KFW International Finance 18K Annual report (foreign governments) | SEC 8 Jun 05

Exhibit (d)

KFW

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

This description of KfW and the Federal Republic of Germany is dated June 8, 2005 and appears as Exhibit (d) to the Annual Report on Form 18-K of KfW and KfW International Finance Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

THIS DOCUMENT (OTHERWISE THAN AS PART OF A PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN A REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933) DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OF KFW OR KFW INTERNATIONAL FINANCE INC. THE DELIVERY OF THIS DOCUMENT AT ANY TIME DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO ITS DATE.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

In this description, references to “euro” or “EUR” are to the legal currency of the 12 Member States of the European Union participating in the euro and references to “U.S. dollars”, “$” or “USD” are to United States dollars. See “The Federal Republic of Germany — Monetary and Financial System — Foreign Exchange Rates and Controls” for information regarding the rates of conversion of the euro into United States dollars for the period 2000 through 2004 and “The Federal Republic of Germany — General — The European Union and European Integration” for a discussion of the introduction of the euro.

At June 6, 2004, the noon buying rate for cable transfers in New York City payable in euro was EUR 0.8151 per U.S. dollar ($1.2268 per euro).

In this document, references to the “Federal Republic” and “Germany” are to the Federal Republic of Germany and references to the “Federal Government” are to the government of the Federal Republic of Germany. The terms “KfW Bankengruppe” and “group” refer to KfW and its consolidated subsidiaries. The term “DtA” refers to the Deutsche Ausgleichsbank.

Table of Contents


	Page
KFW		2
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS		2
KfW’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2005		2
Sources of funds		3
Capitalization and indebtedness of KfW Bankengruppe as of March 31, 2005		3
GENERAL		4
Overview		4
Relationship with the Federal Republic		5
Merger with DtA		6
BUSINESS		7
Investment Finance		7
Financial Cooperation		16
Advisory and Other Services		18
Other Activities		19
Credit Risks		20
Loan Loss Provisions		21
Risk Control		22
Sources of Funds		24
Funding and Investment Policy		26
SHORT-TERM INDEBTEDNESS AND CAPITALIZATION		27
MANAGEMENT		28
Board of Managing Directors		28
Board of Supervisory Directors		28
EMPLOYEES		30
FINANCIAL SECTION		31
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITORS		31
MANAGEMENT’S COMMENTS ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		32
The Balance Sheet		32
Earnings Position		37
Risk Provisioning and Valuation Result		38
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KFW		40
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KFW BANKENGRUPPE		43
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS		47
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON FUNDED DEBT OF KFW BANKENGRUPPE		74
Funded Debt Outstanding		74
Repayment Schedule for Funded Debt		76
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENERALLY ACCEPTED GERMAN AND UNITED STATES ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES		77
THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY		G-1
GENERAL		G-1
Area, Location and Population		G-1
Government		G-1
Political Parties		G-1
International Organizations		G-2
The European Union and European Integration		G-2
Statistical Disclosure Standards of the International Monetary Fund		G-4
THE ECONOMY		G-5
Overview		G-5
Key Economic Figures		G-5
Germany’s Budget Deficit and the Excessive Deficit Procedure		G-7
Economic Policy		G-7
Gross Domestic Product		G-9
Sectors of the Economy		G-10
Employment and Labor		G-11
Social Security Legislation		G-13
International Economic Relations		G-14
MONETARY AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM		G-18
Background of the European System of Central Banks		G-18
Monetary Policy Instruments of the ESCB		G-18
Money Supply and Prices		G-18
Official Foreign Exchange Reserves		G-20
External Positions of Banks		G-20
Foreign Exchange Rates and Controls		G-21
Financial System		G-21
Securities Market		G-22
PUBLIC FINANCE		G-23
Receipts and Expenditures		G-23
Tax Structure		G-26
Government Participations		G-30
DEBT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT		G-31
TABLES AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION		G-32

KFW

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

KfW’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2005

The following information is based on unaudited figures. This information is not necessarily indicative of the figures of KfW Bankengruppe for the full year.

For the three months ended March 31, 2005, the group’s total assets increased by 4%, or €13.6 billion, to €342.2 billion, compared with €328.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004. The group’s income from current operations before risk provisions and valuations decreased by €29 million to €318 million for the first three months of 2005, compared with €347 million for the first three months of 2004.

The following table sets forth an approximate breakdown by category of KfW’s commitments for loans, grants and guarantees during the first three months of 2005 as compared with the first three months of 2004.


	Three months
	ended March 31,
	2004(1)		2005(1)
	(billions of €)
Commitments
Investment finance in the Federal Republic and elsewhere in Europe		9.8		9.9
of which KfW Mittelstandsbank		2.7		4.2
of which loans		2.6		2.8
of which guarantees and securitizations (PROMISE)		0.0		1.4
of which KfW Förderbank		7.1		5.6
of which loans		6.1		5.6
of which securitizations commitments (PROVIDE)		1.0		—
KfW IPEX-Bank		2.2		2.1
KfW Development Bank		0.2		0.3

Total		12.2		12.3

(1)

Unaudited.

Overall commitments for investment finance remained relatively stable, with an increase in commitments by KfW Mittelstandsbank offset by a decline in commitments by KfW Förderbank.

Commitments by KfW Mittelstandsbank increased by €1.5 billion to €4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the previous year’s first quarter, mainly due to two large securitisation transactions in the first quarter of 2005. One of these transactions was made under KfW’s PROMISE program, another one was concluded as a variation of the PROMISE program.

The volume of commitments under the loan programs of KfW Förderbank in the first quarter of 2005 amounted to €5.6 billion compared to €7.1 billion for the same period in 2004. This decline was due to a decrease in loans as a result of the scheduled expiry of the Housing Modernisation Program 2003 and the special fund “Growth Impulses” in 2004 and the fact that no securitization transaction has yet taken place in 2005.

KfW anticipates that the aggregate volume of securitization transactions in 2005 will be slightly lower than in 2004.

Commitments of KfW IPEX-Bank during the first quarter of 2005 (€2.1 billion) were almost at the same level as in the first three months of 2004 (€2.2 billion). €0.7 billion of these commitments related to KfW IPEX-Bank’s domestic business, €1.5 billion to commitments outside Germany. As in previous years financing outside Germany concentrated heavily on Europe (65% of new commitments), followed by Asia (26%) and North and Latin America (together 8%). New commitments were particularly strong in the sectors raw materials and ship financing.

The volume of commitments under the programs of KfW Development Bank amounted to €0.3 billion in the first three months of 2005, compared with €0.2 billion in the first three months of 2004.

Sources of funds

The volume of funding raised in the capital markets for the first three months of 2005 was €16.4 billion (excluding credit-linked certificates of indebtedness in the amount of €0.5 billion), of which 50% was raised in euro and the remainder in 8 other currencies.

Capitalization and indebtedness of KfW Bankengruppe as of March 31, 2005


	As of
	March 31, 2005
	(millions of €)
Short-term indebtedness(1)		69,872


Long-term borrowings(2) from Federal Government		12,824
ERP Special Fund		16,007
Banks		14,272
Other lenders		13,369

Total long-term borrowings		56,472
Bonds(2)		172,990

Total long-term debt		229,462
Equity
Paid-in capital(3)		3,300
Reserves(4)		5,158
Fund for general bank risks		3,625

Total equity		12,083
Total capitalization		311,417

(1)		With a remaining term of one year or less.

(2)		With remaining terms of more than one year.

(3)		KfW’s equity capital, 80% of which is held by the Federal Government and the remaining 20% by the Länder, amounts to €3,750 million. €3,300 million has been paid in pro rata by the Federal Government and the Länder.

(4)		Consists of capital reserves of €1,604 million, retained earnings of €2,888 million and reserves from the ERP Special Fund of €666 million.

The short-term indebtedness and capitalization of KfW Bankengruppe as of March 31, 2005 is not necessarily indicative of the group’s short-term indebtedness and capitalization as of December 31, 2005.

GENERAL

Overview

KfW was established in 1948 as a public law institution (Anstalt des öffentlichen Rechts) by the Administration of the Combined Economic Area, the immediate predecessor of the Federal Republic. Originally, KfW was established to distribute and lend funds of the European Recovery Program (the “ERP”, Marshall Plan). Today, having expanded and internationalized, KfW conducts its business in four principal areas: investment finance, export and project finance, promotion of developing countries (“financial cooperation”) and advisory and other services.

In 2003, the former Deutsche Ausgleichsbank (“DtA”) merged into KfW. DtA, formed in 1950 as a public law institution, was active as a promotional bank particularly in the area of lending to small and medium sized enterprises and start-up businesses. The merger occurred pursuant to a law (the Förderbankenneustrukturierungsgesetz or “Promotional Bank Restructuring Act”) designed to restructure and simplify promotional banking in the Federal Republic and harmonize it with the “Understanding” reached with the European Commission in March 2002. For further information on the DtA merger and the Understanding with the European Commission, see “Relationship with the Federal Republic” and “Merger with DtA” below.

In connection with the merger, KfW reorganized complementary business activities of the two institutions and re-branded its business lines under the umbrella brand name KfW Bankengruppe. However, KfW’s main business continues to be conducted through a single legal entity. KfW operates in the following business areas under the brand names noted in italics:

•

Investment finance:

	•	KfW Förderbank (KfW Promotional Bank), offering financing products for housing, environmental, education and infrastructure projects;

	•	KfW Mittelstandsbank (KfW SME Bank), promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”), business founders, start-ups and self-employed professionals;

•

Export and project finance:

•

KfW IPEX-Bank, offering customized financing for exports and project and corporate financings world-wide;

•

Financial cooperation:

	•	KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW Development Bank), dealing with KfW’s public sector development cooperation activities;

	•	DEG Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (German Investment and Development Company), financing private-sector investments in developing countries;

•

Advisory and other services.

At December 31, 2004, KfW Bankengruppe had total assets of EUR 328.6 billion, including EUR 251.2 billion in loans outstanding. In addition, KfW Bankengruppe had EUR 61.4 billion in guarantees outstanding, of which an amount of EUR 54.9 billion relate to its PROMISE and PROVIDE programs. Of its EUR 251.2 billion in outstanding loans at December 31, 2004, EUR 183.8 billion were for investment finance, EUR 46.4 billion for export and project finance, and EUR 21.0 billion for financial cooperation.

As a public law institution serving public policy objectives of the Federal Government, KfW is not subject to corporate taxes and does not seek to maximize profits. KfW does, however, seek to maintain an overall level of profitability that allows it to strengthen its equity base in order to support the growth in the volume of its business. KfW is prohibited from distributing profits, which are instead allocated to statutory and special reserves. KfW is also prohibited from taking deposits, conducting current account business or dealing in securities for the account of others.

KfW is organized under the Law Concerning Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (the “KfW Law”) as a public law institution with unlimited duration. Its offices are located at Palmengartenstraße 5-9, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Federal Republic of Germany. KfW’s telephone number is 011-49-69-74310. KfW also maintains branch offices in Berlin and Bonn, as well as a liaison office to the European Union in Brussels.

Relationship with the Federal Republic

Ownership. The Federal Republic holds 80% of KfW’s capital, and the German federal states (the “Länder”) hold the remaining 20%. Shares in KfW’s capital may not be pledged or transferred to entities other than the Federal Republic or the Länder. Capital contributions have been and are expected to continue to be made to KfW in such proportions as to maintain the relative share of capital held by the Federal Republic and the Länder.

Guarantee of the Federal Republic. The KfW Law was amended with effect from April 1, 1998 to provide expressly that the Federal Republic guarantees all existing and future obligations of KfW in respect of money borrowed, bonds issued and derivative transactions entered into by KfW, as well as obligations of third parties that are expressly guaranteed by KfW (KfW Law, Article 1a). Under this statutory guarantee (the “Guarantee of the Federal Republic”), if KfW fails to make any payment of principal or interest or any other amount required to be paid with respect to securities issued by KfW or if KfW fails to make any payment required to be made under KfW’s guarantee, when that payment is due and payable, the Federal Republic will be liable at all times for that payment as and when it becomes due and payable. The Federal Republic’s obligation under this statutory guarantee ranks equally, without any preference, with all of its other present and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. Holders of securities issued by KfW or issued under KfW’s guarantee may enforce this obligation directly against the Federal Republic without first having to take legal action against KfW. The Guarantee of the Federal Republic is strictly a matter of statutory law and is not evidenced by any contract or instrument. It may be subject to defenses available to KfW with respect to the obligations covered.

Institutional Liability (“Anstaltslast”). Under the German administrative law principle of Anstaltslast, the Federal Republic has an institutional liability to safeguard KfW’s economic basis. Under Anstaltslast, the Federal Republic must keep KfW in a position to pursue its operations and enable it, in the event of financial difficulties, through the allocation of funds or in some other appropriate manner, to perform its obligations when due. Anstaltslast is not a formal guarantee of KfW’s obligations by the Federal Republic, and creditors of KfW do not have a direct claim against the Federal Republic. Nevertheless, the effect of this legal principle is that KfW’s obligations, including the obligations to the holders of securities issued by it or issued under KfW’s guarantee, are fully backed by the credit of the Federal Republic. The obligation of the Federal Republic under Anstaltslast would constitute a charge on public funds that, as a legally established obligation, would be payable without the need for any appropriation or any other action by the German Parliament.

Understanding with the European Commission. Pursuant to an understanding between the European Commissioner for Competition and the German Federal Ministry of Finance reached on March 1, 2002, Anstaltslast and the statutory guarantee of the Federal Republic of Germany will continue to be available to KfW, in light of the promotional activities for which KfW is responsible. The understanding acknowledges that KfW’s role in providing financing in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises, risk capital, environmental protection, technology/innovation, infrastructure and housing, as well as its co-operation with developing countries, is compatible with European Union (“EU”) prohibitions against state aid.

In the area of export and project finance, the understanding with the Commission requires KfW to transfer to a legally separate subsidiary that portion of export and domestic and international project finance activities which the Commissioner has deemed to fall outside the scope of the promotional activities of KfW. While the legislative basis for the establishment of such subsidiary and the transfer of such export and project financing had to be adopted by March 31, 2004, the actual transfer of such activities to the subsidiary must be effected by December 31, 2007. As from that date, KfW may not fund the subsidiary at other than market rates of interest or extend to the subsidiary any benefits of Anstaltslast or the statutory guarantee. The subsidiary will have to obtain a banking license, be subject to the German Banking Act and be required to pay corporate taxes. KfW will continue to be permitted, however, to engage directly in the following export and project finance activities:

	•	implementation of international promotional programs, such as the interest-rate subsidized programs CIRR (Commercial Interest Reference Rate) and LASU (Large Aircraft Sector Understanding) (these are recognized as promotional activities in accordance with the OECD consensus);

	•	participation in syndicated financing activities outside the EU, the European Economic Area and the countries currently being considered for EU membership, subject to certain conditions, and sole financing activities in countries in which sufficient sources of financing do not exist; and

	•	participation in projects in the interest of the EU that are co-financed by the European Investment Bank or similar European financing institutions.

In order to formalize the understanding in accordance with the rules of the EC Treaty, the Commission transformed the understanding into a “decision” of the Commission. The Federal Republic has formally accepted the decision with respect to the understanding.

Part of the Promotional Bank Restructuring Act implemented the understanding with the Commission and amended the KfW Law and by-laws accordingly. In anticipation of the creation of its new export and project finance subsidiary, KfW has developed the concept for the structure, organization and products of this subsidiary, which will be branded under the name “KfW IPEX-Bank”. In January 2004, KfW started testing the new structure and business concept of this activity as a bank-in-the-bank within KfW’s organization.

Supervision. KfW is generally exempt from the requirements of the German Banking Act. Under the KfW Law, the Federal Ministry of Finance supervises KfW and monitors KfW’s compliance with applicable laws and KfW’s by-laws. These powers of supervision do not include the right to exercise influence over business decisions by the Board of Managing Directors or the Board of Supervisory Directors of KfW. KfW’s overall activities are supervised by its Board of Supervisory Directors, which was enlarged pursuant to the Promotional Bank Restructuring Act and now consists of seven Federal Ministers, seven appointees of the Bundesrat, seven appointees of the Bundestag and representatives of various sectors and institutions of the German economy. For more information on the Board of Managing Directors and the Board of Supervisory Directors, see “Management”.

In addition to the annual audit of its financial statements, KfW, as a government-owned entity, is also subject to an audit that meets the requirements of the Haushaltsgrundsätze-Gesetz (Budgeting and Accounting Act). The Budgeting and Accounting Act requires that this audit and the resulting reporting be designed in such a way as to enable the Board of Directors, the responsible Federal Department, and the Federal Court of Auditors to form their own opinion and to take action as and when required. One of the specific aspects to be covered by this audit and the related reporting is the proper conduct of KfW’s business by its management.

Under the terms of the various agreements concluded between KfW and the government authorities sponsoring KfW’s programs, KfW is also required to have an auditor to report on the proper discharge of KfW’s duties and the efficiency and the effectiveness of its administration.

Merger with DtA

The Promotional Bank Restructuring Act became effective on August 22, 2003 and implemented the merger of DtA into KfW with retroactive effect as of January 1, 2003. The merger was effected by a transfer of the Federal Republic’s shares in DtA into a special capital reserve of KfW. No purchase price was paid by KfW in order to maintain the promotional potential of the merged institution. The integration of DtA’s SME-related businesses with those of KfW occurred in the first quarter of 2003, and KfW and DtA have offered their promotional programs jointly since January 2003. A new separately-branded KfW Mittelstandsbank was created within KfW to serve as a platform for all SME related financing instruments. In addition, a Mittelstandsrat (SME advisory council) was established at KfW, which consults and decides on proposals concerning KfW’s SME-related business, taking into consideration KfW’s overall business plan. The Mittelstandsrat is chaired by the Federal Minister of Economics and Labor and includes other members of the Federal Government.

As is the case with KfW, the obligations of DtA benefited from the guarantee of the Federal Republic and the principle of Anstaltslast. The contribution of DtA’s share capital to KfW had no effect on the Guarantee of the Federal Republic or its institutional liability (Anstaltslast) to KfW.

BUSINESS

KfW Bankengruppe conducts its business in four principal areas: investment finance, export and project finance, financial cooperation and advisory and other services. The following table shows the relative size of each of the investment finance, export and project finance and financial cooperation areas in terms of total loans outstanding and total loan commitments for each of the years indicated. The table also shows securitization commitments outstanding and securitization transactions made in each year. No loans or loan commitments are made in the advisory and other services area, given the nature of its business.

Loans And Loan Commitments By Business Area and securitization


	As of December 31,
	2004		2003
	(EUR in millions)
Loans outstanding
Investment finance(1)		183,823		172,805
Export and project finance(2)		46,387		49,524
Financial cooperation		20,992		21,855

Total		251,202		244,183


Loan commitments(3)
Investment finance		33,271		36,765
Export and project finance		11,820		11,443
Financial cooperation		1,775		1,266

Total		46,866		49,474


Securitization commitments outstanding(4)		56,361		46,521
Securitization transactions(5)		15,131		21,858

(1)		Excludes project financings within Germany. 2003 figures are reclassified accordingly.

(2)		Includes project financings within Germany. 2003 figures are reclassified accordingly.

(3)		Commitments represent the volume of funds committed for loans and other business transactions (including guarantees) in the relevant year, including amounts to be disbursed in future years, and do not include amounts disbursed in the relevant year pursuant to commitments made in prior years. Totals may not add due to rounding.

(4)		For more information on KfW’s securitization activities, see “ – Investment Finance – Securitization Programs” and “Notes to Financial Statements – Other Required Notes on Liabilities – Contingent Liabilities”.

(5)		Includes only transactions under the synthetic programs PROVIDE, PROMISE and PROCESS. For more information on these programs, see “ – Investment Finance – Securitization Programs”.

Investment Finance

Within its investment finance business, KfW offers a broad range of loan programs in Germany and elsewhere in Europe, as well as loan securitization programs for banks, to support the economic and policy objectives of the Federal Government.

Under the KfW Law, KfW must generally involve banks or other financing institutions when granting financings in its investment finance business. In particular, KfW typically grants loans when other financial institutions are not in a position to offer long-term financing at interest rates acceptable to the borrower. In its traditional investment finance lending business, KfW involves commercial banks in the handling of its loans by extending loans to commercial banks, which in turn on-lend the funds to the ultimate borrowers. By lending to commercial banks, KfW in principle insulates itself from credit exposure to the ultimate borrower, gains the benefit of the commercial banks’ knowledge of their customers, and effectively passes to the commercial banks the administrative cost of granting and servicing the loan. KfW monitors its exposure to, and the credit standing of, each banking institution to which it lends. In its investment finance business, KfW currently lends to approximately 200 banks, almost all of which are German commercial banks.

The commercial banks to which KfW lends are permitted to on-lend the funds at fixed spreads over the applicable interest rate payable to KfW. Thus, borrowers can apply for a KfW promotional loan with their regular bank or with any other bank or savings bank of their choice. The intermediating bank appraises the financial and business situation of the applicant, takes security for the loan and assumes liability for repayment to KfW. Loans made by commercial banks are normally collateralized by real property or other assets or are guaranteed by the Federal Republic, by a government of one of the Länder or by a German municipality.

In addition to its traditional loan programs, KfW extends so-called “global loans” to commercial banks to finance investments of SMEs and housing projects. Global loans are extended in the form of a lump sum, which the commercial bank breaks down and grants as individual loans. KfW expects that receiving banks will on-lend these funds within a reasonable period of time. In contrast to KfW’s program loans, global loans offer a more flexible loan structure as the mode of repayment may be agreed individually between the bank and its customer, and the interest rate may be variable or fixed. The interest rate for the ultimate borrower is composed of KfW’s funding rate to the bank plus an individual risk-adjusted margin. The margin is determined by the ultimate borrower’s creditworthiness, which is determined on the basis of the bank’s rating system. The bank and KfW agree on the methodology used for the calculation of the margin. Global loans result in lower administrative costs for both KfW and the on-lending promotional institution or commercial bank compared with KfW’s traditional lending programs.

Included among KfW’s many German commercial banking on-lending customers are the 11 German Landesbanken, which are German public law financial institutions benefiting from government credit support (Gewährträgerhaftung) and whose functions have traditionally focused on the banking business for and in the German federal state (Land) in which they operate. According to a settlement reached with the European Commission in 2001, the Landesbanken will cease to benefit from the government credit support in July 2005. KfW’s long-term receivables from on-lending operations vis-à-vis Landesbanken amounted to EUR 42 billion at December 31, 2004. Even prior to this settlement, KfW’s credit-line management with respect to the Landesbanken took into consideration the individual financial strength of each institution. In addition, most of the loans to the Landesbanken are and will also in future be secured by collateral. Therefore, KfW believes that the risk profile of its bank loan portfolio will not substantially increase as a result of the settlement between the European Commission and the Landesbanken.

Another focus of KfW’s investment finance business is cooperation with the promotional institutions of the federal states (Landesförderinstitute) in their on-lending activities, partly by way of extending global loans. Many of the promotional institutions were initially part of the German Landesbanken. In order to comply with the decision of the European Commission to separate commercial and promotional business activities, many of these institutions became, or are currently in the process of becoming, independent public law institutions that benefit from explicit government guarantees.

In 2004, KfW’s principal investment finance activities included the provision of funding to SMEs under its KfW Mittelstandsbank brand and financing for other government policy objectives under its KfW Förderbank brand. The following table shows KfW’s commitments for investment finance in Germany and elsewhere in Europe for each of the years indicated:

Investment Finance Commitments(1)


	As of December 31,
	2004		2003
	(EUR in millions)
Total commitments in Germany and elsewhere in Europe		48,440.1		58,648.2

*KfW Mittelstandsbank*		13,971.2		13,796.7
Promotional Loans		10,232.8		10,312.3
Loan Programs		9,285.9		9,013.0
of which global loans		2,764.8		3,211.2
Mezzanine Programs		618.8		988.1
Equity Participation Programs		328.1		311.1

PROMISE(2)		3,738.4		3,484.4

*KfW Förderbank*		34,468.9		44,851.5
Promotional Loans		23,038.3		26,452.7
Housing Investment Programs		11,929.5		15,442.2
of which global loans		2,887.0		3,670.0
Education Programs		811.6		777.9
Municipal Infrastructure Programs		4,195.3		4,682.7
of which global loans		—		150.0
Environmental Investment Program		2,165.5		4,020.8
Global loans to Landesförderinstitute		3,936.5		1,529.1

PROVIDE(3)		11,430.6		18,398.8

(1)		Commitments represent the volume of funds committed for loans and other business transactions in the relevant year, including amounts to be disbursed in future years, and do not include amounts disbursed in the relevant year pursuant to commitments made in prior years. Discrepancies in the totals are due to rounding.

(2)		Includes guarantees in the amount of EUR 38 million and EUR 26 million in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

(3)		The figure for 2004 includes commitments for a transaction called EPIC in the amount of EUR 559 million and the figure for 2003 includes commitments under the PROCESS platform in the amount of EUR 1,524 million. See below under “Securitization Programs”.

To support the German and European economies, KfW committed a volume of EUR 48.4 billion (including securitization transactions) in 2004, a decrease of 17% compared to the previous year. While commitments by KfW Mittelstandsbank remained stable, there was a decline in the PROVIDE securitization program and various promotional loan programs of KfW Förderbank. The volume of commitments by the KfW Mittelstandsbank and the KfW Förderbank amounted to EUR 14.0 billion and EUR 34.5 billion, respectively.

KfW Mittelstandsbank (KfW SME Bank)

Under its KfW Mittelstandsbank programs, KfW provides funding for SMEs in the form of loan financing, mezzanine financing and equity participation programs. At EUR 10.2 billion, the volume of commitments for SME loans in 2004 remained stable at approximately prior year’s level.

Based on statistics published by the Institute for SME research in Bonn (Institut für Mittelstandsforschung Bonn), in 2003 SMEs contributed 41.2% to the total turnover generated in Germany and 99.7% of all companies in Germany were SMEs. In 2003, 70.2% of all employees in the private sector in Germany were employed by SMEs. Under the definition used by the Institute for SME research, companies with a maximum of an annual turnover of EUR 50 million are considered SMEs. The criteria used for some of KfW’s lending programs differ from this definition and vary between the various programs. In particular, some programs are open to enterprises with an annual group turnover of up to EUR 500 million, in which the public sector does not hold a majority stake, and thereby cover larger SMEs that are typical for Germany’s economy.

Under some of the SME loan programs, KfW shares part of the risk with the intermediate commercial bank or the equity investor. KfW’s risk under these programs is covered or compensated in different ways: by a risk pool funded by the Federal Government or KfW, by risk premiums or by guarantees from the Federal

Government, the Länder or the European Investment Fund (EIF). Under the Equity Participation Programs, in particular, KfW typically retains a portion of the risk on the relevant loan.

In response to changing market trends for SME funding, KfW has commenced a process of reworking and renewing its SME financing programs. This process has as its aim the revision of KfW’s existing SME programs so that they are more flexible, meeting the needs of SMEs operating in both the “old” and the “new” economies.

As part of this process, KfW has developed rating models for SMEs and is seeking to tailor the terms and conditions of its lending to take into account each borrower’s risk profile and the collateral securing the loan in order to provide better correlation between yield and risk weighting. Risk-differentiation based on rating was first implemented in November 2002 with the “Capital for Work” program under which KfW extended mezzanine loans. Since April 2004, risk-differentiated rating has been applied in the successor program Unternehmerkapital.

Effective April 1, 2005, KfW also implemented risk-adjusted pricing for most of its promotional loan programs, which means that the on-lending banks can determine the applicable credit margin within a certain range set by KfW. As a result, on-lending banks are now bearing the full credit risk of the end-borrower in these loan programs. KfW continues to take on own risk in its mezzanine program Unternehmerkapital, equity participation programs and in special programs for investments of micro-enterprises and innovative investments.

In addition, KfW extends global loans in its SME business, providing on-lending banks with a more flexible financing instrument. KfW is implementing other measures to reduce the costs to its commercial bank partners of providing SME finance.

Loan Programs. At EUR 9.3 billion, the volume of commitments under KfW’s SME loan programs increased slightly compared to the previous year, despite a decrease of global loan agreements with banks to fund SME’s activities from EUR 3.2 billion in 2003 to EUR 2.8 billion in 2004.

Of all SME loan programs, the Unternehmerkredit (entrepreneurial loan) program is the most important one with a volume of EUR 5.7 billion in 2004. The Unternehmerkredit program was introduced in September 2003, and offers financing for all kinds of investments, such as construction and purchase of machinery.

SME loans also include KfW’s “Acquisition Finance” program, pursuant to which KfW participates in the financing of mergers and acquisitions of SMEs. Commitments in 2004 under this program amounted to EUR 236 million, compared with EUR 223 million in 2003.

Mezzanine Programs. Under its Mezzanine Programs, KfW extends mezzanine capital in form of unsecured subordinated loans, which contain quasi-equity elements combining characteristics of debt and equity capital. The on-lending bank is not liable to KfW for the subordinated loan. In addition to prevailing rates in the capital markets, the interest rate of the subordinated loan takes account of the borrower’s credit standing. The company’s creditworthiness is assessed by the on-lending bank, but KfW reserves the right to review and, if necessary to revise the bank’s assessment by applying KfW’s own rating standards.

To reflect the growing importance of quasi-equity forms of financing to SMEs, KfW reorganized its mezzanine financing activities in the first quarter of 2004, and integrated its mezzanine products into the “Unternehmerkapital” (entrepreneurial capital) program. This program consists of three separate financing products that are designed to meet the special financing needs of start-up businesses, companies in their initial growth phase and established firms.

In 2004, the volume of commitments in the “Unternehmerkapital” programs totaled EUR 619 million. This represents a decline by about one-third compared to the previous year, which was mainly due to less demand for mezzanine loans.

Equity Participation Programs. KfW provides loans to equity investors, typically private equity companies and venture capital companies. These investors in turn make equity investments in SMEs. In addition, KfW provides new equity for innovative SMEs by direct investment, provided that a private investor provides at least the same amount in equity.

KfW has recently restructured its equity participation programs, and currently new equity is provided through the ERP-Startfonds program. Until recently, KfW’s subsidiary tbg GmbH (“tbg”) (acquired in the merger with the former DtA) also provided equity funding. In connection with the restructuring, tbg’s programs were terminated.

The programs through which KfW funds equity investments in start-ups and innovative SMEs have been particularly affected by the economic downturn of the last years. KfW’s commitments under its equity investment programs declined substantially from EUR 1,075 million in 2000 to EUR 311 million in 2003. However, there has been continued consolidation in the international risk capital-markets and there are signs that the negative development came to a halt in 2004. In 2004, KfW’s commitments increased slightly to EUR 328 million.

KfW Förderbank (KfW Promotional Bank)

Under its KfW Förderbank programs, KfW provides housing related loans as well as financing for other government policy objective such as municipal infrastructure, environmental protection and education finance. Most of the loans of the KfW Förderbank programs are extended to private individuals. In 2004, the commitments under the KfW Förderbank programs amounted to EUR 34.5 billion, including securitizations, a decline of 23% compared to the previous year. This decline was mainly a result of decreased demand for housing related loans and securitization transactions under KfW’s PROVIDE program.

Housing. KfW’s housing programs provide funds for the promotion of home ownership, for repairs and modernization, and for the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

In terms of loan commitments, the Home Ownership Promotion Program is KfW’s most important housing program. Pursuant to this program any individual who purchases or builds housing in Germany for his own use can obtain a promotional loan. In 2004, KfW Förderbank committed EUR 4.6 billion under the Home Ownership Promotion Program, supporting an additional 84,892 owner-occupied houses and apartments. Compared to the previous year, the volume of loans in this program decreased by 39%. After a year with a notably high level of commitments in 2003 resulting from strong demand for KfW Förderbank’s home-ownership program – mainly due to political discussions about the abolishment of special government benefits for homeowners – the level of commitments in 2004 returned to normal.

KfW’s Housing Modernization Program 2003, which was launched in April 2003 as part of the Federal Government’s program to boost the economy, was closed as scheduled at the end of 2004. The interest rates under this program were subsidized by funds provided by the Federal Government. The program promoted modernization and rehabilitation projects all over Germany in owner-occupied and rented residential buildings. In 2004, KfW Förderbank committed EUR 1.8 billion under this Housing Modernization Program. In total, KfW Förderbank granted more than 100,000 loans with a commitment volume of EUR 4.2 billion, including commitments extended until end of March 2005 for applications filed in 2004, since inception of this program.

KfW’s CO₂ Building Rehabilitation Program and CO₂ Reduction Program aims at reducing energy consumption in residential buildings constructed prior to 1979. Under these programs, KfW Förderbank committed a total of EUR 2.7 billion for climate protection investments in 2004, of which EUR 1.38 billion was used for the renewal of heating systems (including the use of renewable energy sources) and the improvement of thermal insulation and EUR 120 million for the construction of energy saving houses. The CO₂ Building Rehabilitation Program makes use of federal funds to subsidize interest rates.

In addition, KfW extended global loans to banks for on-lending to private home owners in the amount of EUR 2.9 billion in 2004, a decline from EUR 3.7 billion in 2003. Global loans to commercial banks in Germany declined significantly due to less demand for global loans as a result of an improvement of refinancing conditions for commercial banks in 2004. This decline was partially offset by an increase in global loans to banks in Europe (outside Germany), which KfW began offering in 2004. As global loans involve a small number of transactions but with high volume, a slight decrease or increase in the number of transactions can have a relatively high impact on the total volume.

Following the termination of the Housing Modernization Program 2003, effective January 1, 2005, KfW restructured the programs it offers in the areas of construction, housing and climate protection, creating three new programs: Housing Modernization, Ecological Construction and Solar Power Generation. As part of

the program restructuring, the KfW CO₂ Reduction Program was closed and its previous activities were integrated into the new programs.

The “Housing Modernization” program finances CO₂ reduction and modernization measures in residential buildings. With this program KfW Förderbank continues to provide long-term financing for measures that are relevant for climate protection and for energy saving modernization measures in all existing residential buildings.

Under the “Ecological Construction” program KfW Förderbank supports the construction of highly energy-efficient new buildings (energy-saving houses and passive houses) and the use of renewable energies for heating in new buildings.

