The Bank of Cyprus and Uniastrum Bank Organize Charity Initiative for Russians Hit by Summer Fires

Agia Napa, Cyprus, February 09, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Around 200 villagers from fire-struck regions are to spend a week relaxing free of charge at a family hotel on the Cypriot coast courtesy of the Bank of Cyprus Group and Group member Uniastrum Bank. The families, each badly affected by last summer’s forest fires, will enjoy a specially arranged week-long package that includes excursions to some of Cyprus’s most famous historic sites, sport and recreational activities, as well as an entertainment program. The list of participants was drawn up with the assistance of the Public Chamber of Russia, which last year did much to alleviate the plight of the stricken regions. Flights to and from Cyprus will be operated by Russian airline Transaero.

“Uniastrum Bank has long made it a matter of policy to play an active part in charity schemes and initiatives targeted at helping the more vulnerable sections of society,” says Uniastrum President Gagik Zakaryan. “Recognizing that business must show social responsibility, we believe it essential that we do what we can to assist people in need and do our bit to help solve social problems. By organizing a holiday for those badly hit by last summer’s devastating heat wave, we hope that a week spent away from it all on the friendly, welcoming island of Cyprus will allow them, if only for a short while, to take their mind off things and imbue them with greater optimism for the future.”

CB Uniastrum Bank LLC was established in 1994. Uniastrum is a universal lending institution offering a comprehensive range of financial products and services, with particular focus given to the retail sector and small and medium-sized businesses. Uniastrum is one of Russia’s Top-30 systemically important banks, as ranked by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, and places among the country’s Top-20 based on the size of its branch network. It is Russia’s 44th largest bank by asset size, 37st by loan portfolio volume, 32th by overall retail deposits, and 13th by total auto loans (according to ratings released by RosBusinessConsulting news agency). Uniastrum Bank is a deposit insurance scheme participant. On May 31, 2010 Moody’s Investors Service affirmed the Bank’s long-term global foreign and local currency deposit rating at Ba2 with a stable outlook, while Moody’s Interfax Rating Agency affirmed its national scale rating at Aa2.ru.

Uniastrum’s regional network currently numbers around 220 offices (including 43 branches) in 48 Russian regions. Since October 31, 2008 Uniastrum Bank has been a member of the Bank of Cyprus Group.

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