KRUSO KAPITAL CELEBRATES TWO YEARS SINCE THE ACQUISITION OF CEP – CRÉDITO ECONÓMICO POPULAR IN PORTUGAL

As at 30 September 2026, CEPhad over 17,000 outstanding pawn loan contracts (compared with 81,000 for Kruso Kapital in Italy and approximately 700 for ProntoPegno Greece), an increase of 13.8% since the acquisition in November 2024. CEP has also expanded its customer base by 13.5%since the acquisition, from approximately 6,700 to more than 7,700 customers. CEP’s positive performance is also reflected in the continued strengthening of its presence across Portugal, further marked by its membership of the I nternational Association of Pawnbroking and Social Credit Institutions(Pignus), representing Portugal. Following the opening of its new Elvas branch in September 2026, the network now comprises 17 branches. Expansion is set to continue in the coming years: the Business Plan envisages additional branch openings by 2028, aimed at reinforcing the company’s presence in currently underserved areas in northern and southern Portugal. Alongside the expansion of its branch network, CEP continues to diversify and broaden its range of services through the introduction of 5-gram and 10-gram investment gold bars and an increase in the number of annual auctions, enabling it to reach a wider audience. As part of this strategy, the company is also developing a new service for the safekeeping of valuables in branch vaults, available even without taking out a pawn loan. The service is expected to launch by the end of 2026.

Giuseppe Gentile, General Manager of Kruso Kapital, commented: “Two years after the acquisition, CEP’s results confirm the strategic value of the transaction and the potential of the Portuguese market, where we aim to continue growing by strengthening our local presence and expanding our service offering. Another significant indicator is the changing profile of our customers: their average age has fallen from 52 to 49, highlighting the increasing appeal of pawn lending among younger customers. It is an alternative, accessible and immediate form of financing that meets an increasingly diverse range of needs.”