The new “Solar Power Generation” program was designed to finance photovoltaic systems, which require a KfW loan of up to EUR 50,000.

Education. Under its Education Programs, KfW supports students and employees in advanced occupational training. In 2004, KfW committed a volume of EUR 812 million, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year.

Infrastructure. Under the KfW Infrastructure Program, KfW promotes investments in municipal infrastructure. The KfW Infrastructure Program specifically targets infrastructure projects of municipalities and companies it owns and operates. In 2004, EUR 4.2 billion were granted under the KfW Infrastructure Program for municipal infrastructure projects. Of this amount, EUR 3.2 billion were granted under the special fund “Growth Impulses”, which was set up as a special fund in April 2003 to supplement KfW’s Infrastructure Program by offering Government funded loans at particularly low interest rates. In 2003 and 2004, a total amount of EUR 6.5 billion was granted under this special fund. In September 2004, the “Growth Impulses” fund was closed as scheduled.

Environmental Protection/Renewable Energies. Under its environmental protection programs, KfW finances environmental protection measures by private companies. In 2004, KfW committed a volume of EUR 2.2 billion under these two programs, a 46% decrease compared to the previous year. This decline was mainly due to a reduction of demand for loans offered under the ERP Environmental Protection and Energy Savings Program and Environmental Program caused by a decrease in the national market for wind energy turbines and due to the expiration of the Solar Electricity program in the course of 2003.

Global loans to “Landesförderinstitute”. In 2004, KfW extended global loans to promotional institutions owned by the Länder in the amount of EUR 3.9 billion for the funding of investments. The significant increase compared to 2003 was due to the fact that more Landesförderinstitute used global loans as a flexible refinancing instrument for extending promotional loans.

Securitization Programs

Synthetic Programs. In 2000, in order to foster the promotion of SMEs through the support of the on-lending German commercial banks, by easing the transfer of credit risk on their SME loans to the capital markets, KfW established a synthetic securitization program known as PROMISE (Program for “Mittelstand”-Loan Securitization). Through 2004, KfW securitized fourteen portfolios of commercial German banks in the aggregate amount of EUR 21.1 billion under this program. In 2001, KfW also established PROVIDE, a synthetic securitization program for residential mortgages. Under this program, KfW securitized twenty-six portfolios of German mortgage banks in the aggregate amount of EUR 42.5 billion from 2001 through 2004. Through these programs, KfW has contributed decisively to the establishment of “SME loans” and “private residential mortgages” as new asset classes in the German capital market. In addition to these programs, KfW has concluded two other projects in 2003 and 2004, one known as PROCESS Home 2003, under which it securitized a portfolio consisting of residential mortgages and small commercial mortgages in the amount of EUR 1.5 billion and the other called EPIC, under which it securitized the risk related to private loans for public infrastructure investments in the United Kingdom in the amount of EUR 0.6 billion.

All transactions realized under PROMISE, PROVIDE and PROCESS to date have followed a standardized structure, whereby KfW acts as intermediary credit default swap provider between on-lending commercial banks and mortgage banks on one side and the capital market on the other side. As such, KfW generally enters into a credit-default swap with the originating bank to provide cover for specified credit risks of

the assets being securitized. KfW then contractually lays off the risks assumed under the credit-default swap to third parties by (i) entering into further credit-default swaps with highly rated credit institutions (or, upon provision of highly rated collateral, other financial institutions); and (ii) issuing credit-linked certificates of indebtedness held by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) as collateral against the SPV’s obligations under mirroring credit-linked notes, or CLNs, issued by the SPV to investors. KfW may also, in individual cases, issue debt instruments to the SPV that are not credit-linked, relying on a separate credit-default swap with the SPV to lay off a portion of the risk assumed by KfW under its credit-default swap with the originating bank.

The proceeds from the sale of the CLNs are used by the SPV to purchase the certificates of indebtedness issued by KfW. KfW uses the cash proceeds from the SPV to pay its principal payment obligations to the SPV under its certificates of indebtedness and, to the extent obligations arise in respect of the portion of KfW’s credit-default swap with the originating bank that relates to the certificates, to the originating bank. KfW’s potential obligation under the credit-default swap with the originating bank is disclosed as a contingent liability in KfW’s financial statements.

True Sale Initiative. In July 2003, 13 German and international banks, including KfW, (the “Initiators”) joined forces to develop a market for so-called true sale securitization transactions in Germany (the “True Sale Initiative”, or the “Initiative”). The Initiative promoted the development of the legal framework and established the necessary infrastructure for such securitization transactions.

The infrastructure consists of two elements: The first element is “True Sale International GmbH” (or “TSI GmbH”), a company with limited liability that serves as a service provider for the securitization industry in Germany. Its primary task is to promote asset backed securities transactions and to certify them as true sale transactions meeting certain quality standards.

The second element is a “securitization platform” that may be used by any interested bank, including banks not participating in the Initiative or TSI GmbH. This securitization platform comprises three non-profit foundations (charitable trusts) whose function is to become the shareholders of separate, insolvency remote special purpose vehicles (SPVs). The SPVs are created for individual transactions in which the SPV buys the portfolio to be securitized from a bank, financing such purchase by issuing tradable securities collateralized through the portfolio (i.e., asset-backed securities), which are sold to investors in the capital markets.

KfW’s role in the Initiative was to act as a neutral coordinator and to provide the expertise it has gained in recent years in securitization transactions to strengthen Germany as a financial centre. KfW is one of the 13 stakeholders in TSI GmbH, holding a 7.7% stake. KfW is also the founder of the charitable trusts forming part of the securitization platform. KfW does not give any guarantee or similar support to TSI GmbH or the charitable trusts.

In November 2004, the first transaction under the True Sale Initiative was completed for Volkswagen Bank GmbH and was certified by TSI GmbH.

KfW IPEX-Bank

The activities of KfW IPEX-Bank include project and corporate financing within Germany and abroad, as well as export financing. KfW IPEX-Bank operates on a worldwide basis and offers the full range of short and long term financing including structured financing and lease-financing. As part of KfW IPEX-Bank’s strategy to expand the present product portfolio, in January 2005, KfW acquired a 50% stake in IKB Immobilien Leasing GmbH to develop independent lease finance operations. In addition, KfW IPEX-Bank established new departments for its mezzanine products and syndication activities.

Loans in this area are generally extended directly to the ultimate borrower, with KfW IPEX-Bank frequently making a significant portion of its loans at its own risk. KfW IPEX-Bank extends loans to companies in various industry sectors, such as basic industry, manufacturing industry, commerce, health and shipping industry.

In the export and project finance area, KfW IPEX-Bank increasingly cooperates with other financial institutions. In 2004, approximately 62% of its export and project finance commitments were made together with other banks extending commitments on identical terms. In some cases, KfW IPEX-Bank may also arrange for commercial banks to assume the risk on portions of loans made by KfW IPEX-Bank through so-called “risk-participations”, for which KfW IPEX-Bank pays a fee to the bank assuming the risk.

In 2004, total loan commitments amounted to EUR 11.9 billion, of which EUR 5.7 billion were commitments for financings within Germany and EUR 6.2 billion for financings in other countries.

In accordance with the understanding between the European Commissioner for Competition and the German Federal Ministry of Finance reached in March 2002, KfW is required, by no later than December 31, 2007, to transfer to a legally separate subsidiary that portion of its export and domestic and international project finance activities which the Commissioner has deemed to fall outside the scope of the promotional activities of KfW. See “– General – Relationship with the Federal Republic – Understanding with the European Commission”.

In 2003, KfW started to implement this understanding and set up a separate business unit under the brand name KfW IPEX-Bank, which is organized as a bank-in-the-bank within KfW and is responsible for all lending activities at purely commercial terms and conditions in competition with other financial institutions. In 2004, KfW continued the institutional structuring of KfW-IPEX Bank’s activities, completing its preparation for independent compliance with applicable banking law and regulation and the organizational and functional separation of various activities including treasury, controlling and risk management. Establishment of internal accounting is underway. KfW expects the successful separation to be completed on schedule.

The following table shows the volume of KfW IPEX-Bank’s commitments divided by sectors, for each of the years indicated. In 2004, KfW IPEX-Bank reorganized the structure of its sectors. The sector Industry was split into the two separate sectors Basic Industries and Manufacturing Industries, Commerce, Health. In addition, from 2004, the Natural Resources sector has been included in the Basic Industries sector. The 2003 figures have not been reclassified to reflect these changes.

KfW IPEX Bank(1)


	As of December 31,
	2004		2003
	(EUR in millions)

Basic Industries		1,968		—
Manufacturing Industries, Commerce, Health		2,395		2,640
Power, Renewables, Water		1,224		1,831
Telecommunications, New Media		736		552
Natural Resources		—		521
Shipping		2,557		1,669
Rail and Road		1,270		1,706
Aviation		879		1,689
Airports and Harbors, Construction Industries		534		751

Refinancing Facility for AKA(2)		257		84
thereof:
from ERP special fund		82		34
from market funds		175		50
Total commitments(3)		11,820		11,443
Grant commitments		95		83

(1)		Commitments represent the volume of funds committed for loans and other business transactions (including grants and guarantees) in the relevant year, including amounts to be disbursed in future years, and do not include amounts disbursed in the relevant year pursuant to commitments made in prior years. Totals may not sum due to rounding.

(2)		AKA (Ausfuhrkreditgesellschaft mbH) is a consortium of German banks active in export financing.

(3)		Loan commitments include guarantees of EUR 1,870 million in 2004 and EUR 885 million in 2003. Guarantees increased significantly in 2004 as a result of KfW’s increased offering of short-term guarantees.

In 2004, commitments for project and corporate financings within Germany declined slightly to EUR 5.7 billion compared to EUR 6.1 billion in 2003. Project and corporate financings within Germany included loans to manufacturing and service companies, projects in the shipping and energy sectors and land based traffic infrastructure, of which the manufacturing industries, commerce and shipping accounted for a major part of new commitments in 2004.

In 2004, KfW IPEX-Bank’s commitments to other countries than Germany amounted to EUR 6.2 billion compared to EUR 5.4 billion in 2003. The increase in new commitments in export and project finance to other countries mainly reflects improved market conditions in certain areas, such as shipping and manufacturing industries.

KfW IPEX-Bank divides its export and project finance business to countries outside Germany into two categories:

	•	medium- and long-term loans for the financing of the export of German and other European capital goods to foreign buyers, including related deliveries from other, mainly European, countries (so-called “supply-tied loans”); and

	•	loans not tied to the purchase of products from the Federal Republic that finance direct investments by German companies, corporate financings, as well as loans that finance projects by foreign borrowers which nevertheless serve German or European interests (so-called “untied loans”).

In 2004, supply-tied loans amounted to EUR 2.4 billion, of which 27% related to deliveries from other, mainly European, countries. Untied loans amounted to EUR 3.7 billion, compared to EUR 3.5 billion in 2003.

Supply-tied loans are generally secured by collateral and often benefit from a payment guarantee or other security arrangement acceptable to KfW IPEX-Bank. Traditionally, a substantial portion of the supply-tied loans were guaranteed by the Federal Republic through EULER HERMES Kreditversicherungs AG, the official German export credit insurer (“HERMES”). HERMES insurance can cover a maximum of 95% of KfW IPEX-Bank’s risk, with the result that the portion covered becomes the equivalent of a German government risk. HERMES also provides coverage for related deliveries from other, mainly European, countries provided that it does not exceed a certain portion of the total delivery for which a supply-tied loan was extended. In addition to HERMES insurance, KfW IPEX-Bank frequently obtains a guarantee from a foreign export credit agency or a government instrumentality in the buyer’s country.

In recent years, for borrowers in other European and OECD countries where the country risk is not considered high, KfW IPEX-Bank has increasingly extended loans on the basis of ordinary banking collateral (e.g., mortgages on aircraft or ships) without seeking the benefit of HERMES or similar coverage. Further, even where HERMES coverage is sought, KfW IPEX-Bank frequently extends loans on which the insured portion is less than 95%. As of December 31, 2004, KfW IPEX-Bank’s outstanding supply-tied loans amounted to EUR 23.9 billion, roughly 45% of which were guaranteed by HERMES.

A significant portion of KfW IPEX-Bank’s untied loans is used to finance direct investments by German enterprises and other corporate financings. This area of business has become increasingly important to KfW in recent years. Untied loans are also used to acquire sources of raw materials for German industry and are conditioned upon raw material deliveries into the Federal Republic for the term of the loan. Other untied loans serve to co-finance large-scale infrastructure projects in the European transport sector. Untied loans extended to finance direct investments may benefit from an investment guarantee against political risk from the Federal Government if the host country risk is assessed to be substantial. As of December 31, 2004, KfW IPEX-Bank’s outstanding untied loans amounted to EUR 12.8 billion.

The funds for KfW IPEX-Bank’s international project and export finance commitments are provided by KfW through borrowings in the capital markets and from public funds, including the ERP Special Fund. See “– Sources of Funds”. The ERP Special Fund is a revolving fund that, by law, may be used only to promote the German economy. In 2004, of the EUR 2.4 billion committed for supply-tied loans, EUR 2.1 billion (89%) was raised in the capital markets and EUR 121 million (5%) was supported by the ERP Special Fund. Untied loans are solely funded through borrowings in the capital markets.

The terms of export and project finance loans funded in the capital markets are based on the cost of funds to KfW plus a margin intended to cover the administrative cost of the loan, the credit risk and a return on KfW’s capital. In connection with the sale of ships, KfW IPEX-Bank provides subsidies for the benefit of the buyer that are financed from Federal budget funds. Because the Federal Republic is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”), loans financed with ERP Special Fund monies must comply with OECD regulations, which provide for minimum interest rates and maximum credit periods. Margins on such loans are also intended to cover, on average, all the risks of such loans as well

as administrative costs and a return on capital. KfW IPEX-Bank also charges customary banking fees for reserving and providing financing and for handling. Foreign currency denominated loans are hedged through matched funding or other mechanisms. See “– Funding and Investment Policy”.

After KfW IPEX-Bank has been spun off as a legally separate subsidiary in 2007, KfW will continue to fund KfW IPEX-Bank’s international project and export finance business at market rates based on a stand-alone rating for KfW IPEX-Bank. KfW IPEX-Bank intends to initiate a dialogue with ratings agencies ahead of the legal spin-off.

Financial Cooperation

In its financial cooperation business, KfW provides on behalf of the Federal Republic financial assistance to developing countries and countries in transition, either under its KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW Development Bank) brand, promoting mainly public sector development cooperation activities, or through DEG, promoting private-sector investments in developing countries.

KfW Entwicklungsbank (KfW Development Bank)

In furtherance of the Federal Republic’s financial cooperation programs, KfW acts as an international development bank, extending loans and disbursing grants to foreign governments. To a large extent, these loans and grants are made, upon instructions from the Federal Government, from Federal budget funds provided to KfW. Grants, by their nature, do not appear on KfW’s balance sheet.

KfW extends financial cooperation loans in three ways: First, KfW makes traditional financial cooperation loans that are extended for the account of the Federal Republic.

In addition, KfW makes Financial Cooperation Development Loans (FZ-Entwicklungskredite), in which KfW offers its own funds as an additional source of financing. Federal budget funds at low interest rates or grant funds are combined with funds from KfW refinanced in the capital market. For the majority of these loans, the portion refinanced with KfW funds are usually guaranteed either by a special guarantee facility of the Federal Republic or by export credit agencies and therefore meet the requirements for recognition as official development assistance. Interest rates and related terms of Financial Cooperation Development Loans are significantly more favorable to the borrower than market terms.

Finally, KfW offers Financial Cooperation Promotional Loans (FZ-Förderkredite) which are funded through KfW funds only, are refinanced by KfW in the capital markets and do not include interest reduction elements from the federal budget.

Generally, interested foreign governments submit applications for financial cooperation to the Federal Government, which then asks KfW to appraise the proposed projects. In the case of Financial Cooperation Promotional Loans, project sponsors can submit their proposals directly to KfW. KfW maintains a staff of economists, engineers and other specialists to assist in the appraisal and development of such projects, for which the Federal Government pays fees to KfW, calculated as a percentage of outstanding loans and grants. Based on KfW’s appraisal and its recommendation, the Federal Government decides whether or not to fund the project. Upon a favorable decision and upon determination of the terms and conditions of the financing, KfW enters into a loan or grant agreement with the recipient country or, if applicable, the individual agency responsible for the project, in which case the liabilities would then be fully guaranteed by the respective recipient country.

Financial cooperation loans and grants are disbursed in accordance with the progress of the relevant project, and KfW monitors the utilization of funds in order to verify compliance with the provisions of the loan or grant agreements.

The following table shows the volume of KfW’s financial cooperation commitments for each of the years indicated.

Financial Cooperation Commitments


	As of December 31,
	2004		2003
	(EUR in millions)
Total commitments		1,944		1,594
Loan commitments		1,212		760
Financial Cooperation Loans		298		227
Financial Cooperation Development Loans		754		287
of which federal funds		321		101
Financial Cooperation Promotional Loans		160		246
Grant commitments		713		757
Mandates(1)		18		77

(1)

Mandates are grants funded by governmental or supranational entities and distributed using KfW’s expertise and channels.

The increase in total loan commitments by 63% was largely due to a substantial increase in Financial Cooperation Development Loans, which increased from EUR 287 million in 2003 to EUR 754 million in 2004 as a result of a large commitment entered into in 2004 for a power project in India.

In 2004, Asia accounted for 40% of financial cooperation financing commitments, Europe/Caucasus for 20%, sub-Saharan Africa for 16%, Middle East/North Africa for 13%, and Latin America for 11%. The most significant commitments in 2004 were for projects for the development of social and economic infrastructure and projects for environmental and resource protection. Funds were also allocated to finance: small and medium-sized projects in industry and agriculture through local and regional development banks; the procurement of goods and services covering current civil import requirements; assistance to agencies that prepare, execute and initiate projects co-financed by KfW; and the training of local personnel to implement the projects.

Project-tied commitments, which finance development projects and programs, amounted to EUR 1.9 billion in 2004. The greatest portion of this amount was committed to economic infrastructure projects, with commitments totaling EUR 749 million (39%) (2003: 23%). Social infrastructure projects accounted for EUR 585 million (30%) of project-tied commitments (2003: 38%). Commitments in the financial sector amounted to a volume of EUR 320 million (16%) (2003: 15%). Commitments for non-project tied aid, in the form of commodity aid to finance current imports, as well as structural assistance to support economic reforms in developing countries, amounted to EUR 43 million in 2004.

DEG Deutsche Investitions– und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (German Investment and Development Company)

In September 2001, KfW acquired Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (“DEG”) from the Federal Republic. DEG is a limited liability corporation that acts as the German development finance institution for the promotion of private enterprises in developing countries and countries in transition.

DEG’s activities extend to various countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe. DEG aims to establish and expand private enterprise structures in these countries as a contribution to sustainable growth and lasting improvement in the living conditions of the local population. To this end, DEG provides long-term capital for private enterprises investing in developing countries and countries in transition. In addition, DEG provides both finance and consultancy services in customized packages on a project basis.

DEG pursues four key economic aims in its private sector development policy:

	•	Promoting direct investment, including with DEG’s own venture capital;

	•	Providing long-term debt finance to investment projects;

	•	Supporting pioneer investors in new countries and regions; and

•

Strengthening local capital markets through financial sector development.

DEG conducts its activities in cooperation with commercial banks rather than in competition with them. In its activities, DEG acts in accordance with commercial principles. Accordingly, it does not provide subsidized finance, but instead offers finance solely on commercial terms and conditions. DEG also seeks to mobilize other partners to provide additional capital for investment in its projects.

As an instrumentality serving public policy objectives of the Federal Government, DEG has been granted a favorable tax status pursuant to which only part of DEG’s activities are subject to corporate income tax. Like KfW, DEG does not distribute profits but instead rechannels them into new investments.

The outstanding obligations of DEG as of the date of its acquisition by KfW were not assumed by KfW, but have been reflected in KfW’s consolidated balance sheet as from December 31, 2000. DEG’s obligations do not benefit from the Guarantee of the Federal Republic or from Anstaltslast. In June 2001, KfW and DEG entered into a refinancing agreement, pursuant to which KfW acts as sole issuer in the capital markets and provides DEG with mid- and long-term capital market funds according to DEG’s capital needs. In addition, internal agreements have been reached concerning the respective fields of business activities, the mutual use of offices abroad, joint public relations activities and joint information technology management.

As of December 31, 2004, DEG had total assets of EUR 2,044 million, compared with EUR 1,734 million in 2003, and recorded net income of EUR 44 million, compared with EUR 41 million in 2003. DEG’s new commitments in 2004 amounted to EUR 563 million, compared with EUR 506 million in 2003. In addition, in 2004, commitments in the amount of EUR 38 million were made in connection with risk participations by third parties.

Advisory and Other Services

Advisory and other services have gained importance for KfW in recent years. In its Berlin branch office, KfW maintains an Advisory Center to inform individuals, enterprises and government authorities about the various promotional programs of the Federal Government, the Länder governments, the EU and development banks. A separate information service is available to assist with financing and promotional plans for investment projects outside Germany.

In addition to these activities, KfW provides services for and on behalf of the Federal Government in connection with activities associated with Germany’s reunification and certain privatization initiatives of the Federal Government. KfW also administers certain claims transferred to the Federal Government under the Unification Treaty between the Federal Republic and the former GDR, which came into force on September 29, 1990, and performs other services in connection with the assets and obligations taken over from the former GDR, including:

	•	implementation of the Assistance with Old Debts Law;

	•	administration of claims and disbursement of balances taken over from the former Staatsbank Berlin (“Staatsbank”); and

	•	administration of the Currency Conversion Compensation Fund.

KfW also supports the Federal Government’s cooperation with, and the provision of economic advice to, the governments of Central and Eastern European countries through coordination offices in eleven countries. In addition, KfW advises Central and Eastern European countries in establishing business promotion agencies and provides refinancing loans to promotional banks there.

In furtherance of the privatization initiatives of the Federal Government, KfW has acquired and sold shares of both Deutsche Telekom AG and Deutsche Post AG in various transactions since 1997. Pursuant to an arms-length agreement with the Federal Government, KfW is protected against the market risk of these transactions. The agreement provides that KfW will receive a percentage of any market value increase in the shares acquired and sold plus a fee for its services.

As to Deutsche Telekom AG, in 2004, KfW in the aggregate has acquired approximately 138 million shares from the Federal Government and sold approximately 200 million shares. In addition, KfW issued

warrants to purchase approximately 63 million shares of Deutsche Telekom AG with various maturities ranging from six months to 18 months. If the warrants are fully exercised, KfW’s stake in Deutsche Telekom AG would be reduced by approximately 1.5% (based on the total share capital of Deutsche Telekom AG currently outstanding). As of May 31, 2005, KfW held a stake of approximately 15% in Deutsche Telekom AG. To KfW’s knowledge, the Federal Republic continued to hold a 23% stake in Deutsche Telekom AG as of May 2005.

As to Deutsche Post AG, KfW in the aggregate has sold approximately 73 million shares in 2004 and acquired approximately 142 million shares from Federal Government in January 2005. In February 2005, KfW issued a 5-year Uridashi bond in the amount of EUR 1.1 billion exchangeable into approximately 57 million shares of Deutsche Post AG. If fully exchanged, KfW’s stake in Deutsche Post AG would be reduced by approximately 5.1% (based on the total share capital of Deutsche Post AG currently outstanding). As of May 31, 2005, KfW held a stake of approximately 49% in Deutsche Post AG. To KfW’s knowledge, the Federal Republic continued to hold a 7% stake in Deutsche Post AG as of May 2005.

The Federal Government may sell to KfW further stakes in Deutsche Telekom AG or Deutsche Post AG in 2005. However, KfW expects its holdings in these shares to be reduced in the medium term.

Other Activities

KfW holds all its shareholdings that are subject to German taxation through one investment holding company, the KfW Beteiligungsholding GmbH. As a result of the merger of DtA into KfW in 2003, DtA-Beteiligungs-Holding AG was merged into KfW Beteiligungsholding GmbH. As of December 31, 2004, the assets of KfW Beteiligungsholding GmbH consisted of a 37.8% stake in IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG and a 100% stake in the following entities: Finanzierungs-und Beratungsgesellschaft mbH (FuB), ASTRA-Grundstücksgesellschaft mbH and tbg GmbH, the latter formerly owned by DtA Beteiligungs-Holding AG.

IKB. In December 2001, KfW increased its 0.9% stake in IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, Düsseldorf, also known as IKB, through the acquisition of 33.2% of IKB’s outstanding share capital to 34.1%. As a result of the merger with DtA, KfW received an additional 3.7% of IKB’s outstanding share capital from DtA’s assets, increasing KfW’s total share in IKB to 37.8%. Stiftung Industrieforschung owns 11.7% and the remaining shares of IKB are publicly held.

IKB’s activities include the provision of medium and long-term loans, equity and real estate financings and structured financings to SMEs, and of leasing services. Its activities are conducted primarily in Germany. IKB’s obligations do not benefit from a guarantee of the Federal Republic or from Anstaltslast. Joint activities of KfW and IKB currently include the promotion of mezzanine-debt and promissory notes, in particular in the area of acquisition financing and the financing of European SMEs. The total value of assets on IKB’s balance sheet as of March 31, 2004 amounted to EUR 37.0 billion.

Credit Risks

The following table shows the credit support backing loans and guarantees (including securitization transactions under PROMISE, PROVIDE and PROCESS) extended by the consolidated KfW Bankengruppe at the dates set forth below. Only the portion of each loan or guarantee backed by the relevant credit support is included.

CREDIT SUPPORT(1)


				As of December 31,
	2004					2003
	(EUR in					(EUR in
	billions)			(%)		billions)			(%)
Total loans(2) and guarantees outstanding		312.6	(3)		100.0		295.2	(4)		100.0

Of which:

- Amounts guaranteed by the Federal Republic or insured by HERMES on behalf of the Federal Republic(5)		38.6	(6)		12.3		43.0			14.6

- Amounts that are the primary liability of Länder, municipal governments or local public authorities or that are guaranteed by one of the Länder governments		31.0			9.9		24.3			8.2

- Trust loans(7)		8.1			2.6		8.0			2.7

- Loan and guarantee amounts mostly to small and medium-sized German companies for which commercial banks assume primary liability to the KfW Bankengruppe(8)		140.4			44.9		134.0			45.4

- Securitization commitments outstanding for which commercial banks assume primary liability to the KfW Bankengruppe		56.3			18.0		46.5			15.7


- Loan(2) and guarantee amounts at the KfW Bankengruppe’s risk partially secured by collateral or other security arrangements customary in the banking business		38.2			12.2		39.5			13.4
of which:
Commercial risk to the KfW Bankengruppe after valuation of collateral and other security arrangements(9)(10)		26.7	(11)		8.5		27.7			9.4
Risk covered by collateral or other security arrangements (10)		11.5	(12)		3.7		11.8			4.0

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding. All amounts include accrued interest and are net of reserves and provisions.

(2)		Includes loans extended in the private equity business.

(3)		Includes EUR 61.4 billion of guarantees provided by the KfW Bankengruppe.

(4)		Includes EUR 51.0 billion of guarantees provided by the KfW Bankengruppe.

(5)		Includes amounts guaranteed by other EU or OECD member states or insured by other credit export agencies.

(6)		Of which EUR 2.2 billion are guaranteed by other EU or OECD member states, and EUR 0.6 billion are insured by other credit export agencies.

(7)		Trust loans involve no risk to KfW, as they are made in KfW’s name but on behalf of, at the sole risk of and with funds provided entirely by, the entity for which they are made. Substantially all of such loans are made on behalf of the Federal Government. See “Notes to Financial Statements — Notes on the Assets — Loans and Advances to Banks and Customers and Loans on a Trust Basis and other Trust Business”.

(8)		Including global loans in Western Europe.

(9)		This position includes deductibles and uninsured portions of HERMES-covered loans, portions of loan and guarantee amounts secured by collateral but not covered by the expected safe market value of the collateral, and unsecured loans and guarantees. These figures also include loan amounts to foreign public borrowers/guarantors in countries that are not highly rated.

(10)		The collateral is valued by KfW and may be subject to future revaluations depending on the development of the value of the collateral.

(11)		Of which: promotional investment financing programs 22%, rail and road transport 16%, shipping 15%, aviation 12%, basic industries 9%, energy and environmental technology 9%, industry 8%, airports, seaports construction 5%, telecommunication 1%, and others 3%.

(12)		Of which EUR 4.5 billion relate to personal securities, and EUR 7.0 billion relate to physical securities.

Loan Loss Provisions

The KfW Bankengruppe enters only into risks that it determines to be acceptable in the context of its current and future earnings. All risks entered into are assessed and provided for according to conservative standards. The risk of default is the main component, and it is partially limited due to the structure of the KfW Bankengruppe’s business as described below and as shown in the Credit Support table above.

Generally, the intermediating banks to which KfW lends bear the risk on investment loans. For export and project finance loans, a great part of the risks is limited through Federal Government guarantees or through risk participations by commercial banks. For financial cooperation loans, agreements with the Federal Government largely exclude risks to KfW. Accordingly, since the public authorities and banks bear the main liability for loans extended by KfW in each of its main areas of business, only a relatively small portion of the risk remains with KfW in its lending business. This residual risk is largely covered by guarantees of domestic suppliers or foreign companies, or by mortgages and other asset-based collateral. KfW accepts only highly rated guarantees and annually reviews its collateral using conservative valuation principles. After such valuation, any remaining amount of loans and guarantees at commercial risk is the basis for evaluating identified and latent risks and making appropriate provisions.

KfW controls the risks of default relating to loans and guarantees for which it has retained risk by means of an internal rating and evaluation process, in which the risks of individual borrowers and country risks are assessed separately.

For loans and guarantees where KfW identifies a risk of default (so called impaired or non-performing loans), it makes an appropriate specific loss provision taking into account the potential amount of loss. The identification of impaired loans is based on the relevant current Basel II criteria for non-performing-loans and IAS/IFRS loss events. KfW reviews and adjusts its specific provisions for impaired loans on a quarterly basis. An additional provision is made for the remaining part of the exposure on impaired loans.

For loans and guarantees in respect of which no specific risk of default is presently identifiable, KfW has general loan loss provisions for latent country risks and latent counterparty or project risks. Part of these general loan loss provisions are made pursuant to Section 340(g) of the German Commercial Code (Deutsches Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB), the “Commercial Code”) as described below. KfW adjusts its provisions for loan losses for latent risks at the end of each fiscal year as part of the annual loan portfolio rating process and believes its policy in this respect is prudent.

In accordance with German GAAP, the aggregate amount for loan loss provisions as of year-end is set off against loan balances on the balance sheet and is not included in the reserves disclosed in the balance sheet under the position “Equity Capital”. However, since 1999, Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code has permitted banks to show general provisions as a reserve, which KfW has done as to a portion of its general provisions for loan losses. See “Management’s Comments on the Financial Statements – The Balance Sheet – Own funds”.

The annual increases on loan loss provisions are charged to income under the item “Write-downs of and value adjustments on loans and certain securities and increases of provisions for possible loan losses” on the income statement.

During 2004 there was overall improvement in the group’s risk situation. In addition, in anticipation of the adoption of IFRS in 2007, KfW released its reserves under Section 340(f) of the Commercial Code, which were part of the general loan loss provisions. Mainly these two factors produced a positive risk result of EUR 477 million in the group’s lending business. The charge of EUR 1,300 million for the addition to the fund for general bank risks offset this positive result and led to a EUR 823 million expense in the income statement.

For additional information regarding the group’s risk provisions and valuations, see “Management’s Comments on the Financial Statements — Risk Provisioning and Valuation Result”.

At December 31, 2004, the group had EUR 38.2 billion in loans and guarantees that it considers (and categorizes in the Credit Support table above) as being at its own risk, of which a portion is secured by collateral and other security arrangements. The group’s exposure to non-performing loans, net of collateral, in that category aggregated EUR 2,811 million in 2004, compared with EUR 2,986 million in 2003. The collateral is valued by KfW and may be subject to future revaluations depending on the development of the value of the collateral. At December 31, 2004, specific allowances for non-performing loans amounted to EUR 1,749 million, compared with EUR 1,672 million in 2003, and additional provisions amounted to EUR 115 million, compared with EUR 115 million in 2003. Thus, at December 31, 2004, the KfW Bankengruppe had total specific loan provisions covering 62% of its exposure, net of collateral, to non-performing loans, compared with 56% at December 31, 2003. In addition, specific provisions for DEG’s private equity business amounted to EUR 130 million at December 31, 2004, compared to EUR 133 million at December 31, 2003.

At December 31, 2004, outstanding loans on which the group bears a political risk totaled EUR 31.4 billion. At December 31, 2004, the group’s general loan loss provisions for country risks amounted to approximately EUR 1.1 billion, compared with EUR 1.3 billion at December 31, 2003.

Loans and payments made under guarantees are written off when management determines that there is no chance of recovery. The aggregate amount of loans and guarantee payments written off by the KfW Bankengruppe during the ten-year period ended December 31, 2004, net of recoveries on such loans and guarantee payments, was EUR 1,609 million, compared with EUR 1,280 million in the ten-year period to 2003. Most of such loans had been fully provided for in years prior to their write-off. In 2004, the aggregate amount of loans and guarantee payments written off amounted to EUR 361 million, EUR 330 million of which related to KfW, mainly caused by the areas private equity finance and infrastructure finance. In 2003, the aggregate amount of loans and guarantee payments written off amounted to EUR 673 million, EUR 628 million of which related to KfW, mainly caused by KfW’s private equity business and write-downs on aircraft finance.

Risk Control

The long-term development of the KfW Bankengruppe in the future depends significantly on its group-wide risk-management function.

Ultimate responsibility for risk management and for its transparent presentation to the appropriate oversight bodies rests with the Board of Managing Directors, which reports to the Board of Supervisory Directors. Since mid-2004, an independent department has been in charge of managing and controlling all categories of risk in the entire group and of establishing a uniform standard of assessing and addressing risks on a group-wide basis. The risk management and control department is responsible to the Board of Managing Directors and reports formally to it on a quarterly basis. It is functionally independent from those business units that enter into the risks. It also coordinates with other group management structures, such as the Credit Risk Committee and the Asset Liability Committee, and with operational units that are also involved in the process of risk supervision.

