruments and (iii) the Investor’s Currency-equivalent market value of the Instruments.
Government and monetary authorities may impose (as some have done in the past) exchange controls that could adversely affect an applicable exchange rate. As a result, investors may receive less interest or principal than expected, or no interest or principal.
Interest rate risks
Investment in fixed rate Instruments involves the risk that subsequent changes in market interest rates may adversely affect the value of the fixed rate Instruments.
Credit ratings may not reflect all risks
One or more independent credit rating agencies may assign credit ratings to an issue of Instruments. The ratings may not reflect the potential impact of all risks related to structure, market, additional factors discussed above, and other factors that may affect the value of the Instruments. A credit rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be revised or withdrawn by the rating agency at any time.
Legal investment considerations may restrict certain investments
The investment activities of certain investors are subject to legal investment laws and regulations, or review or regulation by certain authorities. Each potential investor should consult its legal advisers to determine whether and to what extent (i) Instruments are legal investments for it, (ii) Instruments can be used as collateral for various types of borrowing and (iii) other restrictions apply to its purchase or pledge of any Instruments. Financial institutions should consult their legal advisers or the appropriate regulators to determine the appropriate treatment of Instruments under any applicable risk-based capital or similar rules.
19 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMME
Under the Programme, each Issuer may from time to time issue Instruments denominated in any currency, subject as set out herein. A summary of the terms and conditions of the Programme and the Instruments appears below. The applicable terms of any Instruments will be agreed between the relevant Issuer and the relevant Dealer prior to the issue of the Instruments and will be set out in the Terms and Conditions of the Instruments endorsed on, attached to, or incorporated by reference into, the Instruments, as modified and amended by Part A of the applicable Final Terms attached to, or endorsed on, such Instruments, as more fully described under "Provisions Relating to the Instruments Whilst in Global Form".
This Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus and any supplement will only be valid for listing Instruments on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange during the period of 12 months from the date of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus in an aggregate nominal amount which, when added to the aggregate nominal amount then outstanding of all Instruments previously or simultaneously issued under the Programme, does not exceed €9,000,000,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. For the purpose of calculating the euro equivalent of the aggregate nominal amount of Instruments issued under the Programme from time to time:
(a) the euro equivalent of Instruments denominated in another Currency of Denomination (as specified in the applicable Final Terms in relation to the relevant Instruments) shall be determined, at the discretion of the relevant Issuer, either as of the date on which agreement is reached for the issue of Instruments or on the preceding day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets are open for business in London, in each case on the basis of the spot rate for the sale of the euro against the purchase of such Currency of Denomination in the London foreign exchange market quoted by any leading international bank selected by the relevant Issuer on the relevant day of calculation;
(b) the euro equivalent of Instruments with different Currency of Denomination and Currency of Payment, Index linked Instruments and Partly Paid Instruments (each as specified in the applicable Final Terms in relation to the relevant Instruments) shall be calculated in the manner specified above by reference to the original nominal amount on issue of such Instruments (in the case of Partly Paid Instruments regardless of the subscription price paid); and
(c) the euro equivalent of Non-interest bearing Instruments (as specified in the applicable Final Terms in relation to the relevant Instruments) and other Instruments issued at a discount or a premium shall be calculated in the manner specified above by reference to the net proceeds received by the relevant Issuer for the relevant issue.
20 TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE INSTRUMENTS
The following are the Terms and Conditions of the Instruments which, as supplemented, modified or replaced in relation to any Instruments by Part A of the relevant Final Terms, will be applicable to each Series of Instruments
The Instruments are issued pursuant to and in accordance with an amended and restated issue and paying agency agreement (as amended, supplemented or replaced, the “Issue and Paying Agency Agreement’’) dated 9 August 2005 and made between EFG Hellas PLC and EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited (each of which may issue Instruments and references in these Terms and Conditions to the “Issuer” are to the Issuer of such Instruments as specified in the relevant Final Terms or an entity substituted for that Issuer in accordance with Condition 18), EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. (the “Guarantor’’), Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch in its capacity as issue and paying agent (the “Issue and Paying Agent’’, which expression shall include any successor to Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch in its capacity as such) and the paying agents named therein (the “Paying Agents’’, which expression shall include the Issue and Paying Agent and any substitute or additional paying agents appointed in accordance with the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement).
For the purposes of making determinations or calculations of interest rates, interest amounts, redemption amounts or any other matters requiring determination or calculation in accordance with the Conditions of any Series of Instruments (as defined below), the Issuer may appoint a calculation agent (the “Calculation Agent’’) for the purposes of such Instruments, in accordance with the provisions of the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, and such Calculation Agent shall be specified in the applicable Final Terms.
The Instruments issued by EFG Hellas PLC have the benefit of an amended and restated deed of covenant dated 9 August 2005 executed by EFG Hellas PLC and the Instruments issued by EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited have the benefit of a deed of covenant dated 9 August 2005, executed by EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited (each, as amended, supplemented or replaced, a “Deed of Covenant” and references to the “Deed of Covenant” in these Terms and Conditions are to the Deed of Covenant executed by the Issuer of such Instruments as specified in the relevant Final Terms or an entity substituted for that Issuer in accordance with Condition 18.
The Guarantor has, for the benefit of the holders of Instruments executed and delivered an amended and restated deed of guarantee dated 9 August 2005 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Deed of Guarantee’’) under which it has guaranteed (on an unsubordinated basis in the case of Unsubordinated Instruments (as defined below) and on a subordinated basis in the case of Subordinated Instruments (as defined below)) the due and punctual payment of all amounts due by the Issuer under the Instruments and the Deed of Covenant as and when the same shall become due and payable.
Copies of the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, the Deed of Covenant and the Deed of Guarantee are available for inspection during normal business hours at the registered office of each Issuer and the Guarantor and at the specified office of each of the Paying Agents. All persons from time to time entitled to the benefit of obligations under any Instruments shall be deemed to have notice of, and shall be bound by, all of the provisions of the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, the Deed of Covenant and the Deed of Guarantee insofar as they relate to the relevant Instruments.
The Instruments are issued in series (each, a “Series’’), and each Series may comprise one or more tranches (“Tranches’’ and each, a “Tranche’’) of Instruments. Each Tranche will be the subject of a Final Terms supplement (“Final Terms’’), a copy of which will, in the case of Instruments listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or offered in circumstances which require publication of a prospectus, be available on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at www.bourse.lu and, free of charge, at the registered office of each Issuer and the Guarantor.
21 References in these Terms and Conditions to Instruments are to Instruments of the relevant Series and any references to Coupons (as defined in Condition 1.2) and Receipts (as defined in Condition 1.3) are to Coupons and Receipts relating to Instruments of the relevant Series.
References in these Terms and Conditions to the Final Terms are to the Final Terms prepared in relation to the Instruments of the relevant Tranche or Series.
In respect of any Instruments, references herein to these Terms and Conditions are to these terms and conditions as supplemented or modified or (to the extent thereof) replaced by Part A of the Final Terms.
1. Form and Denomination
Form of Instruments
1.1 Instruments are issued in bearer form and if in definitive form are serially numbered.
1.2 Interest-bearing Instruments have attached thereto at the time of their initial delivery coupons (“Coupons’’), presentation of which will be a prerequisite to the payment of interest save in certain circumstances specified herein. In addition, if so specified in the Final Terms, such Instruments have attached thereto at the time of their initial delivery a talon (“Talon’’) for further coupons and the expression “Coupons’’ shall, where the context so requires, include Talons.
1.3 Instruments, the principal amount of which is repayable by instalments (“Instalment Instruments’’), have attached thereto at the time of their initial delivery payment receipts (“Receipts’’) in respect of the instalments of principal.
Denomination of Instruments
1.4 Instruments are in the denomination or denominations (each of which denomination is integrally divisible by each smaller denomination) specified in the Final Terms. Instruments of one denomination may not be exchanged for Instruments of any other denomination.
Currency of Instruments
1.5 The Instruments are denominated in the currency specified in the Final Terms. Any currency may be so specified, subject to compliance with all applicable legal and/or regulatory and/or central bank requirements.
Partly Paid Instruments
1.6 Instruments may be issued on a partly paid basis (“Partly Paid Instruments’’) if so specified in the Final Terms. The subscription moneys therefor shall be paid in such number of instalments (“Partly Paid Instalments’’) in such amounts, on such dates and in such manner as may be specified in the Final Terms. The first such instalment shall be due and payable on the date of issue of the Instruments. For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, in respect of any Partly Paid Instrument, (“Paid Up Amount’’) means the aggregate amount of all Partly Paid Instalments in respect thereof as shall have fallen due and been paid up in full in accordance with the Terms and Conditions.
Not less than 14 days nor more than 30 days prior to the due date for payment of any Partly Paid Instalment (other than the first such instalment) the Issuer shall publish a notice in accordance with Condition 15 stating the due date for payment thereof and stating that failure to pay any such Partly Paid Instalment on or prior to such date will entitle the Issuer to forfeit the Instruments with effect from such date (“Forfeiture Date’’) as may be specified in such notice (not being less than 14 days after the due date for payment of such Partly Paid
22 Instalment), unless payment of the relevant Partly Paid Instalment together with any interest accrued thereon is paid prior to the Forfeiture Date. The Issuer shall procure that any Partly Paid Instalments paid in respect of any Instruments subsequent to the Forfeiture Date in respect thereof shall be returned promptly to the persons entitled thereto. The Issuer shall not be liable for any interest on any Partly Paid Instalment so returned.
Interest shall accrue on any Partly Paid Instalment which is not paid on or prior to the due date for payment thereof at the Interest Rate (in the case of non-interest bearing Instruments, at the rate applicable to overdue payments) and shall be calculated in the same manner and on the same basis as if it were interest accruing on the Instruments for the period from and including the due date for payment of the relevant Partly Paid Instalment up to but excluding the Forfeiture Date. For the purpose of the accrual of interest, any payment of any Partly Paid Instalment made after the due date for payment shall be treated as having been made on the day preceding the Forfeiture Date (whether or not a Business Day as defined in Condition 6.9).
Unless an Event of Default or a Subordinated Default Event (or an event which with the giving of notice, the lapse of time or the making or giving of any determination or certification would constitute an Event of Default or a Subordinated Default Event) shall have occurred and be continuing, on the Forfeiture Date, the Issuer shall forfeit all of the Instruments in respect of which any Partly Paid Instalment shall not have been duly paid, whereupon the Issuer shall be entitled to retain all Partly Paid Instalments previously paid in respect of such Instruments and shall be discharged from any obligation to repay such amount or to pay interest thereon.
2. Title and Transfer
2.1 Title to Instruments, Receipts and Coupons passes by delivery. References herein to the “Holders’’ of Instruments or of Receipts or Coupons are to the bearers of such Instruments or such Receipts or Coupons.
2.2 The Holder of any Instrument or Coupon will (except as otherwise required by applicable law or regulatory requirement) be treated as its absolute owner for all purposes (whether or not it is overdue and regardless of any notice of ownership, trust or any interest thereof or therein, any writing thereon, or any theft or loss thereof) and no person shall be liable for so treating such Holder.
3. Status of the Instruments
3A Status – Unsubordinated Instruments
3A.1 This Condition 3A is applicable in relation to Instruments specified in the Final Terms as being unsubordinated or not specified as being subordinated (“Unsubordinated Instruments’’).
3A.2 The Unsubordinated Instruments constitute direct, unconditional, unsubordinated and (subject to the provisions of Condition 5) unsecured obligations of the Issuer which will at all times rank pari passu without any preference among themselves and at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured (subject as aforesaid) and unsubordinated obligations of the Issuer, (save for such obligations as may be preferred by mandatory provisions of law).
3B Status – Subordinated Instruments
3B.1 This Condition 3B is applicable only in relation to Instruments specified in the Final Terms as being subordinated (“Subordinated Instruments’’).
23 3B.2 The Subordinated Instruments constitute direct, unsecured and subordinated obligations of the Issuer and rank at all times pari passu among themselves.
The claims of the Holders will be subordinated to the claims of Senior Creditors of the Issuer (as defined below) in that payments of principal and interest in respect of the Instruments (whether in the winding up of the Issuer or otherwise) will be conditional upon the Issuer being solvent at the time of payment by the Issuer and in that no principal or interest shall be payable in respect of the Subordinated Instruments (whether in the winding up of the Issuer or otherwise) except to the extent that the Issuer could make such payment and still be solvent immediately thereafter. For this purpose, the Issuer shall be considered to be solvent if it can pay principal and interest in respect of the Subordinated Instruments and still be able to pay its outstanding debts to Senior Creditors of the Issuer, which are due and payable.
“Senior Creditors of the Issuer’’ means creditors of the Issuer (a) who are unsubordinated creditors of the Issuer, or (b) who are subordinated creditors of the Issuer whose claims are expressed to rank in priority to the claims of the Holders (whether only in the winding up of the Issuer or otherwise).
In the case of dissolution, liquidation and/or bankruptcy of the Issuer, the Holders will only be paid by the Issuer after all Senior Creditors of the Issuer have been paid in full and the Holders irrevocably waive their right to be treated equally with all other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of the Issuer in such circumstances.
4. Status of Guarantee
4A Status – Unsubordinated Guarantee
4A.1 This Condition 4A is applicable in relation to Unsubordinated Instruments.
4A.2 The obligations of the Guarantor under the Deed of Guarantee constitute direct, general, unconditional and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor which will at all times rank at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured (subject to the provisions of Condition 5) and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor (save for such obligations as may be preferred by mandatory provisions of law).
4B Status – Subordinated Guarantee
4B.1 This Condition 4B is applicable in relation to Subordinated Instruments.
4B.2 The obligations of the Guarantor under the Deed of Guarantee constitute direct, general, unconditional, subordinated and unsecured obligations of the Guarantor. All claims under the Deed of Guarantee will be subordinated to the claims of Senior Creditors of the Guarantor (as defined below) in that payments under the Deed of Guarantee (whether in the winding up of the Guarantor or otherwise) will be conditional upon the Guarantor being solvent at the time of payment by the Guarantor and in that no amount shall be payable under the Deed of Guarantee (whether in the winding up of the Guarantor or otherwise) except to the extent that the Guarantor could make such payment and still be solvent immediately thereafter. For this purpose, the Guarantor shall be considered to be solvent if it can pay principal and interest in respect of the Instruments and still be able to pay, in accordance with the Deed of Guarantee, its outstanding debts to Senior Creditors of the Guarantor, which are due and payable.
“Senior Creditors of the Guarantor’’ means creditors of the Guarantor (a) who are unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor, or (b) who are subordinated creditors of the Guarantor whose claims are expressed to rank in priority to the claims of the Holders or other
24 persons claiming under the Deed of Guarantee (whether only in the winding up of the Guarantor or otherwise).
In the case of dissolution, liquidation and/or bankruptcy of the Guarantor the Holders will only be paid by the Guarantor after all Senior Creditors of the Guarantor have been paid in full and the Holders irrevocably waive their right to be treated equally with all other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor in such circumstances.
5. Negative Pledge
This Condition 5 is applicable only to Unsubordinated Instruments.
So long as any of the Instruments remains outstanding (as defined in the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement), neither the Issuer nor the Guarantor shall create or permit to be outstanding any mortgage, charge, lien, pledge or other similar encumbrance or security interest upon the whole or any part of its undertaking or assets, present or future (including any uncalled capital), to secure any Indebtedness (as defined below) or any guarantee or indemnity given in respect of any Indebtedness, without, in the case of the creation of an encumbrance or security interest, at the same time and, in any other case, promptly according to the Holders of the Instruments an equal and rateable interest in the same or providing to the Holders of the Instruments such other security as shall be approved by an Extraordinary Resolution (as defined in the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement) of the Holders of the Instruments.
“Indebtedness’’ means any borrowings having an original maturity of more than one year in the form of or represented by bonds, notes, debentures or other securities which, with the consent of the Issuer are, or are intended to be, listed or traded on any stock exchange, over-the-counter or other organised market for securities (whether or not initially distributed by way of private placing).
6. Interest
Interest
6.1 Instruments may be interest-bearing or non interest-bearing, as specified in the Final Terms. Words and expressions appearing in this Condition 6 and not otherwise defined herein or in the Final Terms shall have the meanings given to them in Condition 6.9.
Interest-bearing Instruments
6.2 Instruments which are specified in the Final Terms as being interest-bearing shall bear interest from their Interest Commencement Date at the Interest Rate payable in arrear on each Interest Payment Date.
Floating Rate Instruments – Determination of Interest Rate
6.3 If the Final Terms specifies the Interest Rate applicable to the Instruments as being Floating Rate it shall also specify which page (the “Relevant Screen Page’’) on the Reuters Screen or Telerate or any other information vending service shall be applicable. If such a page is so specified, the Interest Rate applicable to the relevant Instruments for each Interest Accrual Period shall be determined by the Calculation Agent on the following basis:
(i) the Calculation Agent will determine the offered rate for deposits (or, as the case may require, the arithmetic mean (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest ten thousandth of a percentage point, 0.00005 being rounded upwards) of the rates for deposits) in the relevant currency for a period of the duration of the relevant Interest Accrual Period on the Relevant Screen Page as of the Relevant Time on the relevant Interest Determination Date;
25 (ii) if, on any Interest Determination Date, no such rate for deposits so appears (or, as the case may be, if fewer than two such rates for deposits so appear) or if the Relevant Screen Page is unavailable, the Calculation Agent will request appropriate quotations and will determine the arithmetic mean (rounded as aforesaid) of the rates at which deposits in the relevant currency are offered by four major banks in the London interbank market (or, in the case of Instruments denominated or payable in euro, the euro zone interbank market), selected by the Calculation Agent, at approximately the Relevant Time on the Interest Determination Date to prime banks in the relevant interbank market, for a period of the duration of the relevant Interest Accrual Period and in an amount that is representative for a single transaction in the relevant market at the relevant time;
(iii) if, on any Interest Determination Date, only two or three rates are so quoted, the Calculation Agent will determine the arithmetic mean (rounded as aforesaid) of the rates so quoted; or
(iv) if fewer than two rates are so quoted, the Calculation Agent will determine the arithmetic mean (rounded as aforesaid) of the rates quoted by four major banks in the Relevant Financial Centre (or in such financial centre or centres within the euro zone as the Calculation Agent may select) selected by the Calculation Agent, at approximately 11.00 a.m. (Relevant Financial Centre time (or local time at such other financial centre or centres as aforesaid)) on the first day of the relevant Interest Accrual Period for loans in the relevant currency to leading European banks for a period of the duration of the relevant Interest Accrual Period and in an amount that is representative for a single transaction in the relevant market at the relevant time,
and the Interest Rate applicable to such Instruments during each Interest Accrual Period will be the sum of the relevant margin (the “Relevant Margin’’) specified in the Final Terms and the rate (or, as the case may be, the arithmetic mean (rounded as aforesaid) of the rates) so determined provided, however, that, if the Calculation Agent is unable to determine a rate (or, as the case may be, an arithmetic mean of rates) in accordance with the above provisions in relation to any Interest Accrual Period, the Interest Rate applicable to such Instruments during such Interest Accrual Period will be the sum of the Relevant Margin and the rate (or, as the case may be, the arithmetic mean (rounded as aforesaid) of the rates) determined in relation to such Instruments in respect of the last preceding Interest Accrual Period.
ISDA Rate Instruments — Determination of Interest Rate
6.4 If the Final Terms specifies the Interest Rate applicable to the Instruments as being ISDA Rate, each Instrument shall bear interest as from such date, and at such rate or in such amounts, and such interest will be payable on such dates, as would have applied (regardless of any event of default or termination event or tax event thereunder) if the Issuer had entered into an interest rate swap transaction with the Holder of such Instrument under the terms of an agreement to which the ISDA Definitions applied and under which:
– the Fixed Rate Payer, Fixed Amount Payer, Fixed Price Payer, Floating Rate Payer, Floating Amount Payer or, as the case may be, the Floating Price Payer is the Issuer (as specified in the Final Terms);
– the Effective Date is the Interest Commencement Date;
– the Termination Date is the Maturity Date;
– the Calculation Agent is the Calculation Agent as specified in the Final Terms;
– the Calculation Periods are the Interest Accrual Periods;
26 – the Period End Dates are the Interest Period End Dates;
– the Payment Dates are the Interest Payment Dates;
– the Reset Dates are the Interest Period End Dates;
– the Calculation Amount is the principal amount of such Instrument;
– the Day Count Fraction applicable to the calculation of any amount is that specified in the Final Terms or, if none is so specified, as may be determined in accordance with the ISDA Definitions;
– the Applicable Business Day Convention applicable to any date is that specified in the Final Terms or, if none is so specified, as may be determined in accordance with the ISDA Definitions; and
– the other terms are as specified in the Final Terms.
Maximum or Minimum Interest Rate
6.5 If any Maximum or Minimum Interest Rate is specified in the Final Terms, then the Interest Rate shall in no event be greater than the maximum or be less than the minimum so specified.
Accrual of Interest
6.6 Interest shall accrue on the Outstanding Principal Amount of each Instrument during each Interest Accrual Period from, and including, the Interest Commencement Date. Interest will cease to accrue as from the due date for redemption therefor (or, in the case of an Instalment Instrument, in respect of each instalment of principal, on the due date for payment of the relevant Instalment Amount) unless upon due presentation or surrender thereof (if required), payment in full of the Redemption Amount (as defined in Condition 7.10) or the relevant Instalment Amount is improperly withheld or refused or default is otherwise made in the payment thereof in which case interest shall continue to accrue on the principal amount in respect of which payment has been improperly withheld or refused or default has been made (as well after as before any demand or judgment) at the Interest Rate then applicable or such other rate as may be specified for this purpose in the Final Terms until the date on which, upon due presentation or surrender of the relevant Instrument (if required), the relevant payment is made or, if earlier (except where presentation or surrender of the relevant Instrument is not required as a precondition of payment), the seventh day after the date on which, the Issue and Paying Agent having received the funds required to make such payment, notice is given to the Holders of the Instruments in accordance with Condition 15 that the Issue and Paying Agent has received the required funds (except to the extent that there is failure in the subsequent payment thereof to the relevant Holder).
Interest Amount(s), Calculation Agent and Reference Banks
6.7 If a Calculation Agent is specified in the Final Terms, the Calculation Agent, as soon as practicable after the Relevant Time on each Interest Determination Date (or such other time on such date as the Calculation Agent may be required to calculate any Redemption Amount or Instalment Amount, obtain any quote or make any determination or calculation) will determine the Interest Rate and calculate the amount(s) of interest payable (the “Interest Amount(s)’’) in respect of each Denomination of the Instruments for the relevant Interest Accrual Period, calculate the Redemption Amount or Instalment Amount, obtain such quote or make such determination or calculation, as the case may be, and cause the Interest Rate and the Interest Amounts for each Interest Period and the relevant Interest Payment Date or, as the case may be, the Redemption Amount or any Instalment Amount to be notified to the Issue and Paying Agent, the Issuer, the Holders in accordance with Condition 15 and, if the
27 Instruments are listed on a stock exchange and the rules of such exchange so requires, such exchange as soon as possible after their determination or calculation but in no event later than the fourth London Banking Day thereafter or, if earlier in the case of notification to the stock exchange, no later than the first day of the relevant Interest Accrual Period.The Interest Amounts and the Interest Payment Date so notified may subsequently be amended (or appropriate alternative arrangements made by way of adjustment) without notice in the event of an extension or shortening of an Interest Accrual Period or the Interest Period. If the Instruments become due and payable under Condition 8, the Interest Rate and the accrued interest payable in respect of the Instruments shall nevertheless continue to be calculated as previously in accordance with this Condition but no publication of the Interest Rate or the Interest Amount so calculated need be made. The determination of each Interest Rate, Interest Amount, Redemption Amount and Instalment Amount, the obtaining of each quote and the making of each determination or calculation by the Calculation Agent shall (in the absence of manifest error) be final and binding upon the Issuer, the Guarantor and the Holders and neither the Calculation Agent nor any Reference Bank shall have any liability to the Holders in respect of any determination, calculation, quote or rate made or provided by it.
The Issuer will procure that there shall at all times be such Reference Banks as may be required for the purpose of determining the Interest Rate applicable to the Instruments and a Calculation Agent, if provision is made for one in the Terms and Conditions.
If the Calculation Agent is incapable or unwilling to act as such or if the Calculation Agent fails duly to establish the Interest Rate for any Interest Accrual Period or to calculate the Interest Amounts or any other requirements, the Issuer will appoint the London office of a leading bank engaged in the London interbank market to act as such in its place. The Calculation Agent may not resign its duties without a successor having been appointed as aforesaid.
Calculations and Adjustments
6.8 The amount of interest payable in respect of any Instrument for any period shall be calculated by multiplying the product of the Interest Rate and the Outstanding Principal Amount by the Day Count Fraction, save that if the Final Terms specifies a specific amount in respect of such period, the amount of interest payable in respect of such Instrument for such period will be equal to such specified amount. Where any Interest Period comprises two or more Interest Accrual Periods, the amount of interest payable in respect of such Interest Period will be the sum of the amounts of interest payable in respect of each of those Interest Accrual Periods.
For the purposes of any calculations referred to in these Terms and Conditions (unless otherwise specified in the Final Terms), (a) all percentages resulting from such calculations will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point (with 0.000005 per cent. being rounded up to 0.00001 per cent.), (b) all United States Dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one half cent being rounded up), (c) all Japanese Yen amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded downwards to the next lower whole Japanese Yen amount, and (d) all amounts denominated in any other currency used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded to the nearest two decimal places in such currency, with 0.005 being rounded upwards.
Definitions
6.9 “Applicable Business Day Convention’’ means the “Business Day Convention’’ which may be specified in the Final Terms as applicable to any date in respect of the Instruments. Where the Final Terms specifies “No Adjustment’’ in relation to any date, such date shall not be adjusted in accordance with any Business Day Convention. Where the Final Terms fails
28 either to specify an applicable Business Day Convention or “No Adjustment’’ for the purposes of an Interest Payment Date or an Interest Period End Date, then in the case of Instruments which bear interest at a fixed rate, “No Adjustment’’ shall be deemed to have been so specified and in the case of Instruments which bear interest at a floating rate, the Modified Following Business Day Convention shall be deemed to have been so specified. Different Business Day Conventions may apply, or be specified in relation to, the Interest Payment Dates, Interest Period End Dates and any other date or dates in respect of any Instruments.
“Banking Day’’ means, in respect of any city, any day (other than Saturdays and Sundays) on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in that city.
“Business Day’’ means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday):
(i) in relation to Instruments denominated or payable in euro, on which the TARGET System is operating;
(ii) in relation to Instruments payable in any other currency, on which commercial banks are open for general business and foreign exchange markets settle payments in the Relevant Financial Centre in respect of the relevant currency; and
(iii) in either case, on which commercial banks are open for general business and foreign exchange markets settle payments in any place in the relevant Final Terms.
“Business Day Convention’’ means a convention for adjusting any date if it would otherwise fall on a day that is not a Business Day and the following Business Day Conventions, where specified in the Final Terms in relation to any date applicable to any Instruments, shall have the following meanings:
(i) “Following Business Day Convention’’ means that such date shall be postponed to the first following day that is a Business Day;
(ii) “Modified Following Business Day Convention’’ or “Modified Business Day Convention’’ means that such date shall be postponed to the first following day that is a Business Day unless that day falls in the next calendar month in which case that date will be the first preceding day that is a Business Day;
(iii) “Preceding Business Day Convention’’ means that such date shall be brought forward to the first preceding day that is a Business Day; and
(iv) “FRN Convention’’ or “Eurodollar Convention’’ means that each such date shall be the date which numerically corresponds to the preceding such date in the calendar month which is the number of months specified in the Final Terms after the calendar month in which the preceding such date occurred Provided that
(a) if there is no such numerically corresponding day in the calendar month in which any such date should occur, then such date will be the last day which is a Business Day in that calendar month;
(b) if any such date would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day, then such date will be the first following day which is a Business Day unless that day falls in the next calendar month, in which case it will be the first preceding day which is a Business Day; and
(c) if the preceding such date occurred on the last day in a calendar month which was a Business Day, then all subsequent such dates will be the last day which is a Business Day in the calendar month which is the specified number of months after the calendar month in which the preceding such date occurred.
29 “Day Count Fraction’’ means, in respect of the calculation of an amount for any period of time (“Calculation Period’’), such day count fraction as may be specified in the Final Terms and
(i) if “Actual/365’’ or “Actual/Actual (ISDA)’’ is so specified, means the actual number of days in the Calculation Period divided by 365 (or, if any portion of the Calculation Period falls in a leap year, the sum of (A) the actual number of days in that portion of the Calculation Period falling in a leap year divided by 366 and (B) the actual number of days in that portion of the Calculation Period falling in a non-leap year divided by 365);
(ii) if “Actual/365 (Fixed)’’ is so specified, means the actual number of days in the Calculation Period divided by 365;
(iii) if “Actual/360’’ is so specified, means the actual number of days in the Calculation Period divided by 360;
(iv) if “30/360’’, “360/360’’ or “Bond Basis’’ is so specified, means the number of days in the Calculation Period divided by 360 (the number of days to be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months (unless (i) the last day of the Calculation Period is the 31st day of a month but the first day of the Calculation Period is a day other than the 30th or 31st day of a month, in which case the month that includes that last day shall not be considered to be shortened to a 30-day month, or (ii) the last day of the Calculation Period is the last day of the month of February, in which case the month of February shall not be considered to be lengthened to a 30-day month));
(v) if “30E/360’’ or “Eurobond Basis’’ is so specified means, the number of days in the Calculation Period divided by 360 (the number of days to be calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days with 12 30-day months, without regard to the date of the first day or last day of the Calculation Period unless, in the case of the final Calculation Period, the date of final maturity is the last day of the month of February, in which case the month of February shall not be considered to be lengthened to a 30-day month); and
(vi) if “Actual/Actual (Bond)’’ is so specified and if the Interest Payment Dates all fall at regular intervals between the Issue Date and the Maturity Date, on the basis of the number of days in the Calculation Period divided by the product of (A) the number of days in the Interest Period in which the Calculation Period falls and (B) the number of Interest Periods in any period of one year.
“euro zone’’ means the zone comprising the Member States of the European Union which adopt or have adopted the euro as their lawful currency in accordance with the Treaty.
“Interest Accrual Period’’ means, in respect of an Interest Period, each successive period beginning on, and including, an Interest Period End Date and ending on, but excluding, the next succeeding Interest Period End Date during that Interest Period provided always that the first Interest Accrual Period shall commence on and include the Interest Commencement Date and the final Interest Accrual Period shall end on but exclude the date of final maturity.
“Interest Commencement Date’’ means the date of issue of the Instruments (as specified in the Final Terms) or such other date as may be specified as such in the Final Terms.
“Interest Determination Date’’ means, in respect of any Interest Accrual Period, the date falling such number (if any) of Banking Days in such city(ies) as may be specified in the Final Terms prior to the first day of such Interest Accrual Period, or if none is specified:
(i) in the case of instruments denominated or payable in euro, the date falling two TARGET Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Accrual Period; and
(ii) in any other case, the date falling two London Banking Days prior to the first day of such Interest Accrual Period.
30 “Interest Payment Date’’ means the date or dates specified as such in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms and, if an Applicable Business Day Convention is specified in the Final Terms, as the same may be adjusted in accordance with the Applicable Business Day Convention or if the Applicable Business Day Convention is the FRN Convention and an interval of a number of calendar months is specified in the Final Terms as being the Interest Period, each of such dates as may occur in accordance with the FRN Convention at such specified period of calendar months following the date of issue of the Instruments (in the case of the first Interest Payment Date) or the previous Interest Payment Date (in any other case).
