Bank of London and The Middle East plc (BLME)

LONDON - Operating Profits are Ahead of Expectations at GBP5.8 Million in First Full Year of Operations - Significant Balance Sheet Growth in 2008 - BLME Establishes its Position as the Leading European Sharia'a Compliant Financial Institution Bank of London and The Middle East plc ("BLME"), the London based Sharia'a compliant wholesale bank, has today announced full year 2008 results, reporting an operating profit of GBP5.8 million.