The company's purpose is to acquire, finance, and manage as well as buy and sell participations of all kinds. The company may acquire, hold, encumber, and dispose of real estate. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries, both domestically and abroad, and may participate in other companies. The company may engage in all commercial, financial, and other activities that are related to the company's purpose. The company may undertake financings for its own or third-party account, as well as provide guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties. In particular, the company may grant loans and other direct or indirect financings to its direct and indirect subsidiaries and to third parties, including their direct and indirect shareholders and their direct and indirect subsidiaries, including under cash pooling agreements (including zero balancing), and provide security for the liabilities of these parties in any form, including by pledging or fiduciary transfer of the company's assets or guarantees of any kind. This may also be done without consideration, on preferential terms, without interest, excluding the company's profit motive, and/or by assuming clustering risks.