OTKRITIE, a leading investment bank headquartered in Moscow, is
pleased to announce the acquisition of a 100% interest in ABC Clearing
Limited ('ABC') from Compagnie Financiere Tradition. The terms and
deal value are not disclosed by mutual agreement of both parties.
The acquisition of ABC was carried out as part of OTKRITIE's
strategy to extend the servicing of its international institutional
investors on the Russian securities market and provide Russian
investors with access to the world's largest stock exchanges.
ABC, which is currently based in Colchester, Essex is one of the
leading UK clearing companies and is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Services Authority. On 19 March 2007, the FSA granted ABC
permission to extend its clearing activities to dealing operations (as
Agent and Principal) and to provide asset management and investment
advisory services on all principal types of security. The company has
also applied to become a member of the London Stock Exchange enabling
it to offer full brokerage services to the international community.
The management team of ABC, headed by Mike Manthorpe, will be
retained within the enlarged Group.
Commenting on the acquisition, Andrey Babenko, Managing Director
of OTKRITIE said:
"ABC Clearing has an excellent reputation. We are delighted that
this deal will offer OTKRITIE's institutional clients with high
quality services on the Russian securities market. We will maintain
ABC's clearing business and supplement it with a range of new services
and products available to OTKRITIE."
Notes to Editors
About Otkritie Financial Corporation
OTKRITIE is a leading Russian investment bank servicing
institutional, corporate and individual investors. In 2006, the
Group's turnover amounted to more than US$50bn and represented 7% of
Russia's total stock exchange turnover. OTKRITIE has a AA+ rating*
assigned by the National Rating Agency, CCC long term and C short term
credit ratings at S&P's.
* rated: 'very high reliability'
OTKRITIE is one of the leaders on the Russian derivatives market
and an acknowledged expert in the Russian electric power market.
OTKRITIE operates in the seven largest cities in Russia and through
its representative offices in London and Cyprus.
About Compagnie Financiere Tradition
Compagnie Financiere Tradition is one of the world's three largest
money brokers and the leader in mainland Europe. The company operates
in 16 countries and carries out operations with various financial and
non-financial products. The Group's 7,000-strong client base is
primarily comprised of banks and financial institutions around the
globe.