“Interest Period’’ means each successive period beginning on and including an Interest Payment Date and ending on but excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date provided always that the first Interest Period shall commence on and include the Interest Commencement Date and the final Interest Period shall end on but exclude the date of final maturity.
“Interest Period End Date’’ means the date or dates specified as such in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms and, if an Applicable Business Day Convention is specified in the Final Terms, as the same may be adjusted in accordance with the Applicable Business Day Convention or, if the Applicable Business Day Convention is the FRN Convention and an interval of a number of calendar months is specified in the Final Terms as the Interest Accrual Period, such dates as may occur in accordance with the FRN Convention at such specified period of calendar months following the Interest Commencement Date (in the case of the first Interest Period End Date) or the previous Interest Period End Date (in any other case) or, if none of the foregoing is specified in the Final Terms, means the date or each of the dates which correspond with the Interest Payment Date(s) in respect of the Instruments.
“Interest Rate’’ means the rate or rates (expressed as a percentage per annum) or amount or amounts (expressed as a price per unit of relevant currency) of interest payable in respect of the Instruments specified in, or calculated or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms.
“ISDA Definitions’’ means the 2000 ISDA Definitions as amended and updated as at the date of issue of the first Tranche of the Instruments of the relevant Series (as specified in the Final Terms) as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
“Outstanding Principal Amount’’ means, in respect of an Instrument, its principal amount less, in respect of any Instalment Instrument, any principal amount on which interest shall have ceased to accrue in accordance with Condition 6.6 or, in the case of a Partly Paid Instrument, the Paid Up Amount of such Instrument or otherwise as indicated in the Final Terms except that the Paid Up Amount shall be deemed to be nil for Instruments which have been forfeited by the Issuer on or after the Forfeiture Date as provided for in Condition 1.6.
“Reference Banks’’ means such banks as may be specified in the Final Terms as the Reference Banks or, if none are specified, “Reference Banks’’ has the meaning given in the ISDA Definitions, mutatis mutandis.
“Relevant Financial Centre’’ means such financial centre or centres as may be specified in relation to the relevant currency for the purposes of the definition of “Business Day’’ in the ISDA Definitions, as modified or supplemented in the Final Terms.
“Relevant Time’’ means the time as of which any rate is to be determined as specified in the Final Terms or, if none is specified, at which it is customary to determine such rate.
“Reuters Screen’’ means, when used in connection with a designated page and any designated information, the display page so designated on the Reuter Monitor Money Rates
31 Service (or such other page as may replace that page on that service for the purpose of displaying such information).
“TARGET System’’ means the Trans-European Automated Real-Time Gross Settlement Express Transfer (TARGET) System.
“TARGET Business Day’’ means a day on which the TARGET System is operating.
“Telerate’’ means, when used in connection with any designated page and any designated information, the display page so designated on the Dow Jones Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace that page on that service, or such other service as may be nominated as the information vendor, for the purpose of displaying such information).
“Treaty’’ means the Treaty establishing the European Communities, as amended.
Non-Interest Bearing Instruments
6.10 If any Redemption Amount (as defined in Condition 7.10) or Instalment Amount (as defined in Condition 7.1) in respect of any Instrument which is non-interest bearing is not paid when due, interest shall accrue on the overdue amount at a rate per annum (expressed as a percentage per annum) equal to the Amortisation Yield defined in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms or at such other rate as may be specified for this purpose in the Final Terms until the date on which, upon due presentation or surrender of the relevant Instrument (if required), the relevant payment is made or, if earlier (except where presentation or surrender of the relevant Instrument is not required as a precondition of payment), the seventh day after the date on which, the Issue and Paying Agent having received the funds required to make such payment, notice is given to the Holders of the Instruments in accordance with Condition 15 that the Issue and Paying Agent has received the required funds (except to the extent that there is failure in the subsequent payment thereof to the relevant Holder). The amount of any such interest shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Condition 6.8 as if the Interest Rate was the Amortisation Yield, the Outstanding Principal Amount was the overdue sum and the Day Count Fraction was as specified for this purpose in the Final Terms or, if not so specified, 30E/360 (as defined in Condition 6.9).
7. Redemption and Purchase
Redemption at Maturity
7.1 Unless previously redeemed, or purchased and cancelled or unless such Instrument is stated in the Final Terms as having no fixed maturity date, each Instrument shall be redeemed at its maturity redemption amount (the “Maturity Redemption Amount’’) (which shall be its Outstanding Principal Amount or such other redemption amount as may be specified in or determined in accordance with the Final Terms) (or, in the case of Instalment Instruments, in such number of instalments and in such amounts (“Instalment Amounts’’) as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms) on the date or dates (or, in the case of Instruments which bear interest at a floating rate of interest, on the date or dates upon which interest is payable) specified in the Final Terms.
Early Redemption for Taxation Reasons
7.2 If, in relation to any Series of Instruments as a result of any change in the laws, regulations or rulings of the Taxing Jurisdiction of the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor or of any political subdivision thereof or any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax or in the interpretation or administration of any such laws, regulations or rulings which becomes effective on or after the date on which agreement is reached to issue the first Tranche of such Instruments the Issuer would be required to pay additional amounts as
32 provided in Condition 9 or the Guarantor would be unable for reasons outside its control to procure payment by and in making payment itself would be required to pay such additional amounts, the Issuer may, at its option (but, in the case of Subordinated Instruments, subject to consent thereto having been obtained from the Bank of Greece), and having given no less than thirty nor more than sixty days’ notice (ending, in the case of Instruments which bear interest at a floating rate, on a day upon which interest is payable) to the Holders of the Instruments in accordance with Condition 15 (which notice shall be irrevocable), redeem all (but not some only) of the outstanding Instruments comprising the relevant Series at their early tax redemption amount (the “Early Redemption Amount (Tax)’’) (which shall be their Outstanding Principal Amount or, in the case of Instruments which are non-interest bearing, their Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 7.11) or such other redemption amount as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms), together with accrued interest (if any) thereon Provided, however, that no such notice of redemption may be given earlier than 90 days (or, in the case of Instruments which bear interest at a floating rate a number of days which is equal to the aggregate of the number of days falling within the then current interest period applicable to the Instruments plus 60 days) prior to the earliest date on which the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor would be obliged to pay such additional amounts were a payment in respect of the Instruments then due.
The Issuer may not exercise such option in respect of any Instrument which is the subject of the prior exercise by the Holder thereof of its option to require the redemption of such Instrument under Condition 7.6.
“Taxing Jurisdiction’’ means, in the case of EFG Hellas PLC, the United Kingdom, in the case of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, the Cayman Islands and, in the case of the Guarantor, the Hellenic Republic.
Optional Early Redemption (Call)
7.3 If this Condition 7.3 is specified in the Final Terms as being applicable, then the Issuer may, subject, in the case of Subordinated Instruments to the prior consent of the Bank of Greece, having given the appropriate notice, and subject to such conditions as may be specified in the Final Terms, redeem all (but not, unless and to the extent that the Final Terms specifies otherwise, some only) of the Instruments of the relevant Series at their call early redemption amount (the “Early Redemption Amount (Call)’’) (which shall be their Outstanding Principal Amount or, in the case of Instruments which are non-interest bearing, their Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 7.11) or such other redemption amount as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms), together with accrued interest (if any) thereon on the date specified in such notice.
The Issuer may not exercise such option in respect of any Instrument which is the subject of the prior exercise by the Holder thereof of its option to require the redemption of such Instrument under Condition 7.6.
7.4 The appropriate notice referred to in Condition 7.3 is a notice given by the Issuer to the Holders of the Instruments of the relevant Series in accordance with Condition 15, which notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify
– the Series of Instruments subject to redemption;
– whether such Series is to be redeemed in whole or in part only and, if in part only, the aggregate principal amount of and (except in the case of a Temporary Global Instrument or Permanent Global Instrument) the serial numbers of the Instruments of the relevant Series which are to be redeemed;
33 – the due date for such redemption, which shall be not less than thirty days nor more than sixty days after the date on which such notice is given and which shall be such date or the next of such dates (“Call Option Date(s)’’) or a day falling within such period (“Call Option Period’’), as may be specified in the Final Terms and which is, in the case of Instruments which bear interest at a floating rate, a date upon which interest is payable; and
– the Early Redemption Amount (Call) at which such Instruments are to be redeemed.
Partial Redemption
7.5 If the Instruments of a Series are to be redeemed in part only on any date in accordance with Condition 7.3 the Instruments to be redeemed shall be not less than the Minimum Redemption Amount (if any) or not more than the Maximum Redemption Amount (if any), both as indicated in the Final Terms and shall be drawn by lot in such European city as the Issue and Paying Agent may specify, or identified in such other manner or in such other place as the Issue and Paying Agent may approve and deem appropriate and fair, subject always to compliance with all applicable laws and the requirements of any stock exchange on which the relevant Instruments may be listed.
A list of the Instruments called for redemption will be published in accordance with Condition 15 not less than fifteen days prior to the date fixed for redemption.
Optional Early Redemption (Put)
7.6 This Condition 7.6 is applicable only to Unsubordinated Instruments.
If this Condition 7.6 is specified in the Final Terms as being applicable, then the Issuer shall, upon the exercise of the relevant option by the Holder of any Instrument of the relevant Series, redeem such Instrument on the date specified in the relevant Put Notice (as defined below) at its put early redemption amount (the “Early Redemption Amount (Put)’’) (which shall be its Outstanding Principal Amount or, if such Instrument is non-interest bearing, its Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 7.11) or such other redemption amount as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms), together with accrued interest (if any) thereon. In order to exercise such option, the Holder must, not less than forty-five days before the date on which such redemption is required to be made as specified in the Put Notice (which date shall be such date or the next of the dates (“Put Date(s)’’) or a day falling within such period (“Put Period’’) as may be specified in the Final Terms), deposit the relevant Instrument (together, in the case of an interest-bearing Instrument, with all unmatured Coupons appertaining thereto other than any Coupon maturing on or before the date of redemption (failing which the provisions of Condition 10A.6 apply)) during normal business hours at the specified office of any Paying Agent together with a duly completed early redemption notice (“Put Notice’’) in the form which is available from the specified office of any of the Paying Agents. No Instrument so deposited and option exercised may be withdrawn (except as provided in the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement).
The holder of an Instrument may not exercise such option in respect of any Instrument which is (a) the subject of an exercise by the Issuer of its option to redeem such Instrument under either Condition 7.2 or 7.3 or (b) a Subordinated Instrument.
Purchase of Instruments
7.7 The Issuer, the Guarantor and any of the Guarantor’s other subsidiaries, may (but, in the case of Subordinated Instruments, subject to consent thereto having been obtained from the Bank of Greece) at any time purchase Instruments in the open market or otherwise and at any price provided that all unmatured Receipts and Coupons appertaining thereto are purchased
34 therewith. If purchases are made by tender, tenders must be available to all Holders of Instruments alike. Such Instruments may be held, reissued or, at the option of the Issuer or the Guarantor, surrendered to any Paying Agent for cancellation.
Cancellation of Redeemed and Purchased Instruments
7.8 All unmatured Instruments and Coupons and unexchanged Talons redeemed or purchased, otherwise than in the ordinary course of business of dealing in securities or as a nominee in accordance with this Condition 7, will be cancelled forthwith and may not be reissued or resold.
Further Provisions applicable to Redemption Amount and Instalment Amounts
7.9 The provisions of Condition 6.7 and the last paragraph of Condition 6.8 shall apply to any determination or calculation of the Redemption Amount or any Instalment Amount required by the Final Terms to be made by the Calculation Agent.
7.10 References herein to “Redemption Amount’’ shall mean, as appropriate, the Maturity Redemption Amount, the final Instalment Amount, the Early Redemption Amount (Tax), the Early Redemption Amount (Call), the Early Redemption Amount (Put) and the Early Termination Amount or such other amount in the nature of a redemption amount as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms.
7.11 In the case of any Instrument which is non-interest bearing, the “Amortised Face Amount’’ shall be an amount equal to the sum of:
(i) the Issue Price specified in the Final Terms; and
(ii) the product of the Amortisation Yield (compounded annually) being applied to the Issue Price from (and including) the Issue Date specified in the Final Terms to (but excluding) the date fixed for redemption or (as the case may be) the date upon which such Instrument becomes due and repayable.
Where such calculation is to be made for a period which is not a whole number of years, the calculation in respect of the period of less than a full year shall be made on the basis of the Day Count Fraction (as defined in Condition 6.9) specified in the Final Terms for the purposes of this Condition 7.11.
7.12 In the case of any Instrument which is non-interest bearing, if any Redemption Amount (other than the Maturity Redemption Amount) is improperly withheld or refused or default is otherwise made in the payment thereof, the Amortised Face Amount shall be calculated as provided in Condition 7.11 but as if references in subparagraph (ii) to the date fixed for redemption or the date upon which such Instrument becomes due and repayable were replaced by references to the earlier of:
(i) the date on which, upon due presentation or surrender of the relevant Instrument (if required), the relevant payment is made; and
(ii) (except where presentation or surrender of the relevant Instrument is not required as a precondition of payment), the seventh day after the date on which, the Issue and Paying Agent having received the funds required to make such payment, notice is given to the Holders of the Instruments in accordance with Condition 15 of that circumstance (except to the extent that there is a failure in the subsequent payment thereof to the relevant Holder).
35 8. Events of Default
8.1 Unsubordinated Instruments
This Condition 8.1 is applicable only in relation to Unsubordinated Instruments.
The following events or circumstances as modified by, and/or such other events as may be specified in, the Final Terms (each an “Event of Default’’) shall be acceleration events in relation to the Instruments of this Series, namely:
(i) the Issuer fails to pay any amount of principal or interest in respect of the Instruments on the due date for payment thereof and such failure continues for a period of 14 days; or
(ii) the Issuer or the Guarantor defaults in the performance or observance of any of its other obligations under or in respect of the Instruments or Coupons and such default remains unremedied for 30 days after written notice thereof has been delivered by a Holder of any such Instrument to the Issuer or the Guarantor, as appropriate, requiring the same to be remedied; or
(iii) the repayment of any indebtedness owing by the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary is accelerated by reason of default and such acceleration has not been rescinded or annulled, or the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary defaults (after whichever is the longer of any originally applicable period of grace and 14 days after the due date) in any payment of any indebtedness or in the honouring of any guarantee or indemnity in respect of any indebtedness provided that no such event shall constitute an Event of Default unless the indebtedness whether alone or when aggregated with other indebtedness relating to all (if any) other such events which shall have occurred and be continuing shall exceed U.S.$10,000,000 (or its equivalent in any other currency or currencies); or
(iv) any order shall be made by any competent court or resolution passed for the winding up or dissolution of the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary (other than for the purpose of amalgamation, merger or reconstruction (1) on terms approved by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Holders of the Instruments or (2) in the case of a Material Subsidiary whereby the undertaking and the assets of the Material Subsidiary are transferred to or otherwise vested in the Guarantor or another of its Subsidiaries); or
(v) the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary shall cease to carry on the whole or substantially the whole of its business (other than for the purpose of an amalgamation, merger or reconstruction (1) on terms approved by an Extraordinary Resolution of the Holders of the Instruments or (2) in the case of a Material Subsidiary whereby the undertaking and the assets of the Material Subsidiary are transferred to or otherwise vested in the Guarantor or another of its Subsidiaries); or
(vi) the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary shall stop payment or shall be unable to, or shall admit inability to, pay its debts as they fall due, or shall be adjudicated or found bankrupt or insolvent by a court of competent jurisdiction or shall make a conveyance or assignment for the benefit of, or shall enter into any composition or other arrangement with, its creditors generally; or
(vii) a receiver, trustee or other similar official shall be appointed in relation to the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary or in relation to the whole or over half of the assets of the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary, or an interim supervisor of the Guarantor is appointed by the Bank of Greece or an encumbrancer shall take possession of the whole or over half of the assets of the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary, or a distress or execution or other process shall
36 be levied or enforced upon or sued out against the whole or a substantial part of the assets of the Issuer or the Guarantor and in any of the foregoing cases it or he shall not be discharged within 60 days; or
(viii) the Issuer or the Guarantor or any Material Subsidiary sells, transfers, lends or otherwise disposes of the whole or a major part of its undertaking or assets (including shareholdings in its Subsidiaries or associated companies) and such disposal is substantial in relation to the assets of the Issuer or the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as a whole, other than selling, transferring, lending or otherwise disposing on an arm’s length basis; or
(ix) with respect to any Instruments, the Deed of Guarantee is not in full force and effect.
For the purposes of this Condition 8.1, “Material Subsidiary’’ means at any time any Subsidiary of the Guarantor:
(i) whose profits or (in the case of a Subsidiary which has subsidiaries) consolidated profits, before taxation and extraordinary items or before taxation and after extraordinary items as shown by its latest audited profit and loss account are at least 15 per cent. of the consolidated profits before taxation and extraordinary items of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as shown by the latest published audited consolidated profit and loss account of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries; or
(ii) whose gross assets or (in the case of a Subsidiary which has subsidiaries) gross consolidated assets as shown by its latest audited balance sheet are at least 15 per cent. of the gross consolidated assets of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries as shown by the then latest published audited consolidated balance sheet of the Guarantor and its Subsidiaries; or
(iii) to which is transferred the whole or substantially the whole of the assets and undertaking of a Subsidiary which immediately prior to such transfer is a Material Subsidiary provided that, in such a case, the Subsidiary so transferring its assets and undertaking shall thereupon cease to be a Material Subsidiary.
“Subsidiary’’ means, in respect of the Guarantor at any particular time, any other entity:
(a) whose affairs and policies the Guarantor controls or has the power to control, whether by ownership of share capital, contract, the power to appoint or remove members of the governing body of such entity or otherwise; or
(b) whose financial statements are, in accordance with applicable law and generally accepted accounting principles or standards, consolidated with those of the Guarantor.
8.2 If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing in relation to any Series of Instruments, any Holder of an Instrument of the relevant Series may, by written notice to the Issuer, at the specified office of the Issue and Paying Agent, declare that such Instrument shall be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall become immediately due and payable at its early termination amount (the “Early Termination Amount’’) (which shall be its Outstanding Principal Amount or, if such Instrument is non-interest bearing, its Amortised Face Amount (as defined in Condition 7.11) or such other redemption amount as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with the provisions of, the Final Terms), together with all interest (if any) accrued thereon without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which the Issuer will expressly waive, anything contained in such Instruments to the contrary notwithstanding, unless, prior thereto, all Events of Default in respect of the Instruments of the relevant Series shall have been cured.
37 8.3 Subordinated Instruments:
This Condition 8.3 is applicable only in relation to Subordinated Instruments. The events specified below are both “Subordinated Default Events’’.
(i) If default is made in the payment of any amount due in respect of the Instruments or any of them on the due date and such default continues for a period of 7 days, any Holder of an Instrument may institute proceedings for the winding up of the Issuer.
(ii) If, otherwise than for the purposes of a reconstruction or amalgamation on terms previously approved by Extraordinary Resolution of the Holders of the Instruments, an order is made or an effective resolution is passed for the winding up of the Issuer, any Holder of an Instrument may, by written notice to the Issue and Paying Agent, declare such Instrument to be due and payable whereupon the same shall become immediately due and payable at its Early Termination Amount as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the relevant Final Terms, together (if appropriate) with accrued interest to (but excluding) the date of redemption unless such Subordinated Default Event shall have been remedied prior to receipt of such notice by the Issue and Paying Agent.
9. Taxation
9.1 All amounts payable by the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor (whether in respect of principal, interest or otherwise) in respect of the Instruments and the Coupons will be made free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account of any present or future taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges of whatever nature imposed or levied by or on behalf of, the United Kingdom (where EFG Hellas PLC is the Issuer), the Cayman Islands (where EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is the Issuer) or (in the case of the Guarantor) the Hellenic Republic or, in each case, any political subdivision thereof or any authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax, unless the withholding or deduction of such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges is required by law. In that event, the Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor will pay such additional amounts as may be necessary in order that the net amounts received by the Holder after such withholding or deduction shall equal the respective amounts which would have been receivable by such Holder in the absence of such withholding or deduction; except that no such additional amounts shall be payable in relation to any payment in respect of any Instrument or Coupon: (i) presented for payment by or on behalf of, a person who is liable to such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges in respect of such Instrument or Coupon by reason of his having some connection with the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands or, as the case may be, the Hellenic Republic other than the mere holding of such Instrument or Coupon; or (ii) where such withholding or deduction is imposed on a payment to an individual and is required to be made pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any law implementing or complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive; or (iii) presented for payment by or on behalf of a holder who would have been able to avoid such withholding or deduction by presenting the relevant Instrument or Coupon to another Paying Agent in a Member State of the European Union; or (iv) presented for payment by or on behalf of, a person who is liable to such taxes, duties, assessments or governmental charges in respect of such Instrument or Coupon who would not be liable or subject to such withholding or deduction if he were to comply with any statutory requirement or to make a declaration of non-residence or other similar claim for exemption but fails to do so; or
38 (v) presented for payment more than thirty days after the Relevant Date, except to the extent that the relevant Holder would have been entitled to such additional amounts on presenting the same for payment on or before the expiry of such period of thirty days; or (vi) presented for payment in the Hellenic Republic, the Cayman Islands or the United Kingdom. 9.2 For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, the “Relevant Date’’ means, in respect of any payment, the date on which such payment first becomes due and payable, but if the full amount of the moneys payable has not been received by the Issue and Paying Agent on or prior to such due date, it means the first date on which, the full amount of such moneys having been so received and being available for payment to Holders, notice to that effect shall have been duly given to the Holders of the Instruments of the relevant Series in accordance with Condition 15. 9.3 If the Issuer or the Guarantor becomes subject generally at any time to any taxing jurisdiction other than or in addition to the United Kingdom (where EFG Hellas PLC is the Issuer) or the Cayman Islands (where EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is the Issuer) or the Hellenic Republic (in the case of the Guarantor) references in Condition 7.2 and Condition 9.1 to those jurisdictions shall be construed as references to the United Kingdom, the Cayman Islands and the Hellenic Republic and/or to such other jurisdiction(s).
9.4 Any reference in these Terms and Conditions to “principal’’ and/or “interest’’ in respect of the Instruments shall be deemed also to refer to any additional amounts which may be payable under this Condition 9. Unless the context otherwise requires, any reference in these Terms and Conditions to “principal’’ shall include any premium payable in respect of an Instrument, any Instalment Amount or Redemption Amount and any other amounts in the nature of principal payable pursuant to these Terms and Conditions and “interest’’ shall include all amounts payable pursuant to Condition 6 and any other amounts in the nature of interest payable pursuant to these Terms and Conditions.
10. Payments
10A.1 Payment of amounts (other than interest) due in respect of Instruments will be made against presentation and (save in the case of partial payment or payment of an Instalment Amount (other than the final Instalment Amount)) surrender of the relevant Instruments at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents.
Payment of Instalment Amounts (other than the final Instalment Amount) in respect of an Instalment Instrument which is a Definitive Instrument with Receipts will be made against presentation of the Instrument together with (where applicable) the relevant Receipt and surrender of such Receipt.
The Receipts are not and shall not in any circumstances be deemed to be documents of title and if separated from the Instrument to which they relate will not represent any obligation of the Issuer. Accordingly, the presentation of an Instrument without the relative Receipt or the presentation of a Receipt without the Instrument to which it appertains shall not entitle the Holder to any payment in respect of the relevant Instalment Amount.
10A.2 Payment of amounts in respect of interest on Instruments will be made:
(i) in the case of Instruments without Coupons attached thereto at the time of their initial delivery, against presentation of the relevant Instruments at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents outside (unless Condition 10A.3 applies) the United States; and
(ii) in the case of Instruments delivered with Coupons attached thereto at the time of their initial delivery, against surrender of the relevant Coupons or, in the case of interest due
39 otherwise than on a scheduled date for the payment of interest, against presentation of the relevant Instruments, in either case at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents outside (unless Condition 10A.3 applies) the United States.
10A.3Payments of amounts due in respect of interest on the Instruments and exchanges of Talons for Coupon sheets in accordance with Condition 10A.6 will not be made at the specified office of any Paying Agent in the United States (as defined in the United States Internal Revenue Code and Regulations thereunder) unless (a) the Issuer has appointed Paying Agents with specified offices outside the United States with the reasonable expectation that such Paying Agents would be able to make payment at such specified offices outside the United States of the full amount of principal and interest on the Instruments in the manner provided below when due, (b) payment in full of amounts due in respect of interest on such Instruments when due or, as the case may be, the exchange of Talons at all the specified offices of the Paying Agents outside the United States is illegal or effectively precluded by exchange controls or other similar restrictions and (c) such payment or exchange is permitted by applicable United States law without involving, in the opinion of the Issuer, adverse tax consequences to the Issuer or the Guarantor. If paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of the previous sentence apply, the Issuer shall forthwith appoint a further Paying Agent with a specified office in New York City.
10A.4If the due date for payment of any amount due in respect of any Instrument is not a Relevant Financial Centre Day and a Local Banking Day (each as defined in Condition 10B.2), then the Holder thereof will not be entitled to payment thereof until the next day which is such a day, (or as otherwise specified in the Final Terms) and from such day and thereafter will be entitled to receive payment by cheque on any Local Banking Day, and will be entitled to payment by transfer to a designated account on any day which is a Local Banking Day, a Relevant Financial Centre Day and a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments in the relevant currency in the place where the relevant designated account is located and no further payment on account of interest or otherwise shall be due in respect of such delay or adjustment unless there is a subsequent failure to pay in accordance with these Terms and Conditions in which event interest shall continue to accrue as provided in Condition 6.6 or, if appropriate, Condition 6.10.
10A.5Each Instrument initially delivered with Coupons, Talons or Receipts attached thereto should be presented and, save in the case of partial payment of the Redemption Amount, surrendered for final redemption together with all unmatured Receipts, Coupons and Talons relating thereto, failing which:
(i) if the Final Terms specifies that this paragraph (i) of Condition 10A.5 is applicable (and, in the absence of specification, this paragraph (i) shall apply to Instruments which bear interest at a fixed rate or rates or in fixed amounts) and subject as hereinafter provided, the amount of any missing unmatured Coupons (or, in the case of a payment not being made in full, that portion of the amount of such missing Coupon which the Redemption Amount paid bears to the total Redemption Amount due) (excluding, for this purpose, but without prejudice to paragraph (iii) below, Talons) will be deducted from the amount otherwise payable on such final redemption, the amount so deducted being payable against surrender of the relevant Coupon at the specified office of any of the Paying Agents at any time within ten years of the Relevant Date applicable to payment of such Redemption Amount;
(ii) if the Final Terms specifies that this paragraph (ii) of Condition 10A.5 is applicable (and, in the absence of specification, this paragraph (ii) shall apply to Instruments which bear interest at a floating rate or rates or in variable amounts) all unmatured Coupons (excluding, for this purpose, but without prejudice to paragraph (iii) below, Talons) relating to such Instruments (whether or not surrendered therewith) shall become void and no payment shall be made thereafter in respect of them;
40 (iii) in the case of Instruments initially delivered with Talons attached thereto, all unmatured Talons (whether or not surrendered therewith) shall become void and no exchange for Coupons shall be made thereafter in respect of them; and
(iv) in the case of Instruments initially delivered with Receipts attached thereto, all Receipts relating to such Instruments in respect of a payment of an Instalment Amount which (but for such redemption) would have fallen due on a date after such due date for redemption (whether or not surrendered therewith) shall become void and no payment shall be made thereafter in respect of them.
The provisions of paragraph (i) of this Condition 10A.5 notwithstanding, if any Instruments should be issued with a maturity date and an Interest Rate or Rates such that, on the presentation for payment of any such Instrument without any unmatured Coupons attached thereto or surrendered therewith, the amount required by paragraph (i) to be deducted would be greater than the Redemption Amount otherwise due for payment, then, upon the due date for redemption of any such Instrument, such unmatured Coupons (whether or not attached) shall become void (and no payment shall be made in respect thereof) as shall be required so that, upon application of the provisions of paragraph (i) in respect of such Coupons as have not so become void, the amount required by paragraph (i) to be deducted would not be greater than the Redemption Amount otherwise due for payment. Where the application of the foregoing sentence requires some but not all of the unmatured Coupons relating to an Instrument to become void, the relevant Paying Agent shall determine which unmatured Coupons are to become void, and shall select for such purpose Coupons maturing on later dates in preference to Coupons maturing on earlier dates.
10A.6In relation to Instruments initially delivered with Talons attached thereto, on or after the due date for the payment of interest on which the final Coupon comprised in any Coupon sheet matures, the Talon comprised in the Coupon sheet may be surrendered at the specified office of any Paying Agent outside (unless Condition 10A.3 applies) the United States in exchange for a further Coupon sheet (including any appropriate further Talon), subject to the provisions of Condition 11 below. Each Talon shall, for the purpose of these Conditions, be deemed to mature on the Interest Payment Date on which the final Coupon comprised in the relative Coupon sheet matures.
10B Payments – General Provisions
10B.1Payments of amounts due (whether principal, interest or otherwise) in respect of Instruments will be made in the currency in which such amount is due either (a) by cheque or (b) by transfer to an account denominated in the relevant currency specified by the payee. Payments will, without prejudice to the provisions of Condition 9, be subject in all cases to any applicable fiscal or other laws and regulations.
10B.2For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions
(i) “Relevant Financial Centre Day’’ means, in the case of any currency other than euro, a day on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets settle payments in the Relevant Financial Centre and in any other Relevant Financial Centre specified in the Final Terms or in the case of payment in euro, a day on which the TARGET System is operating; and
(ii) “Local Banking Day’’ means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits) in the place of presentation of the relevant Instrument or, as the case may be, Coupon.
10B.3No commissions or expenses shall be charged to the holders of Instruments or Coupons in respect of such payments.
41 11. Prescription
11.1 Claims against the Issuer and the Guarantor for payment of principal and interest in respect of Instruments will be prescribed and become void unless made, in the case of principal, within ten years or, in the case of interest, five years after the Relevant Date (as defined in Condition 9.2) for payment thereof.
11.2 In relation to Definitive Instruments initially delivered with Talons attached thereto, there shall not be included in any Coupon sheet issued upon exchange of a Talon any Coupon which would be void upon issue pursuant to Condition 10A.5 or the due date for the payment of which would fall after the due date for the redemption of the relevant Instrument or which would be void pursuant to this Condition 11 or any Talon the maturity date of which would fall after the due date for redemption of the relevant Instrument.
12. The Paying Agents and the Calculation Agent
12.1 The initial Paying Agents and their respective initial specified offices are specified below. The Calculation Agent in respect of any Instruments shall be specified in the Final Terms. The Issuer reserves the right at any time to vary or terminate the appointment of any Paying Agent (including the Issue and Paying Agent) or the Calculation Agent and to appoint additional or other Paying Agents or another Calculation Agent Provided that it will at all times maintain (i) an Issue and Paying Agent, (ii) a Paying Agent (which may be the Issue and Paying Agent) with a specified office in a continental European city, (iii) so long as the Instruments are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and/or any other stock exchange and/or admitted to listing by any other relevant authority, a Paying Agent (which may be the Issue and Paying Agent) with a specified office in Luxembourg and/or in such other place as may be required by the rules of such other stock exchange or other relevant authority, (iv) in the circumstances described in Condition 10A.3, a Paying Agent with a specified office in New York City, (v) to the extent reasonably practicable, a Paying Agent with its specified office in a European Union Member State that will not be obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any law implementing or complying therewith, or introduced in order to conform to, such Directive and (vi) a Calculation Agent where required by the Terms and Conditions applicable to any Instruments (in the case of (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) with a specified office located in such place (if any) as may be required by the Terms and Conditions). Each of the Paying Agents and the Calculation Agent reserves the right at any time to change its specified office to some other specified office in the same city. Notice of all changes in the identities or specified offices of any Paying Agents or the Calculation Agent will be given promptly by the Issuer to the Holders in accordance with Condition 15.
