One year abroad with Bankaperta Junior

Sondrio, September, 19, 2003 - Also this year, the Credito Valtellinese banking Group, in association with 'Associazione Intercultura', gives the grant 'Un anno all'estero' (One Year Abroad) destined for young customers of the Group. The grantee will spend one year abroad choosing his destination from more than 20 countries available in Europe and in the rest of the world

Up to now, ten students have had the opportunity to spend a school year in different countries, among which Kansas, the Orkney Island - to the North of Scotland - Norway, Maine, Arizona, Denmark, Virginia, Wisconsin and Delaware, U.S.A. where Laura Luraschi, a student from Oltrona S.Mamette (province of Como), the 2002 grantee, is staying at the moment. This experience was very positive for all of them.

Also this year, a student chosen by Intercultura will be welcomed by a selected foreign family and will go to a local high school in his favourite country. Back to Italy, the school year from 2004 to 2005 will be recognized, in conformity with article 192 of the Unified Body of Laws on Education 297/94.

The candidates must be Bankaperta junior account holders or Banca Sport account holders with the Group member banks Credito Valtellinese and Credito Artigiano. They must be students of a local high school; date of birth must be between January 1, 1987 and June 30, 1989. Applications for the grant should be given in within October 30, 2003.

The application form is available at any Credito Valtellinese and Credito Artigiano branch office, as well as at any Intercultura centre, where all information about the initiative is provided. Further information is also available in the Group's web site (www.creval.it), where you can submit your application form on line.

The grant 'Un anno all'estero' is inclusive of all travel expenses and stay expenses, costs for the local education, continuous attendance, preparatory course before leaving and at the arrival in the host country, medical expenses and insurance cover.

The grantee is leaving in July or August, 2004. He will be back in July, 2005.