Equens begins processing OP-Pohjola Sepa and cross-border euro payments

Via its single common platform, which is highly efficient, scalable and economical, Equens processes SEPA payments as well as regular cross border euro payments for the OP-Pohjola Group. The foothold gained in Finland is viewed by Equens as an opportunity to establish itself in the Scandinavian market which is characterised by a high level of automation.

The OP-Pohjola Group is the largest financial services group in Finland. OP-Pohjola Group comprises 229 independent member cooperative banks and the Group's statutory central institution, OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative and Pohjola Bank plc. OP-Pohjola Group offers a comprehensive range of banking, investment and insurance services for both private and corporate
customers. The Group has over four million customers in Finland. Anne-Mari Tyrkkö, Senior Vice President Payment Services: "We have been looking for a solution for processing our growing volume of international euro payments. Equens - the first and truly pan-European payment processors fulfils our needs. By October 2008 we also plan to process our foreign currency payments through Equens.

Manfred Schuck, General Manager Marketing & Sales of Equens: "The processing of payment transactions for OP-Pohjola Group runs well after an intensive period of collaboration. Market players such as credit institutions regard Equens as a reliable, market-orientated and efficient partner that is able to process all of its payments now and in the future. Therefore, we
expect that our volumes in the Scandinavian market will further increase in the near future."