12.2 The Paying Agents and the Calculation Agent act solely as agents of the Issuer and, save as provided in the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement or any other agreement entered into with respect to its appointment, do not assume any obligations towards or relationship of agency or trust for any Holder of any Instrument, Receipt or Coupon and each of them shall only be responsible for the performance of the duties and obligations expressly imposed upon it in the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement or other agreement entered into with respect to its appointment or incidental thereto.
13. Replacement of Instruments
If any Instrument, Receipt or Coupon is lost, stolen, mutilated, defaced or destroyed, it may be replaced at the specified office of the Issue and Paying Agent or such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as may be specified for such purpose in the Final Terms (“Replacement Agent’’), subject to all applicable laws and the requirements of any stock exchange or other relevant authority on which the Instruments are listed, upon payment by the claimant of all expenses incurred in connection with such replacement and upon such terms as to evidence, security, indemnity and otherwise as
42 the Issuer and the Replacement Agent may require. Mutilated or defaced Instruments, Receipts and Coupons must be surrendered before replacements will be delivered therefor.
14. Meetings of Holders and Modification
The Issue and Paying Agency Agreement contains provisions (which shall have effect as if incorporated herein) for convening meetings of the Holders of Instruments of any Series to consider any matter affecting their interest, including (without limitation) the modification by Extraordinary Resolution (as defined in the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement) of these Terms and Conditions and the Deed of Covenant insofar as the same may apply to such Instruments. An Extraordinary Resolution passed at any meeting of the Holders of Instruments of any Series will be binding on all Holders of the Instruments of such Series, whether or not they are present at the meeting, and on all Holders of Coupons relating to Instruments of such Series.
The Issuer and the Guarantor may, with the consent of the Issue and Paying Agent, but without the consent of the Holders of the Instruments of any Series or Coupons, amend these Terms and Conditions, the Deed of Covenant and the Deed of Guarantee insofar as they may apply to such Instruments to correct a manifest error. Subject as aforesaid, no other modification may be made to these Terms and Conditions, the Deed of Covenant or the Deed of Guarantee except with the sanction of an Extraordinary Resolution.
15. Notices
Notices to Holders of Instruments will, save where another means of effective communication has been specified in the Final Terms, be deemed to be validly given if (i) published in a leading daily newspaper having general circulation in the United Kingdom (which is expected to be the Financial Times) and (ii) in the case of any Instruments which are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (so long as such Instruments are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so require), in a leading newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the d’’Wort) or (in the case of (i) or (ii)), if such publication is not practicable, if published in a leading English language daily newspaper having general circulation in Europe. The Issuer shall also ensure that notices are duly published in compliance with the requirements of each stock exchange on which the Instruments are listed. Any notice so given will be deemed to have been validly given on the date of first such publication (or, if required to be published in more than one newspaper, on the first date on which publication shall have been made in all the required newspapers). Holders of Coupons will be deemed for all purposes to have notice of the contents of any notice given to Holders of Instruments in accordance with this Condition.
16. Further Issues
The Issuer may from time to time, without the consent of the Holders of any Instruments or Coupons, create and issue further instruments, bonds or debentures having the same terms and conditions as such Instruments in all respects (or in all respects except for the first payment of interest, if any, on them and/or the denomination thereof) so as to form a single series with the Instruments of any particular Series.
17. Waiver and Remedies
No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, on the part of the Holder of any Instrument, any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. Rights hereunder shall be in addition to all other rights provided by law. No notice or demand given in any case shall constitute a waiver of rights to take other action in the same, similar or other instances without such notice or demand.
43 18. Substitution of the Issuer
(a) The Issuer may, without the consent of any Holder, substitute for itself any other body corporate incorporated in any country in the world as the debtor in respect of the Instruments, any Coupons, the Deed of Covenant and the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement (the “Substituted Debtor’’) upon notice by the Issuer and the Substituted Debtor to be given in accordance with Condition 15, provided that:
(i) the Issuer is not in default in respect of any amount payable under the Instruments;
(ii) the Issuer and the Substituted Debtor have entered into such documents (the “Documents’’) as are necessary to give effect to the substitution and in which the Substituted Debtor has undertaken in favour of each Holder to be bound by these Terms and Conditions and the provisions of the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement as the debtor in respect of the Instruments in place of the Issuer (or of any previous substitute under this Condition 18);
(iii) the Substituted Debtor shall enter into a deed of covenant in favour of the holders of the Instruments then represented by a global Instrument on terms no less favourable than the Deed of Covenant then in force in respect of the Instruments;
(iv) if the Substituted Debtor is resident for tax purposes in a territory (the “New Residence’’) other than that in which the Issuer prior to such substitution was resident for tax purposes (the “Former Residence’’), the Documents contain an undertaking and/or such other provisions as may be necessary to ensure that each Holder has the benefit of an undertaking in terms corresponding to the provisions of Condition 9, with the substitution of references to the Former Residence with references to the New Residence;
(v) if the Substituted Debtor is not the Guarantor, the Deed of Guarantee extends to the obligations of the Substituted Debtor under or in respect of the Instruments, any Coupons, the Deed of Covenant and the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement and continues to be in full force and effect;
(vi) the Substituted Debtor and the Issuer have obtained all necessary governmental approvals and consents for such substitution and for the performance by the Substituted Debtor of its obligations under the Documents;
(vii) each stock exchange or other relevant authority on which the Instruments are listed shall have confirmed that, following the proposed substitution of the Substituted Debtor, the Instruments will continue to be listed on such stock exchange or other relevant authority; and
(viii) if applicable, the Substituted Debtor has appointed a process agent as its agent in England to receive service of process on its behalf in relation to any legal proceedings arising out of or in connection with the Instruments and any Coupons.
(b) Upon such substitution the Substituted Debtor shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power, of the Issuer under the Instruments, any Coupons associated therewith, the Deed of Covenant and the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement with the same effect as if the Substituted Debtor had been named as the Issuer herein, and the Issuer shall be released from its obligations under the Instruments, any Coupons, the Deed of Covenant and under the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement.
(c) After a substitution pursuant to Condition 18(a) the Substituted Debtor may, without the consent of any Holder, effect a further substitution. All the provisions specified in Condition 18(a) and 18(b) shall apply mutatis mutandis, and references in these Terms
44 and Conditions to the Issuer shall, where the context so requires, be deemed to be or include references to any such further Substituted Debtor.
(d) After a substitution pursuant to Conditions 18(a) or 18(c) any Substituted Debtor may, without the consent of any Holder, reverse the substitution, mutatis mutandis.
(e) The Documents shall be delivered to, and kept by, the Issue and Paying Agent. Copies of the Documents will be available free of charge during normal business hours at the specified office of each of the Paying Agents.
19. Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999
No person shall have any right to enforce any term or condition of this Instrument under the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999, but this does not affect any right or remedy of any person which exists or is available apart from that Act. This Condition shall not apply to the subordination provisions in Condition 4B and the subordination provisions set out in the Deed of Guarantee.
20. Law and Jurisdiction
The Instruments, the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement, the Deed of Covenant and the Deed of Guarantee are governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law, save for the subordination provisions in Condition 4B and the subordination provisions set out in the Deed of Guarantee which shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Hellenic Republic.
45 PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE INSTRUMENTS WHILST IN GLOBAL FORM
(A) Relationship of Accountholders with Clearing Systems
Each of the persons shown in the records of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”), Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream, Luxembourg”) or any other clearing system as the holder of an Instrument represented by a Global Instrument (which expression includes a Temporary Global Instrument and a Permanent Global Instrument) must look solely to Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or such other clearing system (as the case may be) for such person’s share of each payment made by the relevant Issuer to the bearer of such Global Instrument and in relation to all other rights arising under the Global Instruments, subject to and in accordance with the respective rules and procedures of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or such other clearing system (as the case may be). Such persons shall have no claim directly against such relevant Issuer in respect of payments due on the Instruments for so long as the Instruments are represented by such Global Instrument and such obligations of such relevant Issuer will be discharged by payment to the bearer of such Global Instrument in respect of each amount so paid. References in these provisions relating to the Instruments in global form to “holder’’ or “accountholder’’ are to those persons shown in the records of the relevant clearing system as a holder of an Instrument.
(B) Form and Exchange – Global Instruments
(1) TEFRA D or TEFRA C: The Final Terms shall specify whether U.S. Treasury Regulation §1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(D) (the “TEFRA D Rules’’) or U.S. Treasury Regulation §1.163-5(c)(2)(i)(c) (the “TEFRA C Rules’’) shall apply. Each Tranche of Instruments is represented upon issue by a temporary global Instrument (a “Temporary Global Instrument’’), unless the Final Terms specifies otherwise and/or the TEFRA C Rules apply.
Where the Final Terms applicable to a Tranche of Instruments specifies that the TEFRA C Rules apply, such Tranche is (unless otherwise specified in the Final Terms) represented upon issue by a Permanent Global Instrument.
Interests in a Temporary Global Instrument may be exchanged for:
(i) interests in a permanent global Instrument (a “Permanent Global Instrument’’); or
(ii) if so specified in the Final Terms, definitive Instruments in bearer form (“Definitive Instruments’’).
Exchanges of interests in a Temporary Global Instrument for Definitive Instruments or, as the case may be, a Permanent Global Instrument will be made only on or after the Exchange Date (as specified in the Final Terms) and (where TEFRA D Rules are applicable) provided certification as to the beneficial ownership thereof as required by U.S. Treasury regulations (in substantially the form set out in the Temporary Global Instrument or in such other form as is customarily issued in such circumstances by the relevant clearing system) has been received.
(2) Limitation on entitlement under a Temporary Global Instrument after Exchange Date: Holders of interests in any Temporary Global Instrument shall not (unless, upon due presentation of such Temporary Global Instrument for exchange (in whole but not in part only) for a Permanent Global Instrument or for delivery of Definitive Instruments, such exchange or delivery is improperly withheld or refused and such withholding or refusal is continuing at the relevant payment date) be entitled to receive any payment in respect of the Instruments represented by such Temporary Global Instrument which falls due on or after the Exchange Date or be entitled to exercise any option on a date after the Exchange Date.
(3) Certification of non-U.S. beneficial ownership: Unless the Final Terms specifies that the TEFRA C Rules are applicable to the Instruments and subject to paragraph (2) above, if any
46 date on which a payment of interest is due on the Instruments of a Tranche occurs whilst any of the Instruments of that Tranche are represented by a Temporary Global Instrument, the related interest payment will be made on the Temporary Global Instrument only to the extent that certification as to the beneficial ownership thereof as required by U.S. Treasury regulations (in substantially the form set out in the Temporary Global Instrument or in such other form as is customarily issued in such circumstances by the relevant clearing system) has been received by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other relevant clearing system which may be specified in the Final Terms. Payments of amounts due in respect of a Permanent Global Instrument will be made through Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other relevant clearing system without any requirement for certification.
(4) Exchange for Definitive Instruments: Interests in a Permanent Global Instrument will be exchanged (subject to the period allowed for delivery as set out in (i) below), in whole but not in part only and at the request of the holder of such Global Instrument (in the case of (a), (b) or (c)) or the relevant Issuer (in the case of (d)), for Definitive Instruments (a) if Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other relevant clearing system is closed for business for a continuous period of 14 days (other than by reason of legal holidays) or announces an intention permanently to cease business or (b) any of the circumstances described in Condition 8.1 or 8.3, as appropriate, occurs or (c) at any time on the request of the bearer, if so specified in the Final Terms or (d) at the option of the relevant Issuer at any time. Whenever a Permanent Global Instrument is to be exchanged for Definitive Instruments, the relevant Issuer shall procure the prompt delivery of such Definitive Instruments, duly authenticated and where and to the extent applicable, with Receipts, Coupons and Talons attached (each as defined in Condition 1.2 and Condition 1.3), in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Permanent Global Instrument to the holder of the Permanent Global Instrument against its surrender at the specified office of the Issue and Paying Agent within 30 days of the holder or such relevant Issuer, as appropriate, requesting such exchange.
Furthermore, if:
(i) Definitive Instruments have not been delivered in accordance with the foregoing by 5.00 p.m. (London time) on the thirtieth day after the holder or the relevant Issuer, as appropriate, has requested exchange; or
(ii) the Permanent Global Instrument (or any part thereof) has become due and payable in accordance with the Conditions or the date for final redemption of the Permanent Global Instrument has occurred and, in either case, payment in full of the amount of the Redemption Amount (as defined in Condition 7.10) together with all accrued interest (if any) thereon has not been made to the holder in accordance with the Conditions on the due date for payment,
then such Permanent Global Instrument (including the obligation to deliver Definitive Instruments) will become void at 5.00 p.m. (London time) on such thirtieth day (in the case of (i) above) or at 5.00 p.m. (London time) on such due date (in the case of (ii) above) and the holder of the Permanent Global Instrument will have no further rights thereunder (but without prejudice to the rights which such Holder or others may have under the EFG Hellas PLC Deed of Covenant or the EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Deed of Covenant, as the case may be). Under the EFG Hellas PLC Deed of Covenant or the EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Deed of Covenant, as the case may be, persons shown in the records of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg (or any other relevant clearing system) as being entitled to interests in the Instruments will acquire directly against the relevant Issuer all those rights to which they would have been entitled if, immediately before the Permanent Global Instrument became void, they had been the holders of Definitive Instruments in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Instruments they were shown as holding in the records of Euroclear and/or Clearstream, Luxembourg or other relevant clearing system (as the case may be).
47 (C) Amendment to Conditions
The Temporary Global Instruments and Permanent Global Instruments contain provisions that apply to the Instruments that they represent, some of which modify the effect of the Terms and Conditions of the Instruments set out in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus. The following is a summary of certain of those provisions:
(1) Meetings: The holder of a Global Instrument shall (unless such Global Instrument represents only one Instrument) be treated as being two persons for the purposes of any quorum requirements of a meeting of holders and, at any such meeting, the holder of a Global Instrument shall be treated as having one vote in respect of each minimum denomination of Instruments for which such Global Instrument may be exchanged.
(2) Cancellation: Cancellation of any Instrument represented by a Global Instrument that is required by the Conditions to be cancelled (other than upon its redemption) will be effected by reduction in the principal amount of the relevant Global Instrument.
(3) Purchase: Instruments represented by a Global Instrument may only be purchased by the relevant Issuer or, as the case may be, the Guarantor or any of its subsidiaries if they are purchased together with the rights to receive all future payments of interest and Instalment Amounts (if any) thereon.
(4) Issuer’s Options: Any option of the relevant Issuer provided for in the Conditions of the Instruments while such Instruments are represented by a Global Instrument shall be exercised by such relevant Issuer giving notice to the holders within the time limits set out in and containing the information required by the Conditions, except that the notice shall not be required to contain the serial numbers of Instruments drawn in the case of a partial exercise of an option and accordingly no drawing of Instruments shall be required. In the event that any option of the relevant Issuer is exercised in respect of some but not all of the Instruments of any Series, the rights of accountholders with a clearing system in respect of the Instruments will be governed by the standard procedures of Euroclear, Clearstream, Luxembourg or any other clearing system (as the case may be).
(5) Holders’ Options: Any option of the holders provided for in the Conditions of any Instruments while such Instruments are represented by a Global Instrument may be exercised by the holder of such Global Instrument, giving notice to the Issue and Paying Agent within the time limits relating to the deposit of Instruments with a Paying Agent substantially in the form of the notice available from any Paying Agent except that the notice shall not be required to contain the serial numbers of the Instruments in respect of which the option has been exercised, and stating the principal amount of Instruments in respect of which the option is exercised and at the same time presenting for notation the Global Instrument to the Issue and Paying Agent, or to a Paying Agent acting on behalf of the Issue and Paying Agent.
(6) Notices: So long as any Instruments are represented by a Global Instrument and such Global Instrument is held on behalf of a clearing system, notices to the holders of Instruments of that Series may be given by delivery of the relevant notice to the clearing system for communication by it to entitled accountholders in substitution for publication as required by the Conditions or by delivery of the relevant notice to the holder of the Global Instrument except that so long as the Instruments are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the rules of that exchange so require, notice shall also be published in a leading newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the d’Wort).
(D) Partly Paid Instruments
While any Partly Paid Instalments due from the holder of Partly Paid Instruments are overdue, no interest in a Temporary Global Instrument representing such Instruments may be exchanged for an interest in a Permanent Global Instrument or for Definitive Instruments (as the case may be) and
48 no interest in a Permanent Global Instrument may be exchanged for Definitive Instruments. If any holder fails to pay any instalment due on any Partly Paid Instruments within the time specified, the relevant Issuer may forfeit such Instruments and shall have no further obligation to such holder in respect of them.
49 FORM OF FINAL TERMS
Pro Forma Final Terms for an issue under the Programme for the Issuance of Debt Instruments
Date: [ ] Series No.: [ ] Tranche No.: [ ]
EFG Hellas PLC EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited
€9,000,000,000 Programme for the Issuance of Debt Instruments
guaranteed by EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.
Issue of [Aggregate Principal Amount of Tranche] [Title of Instruments]
PART A – CONTRACTUAL TERMS
Terms used herein shall be deemed to be defined as such for the purposes of the Terms and Conditions of the Instruments set forth in the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus dated [date] which constitutes a base prospectus for the purposes of Directive 2003/71/EC (the “Prospectus Directive”). This document constitutes the Final Terms of the Instruments described herein for the purposes of Article 5.4 of the Prospectus Directive and must be read in conjunction with the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus. Full information on the Issuer and the Guarantor and the offer of the Instruments is only available on the basis of the combination of these Final Terms and the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus. The Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus is available for viewing on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s website at www.bourse.lu and copies may be obtained, free of charge, from the registered office of the Issuer and the Guarantor.
[Include whichever of the following apply or specify as “Not Applicable” (N/A). Note that the numbering should remain as set out below, even if “Not Applicable” is indicated for individual paragraphs or subparagraphs. Italics denote directions for completing the Final Terms.]
[When adding any other final terms or information consideration should be given as to whether such terms or information constitute “significant new factors” and consequently trigger the need for a supplement to the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus under Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.]
1. Issuer: [EFG Hellas PLC/EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited]
2. Guarantor: EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.
3. Status:
(a) of the Instruments: [Unsubordinated]/[Subordinated] [If nothing is specified, Instruments will be unsubordinated]
(b) of the Guarantee: [Unsubordinated (Condition 4A)/ [Subordinated (Condition 4B)]
4. Currency:
– of Denomination: [Specify]
50 – of Payment: [Specify]
(Condition 1.5)
5. Aggregate Principal Amount of Tranche: [Specify]
6. If fungible into an existing Series: [Specify details of existing Series and date from which fungible]
7. Issue Date: [Specify]
8. Issue Price: [ ] per cent.
9. Form of Instruments: Bearer
10. (a) Initially represented by a Temporary [Specify. If nothing is specified and these Final Global Instrument or Permanent Global Ter ms do not specify that the TEFRA C Rules Instrument: apply, Instruments will be represented initially by a Temporary Global Instrument]
(b) Temporary Global Instrument [Permanent Global Instrument/Definitive exchangeable for [Permanent Global Instruments]. [Specify Exchange Date] Instrument/Definitive Instruments only]:
(c) Permanent Global Instrument For Definitive Instruments [only] in the exchangeable: circumstances specified in “Provisions Relating to the Instruments whilst in Global Form” paragraph (4) [(a), (b) and (d) only. (clearing system failure, Event of Default/Subordinated Default Event and at the option of the Issuer)]/[(c) (and (d)). (at any time at the option of the Holder or the Issuer)]
(d) Coupons to be attached to Definitive [Yes/No] Instruments:
(e) Talons for future Coupons to be added [Yes/No] to Definitive Instruments: (Condition 1.2)
(f) Definitive Instruments to be in IPMA or [Yes/No. If nothing is specified Definitive successor’s format: Instruments will be security printed and in IPMA or successor’s format]
11. Denomination(s): [Specify] (Condition 1.4) (N.B. If an issue of Instruments is (i) NOT admitted to trading on a European Economic Area exchange; and (ii) only offered in the European Economic Area in circumstances where a prospectus is not required to be published under the Prospectus Directive, the €1,000 minimum denomination does not apply.)
12. Redenomination: [Not applicable/The provisions annexed to these Final Terms apply]
13. Partly Paid Instruments: [Yes/No] (Condition 1.6)
51 If yes, specify number, amounts and dates [Give details] for, and method of, payment of instalments of subscription moneys and any further additional provisions (including Forfeiture Dates in respect of late payment of Partly Paid Instalments)
PROVISIONS RELATING TO INTEREST (IF ANY) PAYABLE
14. Interest: [Interest bearing/Non-interest bearing] (Condition 6)
15. Interest Rate: [Specify rate (if fixed) or Floating Rate (if (Condition 6.2) floating) or ISDA Rate or formula.]
16. Relevant Screen Page: [Reuters Screen/Telerate/Other] page [ ] (Condition 6.3)
17. Relevant Margin: [Plus/Minus] [ ] per cent. per annum (Condition 6.3)
18. ISDA Rate: Issuer is [Fixed Rate/Fixed Amount/Fixed (Condition 6.4) Price/Floating Rate/Floating Amount/Floating Price] Payer.
19. Minimum Interest Rate: [ ] per cent. per annum (Condition 6.5)
20. Maximum Interest Rate: [ ] per cent. per annum (Condition 6.5)
21. Interest Payment Dates or (if the Applicable [Specify dates (or if the Applicable Business Business Day Convention is the FRN Day Convention is the FRN Convention) Convention) Interest Period: number of months]
22. Interest Period End Dates or (if the [Specify. If nothing is specified Interest Period Applicable Business Day Convention is the End Dates will correspond with Interest FRN Convention) Interest Accrual Period: Payment Dates]
23. Applicable Business Day Convention: [Specify, unless no adjustment is required in which case specify “No Adjustment”. Note that these conventions are only to apply for the purposes of accrual of interest. Thus, a fixed rate Instrument should normally specify “No Adjustment”, but for purposes of payment, a modification may be required to match a swap (see paragraph 41 – “Payments” below). Care should be taken to match the maturity date (as well as other key dates) of the Instruments with any underlying swap transaction. Since maturity dates do not automatically move with business day conventions under ISDA, it may be necessary to specify “No Adjustment” in relation to the maturity date of the Instruments to disapply the Applicable Business Day Convention.]
– for Interest Payment Dates: [ ]
52 – for Interest Period End Dates: [ ]
– for Maturity Date: [ ]
– any other date: [ ]
24. Relevant Financial Centres: [Specify any Relevant Financial Centres (Condition 6.9) which may be required for the purposes of the (Condition 10B.2) definition of Business Days (adjustment of Interest Payment Dates and Interest Period End Dates for accrual – not usually relevant for fixed rate Instruments, see above at paragraph 29) and for the definition of Relevant Financial Centre Day (adjustment of dates for payment). If nothing is specified, the ISDA Definitions for the relevant currency will apply (see Condition 6.9 – definition of Relevant Financial Centre).
25. Day Count Fraction: [Specify] (Condition 6.9)
26. Interest Commencement Date: [Specify, if different from the Issue Date] (Condition 6.9)
27. Interest Determination Date: [Specify number of Banking Days in which (Condition 6.9) city(ies), if different from Condition 6.9]
28. Relevant Time: [ ][a.m./p.m.][Specify city] time (Condition 6.9)
29. Default Interest Rate: [Specify if different from the Interest Rate] (Condition 6.6)
30. Calculation Agent: [Name and specified office] (Condition 6.7)
31. Reference Banks: [Specify] (Condition 6.9)
32. If non-interest bearing:
– Amortisation Yield: [Specify]
– Rate of interest on overdue amounts: [Specify, if not the Amortisation Yield]
– Day Count Fraction: [Specify for the purposes of Condition 6.10 and Condition 7.11] PROVISIONS RELATING TO REDEMPTION
33. Maturity Date: [Specify date (or Interest Payment Date (Condition 7.1) occurring in month and year if FRN Convention applies)]
[If the issue proceeds are received by the Issuer in the United Kingdom and the Maturity Date is less than one year from the Issue Date, the Instruments must have a minimum redemption value of £100,000 (or its equivalent in other currencies) and be sold
53 only to “professional investors” (or another applicable exemption from section 19 of the FSMA must be available).]
34. Dates for payment of Instalment Amounts [Specify dates (or Interest Payment Dates (Instalment Instruments): occurring in months and years if FRN (Condition 7.1) Convention applies)
35. Maturity Redemption Amount: [Specify, if not the Outstanding Principal (Condition 7.1) Amount] (N.B. If the Maturity Redemption Amount is less than 100% of the nominal value, the Instruments will constitute derivative securities for the purposes of the Prospectus Directive and the requirements of Annex XII to the Prospectus Directive Regulation No. 809/2004 will apply)
36. Instalment Amounts: [Specify] (Condition 7.1)
37. Early Redemption for Taxation Reasons: (Condition 7.2)
Early Redemption Amount (Tax): [Specify, if not the Outstanding Principal Amount or, in the case of any Instruments which are non-interest bearing, the Amortised Face Amount]
38. Optional Early Redemption (Call): [Yes/No].[If yes specify any specific conditions (Condition 7.3) required to permit such Optional Early Redemption]
(a) Early Redemption Amount (Call): [Specify, if not the Outstanding Principal Amount or, in the case of any Instruments which are non-interest bearing, the Amortised Face Amount]
(b) Series redeemable in part: [Specify, otherwise redemption will only be permitted of entire Series]
(c) Call Option Date(s)/Call Option Period: [Specify]
(d) Maximum Redemption Amount: [None/Specify] (Condition 7.5)
(e) Minimum Redemption Amount: [None/Specify] (Condition 7.5)
39. Optional Early Redemption (Put): [Yes/No] (Condition 7.6) N.B. Only available for Unsubordinated Instruments
(a) Early Redemption Amount (Put): [Specify, if not the Outstanding Principal Amount or, in the case of any Instruments which are non-interest bearing, the Amortised Face Amount]
(b) Put Date(s)/Put Period: [Specify]
54 40. [Events of Default (Condition 8.1)/ Subordinated Default Events (Condition 8.3)]:
(a) Early Termination Amount: [Specify, if not the Outstanding Principal Amount or, in the case of any Instruments which are non-interest bearing, the Amortised Face Amount]
(b) Any additional (or modifications to) [Specify] [Events of Default/Subordinated Default Events]:
41. Payments: (Condition 10)
(a) Unmatured Coupons missing upon [Specify whether paragraph (i) or paragraph Early Redemption: (ii) of Condition 10A.5 applies. If nothing is specified paragraph (i) will apply to fixed rate or fixed coupon amount Instruments and paragraph (ii) will apply to floating rate or variable coupon amount Instruments]
(b) Specify any modification to the [Specify whether, e.g. the Modified Following adjustment provisions for payment Business Day Convention should apply for dates: purposes of payment]. (Condition 10A.4):
42. Replacement of Instruments: [Specify Replacement Agent, if other than (or (Condition 13) in addition to) the Issue and Paying Agent]
43. Notices: [Specify any other means of effective (Condition 15) communication]
DISTRIBUTION
44. Name and address of Dealer/Lead Manager: [Name and address]
45. Syndicated [Yes/No]
46.If syndicated, names and addresses of [Names and addresses and underwriting other Dealers/Managers (if any) and commitments] underwriting commitments: [Include names and addresses of entities agreeing to underwrite the issue on a firm commitment basis and names and addresses of the entities agreeing to place the issue without a firm commitment or on a “best efforts” basis if such entities are not the same as the Dealers/Managers.]
47. Date of Subscription Agreement: [Specify]
48. Total commission and concession: [ ] per cent. of the Aggregate Principal Amount
49. Selling Restrictions:
55 United States of America: Regulation S, Category 2 restrictions apply to the instruments
[Specify whether the Instruments are subject to TEFRA C or TEFRA D Rules. In the absence of specification TEFRA D Rules will apply]
Other: [Specify any modifications of or additions to selling restrictions contained in Dealership Agreement]
50. Stabilising Institution: [In connection with the issue of any Tranche of Instruments, [name of Stabilising Institution] (or persons acting on behalf of [name of Stabilising Institution] may over-allot Instruments (provided that, in the case of any Tranche of Instruments to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, the aggregate principal amount of Instruments allotted does not exceed 105 per cent. of the aggregate principal amount of the relevant Tranche) or effect transactions with a view to supporting the market price of the Instruments at a level higher than that which might otherwise prevail. However, there is no assurance that [name of Stabilising Institution] (or persons acting on behalf of [name of Stabilising Institution]) will undertake stabilisation action. Any stabilisation action may begin on or after the date on which adequate public disclosure of the terms of the offer of the relevant Tranche of Instruments is made and, if begun, may be ended at any time, but it must end no later than the earlier of 30 days after the issue date of the relevant Tranche of Instruments and 60 days after the date of the allotment of the relevant Tranche of Instruments.]
FURTHER INFORMATION
51. Other Relevant Terms and Conditions: [ ]
[When adding any other final terms, consideration should be given as to whether such terms constitute “significant new factors” and consequently trigger the need for a supplement to the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus under Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.]
56 RESPONSIBILITY
The Issuer and the Guarantor accept responsibility for the information contained in these Final Ter ms.
[EFG HELLAS PLC
By: ...... Authorised Signatory
Date:...... ]
[EFG HELLAS (CAYMAN ISLANDS) LIMITED
By: ...... Authorised Signatory
Date:...... ]
EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A.
By: ...... Authorised Signatory
Date: ......
PART B – OTHER INFORMATION *
[1. ADDITIONAL RISK FACTORS [Include any product specific risk factors which are not covered under “Risk Factors” in the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus. If any such additional risk factors need to be included consideration should be given as to whether they constitute “significant new factors” and consequently trigger the need for a supplement to the Prospectus under Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.]]
2. LISTING
(i) Listing: [Yes/No] [If Yes, specify which Stock Exchange(s)]
(ii) Admission to trading: [Application has been made for the Instruments to be admitted to trading on [ ] with effect from [ ].] [Not Applicable.]
57 [Where documenting a fungible issue need to indicate that original securities are already admitted to trading.]
3. RATINGS
Ratings: The Instruments to be issued have been rated:
[S & P: [ ]] [Moody’s: [ ]] [Fitch: [ ]] [[Other]: [ ]]
[Include here a brief explanation of the meaning of the ratings if this has previously been published by the rating provider.]
[The above disclosure should reflect the rating allocated to Instruments of the type being issued under the Programme generally or, where the issue has been specifically rated, that rating.]
[4. NOTIFICATION
The [name of competent authority in home Member State] [has been requested to provide/has provided - include first alternative for an issue which is contemporaneous with the update of the Programme and the second alternative for subsequent issues] the [names of competent authorities of host Member States] with a certificate of approval attesting that the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus has been drawn up in accordance with the Prospectus Directive.]
5. INTERESTS OF NATURAL AND LEGAL PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE
[Save for any fees payable to the Dealers, so far as the Issuer is aware, no person involved in the issue of the Instruments has an interest material to the offer. - Amend as appropriate if there are other interests]
6. REASONS FOR THE OFFER, ESTIMATED NET PROCEEDS AND TOTAL EXPENSES
[(i) Reasons for the offer [ ]
[See “Use of Proceeds” wording in Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus – if reasons for offer different from making profit and/or hedging certain risks will need to include reasons here.]
