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Finnish Pohjola Bank plc Enters Agreement to Execute and Clear Derivatives
through Leading Global Brokerage

HELSINKI, 3 November 2009 - Pohjola Bank plc (“Pohjola”), part of OP-Pohjola Group which is a leading financial services group in Finland, has entered into a partnership agreement to execute and clear derivatives contracts through MF Global UK Ltd. (“MF Global”) - the world’s leading broker for exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivatives products.

The agreement will enable Pohjola's customers to access MF Global's entire suite of products through a close cooperation across broking and system networks.  The partnership will initially commence with listed derivatives before broadening to other products.

"This partnership with MF Global  gives our customers a wider spectrum of financial products at their disposal, while for us at Pohjola it means broader international operations and deeper information about the markets.” said Antti Heinonen, Senior Vice President, Head of Debt Capital and Treasury markets of Pohjola Bank, “In addition, we will get access to information and services that were so far only available to the largest international institutions and consequently, Pohjola can soon offer the most comprehensive derivatives services in the Nordic countries.”

“We are delighted that Pohjola have chosen MF Global as its partner to broker their derivatives portfolio,” said James Rowsell, MF Global managing director, Europe. “As a leading broker of futures, options and cash products, I am confident that our brokers will provide unparalleled insight and market access for their customers. The Nordic region is an important opportunity for us especially as corporates in Finland and elsewhere in the region continue to grow their international presence.”

For more information, please contact:

Jorma Alanne, Head of Markets, Pohjola Bank plc, tel. +358 (0) 10 252 4450
Antti Heinonen, Senior Vice President, Pohjola Bank plc, tel. +358 (0)10 252 4286
Harri Widing, Vice President, Head of Sales, Pohjola Bank plc, tel. +358 (0)10 252 5208

Diana DeSocio, Vice President, Corporate Communications, MF Global Ltd. tel. +44 (0) 20 7144 4062

Notes to editors

About Pohjola Bank
Pohjola Bank plc (est. 1902), is a Finnish financial services company providing banking, asset management and non-life insurance services. Serving businesses, institutions and private individuals, Pohjola provides an extensive package of services which are convenient for customers while supporting corporate customers' business.

Pohjola is part of OP-Pohjola Group, which is Finland's leading financial services group. Pohjola acts as the central bank for the member co-operative banks and is in charge of OP-Pohjola Group's international operations. OP-Pohjola Group consists of over 200 member cooperative banks and the Group's central institution, OP-Pohjola Group Central Cooperative, with its subsidiaries and closely-related companies, the largest of which is Pohjola Bank plc.

About MF Global
MF Global Ltd. (NYSE: MF), is a leading intermediary offering customized solutions in global cash, derivatives and related markets. It provides execution and clearing services for exchange-traded and over-the-counter derivative products as well as for non-derivative foreign exchange products and securities in the cash market. MF Global is uniquely diversified across products, trading markets, customers and regions. Its worldwide client base includes financial institutions, industrial groups, hedge funds and other asset managers as well as professional traders and private/retail clients. MF Global operates in 14 countries on more than 70 exchanges, providing access to some of the largest financial markets in the world and is the leader by volume on many of these markets. For more information, please visit www.mfglobal.com.