The risk management systems in the KfW Bankengruppe identify, assess and control the risks on lending, liquidity, fluctuations in foreign currency rates and interest rates, and operations. The KfW Bankengruppe is constantly developing and expanding the range of instruments designed to meet its requirements to limit, control and supervise risks. As a general rule, KfW enters only into those risks that it determines to be acceptable in the context of its risk bearing capacity and current and expected future earnings.

In 2004, KfW continued to develop further its risk assessment and evaluation systems on the basis of an economic capital concept in order to improve the internal transparency of earnings, costs and risks. KfW applies the economic capital concept to determine the economic capital requirements for its credit and market risks based on internal models for portfolio credit risk – taking into account portfolio concentration and diversification effects – and market risk. The capital needed to cover operational risks is determined using the Basel II standard approach for operational risk. The development and implementation of an internal credit portfolio model, the design of an economic capital based limit management system and the further development of group business unit planning instruments constitute important examples of KfW’s achievements in 2004.

KfW is not subject to the risk management provisions of the German Banking Act, but applies them on a voluntary basis. This Act provides for the implementation of appropriate systems for the management, supervision and control of risk, based on the use of the ratio of equity (regulatory capital) to risk as a limitation on business volume and the ability to assume additional risk. Since June 30, 2004, KfW has voluntarily been complying with the minimum requirements for the lending activities of banks (MaK). In addition, it is also developing systems to enable it to comply with the Basel II accord by its scheduled implementation in 2007.

The main risks KfW faces are credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk and operational risks.

Credit Risk. KfW bears the credit risk of the end borrower mainly in connection with its programs for export and project financing, equity participation, start-up finance, and, increasingly, also in its financial cooperation business. In particular in its investment finance business, KfW is exposed to the credit risk of the on-lending banks and monitors this risk on a continuous basis.

The assessment of credit risks is made using internal rating procedures. Country risks and individual commercial or project-related risks are assessed separately. The rating procedures used by KfW Bankengruppe are based on a consistent model architecture and are designed for relevant homogenous customer segments or type of financing. By regularly evaluating the rating procedures and developing them further, KfW ensures fast response to any changes in the framework conditions.

The risk properties of KfW’s loan portfolio are being assessed by means of a newly developed portfolio model. On the basis of the concept of economic capital, the risk management and control department assesses the risk concentrations by individual borrower, industry and country. The results form the basis for managing the loan portfolio and are included in the group unit business planning. In line with the minimum requirements for the credit business of credit institutions (MaK), the results are presented to the Credit Risk Committee on a quarterly basis.

To control the credit risk KfW also uses a range of hedging instruments that are customary in the banking business. These instruments include credit default swaps, which are concluded with OECD banks and used for risk management of sub-portfolios and individual counterparties. In mid-2004, risk principles were introduced to uniformly govern the group-wide management, valuation and netting of securities. The default risk on securities investments and derivatives are limited by a restrictive choice of counterparties, all of whom are first-class standing, and through collateral agreements.

For more information on KfW’s credit exposure, see above under “ – Loan Loss Provisions”.

Market Risk. Due to the nature of its business, KfW’s market risk is limited mainly to foreign currency and interest rate risks. Currency risks associated with loans outstanding are limited by refinancing these loans in the same currency as the respective loan and through currency hedging instruments when the refinancing takes place in a different currency. Exchange rate risks have mainly an affect on foreign currency margins earned in the lending business. Interest rate risk is incurred and limited as follows. Depending on its interest rate expectations, KfW may voluntarily take limited interest rate risk by accepting a certain mismatch in the duration of its assets and liabilities. In addition, KfW is subject to a potential asset liability duration mismatch for structural reasons, since KfW permits prepayment for most of its investment finance loans. When an increase of prepayments can be expected as a result of interest rate developments, KfW takes into account the possibility of prepayments by entering into transactions on the funding side with short- and medium-term maturities and buying alternative assets, mainly bonds. An Asset Liability Committee monitors KfW’s interest rate risk exposure by employing specific instruments for risk control. In addition, monthly reports show open positions that are interest rate sensitive. The risk of changes in interest rates is managed using a standard software that is linked to all the relevant internal and external data. This enables KfW to regularly undertake up-to-date value-at-risk calculations for changes in interest rates and adjust its funding decisions accordingly.

Liquidity Risk. KfW’s liquidity risk is monitored by software that evaluates on a daily, monthly and yearly basis the liquidity situation of KfW in accordance with the guidelines set forth in the KfW Law and Principle II (governing liquidity) of the German Banking Act. To ensure liquidity, KfW maintains a portfolio of liquid securities, including a U.S. dollar-denominated liquidity reserve. The use of asset swaps limits the price risk associated with holding bond portfolios as a liquidity reserve. In addition, KfW maintains a balanced medium- and long-term liquidity structure as part of its asset/liability management.

Operational and other risks. The control of operational risks has become increasingly important in banking practice and in the development of banking supervisory instruments, in particular with regard to the Basel II accord. Operational risks are evaluated through an internal control system. An internal review group evaluates on a regular basis KfW’s operational processes and systems. For operational risks KfW maintains a general contingency plan. For unforeseeable events such as outage of technical equipment, KfW has installed and further developed contingency plans and maintains sufficient insurance coverage. In addition, KfW maintains an in-house back-up system, on which data is stored on a daily basis and an off-site back-up system, on which data is stored on a monthly basis. In 2004, KfW continued to implement a comprehensive “Operational Risks” project in order to prepare KfW to be in compliance with the Basel II requirements. In 2004, significant progress was made to create a data base that collects data relating to operational faults, such as its source and extent of damage. Among other things, this data base is intended to enable KfW to better quantify and report operational risks, and to control them based on their causes. Legal risks are limited through the early involvement of KfW’s own legal department as well as close cooperation with external legal counsel.

Sources of Funds

The KfW Bankengruppe’s principal sources of funds are the capital markets and public funds. After deduction of EUR 8.1 billion in trust loans, EUR 450 million in unpaid capital and EUR 27 million in the special loss account maintained in accordance with Article 17(4) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law, the KfW Bankengruppe’s balance sheet total at December 31, 2004 was EUR 320.0 billion. EUR 283.5 billion, or 89% of this amount, was financed through borrowings. The following table shows the KfW Bankengruppe’s borrowings by source of funds:

Borrowings of KfW Bankengruppe by Source of Funds (1)


	As of December 31, 2004
	(EUR in billions)		(%)
Capital Market Funds
Bonds, notes and commercial papers issued by KfW and KfW Finance		207.4		73.2
of which Funds borrowed from KfW Finance(2)		29.9		10.5
Schuldscheindarlehen(3)		32.5		11.4
Interbank lines and other		8.8		3.1

Total capital market funds		248.7		87.7

Public Funds
Federal budget		14.2		5.0
ERP Special Fund		20.6		7.3

Total public funds		34.8		12.3

Total funds(4)		283.5		100.0

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		Represents net proceeds of KfW Finance’s bond, note and commercial paper issues on-lent to KfW against Schuldscheindarlehen.

(3)		Does not include funds borrowed from KfW Finance.

(4)		Does not include accrued interest in the amount of EUR 7.9 billion.

In line with the maturity pattern of the KfW Bankengruppe’s loan portfolio, 75.4% of the group’s total borrowings outstanding at the end of 2004 had remaining maturities of one year or more.

Capital Markets. The KfW Bankengruppe raises funds in the capital markets through the issuance of bonds and notes and by incurring loans against debt certificates (Schuldscheindarlehen). Capital market funding has gained importance in the last several years as the KfW Bankengruppe has increased the volume of its loan portfolio. The proportion of capital market funds in the KfW Bankengruppe’s new borrowings with initial maturities of more than one year increased from 85.2% in 2003 to 86.2% in 2004. For information on the range of interest rates paid by the KfW Bankengruppe on its capital market liabilities at the end of 2004, see “Supplementary Information on Funded Debt of KfW”.

The most important source of capital market funds for KfW is bond and note issues in the international capital markets, both directly and indirectly through its wholly-owned finance subsidiary in the United States, KfW International Finance Inc., a Delaware corporation (“KfW Finance”). At December 31, 2004, the amount of outstanding bonds and notes issued by the KfW Bankengruppe (including KfW Finance) totaled EUR 207.4 billion, representing a EUR 16.1 billion increase from the EUR 191.3 billion outstanding at December 31, 2003. In 2004, KfW Finance only issued commercial paper in the U.S. market. The net proceeds of KfW Finance’s

issues are on-lent to KfW in the form of Schuldscheindarlehen. All of KfW Finance’s securities are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by KfW.

Schuldscheindarlehen currently are the KfW Bankengruppe’s second most important funding source in the capital markets, with EUR 32.5 billion outstanding at December 31, 2004 (excluding Schuldscheindarlehen from KfW Finance). Schuldscheindarlehen are a special instrument of the German capital market, whereby the lending entity, generally a bank, insurance company or public pension fund, receives a certificate evidencing its loan to the borrower and the terms of such loan. Maturities on Schuldscheindarlehen range from one to 30 years, thereby providing a high degree of flexibility to both borrower and lender. The certificate generally authorizes three assignments, which provides limited liquidity for the Schuldscheindarlehen in the interbank secondary market.

Public Funds. Mirroring the increasing importance of capital market funding to the KfW Bankengruppe, the proportion of public funds in the group’s borrowings declined from 13.8% in 2003 to 12.3% in 2004. The most important source of public funds for KfW is the budget of the Federal Republic. Total long-term and short-term borrowings from funds provided by the Federal budget (excluding loans on a trust basis) amounted to EUR 14.2 billion at December 31, 2004. Public funds available to the KfW Bankengruppe also include amounts borrowed from the ERP Special Fund. The group’s long-term and short-term borrowings from the ERP Special Fund amounted to EUR 20.6 billion at December 31, 2004. The ERP Special Fund’s assets totaled EUR 31.9 billion at the end of 2004.

Short-term funds obtained from the refinancing operations of the European Central Bank via the Deutsche Bundesbank, which is the central bank of the Federal Republic, the interbank market and others amounted to EUR 8.8 billion at December 31, 2004.

Use of Funds. The majority of the KfW Bankengruppe’s lending in connection with investment finance and export and project finance is financed from funds raised by KfW in the capital markets. Public funds are made available to the group for use in special categories of investment finance and certain export and project finance transactions with developing countries. Loans made within the framework of the Federal Republic’s financial cooperation programs are mainly financed with funds appropriated in the Federal budget for loans by the KfW Bankengruppe. Grants, the vast majority of which are made in connection with the Federal Republic’s financial cooperation program, are also financed with funds appropriated from the Federal budget. Grants, by their nature, do not appear on the group’s balance sheet.

Funding and Investment Policy

KfW’s funding policy pursues a dual aim: to achieve the most favorable terms possible for funds raised in the capital markets and to minimize the effects of changes in interest rates by matching funding liabilities with loan assets, mainly through interest rate hedging instruments, to the extent practicable. In order to achieve favorable terms for funds raised, KfW maintains an active presence in all major capital markets and utilizes a broad range of funding instruments in various currencies, covering a range of maturities.

KfW’s funding is based on three pillars: its benchmark programs (Euro benchmark program and USD program), publicly placed bonds outside the benchmark programs and private placements. In 2004, benchmark bonds accounted for a funding volume of EUR 17.8 billion, or 34%, of the total funding volume of EUR 52.1 billion. The two other pillars accounted for EUR 23.7 billion (46%) and EUR 9.1 billion (17%), respectively, with the remaining 3% being mainly funded by issuance of credit-linked certificates of indebtedness in connection with securitization transactions. Under the Euro benchmark program KfW issued three notes, two in an amount of EUR 5 billion each (maturities of five and three years) and one in an amount of EUR 3 billion (ten year maturity). Under the USD program KfW issued two notes of USD 3 billion each (maturities of three and five years).

At the end of 2004, KfW held two medium-term portfolios of public sector issues as well as bonds issued by banks and other borrowers, all of high credit quality, in the aggregate amount of EUR 15.9 billion and USD 0.8 billion, respectively, which are managed by KfW. KfW holds such bonds as a liquidity reserve. The portfolio of bonds denominated in euro enables KfW to enter into repurchase agreements and secured loans under the refinancing operations of the European Central Bank via the Deutsche Bundesbank. More than half of the remaining bonds in KfW’s eurobond portfolio (excluding compensation claims) will mature by 2008.

In addition, KfW holds short-term securities as well as other money market assets in connection with its liquidity management.

In order to diversify its sources of liquidity in euro and U.S. dollar, KfW owns two portfolios of securities denominated in euro and U.S. dollar both of which are managed by external portfolio managers. On December 31, 2004, the amount invested reached EUR 3.3 billion and USD 1.1 billion, respectively.

SHORT-TERM INDEBTEDNESS AND CAPITALIZATION

In accordance with German GAAP applicable to banks, KfW classifies borrowed funds on its balance sheet into (i) debt with remaining maturities of five years or more, (ii) debt with remaining maturities of one year up to five years, (iii) debt with remaining maturities of three months up to one year, (iv) debt with remaining maturities of up to three months and (v) debt at call. This classification differs from U.S. GAAP, which requires a dual classification into current debt with initial maturities of up to one year and long-term debt with initial maturities in excess of one year.

The following table has been prepared in accordance with the German GAAP presentation format. Long-term debt consists of borrowings and bonds issued with remaining maturities of one year or more.

Short-term Indebtedness and Capitalization of KfW Bankengruppe as of December 31, 2004(1)


	(EUR in millions)

Short-term indebtedness(2)		63,830

Long-term borrowings from
Federal Government		12,943
ERP Special Fund		17,472
Banks		15,115
Other lenders		12,709

Total long-term borrowings		58,239
Bonds		161,410

Total long-term debt		219,649
Equity
Paid-in capital(3)		3,300
Reserves(4)		5,055
Fund for general bank risks		3,300

Total equity		11,655

Total capitalization(5)		295,134

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		With a remaining term of one year or less.

(3)		KfW’s equity capital, 80% of which is held by the Federal Government and the remaining 20% by the Länder, amounted to EUR 3,750 million in 2004. EUR 3,300 million has been paid in pro rata by the Federal Government and the Länder.

(4)		Consists of capital reserves of EUR 1,604 million, retained earnings of EUR 2,797 million and reserves from the ERP Special Fund of EUR 654 million.

(5)		Does not include accrued interest in the amount of EUR 7.9 billion.

MANAGEMENT

The executive bodies of KfW are the Board of Managing Directors (Vorstand) and the Board of Supervisory Directors (Verwaltungsrat).

Board of Managing Directors

The Board of Managing Directors presently consists of six members, which are appointed by the Board of Supervisory Directors. The Board of Managing Directors is responsible for the day-to-day conduct of KfW’s business and the administration of its assets. The names of the members of the Board of Managing Directors and the dates of their appointments to the Board are set forth below:


Name		Date of Initial Appointment
Dr. Peter Fleischer		August 22, 2003
Dr. Peter Klaus		October 1, 1999
Wolfgang Kroh		December 1, 2000
Detlef Leinberger		October 1, 1999
Ingrid Matthäus-Maier		July 1, 1999
Hans W. Reich (official spokesman)		December 15, 1990

Members of the Board of Managing Directors are full-time employees of KfW and are generally appointed for five-year terms of office. Reappointment is permitted. Each Managing Director is responsible for certain aspects of KfW’s activities but shares the responsibility for all actions taken by the Board. There is no chief executive officer of KfW. The official spokesman of the Board of Managing Directors is Hans W. Reich.

Board of Supervisory Directors

The Board of Supervisory Directors has 37 members at present and consists of the Federal Minister of Finance, the Federal Minister of Economics and Labor, the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture, the Federal Minister of Transport, Construction and Housing, the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, seven members appointed by the Bundesrat, seven members appointed by the Bundestag, five representatives of the commercial banks, two representatives of industry, one representative each of the local municipalities, agriculture, crafts, trade and the housing industry and four representatives of the trade unions. The representatives of the commercial banks, industry, the local municipalities, agriculture, crafts, trade, the housing industry and the trade unions are appointed by the Federal Government after consultation with their constituencies.

The Federal Minister of Finance and the Federal Minister for Economics and Labor are appointed by the Federal Government as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Supervisory Directors on a year-by-year rotating basis. The term of office of all Federal Ministers is five years while the other members of the Board of Supervisory Directors are appointed for three years. There are two committees of the Board of Supervisory Directors, the Legal and Administrative Committee and the Credit Committee, which approves all loan commitments to a single borrower of between EUR 50 million and EUR 100 million.

The Board of Supervisory Directors supervises the overall conduct of KfW’s business and the administration of its assets. It may give the Board of Managing Directors general or special directives. In particular, the Board of Supervisory Directors approves all loan commitments to a single borrower exceeding EUR 100 million and may reserve the right to approve other transactions or types of transactions. It is not, however, authorized to represent KfW or to commit funds on KfW’s behalf.

The current members of KfW’s Board of Supervisory Directors are:


Name		Position
Dietrich Austermann		Member of Parliament, appointed by the Bundestag

Dr. Günter Baumann		Member of the Board of Managing Directors of Deutscher Industrie- und
		Handelskammertag, Representative of Industry

Anton F. Börner		President of the Bundesverband des Deutschen Groß- und Außenhandels e.V.;
		Representative of Trade

Dr. Ulrich Brixner		Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of DZ BANK AG;
		Representative of the Cooperative Banks

Wolfgang Clement		Federal Minister of Economics and Labor; Deputy Chairman

Rüdiger Dorn		President of Haus & Grund Deutschland; Representative of the Housing
		Industry

Hans Eichel		Federal Minister of Finance; Chairman

Prof. Dr. Kurt Faltlhauser		Minister of Finance of the Free State of Bavaria; appointed by the Bundesrat

Joschka Fischer		Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dr. Thomas R. Fischer		Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of WestLB; Representative of
		the Mortgage Banks

Dr. Rolf-Jürgen Freyberg		Representative of the Trade Unions

Prof. Dr. Hans-Günter		Chairman of Deutscher Landkreistag, Representative of the Municipalities
Henneke

Dr. Dietrich H. Hoppenstedt		President of the Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.; Representative
		of the Savings Banks

Bartholomäus Kalb		Member of Parliament, appointed by the Bundestag

Roland Koch		Minister President of the State of Hessen; appointed by the Bundesrat

Renate Künast		Federal Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture

Waltraud Lehn		Member of Parliament, appointed by the Bundestag

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Methling		Minister for the Environment of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern,
		appointed by the Bundesrat

Dr. Horst Metz		Minister of Finance of the State of Sachsen, appointed by the Bundesrat

Hartmut Möllring		Minister of State of Niedersachsen, appointed by Bundesrat

Margret Mönig-Raane		Deputy Chairman ver.di e.V., Representative of the Trade Unions

Klaus-Peter Müller		President of the Bundesverband Deutscher Banken e.V.; Representative of the
		Commercial Banks

Stefan Ortseifen		Spokesman of the Board of Managing Directors of IKB Deutsche Industriebank
		AG; Representative of the Industrial Loan Banks

Ronald Pofalla		Member of Parliament, appointed by the Bundestag

Heinz Putzhammer		Member of the Executive Board of the Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund;
		Representative of the Trade Unions

Dr. Michael Rogowski		President of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie; Representative of
		Industry

Christine Scheel		Member of Parliament, appointed by the Bundestag

Hanns-Eberhard Schleyer		Secretary General of the Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks;
		Representative of the Crafts

Michael Sommer		Chairman of the Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund; Representative of the Trade
		Unions

Gerhard Sonnleitner		President of the Deutscher Bauernverband e.V.; Representative of Agriculture

Jörg-Otto Spiller		Member of Parliament, appointed by the Bundestag

Dr. Ralf Stegner		Minister of State of Schleswig-Holstein, appointed by the Bundesrat

Ludwig Stiegler		Member of Parliament, appointed by the Bundestag

Dr. Manfred Stolpe		Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Housing


Name		Position
Erwin Teufel		Minister President (ret.) of the State of Baden-Württemberg, appointed by the
		Bundesrat

Jürgen Trittin		Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear
		Safety

Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul		Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development

See “Notes to Financial Statements — Other Notes Required — Remuneration, Advances and Loans to Members of the Board of Managing Directors and the Board of Supervisory Directors” for information on the remuneration of the Board of Managing Directors and the Board of Supervisory Directors.

EMPLOYEES

At December 31, 2004, KfW employed 3,370 persons, compared to 3,225 persons at December 31, 2003. Approximately 41% of KfW’s staff is covered by collective bargaining agreements. KfW provides employee benefits such as pensions to its employees.

Of KfW’s staff, approximately 29% are engaged in investment finance, 10% in financial cooperation, 9% in export and project finance, and the balance in KfW’s accounting, disbursements, collateral, funding and lending support departments and in general administrative and staff functions.

FINANCIAL SECTION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND AUDITORS

The accounts of KfW are prepared in accordance with German GAAP. See “Notes to Financial Statements — Accounting and Valuation Principles”. German GAAP differs in certain respects from U.S. GAAP. See “Summary of Certain Differences between Generally Accepted German and United States Accounting Principles”.

Pursuant to the KfW Law, the annual financial statements of KfW are examined by a Wirtschaftsprüfer (Certified Public Accountant) who is appointed by the Federal Minister of Finance in consultation with the Board of Directors and the Bundesrechnungshof (Federal Court of Auditors). KfW’s external auditors are PwC Deutsche Revision Aktiengesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (“PwC”), a member of PricewaterhouseCoopers International.

The annual audit is conducted in accordance with German Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (“German GAAS”).

The audit report of PwC for the year ended December 31, 2004, dated March 1, 2005, refers to a combined management report (“Lagebericht”). The examination of and the audit report upon such combined management report are required under German GAAS. This examination was not made in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (“U.S. GAAS”) or U.S. attestation standards. Therefore, PwC does not provide any opinion on the aforementioned examination, on the combined management report or on the financial statements included in this Annual Report in accordance with U.S. GAAS or U.S. attestation standards.

MANAGEMENT’S COMMENTS ON THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

KfW Bankengruppe consists of KfW and eight affiliated enterprises. Five of them are consolidated into the group.

The figures in the financial statements for the group are determined mainly by the financial condition and results of operations of KfW. Significant differences between the results or financial position of the KfW Bankengruppe and those of KfW are discussed below.

Composition of KfW Bankengruppe


	Balance Sheet Total
	(EUR in millions)
	December 31,		December 31,
	2004		2003
Finanzierungs- und Beratungsgesellschaft mbh (FuB)		45		43
KfW International Finance Inc. (KfW-Finance)		30,513		44,526
DEG-Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG)		1,922		1,612
tbg Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH (tbg)		676		1,218
KfW Beteiligungsholding GmbH		1,524		1,934
IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG (associated enterprise)		36,956		36,410

The gbb Beteiligungs-AG (gbb) is no longer included in the consolidated enterprises. It was merged into KfW Beteiligungsholding GmbH in the year under review.

The Balance Sheet

The following table shows the development of the group’s main balance sheet items in 2004:

Balance Sheet Trends (1)


	December 31,		December 31,		Increase (Decrease) in 2004
Assets	2004		2003		Compared to 2003
	(EUR in millions)							(%)
Cash reserves		27		26		1			4
Loans and advances to banks(2)		176,736		165,578		11,158			7
Loans and advances to customers(2)(3)		95,245		90,886		4,359			5
Bonds and other fixed-rate securities(2)		26,752		26,039		713			3
Shares and other non-fixed rate securities		16,249		17,817		(1,568	)		(9	)
Investments and shares in affiliated enterprises		1,357		1,519		(162	)		(11	)
Assets on a trust basis		8,106		8,122		(16	)		0
Compensation claims on public authorities(4)		64		129		(65	)		(50	)
Other assets(5)		4,060		3,778		282			7

Balance Sheet Total		328,596		313,894		14,702			5

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		Includes accrued interest.

(3)		Includes corporate borrowers such as airlines and shipping companies (export finance) and steel and energy companies (investment finance). See “Business”.

(4)		Credit institutions with head offices in the former GDR were allocated an interest-bearing claim on the Currency Conversion Compensation Fund as from July 1, 1990, to the extent that their assets were not sufficient to cover the liabilities, including reserves, resulting from the introduction of the Deutsche Mark and the conversion of the currency of the former GDR. The level of the claim was determined by the terms of Article 40(2) of the D-Markbilanzgesetz (D-Mark Balance Sheet Law). Following the merger between KfW and the Staatsbank in 1994, these compensation claims have been included in KfW’s balance sheet.

(5)		Includes mainly prepaid expenses and deferred charges.


	December 31,		December 31,		Increase (Decrease) in 2004
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	2004		2003		Compared to 2003
	(EUR in millions)							(%)
Liabilities to banks(1)		25,294		27,469		(2,175	)		(8	)
Liabilities to customers(1)(2)		55,309		57,270		(1,961	)		(3	)
Bonds		210,806		194,555		16,251			8
Loans on a trust basis		8,106		8,122		(16	)		0
Compensation liabilities under Art. 41 of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law(3)		2		2		0			0
Capital and reserves(4)		11,655		9,939		1,716			17
Other liabilities(5)		17,425		16,537		888			5

Balance Sheet Total		328,596		313,894		14,702			5

Memo Item: Guarantees		61,375		51,026		10,349			20

(1)		Includes accrued interest.

(2)		Includes the Federal Government, the ERP Special Fund and certain non-bank lending institutions, such as insurance companies.

(3)		Credit institutions with head offices in the former GDR were required to include their liabilities towards the Currency Conversion Compensation Fund (“compensation liabilities”) in their opening balance sheets as of July 1, 1990, if their equity exceeded the limits determined by Article 40(2) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law. With the merger between KfW and the Staatsbank in 1994, these compensation liabilities accrued to KfW.

(4)		Includes the fund for general bank risks in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code.

(5)		Includes deferred income, other liabilities and accrued estimated liabilities.

During the year under review the group’s balance sheet total increased by EUR 14.7 billion (5%) to EUR 328.6 billion. This increase was mainly due to the continued increase in loans and advances to banks, which grew by EUR 11.1 billion (7%) to EUR 176.7 billion mainly as a result of rising demand for domestic investment loans. This growth was partially offset by the result of foreign exchange rate developments (especially the U.S. Dollar exchange rate).

With the asset securitization transactions conducted in 2004, which led to an increase in guarantees to EUR 61.4 billion, the volume of business (which includes off-balance sheet items) rose by 6% to EUR 426.5 billion.

The own funds ratio (capital and reserves divided by the balance sheet total) for KfW Bankengruppe increased from 3.16% in 2003 to 3.55% in 2004.

Volume of Lending

The volume of lending of KfW Bankengruppe (loans and advances, including loans on a trust basis and guarantees) rose from EUR 295.2 billion at December 31, 2003 to EUR 312.6 billion at December 31, 2004.

The following table shows the volume of lending by business area in 2004:

Volume of Lending


	December 31,		December 31,		Increase (Decrease) in 2004
	2004		2003		Compared to 2003
	(EUR in millions)							(%)
Investment finance		183,823		172,805		11,019			6
Export and project finance(1)		46,387		49,524		(3,137	)		(6	)
Financial cooperation		20,992		21,855		(863	)		(4	)
Other items:
Guarantees		61,375		51,026		10,349			20

Total loans		312,577		295,209		17,368			6

of which: Loans on a trust basis and other trust business		8,050		8,047		3			0

(1)

Domestic and European project financings are all reported under Export and project finance. The previous year’s figures have been restated accordingly.

The increase in volume of lending is mainly the result of an increase in guarantees by EUR 10.3 billion (20%) to EUR 61.4 billion, which is due to the expansion of the SME and housing loan securitization transactions. This led to a rise in the share of guarantees in the lending volume from 17% to 19%.

In addition, investment loans granted to German enterprises rose by EUR 11.0 billion (6%) to EUR 183.8 billion while their share in the group lending volume remained almost stable at 59%.

The volume of export and project finance, which accounted for 15% of the lending volume, fell by EUR 3.1 billion (6%), mostly as a result of the lower exchange rate for the U.S. dollar. Loans to promote developing countries (7% of the volume of lending) remained almost constant.

Sources of Funds

Borrowed funds were raised mainly by issuing bonds and notes in the capital market (72% of borrowed funds). In 2004, bonds issued rose by EUR 16.3 billion (8%) to EUR 210.8 billion of which EUR 30.4 billion were issued by KfW Finance. The share of funds borrowed from banks and customers (without federal funds) fell from 17% to 16%. The funds provided from the Federal budget and the ERP Special Fund amounted to 12% of borrowed funds (after 13% in the previous year).

The following table show the sources of funding for the KfW Bankengruppe loan portfolio for the periods shown.

Funding of the group’s Own Loan Portfolio


	2004				2003
	(EUR in				(EUR in
	millions)		(%)		millions)		(%)
Funds borrowed from banks		25,294		9		27,469		10
Funds borrowed from customers(1)		55,309		19		57,270		20
ERP Special Fund		20,551		7		22,782		8
Federal budget funds		14,253		5		14,808		5

		34,804		12		37,590		13
Other lenders		20,505		7		19,680		7
Bonds issued		210,806		72		194,555		70

Total		291,409		100		279,294		100

(1)

Includes funds borrowed from non-bank lending institutions such as insurance companies.

Bonds Issued


	2004				2003
	(EUR in				(EUR in
	millions)		(%)		millions)		(%)
Debt issues		106,509		51		104,525		54
Bearer bonds (including medium-term notes)		100,916		48		86,805		45
Accrued interest		3,381		1		3,225		1
Called up for redemption		0		0		0		0

		210,806		100		194,555		100

Funds raised in the money and capital markets amounted to EUR 256.6 billion in 2004, compared with EUR 241.7 billion in 2003.

Changes in Other Balance Sheet Items

The value of the portfolio of money market paper, bonds and debentures of other issuers held by KfW remained almost constant at EUR 21.6 billion at December 31, 2004. The majority of the securities are held by KfW to ensure constant liquidity. These securities are assigned to treasury securities portfolios, which are denominated mainly in euro, but they also include U.S. dollar-denominated securities. The securities held in the euro-denominated portfolios, which account for 81% of the total portfolios, are also used as collateral in funding operations with the European Central Bank. In addition to its Treasury securities portfolios KfW holds a portfolio of asset-backed securities in connection with its loan securitization activities.

For the purpose of supporting the price of securities issued by it, the KfW Bankengruppe held EUR 4.9 billion par value of its own bonds at the end of 2004, compared with EUR 4.8 billion at the end of 2003. These bonds represented 2% of the bonds issued by the KfW Bankengruppe at December 31, 2004.

The group’s portfolio of shares and other non-fixed rate securities was reduced by EUR 1.6 billion to EUR 16.2 billion in 2004 as a result of the privatization of shares taken over from the federal government. The externally administrated special and money market funds held to ensure constant liquidity for KfW were increased by EUR 0.6 billion to EUR 4.3 billion.

The major part of the prepaid expenses and deferred charges comprises interest expenditure for leasing obligations in project finance applicable to the following period. The item also includes borrowing expenses (discounts and placing commissions). The item deferred income shows in particular the discounts from lending operations deferred over the loan terms.

Accrued estimated liabilities fell by EUR 78 million in 2004. Allocations to accrued estimated liabilities amounted to EUR 139 million in 2004, EUR 63 million of which were for staff pensions and EUR 68 million is mainly unsettled bank operating and payroll expenses and provisions in KfW’s lending and private equity finance business. EUR 161 million was used while EUR 53 million was returned to income.

Own funds

The group’s capital and reserves (paid-in subscribed capital, reserves and fund for general bank risks in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code) increased by EUR 1.7 billion (17%) to EUR 11.7 billion at December 31, 2004 compared with one year earlier. The increase results from an allocation of EUR 1.3 billion made to the fund for general bank risks in 2004. In this connection, the reserves in accordance with Section 340(f) of the Commercial Code were dissolved in 2004 in anticipation of the planned transition of the group accounting to IFRS and allocated to the fund for special bank risks which is to be disclosed in the balance sheet in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code. The remaining allocations to KfW’s own funds results from the increase of the reserve from the ERP special fund by EUR 47 million, from the allocation of KfW’s net income of EUR 317 million to the special reserves and the increase of EUR 52 million in other retained earnings through the inclusion of the subsidiaries and the capital consolidation. KfW’s capital and reserves amounted to EUR 11.1 billion at December 31, 2004.

As in prior years, the KfW Bankengruppe well fulfils the requirements on capital and reserves under the EU Solvency Directive and the recommendations of the Committee on Banking Regulations and Supervision of the Central Bank Governors of the G10 countries (the Cooke Committee) on capital and reserves for banks operating internationally.

Capital and Reserves(1)


	Additions/		December 31,
	(Deductions)		2004
	(EUR in millions)
Subscribed capital		0.0		3,750.0
Unpaid capital		0.0		(450.0	)
Capital reserves		0.0		1,603.8
Reserve from the ERP Special Fund		47.4		653.9
Retained earnings
In accordance with Art. 10(2) of the KfW Law		188.1		806.5
In accordance with Art. 10(3) of the KfW Law		128.8		1,364.0
In accordance with Art. 17(4) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law(2)		0.0		47.6
Other retained earnings		51.6		579.1
Fund for general bank risks in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code		1,300.0		3,300.0

		1,715.8		11,654.9

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		To be adjusted for the special loss account shown under Assets in KfW’s balance sheet in accordance with Article 17(4) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law (EUR 27 million).

Earnings Position

The following table shows the development of the group’s earnings position in the year under review:


	Earnings Position(1)
	2004			2003			Change
	(EUR in millions)									(%)
Interest income(2)		11,812.0			11,881.1			(69.1	)		(1	)
Interest expense		10,237.0			10,312.2			(75.2	)		(1	)


Interest received, net		1,575.0			1,568.8			6.2			0
Commissions received, net		190.3			150.5			39.8			26
Net earnings (expenditure) on financial transactions(3)		1.1			12.3			(11.2	)		(91	)
General administrative expenses(4)		551.7			575.9			(24.2	)		(4	)
Other operating income and expenses		21.7			142.6			(120.9	)		(85	)


Income from current operations before risk provisions and valuations		1,236.4			1,298.3			(61.9	)		(5	)
Risk provisions/valuations, net(5)		(807.5	)		(986.9	)		179.6			(18	)

Income from current operations		428.9			311.4			117.5			38

Contractual allocation of interest to reserves from the ERP Special Fund		47.4			47.4			0			0
Taxes on income and revenues		13.2			16.6			(3.4	)		(20	)


Net income for the year		368.3			247.4			120.9			49

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		Balance of interest earnings on lending and money market business, fixed-interest securities and debt register claims, with current income from shares and other non-fixed interest securities, investments and shares in affiliated enterprises.