[(ii)] Estimated net proceeds: [ ]
[If proceeds are intended for more than one use will need to split out and present in order of priority. If proceeds insufficient to fund all proposed uses state amount and sources of other funding.]
[(iii)] Estimated total expenses: [ ]. [Include breakdown of expenses]
58 [If Definitive Instruments specify that the Issuer must bear the cost of producing Definitive Instruments.]
[If the Instruments are derivative securities to which Annex XII of the Prospectus Directive Regulation No. 809/2004 applies it is only necessary to include disclosure of net proceeds and total expenses at (ii) and (iii) above where disclosure is included at (i) above.]
[7. YIELD (Fixed Rate Instruments only)
Indication of yield: [ ]
[Calculated as [include details of method of calculation in summary form] on the Issue Date.]
The yield is calculated at the Issue Date on the basis of the Issue Price. It is not an indication of future yield.]
[8. HISTORIC INTEREST RATES (Floating Rate Instruments only)
Details of historic [LIBOR/EURIBOR/other] rates can be obtained from [Telerate].]
[9. PERFORMANCE OF INDEX/FORMULA/OTHER VARIABLE, EXPLANATION OF EFFECT ON VALUE OF INVESTMENT AND ASSOCIATED RISKS AND OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THE UNDERLYING (Index-linked or other variable-linked Instruments only)
[Include a statement setting out the type of underlying and details of where information on the underlying can be obtained along with a clear and comprehensive explanation of how the value of the investment is affected by the underlying and the circumstances when the risks are most evident.]
[Include details of where past and future performance and volatility of the index/formula/other variable can be obtained.]
[Where the underlying is a security, include the name of the issuer of the security and the international security identification number or other such security identification code.]
[Where the underlying is an index, include the name of the index and a description if composed by the relevant Issuer or the Guarantor and if the index is not composed by the relevant Issuer or the Guarantor need to include details of where the information about the index can be obtained.]
[Where the underlying is an interest rate, include a description of the interest rate.]
[Where the underlying does not fall into the category of security, index or interest rate, include equivalent information.]
[Where the underlying is a basket of underlyings, include disclosure of the relevant weightings of each underlying in the basket.]
[Describe any market disruption or settlement disruption events that affect the underlying and details of any adjustments relating to events affecting the underlying.]]
59 [10. PERFORMANCE OF RATE[S] OF EXCHANGE AND EXPLANATION OF EFFECT ON VALUE OF INVESTMENT (Instruments with different Currency of Denomination and Currency of Payment, as specified in these Final Terms, only)
[Need to include details of where past and future performance and volatility of the relevant rates can be obtained and a clear and comprehensive explanation of how the value of the investment is affected by the underlying and the circumstances when the risks are most evident.]]
11. OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
(i) ISIN Code: [ ]
(ii) Common Code: [ ]
(iii) Common Depositary: [ ]
(iv)Any clearing system(s) other than [Not Applicable/give name(s) and number(s)] Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. and Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (together with the address of each such clearing system) and the relevant identification number(s): (v) Settlement Procedures: [Specify whether customary medium term note/ eurobond/other settlement and payment procedures apply]
(vi) Delivery: Delivery [against/free of] payment
(vii) Names and addresses of additional Paying Agent(s) (if any): [ ]
Notes: * If an issue of Instruments is (i) NOT admitted to trading on a regulated market within the European Economic Area and (ii) only offered in the European Economic Area in circumstances where a prospectus is not required to be published under the Prospectus Directive, the Issuer may elect to amend and/or delete certain of the above paragraphs of Part B.
60 USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds of the issue of each Tranche of Instruments will be applied by the relevant Issuer to meet part of the general financing requirements of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries. If in respect of any particular issue, there is a particular identified use of proceeds, this will be stated in the applicable Final Terms.
61 EFG HELLAS PLC
Introduction
EFG Hellas PLC was incorporated as EFG Finance PLC under the laws of England and Wales on 29 June 1999 as a public limited company with number 3798157. On 16 July 1999 the name of EFG Finance PLC was changed to EFG Hellas PLC. The registered office of EFG Hellas PLC is at 12 Hay Hill, London W1J 6DW and its telephone number is +44 (0) 20 7009 1825.
EFG Hellas PLC was acquired by EFG Eurobank S.A. (now EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. or the Guarantor) on 30 September 1999 and the share capital of EFG Hellas PLC continues to be held, directly or indirectly, by the Guarantor. EFG Hellas PLC does not, as at the date of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus, have any subsidiaries.
Directors
The Directors of EFG Hellas PLC and their respective business addresses and principal activities outside EFG Hellas PLC are as follows:
Name Business Address Principal activities outside EFG Hellas PLC Mr. D. Arhodidis 8 Othonos Street, Assistant Treasurer, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited
Mr. S. Jaquiss24 Grafton Street, Treasurer, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., London Branch London W1S 4EZ Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited
Mr. N. Karamouzis8 Othonos Street, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Chairman, EFG Telesis Finance S.A. Chairman, EFG Eurobank Securities S.A. Vice Chairman, EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. Director, EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. Director, Global Finance S.A. Director, Global Fund Management S.A. Director, Baring Hellenic Financial Investment Director, Kantor Management Consultants Director, Hellenic Exchanges Holding S.A. Director, Federation of Greek Industries
Mr. E, Karavias8 Othonos Street, General Manager & Treasurer, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Director, EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. Director, EFG Telesis Finance S.A.
Mrs. Y. Ralli8 Othonos Street, Advisor to Senior Management, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Director, EFG Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. Director, Intertrust Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. Director, EFG Eurobank Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. EFG Eurobank Ergasias International (C.I.) Ltd
Mr. A. Robertson24 Grafton Street, Treasurer, EFG Private Bank Limited London W1S 4EZ Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited
62 Mrs. A. Vogiatzi8 Othonos Street, Treasury Special Projects Manager, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited
Mrs. J. Zavakos8 Othonos Street, Treasury Special Projects Manager, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited
The Secretary of EFG Hellas PLC is Mr. M. Bryant.
EFG Hellas PLC has no employees or non-executive Directors.
EFG Hellas PLC is not aware of any potential conflicts of interest between the duties to EFG Hellas PLC of each of the members of the Board of Directors and his/her private interests or other duties.
To the best of its knowledge and belief, EFG Hellas PLC complies with the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom regarding corporate governance.
EFG Hellas PLC does not have an audit committee.
Activities
The share capital of EFG Hellas PLC was acquired, directly or indirectly, by the Guarantor (formerly EFG Eurobank S.A.) with the intention that EFG Hellas PLC should operate as a financing vehicle for the Guarantor and its subsidiaries. EFG Hellas PLC is a finance company whose sole business is raising debt to be deposited with the Guarantor on an arm’s length basis. EFG Hellas PLC is accordingly dependent on the Guarantor paying interest on the deposited balances. Under some issues, EFG Hellas PLC also enters into swap arrangements with third parties, with the Guarantor acting as credit support provider.
In August 2001 EFG Hellas PLC began issuing commercial paper. The notes and commercial paper outstanding have been guaranteed by the Guarantor. The net proceeds of the notes and commercial paper issued have been applied by EFG Hellas PLC to meet the general financing requirements of its immediate parent, the Guarantor, and its subsidiaries.
Share Capital
The authorised share capital of EFG Hellas PLC is £50,000. The issued and outstanding share capital of EFG Hellas PLC is £12,500, divided into 50,000 ordinary shares of £1 each, paid up as to 25p each. The issued share capital of £12,500 is reflected in the financial statements as €19,216 based on the prevailing exchange rate at 31 December 2002 of €1/£0.6505. The entire issued share capital of EFG Hellas PLC is owned by the Guarantor.
Corporate Objects
The corporate objects of EFG Hellas PLC are set out in paragraph 4 on page 1 of its Memorandum of Association. They include carrying on the business of a general commercial company or any trade or business whatsoever and borrowing or raising money by any method and obtaining any form of credit or finance (including by issuing securities of any kind). A copy of the Memorandum of Association is available for inspection at the registered office of EFG Hellas PLC and at the specified office of the Issue and Paying Agent and the Paying Agent in Luxembourg.
Dividends
At the Annual General Meeting on 10 June 2005, the shareholders of EFG Hellas PLC approved a dividend of €3,755,000. No dividend has been previously declared or paid since the date of incorporation of EFG Hellas PLC.
63 Selected Financial Information
Since the euro forms substantially the main currency in which business is transacted, EFG Hellas PLC changed its reporting currency from pounds sterling to euros with effect from 1 January 2003.
The following selected financial information has been extracted without material adjustment from the audited financial statements of EFG Hellas PLC for the year ended 31 December 2004, prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom. EFG Hellas PLC does not prepare interim financial statements.
Profit and Loss Account
31/12/04 31/12/03 e e 112311000 112311000 Interest receivable and similar income ...... 98,527 40,100 Interest payable and similar charges ...... (93,191) (40,040) Operating expenses ...... (47) – Foreign exchange losses ...... 11111 – 11111 (1) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation...... 5,289 59 Taxation on ordinary activities ...... 11111 (1,587) 11111 (18) Profit for the financial year ...... 3,702 41 aaaaa11111 aaaaa11111
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
31/12/04 31/12/03 e e 112311000 112311000
Profit for the financial year ...... 11111 3,702 11111 41 Total recognised gains and losses relating to the year ...... 3,702 41 aaaaa11111 aaaaa11111
Balance Sheet 31/12/04 31/12/03 e e 112311000 112311000
Current Assets Cash at bank ...... 4,876,131 2,527,060 Debtors: amounts falling due within one year ...... 11111 19,995 11111 8,706 4,896,126 2,535,766 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year ...... 11111 1,973,511 11111 1,173,594 Net current assets...... 11111 2,922,615 11111 1,362,172 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year ...... 11111 2,918,841 11111 1,362,100 Net assets ...... 3,774 72 aaaaa11111 aaaaa11111 Capital and reserves Called up share capital ...... 19 19 Profit and loss account ...... 11111 3,755 11111 53 Equity shareholders’ funds ...... 3,774 72 aaaaa11111 aaaaa11111
64 The information in the cashflow statement below has been extracted without material adjustment from the unaudited management accounts of EFG Hellas PLC as at 31 December 2004 and 2003 and has been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in accordance with ISRE (International Standards on Review Engagements) 2400.
Cashflow Statement 31/12/04 31/12/03 e e 112311000 112311000 Net cash flow from operating activities Interest received ...... 92,578 33,228 Interest paid ...... (81,989) (33,195) Cash payments to employees and suppliers ...... (47) (1) Increase in other assets ...... (5,340) (115) Increase in other liabilities ...... 112311 5,492 112311 109 11231110,694 112311 26 Taxation ...... 112311 (18) 112311 (5) Capital expenditure and financial investment 112311 112311 Deposits placed (net) ...... 112311 (2,343,837) 112311 (1,732,925) Financing 112311 112311 Issuance of loan notes (net) ...... 112311 2,338,395 112311 1,733,079 Net increase in cash ...... 5,234 175 112311 112311
65 EFG HELLAS (CAYMAN ISLANDS) LIMITED
Introduction
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited was incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands on 26 April 2002 as an exempted company with limited liability with number CR 117363. The registered office of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is at the offices of M&C Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309 GT, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and its telephone number is c/o Maples and Calder +44 (0) 20 7466 1600.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited held on 15 May 2002, the Directors approved the transfer and issue of shares in EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited to the Guarantor and the entire issued share capital of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited continues to be held directly by the Guarantor EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited does not, as at the date of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus, have any subsidiaries.
Directors
The Directors of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited and their respective business addresses and principal activities outside EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited are as follows:
Name Address Principal activities outside EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Mr. D. Arhodidis8 Othonos Street, Assistant Treasurer, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas PLC Mr. S. Jaquiss24 Grafton Street, Treasurer, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., London W1S 4EZ Director, EFG Hellas PLC
Mr. N. Karamouzis 8 Othonos Street, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas PLC Chairman, EFG Telesis Finance S.A. Chairman, EFG Eurobank Securities S.A. Vice Chairman, EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. Director, EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. Director, Global Finance S.A. Director, Global Fund Management S.A. Director, Baring Hellenic Financial Investment Director, Kantor Management Consultants Director, Hellenic Exchanges Holding S.A. Director, Federation of Greek Industries
Mr. F. Karavias8 Othonos Street, General Manager & Treasurer, EFG Euroban Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas PLC Director, EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. Director, EFG Telesis Finance S.A.
Mrs. Y. Ralli 8 Othonos Street, Advisor to Senior Management, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas PLC Director, EFG Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. Director, Intertrust Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. Director, EFG Eurobank Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. EFG Eurobank Ergasias International (C.I.) Ltd Mr. A. Robertson24 Grafton Street, Treasurer, EFG Private Bank Limited London W1S 4EZ Director, EFG Hellas PLC
66 Mrs. A. Vogiatzi8 Othonos Street, Treasury Special Projects Manager, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Athens, GR 10557 Director, EFG Hellas PLC 24 Grafton Street, Treasury Special Projects Manager, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. London W1S 4EZ Director, EFG Hellas PLC The Secretary of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is Mr. M. Bryant.
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited has no employees or non-executive Directors.
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is not aware of any potential conflicts of interest between the duties to EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited of each of the members of the Board of Directors and his/her private interests or other duties.
To the best of its knowledge and belief, EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited complies with the laws and regulations of the Cayman Islands regarding corporate governance.
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited does not have an audit committee.
Activities
The share capital of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited was acquired, directly or indirectly, by the Guarantor with the intention that EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited should operate as a financing vehicle for the Guarantor and its subsidiaries.
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is a finance company whose sole business is raising debt to be deposited with the Guarantor on an arm’s length basis. EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is accordingly dependent on the Guarantor paying interest on the deposited balances. In addition, some issues are coupled with a swap arrangement with the Guarantor, which are on an arm’s length basis.
Share Capital
The authorised share capital of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is US$50,000, divided into 50,000 ordinary shares of US$1 each. The issued and outstanding share capital of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is US$15,001, divided into 49,999 ordinary shares of US$1 each, paid up as to US$0.30 each and one ordinary share of US$1, fully paid up. The issued share capital of US$15,001 is reflected in the financial statements as €16,436 based on the prevailing exchange rate of €1/US$0.9127 on the date of issue. The entire issued share capital of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is owned by the Guarantor.
Corporate Objects
The corporate objects of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited are set out in paragraph 3 on page 1 of its Memorandum of Association. The objects for which EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is established are unrestricted and the company shall have full power and authority to carry out any object not prohibited by the Companies Law (2001 Second Revision) or as the same may be revised from time to time, or any other law of the Cayman Islands. A copy of the Memorandum of Association is available for inspection at the registered office of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited and at the specified office of the Issue and Paying Agent and the Paying Agent in Luxembourg.
Dividends
Since the date of incorporation of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, no dividends have been declared or paid.
67 Selected Financial Information
Since the euro forms substantially the main currency in which business is transacted, the financial information of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited is reported in euros.
The following selected financial information has been extracted without material adjustment from the audited financial statements of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited for the year ended 31 December 2004, prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards in the United Kingdom. EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited does not prepare interim financial statements.
Profit and Loss Account
31/12/04 31/12/03 112311€000 112311 €000 Interest receivable and similar income...... 13,298 1,042 Interest payable and similar charges ...... (13,285) 1,042 Operating expenses ...... (24) – Foreign exchange losses ...... 112311 (1) 112311 (2) Loss on ordinary activities before taxation...... (12) (2) Taxation on loss on ordinary activities...... – – Loss for the financial year ...... (12) (2) aaaaa11111 aaaaa11111
Balance Sheet
31/12/04 31/12/03 112311€000 112311 €000 Current Assets: Cash at bank ...... 420,469 45,599 Debtors: amounts falling due within one year ...... 112311 4,290 112311 523 424,759 46,122 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year ...... 112311 55,840 112311 549 Net current assets...... 11111 368,919 11111 45,573 Creditors: Amounts falling due after one year ...... 112311 368,919 112311 45,561 Net assets...... 0 12 aaaaa11111 aaaaa11111 Capital and reserves Called up share capital ...... 16 16 Profit and loss account ...... 112311 (16) 112311 (4) Equity shareholders’ funds ...... 0 12 aaaaa11111 aaaaa11111
68 The information in the cashflow statement below has been extracted without material adjustment from the unaudited management accounts of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited as at 31 December 2004 and 2003 and has been reviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in accordance with ISRE (International Standards on Review Engagements) 2400.
Cashflow Statement 31/12/04 31/12/03 e e 112311000 112311000 Net cash flow from operating activities Interest received ...... 9,531 732 Interest paid ...... (9,640) (581) Cash payments to employees and suppliers ...... (25) (2) Increase/(Decrease) in other liabilities ...... 112311 60 112311 (126) 112311(74) 112311 23 Capital expenditure and financial investment 112311 112311 Deposits placed (net) ...... 112311 (374,862) 112311 (34,586) Financing 112311 112311 Issuance of loan notes (net) ...... 112311 374,944 112311 34,560 Net increase (decrease) in cash ...... 8 (3) 112311 112311
69 EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A.
Overview
EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. (“EFG Eurobank” or the “Bank”) is the third largest bank in Greece in terms of assets, loans and deposits. EFG Eurobank’s registered office is at 8 Othonos Street, Athens 10557, Greece and its telephone number is +30 210 333 7000.
EFG Eurobank operates in the retail banking, small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”), investment banking, capital markets, private banking and asset management sectors, providing a wide range of banking and financial services to its individual and corporate clients. EFG Eurobank is also active in the wider financial services sector, with a presence in insurance, real estate and payroll services.
EFG Eurobank operates a distribution network that includes approximately 300 branches, 70 mini- branches, approximately 700 ATMs and telephone and electronic banking distribution channels. These provide EFG Eurobank with a nation-wide distribution capability through which it offers an increasing array of products and services.
EFG Eurobank is part of the EFG Bank Group, which consists of banks and financial services companies. The ultimate parent company is EFG Bank European Financial Group, a bank incorporated in Switzerland, which owns 41.2 per cent. of the shares in EFG Eurobank. The remainder of EFG Eurobank’s shares are owned by private and institutional investors. All the voting power at general meetings of EFG Bank European Financial Group is held by Latsis family interests.
EFG Eurobank is a public company under Greek law, listed on the Athens Stock Exchange (the “ASE”) since April 1999. It is subject to regulation and supervision by the Bank of Greece and, indirectly on a consolidated basis via the EFG Bank Group, by the Federal Banking Commission of Switzerland. EFG Eurobank is also regulated by the Hellenic Capital Markets Commission.
History of EFG Eurobank
EFG Eurobank was incorporated in Greece on 11 December 1990 with a limited duration until 31 December 2100 under the name “Euromerchant Bank S.A.”. It changed its name to “EFG Eurobank S.A.” in 1997 when all the banks of the EFG Bank Group were unified for marketing purposes under the ‘‘EFG’’ brand-name. Following the 7 September 2000 merger with Ergobank, EFG Eurobank changed its name to “EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.” EFG Eurobank is registered in the Company Registry of the Municipality of Athens under registration number 6068/06/B/86/07.
The financial services sector in Greece has undergone a period of significant deregulation, which commenced in the mid-1980s. In the context of the liberalisation of the Greek banking industry that had taken place by the end of 1990, EFG Eurobank was launched as a niche bank specialising in the merchant banking and private banking sectors in Greece. In this regard, EFG Eurobank concentrated on medium and large-sized enterprises, providing working capital facilities and trade finance services, and later, arranging syndicated loans and private placements of equity and debt, and advising upon and underwriting public offerings on ASE. EFG Eurobank’s private banking and asset management activities also evolved, primarily supported by the expertise in these areas within the wider EFG Bank Group.
With deregulation specifically targeted at retail lending in the mid-1990s, EFG Eurobank developed into a full-service bank with a focus on retail banking. In this context, EFG Eurobank commenced its expansion programme through its strategic acquisitions which resulted in expansion of its then 7 branch network.
70 1990 Establishment of Euromerchant Bank S.A., specialising in investment and private banking services
1994 Acquisition of 75 per cent. of EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A.
1996 Acquisition of Interbank Greece S.A., with a network of 23 branches, from parent company Consolidated Eurofinance Holdings S.A. (“CEH”)
1997 Eurobank – Interbank merger Acquisition of the branch network of Credit Lyonnais Grece S.A. Euromerchant Bank is renamed “EFG Eurobank S.A.”
1998 Acquisition of a controlling stake in Bank of Athens CEH acquires 99.8 per cent. of Cretabank CEH and EFG Eurobank jointly acquire a stake of 18.4 per cent. in Ergobank Deutsche Bank acquires a 10 per cent. participation in EFG Eurobank
1999 Cretabank is transferred to EFG Eurobank EFG Eurobank – Bank of Athens merger through share exchange Initial Public Offering of EFG Eurobank shares and listing on the Athens Stock Exchange EFG Eurobank – Cretabank merger CEH acquires 50.1 per cent. in Ergobank following a public offering
2000 EFG Eurobank – Ergobank merger New entity is renamed “EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.” Acquisition of a 19.25 per cent. participation in Banc Post S.A. Romania
2002 EFG Eurobank Ergasias – Telesis Investment Bank merger Participation in Banc Post Romania raised to 36.25 per cent. Acquisition of 50 per cent. in Alico/CEH Balkan Holdings leads to a 43 per cent. participation in Post Bank Bulgaria Announcement of intention to acquire listed closed-end funds Ergoinvest S.A. and Investment Development Fund S.A.
2003 Acquisition of a 68 per cent. controlling stake in Post Banka AD Serbia Merger through absorption of Ergoinvest S.A. by EFG Eurobank Ergasias Participation in Banc Post Romania raised to 53.25 per cent. Merger by absorption of Investment Development Fund S.A. by EFG Eurobank Ergasias Participation in Postbanka AD Serbia increased to 90.8 per cent., entity renamed “EFG Eurobank AG Beograd” Disposal of the Bank’s stake held by Deutsche Bank. Participation of institutional investors raised to 22 per cent. of total Establishment of Euroline Retail Services (Romania) – 80 per cent. Eurobank Cards and 19.961 per cent. Banc Post Establishment of Eurocredit Retail Services (Cyprus) – 100 per cent. subsidiary of Eurobank Cards
2004 Participation in Post Bank Bulgaria raised to 96.74 per cent. through the acquisition of the remaining 50 per cent. of Alico/CEH Balkan Holdings Participation in EFG Eurobank Beograd AD raised to 93.54 per cent. Participation in Banc Post Romania raised to 55.3 per cent. Establishment of Euroline Retail Services AD (Serbia) – 100 per cent. subsidiary of Eurobank Cards Acquisition of INTERTRUST Mutual Fund Management Company
2005 Acquisition of Turkish HC Istanbul
71 Recent Events
The Greek Progress Fund
In June 2005 the management of EFG Eurobank and of The Greek Progress Fund closed-end investment company announced their intention to merge, whereby EFG Eurobank will absorb The Greek Progress Fund. The proposed share exchange rate will be 7.9 Progress Fund shares for each EFG Eurobank share. Before the absorption, the Progress Fund will proceed with distributing one bonus share for every 10 existing shares and with a rights issue for 14 new shares for every 11 old shares at €2.88 per share. This corresponds to a €130 million share capital increase. The Bank has committed to subscribing for any unallocated shares of the rights issue.
Completion of the merger is subject to the required approvals of the Boards of Directors and of the General Assemblies of the companies, which will be called upon to decide subsequent to the opinion of independent audit firms on the fairness of the share exchange ratio. Furthermore, completion of the merger is subject to the approval of the relevant supervisory authorities.
Themeleion II
In June 2005 EFG Eurobank proceeded with the second securitisation of residential mortgage loans through the sale of the assets to Themeleion II Mortgage Finance Plc, a special purpose entity, and the issue of residential mortgage backed securities. The total size amounts to €750 million at an average funding cost of three month Euribor + 17.5 basis points for seven years.
Strategy
The primary goal of EFG Eurobank is to be the bank of first choice in Greece and a strong regional player in order to create long-term value for its shareholders. To achieve this goal, EFG Eurobank maintains its customer focus, providing modern, flexible products and services that meet the constantly evolving needs of customers. The strategy of EFG Eurobank may be summarised as follows: • emphasis on high-growth, high-margin market segments, such as retail banking, lending to small- and medium-sized enterprises, asset management and investment banking; • continuation of organic growth and reduction of operational costs through investments in new, improved infrastructure and innovative products; and • expansion of business model in selective countries of South-eastern Europe.
Banking Activities
The Bank’s targeted client base includes retail clients, small and medium sized enterprises and companies, large corporations, high net worth individuals, private and institutional investors and the Greek Government.
Retail Banking
The asset side of retail banking in Greece is quite underdeveloped compared to other major European countries. Retail banking currently contributes a significant portion (approximately 55 per cent.) of EFG Eurobank’s total revenues. In Greece, liberalisation of the banking system and the recent rapid reduction of interest rates have stimulated the development of consumer credit, housing loans and small business start-ups.
EFG Eurobank’s success in the Greek retail banking field is due to the innovative nature and the quality of its products, its initiative regarding alternative methods for rendering services and the provision of individualised client service. These competitive advantages have been gained with the support of state-of-the-art technological infrastructure, in which the Bank has made substantial
72 investments over time, but mainly through the supremacy of EFG Eurobank’s people in terms of know-how and productivity. The retail banking arm of EFG Eurobank is divided into the following product areas:
Consumer Lending – Loans and Credit Cards
EFG Eurobank is the leading consumer lending provider in the Greek market, according to aggregate statistics furnished by the Bank of Greece. The bank holds the leading position in consumer finance with a 30 per cent. market share, followed by National Bank, which holds 21 per cent. of the market. Consumer finance services are offered through the branch network and EFG Eurobank’s wholly owned subsidiary, Eurobank Cards S.A. EFG Eurobank offers a variety of consumer finance solutions including revolving loans, amortised personal loans, consumer loans (vehicle and durable goods financing) and a wide range of credit card products (Visa, MasterCard, proprietary brand Euroline, co-branded, affinity, private label). EFG Eurobank’s lending products rely on flexibility, service, speed and multiple channels of distribution. EFG Eurobank has developed affiliations with major retailers for the provision of “fast credit” to consumers who seek to purchase goods by opening credit on the spot at a given retailer’s establishment. The retailers participating in EFG Eurobank’s fast credit programme are able to fax or transfer via the internet consumer loan applications and information to EFG Eurobank’s central credit centre and may receive approval in approximately 20 minutes for extending lines of credit, on behalf of EFG Eurobank. Loans and card applications are processed centrally, according to EFG Eurobank’s approval procedure and credit policy. Facing consumer credit liberalisation, EFG Eurobank has in place advanced risk management tools in order to sustain and further enhance consumer portfolio quality. New rational relationship-based credit approval criteria incorporating total bank exposure, redefined risk thresholds, aggressive collections and legal/remedial management, as well as adequate provisioning, ensure predictable and sustainable earnings.
In line with EFG Eurobank’s strategic international expansion, Eurobank Cards’ successful business model is being replicated in South Eastern Europe. With fast growing, closely monitored consumer lending subsidiaries in Bulgaria, Cyprus, Romania and Serbia, EFG Eurobank is setting the foundation for profitable international expansion, establishing its position as a key market player in the region.
EFG Eurobank’s management anticipates growth to continue substantially in its consumer lending activities. The Greek market is reaching maturity but is far from saturated. Consumer lending in Greece, as at the end of 2004, represented 10.3 per cent. of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), whilst the European average stood at 16 per cent. Moreover, the recent liberalisation of consumer lending has revealed a growth acceleration trend both in disbursements and outstanding balances.
Mortgage Lending
EFG Eurobank is very active in mortgage lending, predominantly for residential real estate and, to a lesser extent, for commercial real estate of its corporate banking clients. EFG Eurobank began its mortgage lending activities in 1996. Since its inception, the mortgage lending business has been growing quickly. In mortgage financing Eurobank ranks third with a market share of 12.5 per cent., being quite close to the second position, held by Alpha Bank.
EFG Eurobank’s range of mortgages spans a variety of fixed, variable and variable-fixed rate mortgages for maturities up to 30 years for residential mortgages and 10 years for commercial real estate. Mortgages may be prepaid subject to nominal penalties or refinanced. The Bank has its own team of specialist valuation experts under the supervision of EFG Eurobank Properties S.A., EFG Eurobank’s real estate management subsidiary, that provides surveying services to prospective mortgage loan customers. The standard loan-to-value ratio with respect to EFG Eurobank’s mortgage loans is up to 75 per cent. for residential properties and up to 65 per cent. for commercial properties. In some cases, the loan-to-value ratio may reach 100 per cent. The vast majority of mortgages give EFG Eurobank first lien over the relevant underlying property. Mortgage
73 loans are not granted for development properties, which are generally dependent for a significant portion of their value on future payment streams and, therefore, represent a significantly higher credit risk than EFG Eurobank’s residential and other commercial mortgage lending. As with its other lending processes, EFG Eurobank’s mortgage loan approval and collection process is centralised and based on uniform criteria which take into account, among other factors, the source and size of repayment income, the employment, tax and credit history of the proposed borrower and the size of the loan relative to the commercial value of the property. EFG Eurobank’s mortgage lending sector has had a strong record of non-default and timely payments.
Small Business and Professional Lending
EFG Eurobank was the first Greek bank to establish a Small Business Lending Unit, back in 1997 and actually enter this untapped market. Currently, it holds the leading position in the financing of small businesses with an estimated market share of 33 per cent. and outstanding balances of €3 billion. The target customer base comprises small commercial and service enterprises and self- employed professionals with annual revenues of up to €2.5 million. Products and services include revolving credit lines, amortising term loans, working capital facilities, financing of professional equipment and vehicles and mortgages for professional real estate. EFG Eurobank cross-sells other products and services, such as insurance, trade finance, letters of guarantee and point-of- sale (POS) services to its existing SBL clients.
Wealth Management
Mutual Funds
EFG Eurobank is the largest manager of mutual funds in Greece with a 33 per cent. market share and €10.5 billion AUM (assets under management). EFG Eurobank mutual funds have sustained their official rating by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) for a third year in a row, and continue to be the only Greek mutual funds to receive a rating according to the international rating agency’s high standards. A major development that marked 2004 was the acquisition of 100 per cent. of Intertrust Mutual Fund Management Company. EFG Eurobank’s success in this field is attributed to the persistent strategic decision to offer services that incorporate prudence and consistency in asset management by employing managers with great experience and an in-depth knowledge of their respective fields, product innovation (including but not limited to products incorporating capital guarantees and/or high annual income), security and promptness in transactions and the unceasing investments both in technology as well as support and education schemes.
Insurance
Insurance operations, in which EFG Eurobank already counts five years of involvement by selling bancassurance products through its branch network, registered high growth rates for 2004. The EFG Bank Group’s subsidiary insurance companies, EFG Life and EFG Insurance, have rapidly expanding and sound portfolios. The companies maintain increased reserves, while their investments overbalance total insurance liabilities. Intrinsic value is positive both in terms of existing portfolio and new production. Return on investment is high, and the management of the investment portfolio is effected through Asset Liability Matching techniques, as well as through advanced hedging techniques, maximising return.
EFG Eurobank offers integrated insurance solutions to specialised corporate and private client needs, through its subsidiary, EFG Insurance Services, one of the largest insurance brokers in the Greek market. The company performs thorough market research surveys, in order to propose the most appropriate and competitive solutions.
Asset Management
EFG Eurobank Asset Management is a specialised subsidiary of the Bank that provides asset management services for institutional and private clients, along with investment advisory services
74 to institutional clients in the Greek market. In 2004, the company established and enhanced its position, while funds under management were approximately €700 million.
