BNY Mellon hails trailblazing move to open up Romanian market to foreign investors

- Listed companies able to trade securities in other EU countries by issuing depositary receipts

- Move follows similar rule changes this year in Taiwan allowing non-capital raising DRs

LONDON, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- BNY Mellon, a global leader in investment management and investment services, has welcomed new rules which make it easier for foreign investors to buy securities in Romanian companies by allowing more companies to issue depositary receipts (DRs).

In 2013 the Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) in Romania agreed to allow Romanian-based companies, listing in their home market for the first time, to also list in other European Union (EU) member states in DR form. Under new rules outlined by the FSA, Romanian-based companies which are already listed on a Romanian regulated market will be able to issue DR programs in the EU. This will allow Romanian based companies to utilise DRs for non-capital raising technical listings and secondary public offers.

"The new FSA rules will help Romanian companies diversify their investor base and provide more opportunities for foreign investors to participate in an exciting growth market," said Christopher M. Kearns, CEO of BNY Mellon's Depositary Receipts business. "As depositary bank for both Romgaz and Electrica, BNY Mellon is at the forefront of this evolution in the market."

In November 2013 Romgaz, Romania's largest natural gas producer and supplier, listed its Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) on the London Stock Exchange. In July this year Electrica, the country's leading power supplier and distributor, listed its GDR program on the LSE. Romania is rich in energy reserves and its economy is growing at four times the rate of the eurozone[1].

The FSA's new rules follow a similar move made recently by Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission (FCC) to allow for non-capital raising depositary receipts. BNY Mellon supported the FCC in developing the new guidelines, which could be instrumental in attracting greater foreign investment.

Notes to editors:

BNY Mellon acts as depositary for more than 2,800 American and global depositary receipt programs, acting in partnership with leading companies from over 65 countries. BNY Mellon is committed to helping securities issuers access the world's rapidly evolving financial markets and delivers a comprehensive suite of depositary receipt services. Learn more at www.bnymellon.com/dr.

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping its clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle. Whether providing financial services for institutions, corporations or individual investors, BNY Mellon delivers informed investment management and investment services in 35 countries and more than 100 markets. As of Sept. 30, 2014, BNY Mellon had $28.3 trillion in assets under custody and/or administration, and $1.6 trillion in assets under management. BNY Mellon can act as a single point of contact for clients looking to create, trade, hold, manage, service, distribute or restructure investments. BNY Mellon is the corporate brand of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK). Additional information is available on www.bnymellon.com, or follow us on Twitter @BNYMellon.

This release is for informational purposes only. BNY Mellon provides no advice nor recommendation or endorsement with respect to any company or securities. Nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Depositary Receipts: Not FDIC, State or Federal Agency Insured; May Lose Value; No Bank, State or Federal Agency Guarantee. BNY Mellon provides no advice nor recommendations or endorsement with respect to any company, security or products based on any index licensed by BNY Mellon, and we make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the same.

[1] Source: Eurostat

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