FRANKFURT (MNI) – The European Central Bank said Friday that a
total of E46.730 billion Eurosystem covered bond purchases had settled
as of April 15.

As of April 14, settled acquisitions had totaled E46.440 billion,
the ECB said Thursday. 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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