Private Banking
EFG Eurobank has offered private banking services since its inception in 1990 and currently has one of the largest domestic private banking operations in Greece. The bank holds the leading position in private banking in Greece, managing €5 billion worth of assets. EFG Eurobank’s private banking operations cater for the savings, investment and credit needs of high net worth individuals, with a minimum investment of €300,000 in assets placed with EFG Eurobank. Domestically, there are ten independent private banking centres to cater specifically for the needs of its 5,000 private banking clients. Outside Greece, EFG Eurobank’s private banking customers are served through the seven private banks controlled by the EFG Bank Group. EFG Eurobank’s strategy is to ensure that it offers to its clients a comprehensive product portfolio, ranging from money market funds to more sophisticated products. Principal private banking services are international private banking, discretionary management and Europrofiles. The Bank offers also comprehensive “Total Wealth Management” facilities to its clients. It is the firm ambition of Eurobank Private Banking to maintain the position of “trusted advisor” for its clients and to continuously upgrade its standards and quality of service, at par with international standards and similar to those provided by famous overseas houses.
Wholesale Banking
EFG Eurobank’s activities for its business customers include traditional corporate banking products, leasing, factoring, syndicated loans, private placements of equity/debt and advisory services for mergers and acquisitions.
Large Corporates
This division of the Bank addresses the needs of customers with turnover greater than €25 million. EFG Eurobank’s key products consist of short-term financing, factoring, forfeiting and offshore revolving credit facilities and term loans. Large corporates are served through the two corporate centres in Athens and Thessaloniki. The main objective is to provide integrated services and specialised solutions to large corporate clients, catering to their credit, financial risk protection and investment management needs. In 2004, new products were designed which combine long-term financing options, protection from interest and exchange rate risks and the use of bond/syndicated loans and leasing products. These are the financial solution packages ‘‘Eurobank MELON’’, including Business Support, Foreign Exchange Risk Management, Interest Rate Risk Management and Business Development products.
Shipping Finance
EFG Eurobank has a relatively small exposure to the Greek shipping market. This is attributable to the constraints of international competition and to the very large average size of shipping loans, which carry more risk exposure than most corporate loans. EFG Eurobank’s loans and advances to shipping companies are comprised predominantly of secured shipping financings. EFG Eurobank expects to continue to target shipping clients primarily operating in Greece.
Lending to Medium-sized Enterprises (ME Lending)
EFG Eurobank is particularly strong in the financing of medium-sized enterprises. These are companies with turnover between €2.5 million and €25 million. Target sectors are manufacturing, trade, services and handicrafts companies; key products are trade finance, overdrafts, hedging, letters of credit and the financial solution package “Eurobank MELON’’. The network consists of 44 dedicated credit units called Business Centres, which support ME Lending and are located within selected branches.
75 Leasing Services
EFG Eurobank has a leading position in this segment. EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing has been active in the leasing industry for twelve years. In each of the past four years it was ranked first among leasing companies, counting almost 5,500 clients all over Greece. By 31 December 2004, the total value of leased assets amounted to €896 million. The leasing company provides a broad range of business leasing services, including leases for new and second-hand moveable capital equipment and the leasing of real estate property for business use (with a minimum duration of 10 years) and of commercial vehicles. Leasing activities are also targeted towards vendor leasing, such as providing lease-financing for vehicles and office equipment. EFG Eurobank has expanded its leasing activities in South-eastern Europe and, in 2004, established EFG Leasing E.A.D. in Bulgaria.
Factoring Services
EFG Eurobank offers factoring services through its subsidiary EFG Factors S.A., established in 2000. Products offered include forfeiting, reverse factoring and back-to-back factoring. In 2004, EFG Factors increased its market share by 3.5 per cent. to 27.6 per cent., consolidating its impressive presence in the market, counting approximately 310 suppliers, with the number of acquirers reaching almost 6,000.
Investment Banking and Capital Markets
EFG Eurobank provides directly and/or indirectly through its subsidiaries and affiliates, EFG Eurobank Securities S.A., EFG Telesis Finance S.A. (Telesis) and Global Finance S.A., a wide range of investment banking and capital markets services, including underwriting, private placements, corporate finance, brokerage, asset management, treasury, venture capital and research coverage in Greece. It also provides project financing services for large infrastructure works. In these areas, EFG Eurobank seeks to build upon its primary relationship areas, while benefiting from the expertise for packaging and distribution of tailor-made, synthetic products, built through its partnership with Deutsche Bank.
In 2004, EFG Telesis Finance remained the leading underwriter in the field of IPOs and private placements, capturing a market share of 29 per cent. Eurobank participated in eight out of ten public offerings for the year, all concerning private sector companies, being the Lead Underwriter and Financial Advisor in four and two out of ten respectively. The total amount of equity offerings in which the EFG Bank Group participated reached €110 million.
In Debt Capital Markets, EFG Telesis Finance retained its leading presence in the traditional field of syndicated and bond loan corporate financing, and expanded its geographical presence by arranging funding for major Balkan companies. Furthermore, it extended its operations to more complex financing areas, such as project finance and asset backed securitisation.
In equity brokerage, EFG Eurobank Securities continued to grow and sustained its dominant position, with a 15.3 per cent. share of the value of transactions on the ASE. As far as the Derivative Products Division is concerned, EFG Eurobank Securities remained for another year the top firm in the Derivatives Exchange of the ASE, with a market share of 15 per cent. The company continued its activities as a market maker in the listed futures and options on all Athens Exchange Indices (FTSE/ASE20, FTSE/MID40, EPSI50) as well as in single stock derivatives. The company has extended its activities as a broker not only in the Greek market but also in the largest international derivatives markets (EUREX, CME, CBOT, etc.).
Global Markets and Treasury Activities
EFG Eurobank’s treasury activities include foreign exchange, interest rate derivatives and bonds as well as liquidity management through its dealing rooms in Athens and London and the treasury division of its subsidiary banks in South-eastern Europe. The sales group is structured according
76 to international standards and has desks covering a wide range of customers and products. Customers include institutional customers, both in Greece and in Europe, large and medium-sized corporates and shipping clients, as well as individual clients of the private banking and retail divisions of EFG Eurobank. EFG Eurobank’s global markets division has developed capital markets and investment products geared to specific customer needs. An important contribution of the sales group was the development of “Melon”, a group of hedging products directed to the specific needs of medium to large corporate customers. Structured notes and deposits, foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity derivatives are among the products offered to customers.
EFG Eurobank has a leading position among Hellenic Republic primary dealers in the primary and secondary Greek sovereign bond market. EFG Eurobank is also active in exchange-traded interest rate and bond derivatives on EUREX, as well as in bond trading through EuroMTS. The Global Markets Division maintains an active participation in trading Western European corporate bonds and South-eastern European sovereign bonds. At the same time through the dealing rooms of its subsidiary banks in Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia, EFG Eurobank is developing similar strengths in the primary and secondary trading of sovereign bonds.
In 2004, the infrastructure of treasury operations of EFG Eurobank’s subsidiaries in Bulgaria and Romania were significantly upgraded. These treasury operations are active in the trading of interest rate and foreign exchange as well as local currency sovereign debt. Their main objectives are asset-liability management and servicing customers, including Greek corporations active in South Eastern Europe.
The EFG Bank Group has set strict trading limits on proprietary trading, which are monitored daily by the risk management division. Trading limits include counterparty exposure (according to credit risk assessment of each counterparty) as well as foreign country exposure limits and limits of concentrations of various maturities. Exposure concentration is controlled through exposure limits and a grading system for country exposures established by the Group Risk Unit. Market risk management guidelines include the close management of foreign exchange exposures and interest rate gaps in relation to EFG Eurobank’s capital. EFG Eurobank has in place a risk management system to permit the use of value-at-risk models to monitor risk in addition to the existing limits.
International Banking
The international strategy of EFG Eurobank aims at establishing the Bank’s leadership in South- eastern Europe, through the implementation of its successful domestic business model abroad, in a market of more than 50 million potential customers. The region shows substantial growth rates, which are expected to be sustained in the following years, since these countries are under transition to market economies, while some of them are poised for EU entry in the next expansion wave. Subsequent convergence is expected to cause further deregulation of individual sectors of the economy, and to stabilise political conditions in these countries, turning them into attractive destinations for new commercial activities and investment initiatives.
Having promptly recognised the banking opportunities and challenges presented by South-Eastern Europe, EFG Eurobank has already deployed major operations in three countries: Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia-Montenegro. In all three countries, the expansion strategy has been based on low-cost acquisitions of local banks with extended branch networks. EFG Eurobank’s strategy for expansion in these countries is based on three pillars: the export of products, services and Greek know-how in human resources management, the optimisation and development of distribution networks and the consolidation and upgrading of infrastructure in line with European banking standards.
Presently, EFG Eurobank holds 96.7 per cent. of Post Bank Bulgaria, 55.3 per cent. of Banc Post Romania and 93.5 per cent. of EFG Eurobank Beograd. EFG Eurobank intends to continue to expand its banking activities outside of Greece in selective neighbouring areas in which it may find operating efficiencies, such as South-eastern Europe, when favourable market conditions arise.
77 Distribution Channels
Branch Network
EFG Eurobank currently operates through approximately 300 branches. EFG Eurobank’s branches are located throughout Greece, in all major cities and in many towns, covering the major population centres in Greece. In addition, there is an active branch in London, operating in the local market.
EFG Eurobank has adopted a multi-channel approach to branch banking whereby certain branches are developed to cater specifically for special market sectors, such as retail banking, private banking and business lending to SMEs.
EFG Eurobank views branch specialisation as a competitive advantage, allowing EFG Eurobank’s clients to have access to customised services and assistance from bank employees who are trained to meet their particular requirements.
Open 24
EFG Eurobank also has a distribution network in Greece under the brand name “Open 24”. Small window-service outlets, numbering 70, are located around supermarkets, shopping centres and other public areas throughout Greece, offering cash withdrawal transactions, promotional information regarding EFG Eurobank’s consumer lending, mortgage lending, savings and mutual fund products, introductory guidance on internet banking, as well as the capability to service quickly certain types of credit card and loan applications. All approval processes for applications are centralised.
Telephone Banking
EFG Eurobank offers its customers certain banking services that can be conducted by telephone, serving as a complement to the services available through physical outlets. EFG Eurobank offers 24-hour telephone banking. This service is geared toward individual retail customers. In addition to direct telephone services, EFG Eurobank has implemented an automated telephone response system to handle services that do not require human resources, such as checking account balances or up-to-date information on stock prices.
Internet Banking
In February 2000, EFG Eurobank launched its internet banking service, the pilot programme for which began in November 1999. The relative low cost and speed with which customers can be served through the internet make internet banking services a cost-effective investment for EFG Eurobank. Currently, EFG Eurobank’s internet services allow customers to access their account balance information, pay credit card bills, transfer funds between their bank accounts, transfer funds to third-party accounts in Greece and abroad, obtain stock market information, trade in securities (subject to three-day clearing on ASE) and manage their investment portfolios on-line.
Telemarketing
EFG Eurobank is actively cross-selling its products through telemarketing. The telemarketers pro- actively approach retail banking customers, offering them services that complement their existing relationships with EFG Eurobank. For example, savings deposit account holders may be offered credit card, mortgage and consumer loan information. Cross-selling of products offers the opportunity for EFG Eurobank to increase its overall margin with respect to each customer by introducing existing clients to higher margin products.
78 Risk Management – Loan Approval Process
EFG Eurobank follows international best practices with a well-defined credit approval process, independent credit reviews and an overall effective risk management function. Segregation of duties dictates independence among staff responsible for the relationship, credit approval, disbursement and credit monitoring over the life of the loan or advance to customers. Executives of the EFG Bank Group review EFG Eurobank’s policies formally on an annual basis.
Despite the growth in loans and advances to customers in recent years, EFG Eurobank has not witnessed a significant increase in its bad loans on a proportional basis. This is attributable to a great extent to EFG Eurobank’s central approval process and the careful monitoring of the loan portfolio by EFG Eurobank’s Credit Control Sector, which performs continuous field reviews in the business units.
In the retail business, EFG Eurobank uses a credit scoring system. There are separate databases for consumer loans and credit cards, purchased from external providers and adapted to reflect EFG Eurobank’s own experience. In the case of consumer credit, a credit scoring system has been in operation since 1997.
In mortgage lending, EFG Eurobank employs strict lending criteria, including centralised approval, independent appraisals and reasonable repayment schedules based upon the borrower’s annual income. All valuations are performed by independent engineers and checked against values assessed by tax authorities. These tax valuations range from 20 per cent. to 50 per cent. below market value. Mortgage loan amounts are, on average, 75 per cent. of the market valuations, depending upon the independent appraisal and the borrower’s wherewithal. Most properties are located in Athens or the surrounding region.
With respect to small business loans, credit approval is based on centralised approval guidelines, clear guidelines on collateral, working capital financing through assignment of credit card receivables and foreign currency lending on a fully collateralised basis. All credit proposals are signed by both the small business lending managing officer and the branch manager. Approval at the branch level is from €75,000 to €350,000 depending on the branch. For larger facilities, central approval is required.
In wholesale lending, greater use is made of financial analysis. As regards large corporations, liquidity and financial strength are evaluated and unanimous committee approval is required. Most credit facilities are short-term. Collateral in respect of such credit facilities consists mainly of post- dated cheques. For Business Centre customers (medium-sized enterprises) the approval authority at the Business Centre level is up to €400,000 depending upon the quality of the collateral and for larger facilities, central approval is required. Collateral in respect of loans to medium-sized enterprises consists of mortgages, post-dated cheques and bills of exchange. The maximum approval limit of the Central Credit Committee for Corporate and Shipping clients is €85 million on an unsecured basis plus €30 million on a fully secured basis, for a total of €115 million. Larger facilities must be approved by three Executive Risk Committee members. All ship finance facilities are secured by mortgage of a vessel, assignment of revenues and insurance proceeds, corporate guarantees and, in most cases, the personal guarantee of the principal.
The evaluation of the wholesale lending portfolio is based on a credit rating system.
The credit rating system is used also for the calculation of provisions on a quarterly basis for the wholesale lending portfolio. Retail lending provisions are based on a delinquencies bucket (monthly) analysis. EFG Eurobank’s provisioning policy is reviewed semi-annually in line with business changes and the evolution in portfolio quality while the calculations of provisions are done on a monthly basis.
Unless formally reviewed and renewed, all credit limits automatically expire after 12 months, but in some cases may be extended to 18 months.
79 Within the investment banking and treasury divisions, EFG Eurobank adopts prudent underwriting criteria for public and private equity and debt issuance. Preliminary clearance for any proposal has to be given by the Investment Banking Committee. Underwriting approval is also required from the Investment Banking Committee before proceeding with any proposed transaction. EFG Eurobank’s direct participation in any syndicated loan or bond is outlined above. For corporate credits, the approval threshold is €1.5 million and for sovereigns, €14.5 million. Participation or underwriting in any public and private equity and debt issuance for more than €14.5 million must be approved by one or two non-executive members of the Board, depending upon the amount.
Risk Management – Credit Review Policies
The credit review process for EFG Eurobank is managed by the Credit Control Sector, which is responsible for post-approval control and inspection of the business credit portfolio. These procedures are conducted in co-operation with the Large Corporates Division and the regional business centres though the Credit Control Sector operates independently from any unit that originates loans and markets financial products and reports to the General Manager-Risk Executive.
Under EFG Eurobank’s risk rating system, wholesale borrowers are assigned designations of one out of nine risk categories, with the top four indicating satisfactory credit risks, the fifth category indicating that the borrower enters the watchlist (for potential creditworthiness problems), the categories from sixth to eighth indicating significant financial troubles or non-performing loans and the ninth relating to total loss loans.
Risk categories are assigned to borrowers based primarily upon the following criteria: • viability of the business; • financial results and structure of the borrower, based on indicators such as equity/debt ratio, liquidity and profitability ratios; • quality of management; and • industry sector prospects. In anticipation of the Basel 2 guidelines, for wholesale credits, EFG Eurobank is adopting the credit rating methodology of Moody’s Rating Advisor (MRA). The roll-out of MRA commenced in 2004 and the MRA scoring of all wholesale credits will be completed by mid-2005.
EFG Eurobank’s credit exposure to each borrower is subject to detailed reviews. In particular, the Credit Control Sector performs aggregate field reviews. Each individual case is reviewed at least once a year and if it enters the watchlist, it is reviewed once at least every six months. Credit reviews include consideration of the customer’s historical and forecast financial performance, balance sheet strength and cash flow, together with relevant local or industry trends and other external influences. These matters are considered in relation to the size, structure and maturity of the entire lending process.
A potential downgrade of the borrower is likely to trigger a series of actions by EFG Eurobank, including additional collateral or other guarantees and closer monitoring of such customers. When the review process places a customer in category five or lower, future lending and renewals of existing loans will be rejected. EFG Eurobank also complies with EU legislation concerning loan and equity exposures to single clients.
Non-Performing Loans
Under existing Greek law, a non-performing loan is one where interest or capital has not been paid for six months (regardless of the existence or value of collateral). However, EFG Eurobank has
80 stricter policies defining non-performing loans for the various business segments it operates.These are as follows: • for consumer and credit card loans, all loans with payments overdue for more than 90 days; • for mortgage loans and small business loans, this time period is extended to 180 days; small business loans are usually collateralised loans; • wholesale loans are categorised as non-performing as soon as there are serious doubts on their collectability (based on the quarterly watchlisted reports) and in any case if they are more than six months overdue.
EFG Eurobank’s total non-performing loans amounted to €571 million as at 30 September 2004 representing 2.9 per cent. of the EFG Eurobank loan portfolio (2.4 per cent. if the non-performing loans from the mergers with Bank of Athens and Cretabank are excluded) of the EFG Eurobank loan portfolio.
Monitoring of non-performing loans focuses mainly on ensuring that proper provisions are made in line with accounts progress (compliance with payment terms, progress of legal action, etc.). The task is executed by EFG Eurobank’s Non-Performing Loans Division with the co-operation of the Credit Control Sector.
Provisions for Possible Loan Losses
A credit risk provision for loan impairment is established if there is objective evidence that EFG Eurobank will not be able to collect all amounts due. The amount of impairment loss is calculated as the difference between the loan’s carrying amount and the present value of expected future cash flows. In addition, the provision for impairment losses for loans and advances covers losses where there is evidence that probable losses are present in components of the loan portfolio at the balance sheet date. These are estimated based on historical loss patterns in each component and the credit ratings allocated to the borrowers which are reviewed at least annually. All impaired loan portfolios are periodically reviewed and the allowance for credit losses is reassessed at least annually. EFG Eurobank follows a strict provisioning system that relates provisions either to credit risk ratings of wholesale borrowers or the number of days a retail borrower is in arrears.
Subsidiaries and Affiliates
In its effort to provide its clients with an active and competitive presence in all categories of financial products and services, EFG Eurobank has established specialised subsidiaries and forged alliances with other organisations for the joint development and distribution of products.
The shares in subsidiary undertakings held by EFG Eurobank as at 31 March 2005 are shown below:
Country of Subsidiary Undertakings % Incorporation Category of Business EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. 75.0 Luxembourg Financial institution EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing S.A. 100.0 Greece Leasing EFG Eurobank Securities S.A 100.0 Greece Capital markets and investment services Eurobank Cards S.A. 100.0 Greece Credit card management EFG Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. 87.5 Greece Mutual fund management Aristolux Investment Fund 98.5 Luxembourg Fund Management Management Company S.A.* Intertrust Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. 100.0 Greece Mutual fund management EFG Hellas PLC 100.0 United Kingdom Special purpose financing vehicle
81 Country of Subsidiary Undertakings % Incorporation Category of Business EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited 100.0 Cayman Islands Special purpose financing vehicle EFG Factors S.A. 100.0 Greece Factoring EFG Telesis Finance S.A. 100.0 Greece Investment banking EFG Business Services S.A. 100.0 Greece Payroll and advisory services EFG Eurobank Properties S.A. 50.1 Greece Real estate services EFG Insurance Services S.A. of 100.0 Greece Insurance brokerage Insurance Brokerage EFG Eurolife Life Insurance S.A. 100.0 Greece Insurance services EFG Eurolife General Insurance S.A. 100.0 Greece Insurance services EFG Eurobank Ergasias International 100.0 Channel Islands Off shore banking (C.I.) Ltd EFG Autorental S.A. 100.0 Greece Vehicle leasing and hire OPEN 24 S.A. 100.0 Greece Sundry services Be-Business Exchanges S.A. 68.7 Greece Business to business electronic commerce EFG Internet Services S.A. 100.0 Greece Internet and electronic banking ELDEPA S.A. 50.1 Greece Property rental Telesis Direct S.A. 100.0 Greece Consultancy EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. 100.0 Greece Asset management Bancpost S.A. 55.3 Romania Financial institution Bulgarian Retail Services A.D. 100.0 Bulgaria Credit card management Hellas on Line S.A. 100.0 Greece Internet and telecom services EFG Eurobank AD BEOGRAD 93.5 Serbia & Financial institution Montenegro CEH/Balkan Holdings Limited 100.0 Cyprus Holding company Bulgarian Post Bank AD 96.7 Bulgaria Financial institution Berberis Investments Ltd 100.0 Channel Islands Holding company Eurocredit Retail Services Ltd 100.0 Cyprus Credit card management Euroline Retail Services A.D. 100.0 Serbia Credit card management Euroline Retail Service S.A. 91.0 Romania Credit card management EFG Leasing E.A.D. 100.0 Bulgaria Leasing Eurobank Property Services S.A. 100.0 Greece Commercial property business EFG HELLAS FUNDING LIMITED 100.0 Jersey Special purpose vehicle EFG AUTO LEASING E.O.O.D. 100.0 Bulgaria Leasing Themeleion Mortgage Finance plc 0 United Kingdom Special purpose financing vehicle
Notes: * Not consolidated due to the immateriality of the company’s figures
Associates are accounted for in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Shown below are the principal associates of EFG Eurobank as of 31 March 2005.
Country of Subsidiary Undertakings % Incorporation Category of Business TEFIN S.A. 50.0 Greece Motor vehicle sales financing ZENON REAL ESTATE S.A. 25.0 Greece Property rental business Sofitel S.A. 20.2 Greece Hotelier Unitfinance S.A. 40.0 Greece Financing company
82 Country of Subsidiary Undertakings % Incorporation Category of Business Global Finance S.A. 49.9 Greece Financing company Global Fund Management S.A. 44.4 Greece Investment advisors Greek Progress Fund S.A. 48.4 Greece Closed–End Fund DIAS S.A. Investment Company 32.4 Greece Closed–End Fund Cardlink S.A. 50.0 Greece Management of automated transaction processes
EFG Eurobank and its material subsidiaries have been fully consolidated on the basis that the EFG Bank Group exercises control over the Board of Directors, management, policies and strategies of EFG Eurobank. There are no shareholder agreements or any other similar arrangements in place governing the exercise of EFG Bank European Financial Group’s control over EFG Eurobank. There are no arrangements existing or planned that would lead to a change in control of EFG Eurobank.
Information Technology
A central feature of EFG Eurobank’s strategy is to invest resources each year into the development of a modern IT infrastructure.
In 2001, EFG Eurobank completed its transition to a modern software system, ALTAMIRA, which constitutes the core of its computer applications. The ALTAMIRA system is used to support the operation of the volume of retail banking products, such as mortgages, consumer loans and credit cards. The system is client-focused, which corresponds to EFG Eurobank’s operational outlook. ALTAMIRA allows EFG Eurobank to manage client information, enabling it to calculate accurate statistics identifying those products which are under-represented in secondary relationships with certain customer markets in order to facilitate targeted cross-selling. Additionally, the system monitors the performance of tellers and other staff on an individual basis, which will assist EFG Eurobank in monitoring its profitability on the retail level.
Management
The Board of Directors of EFG Eurobank determines EFG Eurobank’s strategy and sets its operational goals. At the Ordinary General Meeting on 5 April 2004, shareholders elected a new Board of Directors of EFG Eurobank for a term of three years, which term is renewable.
At the above Ordinary General Meeting two independent non-executive directors of the Board of Directors were also appointed in accordance with the provisions concerning corporate governance (L.3016/ 2002). On 5 April 2004, the Board of Directors approved the constitution of the Board of Directors into a body and the appointment of executive and non-executive members to the Board of Directors, in accordance with the above provisions concerning corporate governance. The above resolutions by the Ordinary General Meeting and the Board of Directors are ratified by the Ministry of Development.
Following the above, the Directors of EFG Eurobank, their respective positions and principal activities outside EFG Eurobank are as follows:
Principal activities outside EFG Eurobank (31.12.2004) Name Position Company Position Xenofon K. Chairman – – Nikitas (Executive Director) George C. Honorary Chairman Global Finance S.A. Chairman Gondicas (Non-Executive Director) Global Fund Management S.A. Director Global Finance International Ltd Director EFG Telesis Finance S.A. Director Eurobank Cards S.A. Director
83 Principal activities outside EFG Eurobank (31.12.2004) Name Position Company Position Anna Maria First Vice Chairman SI Quadrilatere Director Louisa J. Latsis (Non-Executive Director) Arima S.A Director EFG Bank European Financial Group Director Societe D’Etudes Technique & Director Economiques S.A.
Lazaros D. Second Vice Chairman Foundation of the Hellenic World Chairman Efraimoglou (Non-Executive Director) Ardittos T.C. Holding S.A. Chairman & CEO Vivodi Telecommuniactions S.A. Director Nicholas C. Chief Executive Officer Eurobank Cards S.A. First Vice Nanopoulos (Executive Director) Chairman S & B Industrial Minerals S.A. Director EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. Director EFG Internet Services S.A. Director Byron N. Ballis Deputy Chief Executive EFG Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. Chairman Officer (Executive Eurobank Cards S.A. Chairman Director) EFG Eurolife Life Insurance S.A. Chairman EFG Eurolife General Insurance S.A. Chairman EFG Insurance Services S.A. of Chairman Insurance Brokerage EFG Business Services S.A. Director EFG Internet Services S.A. Director Open 24 S.A. Director Unitfinance S.A. Vice Chairman Tefin S.A. Vice Chairman Nicholaos V. Deputy Chief Executive EFG Telesis Finance S.A. Chairman Karamouzis Officer (Executive EFG Eurobank Securities S.A. Chairman Director) EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. Vice Chairman EFG Hellas Plc Director EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Ltd Director EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. Director Global Finance S.A. Director Global Fund Management S.A. Director Baring Hellenic Financial Investment Director Kantor Management Consultants Director Hellenic Exchanges Holding S.A. Director Federation of Greek Industries Director Stamos P. Independent Nea Tyhi S.A. Chairman Fafalios Non-Executive Director Panagiotis K. Independent Non- – – Lambropoulos Executive Director Fotis S. Non-Executive Director Butler Controls S.A. Director Antonatos Consolidated Lamda Holdings S.A. Director EFG Consolidated Holdings S.A. Director EFG Eurofinanciére d’Investissements Director S.A.M. EFG Exchange Holdings Limited Director General Construction & Development Director Holdings S.A. Interlatsco Luxembourg S.A. Director Ile de France Investissements S.A. Director Investissements Immobiliers Kirchberg Director S.A. Lamda Development S.A. Director Latsco Shipping Limited Director Matela Offshore Ltd Director
84 Principal activities outside EFG Eurobank (31.12.2004) Name Position Company Position Paneuropean Oil & Industrial Holdings Director S.A. Paneuropean Oil Holdings S.A. Director POIH Holdings Limited Director PrivatAir Holding S.A. Director PrivatAir S.A. Director Private Financial Investments Holding Director Limited SI Quadrilatere S.A. Director Stapleford Insurance Company Director Terrebourne Financial and Investment Director Corporation S.A. Unidale Investments Limited Director Vendome Overseas Investments S.A. Director Wimbledow International S.A. Director Emmanuel L. Non-Executive Director Consolidated Lamda Holdings S.A. Director Bussetil EFG Asset Management Limited Director EFG Consolidated Holdings S.A. Director EFG Corporate Finance Limited Director EFG Eurofinanciere d’Investissements Director SAM EFG Exchange Holdings Limited Director EFG Private Bank Limited Director EFG Bank S.A. (ex. EFG Private Bank Director S.A.) European Financial Group Limited Director General Constructions & Development Director Holdings S.A. Goodwater Limited Director Hayward Investments Limited Director Ile de France Investissements S.A. Director Lamda Development S.A. Director Latsco Shipping Limited Director Matela Offshore Ltd Director Ora Holdings Limited Director Paneuropean Oil & Industrial Holdings Director S.A. Paneuropean Oil Holdings S.A. Director POIH Holdings Limited Director PrivatAir Holding S.A. Director Private Financial Holdings Limited Director Private Financial Investments Holding Director Limited PrivatSea Holding S.A. Director Rosemead Finance Limited Director St Catherine Foundation Director Stapleford Insurance Company Director Terrebourne Financial and Investment Director Corporation S.A. Tierralta Holdings Corp. Director Vendome Overseas Investments S.A. Director Wimbledow International S.A. Director
Antonios G. Non-Executive Director Greek Progress Fund Chairman Bibas ELANET S.A. Director
85 Principal activities outside EFG Eurobank (31.12.2004) Name Position Company Position Dr. Spiros J. Non-Executive Director Consolidated Lamda Holdings S.A. Director Latsis EFG Bank European Financial Group Chairman Paneuropean Oil & Industrial Holdings Director S.A. PrivatSea Holding S.A. Director Societe d’Etudes Techniques et Director Economiques S.A. EFG Bank S.A. Director EFG Consolidated Holdings S.A Director EFG Eurofinanciere d’ Investissements Director SAM EFG Private Bank Limited Director Investissements Immobiliers Kirchberg Director S.A. POIH Holdings Limited Director Private Financial Holdings Limited Director Private Financial Investments Holdings Director Limited SGI- IC Director Pericles Petalas Non-Executive Director EFG Private Bank Limited Director EFG Private Bank S.A., Zurich Director EFG Private Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. Director Private Financial Holdings Limited Director Private Financial Investments Holdings Director Limited EFG Consolidated Holdings S.A. Director EFG Exchange Holdings Limited Director Terrebourne Financial and Investment Director Corporation S.A. EFG Investments (Guernsey) Limited Director EFG Asset Management S.A. Director Air Universal Ltd, BVI Director St Catherine Foundation Director European Financial Group EFG Chairman EFG Representative Office Limited Chairman Fondation du Centre Orthodoxe du Director Patriarcat Oecuménique EFG Investment Bank AB Director Haralambos M. Executive Director EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing S.A. Director Kyrkos EFG Eurobank Properties S.A. Chairman Bancpost S.A. Director Hellas on Line S.A. Chairman Be–Business Exchanges S.A. Chairman Eurobank Property Services S.A. Chairman (ex-Kydon) Zenon Real Estate S.A. Chairman ELDEPA S.A. Chairman Nicholas K. Executive Director Open 24 S.A. Director Pavlides EFG Internet Services S.A. Chairman Hellas on Line S.A. Vice Chairman Logic-Dis Director
The business address of each member of the Board of Directors of EFG Eurobank is 8 Othonos Street, Athens 10557, Greece.
