IN ADDITION: Mangistaumunaigas consortium sold block of Halyk Bank shares in the amount of 33.33% to new group of shareholders including AMB OJSC

/Kazakhstan today, Jan 10, 02/ - Mangistaumunaigas consortium sold block of Halyk Bank shares in the amount of 33.33% to new group of shareholders. It was informed by acting Chairman of the Board of Halyk Bank Kairat Satylganov at press conference on January 10 in Almaty. According to Satylganov information, 33.33% shares of Halyk Bank are equally divided now between new shareholders including such companies as Agys, Dakot, Karat24, Tara-invest and also AMB OJSC which bought 0.4% shares. Based on Satylganov words, decision about sale was made by the consortium after its introduction with bank activity and its development plans which assume in year 2002 increase of bank capital by KZT3.5bn. Satylganov K., former Chairman of the Board of Almaty merchandise bank (AMB OJSC) denied information about possible merge of AMB and Halyk Bank. "There will not be merge of AMB and Halyk Bank", he said, adding that "everyone has its own niche and every bank will work in its own direction". As it was informed earlier, tender on a sale of Halyk Bank shares in the amount of 33.33% took place in November of 2001. Winner of the tender became Mangistaumunaigas consortium, which acquired state block of shares for $41m at starting price of $35m. The amount was transferred to the budget before the appointed time. AMB OJSC was a consultant of Mangistaumunaigas consortium on a purchase of state share of Halyk Bank. Therefore, shareholders of the bank along with new ones are today Delta LLP Shareholders of the bank are also Delta LLP (15.94%), Corporation Asia-Invest LLP (13.28%), Firm Almex LLP - 9.96%, Central securities depositary CJSC (14.5%) and others (more than 13%). Based on the bank data, assets for the year 2001 increased by 25.8% and totaled KZT130bn. Net income based on 2001 results is more than KZT400m, rise is almost 2 times with respect to net income of previous year. Bank has wide branch network including 632 units: 20 oblast and regional, 157 district branches and 455 settlement and cash departments.