Credito Artigiano: Stockholders' Meeting adopts 2001 balance sheet. Net profits at € 14.7 million (+15.5%), direct deposits: + 13.3 percent, investments: + 24.6 percent

Milan, April 15 2002. The Credito Artigiano's Annual Stockholders' Meeting has adopted the balance sheet as at December 31 2001. Over the last four years, there have been strong increases in assets under management (about twice as much), as well as in net profits.

The Annual Meeting has resolved on the distribution of profits by fixing the amount of the dividends. With effect April 25 2002, each of the 103,211,920 shares (start of dividend entitlement on January 1 2001) will pay a dividend of € 0.1229, by detaching coupon no. 3 The share will be quoted ex-coupon as from April 22 2002.

During the Meeting, directors Camillo Aldè and Gino Del Marco, who have been committed to the company management showing great expertise and professionalism, have resigned office. After saying thanks to former directors, the Credito Artigiano shareholders have resolved on the appointment of Mr Miro Fiordi - under-General Manager vicarious of the parent company Credito Valtellinese - and Mr Antonio Magnocavallo - an established professional from Milan - who are taking office as Directors in 2002 and 2003.

The Meeting has also entrusted audit firm Reconta Ernst & Young S.p.A. with the auditing of the balance sheets as at December 31 2002,2003,2004