German Econ Minister Criticizes Board of IKB, KfW

Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:02pm GMT
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BERLIN (Reuters) - Board members at subprime-hit lender IKB and the state-owned bank which holds a major stake in it failed to carry out necessary supervision, Germany's Economy Minister Michael Glos was quoted as saying on Tuesday.

"It's clear that some board members at the IKB and the KfW (state-owned development bank) did not fulfil their supervisory duty," Glos said in an interview with German daily Maerkische Allgemeine due to be published on Wednesday.

"Both banks should therefore have their top management bolstered by people from outside who have experience on the capital market," he added, according to a preview of the article.

IKB unveiled details over the weekend of a third bailout package which would involve a six-fold increase in the number of its shares and an emergency 600 million euro ($883.4 million) cash injection, which may have to be paid for out of future profits.

The bailout, which would take total rescue costs to more than 8 billion euros, has jeopardised government efforts to sell IKB, one of the first European banks to be hit hard by its investment in products linked to U.S. subprime mortgages.

Glos was asked what his suggestions for the management meant for Ingrid Matthaeus-Maier, chief executive of KfW, which holds a 38 percent stake in IKB.

"Nothing at all initially," he said. "Her responsibility as chief executive is not affected by that."

(Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by David Holmes)

 
 
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