Tradepoint Confirms Launch Of First Integrated Pan-European Stock Exchange For Blue Chip Stocks On 10 July

Tradepoint Financial Networks plc ("Tradepoint") - the electronic market for equities trading - yesterday confirmed 10 July as the launch date for its pan- European exchange. This follows the completion of readiness assessments with key Members regarding their in-house systems and operational procedures.

Commenting on today's announcement Richard Kilsby, Chief Executive of Tradepoint, said:

"The confirmation of readiness from member firms is another significant step towards the launch of the first pan-European exchange on 10 July. The launch of the European platform is consistent with both Tradepoint's and the Consortium's objective of developing Tradepoint, on its own or in partnership with other organisations, as the principal marketplace for trading Eurotop 300 stocks by the fourth quarter of 2001."