The Board of Directors of EFG Eurobank has delegated management powers to an Executive Committee. The current members of the Executive Committee, their respective positions and principal activities outside EFG Eurobank are as follows:
86 Principal activities outside EFG Eurobank (31.12.2004) Name Position Company Position Nicholas C. Chairman As shown above Nanopoulos Byron N. Ballis Member As shown above Nicholaos V. Member As shown above Karamouzis George N. Member EFG Eurobank Cards S.A. CEO Alvertis EFG Eurolife General Insurance S.A. Director EFG Eurolife Life Insurance S.A. Director Be-Business Exchanges S.A. Director EFG Internet S.A. Director Bancpost S.A. Director EFG Eurobank AD BEOGRAD Director OPEN 24 S.A. Chairman Bulgarian Retail Services A.D. Vice Chairman Euroline Retail Services A.D. Chairman EuroCredit Retail Services Ltd Director Euroline Retail Services S.A. Chairman Visa Hellas S.A. Director Europay / MasterCard Director Unitfinance S.A. Director Tefin S.A. Director Cardlink S.A. Director Thimios Member EFG Asset Management Limited Director Bouloutas EFG Private Bank Luxemburg S.A. Director EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. Director Paula N. Member EFG Eurobank Cards S.A. Director Hadjisotiriou Logic Data Information Systems A.E. Director Fokion Karavias Member EFG Eurobank Asset Management S.A. Director
EFG Telesis Finance S.A. Director EFG Hellas PLC Director EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Director Evangelos Member Open 24 S.A. Vice Chairman Kavvalos EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing S.A. Director EFG Factors S.A. Director EFG Eurolife General Insurance S.A. Director Haralambos M. Member As shown above Kyrkos George Member Sofitel S.A. Director Marinos EFG Factors S.A. Director EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing S.A. Vice Chairman Nicholas K. Pavlides Member As shown above Michalis Member EFG Mutual Funds Mgt. Co. S.A. Director Vlastarakis EFG Business Services S.A. Director EFG Eurolife Life Insurance S.A. Director EFG Eurolife General Insurance S.A. Director EFG Eurobank AD BEOGRAD Director Bulgarian Postbank A.D. Director
The business address of each member of the Executive Committee of EFG Eurobank is 8 Othonos Street, Athens 10557, Greece.
EFG Eurobank is not aware of any potential conflicts of interest between the duties to EFG Eurobank of each of the members of the Board of Directors and the members of the Executive Committee listed above and his/her private interests or other duties.
87 Employees and Labour Relations
EFG Eurobank currently employs 6,722 staff members on a consolidated basis excluding the employees of the South-eastern European subsidiaries. When including Post Bank, Banc Post and EFG Eurobank Beograd, EFG Eurobank employed 13,720 staff members as at 31 December 2004. At 31 December 2003 EFG Eurobank employed 13,393 (8,699 excluding employees of South-eastern European subsidiaries) staff members. The integration and the reorganisation of EFG Eurobank’s branch network has resulted in economies of scale. In view of the latest developments in the banking industry, EFG Eurobank recruits and retains high calibre executive staff in positions of responsibility in EFG Eurobank.
Three employee unions are presently operating within EFG Eurobank, originating from the mergers with former Bank of Athens, Cretabank and Ergobank. The harmonisation of the conditions of employment ensures a fair and objective treatment on compensation issues and equal opportunities to all employees in the banking organisation.
Legal Matters
In the ordinary course of business, EFG Eurobank usually has, at any particular time, a number of legal and other proceedings in which EFG Eurobank or its subsidiaries are involved. Certain of these actions allege damages in large amounts. It is not possible for EFG Eurobank to know or predict with certainty the ultimate outcomes of the actions pending. However, EFG Eurobank believes that none of these actions, if adversely determined, would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its financial position.
88 FINANCIAL INFORMATION RELATING TO EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A.
Consolidated Balance Sheet for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2003
2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand ASSETS 1. Cash and balances with central banks ...... 1,199,341 1,089,014 2. Treasury bills and similar securities eligible for refinancing with central banks ...... 61,145 456,426 3. Loans and advances to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 288,874 260,330 b. Other loans and advances ...... 111311597,307 1113111,022,157 111311886,181 1113111,282,487 4. Loans and advances to customers ...... 16,804,647 13,758,613 Less: Provisions for doubtful debts ...... 111311(471,660) 111311(397,833) 11131116,332,987 11131113,360,780 5. Debt securities including fixed–income securities a. Issued by government ...... 6,724,400 5,594,420 b. Issued by other borrowers ...... 111311754,452 111311685,519 1113117,478,852 1113116,279,939 6. Shares and other variable-yield securities ...... 422,077 332,045 7. Participations in non-affiliated undertakings ...... 45,990 77,712 7. a. Investment in associated undertakings ...... 19,325 32,594 8. Participations in affiliated undertakings ...... 29 262 9. Intangible assets Other intangible assets ...... 222,397 223,318 Less: Amortisation of intangible assets ...... 111311(121,573) 111311(114,130) 111311100,824 111311109,188 10. Tangible assets a. Land ...... 68,665 65,710 b. Buildings ...... 439,805 506,034 Less: Depreciation ...... (139,831) (162,816) c. Furniture, electronic and other equipment ...... 322,830 212,514 Less: Depreciation ...... (205,511) (136,807) d. Other tangible assets ...... 11,258 9,680 Less: Depreciation ...... (2,839) (1,567) e. Fixed assets under construction ...... 11131159,180 111311123,903 111311553,557 111311616,651 13. Other assets ...... 318,800 472,019 14. Prepayments and accrued income ...... 111311610,808 111311513,121 TOTAL ASSETS ...... 28,029,916 24,622,238 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
NOTES: 1. The consolidated Financial Statements include EFG Eurobank Ergasias SA and the following subsidiary undertakings, which are fully consolidated: EFG Private Bank Luxembourg S.A., EFG Telesis Finance SA., Eurobank Cards SA., EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing SA., EFG Eurobank Properties SA., EFG Mutual Funds Co SA., EFG Insurance Services SA, EFG Hellas P.L.C., EFG Eurobank Securities SA., EFG Factors SA, EFG Property and Casualty Insurance SA., EFG Eurodevelopment Investments SA., Be-Business Exchanges SA., EFG Internet Services SA., ELDEPA SA, EFG Life Insurance SA., Alico / CEH Balkan Holdings Limited, EFG Business Services SA, EFG Quality Management Services SA., OPEN 24 SA., Autorental SA., EFG Eurobank Ergasias International (C.I.) LTD, Telesis Direct SA., EFG Eurobank Asset Management Company SA., EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, Banc Post SA (Romania), Bulgarian Retail Services SA, Hellas on Line SA, Post Bank A.D.
89 (Bulgaria), Postbanka A.D. (Serbia), Berberis Investment Ltd, Eurocredit Retail Services Ltd. The consolidated Financial Statements also include the following associated undertakings which are accounted for using the equity method: Tefin SA, Kydon SA, Hotel Company of Athens Airport SA., Zenon Properties SA, Unit Finance SA, Global Finance SA, Global Investment Fund Management SA, Global Finance International Ltd. 2. The Bank EFG Eurobank Ergasias merged via absorption during financial year 2003 the following entities: a) Ergoinvest S.A. on 10.4.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date of 7 November 2002, b) Ergoinvest Advisors S.A. on 7.10.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date of 30.4.2003, c) Investment Development Fund S.A. on 11.11.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date 30.4.2003, d) Unitbank S.A. on 15.12.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date of 31.12.2002. In addition, the merger via absorption of EFG Quality Management Services S.A. has been initiated with local accounting and tax reference date of 30.11.2003 and is expected to be completed by March 2004. 3. Transactions performed by the absorbed entities from the date of their local accounting and tax reference date and until the completion date of their legal mergers, from an accounting point of view, were recognized as performed on behalf of the Bank. As a result, all the afore-mentioned transactions have affected the 2003 financial results of the Bank except for transactions performed by the merged entity Ergoinvest SA during the period 8.11.2002 until 31.12.2002 which affected the 2002 financial results of the Bank. The impact of the above mergers on the shareholders’ equity was as follows: a) increase in share capital of € 18.9 million, b) decrease in share premium of € 40.3 million, c) decrease in own shares of € 28.7 million, d) decrease in special reserves of € 35.9 million resulting from valuation differences (losses) of securities portfolio recognized directly to equity. 4. The above mergers resulted in merger differences of € 34.8 million which were off set against share premium. 5. The General Assembly of 19.5.2003 decided the distribution of 1,050,000 new ordinary shares of € 2.89 each, at par, to employees through an increase of the Bank’s share capital by € 3 million approximately. The increase was effected with the capitalization of the 2002 profits. 6. On 17.12.2003 the Bank’s share capital and share premium increased by approximately € 2.8 million and € 3.4 million, respectively, from the exercise of stock options distributed to employees, with the issue of 933,952 new ordinary shares of € 2.95 each at par. The afore-mentioned increase was certified on 18.12.2003 and the new shares were listed in the Athens Stock Exchange on 20.1.2004. 7. In the financial year 2003 depreciation of fixed assets was accounted for in accordance with the provisions of P.D. 299/2003, by applying depreciation rates that most appropriately reflect the useful life of each asset. The new depreciation rates resulted in lower depreciation charge by € 13.5 million approximately. The goodwill calculation of a foreign subsidiary has not yet been finalised due to the non-completion of the fair market valuation of certain properties. 8. The Bank applied the International Accounting Standards and has, therefore, not complied with the requirements of Company Law 2190/1920, in the following cases: a) the Bank consistently calculates deferred tax, which as at 31.12.03 amounted to € 47.9 million (deferred tax asset) and is included in “Prepaid expenses and accrued income”. A special reserve of a corresponding amount that applies to the Bank has been created which will be offset against income tax of future periods when temporary differences are settled, b) Treasury Shares of €129.5 million are deducted from Shareholders Equity whereas according to Company Law 2190/1920 these should be disclosed as a separate category of “Assets”, c) the Bank’s trading securities portfolio is marked to market. The valuation gave rise to a mark-down of € 17.1 million which has been recognized in the Profit and Loss of 2003, whereas in 2002 it gave rise to a mark-up of € 18.9 million, d) certain figures of the 2003 Balance Sheet and the Income Statement relating to EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing S.A. and Autorental S.A. have been restated to comply with International Accounting Standards. Had this restatement not taken place, current period’s profit would be lower by € 7.4 million compared to € 9.8 million lower in 2002. 9. The cost of harmonizing the pension fund program for the employees of the merged companies, with that of the Bank, was finalized in 2003. In addition to an amount of € 4.5 million recorded in the 2002 financial results, an amount of € 9.8 million was capitalized in 2003 and is amortized over a period of 5 years. The 2003 financial results include an amortization charge of € 2 million. 10. During 2003 the Bank performed sell-buy-back transactions for certain of its shares and recorded the realized losses of € 56.3 million directly to equity. Had the market valuation of participations and securities been performed at the lower of cost and market value the resulting difference would not have affected the equity of the Bank. 11. The valuation of the subsidiaries securities portfolios as at 31.12.2003 gave rise to valuation differences (losses) of € 0.8 million, of which € 0.5 million are attributable to the Group. The afore-mentioned losses were off set against valuation gains of € 18.7 million, out of which € 7.6 million are attributable to the Group. The aggregate mark-up of valuation differences attributed to the Group amounts to € 7.1 million and increased directly the Group’s net equity. 12. The Bank’s management and its legal advisors believe that the outcome of the existing lawsuits inclusive of the Piraeus Bank lawsuit against former Ergobank S.A and certain members of its Board of Directors will not have a significant impact on the Bank’s Financial Statements and therefore, no provision for losses has been made. 13. In accordance with the economic activity sector (STAKOD ‘03) 86% of the EFG Eurobank Group’s revenue is classified under “Transactions of other intermediary financial institutions” (code 651.9) and the remaining 14% under other sectors of economic activity. 14. The fixed assets of the Bank are free of charges or encumbrances. 15. The total number of employees as at 31.12.2003 was 13,393.
90 2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand Liablilities 1. Due to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 233,139 67,713 b. Time and notice ...... 1113114,991,070 1113113,774,470 1113115,224,209 1113113,842,183 2. Due to customers a. Deposits ...... 15,174,459 14,529,363 b. Other liablilities ba. Repayable on demand ...... 162,169 384,799 bc. Repurchase agreements (repos) ...... 1113111,972,495 1113112,118,808 11131117,309,123 11131117,032,970 3. Liabilities evidenced by paper ...... 2,514,635 719,943 4. Other liabilities ...... 690,202 663,494 5. Accruals and deferred income ...... 253,458 297,426 6. Provisions for liabilities and charges a. Provisions for staff pensions and similar obligations .. .. 27,346 19,442 c. Other provisions ...... 11131169,806 11131124,394 11131197,152 11131143,836 6. a. Provisions for general banking risks...... 25,036 16,427
EQUITY 8. Share capital ...... 930,680 906,017 9. Share premium account ...... 561,661 598,553 10. Reserves a. Statutory reserve ...... 97,200 85,458 b. Extraordinary reserves ...... 250,274 269,300 c. Special reserves ...... 51,620 75,630
11. Fixed asset revaluation reserve ...... 3,853 3,528 12. Retained Earnings ...... 123,203 43,708 13. Treasury shares ...... (129,537) (89,532) 14. Consolidation differences ...... 111311(95,603) 111311(70,968) 1113111,793,351 1113111,821,694 15. Minority interests ...... 111311122,750 111311184,265 TOTAL LIABILITIES ...... 28,029,916 24,622,238 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS 1. Contingent liabilities from guarantees to third parties.. .. 24,588,150 25,472,467 3. Other off balance sheet items a. Items in custody and safekeeping ...... 49,869,649 47,973,811 b. Commitments from bilateral contracts ...... 13,347,460 9,914,396 c. Credit memo accounts ...... 11131113,946,940 11131111,118,168 TOTAL OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS ...... 101,752,199 94,478,842 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
91 Consolidated Income Statement for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2003 2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand 1. Interest receivable and similar income - Interest income from fixed-income securities ...... 339,660 269,305 - Other interest and similar income .. 1113111,180,628 1113111,221,179 1,520,288 1,490,484 2. Interest payable and similar charges111311 (671,427) 111311(766,930) 111311848,861 111311723,554 3. Income from Securities a. Income from shares and other variable-yield securities ...... 8,421 6,918 b. Income from shares in affiliated undertakings ...... 1113114,541 1113115,960 11131112,962 11131112,878 4. Commissions receivable ...... 513,174 362,378 5. Commissions payable...... 111311(203,136) 111311(112,437) 111311310,038 111311249,941 6. Net profit from financial operations.. 34,297 (5,468) 7. Other operating income...... 1113119,137 11131110,881 TOTAL OPERATING INCOME .. .. 1,215,295 991,786 8. General administrative expenses a. Staff costs - Wages and salaries ...... (245,927) (225,827) - Staff pension costs ...... (60,546) (47,947) - Other charges ...... (31,332) (27,620) b. Other administrative expenses .. .. 111311(213,567) 111311(189,790) 111311(551,372) 111311(491,184) 9. Fixed assets depreciation and valuation ...... (104,140) (87,801) 10. Other operating expenses ...... (8,517) (10,465) 11,12. Provisions for loans and advances and contingent liabilities and commitments...... 111311(156,603) 111311(110,818) PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES .. 394,663 291,518 15,16,17. Extraordinary income, and profit .. 111311(12,089) 111311(14,497) 18 PROFIT BEFORE TAX ...... 382,574 277,021 Analysed as follows: Minority interest...... 9,732 6,573 GROUP PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAX .. .. 372,842 270,448 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
Less: Income Tax...... (107,448) (70,284) Add: Deferred Income Tax ...... 11,202 (5,648) Less: Differences resulting from Tax Audit ...... 111311(6,893) 111311(66) Net Profit After Tax ...... 279,435 201,023 Minority interest ...... 111311(6,812) 111311(4,858) GROUP NET PROFIT AFTER TAX .. 272,623 196,155 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
92 Athens, February 24, 2004
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THE CHIEF THE CHIEF THE CHIEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICER Π FINANCIAL OFFICER ACCOUNTANT
Xenophon C. Nickitas Nicholas C. Nanopoulos Paula N. Hadjisotiriou Dimitrios K. Mitrotolis I. D. No £ - 914611 I. D. No Σ - 237468 I. D. No T - 005040 I. D. No Π - 064395
AUDITORS’ REPORT
To the Shareholders of EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.
We have audited the above Consolidated Financial Statements and the relevant Consolidated Attachment of the Bank “EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.” for the year ended 31 December 2003. Our audit was conducted in accordance with the provisions of article 108 of Companies Act 2190/1920 and the auditing procedures, which we considered appropriate based on the auditing standards and principles applied by the Greek Institute of Certified Auditors Accountants. The records of the companies which are included in the consolidation were made available to us and we obtained the information and explanations considered necessary for the purposes of our audit. The valuation methods have been applied consistently. We have confirmed that the Consolidated Directors’ Report is consistent with the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Consolidated Attachment discloses the information required by article 130 and the relevant provisions of Companies Act 2190/1920. In the course of our audit it came to our attention that the Group applied International Financial Reporting Standards in certain cases, which are detailed in note 8 to the Balance Sheet. As a result of these divergences from the requirements of Companies Act 2190/1920, the Group’s results are understated by € 9.7 million. In our opinion the above Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the relevant provisions of Companies Act 2190/1920, present together with the consolidated Attachment, after taking into account the matter referred to above and the matters referred to in notes 9, 10 and 11 to the Balance Sheet, the financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2003 as well as the results of its operations for the year then ended, in accordance with the prevailing legislation and generally accepted accounting principles which have been applied consistently.
Athens, February 26, 2004
The Certified Auditors Accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
K. Riris A. Papageorgiou SOEL Reg. No 12111 SOEL Reg. No 11691
93 Non-Consolidated Balance Sheet for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2003
2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand ASSETS 1. Cash and balances with central banks ...... 928,778 891,424 2. Treasury bills and similar securities eligible for refinancing with central banks ...... 61,145 456,425 3. Loans and advances to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 215,521 176,241 b. Other loans and advances ...... 111311665,207 1113111,164,954 111311880,728 1113111,341,195 4. Loans and advances to customers ...... 15,382,405 12,914,230 Less: Provisions for doubtful debts ...... 111311(431,077) 111311(382,341) 11131114,951,328 11131112,531,889 5. Debt securities including fixed - income securities a. Issued by government ...... 6,445,262 5,247,660 b. Issued by other borrowers ...... 111311966,812 111311930,143 1113117,412,074 1113116,177,803 6. Shares and other variable-yield securities ...... 387,261 269,495 7. Participations in non-affiliated undertakings a. Related undertakings ...... 6,172 44,971 b. Other undertakings ...... 11131145,989 11131170,927 11131152,161 111311115,898 8. Participations in affiliated undertakings ...... 455,864 398,713 9. Intangible assets Other intangible assets ...... 201,592 153,954 Less: Amortisation of intangible assets ...... 111311(108,886) 111311(66,696) 11131192,706 11131187,258 10. Tangible assets a. Land ...... 39,970 36,592 b. Buildings ...... 238,596 228,898 Less: Depreciation ...... (109,484) (100,678) c. Furniture, electronic and other equipment ...... 194,889 176,835 Less: Depreciation ...... (132,071) (115,173) d. Other tangible assets ...... 244 258 Less: Depreciation ...... (141) (169) e. Fixed assets under construction ...... 1113117,451 11131132,821 111311239,454 111311259,384 13. Other assets ...... 166,087 347,421 14. Prepayments and accrued income ...... 111311586,944 111311489,293 TOTAL ASSETS ...... 26,214,530 23,366,198 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
NOTES: 1. The Bank EFG Eurobank Ergasias merged via absorption during financial year 2003 the following entities: a) Ergoinvest S.A. on 10.4.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date of 7 November 2002, b) Ergoinvest Advisors S.A. on 7.10.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date of 30.4.2003, c) Investment Development Fund S.A. on 11.11.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date 30.4.2003, d) Unitbank S.A. on 15.12.2003 with local accounting and tax reference date of 31.12.2002. In addition, the merger via absorption of EFG Quality Management Services S.A. has been initiated with local accounting and tax reference date of 30.11.2003 and is expected to be completed by March 2004. 2. Transactions performed by the absorbed entities from the date of their local accounting and tax reference date and until the completion date of their legal
94 mergers, from an accounting point of view, were recognized as performed on behalf of the Bank. As a result, all the afore- mentioned transactions have affected the 2003 financial results of the Bank except for transactions performed by the merged entity Ergoinvest SA during the period 8.11.2002 until 31.12.2002 which affected the 2002 financial results of the Bank. The impact of the above mergers on the shareholders’ equity was as follows: a) increase in share capital of € 18.9 million, b) decrease in share premium of € 40.3 million, c) decrease in own shares of € 28.7 million, d) decrease in special reserves of € 35.9 million resulting from valuation differences (losses) of securities portfolio recognized directly to equity. 3. The above mergers resulted in merger differences of € 34.8 million which were off set against share premium. 4. The General Assembly of 19.5.2003 decided the distribution of 1,050,000 new ordinary shares of € 2.89 each at par, to employees through an increase of the Bank’s share capital by € 3 million approximately. The increase was effected with the capitalization of the 2002 profits. 5. On 17.12.2003 the Bank’s share capital and share premium increased by approximately € 2.8 million and € 3.4 million, respectively, from the exercise of stock options distributed to employees, with the issue of 933,952 new ordinary shares of € 2.95 each at par. The afore- mentioned increase was certified on 18.12.2003 and the new shares were listed in the Athens Stock Exchange on 20.1.2004. 6. In the financial year 2003 depreciation of fixed assets was accounted for in accordance with the provisions of P.D. 299/2003, by applying depreciation rates that most appropriately reflect the useful life of each asset. The new depreciation rates resulted in lower depreciation charge by € 10.5 million approximately. 7. The Bank applied the International Accounting Standards and has, therefore, not complied with the requirements of Company Law 2190/1920, in the following cases: a) the Bank consistently calculates deferred tax, which as at 31.12.03 amounted to € 42.6 million (deferred tax asset) and is included in “Prepaid expenses and accrued income”. A special reserve of a corresponding amount that applies to the Bank has been created which will be offset against income tax of future periods when temporary differences are settled, b) Treasury Shares of € 128.0 million are deducted from Shareholders Equity whereas according to Company Law 2190/1920 these should be disclosed as a separate category of “Assets”, c) the Bank’s trading securities portfolio is marked to market. The valuation gave rise to a mark-down of € 16.4 million which has been recognized in the Profit and Loss of 2003, whereas in 2002 it gave rise to a mark-up of € 19.8 million. 8. The cost of harmonizing the pension fund program for the employees of the merged companies, with that of the Bank, was finalized in 2003. In addition to an amount of € 4.5 million recorded in the 2002 financial results, an amount of € 9.8 million was capitalized in 2003 and is amortized over a period of 5 years. The 2003 financial results include an amortization charge of € 2 million. 9. During 2003 the Bank performed sell-buy-back transactions for certain of its shares and recorded the realized losses of € 56.3 million directly to equity. Had the market valuation of participations and securities been performed at the lower of cost and market value the resulting difference would not have affected the equity of the Bank. 10. In accordance with the economic activity sector (STAKOD ‘03) the total EFG Eurobank revenue are classified under “Transactions of other intermediary financial institutions” (code 651.9). 11. The Bank’s management and its legal advisors believe that the outcome of the existing lawsuits inclusive of the Piraeus Bank lawsuit against former Ergobank S.A and certain members of its Board of Directors will not have a significant impact on the Bank’s Financial Statements and therefore, no provision for losses has been made 12. The fixed assets of the Bank are free of charges or encumbrances. 13. The total number of employees as at 31.12.2003 was 6,841.
95 2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand Liablilities 1. Due to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 77,684 67,676 b. Time and notice ...... 1113115,199,874 1113113,964,427 1113115,277,558 1113114,032,103 2. Due to customers a. Deposits ...... 16,264,661 14,240,251 b. Other liabilities ba. Repayable on demand ...... 87,924 347,150 bc. Repurchase agreements (repos)...... 1113111,993,527 1113112,048,977 11131118,346,112 11131116,636,378 4. Other liabilities ...... 527,103 529,509 5. Accruals and deferred income ...... 245,337 265,193 6. Provisions for liabilities and charges a. Provisions for staff pensions and similar obligations .. .. 26,141 18,630 6. A. Provisions for general banking risks...... 25,036 16,426 EQUITY 8. Share capital Paid-up (315,484,837 shares at € 2.95 each) ...... 930,680 906,017 9. Share premium account ...... 561,661 598,553 10. Reserves a. Statutory reserve ...... 97,200 85,458 b. Extraordinary reserves ...... 250,274 269,300 c. Special reserves ...... 51,620 75,630 11. Fixed asset revaluation reserve ...... 3,853 3,528 13. Treasury shares ...... 111311(128,045) 111311(70,527) 1113111,767,243 1113111,867,959 TOTAL LIABILITIES ...... 26,214,530 23,366,198 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS 1. Contingent liabilities from guarantees to third parties.. .. 24,557,298 25,359,713 3. Other off balance sheet items a. Items in custody and safekeeping ...... 45,584,135 43,927,936 b. Commitments from bilateral contracts ...... 12,629,736 9,395,840 c. Credit memo accounts ...... 11131113,630,455 11131110,972,431 TOTAL OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS ...... 96,401,624 89,655,920 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
96 Non-Consolidated Income Statement for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2003
2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand 1. Interest receivable and similar income - Interest income from fixed-income securities ...... 235,378 267,090 - Other interest and similar income ...... 1113111,160,418 1113111,127,189 1,395,796 1,394,279 2. Interest payable and similar charges ...... 111311(625,205) 111311(714,146) 111311770,591 111311680,133 3. Income from Securities a. Income from shares and other variable-yield securities ...... 9,383 3,213 b. Income from participating interests ...... 2,744 1,391 c. Income from affiliated undertakings ...... 11131132,415 11131115,763 11131144,542 11131120,367 4. Commissions receivable ...... 296,519 276,350 5. Commissions payable ...... 111311(164,863) 111311(144,354) 111311131,656 111311131,996 6. Net profit from financial operations ...... 11131125,042 111311(7,910) 7. Other operating income ...... 11131111,599 11131111,972 TOTAL OPERATING INCOME ...... 983,430 836,558 8. General administrative expenses a. Staff costs - Wages and salaries ...... (184,980) (176,205) - Staff pension costs ...... (44,079) (41,488) - Other charges ...... (18,648) (26,576) b. Other administrative expenses ...... 111311(162,380) 111311(158,291) 111311(410,087) 111311(402,560) 9. Fixed assets depreciation and valuation ...... (78,736) (67,882) 10. Other operating expenses ...... (3,001) (1,969) 11,12. Provisions for loans and advances and contingent liabilities and commitments...... 111311(149,630) 111311(106,872) PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES ...... 341,976 257,275 15,16,17. Extraordinary income, expenses and profit ...... 111311(11,713) 111311(9,758) 18. PROFIT BEFORE TAX ...... 330,263 247,517 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
97 APPROPRIATION ACCOUNT
2003 2002 Amounts in euro thousand PROFIT BEFORE TAX ...... 330,263 247,517 Less: Income Tax ...... (79,501) (51,949) Less: Deferred Income Tax ...... (5,514) – Less: Differences resulting from Tax Audit ...... 11131111,202 111311(5,648) PROFIT AFTER TAX ...... 256,450 189,920 Prior years’ retained earnings brought forward ...... (312) 3,985 Distributable reserves ...... 120,852 – Reserve L. 148/67 to cover losses from securities ...... – 4,330 “Deferred” Income Tax ...... (11,202) 5,648 Treasury Shares Reserve ...... 111311– 11131159,500 NET ATTRIBUTABLE PROFIT ...... 365,788 263,383 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311 Appropriation of profits: Statutory Reserve ...... 10,524 8,044 Dividend € 0.60 per share ...... 185,319 144,492 Extraordinary reserves ...... 90,508 95,834 Special Statutory Reserves ...... 10,664 1,675 Treasury Shares Reserves ...... 57,518 – Distribution of profits to staff ...... 8,600 7,300 Distribution of shares to staff ...... 2,655 3,035 Distribution of bonus to staff due to Euro conversion ...... 111311– 1113113,003 365,788 263,383 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
Athens, February 24, 2004
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THE CHIEF THE CHIEF THE CHIEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICER FINANCIAL OFFICER ACCOUNTANT
Xenophon C. Nickitas Nicholas C. Nanopoulos Paula N. Hadjisotiriou Dimitrios K. Mitrotolis I. D. No £ - 914611 I. D. No Σ - 237468 I. D. No T - 005040 I. D. No Π - 064395
AUDITORS REPORT
To the Shareholders of EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.
We have audited the above Financial Statements and the relevant Attachment of the Bank “EFG Eurobank Ergasias SA” for the year ended 31 December 2003. Our audit, which has taken into account returns of the branches, was conducted in accordance with the provisions of article 37 of Companies Act 2190/1920 and the auditing procedures, which we considered appropriate based on the auditing standards and principles applied by the Greek Institute of Certified Auditors Accountants. The books and records maintained by the Bank have been made available to us and we obtained the information and explanations considered necessary for the purposes of our audit. The Bank has properly applied the Chart of Accounts for Banks except for the cases referred to in notes 7 & 9 to the Balance Sheet. The valuation methods have been applied consistently. We have confirmed that the Directors’ Report is consistent with the Financial Statements. The Attachment discloses the information required by paragraph 1 of article 43a and by article 129 of Companies Act 2190/1920. In the course of our audit it came to our attention that the Bank applied International Financial Reporting Standards in certain cases, which are detailed in note 7 to the Balance Sheet. As a result of these divergences from the requirements of Companies Act 2190/1920, the Bank’s results are understated by € 16.4 million. In our opinion the above Financial
98 Statements, which have been derived from the books and records of the Bank, present together with the Attachment, after taking into account the matter referred to above and the matters referred to in notes 8 and 9 to the Balance Sheet, the financial position of the Bank as at 31 December 2003 as well as the results of its operations for the year then ended, in accordance with the prevailing legislation and generally accepted accounting principles which have been applied consistently.