(3)		Balance of gains and losses on currency conversions.

(4)		Including the depreciation and value adjustments on intangible and tangible assets.

(5)		Including write-downs on the special loss account and allocation to the fund for general bank risks in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code. Net of the item “Earnings on all allocations of investments, shares in affiliated enterprises and securities treated as fixed assets”.

The group’s income from current operations before risk provisions and valuations decreased by EUR 62 million (5%) to EUR 1,236 million in 2004 compared with EUR 1,298 million in 2003 (KfW: decrease of EUR 119 million (10%) to EUR 1,134 million).

This was mostly due to positive one-time effects from the merger which influenced the previous year’s results. Adjusted for these one-time effects, the operating results improved. Interest income is slightly above the previous year’s level despite the weak U.S. dollar, at EUR 1,575 million. Net interest received includes DEG’s interest income of EUR 98 million in 2004, a decrease of EUR 4 million (4%) over the previous year.

Net commissions received rose by EUR 40 million (26%) to EUR 190 million, mainly as a result of higher guarantee commissions earned from asset securitization and lower commissions and similar charges payable for risk hedging operations of tbg.

The following table sets forth the group’s administrative expenses for the years 2004 and 2003:

Administrative Expenses(1)


	2004		2003		Change
	(EUR in millions)							(%)
Salaries and wages		246.1		238.6		7.5			3
Social security contributions		40.7		39.8		0.9			2
Expenditure on pensions and support		48.6		44.7		3.9			9

Total expenditure on personnel		335.4		323.1		12.4			4

Other administrative expenses		175.0		185.7		(10.7	)		(6	)
Depreciation and value adjustments on intangible and tangible assets		41.3		67.1		(25.9	)		(39	)

Total expenditure on material and equipment		216.3		252.9		(36.6	)		(15	)

Total administrative expenses		551.7		575.9		(24.2	)		(4	)

(1)

Totals may not add due to rounding.

Total administrative expenses fell by EUR 24 million (4%) to EUR 552 million. This decline resulted from a decrease in operating expenditure by EUR 37 million (15%) to EUR 216 million, which was mainly due to the absence of the one-time effects of the 2003 business year and lower consulting, office operation and public relations expenses. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in personnel expenditure of EUR 12 million (4%) to EUR 335 million, which was due to the growth in the number of staff and adjustments of collectively agreed and performance-related salaries.

Risk Provisioning and Valuation Result

		The risk provisioning and valuation result is composed of the following items in the statement of income:

	-	write-downs of and value adjustments on loans and certain securities and increase of allowances for possible loan losses (including allocation to the fund for general bank risks),

	-	write-downs and value adjustments on investments, shares in affiliated enterprises and securities treated as fixed assets,

	-	earnings on allocations of investments, shares in affiliated enterprises and securities treated as fixed assets.

		Risk provisions and valuations fell from the previous year by EUR 179 million and are shown at EUR 808 million.

Risk Provisioning and Valuation Result


	2004			2003			Change
	EUR in millions)									(%)
Risk result in the lending business(1)		477			(282	)		759			(269	)
Allocation to the fund for general bank risks in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code		(1,300	)		(370	)		(930	)		251
Risk result in the equity finance business		15			(335	)		350			(104	)

Risk provisioning and valuation result		(808	)		(987	)		179			(18	)

(1)

In 2004 the risk result in the lending business comprises the dissolution of the reserves in accordance with Section 340(f) of the Commercial Code.

The improved risk provisioning and valuation result is due to two positive developments. For one, the risks from equity finance operations of tbg were adjusted in 2003 and no longer had a material effect on the result in 2004. For another, KfW’s risk situation improved significantly over the previous year. This means less need for special loan loss provisions and provisions for country risks. As of December 31, 2004, the KfW Bankengruppe had specific loan loss provisions of EUR 1.9 billion (EUR 1.8 billion in the previous year), mostly in aircraft and equity finance. Net provisions made by KfW were EUR 497 million (EUR 703 million in the previous year), the bulk of which was under aircraft finance. In 2004 non-performing loans and advances totaling EUR 330 million were written off, compared with EUR 628 million in 2003. Payments received on claims that had been written off amounted to EUR 26 million in the year under review (EUR 29 million in 2003).

The reserves in accordance with Section 340(f) of the Commercial Code were dissolved in 2004 in anticipation of the planned transition of the group accounting to IFRS and allocated to the fund for special bank risks, which is to be disclosed in the balance sheet in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code and serves to cover unexpected losses.

KfW has thus made adequate provisions for recognizable and future risks.

The group’s income from current operations (after valuations and risk provisions) was EUR 428 million in 2004, compared with EUR 311 million in 2003.

The group’s net income for the year was EUR 368 million compared with EUR 247 million in 2003. KfW’s net income for the year amounted to EUR 317 million.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KFW

Balance Sheet(1)


	As of December 31,
	2004			2003
	(EUR in thousands)
Assets
Cash reserves Cash on hand		220			178
Balance with Deutsche Bundesbank		27,067			26,663
Balance in postal giro accounts		0	27,287			26,841


Loans and advances to banks
At call		25,384			161,176
Other		176,590,909	176,616,293		165,157,551	165,318,727

Loans and advances to customers			95,112,541			90,844,706

Bonds and other fixed-rate securities
Money market paper(2)		858,569			242,247
Bonds and debentures of public and other issuers(3)		22,083,604			22,645,660
KfW’s own bond issues		3,804,215	26,746,388		3,145,262	26,033,169

Shares and other non-fixed rate securities			16,238,318			17,807,512
Investments			37,471			29,061
Shares in affiliated enterprises			1,084,940			1,063,736
Loans on a trust basis and other trust business			7,905,292			7,884,822
Compensation claims on public authorities including bonds from their conversion			64,291			128,579
Intangible assets			6,706			8,484
Fixed assets			619,962			515,160
Other assets			89,957			64,286
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges			3,264,759			3,055,782
Special loss account consisting of provisions under Art. 17(4) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law			26,843			27,019

Total assets			327,841,048			312,807,884

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		In 2004, EUR 50 million (2003: EUR 0) were eligible as collateral with the Deutsche Bundesbank.

(3)		In 2004 and 2003, EUR 17,649 million and EUR 20,192 million, respectively, were eligible as collateral under the refinancing operations of the European Central Bank via the Deutsche Bundesbank.

See also the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

Balance Sheet(1) (Continued)


	As of December 31,
	2004				2003
	(EUR in thousands)
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities to banks
At call		785,896			141,065
With agreed terms or periods of notice		24,453,232	25,239,128		27,182,220	27,323,285

Liabilities to customers
At call		417,426			238,392
With agreed terms or periods of notice		85,515,134	85,932,560		101,424,953	101,663,345

Bonds			180,371,306			150,162,632
Loans on a trust basis			7,905,292			7,884,822
Other liabilities			10,206,846			8,640,929
Deferred income			5,887,493			6,438,131
Accrued estimated liabilities			721,038			780,832
Compensation liabilities under Art. 41 of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law			1,591			2,336
Subordinated liabilities			500,000			500,000
Fund for general bank risks			3,300,000			2,000,000
Subscribed capital			3,750,000			3,750,000
Unpaid capital			(450,000	)		(450,000	)
Capital reserves			1,603,764			1,603,764
Reserve from ERP Special Fund			653,868			606,500
Retained earnings			2,218,162			1,901,308

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity			327,841,048			312,807,884


Contingent liabilities
On bills discounted and charged		0			0
On guarantees		61,423,187			51,003,653
Liability under collateral provided for third party liabilities		0	61,423,187		0	51,003,653
Other obligations
Repurchase obligations on non-genuine repurchase transactions		0			0
Placing and underwriting obligations		0			0
Irrevocable loan commitments		36,044,195	36,044,195		36,813,806	36,813,806

(1)

Totals may not add due to rounding.

See also the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

Statement of Income(1)


	For the year ended December 31,
	2004			2003
	(EUR in thousands)
Income
Interest income
From lending and money market		10,981,507			10,937,100
From fixed-interest securities and debt register claims		666,534	11,648,041		756,808	11,693,908

Current income
From shares and other fixed rate securities		4,270			53,849
From investments		471			200
From shares in affiliated enterprises		0	4,741		0	54,049
Commissions and similar service charges earned			369,870			276,896
Net earnings on financial transactions			3,929			13,489
Earnings on allocations of investments, shares in affiliated enterprises and securities treated as fixed assets			33,497			—
Other operating income			20,685			201,240

Total income			12,080,763			12,239,582

Expenses
Interest expenses			10,232,714			10,303,941
Contractual appropriation of interest to reserve from the ERP Special Fund			47,368			47,411
Commissions and similar service charges payable			185,938			125,502
Net loss on financial transactions			—			—
General administrative expenses
Salaries and wages		216,271			202,920
Social security contributions and expenditure on pensions and support		75,111			74,332
Other administrative expenses		157,740	449,122		167,398	444,650

Depreciation and value adjustments on intangible and tangible assets			39,301			43,346
Other operating expenses			6,452			69,417
Write-downs of and value adjustments on loans and certain securities and increases of allowances for possible loan losses(2)			802,837			521,034
Write-downs of and value adjustments on investments, shares in affiliated enterprises and securities treated as fixed assets			0			425,169
Losses absorbed under profit and loss transfer agreements			0			27,139
Write-downs on the special loss account under Art. 17(4) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law			177			217
Net income for the year			316,854			231,756

Total expenses			12,080,763			12,239,582

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		Including EUR 1,300 million allocation to the fund for general bank risks in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code (in 2003 EUR 370 million).

See also the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

-42-

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF KFW BANKENGRUPPE

Balance Sheet(1)


	As of December 31,
	2004			2003
	(EUR in thousands)
Assets
Cash reserves
Cash on hand		223			182
Balance with Deutsche Bundesbank		27,067			26,663
Balance in postal giro accounts		0	27,290		0	26,845


Loans and advances to banks
At call		52,385			171,135
Other		176,683,975	176,736,360		165,407,035	165,578,170

Loans and advances to customers			95,244,732			90,885,567

Bonds and other fixed-rate securities
Money market paper(2)		858,569			242,247
Bonds and debentures of public and other issuers(3)		20,760,250			20,642,970
KfW’s own bond issues		5,132,815	26,751,634		5,153,198	26,038,415

Shares and other non-fixed rate Securities			16,248,927			17,816,634
Investments			749,241			915,375
Investments in affiliated enterprises			595,784			591,961
Shares in affiliated enterprises			11,843			11,845
Loans on a trust basis and other trust business			8,106,039			8,121,632
Compensation claims on public authorities, including bonds from their conversion			64,291			128,579
Intangible assets			7,115			9,009
Fixed assets			637,352			553,472
Other assets			123,916			133,627
Prepaid expenses and deferred charges			3,264,764			3,055,831
Special loss account consisting of provisions under Art. 17(4) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law			26,843			27,019

Total assets			328,596,131			313,893,981

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		In 2004, EUR 50 million (2003: EUR 0) were eligible as collateral with the Deutsche Bundesbank.

(3)		In 2004 and 2003, EUR 17,392 million and EUR 19,846 million, respectively, were eligible as collateral with the Deutsche Bundesbank.

See also the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

-43-

Balance Sheet(1) Continued


	As of December 31,
	2004				2003
	(EUR in thousands)
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Liabilities to banks
At call		746,176				106,519
With agreed terms or periods of notice		24,547,950	25,294,126			27,362,671	27,469,190

Liabilities to customers
At call		168,156				140,583
With agreed terms or periods of notice		55,140,499	55,308,655			57,129,788	57,270,371

Bonds			210,805,588				194,554,657
Loans on a trust basis			8,106,039				8,121,632
Other liabilities			10,165,106				8,648,105
Deferred income			5,887,927				6,438,918
Accrued estimated liabilities			872,195				949,680
Compensation liabilities under Art. 41 of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law			1,591				2,336
Subordinated liabilities			500,000				500,000
Fund for general bank risks			3,300,000				2,000,000
Subscribed capital			3,750,000				3,750,000
Unpaid capital			(450,000	)			(450,000	)
Capital reserves			1,603,765				1,603,764
Reserve from ERP Special Fund			653,868				606,501
Retained earnings			2,797,271				2,428,827

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity			328,596,131				313,893,981


Contingent liabilities
On bills discounted and charged		0				0
On guarantees		61,375,774				51,026,066
Liability under collateral provided for third party liabilities		0	61,375,774			0	51,026,066
Other obligations
Repurchase obligations on non-genuine repurchase transactions		0				0
Placing and underwriting obligations		0				0
Irrevocable loan commitments		36,458,444	36,458,444			37,421,266	37,421,266

(1)

Totals may not add due to rounding.

See also the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

-44-

Statement of Income(1)


	For the year ended December 31,
	2004			2003
	(EUR in thousands)
Income
Interest income
From lending and money market		11,056,522			10,984,406
From fixed-interest securities and debt register claims		666,853	11,723,375		758,151	11,742,557

Current income
From shares and other fixed rate securities		4,270			53,849
From investments		53,941			62,861
From shares in affiliated enterprises		30,408	88,619		21,786	138,496
Commissions and similar service charges earned			378,172			298,407
Net earnings on financial transactions			1,060			12,310
Earnings on allocations of investments, shares in affiliated enterprises and securities treated as fixed assets			15,832			—
Other operating income			29,117			214,242

Total income			12,236,175			12,406,012

Expenses
Interest expenses			10,236,997			10,312,224
Contractual appropriation of interest to reserve from the ERP Special Fund			47,368			47,411
Commissions and similar service charges payable			187,872			147,921
General administrative expenses
Salaries and wages		246,099			238,544
Social security contributions and expenditure on pensions and support		89,322			84,510
Other administrative expenses		175,004	510,425		185,733	508,787

Depreciation and value adjustments on intangible and tangible assets			41,254			67,134
Other operating expenses			7,374			71,644
Write-downs of and value adjustments on loans and certain securities and increases of allowances for possible loan losses(2)			823,005			651,897
Write-downs of and value adjustments on investments, shares in affiliated enterprises and securities treated as fixed assets			0			334,758
Write-downs on the special loss account under Art. 17(4) of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law			177			217
Taxes on income			13,254			16,619

Net income for the year			368,449			247,400

Total expenses			12,236,175			12,406,012

(1)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(2)		Including EUR 1,300 million allocation to the fund for general bank risks in accordance with Section 340(g) of the Commercial Code (in 2003 EUR 370 million).

See also the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

-45-

Cash Flow Statement of KfW Bankengruppe(1)


	For the year ended December 31,
	2004			2003
	(EUR in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (before income tax)		382			264
Non-cash positions in net income and adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Write-downs, depreciation and adjustments		849			1,054
Changes in accrued estimated liabilities		86			26
Change in other non-cash positions		(4	)		(71	)
Profit from the sale of financial instruments, investments, property and equipment		(29	)		(32	)
Other adjustments (net)		(679	)		4,053

Sub-total		604			5,294
Change in assets and liabilities from operating activities after correction for non-cash components
Loans and advances to banks		(10,582	)		(7,238	)
Loans and advances to customers		(4,397	)		2,749
Securities available for sale		(492	)		(8,966	)
Funds borrowed from banks		(2,173	)		(7,356	)
Funds borrowed from customers		(1,964	)		(1,493	)
Securitized Liabilities		16,251			13,617
Other assets from operating activities		(172	)		(19	)
Other liabilities from operating activities		(33	)		(201	)
Interest receipts		11,723			11,743
Interest paid		(10,237	)		(10,312	)
Income tax paid		(13	)		(17	)

Net cash provided by operating activities		(1,485	)		(2,199	)


Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from the sale of investments		1,774			2,303
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment		62			7
Payments for the acquisition of investments		(247	)		(688	)
Payments for the acquisition of property and equipment		(156	)		(40	)
Other investing activities (net)		4			36

Net cash provided by investing activities		1,437			1,618


Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds on equity capital		47			47
Other financing activities (net)		0			500

Net cash provided by financing activities		47			547


Cash and cash equivalents at the end of previous period		27			26
Net cash provided by operating activities		(1,485	)		(2,199	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		1,437			1,618
Net cash provided by financing activities		47			547
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1			34
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period		27			27

(1)

Totals may not add due to rounding.

See also the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

-46-

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THE CONSOLIDATED ENTERPRISES AND THE PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION.

The consolidated financial statements include, besides KfW, KfW International Finance Inc., Delaware, USA, Finanzierungs- und Beratungsgesellschaft mbH, Berlin, DEG-Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Cologne, KfW Beteiligungsholding GmbH, Frankfurt am Main and tbg Technologie-Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Bonn. gbb Beteiligungs-AG (gbb) is no longer included in the consolidated enterprises. It was merged into KfW Beteiligungsholding GmbH with retroactive effect as per January 1, 2004.

§ 296 (1) No. 3 of the German Commercial Code (HGB) has been utilized with regard to one subsidiary, whose shares were held exclusively for the purpose of resale. In accordance with § 296 (2) of the German Commercial Code three affiliated enterprises are not included in the consolidated financial statements, because their results are of only minor significance for the presentation of the assets, financial situation and earnings of the group. Equally, in accordance with § 311 (2) of the German Commercial Code two enterprises were not included in the at-equity consolidation.

The annual financial statements for the individual enterprises in the group were drawn up in accordance with the accounting and valuation methods applying to KfW. Loans and advances and liabilities, and income and expenditure between the consolidated enterprises were netted. The first consolidation was made by the book value method with the values stated on the group’s balance sheet date.

The capital was consolidated on the basis of the values stated on the date the enterprises were first included in the group’s accounts. The differences in the liabilities resulting from the capital consolidation total EUR 446 million and are included in the group’s retained earnings.

The annual financial statements for KfW International Finance Inc. are drawn up in foreign currency and the amounts were converted at the official middle exchange rate on December 31, 2004.

ACCOUNTING AND VALUATION METHODS.

The financial statements for 2004 for KfW and for KfW Bankengruppe have been drawn up in accordance with the requirements of the German Commercial Code (HGB), the Ordinance Regarding the Accounting System for Banks (RechKredV) and the Law Concerning KfW. The special provisions of the D-Mark Balance Sheet Law (DMBilG) have also been observed. In the financial statements the reserves from the ERP Special Fund and the contractual allocation of interest earnings to these are shown separately, as is the allocation to the capital reserves, which are shown as a memo item. Statements on individual items in the Balance Sheet, which may be made either in the Balance Sheet or the Notes, are given in the Notes.

The cash in hand, loans and advances to banks and customers, investments, investments in associated enterprises and shares in affiliated enterprises and the other assets have been shown at cost, par or a lower value. Differences between notional amounts and lower disbursement amounts of loans or advances have been included in the deferred income.

-47-

The securities held as a liquidity reserve (including securitised compensation claims on public authorities) are valued strictly at the lower of cost or market, where they are not covered by off-balance sheet business. Securities held as fixed assets are shown on a modified application of this principle. In part, securities are aggregated with the derivatives contracts (interest swap contracts) concluded for price hedging to form separately documented valuation units. No allocations of securities to the trading stock have been made. The statutorily required write-ups were made.

Fixed assets are shown at acquisition or production cost, reduced by straight line depreciation in accordance with the expected useful life of the items. Minor items were fully written off in the year of acquisition.

Liabilities are shown at repayment value; differences between agreed higher repayment amounts and issue amounts have been included in the item “Prepaid expenses and deferred charges”.

Accrued pension liabilities and similar obligations were valued in accordance with actuarial principles on the basis of “Richttafeln für die Pensionsversicherung” (Mortality and Disability Tables) of 1998 by Dr. Klaus Heubeck. For KfW the part-value method was used, with interest rates for accounting purposes of 3 % and 6 %, respectively. The other accrued estimated liabilities are shown at their expected recourse value.

Sufficient allowance has been made for risks, most of which are on loans as a result of the structure of KfW’s business, through appropriate provisions and allocation to the fund for general bank risks in accordance with § 340 g of the German Commercial Code. The allocations are shown in the item “Write-downs of and value adjustments on loans and certain securities and increase of allowances for possible loan losses”. The possibility for netting in the Statement of Income in accordance with § 340 f (3) and § 340 c (2) of the German Commercial Code has been utilized.

In the year under review receivables from the Equity Capital Assistance Programmes were for the first time not shown under the item “Loans and advances to banks” but under “Loans and advances to customers”.

In 2004 commission income and expenses from the financing of defeasance lease structures was netted and shown under the item “Commissions earned”. For better comparability, the previous year’s figures have been adjusted accordingly.

-48-

NOTES ON THE ASSETS.

Loans and Advances to Banks
EUR million

Remaining term

Up to 3

More than 3 months

More than 1 year

More than

At call

months

to 1 year

to 5 years

5 years

Pro rata interest

Total

Dec. 31, 2004 KfW

23,042

11,100

40,286

99,175

2,988

176,616

Dec. 31, 2004 Group

23,191

11,143

40,499

98,841

3,010

176,736

Dec. 31, 2003 KfW

161

15,810

10,441

40,418

95,954

2,535

165,319

Dec. 31, 2003 Group

171

15,849

10,481

40,629

95,892

2,556

165,578


	KfW		Group
of which to:
affiliated enterprises		598		0
enterprises, in which KfW holds a stake		3		3,045
without handlings banks’ liability		2,835		2,835
minor assets		0		0

Loans and Advances to Customers
EUR million

Remaining term

Up to 3

More than 3 months

More than 1 year

More than

At call

months

to 1 year

to 5 years

5 years

Pro rata interest

Total

Dec. 31, 2004 KfW

4,687

7,011

30,609

51,082

1,724

95,113

Dec. 31, 2004 Group

4,725

7,053

30,809

50,924

1,734

95,245

Dec. 31, 2003 KfW

3,295

6,406

30,447

49,089

1,608

90,845

Dec. 31, 2003 Group

3,364

6,505

30,559

48,842

1,616

90,886


	KfW		Group
of which to:
affiliated enterprises		772		37
enterprises, in which KfW holds a stake		14		105
minor assets		616		616

-49-

BONDS AND OTHER FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES.

Amounts shown under “Bonds and other fixed-income securities” due in the year following the balance sheet date:

Due the following year
EUR million

Dec. 31, 2004

Dec. 31, 2003

Dec. 31, 2004

Dec. 31, 2003

Balance sheet date

KfW

Group

Money market paper, bonds and notes

5,908

4,380

5,794

3,983

Par value

5,862

4,352

5,753

3,967

Own bond issues

842

357

956

754

Par value

838

353

947

738

Total

6,750

4,737

6,750

4,737

Par value

6,700

4,705

6,700

4,705

The item “Bonds and other fixed-income securities” includes loans and advances to:

EUR million


	KfW		Group
Affiliated enterprises		1,326		0
Enterprises in which KfW holds a stake		0		0

The item “Bonds and other fixed-income securities” includes:

EUR million


	KfW		Group
Listed securities		24,620		24,625
Unlisted securities		1,229		1,229
Marketable securities		25,849		25,854

-50-

SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS UNDER REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.

In the context of genuine repurchase transactions (sell & buy back transactions, repos) securities to the book value of EUR 1,088 million were repurchased.

FIXED ASSETS.

Fixed Assets as per December 31, 2004 KfW
EUR thousand


				Residual book		Residual book
	Changes¹⁾			value as per		value as per
	2004			Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003
	(7)			(8)		(9)
Investments		8,410			37,471		29,061
Shares in affiliated enterprises		21,204			1,084,940		1,063,736
Securities treated as fixed assets		(1,549,844	)		2,879,194		4,429,038
Total		(1,520,230	)		4,001,605		5,521,835


	Acquisition/												Write-downs/		Residual book		Residual book
	production										Adjustments				value as per		value as per
	costs²⁾		Inflows		Outflows		Transfers		Allocations		Total		2004		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003
	(1)		(2)		(3)		(4)		(5)		(6)		(7)		(8)		(9)
Intangible assets		42,388		5,496		597		0		0		40,581		6,968		6,706		8,484
Tangible assets³⁾		664,069		139,786		5,416		0		0		178,477		32,333		619,962		515,160
Total		706,457		145,282		6,013		0		0		219,058		39,301		626,668		523,644
Sum																4,628,273		6,045,479

¹⁾Including price changes.

²⁾The Relief Facility under § 31 (6) of the EC Commercial Code has been utilised.

³⁾Of which as per December 31, 2004:	— total value of land and buildings used for the bank’s activities EUR 593,226,000
	— total value of office furniture and equipment EUR 26,736,000

-51-

Fixed Assets as per December 31, 2004 Group
EUR thousand


				Residual book		Residual book
	Changes¹⁾			value as per		value as per
	2004			Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003
	(7)			(8)		(9)
Investments		(162,311	)		1,345,025		1,507,336
Shares in affiliated enterprises		(2	)		11,843		11,845
Securities treated as fixed assets²⁾		(1,558,966	)		2,879,194		4,438,160
Total		(1,721,279	)		4,236,062		5,957,341




	Acquisition/												Write-downs/		Residual book		Residual book
	production										Adjustments				value as per		value as per
	costs²⁾		Inflows		Outflows		Transfers		Allocations		Total		2004		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003
	(1)		(2)		(3)		(4)		(5)		(6)		(7)		(8)		(9)
Intangible assets		45,629		5,793		645		0		0		43,662		7,383		7,115		9,009
Tangible assets³⁾		740,867		120,494		5,705		0		0		218,303		33,871		637,353		553,472
Total		786,496		126,287		6,350		0		0		261,965		41,254		644,468		562,481
Sum																4,880,530		6,519,822

¹⁾Including price changes.

²⁾The Relief Facility under § 31 (6) of the EC Commercial Code has been utilised.

³⁾Of which as per December 31, 2004:	— total value of land and buildings used for the bank’s activities EUR 599,509,000
	— total value of office furniture and equipment EUR 28,062,000

Bonds and other fixed-income securities, as well as shares and other non-fixed income securities, intended as a permanent part of operations and so usually held until maturity, have been included with the securities treated as fixed assets. They are shown separately in the accounts and valued following the lower of cost or market principle (modified). The decline in securities treated as fixed assets is mainly due to the redemption of securities upon maturity.

The book value of the marketable bonds not valued at the lower of cost or market and included in the item “Bonds and other fixed-income securities” is EUR 2,774 million.

-52-

The item “Shares and other non-fixed income securities” includes:

EUR million


	KfW		Group
Listed securities		11,958		11,969
Unlisted securities		4,280		4,280
Marketable securities		16,238		16,249

The total holding is valued at the lower of cost or market.

Information on Equity Investments
EUR thousand and %

The enterprises numbered 1 to 5 are included in the consolidated financial statements as affiliated enterprises, and 6 is an associated enterprise.


								Net income
			Share held		Equity Capital¹⁾			for the year¹⁾
Name and domicile of company			in %		EUR thousand			EUR thousand
	1.	DEG — Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, Cologne		100.0		895,397			44,230
	2.	Finanzierungs- und Beratungsgesellschaft mbH (FuB), Berlin		100.0		9,939			3,542
	3.	KfW International Finance Inc., Delaware, USA		100.0		7	²⁾		0	²⁾
	4.	KfW Beteiligungsholding AG, Bonn		100.0		781,700			21,206
	5.	tbg Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbh, Bonn		100.0		429,135			0
	6.	IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, Düsseldorf		37.8		2,034,263	³⁾		104,827	³⁾

1)		As per Dec. 31, 2004.

2)		Converted at the rate on Dec. 31, 2004 (EUR 1 = USD 1.3621).

3)		As per March 31, 2004.

The full list of shareholdings in accordance with §§ 285, No 11 and 313 (2) of the German Commercial Code is deposited with the district court in Frankfurt am Main.

-53-

The item “Investments” includes:

EUR thousand


	KfW		Group
Listed securities		0		622,748
Unlisted securities		22,353		48,791
Marketable securities		22,353		671,539

Assets on a trust basis
EUR million


	KfW			Group
Loans and advances to banks
a) At call		189			189
b) Other loans and advances		815	1,004		943	1,132
Loans and advances to customers			6,898			6,929
Investments			2			44
Shares			1			1
Sum			7,905			8,106

OTHER ASSETS.

The item “Other assets” of KfW mainly includes rights to recovery from the realisation of collateral in the amount of EUR 25 million and claims on the German government in the amount of EUR 21 million. The group figure also includes claims of KfW Beteiligungsholding on the financial administration in the amount of EUR 32 million.

PREPAID EXPENSES AND DEFERRED CHARGES.

The difference contained in the item “Prepaid expenses and deferred charges” between the repayment amount and the lower issue amount of liabilities is EUR 537 million.

-54-

NOTES ON LIABILITIES.

Maturities Structure of Borrowed Funds
EUR million

Remaining term

Up to 3

More than 3 months

More than 1 year

More than

At call

months

to 1 year

to 5 years

5 years

Pro rata interest

Total

Funds borrowed from banks with agreed term or period of notice

KfW

786

3,027

2,774

10,000

5,070

3,582

25,239

Group

746

3,052

2,795

10,028

5,087

3,586

25,294

as per Dec. 31, 2003 KfW

141

2,718

2,251

10,720

8,317

3,176

27,323

as per Dec. 31, 2003 Group

107

2,758

2,296

10,793

8,336

3,179

27,469

Funds borrowed from customers

- Other borrowed funds with agreed term or period of notice

KfW

417

10,588

12,785

36,034

24,619

1,490

85,933

Group

168

8,120

2,942

22,229

20,896

954

55,309

as per Dec. 31, 2003 KfW

238

8,355

14,473

40,674

36,268

1,655

101,663

as per Dec. 31, 2003 Group

141

3,191

4,888

18,216

29,926

908

57,270

KfW

1,203

13,614

15,558

46,034

29,689

5,072

111,172

Group

914

11,172

5,737

32,256

25,983

4,539

80,603

in %

KfW

100

Group

100

Due the following year


	KfW		Group
Securitised liabilities
- bonds issued		33,688		46,007
as per December 31, 2003		20,469		35,253

-55-

Liabilities to Affiliated Enterprises and Enterprises in which KfW/KfW Bankengruppe holds a stake
EUR million


	Securitised and non-securitised liabilities
					To enterprises in which KfW/
	To affiliated enterprises				KfW Bankengruppe holds a participation
	KfW		Group		KfW		Group
Funds borrowed from banks		41		0		0		0
Funds borrowed from customers		30,691		0		0		2
Securitised liabilities		0		0		0		341	¹⁾
Total		30,732		0		0		343

¹⁾As far as can be ascertained.

Liabilities on a trust basis
EUR million


	KfW			Group
Funds borrowed from banks
a) At call		0			0
b) With agreed term or period of notice		57	57		57	57
Funds borrowed from customers
a) Savings deposits
b) Other liabilities
ba) At call		824			825
bb) With agreed term or period of notice		7,024	7,848		7,224	8,049
Total			7,905			8,106

OTHER LIABILITIES.

The “Other liabilities” are mainly the difference on the conversion of foreign currency positions hedged with swaps to the amount of EUR 9.5 billion.

-56-

DEFERRED INCOME.

The item “Deferred income” includes discounts on loans and advances totalling EUR 1,290 million.

SUBORDINATED LIABILITIES.

In connection with the acquisition of shares of Deutsche Telekom AG and Deutsche Post AG for the further privatisation of these corporations the German government granted KfW a subordinated loan of EUR 500 million. The loan bears an agreed interest rate of 3.9475% and is due for repayment on November 11, 2008. KfW is not obligated to repay the subordinate loan ahead of schedule. The terms of subordination of this loan are in line with the requirements of the German Banking Act (KWG).

Interest expenses for the subordinate loan amounted to EUR 19.7 million. This interest accrued but not yet due in the amount of EUR 2.7 million is reported under the item “Other liabilities”.

EQUITY CAPITAL.

Group Equity according to GAS No. 7
EUR million

Group’s

Dec. 31, 2003

net income

Other changes

Dec. 31, 2004

KfW’s subscribed capital

3,750.0

0.0

3,750.0

Outstanding contributions, not requested

(450.0

)

0.0

(450.0

)

Capital reserves

1,603.8

0.0

1,603.8

Reserve from the ERP Special Fund

606.5

0.0

47.4

653.9

Retained Group earnings

a) Statutory reserve under § 10 (2) of the KfW Law

618.4

188.1

0.0

806.5

b) Special reserve under § 10 (3) of the KfW Law

1,235.3

128.8

0.0

1,364.0

c) Special reserve under § 17 (4) D-Mark Balance Sheet Law

47.6

0.0

47.6

d) Other retained earnings

527.5

51.6

0.0

579.1

Group equity

7,939.1

368.4

47.4

8,354.9

Of the group’s net income for the year of EUR 368 million, an amount corresponding to KfW’s net income for the year of EUR 317 million was allocated to the statutory reserve (EUR 188 million) and to the special reserve (EUR 129 million) in accordance with § 10 (2) and (3) of the KfW Law. The net income for the year of EUR 52 million achieved by the consolidated subsidiaries was allocated to the other retained earnings. KfW’s equity capital is EUR 7,776 million.

-57-

OTHER REQUIRED NOTES ON THE LIABILITIES.

CONTINGENT LIABILITIES.

The group’s liabilities under guarantees total EUR 61,376 million. Of the total amount as per Dec. 31, 2004 EUR 56,361 million was credit default swaps, EUR 5,012 million was credit guarantees (of which guarantees for aircraft finance totalled EUR 917 million, guarantees on special loans EUR 1,085 million and guarantees for housing construction EUR 510 million), and EUR 3 million was letters of credit.

The new guarantees for third party risks given in 2004 amounted to EUR 17,612 million; they result mainly from the assumption of third party risks of credit default in connection with securitisation transactions of a total of EUR 16,416 million. Altogether EUR 6,751 million was redeemed.

OTHER OBLIGATIONS.

The group’s irrevocable loan commitments total EUR 36,458 million, of which EUR 11,491 million is export and project finance, EUR 18,066 million is investment finance, EUR 3,898 million is loans to promote the developing countries and EUR 3,003 million is guarantees.

