Unipol Group - Clarifications on the shareholders' agreements with Banca Popolare Italiana concerning the shareholding in BNL and the publication of the offer document relating to the PTO on BNL

With reference to the shareholders’ agreement signed by Unipol Assicurazioni and Banca Popolare Italiana (‘BPI’) on 18 July 2005 involving BPI’s shareholding in Banca Nazionale del Lavoro S.p.A. (‘BNL’), the following is hereby clarified.
Following the authorization given to Unipol Assicurazioni by CONSOB for the release of the document regarding the public tender offer on BNL’s shares (this authorization was given in the evening of 31 August 2005), BPI unofficially informed Unipol Assicurazioni about agreements between BPI itself and Deutsche Bank A.G. as regards, inter alia, such shareholding. The terms and contents of these agreements were summarized yesterday by BPI during a meeting held at CONSOB’s offices in the presence of Unipol.