Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes _______ No ___X____
Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil, February 11th, 2004
To
Securities and
Exchange Commission
Office of International Corporate Finance
Division of Corporate
Finance
Washington, DC
Gentlemen,
The purpose of this letter is to inform that the following Notice to the Market will be published tomorrow, February 12th, 2004:
“Banco Bradesco S.A. informs its stockholders, clients and the market that, in an Auction held at the São Paulo Stock Exchange - BOVESPA, on February 10, 2004, it acquired, from the Federal Government, the stock control of Banco do Estado do Maranhão S.A. - BEM, institution with headquarters located in the city of São Luís, state of Maranhão, as well as its subsidiaries BEM Distribuidora de Títulos e Valores Mobiliários Ltda., BEM Vigilância e Transportes de Valores S.A. and BEM Serviços Gerais Ltda.
The transaction involved the acquisition of 324,181,808 nominative common stocks, with no par value, which represent 89.957% of BEM’s capital stock, for the amount of R$ 78 million.
Upon such acquisition, Bradesco Organization strengthens its presence in the state of Maranhão and reaffirms its confidence and commitment towards the economic and social development of Brazil.
The checking accounts held by the State, mixed capital companies, government corporations, public companies and foundations, as well as the State payroll and the consolidation of funds resulting from state tax collection, will be maintained exclusively at BEM.
BEM’s main numbers, presented in the 2003 year-end balance sheet, are shown in the table below:
| Assets | 766 |
| Loans | 84 |
| Deposits | 261 |
| - Demand | 148 |
| - Time | 50 |
| - Saving Accounts | 47 |
| - Interbank | 16 |
| Stockholders’ Equity (including the ongoing capital increase) | 65 |
| Checking Account Clients | 186 thousand |
| Saving Account Clients | 103 thousand |
| Branches | 76 |
| Banking Service Posts | 125 |
The acquiring process shall be concluded by February 13, 2004, when a Special Stockholders’ Meeting, which will elect BEM’s new Management, is scheduled to be held.
BEM will continue to assist its clients as usual, which will, upon the completion of the transaction, also have access to all products, services and facilities offered by Bradesco.”.
Cordially,
Banco Bradesco S.A.
José Luiz
Acar Pedro
Executive
Vice President and
Investor
Relations Director
|
BANCO BRADESCO S.A.
| ||
| By: |
/S/
José Luiz Acar Pedro
| |
|
José Luiz Acar Pedro
Executive Vice President and Investor Relations Director | ||
This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.