Athens, February 26, 2004
The Certified Auditors Accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
K. Riris A. Papageorgiou SOEL Reg. No 12111 SOEL Reg. No 11691
99 Consolidated Balance Sheet for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2004
2004 2003 Amounts in euro million ASSETS 1. Cash and balances with central banks ...... 1,552 1,199 2. Treasury bills and similar securities eligible for refinancing with central banks ...... 480 61 3. Loans and advances to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 293 289 b. Other loans and advances ...... 111311321 111311597 111311614 111311886 4. Loans and advances to customers ...... 21,051 16,805 Less: Provisions for doubtful debts ...... 111311(553) 111311(472) 11131120,498 11131116,333 5. Debt securities including fixed - income securities a. Issued by government ...... 5,669 6,724 b. Issued by other borrowers ...... 111311879 111311755 1113116,548 1113117,479 6. Shares and other variable-yield securities ...... 393 422 7. Participations in non-affiliated undertakings...... 23 46 7a. Investment in associated undertakings ...... 58 19 8. Participations in affiliated undertakings...... – – 9. Intangible assets c. Other intangible assets ...... 270 222 Less: Amortisation of intangible assets ...... 111311(155) 111311(121) 111311115 111311101 10. Tangible assets a. Land ...... 110 69 b. Buildings ...... 537 440 Less: Depreciation ...... (201) (140) c. Furniture, electronic and other equipment ...... 285 323 Less: Depreciation ...... (193) (205) d. Other tangible assets ...... 11 11 Less: Depreciation ...... (4) (3) e. Fixed assets under construction ...... 11131112 11131159 111311557 111311554 13. Other assets ...... 394 319 14. Prepayments and accrued income ...... 111311707 111311611 TOTAL ASSETS ...... 31,939 28,030 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311 2004 2003 Amounts in euro million OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS 1. Contingent liabilities from guarantees and forward contracts.. 37,847 24,588 3. Other off balance sheet items a. Items in custody and safekeeping ...... 57,234 49,870 b. Commitments from bilateral contracts ...... 23,647 13,347 c. Credit memo accounts ...... 11131113,906 11131113,947 TOTAL OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS ...... 132,634 101,752 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
100 2004 2003 Amounts in euro million LIABILITIES 1. Due to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 25 233 b. Time and notice ...... 1113115,240 1113114,991 1113115,265 1113115,224 2. Due to customers a. Deposits ...... 16,749 15,174 b. Other liabilities ba. Repayable on demand ...... 207 162 bc. Repurchase agreements (repos) ...... 1113111,253 1113111,972 11131118,209 11131117,308 3. Liabilities evidenced by paper ...... 4,667 2,515 4. Other liabilities ...... 730 691 5. Accruals and deferred income ...... 393 254 6. Provisions for liabilities and charges a. Provisions for staff pensions and similar obligations .. .. 36 27 c. Other provisions ...... 111311179 11131170 111311215 11131197 6. A. Provisions for general banking risks...... 35 25 7. Subordinated notes ...... 400 –
EQUITY 8. Share Capital ...... 926 931 9. Share premium account ...... 505 562 10. Reserves a. Statutory reserve ...... 112 97 b. Extraordinary reserves ...... 267 250 c. Special reserves ...... 97 52 11. Fixed asset revaluation reserve ...... 22 4 12. Retained Earnings ...... 172 123 13. Treasury shares ...... (3) (130) 14. Consolidation differences ...... 111311(158) 111311(96) 1113111,940 1113111,793 15. Minority interests ...... 11131185 111311123 TOTAL LIABILITIES 31,939 28,030 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
Notes: 1. The consolidated Financial Statements include EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. and the following subsidiary undertakings, which are fully consolidated: EFG Private Bank Luxembourg S.A., EFG Telesis Finance SA., Eurobank Cards S.A., EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing S.A., EFG Eurobank Properties S.A., EFG Mutual Funds Co S.A., Intertrust Mutual Funds Co S.A., EFG Insurance Services S.A., EFG Hellas P.L.C., EFG Eurobank Securities S.A., EFG Factors S.A., EFG Property and Casualty Insurance S.A., Be-Business Exchanges S.A., EFG Internet Services S.A., ELDEPA S.A., EFG Life Insurance S.A., Alico / CEH Balkan Holdings Limited, EFG Business Services S.A, OPEN 24 S.A., Autorental SA., EFG Eurobank Ergasias International (C.I.) LTD, Telesis Direct S.A., EFG Eurobank Asset Management Company S.A., EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, Bancpost S.A. (Romania), Bulgarian Retail Service AD, Hellas on Line S.A., Bulgarian Post Bank A.D., EFG Eurobank A.D. Beograd, Berberis Investment Ltd, Eurocredit Retail Service Ltd (Cyprus), Euroline Retail Service S.A. (Romania), Euroline Retail Service A.D. (Serbia), EFG Leasing EAD Bulgaria, Eurobank Property Services S.A. The consolidated Financial Statements also include the following associated undertakings which are accounted for using the equity method: Tefin S.A., Hotel Company of Athens Airport S.A., Zenon Properties S.A., Unit Finance S.A., Global Finance S.A., Global Investment Fund Management S.A., Cardlink S.A., The Greek Progress Fund S.A., Dias S.A. 2. During 2004, and in compliance with the Law 2065/92, fixed assets were revalued by € 23.4 million less accumulated depreciation of € 4.1 million. The annual depreciation charge increased by € 0.3 million. 3. The Bank applied the International Financial Reporting Standards and has, therefore, not complied with the requirements of Company Law 2190/1920, in the following cases: a) the Bank consistently calculates deferred tax, which as at 31.12.04 amounted to € 62.8 million (deferred tax asset), b) Treasury Shares of € 3.0 million are deducted from
101 Shareholders Equity whereas according to Company Law 2190/1920 these should be disclosed as a separate category of “Assets”, c) the Bank’s trading securities portfolio is marked to market. The valuation gave rise to a mark-up of € 13.4 million which has been recognised in the Profit and Loss of 2004, whereas in 2003 it gave rise to a mark-down of € 17.1 million, d) certain figures of the 2004 Balance Sheet and the Income Statement relating to EFG Eurobank Ergasias Leasing S.A. and Autorental S.A. have been restated to comply with International Financial Reporting Standards. Had this restatement not taken place, current period’s profit would be lower by € 6.1 million compared to € 7.4 million lower in 2003. 4. The Bank, during 2004, proceeded with a staff voluntary retirement scheme. The amount of € 3.1 million has been recorded in the 2004 financial results and the amount of € 27.6 million has been capitalised and is included in intangible assets. 5. In June 2004, the Bank proceeded with the securitisation of mortgage loans amounting to € 750 million, in accordance with Law 3156/2003. 6. The Bank’s Management and its legal advisors believe that the outcome of the existing lawsuits will not have a significant impact on the Bank’s Financial Statements. 7. In accordance with the economic activity sector (STAKOD ’03) 88% of the EFG Eurobank Group’s revenue is classified under “Transactions of other intermediary financial institutions” (code 651.9) and the remaining 12% under other sectors of economic activity. 8. The fixed assets of the Bank are free of charges or encumbrances. 9. The total number of employees as at 31.12.2004 was 13,720.
102 Consolidated Income Statement for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2004 2004 2003 Amounts in euro million 1. Interest receivable and similar income -Interest income from fixed-income securities ...... 282.0 339.7 -Other interest and similar income .. 1113111,721.0 1113111,180.6 2,003.0 1,520.3 2. Interest payable and similar charges.. 111311(965.5) 111311(671.4) 1113111,037.5 111311848.9 3. Income from Securities a. Income from shares and other variable-yield securities ...... 8.4 8.4 c. Income from shares in affiliated undertakings...... 1113115.5 1113114.5 11131113.9 11131112.9 4. Commissions receivable ...... 534.7 513.2 5. Commissions payable ...... 111311(172.3) 111311(203.1) 111311362.4 111311310.1 6. Net profit from financial operations.. 53.2 34.3 7. Other operating income...... 11131116.7 1113119.1 TOTAL OPERATING INCOME .... 1,483.7 1,215.3 8. General administrative expenses a. Staff costs - Wages and salaries ...... (275.8) (245.9) - Staff pension costs ...... (66.7) (60.6) - Other charges ...... (37.8) (31.3) b.Other administrative expenses .. .. 111311(247.3) 111311(213.6) 111311(627.6) 111311(551.4) 9. Fixed assets depreciation and valuation ...... (98.5) (104.1) 10. Other operating expenses ...... (2.8) (8.5) 11,12. Provisions for loans and advances and contingent liabilities and commitments ...... 111311(213.1) 111311(156.6) PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES .. 541.7 394.7 15,16,17. Extraordinary income, expenses and profit ...... 111311(14.9) 111311(12.1) 18. PROFIT BEFORE TAX ...... 526.8 382.6 Analysed as follows: Minority interests ...... 14.1 9.7 GROUP PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE TAX111311 512.7 111311372.9 Less: Income Tax ...... (163.7) (107.5) Add: Deferred Income Tax...... 15.0 11.2 Less: Differences resulting from Tax Audit ...... 1113110.0 111311(6.9) Net Profit After Tax ...... 378.1 279.4 Minority Interest ...... 111311(9.9) 111311(6.8) GROUP NET PROFIT AFTER TAX .. 368.2 272.6 aaaassd111311 111311aaaassd
103 Athens, February 22, 2005
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THE CHIEF THE CHIEF THE CHIEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICER FINANCIAL OFFICER ACCOUNTANT
Xenophon C. Nickitas Nicholas C. Nanopoulos Paula N. Hadjisotiriou Dimitrios K. Mitrotolis I. D. No £ - 914611 I. D. No Σ - 237468 I. D. No T - 005040 I. D. No Π - 064395
AUDIT REPORT
To the Shareholders of the Bank “EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.”
We have audited the above Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Consolidated Attachment of the Bank “EFG Eurobank Ergasias SA” for the year ended 31 December 2004. Our audit was conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 108 of the Companies Act 2190/1920 and the auditing procedures, which we considered appropriate, based on the auditing standards and principles applied by the Institute of Certified Auditors/Accountants in Greece. The records of the companies which are included in the consolidation have been made available to us and we obtained the information and explanations, considered necessary for the purposes of our audit. The valuation methods have been applied consistently. We have confirmed that the content of the Consolidated Directors’ Report is in agreement with the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Consolidated Attachment discloses the information required by Article 130 and the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2190/1920. As a result of our audit, we noted the following: In certain cases, which are detailed in Note 3 beneath the Balance Sheet, the Bank has applied International Financial Reporting Standards. As a result of these divergences from the requirements of the Companies Act 2190/1920, the Group’s results for the current year are overstated by € 19.5 million. In our opinion, after taking into consideration the matter referred to above and the impact on the results of the matter included in note 4 beneath the Balance Sheet, which refers to the voluntary retirement scheme, the above Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2190/1920, present together with the Consolidated Attachment the financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2004, as well as the results of its operations for the year then ended, in conformity with prevailing legislation and generally accepted accounting principles in Greece applied on a consistent basis with the preceding year.
Athens, February 24, 2005
The Certified Auditors Accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
K. Riris A. Papageorgiou SOEL Reg. No 12111 SOEL Reg. No 11691
104 Non-Consolidated Balance Sheet for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2004
2004 2003 Amounts in euro million ASSETS 1. Cash and balances with central banks ...... 1,112 929 2. Treasury bills and similar securities eligible for refinancing with central banks ...... 480 61 3. Loans and advances to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 249 215 b. Other loans and advances ...... 111311606 111311665 111311855 111311880 4. Loans and advances to customers ...... 19,766 15,382 Less: Provisions for doubtful debts ...... 111311(507) 111311(431) 11131119,259 11131114,951 5. Debt securities including fixed – income securities a. Issued by government ...... 5,231 6,445 b. Issued by other borrowers ...... 111311692 111311967 1113115,923 1113117,412 6. Shares and other variable-yield securities ...... 297 387 7. Participations in non-affiliated undertakings a. Related undertakings ...... 36 6 b. Other undertakings ...... 11131123 11131146 11131159 11131152 8. Participations in affiliated undertakings...... 596 456 9. Intangible assets Other intangible assets ...... 245 202 Less: Amortisation of intangible assets ...... 111311(137) 111311(109) 111311108 11131193 10. Tangible assets a. Land ...... 45 40 b. Buildings ...... 254 239 Less: Depreciation ...... (127) (109) c. Furniture, electronic and other equipment ...... 210 195 Less: Depreciation ...... (151) (132) d. Other tangible assets ...... – – Less: Depreciation ...... – – e. Fixed assets under construction ...... 1113119 1113117 111311240 111311240 13. Other assets ...... 189 167 14. Prepayments and accrued income ...... 111311655 111311587 TOTAL ASSETS ...... 29,773 26,215 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
105 2004 2003 Amounts in euro million OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS
1. Contingent liabilities from guarantees and forward contracts ...... 37,690 24,557 3. Other off balance sheet items a. Items in custody and safekeeping ...... 52,480 45,584 b. Commitments from bilateral contracts ...... 22,605 12,630 c. Credit memo accounts ...... 11131113,197 11131113,630 TOTAL OFF BALANCE SHEET ITEMS ...... 125,972 96,401 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
2004 2003 Amounts in euro million LIABILITIES 1. Due to credit institutions a. Repayable on demand ...... 17 78 b. Time and notice ...... 1113115,223 1113115,200 1113115,240 1113115,278 2. Due to customers a. Deposits ...... 19,922 16,265 b. Other liabilities ba. Repayable on demand ...... 87 88 bc. Repurchase agreements (repos) ...... 1113111,244 1113111,994 11131121,253 11131118,347 4. Other liabilities ...... 518 526 5. Accruals and deferred income ...... 367 245 6. Provisions for liabilities and charges a. Provisions for staff pensions and similar obligations .. .. 34 26 6. A. Provisions for general banking risks...... 35 25 7. Subordinated Deposits...... 398 –
EQUITY 8. Share Capital Paid-up (314,009,537 shares at € 2.95 each) ...... 926 931 9. Share premium account ...... 505 562 10. Reserves a. Statutory reserve ...... 112 97 b. Extraordinary reserves ...... 267 250 c. Special reserves ...... 97 52 11. Fixed asset revaluation reserve ...... 22 4 12. Treasury shares ...... 111311(1) 111311(128) 1113111,928 1113111,768 TOTAL LIABILITIES ...... 29,773 26,215 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
Notes: 1. During 2004, and in compliance with the Law 2065/92, fixed assets were revalued by € 22.6 million less accumulated depreciation of € 4.1 million. The annual depreciation charge increased by € 0.3 million. 2. The Bank applied the International Financial Reporting Standards and has, therefore, not complied with the requirements of Company Law 2190/1920, in the following cases: a) the Bank consistently calculates deferred tax, which as at 31.12.04 amounted to € 57.6 million (deferred tax asset), b) Treasury Shares of € 1.5 million are deducted from Shareholders Equity, whereas according to Company Law 2190/1920 these should be disclosed as a separate category of “Assets”, c) the Bank’s trading securities portfolio is marked to
106 market. The valuation gave rise to a mark-up of € 11.4 million, which has been recognised in the Profit and Loss of 2004, whereas in 2003 it gave rise to a mark-down of € 16.4 million. 3. The Bank, during 2004, proceeded with a staff voluntary retirement scheme. The amount of € 3.1 million has been charged to the 2004 financial results and the amount of € 27.6 million has been capitalised and is included in intangible assets. 4. In June 2004 the Bank proceeded with the securitisation of mortgage loans amounting to € 750 million in accordance with Law 3156/2003. 5. The Bank’s management and its legal advisors believe that the outcome of the existing lawsuits will not have a significant impact on the Bank’s Financial Statements. 6. In accordance with the economic activity sector (STAKOD ‘03) the total EFG Eurobank Ergasias SA revenue is classified under “Transactions of other intermediary financial institutions” (code 651.9). 7. The fixed assets of the Bank are free of charges or encumbrances. 8. The total number of employees as at 31.12.2004 was 6,722.
107 Non-Consolidated Income Statement for EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. as at 31 December 2004 2004 2003 Amounts in euro million 1. Interest receivable and similar income - Interest income from fixed-income securities ...... 260.1 235.4 - Other interest and similar income...... 1113111,517.4 1113111,160.4 1,777.5 1,395.8 2. Interest payable and similar charges ...... 111311(878.5) 111311(625.2) 111311899.0 111311770.6 3. Income from Securities a. Income from shares and other variable-yield securities...... 8.2 9.4 b. Income from participating interests...... 1.4 2.7 c. Income from affiliated undertakings ...... 11131125.3 11131132.4 11131134.9 11131144.5 4. Commissions receivable ...... 333.7 296.5 5. Commissions payable...... 111311(189.1) 111311(164.9) 111311144.6 111311131.6 6. Net profit from financial operations ...... 48.7 25.1 7. Other operating income ...... 11131118.4 11131111.6 TOTAL OPERATING INCOME ...... 1,145.6 983.4 8. General administrative expenses a.Staff costs - Wages and salaries...... (194.2) (185.0) - Staff pension costs...... (47.0) (44.1) - Other charges...... (29.0) (18.6) b. Other administrative expenses...... 111311(166.6) 111311(162.4) 111311(436.8) 111311(410.1) 9. Fixed assets depreciation and valuation...... (71.0) (78.7) 10. Other operating expenses...... (2.5) (3.0) 11,12. Provisions for loans and advances and contingent liabilities and commitments ...... 111311(205.0) 111311(149.6) PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES ...... 430.3 342.0 15,16,17. Extraordinary income, expenses and profit...... 111311(8.3) 111311(11.7) 18. PROFIT BEFORE TAX ...... 422.0 330.3 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
108 APPROPRIATION ACCOUNT
2004 2003 Amounts in euro million PROFIT BEFORE TAX ...... 422.0 330.3 Less: Income Tax ...... (121.9) (79.5) Less: Differences resulting from Tax Audit ...... – (5.5) Plus: Deferred Income Tax ...... 11131115.0 11131111.2 PROFIT AFTER TAX ...... 315.1 256.5 Prior years’ retained earnings brought forward ...... (0.3) (0.3) Distributable reserves ...... – 120.8 “Deferred” Income Tax ...... (15.0) (11.2) Treasury Shares Reserve ...... 1113119.3 111311– NET ATTRIBUTABLE PROFIT ...... 111311309.1 111311365.8 Appropriation of profits: Statutory Reserve ...... 14.8 10.5 Dividend € 0.72 per share ...... 226.0 185.3 Extraordinary reserves ...... 2.0 90.5 Special Reserves...... 56.1 10.7 Treasury Shares Reserve ...... – 57.5 Distribution of profits to staff ...... 10.2 8.6 Distribution of shares to staff ...... 111311– 1113112.7 309.1 365.8 aaaassd111311 aaaassd111311
Athens, February 22, 2005
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE THE CHIEF THE CHIEF THE CHIEF BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE OFFICER FINANCIAL OFFICER ACCOUNTANT
Xenophon C. Nickitas Nicholas C. Nanopoulos Paula N. Hadjisotiriou Dimitrios K. Mitrotolis I. D. No £ - 914611 I. D. No Σ - 237468 I. D. No T - 005040 I. D. No Π - 064395
AUDIT REPORT
To the Shareholders of the Bank “EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.”
We have audited the above Financial Statements and the related Attachment of “EFG Eurobank Ergasias SA” for the year ended 31 December 2004. Our audit, which took into consideration returns from the branches, was conducted in accordance with the provisions of Article 37 of the Companies Act 2190/1920 and the auditing procedures, which we considered appropriate, based on the auditing standards and principles adopted by the Institute of Certified Auditors/Accountants in Greece. The books and records maintained by the Bank were made available to us and we obtained the relevant information and explanations, which we required for the purposes of our audit. The Bank has properly applied the Chart of Accounts for Banks except for the matters referred to in Notes 2 & 3 beneath the Balance Sheet. There were no changes in the valuation methods used by the Bank compared to those used in the preceding year. We have confirmed that the content of the Directors’ Report to the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholders is in agreement with the related Financial Statements. The Attachment discloses the information stipulated by paragraph 1 of Article 43a and Article 129 of the Companies Act 2190/1920. As a result of our audit, we noted the following: In certain circumstances, which are analyzed in Note 2 beneath the Balance Sheet, the Bank has applied the International Financial Reporting Standards. As a result of not applying the provisions of the Companies Act 2190/1920, the results for the current year are overstated by €11.4 million. In our opinion, after taking into consideration the
109 matter referred to above and the impact on the results of the matter included in note 3 beneath the Balance Sheet, which refers to the voluntary retirement scheme, the above mentioned Financial Statements, which are in agreement with the books and records of the Bank, present together with the Attachment in conformity with prevailing legislation and generally accepted accounting principles the assets, liabilities and the financial position of the Company as at 31 December 2004, as well as the results of its operations for the year then ended, in conformity with prevailing legislation and generally accepted accounting principles in Greece applied on a consistent basis with the preceding year.
Athens, February 24, 2005
The Certified Auditors Accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers S.A.
K. Riris A. Papageorgiou SOEL Reg. No 12111 SOEL Reg. No 11691
110 FORM OF THE DEED OF GUARANTEE
The following is the form of the Deed of Guarantee of the Guarantor:
THIS DEED OF GUARANTEE is made on [ ] in London, England
BY
(1) EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A. (the “Guarantor”)
IN FAVOUR OF
(2) THE HOLDERS for the time being and from time to time of the Instruments referred to below (each a “Holder”); and
(3) THE ACCOUNTHOLDERS (as defined in the Deed of Covenant described below) (together with the Holders, the “Beneficiaries”).
WHEREAS
(A) EFG Hellas PLC and EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited (each an “Issuer” and together, the “Issuers” and references in this Agreement to the “relevant Issuer” shall, in relation to any Instrument, be references to the Issuer of such Instrument) have established a Programme for the Issuance of Debt Instruments (the “Programme”) for the issuance of instruments (the “Instruments”) in connection with which they have entered into an amended and restated dealership agreement dated [ ] (the “Dealership Agreement”), an amended and restated issue and paying agency agreement dated [ ] (the “Agency Agreement”) and in the case of EFG Hellas PLC has executed an amended and restated deed of covenant dated [ ] and in the case of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited has executed a deed of covenant dated [ ], (each, as amended, supplemented or replaced, a “Deed of Covenant” and references in this Deed of Guarantee to “the Deed of Covenant” are, in relation to the relevant Issuer to the Deed of Covenant executed by such Issuer).
(B) Instruments may be issued on a listed or unlisted basis. The Issuers have made an application for Instruments issued under the Programme to be admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s regulated market and to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
(C) In connection with such application, the Issuers have prepared a Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus dated 9 August 2005 (the “Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus”, which expression includes any further Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus prepared in connection with the listing of the Instruments on any other stock exchange on which any Instruments may from time to time be listed together with any information incorporated therein by reference).
(D) The Guarantor has agreed to guarantee the payment of all sums expressed to be payable from time to time by each Issuer to Holders in respect of the Instruments issued by such Issuer and to Accountholders in respect of the Deed of Covenant.
111 NOW THIS DEED OF GUARANTEE WITNESSES as follows:
1. INTERPRETATION 1.1 Definitions
All terms and expressions which have defined meanings in the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus, the Dealership Agreement, the Agency Agreement or a Deed of Covenant shall have the same meanings in this Deed of Guarantee except where the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise stated.
1.2 Clauses
Any reference in this Deed of Guarantee to a Clause is, unless otherwise stated, to a Clause hereof.
1.3 Other agreements
All references in this Deed of Guarantee to an agreement, instrument or other document (including the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus, the Dealership Agreement, the Agency Agreement and a Deed of Covenant) shall be construed as a reference to that agreement, instrument or other document as the same may be amended, supplemented, replaced or novated from time to time. In addition, in the context of any particular Tranche of Instruments, each reference in this Deed of Guarantee to the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus shall be construed as a reference to the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus as supplemented and/or amended by the relevant Final Terms.
1.4 Statutes
Any reference in this Deed of Guarantee to a statute, any provision thereof or to any statutory instrument, order or regulation made thereunder shall be construed as a reference to such statute, provision, statutory instrument, order or regulation as the same may have been, or may from time to time be, amended or re-enacted.
1.5 Headings
Headings and sub-headings are for ease of reference only and shall not affect the construction of this Deed of Guarantee.
2. GUARANTEE AND INDEMNITY 2.1 Guarantee
The Guarantor hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees:
2.1.1 The Instruments: to each Holder the due and punctual payment of all sums from time to time payable by the relevant Issuer in respect of the relevant Instrument as and when the same become due and payable and accordingly undertakes to pay to such Holder, forthwith upon the demand of such Holder and in the manner and currency prescribed by the Conditions for payments by such Issuer in respect of such Instrument, any and every sum or sums which such Issuer is at any time liable to pay in respect of such Instrument and which such Issuer has failed to pay; and
2.1.2 The Direct Rights: to each Accountholder the due and punctual payment of all sums from time to time payable by the relevant Issuer to such Accountholder in respect of the Direct Rights as and when the same become due and payable and accordingly undertakes to pay to such Accountholder, forthwith upon the demand of such Accountholder and in the manner and currency prescribed by the Conditions for
112 payments by such Issuer in respect of the Instruments, any and every sum or sums which such Issuer is at any time liable to pay to such Accountholder in respect of the Instruments and which such Issuer has failed to pay.
2.2 Indemnity
The Guarantor irrevocably undertakes to each Beneficiary that, if any sum referred to in Clause 2.1 is not recoverable from the Guarantor thereunder for any reason whatsoever (including without limitation, by reason of any Instrument, either Deed of Covenant or any provision thereof being or becoming void, unenforceable or otherwise invalid under any applicable law), then (notwithstanding that the same may have been known to such Beneficiary) the Guarantor will, forthwith upon demand by such Beneficiary, pay such sum by way of a full indemnity in the manner and currency prescribed by the Conditions. This indemnity constitutes a separate and independent obligation from the other obligations under this Deed of Guarantee and shall give rise to a separate and independent cause of action if any sum is not recoverable under Clause 2.1.
2.3 Place of Performance
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Clauses 2.1 and 2.2. hereof, it is specifically agreed that the place of performance of any and all obligations of the Guarantor under this Deed of Guarantee shall be London, England and consequently any and all payments of the Guarantor under this Deed of Guarantee shall be made out of or to the credit of bank accounts maintained with banks legally operating and situated in London, England.
3. COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS
The Guarantor covenants in favour of each Beneficiary that it will duly perform and comply with the obligations expressed to be undertaken by it in the Conditions.
4. PRESERVATION OF RIGHTS 4.1 Principal obligor
The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be deemed to be undertaken as principal obligor and not merely as surety.
4.2 Continuing obligations
The obligations of the Guarantor herein contained shall constitute and be continuing obligations notwithstanding any settlement of account or other matter or thing whatsoever and shall not be considered satisfied by any intermediate payment or satisfaction of all or any of the relevant Issuer’s obligations under or in respect of any Instrument or the Deed of Covenant and shall continue in full force and effect for so long as the Programme remains in effect and thereafter until all sums due from such Issuer in respect of the Instruments and under the Deed of Covenant have been paid, and all other actual or contingent obligations of such Issuer thereunder or in respect thereof have been satisfied, in full.
4.3 Obligations not discharged
Neither the obligations of the Guarantor herein contained nor the rights, powers and remedies conferred upon the Beneficiaries by this Deed of Guarantee or by law shall be discharged, impaired or otherwise affected by:
4.3.1 Winding up: the winding up, dissolution, administration or re-organisation of the relevant Issuer or any change in its status, function, control or ownership;
113 4.3.2 Illegality: any of the obligations of the relevant Issuer under or in respect of any Instrument or the Deed of Covenant being or becoming illegal, invalid, unenforceable or ineffective in any respect;
4.3.3 Indulgence: time or other indulgence being granted or agreed to be granted to the relevant Issuer in respect of any of its obligations under or in respect of any Instrument or the Deed of Covenant;
4.3.4 Amendment: any amendment to, or any variation, waiver or release of, any obligation of the relevant Issuer under or in respect of any Instrument or the Deed of Covenant or any security or other guarantee or indemnity in respect thereof; or
4.3.5 Analogous events: any other act, event or omission which, but for this sub-clause, might operate to discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations expressed to be assumed by the Guarantor herein or any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon the Beneficiaries or any of them by this Deed of Guarantee or by law.
4.4 Settlement conditional
Any settlement or discharge between the Guarantor and the Beneficiaries or any of them shall be conditional upon no payment to the Beneficiaries or any of them by the relevant Issuer or any other person on the relevant Issuer’s behalf being avoided or reduced by virtue of any laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or similar laws of general application for the time being in force and, in the event of any such payment being so avoided or reduced, the Beneficiaries shall be entitled to recover the amount by which such payment is so avoided or reduced from the Guarantor subsequently as if such settlement or discharge had not occurred.
4.5 Exercise of Rights
No Beneficiary shall be obliged before exercising any of the rights, powers or remedies conferred upon it by this Deed of Guarantee or by law:
4.5.1 Demand: to make any demand of the relevant Issuer, save for the presentation of the relevant Instrument;
4.5.2 Take action: to take any action or obtain judgment in any court against the Issuer; or
4.5.3 Claim or proof: to make or file any claim or proof in a winding up or dissolution of the relevant Issuer,
and (save as aforesaid) the Guarantor hereby expressly waives presentment, demand, protest and notice of dishonour in respect of any Instrument.
4.6 Deferral of Guarantor’s rights
The Guarantor agrees that, so long as any sums are or may be owed by the relevant Issuer in respect of any Instrument or under the Deed of Covenant or the relevant Issuer is under any other actual or contingent obligation thereunder or in respect thereof, the Guarantor will not exercise any right which the Guarantor may at any time have by reason of the performance by the Guarantor of its obligations hereunder:
4.6.1 Indemnity: to be indemnified by the relevant Issuer;
4.6.2 Contribution: to claim any contribution from any other guarantor of the relevant Issuer’s obligations under or in respect of any Instrument or the Deed of Covenant; or
4.6.3 Subrogation: to take the benefit (in whole or in part and whether by way of subrogation or otherwise) of any rights of any Beneficiary against the relevant Issuer in respect of
114 amounts paid by the Guarantor under this Deed of Guarantee or any security enjoyed in connection with any Instrument or the Deed of Covenant by any Beneficiary.
4.7 Unsubordinated Obligations
The Guarantor irrevocably undertakes that its obligations hereunder in respect of Instruments specified in the applicable Final Terms as Unsubordinated Instruments will constitute direct, general, unconditional and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor which will at all times rank at least pari passu with all other present and future unsecured (subject to Condition 5) and unsubordinated obligations of the Guarantor, save for such obligations as may be preferred by mandatory provisions of law.
4.8 Subordinated Obligations
The Guarantor irrevocably undertakes that its obligations hereunder in respect of Instruments specified in the applicable Final Terms as Subordinated Instruments will constitute direct, general, unconditional, subordinated and unsecured obligations of the Guarantor which will be subordinated to the claims of Senior Creditors of the Guarantor in that payments hereunder (whether in the winding up of the Guarantor or otherwise) will be conditional upon the Guarantor being solvent at the time of payment by the Guarantor and in that no amount shall be payable hereunder (whether in the winding up of the Guarantor or otherwise) except to the extent that the Guarantor could make such payment and still be solvent immediately thereafter. For this purpose, the Guarantor shall be considered to be solvent if it can pay principal and interest in respect of the Instruments and still be able to pay its outstanding debts to Senior Creditors of the Guarantor, which are due and payable.
In case of dissolution, liquidation and/or bankruptcy of the Guarantor the Holders will only be paid by the Guarantor after all Senior Creditors of the Guarantor have been paid in full and the Holders irrevocably waive their right to be treated equally with all other unsecured, unsubordinated creditors of the Guarantor in such circumstances.
5. DEPOSIT OF DEED OF GUARANTEE
This Deed of Guarantee shall be deposited with and held by the Issue and Paying Agent for so long as the Programme remains in effect and thereafter until the date which is two years after all the obligations of each Issuer under or in respect of Instruments issued by it (including, without limitation, such Issuer’s obligations under the Deed of Covenant) have been discharged in full. The Guarantor hereby acknowledges the right of every Beneficiary to the production of this Deed of Guarantee.
6. STAMP DUTIES
The Guarantor shall pay all stamp, registration and other similar taxes and duties (including any interest and penalties thereon or in connection therewith) which are payable upon or in connection with the execution and delivery of this Deed of Guarantee, and shall, to the extent permitted by law, indemnify each Beneficiary against any claim, demand, action, liability, damages, cost, loss or expense (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and any applicable value added tax) which it incurs as a result or arising out of or in relation to any failure to pay or delay in paying any of the same.
7. BENEFIT OF DEED OF GUARANTEE
7.1 Deed poll
This Deed of Guarantee shall take effect as a deed poll for the benefit of the Beneficiaries from time to time.
115 7.2 Benefit
This Deed of Guarantee shall ensure to the benefit of each Beneficiary and its (and any subsequent) successors and assigns, each of which shall be entitled severally to enforce this Deed of Guarantee against the Guarantor.
7.3 Assignment
The Guarantor shall not be entitled to assign or transfer all or any of its rights, benefits and obligations hereunder. Each Beneficiary shall be entitled to assign all or any of its rights and benefits hereunder.
8. PARTIAL INVALIDITY
If at any time any provision hereof is or becomes illegal, invalid or unenforceable in any respect under the laws of any jurisdiction, neither the legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof nor the legality, validity or enforceability of such provision under the laws of any other jurisdiction shall in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
9. NOTICES
9.1 Address for notices
All notices, demands and other communications to the Guarantor hereunder shall be made in writing (by letter, telex or fax) and shall be sent to the Guarantor at:
EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A.
