Three more major market participants agree to invest
in Nasdaq Europe

London—Nasdaq Europe S.A/N.V ^SM today announces that three major financial institutions and market participants have agreed to take equity stakes in the company. ABM Merchant & Venture Capital, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, and Berliner Effektengesellschaft AG have all agreed to become investors in the pan-European stock exchange. Nasdaq Europe expects further key investors to join this group.

These investors join Bernard L. Madoff, BNP Paribas, CSFB, Fortis Bank, Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, Schroder Salomon Smith Barney and Santander Central Hispano Investment which took equity stakes in Nasdaq Europe in June, joining Knight Trading Group which was an existing investor.

Michael Sanderson, CEO of Nasdaq Europe said: "The backing of these companies represents a huge vote of confidence in our market. Our over-riding objective is to provide financial institutions with the best possible pan-European trading platform. The support of these major firms further endorses our business model. We look forward to working with them during this exciting time in Nasdaq Europe's development."

Alberto Rigotti, CEO of ABM Merchant & Venture Capital commented "ABM Network believe that Nasdaq Europe is becoming an important part of the European financial community. We are pleased to invest in a market that will ultimately allow enterprises and investors, particularly the Geocommunity Companies that represent the Euregio's vitality and value, to participate in the opportunities created by a truly global market."

Jörg Franke, CEO of Berliner Effektengesellschaft AG stated "German investors and institutions have already demonstrated their appetite for international equities and we believe that Nasdaq Europe will play a leading role in ensuring it is easier, cheaper and faster to access and research these investments. We are very pleased to be a part of this rapidly developing market."

"Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein has a strong pan-European equity trading, cash and derivatives market service. Participation in Nasdaq Europe offers US trading in the European time zone and an attractive platform for future European IPOs," added Martin Korbmacher, Head of Global Equities, Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein.

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Notes to editors

Nasdaq Europe has been designed as a truly pan-European exchange. Its unique structure and independence from any national market place make it a perfect fit for innovative companies and forward looking investors across Europe and beyond. The market operates on a pan-European basis, with a unified infrastructure including a single Rule Book, a single membership, a dedicated trading platform, and a seamless link to cross-border trading and settlement. For further information please visit www.nasdaqeurope.com

ABM CA S.p.A. - Merchant & Venture Capital is the financial services company of the ABM Network whose mission is to incubate, participate and acquire enterprises focalised mainly in the Public Utilities, Hi-Tech, Real Estate and Net-Economy sectors. ABM Network, composed of 22 enterprises, operates on the European markets as an industrial trader and finance intermediator closely associated with the development of entrepreneurial communities localised at Euregio level.

Berliner Effektengesellschaft
Berliner Effektengesellschaft AG, a member of the Consors group since May 2000, is a leading provider of financial services in the German Market. Berliner Effektengesellschaft's 100% subsidiary Berliner Freiverkehr (Aktien) AG is Germany's most important stockbrokerage company which acts as an exclusive market specialist for more than 6,000 domestic and foreign stocks.

Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein (DrKW) is the investment bank of Dresdner Bank AG, a member of the Allianz Group since July 2001. It comprises the former businesses of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and Wasserstein Perella which merged in January 2001. Headquartered in London, Frankfurt and New York, DrKW provides a full range of investment bank products and services to European and international clients through its Global Investment Banking, Global Equities and Global Debt business lines.