In step with international developments, the Austrian Financial Market Authority FMA has extended its temporary prohibition on naked short selling in the cash market of shares of Erste Group Bank AG, Raiffeisen International Bank-Holding AG, UNIQA Versicherungen AG and WIENER STÄDTISCHE Versicherung AG Vienna Insurance Group by regulation; it enters into force on November 29, 2008 and is valid until January 30, 2009. This measure is based on Article 48d par. 12 of theBörsegesetz (Stock Exchange Act). Only short-term naked short sale positions taken by market makers or specialists within the scope of their contractual obligations are exempt from the prohibition.
For further information please contact
Klaus Grubelnik (FMA Media Spokesperson)
+43/(0)1/24959-5106
+43/(0676)/882 49 516