OREANDA-NEWS. On December 18, 2007 Home Credit B.V. ("HCBV"), the holding company of the Home Credit Group of companies with operations in the Central and Eastern European as well as Central Asian consumer finance markets, announced a capital increase for a total amount of EUR 62,2 million, reported the press-centre of Home Credit B.V.

"We believe the capital increase reflects PPF Group's strong confidence in the significant growth opportunities for its consumer finance arm. Home Credit B.V., as an active holding company, is well placed to continue providing strong management support and financial resources that will help ensure the future profitable development of the Home Credit Group companies", says Alexander Labak, CEO of HCBV.

HCBV is a private company. The capital increase was executed by HCBV's parent company, PPF Group N.V. on 17 December 2007. The existing capital of HCBV was hereby increased by 5.69% to EUR 1,156,174,806.

Notes for editors:
Companies of the Home Credit Group have been operating in the Central and Eastern European as well as Central Asian consumer finance markets and had granted loans in the combined principal of USD 2.7 billion as of 2006 year end. Home Credit Group maintains a leading position in the consumer finance markets of the Czech Republic (entered in 1997), the Slovak Republic (1999), the Russian Federation (2002) and the Republic of Kazakhstan (since December of 2005). Home Credit Group also entered the Ukrainian and Belarusian market in 2006.

The Home Credit Group belongs to the PPF international group of companies which has interests in insurance and consumer finance, and provides complex asset management services. During its 16 years in business, PPF Group has become a leading international financial investor, managing assets of over USD 10 bln as of 2006 year end.