FRANKFURT (MNI) – The European Central Bank said Wednesday that a
total of E52.065 billion Eurosystem covered bond purchases had settled
as of May 11.

As of May 10, settled acquisitions had totaled E51.837 billion, the
ECB said Tuesday. The ECB plans to buy a total of around E60 billion
covered bonds by the end of June 2010 at the latest.

The program is aimed at revitalizing a market segment that has been
exceptionally hard hit by the financial turmoil.

–Frankfurt Bureau tel.: +49-69-720 142, email: frankfurt@marketnews.com

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