-58-

NOTES ON THE STATEMENT OF INCOME.

SEGMENT REPORTING.

The segment reporting in accordance with GAS 3-10 follows the structure of the internal control of the business units of KfW Bankengruppe.

The composition of our segments is shown in the following overview:

Segment Reporting

Investment Finance Germany/Europe

•		Equity Finance (incl. tbg — Technologie-Beteiligungs-Gesellschaft mbH)

•		Corporate Investments/Industrial Pollution Control Finance

•		Education and Social Finance

•		Infrastructure and Housing Finance

•		Global Loans

•		Asset Securitisation

Export and Project Finance

•		Promotion of German and European Exports

•		Financing of Direct and Other Corporate Investment

Promotion of the Developing Countries

•

Promotion of the Developing and Transition Countries on behalf of the German Federal Government (budget funds) and with Complementary Market Funds raised by KfW

•

DEG — Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, (Promotion of the Private Sector)

Advisory and other Services/Participations

•		Holding Arrangements for the Federal Government

•		Shareholdings

•		Securities Investments

•		Other services

A detailed description of the products and services offered by the individual business units is contained in the statements presented under “KfW’s Business Units” of this annual report.

-59-

The operative business units are measured on the basis of the net operating result and the allocated equity capital. The individual positions are based on the following methods:

•		Net interest income was itemised according to the principle of the market interest rate method¹⁾. The position also includes internally calculated return on equity.

•		The allocation of administrative expenses by cost centres to the individual segments is based on the results of activity-based costing²⁾.

•		Risk provisions were charged to the individual segments on the basis of a risk assessment made at the time of the close of the transactions.

•		The segment assets contain the total assets of KfW Bankengruppe. The allocation of the own funds³⁾to the segments is effected on the basis of the corresponding risk position (pursuant to Principle I of the German Banking Act).

Segment Reporting by Business Unit
EUR million


	Investment				Promotion		Advice/				Trans-
	Finance		Project-/		of the		Services/				ference/			KfW
	Germany/		Export-		Developing		Partici-		Central		Consoli-			Banken-
Primary Segments	Europe		Finance		Countries		pations		Segment		dation			gruppe
+ Interest received, net
2004		320		433		134		62		484		143			1.575
2003		330		422		140		97		466		114			1.569
+ Commissions received, net
2004		99		92		101		32		0		(134	)		190
2003		71		77		99		26		0		(123	)		150
- Administrative expenses
2004		257		96		154		41		0		3			552
2003		265		89		153		66		0		3			576

¹⁾	Under this method the calculation of interest margins is based on the assumption of a refinancing at matching maturities.

²⁾	The costs incurred in the organisational units are allocated to the individual products by means of business processes.

³⁾	The own funds include the paid-in subscribed capital, reserves and the Fund for general bank risks pursuant to § 340 g of the German Commercial Code.

-60-

(cont.)


	Investment				Promotion		Advice/					Trans-
	Finance		Project-/		of the		Services/					ference/			KfW
	Germany/		Export-		Developing		Partici-			Central		Consoli-			Banken-
Primary Segments	Europe		Finance		Countries		pations			Segment		dation			gruppe
+ Net result from financial transactions/other operating result
2004		3		0		0		2			108		(89	)		23
2003		1		0		2		6			335		(189	)		155
- Risk provisions/valuations, net
2004		77		292		29		(15	)		509		(84	)		808
2003		119		244		41		1			783		(201	)		987
= Income from current operations
2004		87		137		52		70			82		0			428
2003		18		166		47		62			18		0			311

Assets
2004		183,342		46,435		21,938		68,769			8,112		0			328,596
2003		173,826		49,733		21,784		61,605			6,946		0			313,894
Liabilities
2004		178,094		43,034		20,917		65,361			7,927		1,608			316,941
2003		169,423		46,652		20,897		58,598			6,811		1,574			303,955
Risk-weighted positions
2004		48,286		33,883		2,431		35,238			1,835		0			121,673
2003		46,151		35,257		1,469		34,249			1,539		0			118,665
Own funds
2004		5,249		3,401		1,021		3,408			184		(1,608	)		11,655
2003		4,403		3,081		887		3,007			135		(1,574	)		9,939

In %
Return on average allocated own funds¹⁾
2004		1.8		4.2		5.4		2.2								4.0
2003		0.5		4.9		5.0		2.6								3.2
Cost income ratio²⁾
2004		61.0		18.3		65.8		42.8								30.9
2003		66.0		17.8		63.7		50.9								30.9

¹⁾	Ratio of income from current operations to average allocated own funds.

²⁾	Ratio of administrative expenses to net income (net interest received, net commissions received, other operating income).

-61-

SEGMENT REPORTING BY REGION.

As KfW Bankengruppe maintains no foreign branch offices the geographic segmentation of the volume of lending is made on the basis of the customers’ country of domicile. The remaining asset positions are allocated to the domestic activities.

Segment Reporting by Region
EUR million


											Latin							Trans-
			Euroland								America							ference/			KfW
			(without			Other		North			including		Asia/					Consoli-			Banken-
Secondary Segments	Germany		Germany)			Europe		America			Caribbean		Australia			Africa		dation			gruppe
+ Interest received, net
2004		938		55			129		30			114		132			34		143			1,575
2003		951		68			119		52			97		141			27		115			1,569
+ Commissions received, net
2004		157		31			37		4			11		52			32		(134	)		190
2003		117		19			33		3			11		51			39		(123	)		150
- Administrative expenses
2004		298		56			55		18			27		80			15		3			552
2003		322		48			55		24			25		75			24		3			576
+ Net result from financial transactions/other operating result
2004		112		0			1		0			0		(1	)		0		(89	)		23
2003		342		0			1		0			0		0			1		(189	)		155
- Risk provisions/ valuations, net
2004		619		43			93		30			50		26			31		(84	)		808
2003		928		34			69		26			68		50			13		(201	)		987
= Income from current operations
2004		291		(13	)		19		(14	)		48		77			20		0			428
2003		160		5			29		5			15		67			30		0			311

Assets
2004		229,796		27,379			23,084		9,027			7,243		24,808			7,259		0			328,596
2003		223,418		20,858			20,235		10,229			8,089		23,720			7,345		0			313,894
Liabilities
2004		221,390		25,963			21,615		8,513			6,733		24,118			7,002		1,608			316,941
2003		216,015		19,764			19,125		9,716			7,533		23,114			7,114		1,574			303,955

-62-

(cont.)

Latin

Trans-

Euroland

America

ference/

KfW

(without

Other

North

including

Asia/

Consoli-

Banken-

Secondary Segments

Germany

Germany)

Europe

America

Caribbean

Australia

Africa

dation

gruppe

Risk-weighted positions

2004

80,725

14,102

12,449

5,126

3,475

4,733

1,064

121,673

2003

80,011

12,521

10,681

5,869

4,310

4,289

984

118,665

Own funds

2004

8,406

1,416

1,469

515

511

689

258

(1,608

)

11,655

2003

7,403

1,094

1,110

513

556

606

231

(1,574

)

9,939

In %

Return on average allocated own funds¹⁾

2004

3.7

(1.1

)

1.5

(2.8

)

9.0

12.0

8.3

4.0

2003

2.4

0.5

2.9

0.9

2.6

10.4

14.0

3.2

Cost income ratio²⁾

2004

24.7

65.0

32.8

54.4

21.4

43.6

23.1

30.9

2003

22.8

55.3

36.0

43.2

23.0

39.1

35.6

30.9

¹⁾	Ratio of income from current operations to average allocated own funds.
²⁾	Ratio of administrative expenses to net income (net interest received, net commissions received, other operating income).

OTHER NOTES REQUIRED.

ASSETS AND DEBTS IN FOREIGN CURRENCIES.

The assets and debts in foreign currencies and the cash transactions not completed on the balance sheet date have been converted into euros at the official middle exchange rates quoted on December 31, 2004.

Expenditure and earnings on currency conversion have been included in the “Net earnings on financial transactions”; the imparity principle has been observed.

Revaluations of specific loan loss provisions in foreign currencies caused by exchange rates movements, which were included in previous years in the item “Write-downs of and value adjustments on loans and certain securities and increase in allowances for possible loan losses”, were in 2004 included in the net result on financial transactions.

In the year under review allocations to the fund for general bank risks in accordance with § 340 g of the German Commercial Code were also made in foreign currencies.

-63-

Forward transactions were converted with due observance of the regulations on special cover or cover in the same currency. There were no effects from these on the Statement of Income.

As per December 31, 2004 total assets in foreign currencies were EUR 47.8 billion, converted in accordance with § 340 h (1) of the German Commercial Code.

Total debts in foreign currencies were EUR 111.3 billion.

DERIVATIVES REPORT.

KfW Bankengruppe uses the following forward transactions/derivative products, mainly to hedge against the risk of changes in interest rates and exchange rates, and other price and credit risks:

Interest-rate related forward transactions/derivative products

	•		Interest rate swaps

	•		Interest rate options

	•		Caps and floors

Currency-related forward transactions/derivative products

	•		Cross-currency swaps

	•		FX swaps

	•		Forward exchange deals

Share price-related and other price risk-related forward transactions/derivative products

•

Share options under standstill agreements

Credit derivatives

•

Single Name Credit Default Swaps

The following presentation of the derivatives business was adjusted in accordance with the requirements of § 285 No. 18 of the German Commercial Code. It discloses the positive and negative market values of the derivatives positions as of December 31, 2004.

As derivatives instruments are used to hedge market risks of on-balance sheet business, whose values move in opposite directions, these instruments are treated as off-balance sheet items.

All types of contracts are valued according to the mark-to-market method. In cases where market prices were not available for derivatives instruments, fair values were established by means of market parameters based on generally acknowledged option price models and present value estimates.

Purchased and written options are classified as other assets (EUR 4.0 million) or other liabilities (EUR 18 million) in the amounts paid as premiums.

-64-

KfW 2004
EUR million


					Fair values		Fair values
	Nominal values		Nominal values		positive		negative
	Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2004
Volumes
Contracts with interest rate risks
Interest swaps		252,410		227.942		7,348		9,209
Interest options of which: Purchases		220		0		3		0
Sales		784		1.405		0		11
Caps and Floors¹⁾		615		716		3		3
		254,029		230,063		7.354		9.223
Others¹⁾		0		0		0		0
Total		254,029		230,063		7,354		9,223
Contracts with currency risks
Cross-currency swaps		77.862		68,131		1,430		11,127
FX swaps		20.410		8,287		137		539
Forward exchange swaps		29		205		2		1
Total		98,301		76,623		1,569		11,667
Share and other price risks¹⁾		1,000		0		91		0
Credit derivatives²⁾
of which: Purchases		40		0		0		0
Sales		0		0		0		0
Total		40		0		0		0

¹⁾	Derivative financial instruments do not include embedded derivatives. The previous year’s figures were adjusted accordingly.

²⁾	here: Single name credit default swaps


Nominal values	Interest risks¹⁾				Currency risks				Other price risks¹⁾				Credit derivatives²⁾
EUR million	Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003
Maturity
Remaining term of
• up to 3 months		14,344		8,818		20,297		8,821		1.000		0		0		0
• > 3 months to 1 year		29,606		22,340		14,313		11,797		0		0		0		0
• > 1 to 5 years		90,843		111,997		19,691		34,600		0		0		40		0
• > 5 years		119,236		86,908		44,000		21,405		0		0		0		0
Total		254,029		230,063		98,301		76,623		1.000		0		40		0

¹⁾	Derivative financial instruments do not include embedded derivatives. The previous year’s figures were adjusted accordingly.

²⁾	here: Single name credit default swaps

-65-

EUR million


					Fair values		Fair values
	Nominal values		Nominal values		positive		negative
	Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2004
Counterparties
OECD Banks		282,268		236,835		6,818		17,080
Banks outside the OECD		0		0		0		0
Other counterparties		69,062		67,626		2,156		3,442
Public authorities		2,040		2,225		40		368
Total		353,370		306,686		9,014		20,890

KfW group 2004
EUR million


					Fair values		Fair values
	Nominal values		Nominal values		positive		negative
	Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2004
Volumes
Contracts with interest risks
Interest swaps		253,764		229,144		7,384		9,229
Interest options of which: Purchases		270		0		4		0
Sales		784		1,405		0		11
Caps and floors¹⁾		671		804		3		3
		255,489		231,353		7,391		9,243
Others¹⁾		0		0		0		0
Total		255,489		231,353		7,391		9,243
Contracts with currency risks
Cross-currency swaps		78,373		68,589		1,493		11,129
FX swaps		20,410		8,287		137		539
Forward exchange swaps		29		213		2		1
Total		98,812		77,089		1,632		11,669
Share and other price risks¹⁾		1,000		0		91		0
Credit derivatives²⁾ of which: Purchases		40		0		0		0
Sales		0		0		0		0
Total		40		0		0		0

¹⁾	Derivative financial instruments do not include embedded derivatives. The previous year’s figures were adjusted accordingly.

²⁾	here: Single name credit default swaps

-66-


Nominal values	Interest risks¹⁾				Currency risks				Other price risks¹⁾				Credit derivatives²⁾
EUR million	Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003
Maturity
Remaining term of
• up to 3 months		14,350		8,818		20,325		8,840		1,000		0		0		0
• > 3 months to 1 year		29,747		22,432		14,382		11,957		0		0		0		0
• > 1 to 5 years		91,632		112,871		19,857		34,785		0		0		40		0
• > 5 years		119,760		87,232		44,248		21,507		0		0		0		0
Total		255,489		231,353		98,812		77,089		1,000		0		40		0

¹⁾	Derivative financial instruments do not include embedded derivatives. The previous year’s figures were adjusted accordingly.

²⁾	here: Single name credit default swaps

EUR million


					Fair values		Fair values
	Nominal values		Nominal values		positive		negative
	Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2003		Dec. 31, 2004		Dec. 31, 2004
Counterparties
OECD Banks		284,234		238,558		6,918		17,102
Banks outside the OECD		3		5		0		0
Other counterparties		69,066		67,655		2,156		3.442
Public authorities		2,038		2,225		40		368
Total		355,341		308,443		9,114		20,912

In addition, KfW has taken on the default risks on SME and housing loans (EUR 55.4 billion) as well as risks in connection with the sale of debt owed to the Federal Republic of Germany (EUR 0.9 billion) and transferred them to the capital market. These risks assumed through credit derivatives in the total amount of EUR 56.3 billion (2003: EUR 46.5 billion) are shown under the item “Contingent liabilities”. The transfer of the risk to the capital market was made through credit default swaps (EUR 50.8 billion) or credit linked notes (EUR 5.5 billion).

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LOANS IN THE NAME OF THIRD PARTIES FOR THIRD PARTY ACCOUNT.

The loans outstanding in the name of third parties and for third party account totalled EUR 2,817 million as per December 31, 2004.

PERSONNEL.

The average number of staff, not including the Board of Managing Directors and trainees, but including temporary staff, is calculated from the figures at quarter endings during the year under review.


	2004 KfW		2003 KfW		2004 Group		2003 Group
Female employees		1,589		1,548		1,828		1,802
Male employees		1,665		1,657		1,869		1,868
Staff not covered by collective agreements		1,883		1,867		2,141		2,135
Staff covered by collective agreements		1,371		1,338		1,556		1,535
Total		3,254		3,205		3,697		3,670

REMUNERATIONS AND LOANS TO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF
MANAGING DIRECTORS AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS.

The total remuneration paid to members of the Board of Managing Directors for 2004 in the group was EUR 2,532,203.25. This includes EUR 132,726.93 for non-cash benefits and other remuneration. The current salary components were uniformly fixed at EUR 399,912.72 for all members of the Board of Managing Directors.

The remuneration paid to members of the Board of Supervisory Directors of KfW was EUR 210,747.00. It is composed as follows:

The remuneration for the Chairman of the Board of Supervisory Directors is EUR 12,782.00 annually, for the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Supervisory Directors it is EUR 10,226.00 annually, for the members of the Board of Supervisory Directors it is EUR 5,113.00 annually, for the members of the Loan Approvals Committee it is 614.00 annually and for the members of the Legal and Administrative Committee it is EUR 307.00 annually. Remuneration is paid on a pro-rata basis if members join or leave the Board of Supervisory Directors during the current year.

A liability of EUR 33,211,346.00 had been accrued at Dec. 31, 2004 for obligations under pension arrangements for retired members of the Board of Managing Directors and their surviving dependants, current payments amounted to EUR 3,058,690.57.

Loans to members of the Board of Managing Directors amounted to EUR 55,907.85 on Dec. 31, 2004.

The interest rates range from 2% to 5%.

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RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES.

Related parties or companies in the sense of GAS 11 are natural and legal persons and companies over which the reporting company may exercise an influence or which may exercise an influence over the reporting company. KfW is a public law institution owned 80% by the Federal Republic of Germany and 20% by the federal states. Transactions concluded in the year under review with the German government and individual companies in which the German government holds stakes and which are shown in the annual report on state shareholdings (Beteiligungsbericht des Bundes) were conducted within the framework set by the KfW Law. The objective of the holdings of the German government is to fulfil the promotional mission laid down in the KfW Law.

In addition to the members of the Board of Managing Directors and the Board of Supervisory Directors, other management staff may also be related parties in accordance with GAS 11. Related parties, defined in this sense, are shown in the list of mandates and the organisation chart of KfW.

Transactions with these persons or their close relatives may be entered into in the framework of generally accessible loan offers at the KfW’s usual terms and conditions. For reasons of materiality internal transactions (advances and loans) entered into with the directors of KfW are not stated here.

MANDATES HELD BY STATUTORY REPRESENTATIVES OR OTHER REPRESENTATIVES
ON SUPERVISORY BOARDS OF MAJOR JOINT STOCK COMPANIES IN ACCORDANCE
WITH §267 (3) OF THE GERMAN COMMERCIAL CODE.

Hans W. Reich
Aareal Bank AG, Wiesbaden
HUK-Coburg Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraft-
fahrender Beamter Deutschlands a. G. in Coburg, Coburg
HUK-Coburg-Holding AG, Coburg
Deutsche Telekom AG, Bonn
IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, Düsseldorf
RAG Aktiengesellschaft, Essen (until February 3, 2005)
ThyssenKrupp Steel AG, Duisburg
Deutsche Post AG, Bonn

Dr. Peter Klaus
Allgemeine HypothekenBank Rheinboden AG,
Frankfurt am Main
DVB Bank AG, Frankfurt am Main
Georgsmarienhütte Holding GmbH, Georgsmarienhütte
STEAG AG, Essen
ThyssenKrupp Technologies AG, Essen

Ingrid Matthäus-Maier
DEG — Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungs-
gesellschaft mbH, Cologne
Deutsche BauBeCon AG, Hannover
Salzgitter Handel GmbH, Düsseldorf

Wolfgang Kroh
DEG — Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungs-
gesellschaft mbH, Cologne

Heinrich Heims
EKO Stahl GmbH, Eisenhüttenstadt

Waltraud Wolff
Saarstahl AG, Völklingen

As per December 31, 2004

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BOARD OF SUPERVISORY DIRECTORS.

Wolfgang Clement
Federal Minister of Economics and Labour
Chairman (until December 31, 2004)
Deputy Chairman (since January 1, 2005)

Hans Eichel
Federal Minister of Finance
Deputy Chairman (until December 31, 2004)
Chairman (since January 1, 2005)

Dietrich Austermann
Member of the German Bundestag
(Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag

Dr. Günter Baumann
Member of the Board of Managing Directors of DIHK Deutscher
Industrie- und Handelskammertag
Representative of Industry

Anton F. Börner
President of the Bundesverband des Deutschen Groß- und Außenhandels e.V.
Representative of Trade

Klaus Brandner
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag (until December 31, 2004)

Dr. Rolf-E. Breuer
President of the Bundesverband deutscher Banken e.V.
Representative of the Commercial Banks

Dr. Ulrich Brixner
Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of DZ BANK AG
Representative of the Cooperative Banks

Jochen Dieckmann
Minister of Finance of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House) (until December 31, 2004)

Rüdiger Dorn
President Haus & Grund Deutschland
Representative of the Housing Industry (since January 1, 2005)

Prof. Dr. Kurt Faltlhauser
Minister of Finance of the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House) (since January 1, 2005)

Joschka Fischer
Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dr. Thomas R. Fischer
Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of WestLB
Representative of the Mortgage Banks (since January 1, 2005)

Lutz Freitag
President of the GdW Bundesverband deutscher Wohnungsunternehmen e.V.
Representative of the Housing Industry (until December 31, 2004)

Dr. Rolf-Jürgen Freyberg
Chairman of the Board of Managing Directors of BGAG Beteiligungsgesellschaft der Gewerkschaften AG
Representative of the Trade Unions

Jürgen Grieger
President of the Verband deutscher Hypothekenbanken e.V.
Representative of the Mortgage Banks (from February 18, 2004 to December 31, 2004)

Prof. Dr. Hans-Günter Henneke
Managing Director of the Deutscher Landkreistag
Representative of the Municipalities

Dr. Dietrich H. Hoppenstedt
President of the Deutscher Sparkassen- und Giroverband e.V.
Representative of the Savings Banks

Bartholomäus Kalb
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag

Roland Koch
Minister President of the State of Hesse
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House)

Renate Künast
Federal Minister of Consumer Protection, Food and Agriculture

Waltraud Lehn
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag

Friedrich Merz
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag (until December 31, 2004)

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Methling
Minister for the Environment of the State of Mecklenburg-West Pomerania
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House)

Dr. Horst Metz
Minister of Finance of the Free State of Saxony
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House)

Hartmut Möllring
Minister of Finance of the State of Lower Saxony
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House)

Margret Mönig-Raane
Deputy Chairman of ver.di e.V.
Representative of the Trade Unions

Stefan Ortseifen
Spokesman of the Board of Managing Directors of IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG
Representative of the Industrial Loan Banks (since January 1, 2005)

Ronald Pofalla
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag (since January 1, 2005)

Heinz Putzhammer
Member of the Executive Board of the Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund
Representative of the Trade Unions

Dr. Michael Rogowski
President of the Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V.
Representative of Industry

Christine Scheel
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag

Hanns-Eberhard Schleyer
Secretary-General of the Zentralverband des Deutschen Handwerks
Representative of the Crafts

Michael Sommer
Chairman of the Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund
Representative of the Trade Unions

Gerhard Sonnleitner
President of the Deutscher Bauernverband e.V.
Representative of Agriculture

Jörg-Otto Spiller
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag (since January 1, 2005)

Dr. Ralf Stegner
Minister of Finance of the State of Schleswig-Holstein
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House)

Ludwig Stiegler
Member of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament)
Member appointed by the Bundestag

Dr. Manfred Stolpe
Federal Minister of Transport, Building and Housing

Erwin Teufel
Minister President of the State of Baden-Württemberg
Member appointed by the Bundesrat (Upper House)

Dr. Alexander von Tippelskirch
Spokesman (ret.) of the Board of Managing Directors of IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG
Representative of the Industrial Loan Banks (until December 31, 2004)

Jürgen Trittin
Federal Minister of the Environment, Nature Protection and Reactor Safety

Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul
Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development

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THE BOARD OF MANAGING DIRECTORS.

Dr. Peter Klaus Detlef Leinberger Hans W. Reich (Chairman)
Ingrid Matthäus-Maier Wolfgang Kroh Dr. Peter Fleischer



Dr. Peter Klaus	Detlef Leinberger	Hans W. Reich (Chairman)


Ingrid Matthäus-Maier	Wolfgang Kroh	Dr. Peter Fleischer

Frankfurt am Main, January 24, 2005
KfW

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Auditor’s Report.

AUDITOR’S REPORT REPRINT.

After concluding our audit we gave the following unqualified report:

AUDITOR’S REPORT.

We have audited the annual financial statements, together with the bookkeeping system, and the consolidated financial statements of KfW, Frankfurt am Main, with combined notes, as well as the combined management report of KfW and the group for the business year from January 1 to December 31, 2004. The bookkeeping system and the preparation of these documents in accordance with German commercial law and the regulations in the Law concerning KfW and its By-Laws are the responsibility of the Board of Managing Directors of KfW. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the annual financial statements, together with the bookkeeping system, as well as on the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report of KfW and the group based on our audit.

We conducted our audit of the annual and consolidated financial statements in accordance with § 317 HGB and German generally accepted standards for the audit of financial statements promulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland (IDW). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit such that misstatements materially affecting the presentation of the net assets, financial position and results of operations in the annual und consolidated financial statements in accordance with German principles of proper accounting and in the combined management report are detected with reasonable assurance. Knowledge of the business activities and the economic and legal environment of KfW and the group and evaluations of possible misstatements are taken into account in the determination of audit procedures. The effectiveness of the accounting-related internal control system and the evidence supporting the disclosures in the books and records, the annual and consolidated financial statements and the combined management report are examined primarily on a test basis within the framework of the audit. The audit includes for the annual financial statements assessing the accounting principles used and for the consolidated financial statements assessing the annual financial statements of the companies included in consolidation, the determination of the companies to be included in consolidation, the accounting and consolidation principles used as well as for both statements the evaluation of significant estimates made by the Board of Managing Directors, and evaluating the overall presentation of the annual and consolidated financial statements and the combined management report. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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Our audit has not led to any reservations.

In our opinion, the annual financial statements and the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the net assets, financial position and results of operations of KfW and the group, respectively, in accordance with German principles of proper accounting. On the whole the combined management report provides a suitable understanding of KfW’s and the group’s position and suitably presents the risks of future development.

Frankfurt am Main, March 1, 2005
PwC Deutsche Revision, Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft


/s/ Wagener		/s/ ppa. Dr. Ott
Wagener		ppa. Dr. Ott
Wirtschaftsprüfer		Wirtschaftsprüfer

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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION ON FUNDED DEBT OF KFW BANKENGRUPPE(1)(2)

Funded Debt Outstanding


										Principal
										Amount
										Outstanding at
										December 31,
	Interest Rate (%)				Year of					2004
	nominal		effective		Incurrence		Maturity		(EUR in millions)
1. Borrowed Funds
Schuldscheindarlehen(3)		0.50-20.18		1.51-21.78		1980-2004		2005-2056			29,436
Loans from
Federal Republic(4)		0.00-5.82		0.00-5.82	various(5)		various(5)				13,289
ERP Special Fund		0.00-8.00		0.00-8.00	various(5)		various(5)				19,968
Other lenders		2.05-9.45		3.01-9.45		1990-2004		2005-2019			7,297
Securities account(6)		1.75-8.85		1.78-8.85	Various		various				2,889

											72,879

2. Bonds and Notes Issued
Bonds and Notes		0.10-15.25		0.07-15.527		1992-2003		2004-2038			198,602


Total funded debt(7)											271,481

(1)		Issues of KfW International Finance are included in the item Bonds, Issues of Deutsche Investitions-und Entwicklungsgesellschaft are included in the item Schuldscheindarlehen.

(2)		Includes all debt with initial maturities of more than 1 year. The presentation in this table follows neither German GAAP applicable to KfW nor the U.S. GAAP classification of debt according to maturities as described under “KfW — Capitalization”. All funded debt of KfW is unsecured.

(3)		Including credit-linked Schuldscheindarlehen with their legal maturity. Interest rates of credit-linked Schuldscheine include a risk premium in accordance with the probability of default of the underlying loan portfolio.

(4)		The item “Federal Republic” includes a subordinated loan extended by the Federal Republic in the context of the purchase of shares of Deutsche Telekom AG and Deutsche Post AG by KfW from the Federal Republic in 2003.

(5)		Dates of incurrence and maturities of loans from the Federal Republic or the ERP Special Fund match the dates of incurrence and maturities of loans made with such funds.

(6)		Debt for prepaid interest and insurance fees in connection with export finance loans and other security deposits.

(7)		Includes the following debt in currencies (before any related swap transactions).

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	Principal
	Amount
	Outstanding at
	December 31,
	2004
Currency	(in millions)
Australian dollars		5,028
Canadian dollars		1,500
Czech korunas		13,000
EURO		175,674
Hongkong dollars		2,388
Japanese yen		1,466,280
New Zealand dollars		350
Norwegian kroner		11,850
Polish zloty		100
Pounds sterling		19,274
South African rand		1,350
Swedish kronor		3,260
Swiss francs		2,500
U.S. dollars		67,082
Hungarian forint		48,000
Singapore dollars		400

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Repayment Schedule for Funded Debt(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)


																					After
	2005		2006		2007		2008		2009		2010		2011		2012		2013		2014		2014		Total
	(EUR in millions)
1. Borrowed Funds:
Schuldscheindarlehen:
Principal		4,722		2,773		3,054		4,083		4,074		2,893		967		229		305		505		5,830		29,436
Interest		1,330		1,109		1,005		867		680		492		405		380		367		358		9,331		16,324
Loans from ERP Special Fund:
Principal		2,204		2,073		2,003		1,918		1,755		1,626		1,500		1,388		1,236		1,051		3,215		19,968
Interest		738		674		601		525		451		380		316		258		206		156		333		4,638
Other lenders:
Principal		863		960		1,105		1,012		1,249		1,084		25		452		57		211		280		7,297
Interest		325		297		251		192		145		92		50		35		26		19		25		1,456
2. Bonds and Notes issued:
Principal		24,641		32,761		31,761		20,408		22,075		10,083		9,324		7,149		7,280		7,313		25,809		198,602
Interest		8,037		7,181		5,792		4,585		3,884		2,989		2,511		2,108		1,722		1,411		12,401		52,619

Total Borrowed Funds and Bonds and Notes issued:
Principal		32,429		38,567		37,923		27,420		29,152		15,687		11,815		9,217		8,878		9,080		35,134		255,303
Interest		10,430		9,261		7,649		6,169		5,160		3,952		3,281		2,781		2,321		1,944		22,089		75,038


Total		42,859		47,828		45,573		33,588		34,312		19,639		15,096		11,998		11,199		11,024		57,223		330,341

(1)		No repayment schedule for loans from the Federal Republic has been provided, since the terms of such loans provide for repayment by KfW at the time and solely to the extent that KfW has been repaid by the ultimate recipient of such loans.

(2)		Floating rate interest for each loan is calculated on the basis of the most recent interest rate adjustment made before December 31, 2004.

(3)		Contracts with embedded early redemption options which are not exercised until December 31, 2004 are considered with their initial final maturities.

(4)		Totals may not add due to rounding.

(5)		Includes all debt with initial maturities of more than 1 year.

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SUMMARY OF CERTAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GENERALLY ACCEPTED
GERMAN AND UNITED STATES ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES

The financial statements and the consolidated financial statements of KfW have been prepared in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB) and the more specific requirements of the Accounting Regulation for Banks and Financial Service Institutions (Verordnung über die Rechnungslegung der Kreditinstitute und Finanzdienstleistungsinstitute - the “Bank Accounting Regulation”), as well as various additional practices, laws and regulations of the Federal Republic of Germany (collectively “German GAAP”). German GAAP emphasizes the principle of prudence (Vorsichtsprinzip) in the presentation of the financial statements to protect the interests of creditors.

As a result, KfW’s consolidated financial statements included in this annual report may differ substantially from financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted and financial reporting practices followed in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). KfW is not required to prepare or present financial statements in accordance with accounting and reporting practices and principles followed in the United States.

The following is a summary of differences between German GAAP and U.S. GAAP as of the dates of KfW’s consolidated financial statements included in this annual report. It should not be taken as exhaustive of all differences. No attempt has been made to identify all disclosures, presentation or classification differences that would affect the manner in which transactions or events are presented in the consolidated financial statements of KfW or notes thereto.

Investment Securities

Under German GAAP, securities are classified as securities in the trading portfolio, “liquidity reserve” securities or fixed assets. Fixed assets are valued based on the “modified lower of cost or market principle” according to which the historic cost (the original purchase price) is subject to exceptional depreciation only if a permanent impairment in value is expected. Trading portfolio and the “liquidity reserve” securities are current assets and recorded at the lower of cost or market. All recognized changes in valuation are recorded in current income or expense, as applicable.

Under U.S. GAAP, investments in equity and debt securities are classified into the categories trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity (for debt securities only). According to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities,” securities held to maturity are carried at amortized cost and are subject to other-than-temporary impairment tests. Trading and available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value. Adjustments to the fair value of available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income, a separate component of equity, while adjustments to the fair value of trading securities are included in the statements of income.

Transfer of financial assets

Under German GAAP, a transferee is permitted to recognize a financial asset if it has legal ownership and the transferee participates in some risks and rewards related to the financial asset, regardless of whether the transferor has surrendered control.

Under US GAAP, a transferee recognizes a financial asset only if the transferor has relinquished control over the financial asset and the transferee has obtained control over the asset, as specified by detailed criteria, all of which have to be met. Otherwise, the transfer for cash or other consideration is accounted for by the transferee as a secured lending with a pledge of collateral.

Derivative Instruments and Hedge Accounting

Under German GAAP, derivative instruments and embedded derivatives may be included in a financial institution’s trading book or investment book. Trading derivatives are treated as current assets and accordingly follow the lower of cost or market. That is, while unrealized losses on trading derivatives are recorded in current income, unrealized gains are not recognized. Hedge accounting is permitted as micro-hedge, portfolio-hedge or macro-hedge (often referred to as gap hedge). Derivative financial instruments used for hedging purposes are generally accounted for as off-balance-sheet transactions and, in the case of KfW, are disclosed in notes to the

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financial statements. Unrealized gains and losses of both the derivative financial instrument and hedged items are generally not recorded on the balance sheet or in the income statement. The related income and expense of a derivative financial instrument, such as interest income related to interest rate swaps, is reported on a basis consistent with the underlying hedged position pro rata temporis, often resembling synthetic instrument accounting. Credit-default swaps provided as credit risk protection are disclosed as contingent liabilities.

Under U.S. GAAP (SFAS 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”), all derivative instruments and embedded derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as either assets or liabilities, regardless of any hedge relationship that might exist. Changes in the value of derivative instruments are recognized in the income statement as they arise, unless they satisfy stringent criteria for hedge accounting (including designation and high effectiveness), supported by formal documentation. The accounting treatment of the hedging instruments as well as the hedged items depends on the type of hedge designation (fair value hedge or cash flow hedge), the offset being in either current income or other comprehensive income. Also depending on the hedge designation, the carrying value of the hedged item may need to be adjusted to offset the changes in the fair value of the hedging derivative. Any ineffectiveness resulting from the hedge relationship is recognized in income.

