The award, granted by the magazines The Banker and Professional Wealth Management, was presented in Geneva

UniCredit Private Banking has received recognition as the Best Private Bank in Italy, for the second consecutive year, from the specialised publications The Banker and Professional Wealth Management, of the Financial Times Group.

The award was decided on by an international panel of experts (journalists, auditors, consultants and asset managers from the United States, Asia and Europe) based on the continuity of positive financial results, the numerous initiatives aimed at improving customer service and the notable investments in technology, which have made new forms of digital interaction possible.

With the strength of its network of branches located throughout Italy, UniCredit Private Banking has demonstrated its ability to offer its customers top-level consulting services, with a particular focus on entrepreneurs and their families, taking advantage of its over 800 bankers and 100 specialists.

UniCredit Private Banking makes use of a strategic partnership with a select number of leading global investment firms to offer its customers a wide array of financial products; UniCredit's preferred partners are subject to a severe and systematic selection process and monitoring, as well as certification by the international consulting firm Mercer.

In 2014, UniCredit Private Banking launched a multi-year growth plan that, by 2018, will bring it to over € 100 billion in total financial assets and 750 million in annual revenues, through a banker recruitment programme, increased synergies with the corporate division and investments in technology, communications and marketing.

Yesterday, at the Hotel Kempinski in Geneva, the prizes were awarded by the management of the Financial Times magazines and the British publishing group (www.privatebankingawards.com) and saw the presence of the senior managers of the leading international finance companies in their respective categories.

"We are very proud of once again being recognised as the best company in Italy in the Private Banking sector," declared Dario Prunotto, head of the Italian UniCredit Private Banking network. "This gives us another reason to further strengthen our leadership through continuous development of our service model, product innovation, and constant investment in training our personnel, so as to continue to attract the best talent on the market."

Milan, 30 October 2014

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