Allgemeine HypothekenBank Rheinboden AG

25 October 2005 – In response to press reports today (25 October 2005) concerning Allgemeine HypothekenBank Rheinboden AG (AHBR), the Association of German Banks issues the following statement:

Allgemeine HypothekenBank Rheinboden AG (AHBR) is a member of the Association of German Banks and its Deposit Protection Fund. The Deposit Protection Fund is closely involved in the process aimed at selling AHBR. Several potentially promising offers have been submitted. The Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) is fully informed about how talks are proceeding. Customer deposits are covered by the Deposit Protection Fund in accordance with its by-laws.