NEW YORK, June 24, 2005 – The Bank of New York, a global leader in securities servicing, has been selected as depositary for Option N.V.’s American depositary receipt (ADR) program. Each Option ADR represents one ordinary share of the company. The ADRs trade on the over-the-counter market under the symbol “OPNVY” and the ordinary shares are listed on the Euronext Brussels stock exchange.
Based in Belgium, Option N.V. designs, develops and manufactures technology products for wireless connectivity solutions. Frederic Convent, chief financial officer at Option, said, “The U.S. is an important market for our company, as shown by the fact that even before our ADR program, some 7% of our shares were owned by U.S. investors. With the establishment of this ADR program, we are confident that we can further raise our company’s visibility with U.S. investors and sell-side research analysts.”
Option’s headquarters are in Leuven, Belgium. The company has a research & development center in Leuven, a software and applications development center in Adelsried, Germany, and an ISO 9002 production engineering and logistics facility in Cork, Ireland. More information about the company is available at www.option.com.
The Bank of New York sponsors more than 1,190 American and global depositary receipt programs, a 64% market share, acting in partnership with leading companies from 60 countries. With an unrivalled commitment to helping securities issuers succeed in the world’s rapidly evolving financial markets, the Bank delivers the industry’s most comprehensive suite of integrated depositary receipt, corporate trust and stock transfer services. Additional information is available at www.adrbny.com.
The Bank of New York Company, Inc. (NYSE: BK) is a global leader in providing a comprehensive array of services that enable institutions and individuals to move and manage their financial assets in more than 100 markets worldwide. The Company has a long tradition of collaborating with clients to deliver innovative solutions through its core competencies: securities servicing, treasury management, investment management, and individual & regional banking services. The Company’s extensive global client base includes a broad range of leading financial institutions, corporations, government entities, endowments and foundations. Its principal subsidiary, The Bank of New York, founded in 1784, is the oldest bank in the United States and has consistently played a prominent role in the evolution of financial markets worldwide. Additional information is available at www.bankofny.com.
For further information, please contact:
Dori Flanagan
(212) 815-2291