During 2005, after transfer to the Reserve for General Banking Risks, the MCB Group in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba made a profit of 76 million Antillean Guilders (US$41.7 million) after taxes, which represents an increase of 14.1% over 2004.

The net result after tax (but before transfer to the Reserve for General Banking Risks) in 2005 in Curaçao was up 46%, Aruba was up 15%, Bonaire was up 16%, while St. Maarten was up a record 64%.

"It is most satisfying that all our business-territories contributed significantly to these results," the bank stated.

From the MCB Group's total net interest and operating income, 43% went to paying personnel expenses, 24% to paying other operating expenses, 7% to paying taxes, 2.5% to strengthening reserves for banking risks, and 23.5% to net profit.

MCB Group's consolidated total assets at the end of December 2005 totaled AG4,017 million, surpassing the AG4 billion mark for the first time.

The total of loans and advances to customers increased by 10.6% over 2004. Loans to retail clients increased by 7.3%. Commercial lending showed a similar 7.3% growth during the year.

Retail customers increased their deposits by 6.7%, while corporate customers' deposits went up 14.0%.

At the end of December 2005, the book value of MCB Group's Shareholders' Equity was AG282 million.

"As a result, MCB has a strong capital base and is well positioned for the future," the bank stated, adding that: "This solid capital base is a key strength that our communities and clients can depend on as we build for the future."

The MCB Group paid AG28 million in profit taxes in 2005. During this same period, its employees paid wage taxes to an amount of AG28 million. MCB in the Netherlands Antilles collected AG31 million in foreign exchange license fee for the Antillean Government. In Aruba, our Caribbean Mercantile Bank collected AG12 million in exchange tax for the Aruba Government.