NSD – Substitute Numbering Agency for the CIS: News and Events

26.03.08

NDC to Function as Substitute Numbering Agency for Uzbekistan Republic

MOSCOW – The Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) has confirmed the authority of the National Depository Center (NDC), Russia’s only settlement depository servicing the full range of securities issued by Russian issuers, as a Substitute Numbering Agency for the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The decision was made based on an official request sent by the Center for Coordination and Control over the Securities Market Operations of the Uzbekistan State Property Committee to Dan Kuhnel, Chairman of the Board of ANNA. In its request, the Uzbek regulator confirmed its approval of the granting to NDC the right to operate as the substitute numbering agency for Uzbekistan. NDC will begin functioning in this capacity after resolving a number of organizational and technical issues related to the new role.

The Association of National Numbering Agencies (ANNA) granted NDC the right to act as substitute numbering agency for the CIS at a general meeting held on 31 May-1 June, 2007 in Vienna. The decision was later approved by ANNA’s Board of Directors at its meeting 5-6 July, 2007.

About NDC:

Not-for-Profit Partnership “The National Depository Center” is the largest settlement depository in Russia, servicing the full range of equity securities of Russian issuers. It services 100% of transactions conducted in the federal bond and the Bank of Russia bond markets, more than 95% of transactions conducted in the corporate and regional bond markets, and stock exchange share transactions. NDC provides storage of global certificates and depository accounting for 99% of corporate bond issues, and 95% of sub-federal and municipal bond issues. The international rating agency Thomas Murray has assigned NDC an A+ rating as a central depository. For 2007 the value of assets in storage was more than RUR4.3 trillion. NDC is the largest paying agent on behalf of corporate bond issuers. It is Russia's national numbering agency, the substituting numbering agency for the CIS, authorized to assign the international ISIN and CFI codes. It is also a member of the international accounting infrastructure, providing settlements on the global financial markets using direct accounts at Clearstream Banking S.A. and Euroclear Bank. It also holds accounts at the Central Depository of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the NDC of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Among NDC’s founders are MICEX and Bank of Russia (the founders’ shares in the property are 46.7% and 39.3% respectively, and in the votes 50.2% and 42.3% respectively). Members include GPB OJSC (Gazprombank), Evrofinans Mosnarbank, Rosbank, VTB Bank (Vneshtorgbank), Bank of Moscow, Rossiysky Credit Bank, Vneshekonombank, ING Bank Eurasia, JP Morgan Bank International LLC, UniCredit, Deutsche Bank, and Sberbank of Russia. The Partnership also has a stake in Depository Clearing Company CJSC (36.96 %) and in Settlement Depository Company CJSC (29%).

For further information about NDC: www.ndc.ru, or NDC Public Affaires Department: +7 495 232 0910, pr@ndc.ru