Gothaer Allgemeine Versicherung AG / Letter of Intent/Merger 31.01.2008 Release of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basel/Köln, 31 Jan 2008. The Bâloise Group and Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG are negotiating about a strategic partnership and a merger of their German insurance activities. A letter of intent has been signed. Both companies are currently conducting due diligence. The outcome of the negotiations is not clear. Both parties will provide information about the further steps in due course. Contact: Bâloise Group: Philipp Senn, Phone: +41 (0)61 285 84 67 Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG: Alrun Griepenkerl, Phone: +49 (0)221 308-34531, Mobile: +49 (0) 175 228 5017 About Bâloise Group The Bâloise Group, based in Basel (Switzerland), delivers insurance and provision solutions across Continental Europe. The strategy of Bâloise focuses on sustainable and profitable growth in selected target segments. Its markets include Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Lux-embourg, Austria and Croatioa. The Bâloise Group employs approximately 8,000 people. The registered shares of Bâloise Holding are included in the Swiss Market Index (SMI) and are traded under the abbreviation BALN. About Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG With more than 3.5 million members and premium income of around 4 billion Euros, Gothaer is one of Germanys large insurance groups and is one of the largest mutual insurance companies in Germany. The Group, based in Cologne, employs around 5,500 people and offers all catego-ries of insurance. DGAP 31.01.2008 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
DGAP-Adhoc: Bâloise and Gothaer in negotiations about strategic partnership and merger of their German activities
| Source: EQS Group AG