RZB and Deutsche Bank arrange USD 200million loan for Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan

Raiffeisen Zentralbank Oesterreich AG(RZB)and Deutsche Bank AG London (Deutsche Bank) arranged aUSD 200 million syndicated loan for Halyk Bank of Kazakhstan (HalykBank). Both banks act as Mandated Lead Arrangers. This traderelated loan is an extension of a facility signed one year ago. Thetenure is again twelve months, but due to the broad interest theloan amount could be increased from USD 150 million to USD 200million.

All in all 37 banks were engaged in the transaction. In additionto RZB and Deutsche Bank leading positions were taken byABNAmro, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank(Senior Arrangers), HVBGroup, Alpha Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi(Arrangers),Commerzbank (Eurasija), JPMorganandWachovia Bank(National Association)(Co-Arrangers).

As of 31 December 2003, Halyk Bank had total assets amounting toUSD 1.82 billion, making it the third largest bank in Kazakhstan.Its share capital reached at the same date USD 155.0 million. Therating agencies Moody''s and Standard& Poor''s awardedKazakhstan an investment grade rating.

With EUR 878 billion in assets and approximately 66,900employees, Deutsche Bank offers financial services in 76 countriesthroughout the world.

RZB is the central institution of the AustrianRaiffeisenBanking Group, the country''s most powerful banking group.RZB also considers Central and Eastern Europe as its home marketand viaRaiffeisen International Bank-Holding AGoperatesa network of 15 subsidiary banks with more than 800 bankingoutlets, as well as two representative offices, in 16 markets ofthe region.