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Raiffeisen Bank Zrt., Budapest, a subsidiary of Vienna-based Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG and member of the RZB Group, has recently signed a € 325 million syndicated term loan facility with a tenor of five years. The facility serves general funding purposes and bears a margin of 0.20 per cent per annum. The transaction marks both the biggest and most successful syndicated term loan in the history of Raiffeisen Bank and the first one this year taken by a Hungarian bank. It was concluded by a commemorative signing yesterday evening on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian revolution.

Herbert Stepic, CEO of Raiffeisen International, said, "The conclusion of the deal underlines the positive sentiment of the international loan markets regarding Hungary. Above all, however, it underlines the excellent reputation and standing of Raiffeisen across Central and Eastern Europe."

The facility was fully underwritten by Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd., BayernLB and BNP Paribas (the Mandated Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners) and initially launched for an amount of € 200 million. Four Austrian Regional Raiffeisen Banks (from Upper Austria, Lower Austria-Vienna, the Burgenland and Salzburg), HSBC Bank Plc, Dexia Kommunalkredit Bank AG and Norddeutsche Landesbank Luxembourg S.A. joined the facility at a senior stage as Mandated Lead Arrangers. In addition, twelve international banks joined in general syndication. Following a very well received general syndication, Raiffeisen Bank elected to increase the facility to € 325 million.

Raiffeisen Bank commenced operations already in 1987 as a company incorporated in Hungary. It was the first subsidiary bank of today's Raiffeisen International Group. The bank holds a full commercial banking license and carries on a wide range of financial activities. Raiffeisen Bank is the country's sixth largest bank with total assets of € 5.1 billion as at 30 June 2006.

Raiffeisen International operates one of the leading banking networks in CEE with subsidiary banks and leasing companies in 16 markets. More than 11 million customers are attended to through more than 2,700 business outlets. Representative offices in Lithuania and Moldova complement the Group's presence in the region. Raiffeisen International is a fully consolidated subsidiary of Raiffeisen Zentralbank Österreich AG (RZB), which owns 70 per cent of the common stock. The remaining 30 per cent is free float, the shares are traded on the Vienna Stock Exchange. RZB is a leading corporate and investment bank in Austria and the central institution of the Austrian Raiffeisen Banking Group, the country's largest banking group.