This strategic move will allow Sopra to further expand its growth strategy to become the European market leader for Retail Credit Software Solutions.

This transaction will build upon the synergy between Sopra and Business Architects from an operational, strategic as well as a cultural viewpoint. The combined offering of both Sopra's Evolan Credit product and Business Architects ComponentBanker suite will offer the European market a full range of software solutions and services for Retail Credit, appropriate for all sizes of Financial Institutions.

Pierre Pasquier, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sopra Group commented: "We are pleased to build on the success of Business Architects, and welcome the team to Sopra. ComponentBanker will extend our capabilities to serve the European market. This is one of the strategic acquisitions which will help Sopra to achieve its overall European growth ambitions in the Financial Market, "Le Plan 2010".

Franky Van Damme, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Business Architects International commented: "We are proud of the success achieved by the ComponentBanker suite and its people; joining Sopra is testament to their outstanding achievements over recent years.

GIMV, the reference shareholder of Business Architects International who supported the recent management buy-out, is proud of the achievements of the Business Architects employees and management team.

This strategic project will allow Sopra to fully focus and broaden its offering of providing innovative solutions for the international mortgage and loans sector. The ComponentBanker Loans solution suite continues to extend its reach internationally and is experiencing sustained growth in new markets. Already an established market leader in Benelux, ComponentBanker Loans achieved major breakthroughs in the international market last year with successful new implementations across Southern and Eastern Europe.

The ComponentBanker Loans suite from Business Architects offers international solutions covering all aspects of sophisticated management of the entire loan life cycle for all types of loans; consumer, mortgage, professional credits, etc. From loan application and origination, through servicing, to arrears management, the ComponentBanker Loans suite of products has solutions for front, middle and back office. From its inception, ComponentBanker Loans was built as an international loans and mortgage platform supporting the entire lending value chain for domestic and multi-domestic institutions worldwide.

Business Architects combines financial know-how with technology expertise. All solutions are based on best-practice business models and component technology enabling customers to adapt rapidly and move with changing business conditions generating a significant competitive edge.

The full financial terms of the acquisition are not disclosed.