The purpose of the company is to engage in financial and credit business, including granting loans and providing lines of credit, as well as investing in securities, financial instruments, and other investment vehicles, but excluding activities that require authorization under applicable Swiss financial market regulations. The company may also acquire, hold, manage, and dispose of interests in companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as enter into any transactions and agreements that directly or indirectly serve the company's purpose or are directly related thereto. The company is part of a group. It may act in the interest of the group or in the interest of individual companies of the group. The company may grant loans or other financing to its direct or indirect parent company and to its or their direct or indirect subsidiaries, and provide security of any kind for liabilities of such other companies, including by way of pledges on or fiduciary transfers of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind, whether or not for consideration. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and acquire, hold, manage, and dispose of real estate.