BCV Group's financial results at 30 september 2003

GROSS PROFITS UP SIGNIFICANTLY

BCV Group posted gross profits of CHF 300.6 mn for the first three quarters of the 2003 reporting period, a 33.1% YoY improvement which was mainly driven by highly profitable trading activities. This performance provides further proof that BCV Group is solidly on track for a sustainable improvement in profitability, and barring unforeseen events, Management expects that H2 2003 net profit should exceed that posted in H1, thanks to a probable decrease in net provisioning needs.

Lausanne, Switzerland, 17 November 2003

Contact(s)

Pascal Kiener, Chief Financial Officer
Phone +41 21 212 33 00
E-mail

Daniel Herrera, Head of Communications
Phone +41 844 228 228
E-mail

Paul Coudret, Press Relations
Phone +41 21 212 22 51
E-mail