Statements regarding the holding in BNL: press release 3

With reference to the news spread by the news agencies on 25 May 2005 and reported on today in the main daily newspapers, namely with regard to Unipol Assicurazioni's holding in Banca Nazionale del Lavoro S.p.A. (hereinafter referred to as ‘BNL’), it is hereby stated that the Unipol Group is acting:
(i) in full compliance with current provisions and with the application regulations adopted by the Supervisory Authorities, the only bodies authorized to lay down rules and procedures;
(ii) in a completely transparent manner towards the market and the said Supervisory Authorities, for whom it has the maximum respect and in whose proceedings it has the greatest of confidence.