BANK CASPIAN JSC (Kazakhstan) informed about borrowing of long-term financing from EBRD

/KASE, November 5, 07/ - BANK CASPIAN JSC (Almaty), shares and bonds of which are traded in Kazakhstan stock exchange's (KASE) category "A" official list had spread the press-release in which the following is informed: Quotation begin Bank Caspian JSC borrowed financing from European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for five years' term. According to signed agreement EBRD provides five years' objective loan to Caspian in size of $59 m. for development of crediting of micro-, small and middle business in Kazakhstan. In the ceremony of signing had participated Mr. Andre Kuusvek, Director of EBRD in Kazakhstan, Mikhail Lomtadze, Chairman of Board of Bank Caspian JSC, and Alexander fon Gleigh, First Deputy Chairman of Board of Bank Caspian JSC. "Borrowing of long-term financing from European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is the significant event for our bank and Kazakhstan banking sector as a whole, considering the complex situation on international capital markets", - Mr. Lomtadze told. - "It is one more confirmation of our bank's status as one of the most stable and reliable bank of Kazakhstan. Fundamental principle of our activities is maximal clarity and high standards of corporate management. Provision of loan by EBRD, leading international financial institution, is the confirmation of quality of management and accuracy of development strategy of Caspian". "Objective of loan is financing of micro-, small and middle enterprisers of Kazakhstan. Special attention will be paid to financing in the regions", - Andre Kuusvek added. - "The given credit will let Bank Caspian to diversify sources of funding and support the growth of business". In the credit portfolio of Caspian bank credits to small and middle enterprisers (SMB) make about KZT43 bn. of 25% from whole credit portfolio. The most popular product of Caspian for Kazakhstan businessmen is SMB Standard, to the stake of which comes about half of loan portfolio of SMB. SMB Standard are credits for replenishment of fixed assets, reconstruction and repair of commercial and habitation immovable, and also credits for personal needs of businessmen. "Development of segment of crediting of SMB is one of the most important strategic directions of our bank", - told Alexander fon Gleigh, first Deputy chairman of Board of Bank Caspian JSC. - "Our clients' base on SMB makes almost 8 th. subjects nd with help of financing from EBRD we may grow our presence on given segment of market, offering the qualitative services to our clients all over Kazakhstan". "Our cooperation with EBRD continues since year 2004, and for our bank the given deal is the great sign of trust from the side of our investors", - had stressed Chairman of Board of Bank Caspian Mikhail Lomtadze. - "At the current moment, on banking market of Kazakhstan had formed the favorable situation for us, especially in the segment of retail and crediting of SMB. Only for last three months, credits given to SMB by Caspian, grew by more than 15%". Bank Caspian JSC: Bank Caspian JSC enters the ten of leading banks of Kazakhstan with assets, exceeding KZT238 bn. and consolidated capital KZT37 bn. Bank takes the leading positions in consumer crediting. By results of 9 months of year 2007 credit portfolio of bank made KZT178 bn. Retail network of Bank consist from 147 departments and 548 express-credits sales offices, servicing about 2,000 trade enterprisers. Investor to Bank Caspian JSC is the leading direct investments fund Baring Vostok Private Equity III (BVPEF III). www.bc.kz Baring Vostok Capital Partners: Baring Vostok Capital Partners is specializing on investments to CIS. Since year 1994 funds of Baring Vostok had invested more than $600 m. to 50 companies, among which the number of successful companies in sphere of financial services, oil and gas field, telecommunications and mass media sources, in consumer sector, including such as: Bank Caspian, Europlan, Center of Financial Technologies, Burren Energy, Vymplekom, Golden Telecom, Syktyvkarskiy TIC, Sladko, Borjomi, Yandex and Ozon. Among investors of fund are also such famous international financial institutions as European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Financial Corporation and also largest world pension funds, governmental investment corporations, university funds from America, Europe and Asia. Baring Vostok is included to staff of Baring Private Equity International, group of direct investment funds' management with $3.5 bn. assets in CIS, Asia, India, Europe and Latin America. European bank for reconstruction and development: EBRD, was created in year 1991 with aim of assistance to transfer to market economy of Central Europe and former Soviet Union countries. To present moment EBRD had invested more than $2.5 bn. to projects, supporting economical diversification, business undertakings and creation of working places in Kazakhstan. For additional information please address to: Botagoz Zhumanova Head of Mass media connections department Tel: 8 (7272) 501- 800 (int.1376) e-mail: Zhumanova@bc.kz mobile: +7-777-232-51-12 +7-701-223-87-85 Quotation end [2007-11-05]