eQ BANK ACQUIRES AN INTEREST IN A HEDGE FUND ADVISORY eQ Bank strengthens its know-how in hedge investments by acquiring an interest in a company focusing in analysing and advising in the hedge fund investments. Samuel von Martens, who has a vast experience and knowledge in hedge fund investments increases eQ's expertise and strengthens the product development resources, will act as a partner and the Managing Director of the company. eQ broadened its investment operations to hedge fund investments in the autumn of 2006 by launching a new hedge fund of funds, eQ Active Hedge. In his previous position as the Managing Director of Neomarkka von Martens has been responsible for the advisory of eQ Active Hedge and eQ Bank in the fund's portfolio management since its launch. Von Martens has been acting as the Managing Director of Neomarkka since the end of 2000. He has established and developed Neomarkka's hedge fund investment strategy, which the company has succesfully used since 2002. The company's return on hedge fund investments during the last five years has been on average 9.3 % (p.a.) and the volatility 5.7 %. Von Martens has been in charge of Neomarkka's investments, which totalled at the end of March approximately EUR 100 million and of which the amount of hedge fund investments were approximately EUR 90 million. eQ Active Hedge fund strives for a positive absolute return in all market conditions by investing its assets in successful international hedge funds. The assets of eQ Active Hedge exceed EUR 80 million and its six months return has been over 6 per cent. For further information: Lauri Lundström tel. +358 9 6817 8627 Director, Asset Management mobile +358 50 555 2864 eQ Bank Ltd email lauri.lundstrom@eQ.fi Jussi Sokka tel. +358 9 6817 8617 Managing Director mobile +358 50 380 3817 eQ Fund Management Company Ltd email jussi.sokka@eQ.fi Distribution: Helsinki Stock Exchange www.eQ.fi Main media