ARAGON AG / Miscellaneous 22.01.2008 Release of a Corporate-announcement, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ++ Aragon subsidiary biw Bank für Investments und Wertpapiere AG reports excellent year-end key performance indicators ++ Average number of executed trades at 37% of the market leader in the last quarter 2007 The very enjoyable development of the Aragon subsidiary biw Bank für Investments und Wertpapiere AG (biw), headquartered in Willich, Germany, which had been reported in September 2007, continues. After only two years of operation the bank records respectable 45,111 customers at a customer growth rate of more than 30% per quarter since foundation; the account deposits have increased compared to the previous year by 83.5% from EUR 80.7 million up to EUR 177.5 million. Even stronger developed has the custody volume: At EUR 893 million by end of December 2007 a plus of 133.7% compared to the previous year. With in average 292,000 trades per month in Quarter IV 2007, biw for the first time performed already more than 37% of the transaction volume of the market leading competitor. This development is primarily based on the Germany-wide unique business model of biw: 'White Label Banking'. Hereby biw basically is not marketing its services with its own brand but rather enables different partners, such as e*trade und flatex, to operate in their own 'look and feel' in order to acquire customers for biws services. Furthermore biw acts as clearing bank for the very profitable brokerage business of the Aragon subsidiary Jung, DMS & Cie. AG. Through its strategy biw has not only access to business customers via its trading and clearing platform, but also to end customers. Thus, without major acquisition costs biw is able to operate very cost efficient. Due to its successful business model and the corresponding very positive development, biw has advanced to a stable and profitable pillar of the Aragon Group: At 30. September 2007 it contributed with more than EUR 27 million revenues (33% of the Groups revenue) 24% or more than EUR 1.3 million to the result (EBIT) of Aragon AG (total EBIT EUR 5.4 million). After less than 24 months of operating activities of biw, this more than exceeded the expectations set in the bank at the time of its foundation. Also for 2008 Aragons management is optimistic regarding biws further development despite, or precisely because, difficult capital markets, since revenues and earnings are above all depending on the number of trades, which in turn are often higher in uncertain times with highly volatile markets. ++ About Aragon AG Aragon is a broad diversified financial distribution company, with the divisions: Retail Sales, Institutional Sales and Banking & Banking Services. Aragon is active on the marketplace with multiple independent subsidiaries. The companys aim is to integrate various distribution models under one roof, without disturbing the individual identity of each sales company. The result is a wide diversification across various asset classes and distribution types, which generates a high stability in corporate earnings. Further information about the company and its subsidiaries can be viewed on the website: www.aragon-ag.com. Contact: Aragon Aktiengesellschaft Achim Pfeffer Head of Investor Relations Tel.: +49(0)611 890 575-574 Fax: +49(0)611 890 575-99 E-Mail: achim.pfeffer@aragon-ag.de DGAP 22.01.2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-News: Aragon subsidiary biw Bank für Investments und Wertpapiere AG reports excellent year-end key performance indicators
| Source: EQS Group AG