19.04.2007 /Investing KBC acquires majority stake in Absolut Bank in high-growth Russian market - The deal values the bank at ˆ761 million, 3.8 times the book value of the company. Absolut Bank is one of the fastest growing banks in Russia and has doubled its loan book year after year for the last five years.

19.04.2007 /Operations SDM's Bank New ATM was installed at the DUBROVKA office - ATM functions: multicurrency, telecommunications services, public utilities and communal services.

19.04.2007 /Financial Statements RZB presents seventh record result in a row. - Profit before tax, established according to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) surged from 930 million euros last year to 1,882 million euros this year.

19.04.2007 /Bank's Ratings Fitch places Absolut Bank on RWP; Affirms KBC Bank - Fitch Ratings has today placed Russia-based Absolut Bank's Issuer Default "B", Short-term "B", Support "5" and National Long-term "BBB(rus)" ratings on Rating watch Positive. Its Individual Rating is affirmed at "D".

19.04.2007 /Bank's Ratings Raiffeisen awarded "Best Bank in Central and Eastern Europe". - Renowned Global Finance magazine awarded the title "Best Bank in Central and Eastern Europe 2007" to Raiffeisen Zentralbank Osterreich AG (RZB) together with Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG for the fifth time already.