Provision for loan losses

German GAAP requires that, in establishing and maintaining the allowance for loan losses, entities consider all evident risks relating to their lending operations, primarily counterparty credit risk. Specific provisions recorded for counterparty exposure equal the level of anticipated losses reduced by the expected net realizable value of any collateral provided. Additionally, serving as a cushion for unexpected credit losses, banks maintain a general reserve based on their historical loan loss experience. In general, the calculation of such general reserve follows the guidance and parameters included in the applicable tax laws.

Under U.S. GAAP, guidance relating to the impairment of loans is included in SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” and SFAS 114, “Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan”. For loans that are individually deemed impaired, specific reserves are determined based on the present value of future cash flows discounted at the loan’s effective interest rate, or where the loan is collateral dependent based on the fair value of the collateral provided. Where available, the observable market price of the loan can be used. SFAS 5 requires recognition of a loss when (a) information available prior to issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired at the date of the financial statements and (b) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, even though the particular loans that are not collectible may not be identifiable (general reserves). Such general reserves are calculated on a consistent basis considering historical experience and other appropriate risk factors.

Certain provisions and reserves

German GAAP permits provision for general banking risks by setting up certain disclosed or “hidden” reserves. In accordance with Section 340(f) of the German Commercial Code, the disclosed reserves are based on the valuation of loans and advances to banks and customers as well as securities held as part of the liquidity reserve at a lower amount than required in order to reflect the risks associated with the banking business. Because the assets are shown at lower amounts in the balance sheet, there is no actual reserve shown on the balance sheet. Hidden reserves are restricted to 4% of the value of the assets. Income and expenditure relating to movements in the hidden reserves may be netted with the income or expenditure relating to lending operations. In addition, in accordance with Section 340(g) of the German Commercial Code and the principle of prudence, a general provision for groups of receivables with a similar risk exposure is also permitted and disclosed on the face of the balance sheet.

Under U.S. GAAP, provisions are only recorded when certain criteria are met. In accordance with SFAS 5, “Accounting for Contingencies,” a provision is only recognized when (a) information available prior to issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired at the date of the financial statements and (b) the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, even though the particular loans that are not collectible may not be identifiable.

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Reacquired own debt securities

Under German GAAP, own debt securities that are re-acquired with the intention of resale are recorded as assets at acquisition cost, and subsequently valued at the lower of cost or market. Gains or losses on resale of such securities are recorded in current income.

Under U.S. GAAP, repurchased own debt securities result in a reduction of outstanding liabilities on the balance sheet, irrespective of whether the securities are intended for resale or not. The difference between the cost of re-acquisition and the book value of outstanding debt is recorded in current income.

Property and equipment

Under German GAAP, property and equipment are reported at acquisition or manufacturing cost, as applicable, and reduced by scheduled depreciation in accordance with their estimated economic useful life. In practice, depreciation is carried out on the basis of the depreciation tables issued by the tax office. Based on the modified lower of cost or market principle, any expected permanent impairment of property and equipment results in additional depreciation. This additional depreciation is reversed when the reason for the impairment no longer exists.

U.S. GAAP requires that property and equipment be carried at cost less scheduled depreciation in accordance with the estimated economic useful life of the asset. U.S. GAAP requires that assets be reviewed for impairment. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized. After recording such impairment charge, U.S. GAAP does not permit subsequent recovery.

Scope of Consolidation

Under German GAAP, consolidation of all significant majority-owned subsidiaries is required. Consolidation is not required if the necessary information cannot be obtained without unreasonable expense or delay or if the shares are held for purposes of re-sale. Entities in which an equity interest is held and whose business and financial policy is subject to material influence (associated companies) are valued at equity, unless the shares are held for re-sale.

Under U.S. GAAP, the determination when an entity is to be consolidated has traditionally been determined based on a voting control model. While this model is still applicable, new FASB Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”) has broadened the scope of consolidation to include a risk and rewards model. Variable interest entities (“VIE’s”), which often are special purposes entities, in which a parent does not have a controlling voting interest but the parent absorbs the majority of the VIE’s expected losses or residual returns must also be consolidated. The equity method is generally required for investments where the parent company has more than 20% of the voting rights or if factors indicate that significant influence exists. Furthermore, U.S. GAAP does not provide any exemption from consolidation or equity accounting based on significance or the intent to resell the investment.

Business combinations and goodwill

Under German GAAP, business combinations may be accounted as a pooling of interest or under the purchase method. When purchase accounting is applied, goodwill arising on the acquisition of an entity can be offset directly against reserves or capitalized and amortized over the estimated economic useful life, generally over a period of 15 business years.

Under U.S. GAAP, for all business combinations initiated after July 1, 2001, business combinations are accounted under the purchase method. The pooling of interest method of accounting is no longer permitted. Goodwill is no longer amortized, but, instead, is tested for impairment annually at the reporting unit level, or more frequently based upon facts and circumstances.

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Pension provisions

Under German GAAP, pension obligations are determined using actuarial principles, whereby the ongoing and future pension obligations and benefit obligations to retired beneficiaries are determined using a valuation benchmark (partial value) in line with tax regulations.

Under U.S. GAAP, the annual pension cost comprises the estimated cost of benefits accruing in the period as determined in accordance with SFAS 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions” which requires readjustment of the significant actuarial assumptions annually to reflect current market and economic conditions. Under SFAS 87, a pension asset or liability representing the excess or deficit of plan assets over benefit obligations is recognized in the balance sheet. The pension benefit obligation is calculated by using a projected unit credit method, including assumptions for future salary increases. Actuarial gains or losses outside of a 10% “corridor” must immediately be recognized as a component of net pension cost. Gains and losses inside the corridor can be amortized over future periods.

Assets and liabilities held in trust

Under German GAAP, assets and the equal liabilities held in trust are recorded on the balance sheet. Under U.S. GAAP, these items would likely not be recorded on the balance sheet.

Guarantees

Under German GAAP, a guarantor records an accrual and a corresponding charge to the income statement when an enterprise has a present obligation as a result of a past event and it is expected, based on available evidence, that payment would have to be made to the guaranteed party.

Under U.S. GAAP, a guarantor is required to recognize, at the inception of certain guarantees, a liability for the fair value of the obligation undertaken in issuing the guarantee.

Deferred Taxes

Under German GAAP, deferred taxes are not recognized for temporary differences that are not expected to reverse in the foreseeable future, and temporary differences that are expected to reverse during future periods in which net operating losses are expected to be available to offset income taxes that would otherwise be payable.

Under U.S. GAAP, deferred taxes are generally recognized for all temporary differences. In addition, in contrast to German GAAP, U.S. GAAP requires the recognition of deferred tax assets attributable to net operating loss carryforwards. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets to the extent that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

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THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY

GENERAL

Area, Location and Population

The Federal Republic is situated in central Europe and comprises an area of about 138,000 square miles. Its total population was in the range of 85.5 million in 2003. Approximately 14% of the total population is concentrated in metropolitan areas with more than 500,000 inhabitants; the largest of these areas are Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt am Main, Essen, Dortmund, Stuttgart, Dusseldorf and Bremen.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2004, Tables 2, 2.6, 2.7)

Government

The Federal Republic is a federated republic whose constitution is codified in the Grundgesetz of 1949. It consists of 16 Federal States (Länder). The capital of the Federal Republic is Berlin. The Länder have legislative sovereignty over matters not expressly reserved to the legislative, executive and judicial bodies of the Federal Republic.

The Grundgesetz provides for a Federal President (Bundespräsident), two Houses of Parliament (the Bundestag, which currently has 603 members and the Bundesrat, which consists of representatives of the 16 Länder governments), a Chancellor (Bundeskanzler) and a Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht). The Chancellor heads the Federal Government, consisting of the Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. The Bundespräsident acts as head of state.

General elections for the Bundestag are generally held every four years. The last general election was held on September 22, 2002. Following the regional elections in the Federal State of North Rhine Westphalia on May 22, 2005, the possibility of moving forward the next general elections scheduled for 2006 to the autumn of 2005 is being discussed.

A political party is not entitled to party representation in the Bundestag unless it receives at least 5% of the votes cast or three direct mandates in a general election. The Chancellor is elected by and is responsible to the Bundestag and cannot be removed from office during his or her four-year term unless the Bundestag has agreed on a successor.

Political Parties

The political parties currently represented in the Bundestag are the Social Democrats (SPD), the Christian Democrats (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bündnis 90/Grüne and the Free Democrats (FDP). In addition, two candidates of the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS) were elected into the current parliament via direct constituency seats.

Since 1949, the Federal Republic has been governed by seven Chancellors over 15 electoral periods. Since the general elections in 1998 the Federal Government represents a coalition between the SPD and the Bündnis 90/Grüne and is led by Chancellor Gerhard Schröder of the SPD. This coalition was confirmed in the general elections of 2002.

The following table shows the results of the five most recent general elections to the Bundestag.


	2002				1998				1994				1990				1987
	Elections				Elections				Elections				Elections(1)				Elections(2)
	% of				% of				% of				% of				% of
	Votes		Seats		Votes		Seats		Votes		Seats		Votes		Seats		Votes		Seats
SPD		38.5		251		40.9		298		36.4		252		33.5		239		37.0		186
CDU/CSU		38.5		248		35.1		245		41.4		294		43.8		319		44.3		223
Bündnis 90/Grüne(3)		8.6		55		6.7		47		7.3		49		5.0		8		8.3		42
FDP		7.4		47		6.2		43		6.9		47		11.0		79		9.1		46
PDS		4.0		2		5.1		36		4.4		30		2.4		17		—		—
Others		3.0		—		5.9		—		3.6		—		4.2		—		1.4		—


Total				603				669				672				662				497

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(1)		In 1990, Bündnis 90 (east German Grüne) and PDS were represented in the Bundestag pursuant to special provisions in the Treaty on Unity, relating to the political parties of the eastern Länder.

(2)		Does not include 22 members of the Bundestag from Berlin (West) without voting rights.

(3)		For 1987 includes only the results of the west German Grüne party; for 1990 includes the results of the west German Grüne party and of Bündnis 90 (east German Grüne); for 1994 and all subsequent periods includes the results of the combined Bündnis 90/Grüne.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2004, Tables 4.3 and 4.6)

International Organizations

In addition to the European Union (“EU”) and the European Monetary Union (“EMU”) (described below), the Federal Republic is also a member of various major multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association (“World Bank”), the Council of Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”), the West European Union (“WEU”), and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (“NATO”). In addition, it is a signatory to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (“GATT”) and a member of the World Trade Organization (“WTO”). The Federal Republic is also a shareholder of, among others, the European Investment Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Atomic Energy Community.

The European Union and European Integration

The Federal Republic was a founding member of the European Coal and Steel Community (“ECSC”) in 1951, which later developed into the European Union (“EU”). Today, the Federal Republic is one of 25 member states of the EU. On May 1, 2004, ten new countries, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia became part of the EU, joining its previous members Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom (the “Member States”). The aggregate population of the Member States is now approximately 455 million. The accession negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania have been completed successfully and both countries are scheduled to join the EU on January 1, 2007. The accession treaty was signed in April 2005, but has yet to be ratified. Turkey was recognized as an applicant country in December 1999. In December 2004, the European Council decided to start accession negotiations with Turkey in October 2005, but the European Parliament has yet to agree to this course of procedure. Accession negotiations with Croatia are supposed to commence as soon as Croatia has proven that it cooperates with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

(Source: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/enlargement.htm; Presidency conclusions of the Brussels European Council, December 2004: http://ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ec/83201.pdf; EUROSTAT yearbook 2004; http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/history/index_en.htm; http://www.eu-kommission.de/html/presse/pressemeldung.asp?meldung=5518; Press release of the European Commission IP/05/204 dated February 22, 2005; Presidency conclusion of the European Council March 2005: http://ue.eu.int/ueDocs/cms_Data/docs/pressData/en/ec/84335.pdf; Press release of the European Commission IP/05/110 dated January 31, 2005: “Croatia – one step closer to the EU, provided there is full cooperation with ICTY”; EU council, Press release, Press:100 Nr: 8418/05 dated April 25, 2005)

Economic integration

From its inception, a fundamental objective of the EU and its predecessors has been the economic integration of its Member States. Culminating a long process, an internal market that provides for the free movement of goods and services, persons and capital among the Member States was established as of January 1, 1993. The integration of the Member States’ economies and the completion of a single market are also promoted by a European competition policy, which aims at creating a level playing field for Member States’ companies and promoting economic efficiency. In addition, various liberalization and harmonization measures are being implemented. Among other things, the telecommunications and energy sectors are being liberalized and opened for private competitors. In the financial sector, the single market has been fostered by providing for the free movement of capital and the freedom to perform banking services throughout the EU under the so-called “European Passport”, which enables financial institutions to provide financial services throughout the common market based on a single license obtained in one Member State.

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Another important policy area for the EU has been agriculture. Under the “Agenda 2000” reform, measures were introduced to prepare the Member States’ agricultural sectors for the 2004 enlargement. Subsidies to this sector, which comprised 45% of the EU’s budget or EUR 45 billion in 2003, have been restructured to keep European farming competitive and reduce costs.

A further tool with which the EU promotes economic integration is regional aid, which is designed to focus development efforts on certain disadvantaged regions and sections of population of the EU.

(Source: http://europa.eu.int/abc/index_en.htm; European Commission, Europe in 12 lessons; Financial Report 2004 of the European Commission, page 16:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/budget/pdf/execution/execution/financialreport04/rap_fin_en.pdf)

Monetary integration

The Federal Republic is a signatory to, and has ratified, the Treaty on European Union of February 1992 (also known as the “Maastricht Treaty”). The Maastricht Treaty was the basis for the establishment of the European Economic and Monetary Union (“EMU”). The EMU in turn led to the adoption of irrevocable conversion rates between the euro and the national currencies of the initial participating Member States on December 31, 1998 and the introduction of the euro as the single European currency in the euro area on January 1, 1999. On January 1, 2002, banknotes and coins denominated in euro were introduced as legal tender in the 12 Member States now forming the euro area (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain) to replace the national currencies.

The European Central Bank (“ECB”) was established on June 1, 1998, as part of the European System of Central Banks (“ESCB”) and assumed sole responsibility for the monetary policy in the euro area on January 1, 1999. According to the Maastricht Treaty, the primary objective of the ESCB is to maintain price stability. The ESCB supports the general economic policies of the EU. See “Federal Republic of Germany — Monetary and Financial System” for more information on the ECB and ESCB.

(Source: European Commission, press release IP/00/422 dated May 3, 2000; “The History of the European Union: 2001”: http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/history/2002/index_en.htm;
http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/history/2001/index_en.htm;
http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/history/1998/index_en.htm;
http://www.europa.eu.int/abc/history/1999/index_en.htm)

To ensure continuous budgetary discipline in the euro area, the participating Member States agreed on the main elements of a Stability and Growth Pact (the “Pact”) in 1996. According to the Pact, participating Member States must pursue the medium-term objective of achieving a balanced budget or even a budget surplus so as to create a margin that enables them to deal with cyclical fluctuations.

Under the Maastricht Treaty, implementing regulations and the Pact, a participating Member State whose total public deficit exceeds the reference limit of 3% of GDP becomes subject to the “excessive deficit procedure”. In a first step, the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers of the European Union (the “Ecofin Council”) decides whether an excessive deficit has been incurred. If it concludes this to be the case, the Ecofin Council, based on recommendations by the European Commission (the “Commission”), suggests corrective measures aiming at a deficit reduction and then reviews the corrective measures taken by a Member State. If it determines that such corrective measures are not adequate, the Maastricht Treaty and the Pact provide for a wide range of remedies, up to and including the imposition of annual financial penalties of as much as 0.5% of a Member State’s GDP. Financial penalties may not be imposed, however, until the end of a further review period. Furthermore, the Pact provides that the 3% limit may be exceeded without triggering an excessive deficit procedure provided that the deficit is considered to be exceptional and temporary. This would be the case in the event of a severe economic downturn or an unusual event outside the control of the Member State concerned (e.g., a significant natural disaster or a war having an impact on that Member State).

Since 2002, the European Commission has initiated excessive deficit procedures against various Member States, including Germany. For further information on the excessive deficit procedure against Germany, see below under “Economy – Germany’s Budget Deficit and the Excessive Deficit Procedure”.

Since the EMU came into force, some of the Member States have had recurring problems complying with the 3% limit and a discussion about how the Pact could become more flexible evolved. This discussion led

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to the decisions of the European Council in March 2005, which modified the Pact. A Member State’s deficit may now exceed 3% of GDP not only in case of a severe economic downturn (i.e. a recession), as was previously the case, but also in case of a longer period of weak growth. Furthermore, in judging whether a deficit is too high and whether a Member State has to implement corrective measures, other relevant factors are to be taken into account, including, among others, the costs of implementing policies according to the Lisbon agenda, high financial contributions aiming at fostering international solidarity and achieving European policy goals, notably European unification, and the costs of pension reform.

(Source: European Commission, press releases dated October 16, 2002, April 2, 2003, April 28, 2004 and May 12, 2004; Ecofin Council, press release dated May 11, 2004; Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report February 2003, p. 55; Eurostat, Euro indicators news release dated March 17, 2003; European Commission, SPEECH/04/387; European Commission, press release IP/05/153 dated February 9, 2005; Presidency Conclusions of the European Council, March 2005 (press release 7619/05 of the European Council))

Political integration

The EU’s three main institutions are the Council of the European Union (representing the governments of the Member States), the European Parliament (elected by and representing the citizens of the Member States) and the European Commission (the executive body of the EU). In order to ensure that the decision-making process within the EU’s institutions continues to work effectively, the European Convention was formed in 2001. Its goal was to draft a European Constitution which sets out the powers and responsibilities of the institutions and the decision-making process, thus enabling the EU to cope with its main challenges in the mid-term future, the enlargement of the EU and the increased involvement of EU citizens by introducing more democracy and transparency into the governance of the EU. The draft constitution was presented in July 2003, and in October 2004, the European Council finally agreed on the Constitution, which has to be ratified by all Member States in order to take effect. To date, ten Member States have ratified the Constitution. However, in separate referendums held on May 29, 2005 and June 1, 2005, the people of France and the Netherlands voted against the ratification of the Constitution.

The Member States of the EU have agreed that a longer-term objective is the formation of a European Political Union. Current areas of close cooperation include foreign and security policy as well as internal and social affairs. However, the Member States, for the time being, retain sovereignty in most important areas of policy.

(Source: http://europa.eu.int/futurum/constitution/index_en.htm; European Commission, Europe in 12 lessons, 2004; http://ue.eu.int/cms3_fo/showPage.asp?id=735&lang=EN&mode=g; http://www.bundesregierung.de/-,413.838887/pressemitteilung/Die-Krise-um-die-Ratifizierung.htm)

Statistical Disclosure Standards of the International Monetary Fund

The Federal Republic currently meets the Special Data Dissemination Standard (“SDDS”) of the International Monetary Fund (“IMF”) relating to coverage, periodicity and timeliness of economic data. Although subscription by member countries to the SDDS is voluntary, it carries a commitment by subscribing members to observe the standard and to provide certain information to the IMF about its practices in disseminating economic and financial data.

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THE ECONOMY

Overview

The Federal Republic’s economic system has developed since 1945 into a social market economy, combining the free initiative of the individual with progressive social principles. The Grundgesetz guarantees freedom of private enterprise and private property, provided that these basic rights must not be exercised against the public good. The state mainly has a regulatory function in the market economy, setting the general framework of conditions within which market processes take place. State intervention in price setting is limited to a very small number of industries.

Key Economic Figures

The German economy is one of the world’s largest economies. In 2004, its gross domestic product (“GDP”) expressed at current prices was EUR 2,207.2 billion compared to EUR 2,164.9 billion in 2003 which corresponds to an increase of 2.0 %. Real GDP rose by 1.6% compared to 2003, and by 20.6% compared to 1991. In calculating real GDP growth, the Federal Statistical Office uses a chain index based on previous years prices. This growth in GDP is primarily a result of gains in productivity, as GDP per employee rose by 20% since 1991. In 2004, GDP per head at current prices was EUR 26,754 and EUR 56,800 per employee.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Tables 2.1.1, 2.1.4, 2.1.13)

As in many advanced economies, the services sector of the Federal Republic has become a more important contributor to GDP than any other sector. In 2004, 25.1% of gross value added, measured at current prices, was generated by the producing sector (excluding construction) compared with 30.6% in 1991. Construction contributed 4.0% (1991: 6.0%) to gross value added, distribution, catering trade and transportation services 18.1% (1991: 17.9%), financing, rents and corporate services accounted for 29.1%, (1991: 23.3%) and other public and private services accounted for 22.6% (1991: 20.8%) of gross value added. Finally, agriculture accounted for 1.1% of gross value added (1991: 1.4%).

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.2.1)

Private consumption totaled 59.1% of GDP, investment amounted to 17.3%, and state consumption equaled 18.7%. Exports and imports of goods and services accounted for 38.0% and 33.1% of GDP at current prices, respectively, in 2004. Thus, the trade balance showed a surplus equal to 4.9% of GDP in 2004.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.3.1)

In 2004, Germany’s economic situation was mixed. While in the first two quarters real GDP grew by 0.4% and 0.2% compared to the previous quarters, the economy stagnated in the second half of the year. Overall, the economy showed a modest recovery from the previous years of stagnation. This recovery was mainly driven by exports, which grew by 9.0% in 2004, whereas domestic demand only grew by 0.5% and private consumption even declined by 0.1% (in real terms). The weakness of private consumption was mainly due to the fact that disposable income of private households grew very slowly as a result of the weak dynamics of the labor market as well as the only modest growth of wages and salaries per employee. Moreover, the increase of the savings ratio dampened private consumption. In addition, private investment demand was weak, despite strong export growth and low nominal interest rates. The weakness in the construction sector also continued.

(Source: Sachverständigenrat zur Begutachtung der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Entwicklung, Jahresgutachten 2004/05, pages 6-8, 127-143; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.25, 2005, Table 3.2; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.3.2)

In April 2005, the Federal Government forecast that German real economic growth in 2005 will be 1.0% with a range of 3/4% to 1 1/4%, whereas the European Commission forecasts GDP growth of 0.8% in 2005. For 2006, the Federal Government forecast growth of 1.6% with a range of 1 1/2% to 2%. Growth in 2005 is expected to continue to be driven mainly by exports, although export growth will slow down compared to 2004. Accordingly, private demand, both in terms of private consumption and private investment, is expected to develop more strongly than last year. Public spending is expected to stagnate on a nominal basis and decline slightly in real terms in 2005. This is due to the efforts to reduce public deficits and the pressure to cut spending,

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which remains strong as a result of lower than expected tax revenues due to the latest step of the tax reform. In part, the shifting of certain spending for medication and medical services from public budgets to private households in the course of the health reform may have contributed to weak private demand, as patients are now required to make higher contributions for these services. Furthermore, continued reductions in headcount on all levels of public authorities and significant reductions in benefits have an additional restraining effect. As growth is expected to be driven to a significant extent by exports, a slowdown of the global upswing due to continuously high oil prices and a further appreciation of the euro versus the U.S. dollar could have a significant negative impact on economic growth.

(Source: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Arbeit, Jahreswirtschaftsbericht 2005 der Bundesregierung, pages 80-87; http://www.bmwa.bund.de/Navigation/Presse/reden-und-statements,did=63186.html; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht April 2005)

Exports of the Federal Republic totaled EUR 838.6 billion in 2004 at current prices or 38% of GDP. This corresponds to an increase of 9.1% compared to 2003 (in 2003, German exports increased by 0.2% compared to 2002). At constant prices, exports increased by 9.0% from 2003 to 2004 compared to 1.8% from 2002 to 2003. The unemployment rate (as computed under the “national definition” used by the German authorities) remained constant at 10.5%, whereas based on the method of calculation promulgated by the International Labor Organization (ILO) (the “ILO definition”), it increased from 8.7% to 9.2%. For an explanation of the differences between the national definition and the ILO definition, see “– Employment and Labor”. The rate of consumer price inflation increased from 1.1% in 2003 to 1.6% in 2004. This increase was mainly caused by rising energy costs, whereas the continued appreciation of the euro mitigated inflationary pressure. General government debt totaled EUR 1,366.4 billion at year-end 2003 and amounted to (estimated) EUR 1,437.2 billion at year-end 2004.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report March 2005, Tables IX.6 and IX.7; Monthly Report April 2005, Table VIII.3; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, Tables 2.1.11, 2.3.1, 2.3.2)

The following table shows certain key economic figures for the Federal Republic for the past five years.

Key Economic Figures


		2004		2003	2002	2001	2000
	(EUR in billions)
GDP – at current prices		2,207.2		2,164.9	2,148.8	2,113.6	2,062.5
(change in %)		2.0		0.7	1.7	2.5	2.5
GDP – price-adjusted, chain-linked index		102.9		101.4	101.4	101.2	100.0
(change in %)		1.6		0.0	0.2	1.2	3.2
Unemployment Rate (national definition) (in %)		10.5	(1)	10.5	9.8	9.4	9.7
Rate of Inflation
(year-to-year change in consumer price index in %)		1.6		1.1	1.4	2.0	1.4
Balance of Payments – current account		84.0		45.2	48.2	3.3	(32.7	)
General government debt(2)		1,437.2		1,366.4	1,283.6	1,232.5	1,221.8

(1)		From January 2004, unemployed persons excluding all those participating in occupational aptitude testing and training schemes.

(2)		Definition according to Maastricht Treaty.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report December 2003, Table IX.6; Monthly Report July 2004, Table IX.1; Monthly Report April 2005, Tables VIII.3, IX.6, IX.7 and X.2; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.1.1)

In the first quarter of 2005, real GDP (adjusted for seasonal and calendar effects) increased by 1.0%, compared to the last quarter of 2004, mainly driven by exports. The inflation rate (defined as year-on-year change in the consumer price index) was 1.8% in the first quarter of 2005, due mainly to an increase in tobacco and energy prices and higher taxes for cars with higher pollutant. In March 2005, Germany had a current account surplus of EUR 12.0 billion (preliminary figures), compared with a surplus of EUR 12.4 billion in March 2004. At March 31, 2005, the accumulated current account surplus amounted to EUR 27.9 billion, compared with EUR 25.5 billion at March 31, 2004. For an update of the unemployment rate, see “– Employment and Labor”.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report May 2005, pages 36 and 48, Tables IX.7 and X.2)

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Germany’s Budget Deficit and the Excessive Deficit Procedure

The following table shows historical information on the Federal Republic’s general government deficit and debt as a percentage of GDP. The general government deficit refers to the excess of consolidated public sector expenditures over consolidated public sector proceeds. The public sector according to this definition includes the Federal Government, the Länder governments, the municipalities and the social security system. For the calculation of the fiscal Maastricht criteria, the accounting principles of the European System of National Accounts 1995 (“ESA95”) generally apply.

The Federal Republic’s Fiscal Maastricht Criteria


	2004(1)		2003		2002		2001		2000(2)
General Government Deficit as % of GDP		3.6		3.8		3.6		2.8		1.1
General Government Debt as % of GDP		65.1		63.1		59.7		58.3		59.2

(1)		Provisional figures, partly estimated.

(2)		Adjusted for proceeds from the UMTS auction (EUR 50.85 billion). In the accounts of the Federal Statistical Office, UMTS proceeds are recorded under “net increase in non-produced assets”. As a result, according to the Federal Statistical Office, government spending in 2000 was lower and a surplus in the amount of EUR 22.8 billion, or 1.1 % of GDP, rather than a deficit, was achieved.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report May 2005, Table VIII.3)

Lower than expected total public sector receipts and higher labor market and social security expenditures due to the sluggish growth resulted in a general government budget deficit for the Federal Republic in 2002, 2003 and 2004 above the limit of 3% of GDP permitted under the Maastricht Treaty. The Federal Republic’s gross debt in 2003 and 2004 also exceeded the thresholds set by the Maastricht Treaty.

In November 2002, the Commission initiated an excessive deficit procedure against the Federal Republic. In January 2003, the Ecofin Council issued recommendations based on Article 104c7. (now Article 104(7)) of the Maastricht Treaty, in response to which the Federal Republic implemented various measures, including “Agenda 2010” described below. Following a decision by the Ecofin Council in November 2003 not to pursue the Commission’s recommendation to proceed with the excessive deficit procedure, the situation was resolved in December 2004, when the Commission accepted the Federal Government’s latest stability program and decided that it would not proceed further at this point with the excessive deficit procedure against the Federal Republic. For further information on the stability program, see below under “Economic Policy – Stability Program”.

(Source:
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.gettxt=gt&doc=SPEECH/03/259|0|RAPID&lg=EN;
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.getfile=gf&doc=IP/03/1560|0|AGED&lg=EN&type=PDF;
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh?p_action.getfile=gf&doc=PRES/03/320|0|AGED&lg=EN&type=PDF;
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/04/1471&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en)

Economic Policy

The Federal Government’s foremost economic policy objectives are to promote economic growth and employment. In addition, in light of the challenges resulting from European integration, globalization and the emergence of a knowledge-based economy, the Federal Government aims to modernize the German economy and German society on every level. The Federal Government considers the aforesaid measures necessary also to improve the Federal Republic’s position as a business location in the worldwide competition for ideas and capital, innovation and investment. To achieve its goals, the Federal Government has adopted several major economic policy initiatives, including a consolidation of the budget, a reform of the social security system, improved flexibility of the labor market, a further opening up of product markets and a comprehensive tax reform. The “Tax Reform 2000”, the latest step of which became effective in January 2005, is designed to reduce the tax burden of businesses, families and employees, to promote economic growth and employment, and to strengthen the competitiveness of the German economy. Since 1999, the Federal Government has cut the tax

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burden on individuals and corporations by more than EUR 50 billion per year. See “Public Finance – Tax Structure – Tax Reform 2000 and other recent reform measures”, below. In addition, the Federal Government has formulated a range of ecologically motivated policy measures geared towards the conservation of energy and the protection of the environment. It has also taken steps to facilitate raising venture capital and to improve the efficiency of the German capital markets.

Agenda 2010

In order to continue and reinforce the course of reform, especially in respect of the social security system, in 2003, the Federal Government announced and has since largely implemented a bundle of measures designated as “Agenda 2010”. “Agenda 2010” comprises, among other things, measures to make the labor markets more flexible, to reform the system of unemployment and welfare benefits, to reform labor, social and tax laws, to promote employment and economic growth, and to strengthen the financial position of the municipalities. For more information on certain measures of “Agenda 2010” which have been implemented, see below “Social Security Legislation”, “Employment and Labor” and “Public Finance — Tax Structure — Tax Reform 2000 and other recent reform measures”.

Stability Program

According to the Federal Government’s latest stability program, which was submitted to the Council of the European Union and the European Commission in accordance with the Pact in December 2004, the Federal Ministry of Finance expects a general budget deficit of 2.9% for 2005 as a result of additional consolidation measures implemented in the Federal budget for 2005. This forecast is based on assumed economic growth of 1.5% to 2% in real terms in 2005. In April 2005, the Federal Government reduced its forecast of real economic growth in 2005 to approximately 1%. The Federal Government is expected to revise its general budget deficit forecast for 2005 in the next weeks. The Federal Ministry of Finance will examine what further measures of adjustment could be taken, should it prove necessary in order to comply with the European requirements. As of 2006, based on its more optimistic assessment of prospects for the economic development in the mid-term, the Federal Ministry of Finance expects that a further reduction of the general budget deficit by approximately 0.5% should be possible on an annual basis.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Deutsches Stabilitätsprogramm, Aktualisierung Dezember 2004; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_86/DE/Aktuelles/Pressemitteilungen/27992.html)

Federal Budget 2005

On November 26, 2004 the Bundestag approved the Federal budget for 2005, which among other things provides for total expenditures of EUR 254.3 billion, net borrowings of EUR 22.0 billion and investments of EUR 22.7 billion. After the Bundestag rejected the objection by the Bundesrat on February 18, 2005, the budget law 2005 became effective on March 8, 2005.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht April 2005, page 35;
http://www.bundesregierung.de/Nachrichten-,417.751563/artikel/Haushalt-2005-verabschiedet.htm )

Tax revenues and other Federal income

The Federal budget is based on projected 2005 tax revenues of EUR 190.8 billion, which would represent an increase of EUR 3.8 billion, or 2.0%, compared to 2004. Other Federal income included in the budget is estimated to amount to EUR 41.2 billion in 2005, an increase of EUR 16.4 billion compared to 2004. This other income includes EUR 18.8 billion of anticipated proceeds from privatizations and the repayment of loans.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Bundeshaushalt 2005: Tabellen und Übersichten, November 2004, table 2, page 8; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht April 2005, pages 35-38 and 52-56; http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/bundeshaushalt2005/pdf/vorsp/zyubgrpea.pdf).

Social security expenditures

Projected social security expenditures are budgeted at EUR 128.1 billion, or 50.4% of total expenditures, in 2005. This amounts to an increase of EUR 7.5 billion, or 6.2%. Social security expenditures

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include EUR 77.9 billion in Federal contributions to the compulsory pension insurance system (Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung), an increase of approximately EUR 0.5 billion compared to 2004.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Bundeshaushalt 2005: Tabellen und Übersichten, November 2004, page 10; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht April 2005, page 39)

Promotion of the economy

The 2005 budget provides for an amount of EUR 6.3 billion, or 2.5% of total budgeted expenditures, to promote the German economy. This amount includes EUR 0.9 billion in regional subsidies. An amount of EUR 1.8 billion has been budgeted for the promotion of the coal-mining industry. Furthermore, the Federal Government provides subsidies in the amount of EUR 0.9 billion to small and medium-sized enterprises to improve their productive performance and their ability to innovate.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht April 2005, pages 47, 48)

Interest payments

The Federal budget projects EUR 38.9 billion in interest payments in 2005, an increase of EUR 2.6 billion or 7.2% compared to the previous year.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht April 2005, page 39)

Privatizations

In 2004, the Federal Government continued its policy of privatizing state-owned businesses. The Federal Government thereby intends to improve the competitiveness of the German economy and to foster employment and economic growth. The largest privatizations in the past years were Deutsche Telekom AG (gradual reduction of the share ownership of the Federal Republic since 1996; direct participation of the Federal Republic as per May 2005: 22.73%) and Deutsche Post AG (gradual reduction of the share ownership of the Federal Republic since 1999; direct participation of the Federal Republic as per May 2005: 7.27%). The 2005 Federal budget is based on expected proceeds from privatizations of EUR 17.2 billion.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht April 2005, pages 52-56; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2004, pages 5-15;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/bundeshaushalt2005/pdf/vorsp/zyubgrpea.pdf)

Gross Domestic Product

The following tables show the structure of the Federal Republic’s real GDP at current prices by expenditure and origin for each of the years indicated along with changes over the respective preceding period.

