DGAP-Adhoc: Bâloise and Gothaer in negotiations about strategic partnership and merger of their German activities

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.
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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 Germany’s 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 
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