For immediate release:

Euroclear selects SWIFT to provide secure messaging for new Common Communication Interface

Brussels, 20 June 2007 — Euroclear and SWIFT announced today that SWIFT has been selected as one of Euroclear's key providers of secure messaging services for its Common Communication Interface (CCI), which will serve as the single access point for Euroclear group clients to all Euroclear services. With roll-out starting in 2008, the CCI will converge the various systems used by clients today when communicating with each of the Euroclear international and national central securities depositories.

Current SWIFT/Euroclear customers will be able to upgrade their existing SWIFT connection to access the CCI, thus enabling a simple migration process. New SWIFT users for the CCI will benefit from a pre-packaged offering, either through direct or service-bureau connectivity.

Euroclear’s CCI will include:

• secure messaging based on ISO 15022 and ISO 20022 standards;
• screen-based and fully automated STP communication channels;
• standard interface packages available from SWIFT and other vendors;
• a standardised environment, conforming to European market-practice harmonisation initiatives, including those specified by the Giovannini Group, MiFID, SEPA and Target2; and
• security and resilience.

"This agreement reinforces our long-term relationship with SWIFT," said Wim Claeys, Managing Director and head of Strategic Programmes at Euroclear. "It also demonstrates SWIFT's commitment to meet Euroclear's evolving messaging service requirements. Our efforts to harmonise client communications via the CCI, bolstered by improved use of SWIFT's services, will provide opportunities for clients to achieve significant back-office savings while retaining the highest levels of security and client service."

"We are pleased to assist Euroclear in its efforts to reduce post-trade costs of cross-border transactions across key European markets," said Kosta Peric, Managing Director of securities market infrastructures at SWIFT. "SWIFT has enjoyed a long-standing business relationship with Euroclear, which is today one of our largest customers. Their decision is testimony to our prior achievements and reflects our future commitment."


Note to Editors:

About Euroclear

Euroclear is the world's largest provider of domestic and cross-border settlement and related services for bond, equity and fund transactions. User owned and user governed, the Euroclear group comprises Euroclear Bank, based in Brussels, as well as Euroclear Belgium, Euroclear France, Euroclear Nederland and CRESTCo, the central securities depositories of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, and the UK and Ireland, respectively. Euroclear recently acquired EMXCo, the UK's leading provider of investment-fund order routing. The total value of securities transactions settled by the Euroclear group is in excess of EUR 450 trillion per annum, while assets held for clients are valued at more than EUR 18 trillion. Euroclear Bank is rated AA+ by Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings.

For more information, please consult www.euroclear.com .

About SWIFT

SWIFT is the industry-owned co-operative supplying secure, standardized messaging services and interface software to over 8,100 financial institutions in 208 countries and territories.  SWIFT members include banks, broker-dealers and investment managers. The broader SWIFT community also encompasses corporates as well as market infrastructures in payments, securities, treasury and trade. Over the past ten years, SWIFT message prices have been reduced over 80% and system availability approaches 5X9 reliability – 99.999% uptime.

For more information, please refer to www.swift.com.

Media contacts:

Denis Peters
Euroclear
Direct tel: +32 2 326 2618
Email: denis.peters@euroclear.com

Kara Condon
SWIFT
Direct tel: +32 2 655 3740
Email: kara.condon@swift.com