FRANKFURT (MNI) – The European Central Bank said Wednesday that a
total of E49.033 billion Eurosystem covered bond purchases had settled
as of April 27.

As of April 26, settled acquisitions had totaled E48.912 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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