Bancaperta SpA (Credito Valtellinese Group) starts sale of funds on web

As of December 22 1999, Bancaperta SpA (Credito Valtellinese Group) will launch - first in Italy - the sale of Julius Baer open-end funds, Luxemburg stock, bond and monetary funds, via the Internet.

This very important achievement has been implemented thanks to Bancaperta SpA, Credito Valtellinese banking Group's web-bank, which has been providing home banking services to the clientele since 1996, with the name of Banc@perta.

The sale of Julius Baer funds via the Internet is a particularly interesting innovation for the investors, as the virtual banking is a very convenient and functional channel for a customized saving management. Along with the selling activity, Bancaperta also provides accurate financial information, always via the Internet.

Furthermore, the applications available on Bancaperta's web site (www.bancaperta.it) provide information and documents that enable the clientele to carry out duties prescribed by the current regulations and to choose from numerous investment opportunities.

Bancaperta SpA is the company entrusted with Credito Valtellinese Group's Internet banking, which has been offering a wide range of services on web to the customers. Thanks to the services available, customers can, in short, operate on their current accounts, give instructions for the purchase of securities, choosing also from the "showcase of securities" - a selection of securities provided by your bank -, operate on their revolving financing with the possibility of asking for it on line, collect Ri.Ba., R.I.D. and M.A.V. and take out insurance policies.

To date, more than 13, 000 customers, both private customers and companies, already benefit from Credito Valtellinese Internet services provided by Bancaperta SpA.

The sale of funds aims at increasing the activity of Bancaperta SpA, the Group's virtual bank that offers particularly innovative products and services on web.

Julius Baer Group holds 10 per cent of Bancaperta's stock. In addition to the Internet banking, Bancaperta SpA is entrusted with the whole Group's financial activities, corporate finance and bank-insurance sector.