NWB Bank has reached a principle agreement with ABN AMRO Bank on the acquisition of a portfolio of loans to Dutch public sector companies. The total portfolio in scope is approximately €2 billion and consisting of long-term loans to housing corporations, municipalities, academic hospitals and drinking water companies. The phased acquisition of the portfolio has already been started and will be finished over the coming weeks in concertation with all relevant parties.

 "For NWB Bank, this is the largest acquisition of a portfolio ever. The long term maturity of the underlying loans fits well with the bank's social mission to enter into a lasting relationship with our customers. In addition, it helps to expand and further diversify our lending to the Dutch public sector", says Frenk van der Vliet, responsible for lending within NWB Bank's Managing Board.

NWB Bank is a national promotional bank with the aim of keeping the financing costs of the public sector as low as possible. "In this respect, the acquisition also fits well with the bank's profile. Because the financing costs for NWB Bank with its AAA / Aaa ratings are very low, clients are possibly better off at a future interest rate or spread reset", continues Frenk van der Vliet.

Media relations: Simon Zwagemakers, t +31 70 4166259 / +31 6 57457906 e persinfo@nwbbank.com

NWB Bank is a national promotional bank which aims to keep the financing costs for the public sector as low as possible. The bank primarily serves local and regional authorities (water authorities, municipalities and provinces), as well as institutions guaranteed by the government or local and regional authorities, such as housing associations and health care institutions. Its AAA/Aaa ratings and financial expertise allow the bank to actively respond to the needs of its clients, allowing the latter in turn to fulfil their role in society in the Netherlands to the fullest extent possible. As a significant bank, NWB Bank is supervised by the European Central Bank (ECB).