Suomi Mutual, Pohjola and Ilmarinen sold their shares in Alma Media

Suomi Mutual Life Assurance Company, Pohjola Non-Life Insurance Company Ltd and Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company have sold all of their shares in Alma Media Corporation to the Swedish investment company Proventus Industrier AB. The total number of sold shares is 5 358 472 shares, which corresponds to 15.2% of the votes and 8.5% of the shares in Alma Media.
The share transaction was carried out late Friday night, January 7, 2005, and it was based on a joint purchase offer made by Proventus. The right of ownership to the shares will transfer to the buyer on January 14, 2005, when the sale price will also be paid.  
 
The breakdown of the sold shares between the companies was such that Suomi Mutual sold 1 892 928 Alma Media Series I shares, which corresponds to 6.4% of the votes and 3.0% of the shares in Alma Media. Pohjola sold 1 536 000 Alma Media Series I shares, which corresponds to 5.2% of the votes and 2.4% of the shares in Alma Media. Ilmarinen sold 997 748 Alma Media Series I shares and
931 796 Alma Media Series II shares, which corresponds to 3.6% of the votes and 3.1% of the shares in Alma Media. 
 
 
Suomi Mutual Life Assurance Company                          
Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company
Pohjola Group plc
 
 
For more information, please contact
Mr Eino Halonen, President and CEO, Suomi Mutual Life Assurance Company, tel. +358 10 559 2000
Mr Eero Heliövaara, President and CEO, Pohjola Group plc, tel. +358 10 559 2900
Mr Kari Puro, President and CEO, Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Company, tel. +358 10 284 2626