Structure of GDP – Expenditure


	2004		2003			2002			2001			2000		2004			2003		2002		2001
	(EUR in billions)													(change in %)
Private consumption		1,304.2		1,286.3			1,266.7			1,257.5			1,214.2		1.4		1.5		0.7		3.6
Government consumption		412.9		414.6			411.8			400.3			391.9		(0.4	)	0.7		2.9		2.1
Machinery and equipment		148.4		146.9			151.9			167.4			176.7		1.0		(3.2	)	(9.3	)	(5.3	)
Construction		206.3		209.2			216.5			230.6			241.9		(1.4	)	(3.4	)	(6.1	)	(4.6	)
Other investment		24.7		24.6			24.6			24.9			23.9		0.8		0.0		(1.4	)	4.1
Changes in stocks(1)		1.7		(3.4	)		(18.8	)		(9.3	)		6.8
Domestic demand		2,098.4		2,078.2			2,052.6			2,071.4			2,055.3		1.0		1.2		(0.9	)	0.8
Net exports(1)		108.9		86.6			96.2			42.2			7.3
Exports		838.6		768.8			767.3			735.3			688.4		9.1		0.2		4.4		6.8
Imports		729.7		682.2			671.1			693.1			681.1		7.0		1.6		(3.2	)	1.8
Gross domestic product		2,207.2		2,164.9			2,148.8			2,113.6			2,062.5		2.0		0.7		1.7		2.5

(1)

Percentage changes are not presented.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Tables 2.3.1 and 2.3.9)

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Structure of GDP – Origin


	2004		2003		2002		2001		2000		2004			2003			2002			2001
	(EUR in billions)										(change in %)
Agriculture, forestry and fishing		21.7		21.3		22.0		25.9		23.5		1.5			(3.1	)		(15.1	)		10.6
Producing sector (excluding construction)		500.3		478.0		475.2		474.4		465.3		4.7			0.6			0.2			1.9
Construction		80.3		83.3		88.6		91.7		96.2		(3.6	)		(6.0	)		(3.4	)		(4.7	)
Distribution, catering trade, transportation and telecommunications services		361.2		354.1		353.0		346.2		337.3		2.0			0.3			2.0			2.6
Financing, rents and corporate services		581.4		564.7		554.3		534.4		510.9		3.0			1.9			3.7			4.6
Public and private services		450.0		449.4		446.1		432.2		423.0		0.2			0.7			3.2			2.2
All economic sectors		1,994.8		1,950.7		1,939.2		1,904.9		1,856.2		2.3			0.6			1.8			2.6
Taxes on products offset against subsidieson products		212.4		214.2		209.6		208.7		206.3		(0.8	)		2.2			0.4			1.2
Gross domestic product		2,207.2		2,164.9		2,148.8		2,113.6		2,062.5		2.0			0.7			1.7			2.5

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Tables 2.1.14 and 2.2.1)

Sectors of the Economy

Producing sector

The producing sector of the Federal Republic grew rapidly after 1945. The main cause for this development was the Federal Government’s transition from a state-controlled economy to a social market economy, in which state intervention is limited to furthering social welfare and creating favorable economic conditions. Following German re-unification in 1990, the industry in the eastern Länder has undergone a restructuring process. Today, the German producing sector is characterized by a balanced mix of small, medium and large enterprises and is almost entirely privately owned. It is geographically concentrated in the western Länder of North-Rhine Westphalia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein, and in the eastern Länder of Saxony, Thuringia and Saxony-Anhalt. The main segments of the producing sector are motor vehicle manufacturing, electrical engineering, chemicals and mechanical engineering. In 2004, the sector’s aggregate contribution to gross value added at current prices was 25.1% (excluding construction) and 29.1% (including construction).

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S. 26, 2005, Table 2.2.1)

The following table shows the output of the producing sector in index form using 2000 as the base year (2000 = 100) for each of the years indicated.

Output in the Producing Sector(1)
(2000 = 100)


	2004(2)	2003	2002	2001	2000

Producing sector, total	100.8	98.4	98.3	99.5	99.9
Industry(3)	102.5	99.5	99.3	100.4	99.9
of which
Intermediate goods(4)	103.4	99.5	98.9	99.4	99.9
Capital goods(5)	105.7	101.9	101.1	102.3	99.9
Durable goods(6)	87.4	87.2	92.0	100.4	99.9
Nondurable goods(7)	97.9	97.4	98.2	98.8	99.9
Energy(8)	102.6	99.8	97.4	97.3	99.9
Construction(9)	80.4	85.1	89.0	92.5	100.0

(1)		Adjusted for working-day variations.

(2)		Provisional figures.

(3)		Manufacturing sector, unless assigned to the main grouping energy, plus mining and quarrying.

(4)		Including mining and quarrying except energy-producing goods.

(5)		Including manufacture of motor vehicles and components.

(6)		Consumption goods that have a long-term use, such as furniture, on which weak private consumption has had a significant impact over recent years.

(7)		Consumption goods that have a short-term use, such as food. Including printing and service activities related to printing.

(8)		Electricity, gas, steam and hot water supply, mining and quarrying of energy-producing materials, and especially manufacture of refined petroleum products.

(9)		The figures refer to the economic classifications “Site preparation” and “Building of complete constructions or parts thereof; civil engineering”.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table IX.2)

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Services sector

As in most other industrialized countries, the services sector, which comprises distribution, catering trade and transportation services, financing, rents and corporate services, as well as other public and private services, has expanded rapidly in recent years and is currently the largest contributor to gross value added. In 2004, the sector’s aggregate contribution to gross value added at current prices was 69.8%. Within the services sector, financing, rents and corporate services is the largest segment in terms of contribution to gross value added, contributing 29.1% in 2004.

(Source: Deutsche Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S. 26, 2005, Table 2.2.1)

Employment and Labor

Following German reunification, the unemployment rate of the combined workforce of the western and eastern Länder, calculated in accordance with the national definition used by the German authorities, rose from 7.7% in 1992, reaching a peak of 11.4% in 1997. Under the ILO definition, the unemployment rate rose from 6.0% in 1992 to 8.6% in 1997. In the period 1998 to 2001, the rate decreased to 9.4% under the national definition or 6.9% under the ILO definition. In the period from 2002 to 2004, however, the unemployment rate rose again to 10.5% (national definition) or 9.2% (ILO definition) in the wake of sluggish economic growth.

Effective January 2004, the national definition of the unemployment rate was modified to exclude unemployed persons who participate in certain training procedures (“Eignungsfeststellungs- und Trainingsmaßnahmen”). The effect on the unemployment rate amounts to a reduction of 0.2 percent. A person is considered unemployed under the national definition used by the German authorities if he or she is registered as such and seeking work. The employed workforce also includes part-time employees working up to 15 hours a week. Effective January 2005 as a result of legislative measures implemented in connection with the so-called Hartz IV labor market reform, former recipients of social assistance, who are able to work, now receive a new and reduced form of unemployment benefits known as Arbeitslosengeld II and, accordingly, are also regarded as unemployed. This change accounts for substantially all of the significant increase in the unemployment rate according to the national definition from 10.8% (December 2004) to 12.0% (April 2005). The ILO definition considers only those persons as unemployed who are available and seeking work. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate under the ILO definition was 9.6% in April 2005.

The number of people who were either employed or self-employed in 2004 was approximately 38.8 million.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report May 2005, Table IX.6; Deutsche Bundesbank, Seasonally Adjusted Business Statistics, April 2005, Table II.8 and page 16;
http://www.pub.arbeitsamt.de/hst/services/statistik/detail/hinweis.html; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.1.11; http://www.destatis.de/presse/deutsch/pm2005/p2400031.htm)

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The following table shows data with respect to employment and unemployment for each of the years indicated. In the unemployment rates shown below, persons are counted as employed who are involved in programs such as vocational training, job creation plans or early retirement, which are designed to reduce unemployment, particularly in the eastern Länder.

Employment and Unemployment


	2004(1)		2003		2002		2001		2000

Employed
(in thousands) ILO definition		38,777		38,635		38,994		39,209		39,038
Unemployed
(in thousands) ILO definition(2)		3,931		3,687		3,224		2,923		2,887
Unemployment rate
(in %) ILO definition		9.2		8.7		7.6		6.9		6.9
Unemployed
(in thousands) national definition(3)		4,381		4,377		4,061		3,852		3,889
Unemployment rate
(in %) national definition(4)		10.5		10.5		9.8		9.4		9.7

(1)		Provisional figures.

(2)		Unemployed persons, available and seeking work.

(3)		Registered unemployed persons, available and seeking work (but including persons working up to 15 hours per week).

(4)		As a percentage of the total work force (excluding armed forces).

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table IX.6; Monthly Report December 2003, Table IX.6; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.1.11)

Beginning in 1989, increasing numbers of immigrants of German descent from eastern Europe and of Germans from the former GDR resulted in an accelerated growth of the workforce and contributed in part to the subsequent increase in the number of registered unemployed persons. As a result of the fundamental restructuring of the eastern German economy following reunification, a significant number of employees in the eastern Länder lost their jobs. In 2004, the unemployment rate in the eastern Länder was 18.4%, which is more than twice the unemployment rate of the western Länder (8.5%).

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table IX.6)

In the past, wages in Germany typically experienced only moderate increases over time, partly as a consequence of high unemployment rates. The growth in unit labor costs, which takes into account the increase in labor productivity, was even more moderate. Since the mid-1990s unit labor costs have stagnated (the average annual growth rate was 0.1%). The following table shows changes in the wage level for each of the years indicated by reference to 1995 figures as reflected in various economic indices.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.2.19)

Wage Trends(1)
(1995=100)


	2004		2003		2002		2001		2000
Wages and salaries per employee(2)		110.9		110.8		109.5		107.9		105.9
Change from previous year in %		0.1		1.1		1.5		1.9		1.6

(1)		Figures computed in February 2005.

(2)		Work place concept.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table IX.9)

Approximately one-third of the German work force is organized in unions. The German Trade Union Federation (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund) serves as an umbrella organization for eight such unions. Each member union typically covers employees of an entire industry sector, regardless of the precise type of work done by these employees (so-called “one union, one industry” principle). As a result, employers usually deal with only one negotiating partner on the labor side in each industry sector.

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The unions and employers of each industry sector enter into collective labor agreements (Tarifverträge), typically without government intervention. As a practical matter, the Tarifverträge apply to all employees of a given industry sector, regardless of whether or not a particular employee is unionized, so long as that employee’s employer is a member of the relevant association of employers, which is typically the case. In the eastern Länder, unions and employers have agreed on Tarifverträge that provide for a gradual increase in wages and salaries with a view to adjusting them over time to the levels paid in the western Länder. Tarifverträge are binding on both sides. Despite their binding character, however, there is a wide range of deviations from these agreements which allow for individually adjusted agreements between employer and employee, particularly in the eastern Länder. Many employers in the eastern Länder are no longer members of employers’ associations, in which case wages are individually negotiated, which often results in wage levels that are lower than provided for by the Tarifverträge.

Several German laws contain provisions that regulate labor disputes. These laws provide, for example, that any strike be approved by a vote of three-quarters of the members of the competent trade union. As a result, also due to a comparatively high level of social security, there are relatively few strikes in the Federal Republic compared to other countries.

Social Security Legislation

The comprehensive system of social security legislation and services in effect in the Federal Republic includes health insurance, retirement and disability pensions, workers’ compensation, unemployment benefits, child welfare programs, care for physically and mentally handicapped persons, allowances to orphans and to single persons with dependents, and the provision of general public assistance to needy persons. The majority of the German population is covered by mandatory retirement and public health insurance. Most of the hospitals and institutions caring for children and handicapped persons are operated by municipalities, churches and charitable institutions. In 1995, compulsory nursing care insurance was introduced.

Two-thirds of the financing of the various social security programs mentioned above is funded through social security contributions from employers and employees, and one-third is funded through direct contributions by the Federal Republic, the Länder, municipalities and other public institutions. The most important part of the social security system — retirement pensions, health insurance and unemployment insurance — is funded primarily through equal contributions by employers and employees.

The Retirement Funds Act (Altersvermögensgesetz), effective since 2002, aims to ensure the long-term viability of the public pension scheme by off-setting the expected decline of public pension payments by payments from private pension schemes. The act is designed to encourage investments in private pension schemes on a capital-cover basis and to promote pension schemes run by employers by granting certain bonuses and tax benefits to employees.

In 2004, social security income amounted to EUR 469.3 billion, and expenditures were EUR 469.9 billion. The social security budget thus incurred a deficit of EUR 0.6 billion in 2004. In the previous year, the social security funds received revenues in an aggregate amount of EUR 468.1 billion as shown in the national accounts, thereby falling short of the funds’ expenditures by EUR 7.1 billion.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 3.4.3.7)

In light of a difficult global economic situation and a changing population structure, the Federal Government is aware that structural reforms must take place to safeguard the sustainability of the social security systems over the long term. The restructuring and renewal of the welfare state is part of “Agenda 2010” referred to above.

A first step to implement “Agenda 2010” regarding health insurance was taken with the adoption of a law which aims at modernizing the system of health insurance and eliminating the budget deficit of public health insurance funds (Gesetz zur Modernisierung der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung). The law became effective on January 1, 2004. Its main elements include additional contributions for health services by insured persons, changes to the system for physicians’ remuneration and changes in the market structure of the retail pharmacy business. The aim of the reform measures is to reduce the expenditures of public health insurance funds and thereby allow for lower insurance contributions. As these contributions are paid by both employees and employers, this will also reduce labor costs.

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Other steps to implement “Agenda 2010” include changes to the public pension system designed to adapt the system to respond to the ageing of the population. Pension contribution payments and pensions are not being increased in 2004 and 2005, which should have a stabilizing effect on labor costs. The introduction of a sustainability factor for public pensions in 2005, reflecting the ratio between retirees and working people, will have a confining effect on pension payments if the number of retirees increases disproportionally to working people. Legislative changes in unemployment insurance include cuts in the benefits paid to unemployed persons. Furthermore, unemployment benefits to unemployed persons who refuse to accept job offers have been curtailed since the beginning of 2005. The measures of “Agenda 2010” aiming at more flexibility of the labor market, among others, also include the application of stricter rules, if job offers are denied. It is understood that it will take some time before the comprehensive reforms implemented by the Federal Government will show their full effect in terms of reduced spending for the social security system.

(Source: http://www.bundeskanzler.de/Weitere-Meldungen-.8106.472179/Regierungserklaerung-von-Bundeskanzler-Sc hroeder.htm; http://www.bundesregierung.de/Themen-A-Z/Gesundheit-und-Soziales-,9950/Gesundheitsreform.htm; http://www.bundesregierung.de/Anlage589860/pdf_datei.pdf; http://www.bundesregierung.de/Artikel/-,413.620797/dokument.htm; http://www.bundesregierung.de/artikel-,413.710041/Grundideen-der-Agenda-2010.htm)

International Economic Relations

International economic relations are of major importance to the German economy. In 2004, exports and imports of goods and services amounted to 38.0% and 33.1% of GDP at current prices, respectively. The Federal Republic pursues a liberal foreign trade policy aimed at dismantling tariffs and other barriers to trade.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.3.13)

Because the Federal Republic’s economy depends on exports it is particularly vulnerable to trade barriers, such as protective tariffs. The Federal Government therefore supports the efforts to reduce trade barriers, for example through the current negotiations by the World Trade Organization under the Doha Development Agenda.

(Source: http://www.bmwa.bund.de/Navigation/Aussenwirtschaft-und-Europa/Aussenwirtschaftspolitik/handelspolit ik-eu-wto.html; http://www.bmwa.bund.de/Redaktion/Inhalte/Pdf/wto-handelsrunde-stand-maerz-2005,property=pdf.pdf; http://www.bmwa.bund.de/Navigation/Aussenwirtschaft-und-Europa/Aussenwirtschaftspolitik/Handelspolit ik-EU-WTO/wto-fragen-neue-welthandelsrunde,did=10284.html)

Balance of payments

The Federal Republic typically achieves a surplus as far as the trading of goods is concerned. Traditionally, however, this surplus has been partially offset by deficits in other fields, such as in services, as well as by remittances by foreign employees to their home countries, the Federal Republic’s net payments to the EU and various other payments. Throughout most of the 1980s, the trade surplus more than offset these other deficits, resulting in positive current account balances. During the period from 1991 to 2000, factors such as increases in expenditures for services and in transfer payments, a rise in oil prices as well as structural readjustments of the capital markets in connection with the introduction of the euro outweighed the trade surplus and resulted in persistent current account deficits. Since 2001, however, the Federal Republic has again returned to current account surpluses, which rose to EUR 84.0 billion in 2004.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report March 2001, pages 63, 67 and Table X.2; Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report March 2005, Table X.2)

From the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2004, the euro appreciated by about 50% against the U.S. dollar. This has raised fears that Germany’s export growth could weaken. The negative impact of the euro’s increase in external value on the German economy is, however, mitigated by a number of factors. Other EMU countries accounted for 44% of German exports in 2004, indicating that a major part of German exports may not be affected directly by the dollar weakening. Therefore, according to preliminary data of the Deutsche Bundesbank, Germany’s price competitiveness vis-à-vis 19 industrial countries decreased by only 7.8% from the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2004. Furthermore, there may be positive influences of the stronger currency on the domestic economy. Lower import prices mitigate consumer price inflation and the increase of the oil price.

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(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Reports March 2003 and 2005, Tables X.3, X.11; Deutsche Bundesbank, Zahlungsbilanzstatistik, April 2005, Table I. 3c; Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table X.13)

The following table shows the Federal Republic’s balance of payments for each of the years indicated.

Balance of Payments (Balances)(1)


		2004		2003		2002		2001		2000
	(EUR in millions)
Current account(2)
Foreign trade(3)		156,704		129,921		132,788		95,495		59,128
Supplementary trade items		(12,466	)	(8,310	)	(6,357	)	(5,427	)	(7,168	)
Services(4)		(31,966	)	(33,970	)	(35,473	)	(49,862	)	(49,006	)
Factor Income		117		(13,707	)	(14,742	)	(9,474	)	(7,276	)
Current transfers		(28,422	)	(28,684	)	(28,061	)	(27,416	)	(28,354	)

Total current account		83,967		45,249		48,155		3,316		(32,676	)
Capital transfers and purchases/ sales of intangible non-produced assets		430		312		(212	)	(387	)	6,823
Capital account
Total net capital (capital exports)		(99,769	)	(46,284	)	(42,825	)	(17,826	)	28,343
of which:
Total net German investment abroad (increase/capital exports: negative figure)		(238,065	)	(199,412	)	(254,047	)	(273,994	)	(364,291	)
Total net foreign investment in Germany (increase/capital imports: positive figure)		138,296		153,128		211,222		256,167		392,634
Balance of unclassifiable transactions		13,902		279		(7,184	)	8,865		(8,333	)
Change in the Deutsche Bundesbank’s net external assets at transaction values (increase: negative figure)		(3,906	)	2,658		(33,292	)	32,677		48,230

(1)		Figures are subject to considerable uncertainty owing to changes in the method of data collection in foreign trade.

(2)		Foreign trade and services are recorded on the basis of exports (f.o.b.)/imports (c.i.f.), i.e. including the freight and insurance costs of imports.

(3)		Special trade according to the official foreign trade statistics. Special Trade consists principally of goods that are imported into the Federal Republic for use, consumption, adaptation or processing, as well as goods that are produced, manufactured, adapted or processed in the Federal Republic and are exported. The reported figures are based on imports c.i.f. and exports f.o.b. (Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2003, page 275).

(4)		Excluding the freight and insurance costs included in the c.i.f. import value.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Balance of payments statistics, March 2005, Tables I.1 and I.9)

Balance of trade

The following tables show information relating to foreign trade of the Federal Republic for each of the years indicated:

Foreign Trade Of Goods


		2004	2003		2002		2001		2000
	(EUR in millions)
Exports of goods (f.o.b.)		731,092		664,455		651,320		638,268		597,440
Imports of goods (c.i.f.)		574,388		534,534		518,532		542,774		538,311

Trade surplus		156,704		129,921		132,788		95,495		59,128

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Balance of payments statistics, March 2005, Table I.1)

The Federal Republic’s principal export goods are motor vehicles, machinery of all kinds, electrical engineering and chemical products.

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The principal import goods are chemical products, motor vehicles, machinery and metals. The Federal Republic has relatively few resources of industrial raw materials. It therefore largely depends on imports to satisfy its demand for raw materials. This dependence on foreign supplies is particularly significant in the case of metals such as copper, bauxite, manganese, titanium, rock phosphate, tungsten and tin. The Federal Republic currently imports nearly two-thirds of its energy requirements, including virtually all of its oil and a significant portion of its natural gas requirements as well as all enriched uranium needed for nuclear energy.

Composition of Exported and Imported Goods


	2004(1)
	Exports		Imports
	(EUR in billions)
Total		733.5		577.4
of which:
Coal and turf		0.2		1.7
Petroleum and gas		4.2		39.2
Nutrition		25.9		27.1
Textiles		11.1		11.8
Clothing		7.6		15.9
Paper		14.6		12.1
Chemical products		94.7		63.5
Iron and steel, non-ferrous metals		35.6		31.4
Machinery		102.5		38.8
Office machines and automatic data processing equipment		21.6		27.8
Electrical machinery		36.1		24.6
Special mechanical and optical goods		29.5		16.1
Motor vehicles and components		134.9		59.6

(1)

Preliminary data, last update March 8, 2005.

(Source: http://www.destatis.de/basis/d/aussh/aushtab2.htm)

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Foreign Trade (Special Trade) by Groups of Countries and Countries(1)


	2004		2003		2002
	(EUR in millions)
Exports to:
Total		731,092		664,455		651,320
France		75,301		69,025		68,721
United States		64,802		61,654		68,263
United Kingdom		61,058		55,597		53,761
Italy		52,441		48,414		47,335
The Netherlands		45,491		42,219		40,463
Belgium/Luxembourg		44,659		38,413		34,108
Austria		39,434		35,857		33,863
Spain		36,810		32,364		29,436
Southeast Asia(2)		26,814		24,515		25,282
China(3)		20,995		18,265		14,571
Japan		12,693		11,889		12,576

Imports from:
Total		574,388		534,534		518,532
France		52,204		48,545		48,200
The Netherlands		47,865		42,301		40,751
United States		40,265		39,231		40,376
Italy		34,963		34,295		33,482
United Kingdom		34,313		31,712		33,075
China(3)		32,455		25,681		21,338
Belgium/Luxembourg		30,699		26,132		26,505
Southeast Asia(2)		29,989		27,119		26,660
Austria		24,237		21,453		21,047
Japan		21,094		19,684		19,896
Spain		17,312		16,518		15,532

(1)		Exports f.o.b. by country of destination, imports c.i.f. by country of origin. Special trade consists mainly of goods that are imported into the Federal Republic for use, consumption, adaptation or processing, as well as goods that are produced, manufactured, adapted or processed in the Federal Republic and subsequently are exported. (Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Statistisches Jahrbuch 2003, page 275).

(2)		Includes Brunei, Darussalam, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand.

(3)		Does not include Hong Kong.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table X.3)

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MONETARY AND FINANCIAL SYSTEM

Background of the European System of Central Banks

The European System of Central Banks (ESCB) comprises the European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks of the 25 Member States of the EU, while the Eurosystem consists of the ECB and the national central banks of the twelve Member States that have adopted the euro as their legal currency, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

The Eurosystem is responsible for the single monetary policy for the euro area. Its decision-making bodies are the Governing Council and the Executive Board of the ECB. The national central banks of the Member States that are not part of the Eurosystem are represented in the Governing Council, but have no voting right in the decision-making process. The Eurosystem’s primary objective is to maintain price stability. It supports the general economic policies of the EU.

The Deutsche Bundesbank – Germany’s national central bank within the ESCB – has the responsibility of implementing the single monetary policy in Germany and continues to perform various other tasks, including acting as the Federal Government’s fiscal agent and playing an important role in banking and financial market supervision, as further described below under the caption “– Financial System”.

(Source: European Central Bank, Annual Report 2004, pages 162-168; www.bundesbank.de/aufgaben/aufgaben.en.php)

Monetary Policy Instruments of the ESCB

To achieve its operational goals, the ESCB conducts open market operations, offers standing facilities and requires credit institutions to maintain minimum reserves in accounts with the ESCB. Open market operations play an important role in the ESCB’s monetary policy because they steer interest rates and manage the liquidity situation in the market. Available open market operations are reverse transactions, outright transactions, the issuance of debt certificates or foreign exchange swaps, and the collection of fixed-term deposits. Standing facilities are designed to provide or absorb overnight liquidity and the imposition of minimum reserve requirements allows the ESCB to stabilize money market interest rates, create (or enlarge) a structural liquidity shortage and possibly contribute to the control of monetary expansion.

(Source: European Central Bank, Annual Report 1999, pages 48-54; www.ecb.int/about/monetarypolicy.htm)

Money Supply and Prices

The ECB’s primary goal is to maintain medium-term price stability, defined as a year-on-year increase in the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices for the euro area of less than 2%. However, the ECB has clarified that, within this definition, it aims at an inflation rate close to 2%. This indicates the commitment to provide an adequate margin to avoid the risk of deflation. The stability-oriented monetary policy strategy of the Eurosystem used by the ECB to achieve this goal is based on two pillars: (i) analysis and assessment of short- to medium-term risks to price stability (economic analysis) and (ii) assessment of medium- to long-term monetary developments (monetary analysis) including a “natural” benchmark (reference value for the euro area money supply M3). The euro area money supply M3 is broadly defined as the sum total of currency in circulation, overnight deposits, deposits with an agreed maturity of up to two years, deposits redeemable at up to three months’ notice, repurchase agreements, money market fund shares/units, money market papers, and debt securities with a term of up to two years. Holdings by non-residents of the euro area of money market fund shares/units, money market papers and debt securities with a term of up to two years are excluded from M3 and its components. The Governing Council set the reference value for M3 at 4.5% growth per annum. In February 2005, the annual growth rate of euro area money supply M3 was 6.4%, thereby exceeding the reference value. The stimulative impact of the low level of interest rates continued to be the dominant driver of monetary dynamics, outweighing the dampening effect of the ongoing, albeit gradual, normalization of portfolio allocation behavior by euro area residents.

(Source: European Central Bank, Monthly Bulletin, January 1999, pages 45-50, Monthly Bulletin, April 2005, page 13 and page S 5 Table 1; press release “Review of the Quantitative Reference Value for Monetary Growth”, December 2002)

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The following table shows price trends in Germany for the periods indicated.

Price Trends


	2004		2003		2002			2001		2000
	(change from previous year in %)
Harmonized Consumer Price Index		1.7		1.1		1.3			1.9		1.4
Consumer price index for all households		1.6		1.1		1.4			2.0		1.4
Index of producer prices of industrial products sold on the domestic market		1.6		1.7		(0.6	)		3.0		3.1

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table IX.7;
www.destatis.de/indicators/d/vpi120jd.htm, last update April 8, 2005)

The following table shows the principal indicators relating to money supply for each of the years indicated.

Main Monetary Indicators


	As per December 31,(1)
	2004(3)		2003(3)		2002(3)		2001(3)		2000
	(EUR in billions)
Currency in circulation(2)		453.3		387.6		332.3		233.3		337.9
Money Stock M1		2,892.3		2,676.0		2,441.7		2,151.1		2,022.0
Money Stock M2		5,564.6		5,235.7		4,917.6		4,602.0		4,221.0
Money Stock M3		6,528.4		6,148.1		5,771.7		5,391.1		4,858.2


	Annual change in %, December comparison (4)
Money Stock M1		8.4	10.6	9.8	5.4	5.3
Money Stock M2		6.5	7.6	6.6	6.4	3.6
Money Stock M3		6.4	7.1	7.0	7.9	4.1

(1)		Monetary aggregates comprise monetary liabilities of Monetary Financial Institutions (“MFIs”) and central government (post office, treasury) vis-à-vis non-MFI euro area residents excluding central government. M1 is the sum of currency in circulation and overnight deposits; M2 is the sum of M1, deposits with an agreed maturity of up to two years and deposits redeemable at notice of up to three months; and M3 is the sum of M2, repos, money market fund shares/units and debt securities with a term of up to two years.

(2)		Excluding credit institutions’ cash in hand, including notes and coins held abroad.

(3)		Euro area enlargement in 2001.

(4)		Annual changes of euro area M3 are calculated from monthly differences in levels adjusted for reclassification, other revaluations, exchange rate variations and any other changes which do not arise from transactions.

(Source: European Central Bank, Monthly Bulletin, April 2005, Tables 2.3.1, 2.3.2; Monthly Bulletin July 2003, Tables 2.4.3, 2.4.4; Monthly Bulletin July 2002, Tables 2.4.3, 2.4.4)

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Official Foreign Exchange Reserves

The following table shows the breakdown of the Federal Republic’s official foreign exchange reserves as of the end of the years indicated.

Official Foreign Exchange Reserves of the Federal Republic(1)


	As of December 31,
	2004		2003		2002		2001		2000
	(EUR in millions)
Gold		35,495		36,533		36,208		35,005		32,676
Foreign Currency Balances		29,292		32,538		40,522		49,489		53,377
International Monetary Fund Reserve Position and Special Drawing Rights		6,548		7,609		8,272		8,721		7,762

Claims on the European Central Bank (net)		—		—		—		—		—

Total		71,335		76,680		85,002		93,215		93,815

(1)

External position of the Deutsche Bundesbank in the European Monetary Union. Assets and liabilities vis-a-vis all EMU member countries and non-EMU member countries.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table X.9)

The Federal Republic’s foreign reserve assets are currently managed by the Deutsche Bundesbank. The 12 participating Member States in the EMU have transferred foreign reserve assets in an aggregate amount equivalent to approximately EUR 39.8 billion to the ECB, consisting of foreign currency reserves and gold. The ECB manages the foreign reserve assets transferred to it. The foreign reserve assets not transferred to the ECB continue to be held and managed by the national central banks of the twelve participating Member States. In order to ensure consistency within the single monetary and foreign exchange policies of the EMU, the ECB monitors and coordinates market transactions conducted with those assets.

(Source: European Central Bank, Annual Report 1998, page 74; European Central Bank, Annual Report 2004, page 181)

External Positions of Banks

The following table shows the external assets and liabilities of the Deutsche Bundesbank and the commercial banks of the Federal Republic as of the end of each of the years indicated.

Foreign Financial Assets and Liabilities by Sector


	2004		2003		2002		2001		2000
	(EUR in billions)
Deutsche Bundesbank
Assets		93.1		95.4		103.9		76.1		100.8
Liabilities		7.9		10.4		9.0		8.8		6.6
Net Position		85.2		85.0		94.9		67.4		94.2
Banks
Loans to foreign banks		889.4		769.6		690.6		596.1		507.7
Loans to foreign non-banks		629.5		576.3		558.8		570.3		475.8
Loans from foreign banks		603.3		590.7		614.2		622.7		586.0
Loans from foreign non-banks		311.2		307.3		319.2		350.6		314.9

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Tables IV.4 and X.9)

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Foreign Exchange Rates and Controls

The euro is a freely convertible currency. Since its introduction, it has become the second most widely used currency internationally. Currency transactions do not require licenses or other permissions. Capital market transactions are equally not subject to any license or similar requirements. Gold may be imported and exported freely, subject only to the levy of VAT on some transactions.

The following table shows the exchange rates for selected currencies into the euro for the past five years.

Annual Average Exchange Rates of the euro(1)


	2004		2003		2002		2001		2000
U.S. dollars per 1 euro		1.2439		1.1312		0.9456		0.8956		0.9236
Pound sterling per 1 euro		0.6787		0.6920		0.6288		0.6219		0.6095
Japanese yen per 1 euro		134.44		130.97		118.06		108.68		99.47
Swiss franc per 1 euro		1.5438		1.5212		1.4670		1.5105		1.5579

(1)

Calculated from daily quotations.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table X.11)

Financial System

As of February 28, 2005, 2,141 financial institutions in Germany reported an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 6,764.5 billion to the Deutsche Bundesbank. According to the Deutsche Bundesbank’s own classification, these institutions included 251 commercial banks with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 1,947.3 billion and 126 subsidiaries and branches of foreign banks located in the Federal Republic with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 435.3 billion.

In addition to the commercial banks, there were 472 savings banks and their 12 regional institutions, and 16 special purpose credit institutions. As of February 28, 2005, the aggregate balance sheet total of the savings banks was EUR 989.4 billion, and the aggregate balance sheet total of their 12 regional institutions was EUR 1,295.9 billion. The aggregate balance sheet total of the special purpose credit institutions was EUR 701.6 billion.

Furthermore, the Federal Republic’s banking system comprises 1,336 credit cooperatives (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 572.5 billion as of February 28, 2005) and their two central institutions (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 206.6 billion), 25 mortgage banks (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 866.4 billion) and 27 building and loan associations (with an aggregate balance sheet total of EUR 184.8 billion).

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table IV.2)

All banks other than the Deutsche Bundesbank and KfW are regulated by the German Banking Act. German commercial banking institutions operate as “universal” banks and are not restricted by law or otherwise from offering a complete range of diverse financial services.

The system of supervision of financial services in Germany was reorganized in 2002. The task of the new Financial Supervisory Authority is to provide integrated financial services supervision, intended to better address the needs of the capital markets for the protection of investors and insured persons, and to enable financial services providers to install more adequate cross-sector risk-management devices. Overall, the reform was intended to strengthen the German financial markets, especially in respect of competition with other European countries. The Deutsche Bundesbank is closely integrated into the ongoing supervision of the banking sector by the Financial Supervisory Authority.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, press release dated March 22, 2002; Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, press release dated April 29, 2002; Deutsche Bundesbank and Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht, joint press release dated November 4, 2002)

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Securities Market

The Federal Republic’s securities market is among Europe’s largest. Trading in listed securities is not legally or otherwise confined to the stock exchanges. It is estimated, however, that most transactions in equity securities are executed through stock exchanges. By contrast, debt securities, although typically listed, are predominantly traded over-the-counter.

