Lombard Bank profits before tax rise by 18.1%

Lombard Bank plc

The Board of Directors approved the Preliminary Statement of annual results for the financial year ended 31st December 2007. The profits before tax registered for the year increased by 18.1% to Lm3.87 million (EUR9.01) over the previous year. It is also noted in the statements that net interest income rose by 26.7% driven by growth of 23.9% in credit activity. Net fees and commissions also increased by 5.3% following growth in general volumes of business, while total operating income rose by 34.1%.

The Board is also proposing a final Gross Dividend of EUR0.40 (Lm0.1717) per nominal EUR0.582343 (Lm0.25), this representing a 37% increase over last year’s dividend. Alternatively, shareholders have the option to receive the dividend either cash or by the issue of new shares at an attribution price of EUR12.60.

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Plaza Centres plc

The Company’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on 28th March 2008 to consider and approve the financial statements as at 31.12.07 and to recommend to the shareholders the payment of a final dividend.