BNP Paribas owns more than 98% of BNL shares

BNP Paribas is pleased to announce that yesterday it passed the 98% ownership threshold of ordinary capital of BNL. As announced in the offer document, BNP Paribas will proceed to the squeeze out of the ordinary shares of BNL which won't be tendered to the offer. According to the rules, BNP Paribas has four months from the closure of the residual offer currently under way in which to launch a squeeze out. It is still possible to subscribe to this offer until 20th July 2006.