The Company is pleased to announce that Proton Investment Bank S.A. ('Proton Bank'), in which the Company owns a 20.16 per cent. interest, yesterday reported operating results for its financial year ending 31 December 2006.

Due to the recent merger between Proton Bank with Omega Bank S.A. and Proton Securities S.A., Proton Bank's 2006 figures are not directly comparable with those for 2005.  However, the performance indicators are favourable given the non-consolidated and consolidated figures reported exhibit an upward trend.