EANS-Adhoc: Valartis Group acquires Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG

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16.09.2009

The acquisition of Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG is a
substantial addition to the private banking activities of Valartis
Group, taking assets under management to around CHF 6 billion. The
Liechtenstein private bank is a subsidiary of Vorarlberger Landes-
und Hypothekenbank AG, Bregenz, and has 50 employees servicing around
4,500 high net worth individuals.

Private banking focused on growth markets Hypo Investment Bank
(Liechtenstein) AG was set up with a full banking licence in 1998 and
provides private banking services to a mainly international client
base. Assets under management in mid-2009 were CHF 1.6 billion. The
focus of the bank's activities is on continental Europe. Recent past
has seen a drive to expand the presence in the growth markets of East
and South-East Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia.

Steady expansion Expanding private banking is at the heart of
Valartis Group´s growth strategy. After the acquisition of a Private
Bank in Vienna in December 2008 and the acceleration of private
banking activities in Zurich and Geneva, the purchase of Hypo
Investment Bank marks a further step in the Group´s efforts to boost
profitability and broaden its base. Assets under management at
Valartis will rise to around CHF 6 billion and the client base will
reach roughly 9,000 after the transaction. This will open up new
markets and potential business for the Group, as well as reinforce
the presence in the countries of Eastern Europe. Clients will also
benefit from the wider range of services on offer.

Hypo Investment Bank (Liechtenstein) AG will continue to be run as a
largely independent subsidiary by the management team which was
responsible for the successful growth strategy of recent years.

Valartis today signed a purchase agreement with Vorarlberger Landes-
und Hypothekenbank AG of Bregenz, Austria to acquire Hypo Investment
Bank (Liechtenstein) AG. The parties have agreed not to disclose
details of the purchase price. Valartis Group is financing the
transaction from its own resources. Subject to regulatory approvals,
the acquisition should be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Ende der Mitteilung euro adhoc
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ots Originaltext: Valartis Group AG
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:

Gustav Stenbolt, CEO Valartis Group

Phone +41 43 336 81 11

Branche: Financial & Business Services
ISIN: CH0001840450
WKN: 184045
Index: SPI, SPIEX, SSCI
Börsen: SIX Swiss Exchange / official market