On February 28 in London, Center-invest Bank signed an agreement on receiving an international syndicated loan to the amount of USD 80 million, which was organized by the following banks: Standard Bank PLC (London) and Commerzbank AG (Frankfurt). The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of syndication participant banks, of legal companies, members of the Board of Directors of the Bank as well as leading journalists of London financial papers.

The success of the syndication is proved by the fact that demand from the direction of banks-participants exceeded initially declared amount (USD 40 million) over 3 times. The Bank stopped at double increase of loan amount and closed the settlement with the amount of USD 80 million. Loan term is one year with prolongation option for another one. Syndication participants are 37 banks from 17 countries of the world – from Europe, Asia, Africa and America (see attachment «List of participants at signing ceremony.xls»).

Attracted funds will be channeled to realization of main directions of "South of Russia+" strategy:

• Growth of living standards and development of entrepreneurship of the South of Russia;
• Investments into energy-saving technologies;
• Implementation of modern technologies into agrarian sector, construction and building, industry and transport infrastructure of the South of Russia.Success of international syndicated loan attraction was provided by:
• Center-invest Bank activities in accordance with international standards;
• High professional skills and qualification of treasury specialists and Bank representation office in London;
• Famous Bank brand in international capital markets and solid structure of Bank shareholders;
• Strategy of South of Russia development "South of Russia +" that is transparent for investors.

Given international syndicated loan is already the second for Center-invest Bank. Previous one, which was organized by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, amounting to USD 40 million was received in July 2006. 15 banks from Europe, Asia and America took part in that loan.

International financial center – London – saw not only Center-invest Bank presentation of its projects and financial achievements but presentation of cultural traditions of the South of Russia as well. Western partners of the Bank were greatly impressed by Russian romances performance that crowned the signing ceremony.