all activities related to the acquisition of direct and indirect participations in all companies or businesses, in the sense of a holding company; the company may acquire, hold and dispose of all movable and immovable assets; however, the company may only hold, directly or indirectly, real estate in Switzerland if they have an exclusively commercial use; the company may participate in other businesses and establish branches and subsidiaries, both in Switzerland and abroad; the company may grant loans to its shareholders and third parties, guarantee loans subscribed by shareholders or third parties, secure these loans by issuing or pledging mortgage securities or by subscribing to any other commitment, if it serves its interests.