Press Release

October 1, 2001
Nikko Cordial Securities Inc.
Nikko Asset Management Co.,Ltd.

Nikko Eco Fund Won Good Design Award 2001
- First Award for Financial Products -

Nikko Eco Fund, an investment trust fund investing in selected companies with a commitment to the environment, has won Good Design Award* 2001 sponsored by Nihon Sangyo Design Promotion Society.

Know as "G-Mark," Good Design Award is based on a comprehensive design evaluation system, which was launched as Good Design Selection Institution in 1957 by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (currently the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). Nikko Eco Fund is the first financial product to receive this historical award since the institution was established.

As the first eco-fund in Japan, Nikko Eco Fund has been sold by Nikko Cordial Securities Inc. and managed by Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. The three companies rewarded this time are: Nikko Cordial Securities Inc, Nikko Asset Management Co., Ltd. and its fund planner, Good Banker Co., Ltd..

The Nihon Sangyo Design Promotion Organization, sponsor of the award, said, "Nikko Eco Fund has been designed to connect investors with companies dealing with environmental issues. We highly valued that the fund has realized individuals' wishes to build up their assets comfortably in the existing financial system by investing those companies who can sympathize with."

Nikko Eco Fund was launched in August 1999 and is the first eco-fund in the country. It is an open-ended investment trust fund that has pursued capital gains through investing specifically in stocks of: 1) companies whose environmental activities are superior and whose growth can be expected; 2) companies who conduct businesses related to environmental issues and whose growth can be expected. Supported by a wide range of investors, it has grown to be a large-scaled fund with its total net assets of approximately 67.7 billion-yen (as of September 27).