Press release

5 October 2006: INTEREST RATE INCREASE

The discount rate and the interest rate on the banks' current accounts with the Nationalbank are raised by 0.25 per cent to 3.25 per cent. The Nationalbank's lending rate and the rate of interest on certificates of deposit are raised by 0.25 per cent to 3.50 per cent. The increase will have effect as from 6 October 2006.

The interest rate increase is a consequence of the raising by the European Central Bank of the minimum bid rate on the main refinancing operations by 0.25 per cent to 3.25 per cent.