Press release
Arezzo, 12 April 2007

FITCH RATINGS GIVES BANCA ETRURIA A BBB+

Arezzo, 12 April 2007 – Fitch Ratings assigned the following ratings today to Banca Popolare dell'Etruria e del Lazio (Banca Etruria – BPEL):

Issuer Default: BBB+ with stable outlook
Short-term: F2
Individual: B/C
Support: 3

This is the first set of ratings ever received by Banca Etruria.

They reflect the bank's strong local roots, especially in its traditional markets like Tuscany and Lazio, its good asset quality and limited market risks.

The rating also takes account of strong profitability and capitalization.

CENTRAL OFFICE OF GENERAL AFFAIRS
Paolo Schiatti

This press release will be published in full on Banca Etruria’s website: www.bancaetruria.it.
Contacts: Communication and Research Service, tel. +39 0575.337206-482-317, fax +39 0575.26801.