21st Mar 2005 07:02
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA18 March 2005 BBVA "BBVA, S.A.", in compliance with article 82 of the Spanish Securities Market Act(Ley de Mercado de Valores), hereby informs you of the following: SIGNIFICANT EVENT In relation to the news which have appeared in the media, and responding to therequest of the CNMV, BBVA informs that the Board of Directors that will probablymeet during the week of 28 March to 1 April, 2005, plans to discuss the possiblelaunch of a public bid to acquire the share capital of Banca Nazionale delLavoro which BBVA does not own so far, once it obtains all the necessaryauthorizations. BBVA holds presently 14,72% of the ordinary shares of BNL. As established under Italian banking law ("Istruzione di Vigilanza por le Banche" Title II, Chapter 1, section II, paragraph 3), BBVA filed today with the Bankof Italy the Preliminary Information due, according to which it communicates tothe Italian banking regulatory authority its intention to propose to the Boardof Directors the launching of a public offer bid. It is foreseen to suggest to the Board that the shares will be paid with newlyissued BBVA shares; for that purpose an extraordinary shareholders meeting shallbe convened. The exchange ratio foreseen to be suggested to the board will beone share of BBVA for five shares of BNL . March 18, 2005 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Bbva Ord