Pierre Lamunière to be recommended for BCV’s Board of Directors

At the next Shareholders’ Meeting, BCV’s Board of Directors will recommend that Pierre Lamunière, Chairman and Executive Director of Edipresse Group, be named to replace outgoing Board member André Pugin.

Lausanne, Switzerland, 13 March 2008 - In accordance with Article 12a (1(c)) of the new cantonal law governing BCV, which stipulates that half of the total number of directors be appointed by shareholders, the Board of Directors will recommend the appointment of Pierre Lamunière at the Group's next Shareholders’ Meeting on 24 April 2008. Mr. Lamunière would replace André Pugin, who last year announced his intention to step down from the Board.

A new board member with wide business experience

In the course of his career, Mr. Lamunière has acquired extensive knowledge of the business world as well as considerable board experience, particularly in the media industry. Following his studies in the United States (MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania), Mr. Lamunière joined Edipresse Group in 1977, becoming General Manager in 1986 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 1998. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Swiss Post between 1997 and 2002. He is Director of Lamunière SA and its subsidiary undertakings and Chairman of the Management Board of the International Federation of the Periodical Press (FIPP).

An outgoing Board member of great generosity and brilliance

BCV would like to extend its warmest thanks to André Pugin. Mr. Pugin’s vision as the head of a company that has been successful both in Switzerland and abroad, his wide-ranging knowledge of local industry, his unfailing commitment and his warm and enthusiastic nature were all considerable assets for the Board and the Bank.

Contact(s)

Christian Jacot-Descombes, Press Officer
Phone + 41 21 212 28 61
E-mail

Wilhelm Blaeuer, Investor relations
Phone + 41 21 212 20 71
E-mail

This press release is being issued outside the trading hours of the SIX, Swiss Exchange in order to comply with the principles of ad hoc disclosure pursuant to the SIX listing rules.

The above text is a translation of the original French document; only the French version is authoritative.