Landsbanki Íslands hf. - Tender offer

Statement regarding announcements by Cenkos Securities plc and Close Brothers Group plc

Landsbanki Íslands hf. notes the recent announcements by the English financial
services provider Close Brother's Group plc. and Cenkos Securities plc.
concerning the bank's involvement in a possible offer for the  Close Brothers
Group plc. 

Landsbanki confirms that it has, in conjunction with Cenkos Securities plc,
made an approach to the board of directors of Close Brothers Group plc.
regarding a possible cash offer for the entire issued share capital of Close
Brothers Group plc. at a price of 950 pence per ordinary share. Should the
contemplated transaction be completed, Cenkos Securities plc would ultimately
acquire the securities, asset management and corporate finance businesses of
Close Brothers Group plc, whereas Landsbanki would ultimately acquire its
banking business. 

These considerations are at a very early stage and there can be no certainty
that they will lead to an offer for Close Brothers Group plc. 


Enquiries:

Landsbanki Islands hf.:
Sigurjon Th. Arnason, CEO, tel.  + 354 898 0177,
Halldor J. Kristjansson, CEO, tel. + 354 820 6399.

Tel. +354 410 4000.

HSBC (financial advisor to Landsbanki Islands hf. and Cenkos Securities plc):
Stephane Pilloy
Alistair D. Hill

Tel. +44 20 7992 2247


HSBC Bank plc, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial
Services Authority, is acting for Landsbanki and Cenkos and no one else in
relation to matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible
to anyone other than Landsbanki and Cenkos and its partner for providing the
protections afforded to customers of HSBC Bank plc or for providing advice on
matters described in this announcement. 

Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the
“Code”), if any person is, or becomes, “interested” (directly or indirectly) in
1% or more of any class of “relevant securities” of Close Brothers, all
“dealings” in any “relevant securities” of that company (including by means of
an option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such “relevant
securities”) must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time)
on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This
requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is
declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or
on which the “offer period” otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together
pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to
acquire an “interest” in “relevant securities” of Close Brothers, they will be
deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3. 
Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all “dealings” in “relevant
securities” of Close Brothers by Close Brothers, or by any of its “associates”,
must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London
business day following the date of the relevant transaction. 
A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose “relevant
securities” “dealings” should be disclosed, and the number of such securities
in issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk. 
“Interests in securities” arise, in summary, when a person has long economic
exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of
securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an “interest” by
virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in
respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities. 
Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on
the Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you
are required to disclose a “dealing” under Rule 8, you should consult the
Takeover Panel. 
The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United
Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession
this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such
restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a
violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement
does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any
securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities pursuant to this
announcement or otherwise in any jurisdiction.