FRANKFURT (MNI) – The European Central Bank said Wednesday that a
total of E46.390 billion Eurosystem covered bond purchases had settled
as of April 13.

As of April 12, settled acquisitions had totaled E46.208 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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