The US Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control ('OFAC') has contacted Clearstream Banking SA ('Clearstream'), a 100 percent subsidiary of Deutsche Börse AG, regarding OFAC's investigation under US Iran sanctions regulations of certain securities transfers within the Clearstream settlement system in 2008. These transfers implemented the decision taken by Clearstream in 2007 to close its Iranian customers' accounts. OFAC had been informed of the closing of the accounts in advance.

OFAC has now invited Clearstream to pursue closure of the matter through substantive discussions and settlement in accordance with OFAC's standard procedures. Thereupon Clearstream has decided today to enter into such settlement discussions with OFAC.

OFAC has communicated to Clearstream its preliminary views on the investigation. OFAC's preliminary views are that (1) apparent violations of US sanctions may have occurred in 2008 in connection with the aforementioned securities transfers, and (2) if OFAC were to issue a civil pre-penalty notice based only on information currently available to it, such a pre-penalty notice would indicate an amount of approximately US$ 340 million. These views were shared for discussion purposes only and are subject to potential significant change in favour of Clearstream depending on the outcome of discussions with OFAC. OFAC has not taken any final decision either on a finding of any violation or on any amount. Any settlement with OFAC would not constitute a finding of a violation.

Clearstream continues to believe that its actions were in compliance with any applicable US sanctions regulations and considers OFAC's preliminary figure to be unwarranted and excessive. Clearstream appreciates the opportunity to engage in substantive discussions with OFAC on the facts and reasons why a penalty should not be imposed or, if a settlement payment is agreed upon, why it should be in a far lesser amount.

Deutsche Börse AG has indicated to its subsidiary Clearstream that it is prepared to provide all necessary support in order for Clearstream to meet its financial and regulatory requirements and to maintain its strong financial profile should this become necessary under such settlement.

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