Saxo Bank Wants To Be Largest Shareholder in Brorup Sparekasse with a Capital Contribution Exceeding 200 Million DKK

BRORUP, Denmark, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ --

- Based on Saxo Bank's long term strategy to strengthen and develop the Bank with new platforms and new products, Saxo Bank expects to invest 59 million DKK in Brorup Sparekasse.

- Saxo Bank stands ready to offer at least 150 million DKK more in capital contribution if the terms for transforming Sparekassen, into a joint-stock company are fulfilled. That will position Brorup Sparekasse as one of the more solid financial institutions in Denmark measured by solvency.

- Together with Brorup Sparekasse, Saxo Bank now can include more traditional bank services in its product offering.

Provided that  Saxo Bank's investment in Brorup Sparekasse will be completed, Saxo Bank plans not only to let  the Sparekasse run as  in the past, but wants to make clear that it also will try to launch  various improvements not least in the local areas. Saxo Bank's investment will be a substantial strengthening of the capital base of the Sparekassen.

Should Brorup Sparekasse receive the necessary endorsement from the guarantors to the suggested transformation Saxo bank will realize a capital contribution of 59 million DKK which is a condition for Brorup Sparekasse to obtain the vital individual state guarantee of 850 million DKK under Bankpakke II. The transformation plan is pre-approved by Finansiel Stabilitet (The Financial Stability Company).

Brorup Sparekasse has a well developed chain of branches, skilled and engaged employees as well as a strong, loyal and stable client base not least thanks to  the many guarantors who, in connection with the capital contribution, will benefit from a strengthened capital base with an expected solid solvency surpassing 25 percent.

"In Saxo Bank, we wish to expand our retail business. We have experienced a massive increase in demand from our clients concerning offerings like net banking and debit cards – demands we initially will be able to accommodate together with Brorup Sparekasse. Saxo Bank will continue as a professional investment bank, but we would also like to be a modern bank for retail clients" says Stig Pastwa, the Saxo Bank Director who will take over as the new Chairman of the Board in Brorup Sparekasse if the transformation is completed as planned.    

It is furthermore the plan that CFO Karina Deacon and Director Christian Kofoed Jacobsen from Saxo Bank will take seats on the Board of Brorup Sparekasse.

In connection with the transformation of Brorup Sparekasse into a joint-stock company, a new fund named 'Fonden for Brorup Sparekasse' is established. If the guarantors of Sparekassen choose to support the recommended transformation, Brorup Sparekasse will be owned by Saxo Bank with at least 90 percent of the stock and the former guarantors and the fund owning up to 10 percent of the stock.

"If the terms for the transformation are met Saxo Bank, is ready to further strengthen the capital base of Sparekassen with a minimum of 150 million thus supporting the continued operation and development at the same time as the guarantors' are presented with a model in which their capital, as a consequence of Saxo Bank's aggregated capital contribution of 209 million DKK, is expected to be paid after five years," says Director Christian Kofoed Jakobsen. "We have been pleased to find support from Sparekassen's representatives for the new plans combining both tradition and change just as we appreciate the immense goodwill and positive commitment from the management of Sparekassen."  Brorup Sparekasse will keep its name together with the logo etc. and Sparekasse director Gunnar Jessen will continue in his current position.

Further information:

A joint press briefing by Saxo Bank and Brorup Sparekasse was held on Friday 17 September 2010 at 1 PM.

Present at the press briefing was Stig Patwa and Christian Kofoed Jakobsen from Saxo Bank and Sparekasse Director Gunnar Jessen from Brorup Sparekasse.  Following the press briefing, Saxo Bank representatives can be reached at: +45 51 59 52 97.

About Saxo Bank

Saxo Bank is an online trading and investment specialist. The Bank enables clients to trade Forex, CFDs, Stocks,  Equities, Futures, Options and other derivatives via three specialised and integrated trading platforms; the browser-based SaxoWebTrader, downloadable SaxoTrader and the SaxoMobileTrader, a mobile phone trading platform. The platforms are available in over 20 languages and available directly through Saxo Bank or through one of the Bank's institutional clients. White label is a significant business area for Saxo Bank, and involves customising and branding of the Bank's online trading platform for other financial institutions and brokers. Saxo Bank has more than 120 white label clients and boasts thousands of retail clients in over 160 countries. Saxo Asset Management was launched in 2009 to accommodate the highest segment of wealthy investors and has since then tripled its asset under management. Saxo Bank is headquartered in Copenhagen with offices in Australia, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK, and the United Arab Emirates.

About Brorup Sparekasse

Brorup Sparekasse is a financial institution that since it was founded in 1897 has served a large amount of clients in the local area. Today Sparekassen has seven branches in Brorup, Holsted, Vejen, Kolding, Vejle and Fredericia and has approximately 70 employees. The focus of Sparekassen is in a professional way to deliver financial products and services covering the needs within the segment of retail clients and small companies. The main activity is to provide personal guidance on a high professional level within the areas of cars, homes, pension, insurance and investment. Sparekassen has had great success throughout numerous years with increasing basic revenue and by end of 2009 the balance was 2.4 billion DKK.

SOURCE Saxo Bank