Global BuyDIRECT^SM is a Bank of New York-sponsored dividend reinvestment and direct purchase program for Depositary Receipts of certain non-U.S. companies. Each participating company's plan allows its existing shareholders to use dividends paid by the company to automatically purchase Depositary Receipts. The plans also allow first-time and existing investors to purchase Depositary Receipts of participating companies. All such investments are made through Bank of New York as transfer agent.

As a participant in Global BuyDIRECT, investors benefit from the direct ownership of their Depositary Receipts, the efficiency of receiving corporate communications directly from the Depositary Receipt issuer, and the savings resulting from reduced brokerage and transaction costs.

The Bank of New York is transfer agent or administrator for what may be considered one of the most diverse groups of direct share purchase plans, representing a wide array of non-U.S. companies from countries around the globe.