Hypo Group Alpe Adria will continue to follow its consistent policy of organic growth in 2008. It will continue to bring together its streamlined structures, centralised management functions and local expertise in order to achieve further across-the-board growth in all its countries and businesses, and first and foremost to leverage the enormous potential of its existing markets.

Both banking and leasing operations will be opening new branches and actively encouraging direct marketing activities. Hypo Group Alpe Adria has a clear commitment to organic growth without acquisitions, and to retaining its tried and tested regional strategy.

While Hypo Group Alpe Adria’s banking activities clearly focus on existing markets and on exploiting synergies from cross-selling activities, the option of extending its leasing activities into new markets is one that is under constant review.

The drive to generate new retail business launched in 2007 will be extended to all markets and segments in 2008. The aim is to be able to offer the expanding middle classes in individual markets served by the Group high quality investment and financing solutions, and to maximise the benefits of this burgeoning potential. In addition to increasing the high level of market penetration in private customer business, Hypo Group Alpe Adria also plans to increase corporate customer numbers with targeted custom products and an increased presence on the ground.

In 2008 additional attention will also be paid to further improving the Group’s internal organisation and reducing risk exposure. The Bank’s declared goal is to go on growing its total assets, and to increase its profitability incrementally.