Address: 8 Othonos Street Athens 105 57
Telex: 210975 EURO GR
Fax: 00 301 03337 190
Attention: Treasury Department
or to such other address, telex number or fax number or for the attention of such other person or department as the Guarantor has notified to the relevant Holders in the manner prescribed for the giving of notices in connection with the relevant Instruments.
9.2 Effectiveness
Every notice, demand or other communication sent in accordance with Clause 9.1 (Address for notices) shall be effective as follows:
9.2.1 Letter or fax: if sent by letter or fax, upon receipt by the Guarantor; and
9.2.2 Telex: if sent by telex, upon receipt by the sender of the Guarantor’s answerback at the end of transmission;
provided that any such notice, demand or other communication which would otherwise take effect after 4.00 p.m. on any particular day shall not take effect until 10.00 a.m. on the immediately succeeding business day in the place of the Guarantor.
116 10. LAW AND JURISDICTION 10.1 Governing law
This Deed of Guarantee (other than Clause 4.8) is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with, English law. Clause 4.8 is governed by, and shall be construed in accordance with Greek law.
10.2 Jurisdiction
The Guarantor agrees for the benefit of the Beneficiaries that the High Courts of Justice of England in London shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or proceedings, and to settle any disputes, which arises out of or in connection with this Deed of Guarantee (respectively, “Proceedings” and “Disputes”) and, for such purposes, irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of such courts.
10.3 Appropriate forum
The Guarantor irrevocably waives any objection which it might now or hereafter have to the courts of England being nominated as the forum to hear and determine any Proceedings and to settle any Disputes, and agrees not to claim that any such court is not a convenient or appropriate forum.
10.4 Service of process
The Guarantor agrees that the process by which any Proceedings in England are begun may be served on it by being delivered to it at EFG Eurobank Ergasias London Branch, 24 Grafton Street, London W1S 4EZ. If the appointment of the person mentioned in this Clause 10.4 ceases to be effective, the Guarantor shall forthwith appoint a further person in England to accept service of process on its behalf in England and notify the name and address of such person to the Issue and Paying Agent and, failing such appointment within fifteen days, any Beneficiary shall be entitled to appoint such a person by written notice to the Guarantor. Nothing in this paragraph shall affect the right of any Beneficiary to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
10.5 Non-exclusivity
The submission to the jurisdiction of the courts of England shall not (and shall not be construed so as to) limit the right of the Beneficiaries to take Proceedings in any other court of competent jurisdiction, nor shall the taking of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions preclude the taking of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction (whether concurrently or not) if and to the extent permitted by law.
11. MODIFICATION
The Agency Agreement contains provisions for convening meetings of Holders to consider matters relating to Instruments, including the modification of any provision of this Deed of Guarantee. Any such modification may be made by supplemental deed poll if sanctioned by an Extraordinary Resolution and shall be binding on all Beneficiaries.
IN WITNESS whereof this Deed of Guarantee has been executed by the Guarantor and is intended to be and is hereby delivered on the date first before written.
EXECUTED as a deed ) by EFG EUROBANK ERGASIAS S.A. ) acting by )
117 TAXATION IN THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
The following discussion of Greek taxation, as it relates to the Instruments and to the Deed of Guarantee, is of a general nature and is based on the provisions of tax laws currently in force in Greece. Holders of Instruments who are in doubt as to their personal tax position should consult their professional advisers.
Greek withholding tax
In the light of the fact that both Issuers are legal entities located outside Greece and any and all issues of Instruments, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Programme, shall be effected outside Greece, under Greek tax laws as of the date hereof, no Greek withholding tax shall be imposed on payments of principal or interest from the relevant Issuer in respect of instruments or on payments of principal by the Guarantor under the Deed of Guarantee.
Under Greek tax laws as of the date hereof, a withholding tax of 20 per cent., which does not exhaust the tax liability of the holder, might be imposed on holders of Instruments who are tax resident in Greece and on holders who maintain, for tax purposes, a permanent establishment in Greece, and a withholding tax of 35 per cent., which exhausts the tax liability of a holder of Instruments, might be imposed on holders of Instruments who are companies or legal entities and who are not resident in Greece and do not maintain a permanent establishment in Greece, in relation to payments made to such holders by the Guarantor under the Deed of Guarantee which represents accrued interest on the Instruments.
However, if a holder of an Instrument is a resident of a country with which Greece has executed a bilateral treaty for the avoidance of double taxation then the provisions of such bilateral treaty shall prevail over the provisions of internal Greek tax laws and shall apply, provided that such a holder of an Instrument presents a tax residence certificate issued at a date not later than one (1) year before such certificate is presented.
Implementation of EU Savings Directive
On 3 June 2003 the EU Council of Economic and Finance Ministers adopted Council Directive 2003/48/EC on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments (the “EU Savings Directive”).
The ultimate aim of the EU Savings Directive is to enable savings income in the form of interest payments made in one Member State to beneficial owners who are individuals resident for tax purposes in another Member State to be made subject to effective taxation in accordance with the laws of the latter Member State.
The achievement of such aim is attempted through the establishment of an automatic system of exchange of information concerning interest payments between Member States.
Greece implemented the EU Savings Directive by virtue of Law 3312/2005 (Gov. Gazette No A’ 35/2005).
The purpose of this section is to provide a summary of the mechanics introduced by Law 3312/2005 for the purpose of such implementation. Capitalised terms used in this “Taxation in the Hellenic Republic” section and not defined in the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus shall have the meaning given to them in the EU Savings Directive.
Under the aforesaid implementing Greek Law 3312/2005, Greek Paying Agents paying interest, payable under the Instruments or the Deed of Guarantee, to or securing the payment of interest for the benefit of any individual Holder (natural person) or Instrument(s), who is not a resident of Greece for tax purposes, shall be required to report to the Greek Competent Authority, being the Directorate of International Financial Affairs of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, certain information, consisting of, at least, the identity and residence of such individual Holder of
118 Instrument(s), the name and address of the Paying Agent, the account number of such individual Holder of Instrument(s) and information concerning such interest payment.
The Directorate of International Financial Affairs of the Ministry of Economy and Finance shall in turn communicate the above information to the respective Competent Authority of the Member State in which such Holder of Instruments retains its residence for tax purposes.
A reporting process is established in certain cases also where the Paying Agent is paying interest, payable under the Instruments or the Deed of Guarantee, to or securing the payment of interest for the benefit of certain categories of EU-based entities (other than Greek), as defined in Law 3312/2005, which interest is secured or collected for the benefit of the ultimate individual Holder of Instrument(s). Also, specific obligations shall be imposed on Greek entities, collecting or receiving interest for the benefit of the ultimate individual Holder of Instrument(s), by a Ministerial Decision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions, including the entering into and implementation into Greek law of certain international and bilateral agreements and arrangements with certain countries, such as the Republic of San Marino, the Principality of Monaco and others, the enactment of Law 3312/2005 shall commence on 1 July 2005.
119 TAXATION IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
The following is a summary of the United Kingdom withholding taxation treatment at the date hereof in relation to payments of principal and interest in respect of the Instruments. The comments do not deal with other United Kingdom tax aspects of acquiring, holding or disposing of Instruments. The comments relate only to the position of persons who are absolute beneficial owners of the Instruments. Prospective holders should be aware that the particular terms of issue of any Series of Instruments as specified in the relevant Final Terms may affect the tax treatment of that and other Series of Instruments. The following is a general guide and should be treated with appropriate caution. Holders who are in any doubt as to their tax position should consult their professional advisers.
Holders who may be liable to taxation in jurisdictions other than the United Kingdom in respect of their acquisition, holding or disposal of the Instruments are particularly advised to consult their professional advisers as to whether they are so liable (and if so under the laws of which jurisdictions), since the following comments relate only to certain United Kingdom taxation aspects of payments in respect of the Instruments. In particular, Holders should be aware that they may be liable to taxation under the laws of other jurisdictions in relation to payments in respect of the Instruments even if such payments may be made without withholding or deduction for or on account of taxation under the laws of the United Kingdom.
Interest on the Instruments 1. Payment of Interest on the Instruments Payments of interest on the Instruments issued by EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited may be considered to have a United Kingdom source. If such payments do have a United Kingdom source, the following paragraphs will apply mutatis mutandis to payments of or in respect of interest on the Instruments issued by EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, otherwise, payments of such interest may be made without deduction or withholding on account of United Kingdom income tax.
The Instruments issued by EFG Hellas PLC which carry a right to interest (“UK Instruments”) will constitute “quoted Eurobonds” provided they are and continue to be listed on a “recognised stock exchange” within the meaning of section 841 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988. On the basis of the United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs published interpretation of the relevant legislation, securities which are to be listed on a stock exchange in a country which is a member state of the European Union or in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein will satisfy this requirement if they are listed by a competent authority in that country and are admitted to trading on a recognised stock exchange in that country; securities which are to be listed on a stock exchange in any other country will satisfy this requirement if they are admitted to trading on a recognised stock exchange in that country. The Luxembourg Stock Exchange is a recognised stock exchange for these purposes. Provided, therefore, that the UK Instruments are and continue to be quoted Eurobonds, interest on the UK Instruments will be payable without withholding or deduction for or on account of United Kingdom income tax.
In all other cases, an amount must be withheld from payments of interest on the UK Instruments on account of United Kingdom income tax at the lower rate (currently 20%) subject to such relief as may be available under the provisions of any applicable double tax treaty or to any other exemption which may apply.
However, this withholding will not apply if the relevant interest is paid on Instruments with a maturity date of less than one year from the date of issue and which are not issued under arrangements the effect of which is to render such Instruments part of a borrowing with a total term of a year or more.
If the Guarantor makes any payments in respect of interest on Instruments issued by EFG Hellas PLC (or other amounts due under such Instruments other than the repayment of amounts
120 subscribed for the Instruments) such payments may be subject to United Kingdom withholding tax at the basic rate (currently 22%) subject to such relief as may be available under the provisions of any applicable double taxation treaty. Such payments by the Guarantor may not be eligible for any of the other exemptions described above.
Any payments made by EFG Hellas PLC under its Deed of Covenant may not qualify for the exemptions from UK withholding tax described above.
Holders should note that where any interest on the Instruments is paid to them (or to any person acting on their behalf) by the relevant Issuer or any person in the United Kingdom acting on behalf of the relevant Issuer (a "paying agent"), or is received by any person in the United Kingdom acting on behalf of the relevant Holder (other than solely by clearing or arranging the clearing of a cheque) (a "collecting agent"), then the relevant Issuer, the paying agent or the collecting agent (as the case may be) may, in certain cases, be required to supply to the United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs details of the payment and certain details relating to the Holder (including the Holder's name and address). These provisions will apply whether or not the interest has been paid subject to withholding or deduction for or on account of United Kingdom income tax and whether or not the Holder is resident in the United Kingdom for United Kingdom taxation purposes. Where the Holder is not so resident, the details provided to the United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs may, in certain cases, be passed by the United Kingdom HM Revenue & Customs to the tax authorities of the jurisdiction in which the Holder is resident for taxation purposes.
For the above purposes, "interest" should be taken, for practical purposes, as including payments made by the Guarantor in respect of interest on the Instruments.
The provisions referred to above may also apply, in certain circumstances, to payments made on redemption of any Instruments where the amount payable on redemption is greater than the issue price of the Instruments.
2. Other Rules Relating to United Kingdom Withholding Tax Instruments may be issued at an issue price of less than 100 per cent of their principal amount. Any discount element on any such Instruments will not be subject to any United Kingdom withholding tax pursuant to the provisions mentioned above, but may be subject to reporting requirements as outlined above.
Where Instruments are issued with a redemption premium, as opposed to being issued at a discount, then any such element of premium may constitute a payment of interest. Payments of interest are subject to United Kingdom withholding tax and reporting requirements as outlined above.
Where interest has been paid under deduction of United Kingdom income tax, Holders who are not resident in the United Kingdom may be able to recover all or part of the tax deducted if there is an appropriate provision in any applicable double taxation treaty.
The references to “interest” above mean “interest” as understood in United Kingdom tax law. The statements above do not take any account of any different definitions of “interest” or “principal” which may prevail under any other law or which may be created by the terms and conditions of the Instruments or any related documentation.
The above description of the United Kingdom withholding tax position assumes that there will be no substitution of EFG Hellas PLC pursuant to Condition 18 of the Instruments and does not consider the tax consequences of any such substitution.
121 TAXATION IN THE CAYMAN ISLANDS
Prospective investors should consult their professional advisers on the possible tax consequences of buying, holding or selling any Instrument under the laws of their country of citizenship, residence or domicile.
Cayman Islands Taxation
The following is a discussion on certain Cayman Islands income tax consequences of an investment in the Instruments. The discussion is a general summary of present law, which is subject to prospective and retroactive change. It is not intended as tax advice, does not consider any investor’s particular circumstances, and does not consider tax consequences other than those arising under Cayman Islands law.
1 Under existing Cayman Islands Laws:
1.1 payments of interest and principal on the Instruments will not be subject to taxation in the Cayman Islands and no withholding will be required on the payment of interest and principal to any holder of the Instruments, as the case may be, nor will gains derived from the disposal of the Instruments be subject to Cayman Islands income or corporation tax. The Cayman Islands currently have no income, corporation or capital gains tax and no estate duty, inheritance tax or gift tax;
1.2 no stamp duty is payable in respect of the issue or transfer of the Instruments although duty may be payable if Instruments are executed in or brought into the Cayman Islands; and
1.3 certificates evidencing the Instruments, in registered form, to which title is not transferable by delivery, should not attract Cayman Islands stamp duty. However, an instrument transferring title to an Instrument, if brought to or executed in the Cayman Islands, would be subject to Cayman Islands stamp duty.
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited has been incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company and, as such, has obtained an undertaking from the Governor in Cabinet of the Cayman Islands in the following form:
“The Tax Concessions Law 1999 Revision Undertaking as to Tax Concessions
In accordance with the provision of Section 6 of The Tax Concession Law (1999 Revision), the Governor in Cabinet undertakes with EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited “the Company”.
1 That no law which is hereafter enacted in the Islands imposing any tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations shall apply to the Company or its operations; and
2 In addition, that no tax to be levied on profits, income, gains or appreciations or which is in the nature of estate duty or inheritance tax shall be payable:
2.1 On or in respect on the shares, debentures or other obligations of the Company;
Or
2.2 By way of the withholding in whole or part, of any relevant payment as defined in Section 6(3) of the Tax Concessions Law (1999 Revision).
These concessions shall be for a period of twenty years from the 14th day of May, 2002.”
122 TAXATION IN LUXEMBOURG
Under Luxembourg tax law, there is currently no withholding tax on payments of principal, premium or interest, nor on accrued but unpaid interest, in respect of the Instruments, nor is any Luxembourg withholding tax payable upon redemption or repurchase of the Instruments. As from 1 July 2005, Luxembourg will levy withholding tax on interest payments made by a Luxembourg paying agent to individual beneficial owners who are tax resident of (i) another EU Member State, pursuant to Council Directive 2003/48/EC of 3 June 2003 on taxation of savings income in the form of interest payments, or (ii) certain non-EU countries and territories which have agreed to adopt similar measures to those provided for under Council Directive 2003/48/EC (see "Risk Factors – EU Savings Directive" below). Responsibility for the withholding of such tax will be assumed by the Luxembourg paying agent and not by the relevant Issuer.
123 SUBSCRIPTION AND SALE
Instruments may be sold from time to time by each relevant Issuer to, inter alia, any one or more of Banc of America Securities Limited, Banca IMI S.p.A., Barclays Bank PLC, CALYON, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A., Goldman Sachs International, HSBC Bank plc, J. P.Morgan Securities Ltd., Merrill Lynch International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited and Natexis Banques Populaires and Nomura International plc (the “Dealers’’). The arrangements under which Instruments may from time to time be agreed to be sold by the relevant Issuer to, and purchased by, Dealers are set out in an amended and restated dealership agreement to be dated 9 August 2005 (the “Dealership Agreement’’) and made between the Issuers, the Guarantor and the Dealers. Any such agreement will, inter alia, make provision for the form and terms and conditions of the relevant Instruments, the price at which such Instruments will be purchased by the Dealers and the commissions or other agreed deductibles (if any) payable or allowable by the relevant Issuer in respect of such purchase. The Dealership Agreement makes provision for the resignation or termination of appointment of existing Dealers and for the appointment of additional or other Dealers either generally in respect of the Programme or in relation to a particular Tranche of Instruments.
United States of America Regulation S Category 2; TEFRA D, unless TEFRA C is specified in the relevant Final Terms.
Instruments have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act’’) and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Terms used in the preceding sentence have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act.
Instruments are subject to U.S. tax law requirements and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or its possessions or to United States persons, except in certain transactions permitted by United States tax regulations. Terms used in the preceding sentence have the meanings given to them by the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and regulations thereunder.
Each Dealer has represented and agreed and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree that it will not offer, sell or deliver Instruments, (i) as part of their distribution at any time or (ii) otherwise until forty days after the completion of the distribution of the Instruments comprising the relevant Tranche, as certified by the relevant Dealer or, in the case of an issue of Instruments on a syndicated basis, the relevant lead manager, of all of the Instrument of the Tranche of which such Instruments are a part within the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons. Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to them by Regulation S under the Securities Act.
In addition, until forty days after the commencement of the offering of Instruments comprising any Tranche, any offer or sale of such Instruments within the United States by any dealer (whether or not participating in the offering) may violate the registration requirements of the Securities Act if such offer or sale is made otherwise than in accordance with an available exemption from registration under the Securities Act.
European Economic Area
In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”), each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”), it has not made and will not make an offer of Instruments to the public in that Relevant Member State except that
124 it may, with effect from and including the Relevant Implementation Date, make an offer of Instruments to the public in that Relevant Member State:
(a) in (or in Germany, where the offer starts within) the period beginning on the date of publication of a prospectus in relation to those Instruments which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant Member State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Directive and ending on the date which is 12 months after the date of such publication;
(b) at any time to legal entities which are authorised or regulated to operate in the financial markets or, if not so authorised or regulated, whose corporate purpose is solely to invest in securities;
(c) at any time to any legal entity which has two or more of (1) an average of at least 250 employees during the last financial year; (2) a total balance sheet of more than €43,000,000 and (3) an annual net turnover of more than €50,000,000, as shown in its last annual or consolidated accounts; or
(d) at any time in any other circumstances which do not require the publication by the relevant Issuer of a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.
For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer of Instruments to the public” in relation to any Instruments in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the Instruments to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe the Instruments, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State and the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State.
United Kingdom
Each Dealer has represented and agreed, and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree, that:
(a) in relation to any Instruments which have a maturity of less than one year, (i) it is a person whose ordinary activities involve it in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of its business and (ii) it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell any Instruments other than to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or as agent) for the purposes of their businesses or who it is reasonable to expect will acquire, hold, manage or dispose of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their businesses where the issue of the Instruments would otherwise constitute a contravention of Section 19 of the FSMA by the relevant Issuer;
(b) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of any Instruments in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the relevant Issuer or the Guarantor; and
(c) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to any Instruments in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.
125 Japan
Each Dealer understands that the Instruments have not been and will not be registered under the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan (the “Securities and Exchange Law”) and, accordingly, each Dealer has undertaken and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to undertake that it will not offer or sell any Instruments, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Law and all other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by the relevant Japanese governmental and regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person’’ shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organised under the laws of Japan.
The Republic of France
Each Dealer has represented and agreed that, during the period up to but excluding the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in the Republic of France, it has not offered or sold and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any Instruments in the Republic of France, and has not distributed and will not distribute or cause to be distributed to the public in the Republic of France this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any other offering material relating to the Instruments and that such offers, sales and distributions have been and shall only be made in France to qualified investors (investisseurs qualifiés) acting for their own account as defined in accordance with articles L.411-1 and L.411-2 of the Code Monétaire et Financier and Decree no. 98-880 dated 1 October 1998.
Greece
Each Dealer has represented and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent that, no public offering of the Instruments is permitted in the Hellenic Republic and consequently no advertisement of any kind, notifications, statements or other actions are permitted to be taken or made in the Hellenic Republic with a view to attracting the public in Greece to acquire any of the Instruments, other than in compliance with the laws applicable at the time in the Hellenic Republic governing the issue, offering and sale of securities.
Switzerland
Each Dealer has represented and agreed and each further Dealer appointed under the Programme will be required to represent and agree that any issue of Instruments denominated in Swiss Francs will be issued in compliance with the guidelines of the Swiss National Bank regarding issues of Swiss Franc denominated debt securities.
Cayman Islands
No invitation may be made directly or indirectly to the public in the Cayman Islands to subscribe for any of the Instruments.
General
Other than with respect to the listing of the Instruments on such stock exchange or other relevant authority as may be specified in the Final Terms, no action has been or will be taken in any country or jurisdiction by the Dealers that would permit a public offering of Instruments, or possession or distribution of any offering material in relation thereto, in any country or jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. Persons into whose hands the Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus or any Final Terms comes are required by the relevant Issuer, the Guarantor and the Dealers to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in each country or jurisdiction in or from which they
126 purchase, offer, sell or deliver Instruments or have in their possession or distribute such offering material, in all cases at their own expense.
The Dealership Agreement provides that the Dealers shall not be bound by any of the restrictions relating to any specific jurisdiction (set out above) to the extent that such restrictions shall, as a result of change(s) or change(s) in official interpretation, after the date hereof, in applicable laws and regulations, no longer be applicable but without prejudice to the obligations of the Dealers described in the paragraph headed “General’’ above.
Selling restrictions may be supplemented or modified with the agreement of the relevant Issuer. Any such supplement or modification will be set out in the relevant Final Terms (in the case of a supplement or modification relevant only to a particular Tranche of Instruments) or (in any other case) in a supplement to this document and a supplement to the Dealership Agreement.
127 GENERAL INFORMATION
1. The Luxembourg Stock Exchange has allocated numbers 12279 and 13133 to EFG Hellas PLC and EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, respectively, for listing purposes. Application has been made for Instruments issued under the Programme to be admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s regulated market and to be listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
However, Instruments may be issued pursuant to the Programme which will not be listed or admitted to trading on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange or any other relevant authority or which will be listed or admitted to trading on such stock exchange or any other relevant authority as the relevant Issuer and the relevant Dealer(s) may agree.
2. The establishment of the Programme and the issuance of Instruments thereunder by EFG Hellas PLC was authorised by resolutions of the Board of Directors of EFG Hellas PLC on 30 September 1999. The accession of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited as an Issuer under the Programme was authorised by resolutions of the Board of Directors of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited on 15 May 2002. The establishment of the Programme and the giving of the guarantee was authorised by resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Guarantor on 12 March 1999, 10 June 1999, 22 September 1999, 13 October 1999 and 24 April 2002. The update and increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Programme to €9,000,000,000 was authorised by resolutions of the Board of Directors of EFG Hellas PLC on 23 June 2005, of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited on 22 June 2005 and of the Guarantor on 16 June 2005. Each Issuer and the Guarantor have obtained or will obtain from time to time all necessary consents, approvals and authorisations in connection with the issue and performance of the Instruments.
3. None of the Issuers, the Guarantor and any of the subsidiaries of the Guarantor is or has been involved in any governmental, legal or arbitration proceedings (including any such proceedings which are pending or threatened of which any of the Issuers or the Guarantor is aware) during the period of 12 months preceding the date of this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus which may have, or have had, in such period, a significant effect on the financial position or profitability of either Issuer or the Guarantor and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
4. Since 31 December 2004 (the last day of the financial period in respect of which the most recent audited financial statements of the Guarantor have been prepared), there has been no material adverse change in the prospects of the Guarantor and since 31 March 2005 (the last day of the financial period in respect of which the most recent unaudited interim financial statements of the Guarantor have been prepared), there has been no significant change in the financial position of the Guarantor and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.
Since 31 December 2004 (the last day of the financial period in respect of which the most recent audited financial statements of EFG Hellas PLC and EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited have been prepared), there has been no material adverse change in the prospects of EFG Hellas PLC and EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, respectively, and there has been no significant change in the financial or trading position of EFG Hellas PLC and EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited, respectively.
5. For as long as the Programme remains valid with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, copies and, where appropriate, English translations of the following documents will be available at the specified offices of the Issue and Paying Agent and the Paying Agent in Luxembourg, namely:
(a) the constitutional documents of each Issuer and the Guarantor;
(b) the Issue and Paying Agency Agreement;
128 (c) the EFG Hellas PLC Deed of Covenant and the EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited Deed of Covenant;
(d) the Dealership Agreement;
(e) the Deed of Guarantee; and
(f) any reports, letters, balance sheets, valuations and statements of experts included or referred to in this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus (other than consent letters); and
6. For as long as the Programme remains valid with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, copies and, where appropriate, English translations of the following documents will be available on the website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange at www.bourse.lu and, free of charge, from the registered office of each Issuer and the Guarantor:
(a) this Debt Issuance Programme Prospectus, any supplement to it and any Final Terms relating to Instruments which are admitted to trading on a regulated market within the European Economic Area or offered to the public in a Member State of the European Economic Area in circumstances which require the publication of a prospectus under the Prospectus Directive;
(b) the audited consolidated and non-consoldiated annual financial statements of the Guarantor in respect of each of the financial years ended 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004, in each case together with the audit reports thereon, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in Greece;
(c) the audited non-consolidated annual financial statements of EFG Hellas PLC in respect of each of the financial years ended 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004, in each case together with the audit reports thereon, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in the United Kingdom. EFG Hellas PLC does not produce consolidated financial statements or interim financial statements;
(d) the audited annual non-consolidated financial statements of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited in respect of each of the financial years ended 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004, in each case together with the audit reports thereon, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in the United Kingdom. EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited does not produce consolidated financial statements or interim financial statements; and
(e) the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Guarantor as at, and for the period ended, 31 March 2005 prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. The Guarantor does not produce interim non-consolidated financial statements.
7. The Instruments have been accepted for clearance through Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg (which are the entities in charge of keeping the records). The appropriate common code and the International Securities Identification Number in relation to the Instruments of each Tranche will be specified in the Final Terms relating thereto. The relevant Final Terms shall specify any other clearing system as shall have accepted the relevant Instruments for clearance together with any further appropriate information.
The address of Euroclear is 3 Boulevard du Roi Albert III, B.1210 Brussels, Belgium and the address of Clearstream, Luxembourg is 42 Avenue J. F. Kennedy, L-1855 Luxembourg.
8. The issue price and amount of the Instruments of any Tranche to be issued under the Programme will be determined at the time of offering of such Tranche in accordance with then prevailing market conditions.
129 9. Instruments (other than Temporary Global Instruments) which have a maturity of more than 365 days and any Coupon appertaining thereto will bear a legend substantially to the following effect: “Any United States person who holds this obligation will be subject to limitations under the United States income tax laws, including the limitations provided in Sections 165(j) and 1287(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.’’ The sections referred to in such legend provide that a United States person who holds an Instrument or Coupon generally will not be allowed to deduct any loss realised on the sale, exchange or redemption of such Instrument or Coupon and any gain (which might otherwise be characterised as capital gain) recognised on such sale, exchange or redemption will be treated as ordinary income.
10. The auditors of EFG Hellas PLC are PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP of Southwark Towers, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SY, England, Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors who have audited its accounts, without qualification, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United Kingdom for each of the two financial years ended on 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004. The auditors of EFG Hellas PLC have no material interest in EFG Hellas PLC.
The auditors of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited are PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP of Southwark Towers, 32 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SY, England, Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors who have audited its accounts, without qualification, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United Kingdom for each of the two financial years ended on 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004. The auditors of EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited have no material interest in EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited.
The auditors of the Guarantor are PricewaterhouseCoopers of 268 Kifisias Avenue, 152 32 Halandri, Greece, Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors, who have audited the Guarantor’s accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards in Greece for the financial years ended on 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004. The independent auditor’s reports on the 31 December 2003 and 31 December 2004 year end financial statements for the Guarantor were qualified since in certain cases the Guarantor applied International Financial Reporting Standards and diverged from the requirements of Greek Company Law 2190/1920. The qualifications are set out in the consolidated balance sheet in the financial statements for such years set out under “Financial Information Relating to EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A.” above. The auditors of the Guarantor have no material interest in the Guarantor.
11. The relevant Issuer does not intend to provide any post-issuance information in relation to assets underlying issues of Instruments constituting derivative securities.
130 REGISTERED OFFICE OF EFG HELLAS (CAYMAN ISLANDS) LIMITED
EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited PO Box 309 GT Ugland House South Church Street George Town Grand Cayman Cayman Islands
REGISTERED OFFICE OF EFG HELLAS PLC EFG Hellas PLC 12 Hay Hill London W1J 6DW England
REGISTERED OFFICE OF THE GUARANTOR EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. 8 Othonos Street Athens 10557 Greece
ISSUE AND PAYING AGENT Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch Winchester House 1 Great Winchester Street London EC2N 2DB England
PAYING AGENT Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. 2 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer L-1115 Luxembourg
LUXEMBOURG LISTING AGENT Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A. 2 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer L-1115 Luxembourg
131 AUDITORS EFG Hellas PLC EFG Hellas EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. (Cayman Islands) Limited PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PricewaterhouseCoopers Southwark Towers Southwark Towers 268 Kifisias Avenue 32 London Bridge Street 32 London Bridge Street 152 32 Halandri London SE1 9SY London SE1 9SY Greece England England
LEGAL ADVISERS To the Issuers and the Guarantor as to Greek law E. Theofanopoulos T. Zervou V. Dimitrakopoulou Loukianou 19 Alexandrou Soutsou 3 8 Othonos Street Athens 10675 Athens 10671 Athens 10557 Greece Greece Greece To the Issuers and the Guarantor To EFG Hellas (Cayman Islands) Limited as to English law as to Cayman Islands law Allen & Overy LLP Maples and Calder One New Change 7 Princes Street London EC4M 9QQ London EC2R 8AQ England England
To the Dealers as to Greek Law To the Dealers as to English law Law Office T.J. Koutalidis Clifford Chance 4, Valaoritou Street Limited Liability Partnership GR-106 71 10 Upper Bank Street Athens London E14 5JJ Greece England
132 DEALERS
Banc of America Securities Limited Banca IMI S.p.A 5 Canada Square Corso Matteotti 6 London E14 5AQ 20121 Milan England Republic of Italy
Barclays Bank PLC CALYON 5 The North Colonnade Agence Courbevoie Canary Wharf 9, Quai du Président Paul Doumer London E14 4BB 92920 Paris La Defense Cédex England France
Citigroup Global Markets Limited Credit Suisse First Boston Canada Square (Europe) Limited Canary Wharf 1 Cabot Square London E14 5LB Canary Wharf England London E14 4QJ England
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch EFG Eurobank Ergasias S.A. Winchester House 8 Othonos Street 1 Great Winchester Street Athens 10557 London EC2N 2DB Greece England
Goldman Sachs International HSBC Bank plc Peterborough Court 8 Canada Square 133 Fleet Street London E14 5HQ London EC4A 2BB England England
J.P. Morgan Securities Ltd. Merrill Lynch International 125 London Wall Merrill Lynch Financial Centre London EC2Y 5AJ 2 King Edward Street England London EC1A 1HQ England
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited Natexis Banques Populaires 25 Cabot Square 100 rue Reaumur Canary Wharf 75002 Paris London E14 4QA France England
Nomura International plc Nomura House 1 St. Martin’s-le-Grand London EC1A 4NP England
133 printed by eprintfinancial.com tel: + 44 (0) 20 7613 1800 document number 3224