Highly developed secondary markets, combined with the distribution strength of an extensive network of commercial banks, provide the basis for the Federal Republic’s position in the world’s capital markets. Equity and debt issues are generally underwritten and distributed through banking syndicates, which typically include commercial banks as well as certain regional and specialized institutions.

In 2004, sales of debt securities and shares amounted to EUR 240.9 billion and EUR 3.2 billion, respectively. The most important stock exchange in the Federal Republic is the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, operated by Deutsche Börse AG with a total turnover in 2004 of EUR 2,802.6 billion, accounting for 85.6% of the total turnover on German securities exchanges.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table VII.1; Deutsche Börse, Cash Market: Monthly Statistics – March 2005, page 3)

G-22

PUBLIC FINANCE

Receipts and Expenditures

The Federal Government, each of the Länder governments and each of the municipalities have separate budgets. The federal budget is the largest single public budget.

The fiscal year of the Federal Republic is the calendar year. The annual Federal budget is passed by an act of Parliament. On the basis of a proposal prepared by the Ministry of Finance, the Federal Government introduces the Federal Budget Bill to the Parliament, generally in the fall of each year. The proposal has to pass through three Bundestag sessions, the budget committee and the Bundesrat, which deliberates the proposal twice. The final vote on the proposal is taken by the Bundestag in its third session.

In addition to the federal, Länder and municipal budgets, there are separate budgets of the social security system and various special funds (Sondervermögen) of the federal administration that are created for specific public purposes.

Starting with the 2001 fiscal year, a new budgetary classification took effect. Because receipts and expenditures are allocated differently under the new classification, line items contained in the budgets drawn up for the 2001 and subsequent fiscal years are not necessarily comparable with the respective line items contained in budgets for prior periods. This is true especially with respect to General Services and General Financing.

In 2004, total consolidated public sector receipts as shown in the national accounts amounted to EUR 956.2 billion, with tax receipts of EUR 482.0 billion and social security contributions of EUR 396.5 billion.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 3.4.3.2)

In 2004, turnover taxes (i.e., VAT and import-turnover tax) and income taxes amounted to EUR 137.4 billion and EUR 159.1 billion, respectively. In addition to these taxes, the Federal Government, the Länder governments and the municipal authorities each levied special taxes, for example on tobacco, beer and motor vehicles. The joint taxes are distributed among the Federal Government, the Länder governments and municipal authorities, according to a predetermined formula.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Table VIII.5)

Consolidated public sector expenditures in 2004, as shown in the national accounts, amounted to a total of EUR 1,036.3 billion. The most significant consolidated public sector expenditures were social transfers and benefits (EUR 588.5 billion) and employee compensation (EUR 166.6 billion). Other significant consolidated public sector expenditures included gross capital formation, which totaled EUR 30.5 billion, and interest on public debt, which totaled EUR 63.5 billion.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 3.4.3.2)

The consolidated budget deficit shown in the national accounts decreased from an amount of EUR 81.4 billion in 2003 to EUR 80.1 billion in 2004. In 2004, the budget deficit was 3.6% of GDP.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.1.10)

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Public Sector Accounts(1)


	2004			2003			2002			2001			2000
	(EUR in billions)
Federal Government, Länder governments and municipalities
Receipts		576.7			582.2			579.0			577.8			594.9
of which taxes(2)		482.0			481.9			478.0			477.7			499.0
Expenditures		656.1			656.6			649.5			632.6			568.4
Balance		(79.4	)		(74.4	)		(70.5	)		(54.8	)		26.5
Social security
Receipts		469.3			468.1			459.1			445.4			435.3
Expenditures		469.9			475.2			466.0			449.4			434.7
Balance		(0.7	)		(7.1	)		(7.0	)		(3.9	)		0.6
Consolidated public sector
Receipts		956.2			959.9			951.7			945.1			957.5
Expenditures		1,036.3			1,041.3			1,029.1			1,003.9			930.4
Balance		(80.1	)		(81.4	)		(77.5	)		(58.7	)		27.1

(1)		Definition according to the national accounts.

(2)		Excluding taxes of domestic sectors to EU.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Tables 3.4.3.2, 3.4.3.3, 3.4.3.7)

Federal Government Accounts(1)


	2004			2003			2002			2001			2000
	(EUR in billions)
Receipts		261.4			274.6			268.6			264.2			268.7
of which taxes(2)		240.7			245.8			241.2			238.0			245.3
Expenditures		312.4			314.5			304.5			292.8			240.7
Total balance		(51.0	)		(39.9	)		(35.9	)		(28.5	)		28.0

(1)		Definition according to the national accounts.

(2)		Excluding taxes of domestic sectors to EU.

(Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S. 26, 2005, Table 3.4.3.4)

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Federal Government Expenditures(1)


	2006(2)		2005(3)		2004		2003		2002
	(EUR in billions)
Expenditures total		253.6		254.3		251.6		256.7		249.3
Selected categories:
Education, science, research, cultural affairs		12.1		11.7		11.0		10.9		11.0
Social security(4)		118.7		128.1		120.6		118.3		111.9
Defense		28.0		27.9		27.7		28.4		28.4
Transportation / communication		10.1		10.5		10.1		10.1		10.0
General financing		40.6		37.6		39.2		40.0		40.4
of which:
Debt service		39.8		38.9		36.3		36.9		37.1
Other expenditures
Economic cooperation		3.8		3.8		3.7		3.7		3.7
Health and Sport		0.9		0.9		0.9		1.0		1.0
Housing, regional planning, municipal community services		1.6		1.8		1.8		1.8		2.2
Food, agriculture, forestry		1.1		1.1		1.0		1.1		1.2

(1)		The information presented in this table concerning expenditures is not comparable to the information concerning expenditures presented in the table “Federal Government Accounts” as the information is derived from different sources and is the result of different methods of data compilation.

(2)		Target figures according to the Medium Term Financing Plan (Status: June 2004).

(3)		Target figures according to the Federal Budget Plan 2005 (Status: March 2005).

(4)		Predominantly subsidies to the pension insurance and the unemployment insurance system.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2005, Table 2, pages 215-216, and Table 4, pages 229-231; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Bundeshaushalt 2005, Tabellen und Übersichten, November 2004, Table 3, pages 9-12; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Monatsbericht Februar 2005, pages 35-64, and Monatsbericht April 2005, pages 35-56)

G-25

Tax Structure

Income tax

The Federal Government’s largest source of revenue is income tax. Employees pay income tax in the form of payroll taxes, which employers are required to deduct from employees’ salaries or wages and pay directly to the tax authorities. In contrast, self-employed persons typically pay estimated taxes during the year before filing their annual income tax return. The income tax payable with respect to taxable income generated during the 2005 fiscal year is calculated on the basis of (i) a personal allowance in the amount of EUR 7,664 for single persons/EUR 15,328 for married couples that applies to all taxpayers, (ii) progressive tax brackets ranging from 15% to 42%, and (iii) a flat rate of 42% for net income of EUR 52,152 or more for single persons/EUR 104,304 or more for married couples. In addition, a solidarity surcharge of 5.5% is imposed on the applicable income tax rate – with certain allowances – to finance the restructuring processes in the eastern Länder. Capital income received by domestic taxpayers is subject to capital income withholding tax (Kapitalertragsteuer) at a rate of 30% for interest payments and 20% for dividend payments, subject to an allowance in the amount of EUR 1,370 (EUR 2,740 for married couples). The tax withheld is credited against the taxpayers’ income tax liability.

Since January 2001, income generated by corporations is subject to corporate income tax at a flat rate of 25% (in 2003, however, the rate temporarily rose to 26.5% due to the flooding in eastern Germany), reduced from 40% on retained earnings and 30% on distributed profits. The full imputation system previously used in connection with the taxation of dividends has been replaced by the so-called “half income system” in 2002 to make cross-border investment within the EU more attractive. Under the half income system, only half of the distributed profits of a corporation are included in the shareholders’ personal income for tax purposes. In turn, it is no longer necessary to credit the corporate tax paid by the company against the shareholders’ income tax liability. Starting with the 2002 tax year, capital gains from the sale of shareholdings from one corporation to another have generally been tax-exempt. Private shareholders are able to sell their stakes in corporations after a minimum holding period of one year without having to pay taxes, unless they hold a substantial interest of 1% (10% prior to 2002). If the sale is subject to tax, i.e. when shares are sold within the one-year holding period or represent a substantial interest, the half-income system applies. The tax-free allowance for the sale or closure of a business has been EUR 45,000 since 2004. Extraordinary income in connection with the sale or closure of businesses by retiring entrepreneurs benefits from a tax privilege aimed at reducing the impact of progressive tax rates (called “one fifth rule” because it is computed by dividing the eligible extraordinary income by five and subsequently multiplying the resulting tax liability by five). Alternatively to this “one fifth rule”, since 2001, entrepreneurs retiring from business have been able to opt for the so called “half-average tax rate” (since 2004: 56% of the average tax rate) once in their lifetime. Retiring entrepreneurs thus also have the option of having profits from the sale or closure of agricultural, business and professional undertakings and partnership shares taxed at this reduced tax rate. Various measures have been adopted to finance the foregoing tax relief, e.g. the declining-balance tax depreciation rate for movable assets was reduced from 30% to 20% and the depreciation rate for buildings owned for business purpose at the same time fell from 4% to 3%.

Value-added tax

Value-added tax (“VAT”) is imposed on the value added to most goods and services. The rate applicable to most goods and services is 16%. Certain items that are classified as basic necessities are subject to a 7% rate.

Environmental tax

On April 1, 1999, an environmental tax scheme was introduced in order to encourage energy conservation and to lower contributions to the public pension system at the same time, thereby allocating the burden of taxes and contributions more equally among labor, capital and natural resources.

Trade tax

Historically, the trade tax, which is levied at municipal level, comprised a tax on both the trade earnings and the trade capital of a business. The trade capital tax was abolished in 1998. By contrast, the trade earnings tax is still in effect. Its rate varies and depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the business subject to the trade tax as well as the municipality that levies the tax. A business’s trade earnings are calculated in accordance with specific rules and are not necessarily identical with that business’s earnings as

G-26

calculated for other purposes. The trade tax is deductible as an operating expenditure and thus has an effect on personal as well as corporate income taxes. Unincorporated businesses, which already benefit from the significant cuts in income tax rates in the wake of the Tax Reform 2000 (described below), thereby obtain an additional reduction of their tax burden. The trade tax will be credited against their income tax liability in a standardized form. The income tax applicable to unincorporated businesses will be reduced by an amount equal to 1.8 times the assessment basis for trade tax. As a result of the legislative mediation procedure, these provisions have been readjusted with respect to their precise objective in order to limit over-compensation. Ultimately, however, the majority of unincorporated companies will still be afforded full relief from trade tax through various available procedures.

Tax Reform 2000 and other recent reform measures

In July 2000, the Tax Reduction Act (Steuersenkungsgesetz) and, in November/December 2000, the Supplementary Tax Reduction Act (Steuersenkungsergänzungsgesetz) were adopted as part of the so-called “Tax Reform 2000”, an ambitious tax reduction program that came into effect on January 1, 2001. The tax relief has been realized in steps and the Tax Reform 2000 was concluded on January 1, 2005 when the minimum income tax bracket was reduced to 15% and the maximum tax bracket to 42%. These tax cuts are partly financed by reducing financial subsidies and tax privileges. The main beneficiaries of the Tax Reform 2000 are families and employees with low and medium income as well as small and medium-sized enterprises. Until 2009, the Tax Reform 2000 and the other tax measures that have entered into force since 1999 are expected to provide for a total annual relief in the amount of EUR 59 billion (Tax Reform 2000 alone: EUR 32 billion) compared to the 1998 tax burden.

To continue and round off the ongoing reform process within the structures of the Tax Reform 2000, the Bundestag adopted the Act for Development of Corporate Taxation (Gesetz zur Fortentwicklung des Unternehmenssteuerrechts), which took effect on January 1, 2002. This act contains a number of short-term measures particularly benefiting small and medium-sized enterprises. Most importantly, a reinvestment reserve makes it easier for small and medium-sized partnerships to restructure their equity, resulting in a total relief of EUR 650 million. Using this reinvestment reserve, partnerships can transfer profits from the sale of shares in corporations, up to a maximum of EUR 500,000, to new purchases of shares, but also to plant and depreciable movable assets. Additionally, the act contains provisions on the tax treatment of international transactions and the taxation of affiliated enterprises. Since 2004, the amounts of loss carry-forwards for both companies and private individuals are limited, but there is no time limit for carrying losses forward. Losses up to an amount of EUR 1 million (EUR 2 million for married couples) can be carried forward to the following years in full, while only 60% of the losses exceeding this threshold each year can be carried forward. Future reform steps will focus on the international aspects of corporate taxation. The Federal Government is committed to working towards an increased harmonization of corporate taxation within the EU. In particular, it will plead for the unification of the corporate income tax base and the facilitation of cross-border acquisitions and mergers.

On May 4, 2005, the Federal Government approved a number of measures set forth in two legislative proposals, which aim to improve business conditions in Germany from a tax perspective and to secure the succession of enterprises. These measures were previously agreed with the opposition at the so-called “job summit” and are supposed to continue the reform process and to further improve the conditions for more growth and employment. The legislative proposal, which aims to improve business conditions in Germany from a tax perspective, focuses on the revenue neutral reduction of the tax rate for enterprises with a view to promoting willingness to invest in Germany. The plan is to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 25% to 19% as of 2006 and to increase the tax credit for trade tax granted on income tax (the weighting factor is to be increased from 1.8 to 2.0). This relief is to be financed, among others, by restricting the deductibility of losses from tax deferral models and by limiting the deduction of losses carried forward to 50% (currently 60%) of total revenues, while preserving the threshold of EUR 1 million (EUR 2 million for married couples). The legislative proposal, which aims to secure the succession of enterprises, is supposed to relieve small and medium-sized family-owned enterprises from inheritance and gift tax, in order to enable enterprises to preserve more financial means for capital formation and the safeguarding and creation of jobs. The plan is to defer the inheritance and gift tax owed on assets of up to a maximum of EUR 100 million, which are used productively, over a period of ten years. During this period, the tax liability would be reduced in annual equal rates, provided the enterprise is continued. Accordingly, there would be no tax liability at all, if the transferee of the enterprise continues the business for at least ten years. In order for these measures to be implemented, the legislative proposals must be adopted by the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.

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On January 1, 2005, the Old Age Income Act (Alterseinkünftegesetz) entered into force. The main aspect of the new provisions on the income tax treatment of pension payments and contributions to pension schemes is the gradual transition to a system of deferred taxation of pensions, with the share of the pension payments that are subject to income tax increasing from 50% in the year 2005 to 100% by the year 2040. In exchange, pension insurance contributions beginning at 60% in the year 2005 and increasing gradually until 2025 up to a maximum limit of EUR 20,000 p.a. will become fully exempt from tax. Since tax exemption for pension insurance contributions will be fully implemented by the year 2025, whereas the deferred taxation of pension benefits will not reach 100% until the year 2040, German taxpayers will in fact experience considerable tax relief.

Possibility of account information requests

The Federal Government has improved the means of investigation in order to enforce tax compliance. Since April 1, 2005, the German financial authorities have the possibility to request information about bank accounts for tax purposes under certain conditions, even if there is no initial suspicion of criminal activity. The possibility of account information requests aims at ensuring a more effective and more uniform collection of taxes and social security contributions and also at preventing wrongful receipt of social security benefits. In connection with the taxation process, the financial authorities may submit a request for account information if it is necessary to determine or collect taxes and if an attempt to obtain information from the taxpayer either has not produced or is unlikely to produce the desired result. Such requests must be related to a specific occurrence and be purposeful. Furthermore, they must clearly relate to a specific person and responses to such request may only contain certain limited data.

(Source:
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_3380/DE/Steuern/Lexikon_Steuern_A_Z/node.html_nnn=true;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_01/nn_3380/DE/Aktuelles/011.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_01/nn_3380/DE/Aktuelles/007.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_3380/DE/Steuern/28802.html; BMF MonatsberichtDezember
2004, pages 45-59;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4138/DE/Steuern/Steuerreform/Steuerreform_2000_im_Ueberblick/
node/html_nnn=true;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4248/DE/Service/Downloads/Downloads_6/28278_3.templateId=raw.property=
publicationFile.pdf;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4248/DE/Service/Downloads/Downloads_5/27562_10.templateId=raw.property=
publicationFile.pdf;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4248/DE/Steuern/Steuerreform/Gezielte_Mittelstandsfoerderung/
node.html_nnn=true;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4254/DE/Service/Downloads/Downloads_5/27575_0.templateId=raw.property=
publicationFile.pdf;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4258/DE/Steuern/Steuerreform/Fortentwicklung_der_Unternehmensbesteuerung
/6155.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4142/DE/Steuern/Oekologische_Steuerreform/Grundlagen/5237.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4142/DE/Service/Downloads/Downloads_6/29752_0.templateId=raw.property=
publicationFile.pdf;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_01/nn_54/sid_1842916C1E4E59143202B8CD7DC12F14/nsc_true/DE/Aktuelles/015.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_01/nn_4254/DE/Aktuelles/Aktuelle___Gesetze/
Gesetzentwuerfe_Arbeitsfassungen/001.html;
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_01/nn_4254/DE/Aktuelles/Aktuelle___Gesetze/
Gesetzentwuerfe_Arbeitsfassungen/002.html)

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The following table provides an overview of tax revenues of the Federal Government, Länder governments and municipalities divided by categories for the past five years.

Tax Revenues of the Federal, Länder and municipal authorities(1)


	2005(2)		2004		2003		2002		2001
	(EUR in millions)
Federal taxes(3)		84,184		84,554		86,609		83,494		79,277
Share of the Federal Government in(4):
Wage tax and assessed income tax		53,189		54,948		58,504		59,386		60,094
Capital gains tax and corporate tax		13,270		11,521		8,638		8,444		10,230
Interest withholding tax		3,003		2,980		3,358		3,730		3,943
Value added and import-turnover tax		73,779		67,967		70,427		71,043		72,257
Trade tax		1,422		1,461		2,306		1,754		1,513
Total Federal taxes(5)		187,248		186,953		191,935		192,051		193,767

Länder taxes(6)		19,977		19,774		18,713		18,576		19,628
Share of the Länder governments in(4):
Wage tax and assessed income tax		53,189		54,948		58,504		59,386		60,094
Capital gains tax and corporation tax		13,270		11,521		8,638		8,444		10,230
Interest withholding tax		3,003		2,980		3,358		3,730		3,943
Value added and import-turnover tax		62,335		66,547		63,725		64,283		63,794
Trade tax		1,872		1,893		2,697		2,107		1,894
Total Länder taxes(7)		177,661		179,865		177,577		178,552		178,691

Municipal authorities taxes(8)		10,916		10,684		10,339		9,958		9,866
Share of the municipalities in:
Wage tax and assessed income tax		18,772		19,393		20,649		20,960		21,210
Interest withholding tax		819		813		916		1017		1,075
Value added and import-turnover tax(9)		2,886		2,852		2,844		2,869		2,885
Trade tax		29,250		28,373		24,139		23,489		24,533
Total municipal authorities taxes		56,885		56,379		51,801		52,542		54,059

Revenues of EU (10):
Customs duties		3,150		3,059		2,877		2,896		3,191
Value added tax		3,500		2,985		5,209		5,145		8,509
Tax based on nominal GNP		16,550		13,596		12,840		10,518		8,031

Total tax revenues		444,993		442,838		442,238		441,705		446,247

(1)		The information presented in this table concerning Federal tax receipts is not comparable to the information concerning tax receipts in the tables “Public Sector Accounts” and “Federal Government Accounts” as the information was derived from different sources and is the result of different methods of data compilation.

(2)		Estimated figures, based on the Federal Government’s growth rate forecast for nominal GDP of 1,6% in 2005.

(3)		Including, among others, taxes on tobacco, distilled spirits and mineral fuels.

(4)		Shared taxes are levied by the Federal Government (with the exception of the trade tax which is levied by the municipal authorities) and distributed among the Federal Government, the Länder governments and the municipalities according to specific distribution schedules.

(5)		Net of Federal grants to certain Länder and of EU contributions.

(6)		Includes, among others, taxes on property, motor vehicles and beer.

(7)		Including Federal grants to certain Länder.

(8)		Includes, among others, inheritance and gift tax, taxes on real property.

(9)		Municipalities share in value added tax and import-turnover tax.

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(10)

Reflects revenue collections made by the Federal Government on behalf of others.

(Source:
Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2005, Table 12, pages 291-292
http://www.bundesfinanzministerium.de/cln_02/nn_4156/DE/Service/Downloads/Abt___I/13051a6001,templateId=raw,
property=publicationFile.pdf)

Government Participations

As per October 2004, the Federal Republic held direct participations in 93 public or private enterprises, and various special funds held participations in 20 (18 without double counting) enterprises. The aggregate nominal capital of the enterprises in which the Federal Republic or the special funds held direct participations amounted to EUR 19.6 billion as per December 31, 2003 compared to EUR 19.8 billion as per December 31, 2002.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2003, page 2; Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2004, pages 1, 2)

The following table shows information on the Federal Republic’s significant participations (including those held through its “special funds”) as per October 2004.


	Nominal Capital of		Participation of the
	Enterprise as per		Federal Republic as
Enterprises	October 2004		per October 2004
	(EUR in millions)		(percent)
Significant majority participations:

Deutsche Bahn AG		2,150		100.0
KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau)		3,750		80.0

Significant minority participations exceeding 25%

Deutsche Telekom AG		10,746		26.0	(1)
Flughafen München GmbH		307		26.0

(1)

Since October 2004, the Federal Republic’s participation in Deutsche Telekom AG has been reduced to 22.7% (information provided by the Federal Ministry of Finance as of May 2005).

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Beteiligungsbericht 2004, Chapters B and C, pages 15-117)

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DEBT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

As per December 31, 2004, the Federal Government’s total debt, not including the debt of the Länder governments and the municipalities, amounted to EUR 812.1 billion, or 36.8% of the 2004 GDP at current prices, compared to EUR 767.7 billion, or 35.5% of the 2003 GDP at current prices as per December 31, 2003. Since July 1, 1999, the Federal Government has assumed joint liability for the debts of the following special funds: Sinking Fund for Vested Liabilities (Erblastentilgungsfonds) (for former GDR liabilities), the Federal Railway Fund (Bundeseisenbahnvermögen) and the Compensation Fund for Safeguarding the Use of Coal (Ausgleichsfonds Steinkohleneinsatz). The aforementioned special funds are allocated to the Federal Government as of July 1999.

(Source: Deutsche Bundesbank, Monthly Report April 2005, Tables VIII.10; Statistisches Bundesamt, Fachserie 18, Reihe S.26, 2005, Table 2.1.1.)

The Federal Government raises funds primarily through the issuance of bonds and notes. Euro-denominated bonds and notes issued by the Federal Republic are evidenced by book-entry and no certificates are issued. In May 2005, the Federal Government issued its first U.S. dollar-denominated bond in form of a global note.

In addition to its own direct debt obligations, the Federal Government had outstanding guarantees in an aggregate amount of EUR 230.619 million as per December 31, 2003. Of this amount, EUR 102.898 million was outstanding in the form of export credit insurance, which is handled by EULER HERMES on behalf and for the account of the Federal Government.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2005, Overview 4, page 369)

For more detailed information regarding the Federal Government’s debt and guarantees, see “Tables and Supplementary Information”.

For information on the Federal Government’s liability as per December 31, 2004 for capital subscriptions to various international financial organizations, see the table entitled “III. Liabilities to International Financial Organizations“, below.

G-31

TABLES AND SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. DIRECT DEBT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Summary


	Principal Amount
	Outstanding as per
	December 31, 2004
	(EUR in millions)
Federal bonds		507,713
Five-year special Federal bonds		172,000
Federal Treasury notes		102,000
Federal savings bonds		10,817
Treasury discount paper		35,840
Federal Treasury financing paper		1,074
Borrowers’ note loans of which:		36,791
— from residents		35,801
— from non-residents		989
Old debt(1) of which:		5,619
Equalization claims		5,255
Other		40
Repurchased debt		69,241
Medium term notes of Treuhandanstalt		342


Total		802,995

(1)

Mainly equalization and covering claims of the Deutsche Bundesbank, other banks and insurance companies in connection with the currency reform of 1948.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Übersicht über den Stand der Schuld der Bundesrepublik Deutschland am 31. Dezember 2004, Bundesanzeiger Nr. 35 of February 19, 2005, page 2628)

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Debt Tables

1. Federal Bonds(1)


							Principal Amount
	Interest		Year of				Outstanding as per
Title	Rate		Issue		Maturity		December 31, 2004
	(% p.a.)						(EUR in millions)
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1986 (II)		6		1986		2016		3,579
5.625% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1986		5.625		1986		2016		511
6.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1994		6.25		1994		2024		10,226
7.375% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1995		7.375		1995		2005		8,692
6.875% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1995		6.875		1995		2005		10,226
6.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1995		6.5		1995		2005		10,226
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1996 (I)		6		1996		2006		12,782
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1996 (II)		6		1996		2006		6,136
6.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1996		6.25		1996		2006		7,158
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1997 (I)		6		1997		2007		15,339
6% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1997 (II)		6		1997		2007		15,339
6.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1997		6,5		1997		2027		11,248
5.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998		5.25		1998		2008		15,339
5.625% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998		5.625		1998		2028		14,316
4.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998 (I)		4.75		1998		2008		8,692
4.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998 (II)		4.75		1998		2028		11,100
4.125% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1998		4.125		1998		2008		13,805
3.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999		3.75		1999		2009		14,000
4% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999		4		1999		2009		11,000
4.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999		4.5		1999		2009		20,000
5.375% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 1999		5.375		1999		2010		20,000
6.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000		6.25		2000		2030		9,000
5.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000		5.5		2000		2031		17,000
5.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000 (I)		5.25		2000		2010		20,000
5.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2000 (II)		5.25		2000		2011		23,000
5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2001		5		2001		2011		24,000
5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2002 (I)		5		2002		2012		25,000
5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2002 (II)		5		2002		2012		27,000
4.5% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003		4.5		2003		2013		24,000
3.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003		3.75		2003		2013		22,000
4.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003		4.25		2003		2014		24,000
4.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2003		4.75		2003		2034		20,000
4.25% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2004		4.25		2004		2014		25,000
3.75% Bonds of the Federal Republic of 2004		3.75		2004		2015		8,000


Total Federal Bonds								507,713

(1)

Federal Bonds are evidenced by book entry, and no certificates are issued. Maturities are 10 to 30 years. No redemption prior to maturity; including principal strips.

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2. Five-Year Special Federal Bonds(1)


							Principal Amount
							Outstanding as per
	Interest		Year of				December 31,
Title	Rate		Issue		Maturity		2004
	(% p.a.)						(EUR in millions)
4.250 % Bonds of 1999-Series 134		4.250		1999		2005		7,000
5% Bonds of 2000-Series 135		5		2000		2005		6,000
5% Bonds of 2000-Series 136		5		2000		2005		15,000
5% Bonds of 2000-Series 137		5		2000		2006		14,000
4.5% Bonds of 2001-Series 138		4.5		2001		2006		14,000
4% Bonds of 2001-Series 139		4		2001		2007		18,000
4.5% Bonds of 2002-Series 140		4.5		2002		2007		20,000
4.250% Bonds of 2002-Series 141		4.250		2002		2007		14,000
3% Bonds of 2003 -Series 142		3		2003		2008		14,000
3.5% Bonds of 2003-Series 143		3.5		2003		2008		14,000
3.25% Bonds of 2004-Series 144		3.25		2004		2009		18,000
3.5% Bonds of 2004- Series 145		3.5		2004		2009		18,000


Total Five-Year Special Federal Bonds								172,000

(1)

Five-Year Special Federal Bonds are evidenced by book entry, and no certificates are issued. Maturities are five years. No redemption prior to maturity.

3. Federal Treasury Notes(1)


							Principal Amount
							Outstanding as per
	Interest		Year of				December 31,
Title	Rate		Issue		Maturity		2004
	(% p.a.)						(EUR in millions)
2,5% Notes of 2003		2,5		2003		2005		12,000
2% Notes of 2003		2		2003		2005		12,000
2.5% Notes of 2003		2.5		2003		2005		12,000
2.75% Notes of 2003		2.75		2003		2005		12,000
2% Notes of 2004		2		2004		2006		15,000
2.75 Notes of 2004		2.75		2004		2006		15,000
2.5 Notes of 2004		2.5		2004		2006		17,000
2.25 % Notes of 2004		2.25		2004		2006		7,000


Total Federal Treasury Notes								102,000

(1)

Federal Treasury Notes are evidenced by book-entry, and no certificates are issued. Maturities are 2 years. No redemption prior to maturity.

4. Federal Savings Bonds (1)

Principal Amount

Outstanding as per

Interest Rate

Year of Issue

Maturity

December 31, 2004

(EUR in millions)

Federal Savings Bonds

1% to 6.5%

1998 to 2004

2005 to 2011

10,817

5. Treasury Discount Paper (2)

Principal Amount

Outstanding as per

Interest Rate(3)

Year of Issue

Maturity

December 31, 2004

(EUR in millions)

Treasury Discount Paper

2.04% to 2.37%

2003 to 2004

2005

35,840

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6. Federal Treasury Financing Paper (4)

Principal Amount

Outstanding as per

Interest Rate(3)

Year of Issue

Maturity

December 31, 2004

(EUR in millions)

Federal Treasury Financing Paper

1.6% to 2.5%

2003 to 2004

2005 to 2006

1,074

7. Borrowers’ note loans (5)

Principal Amount

Year of

Outstanding as per

Interest Rate

Incurrence

Maturity

December 31, 2004

(EUR in millions)

Borrowers’ note loans

2.13% to 8.3%

1968 to 2004

2005 to 2037

36,791

(1)		Government Savings Bonds are evidenced by book entry and no certificates are issued. Maturities are six or seven years. The bonds are redeemable after one year from the issue date at the option of the holders thereof in installments of EUR 5,113 per holder and month. The terms of the Government Savings Bonds provide for interest rates that increase during the term of the bonds. In addition, the seven-year Government Savings Bonds provide for payment of compounded interest at maturity or upon redemption prior to maturity.

(2)		Treasury Discount Papers are issued at a discount and repaid at par value on the maturity date. No interest payments are made during the term of the paper. It is issued in the form of one global bearer security. Maturities range from one year to two years. No redemption is permitted prior to maturity.

(3)		Reflects annual interest rate paid to the holder by way of the initial issue discount.

(4)		Treasury Financing Papers are issued at a discount and repaid at par value on the maturity date. No interest payments are made during the term of the paper. It is issued in the form of one global bearer security. Maturities range from one year to two years. No redemption is permitted prior to maturity.

(5)		Borrowers’ note loans are an instrument of the German capital market where the lending entity, generally an institutional investor, receives a certificate evidencing its loan to the borrower and the term of such loans. The certificate generally authorizes at least three assignments. No redemption is permitted prior to maturity.

8. Other Liabilities

Principal Amount

Year of

Outstanding as per

Title

Interest Rate

Incurrence

Maturity

December 31, 2004

(EUR in millions)

Old debt (1)

0% to 4%

Various

5,619

Debt of Equalization of Burdens Fund taken over by the Federal Government

Various

1980

Various

Other debt (2)

Various

40.47

(1)		Includes mainly equalization and covering claims of the Deutsche Bundesbank, other banks and insurance companies in connection with the currency reform of 1948.

(2)		Includes liabilities of the Federal Government to repay amounts received from the Investitionshilfeabgabe, a special duty levied on income, the proceeds of which were to be used to promote investments.

(Source for Tables 1 through 3: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Übersicht über den Stand der Schuld der Bundesrepublik Deutschland am 31. Dezember 2004, Bundesanzeiger Nr. 35 of February 19, 2005, page 2628; internal documents of the Federal Ministry of Finance)

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II. GUARANTEES BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT


	Principal Amount Outstanding
	As per		As per
	June 30,		December,31
Purpose of Guarantees	2003(1)		2003(1)
	(EUR in millions)
Export finance loans (including rescheduled loans)		103,073		102,898
Untied loans; direct foreign investments by German companies; Loans of the European Investment Bank to non-EU borrowers		27,869		27,919
Loans in connection with EU agricultural policy measures		6,650		6,650
Loans to domestic corporations and for projects in areas of Agriculture, fishing and housing construction		49,121		50,727
Contributions to international financing institutions		40,255		40,256
Co-financing of bilateral projects of German financial co-operation		779		794
Successor agencies to Treuhandanstalt		1,375		1,375

Total guarantees		229,122		230,619

(1)

Cut-off date changed from mid-year to year-end in Finanzbericht 2005, issued in August 2004.

(Source: Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Finanzbericht 2005, Overview 4, page 369; Finanzbericht 2004, page 335)

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III. LIABILITIES TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONS

The Federal Republic is obligated to contribute to the capital subscriptions and, in some cases, to the additional financing requirements of certain international organizations in which it participates. Such contributions are in many cases stated initially in 1944 U.S. dollars. One 1944 U.S. dollar is equivalent to one Special Drawing Right (“SDR”), a unit of value established by an amendment in July 1969 to the Articles of Agreement of the International Monetary Fund. From July 1, 1974 to December 31, 1980, the exchange rate between world currencies and the SDR was determined on the basis of a basket of 16 currencies, including the U.S. dollar, which accounted for approximately one-third of the value of the basket. From 1981 to 2000, the exchange rate between world currencies and the SDR was determined on the basis of a basket of five currencies, including the U.S. dollar. The currencies that determine the value of the SDR, the proportion of each of these currencies in the basket, and the financial instruments used in determining the interest rate on the SDR, are reviewed every five years. The adoption of the euro as the common currency for the initial 11 Member States of the European Union called for a change in the composition of the SDR basket. With effect from January 1, 2001, the SDR basket consists of four currencies: U.S. dollar, euro, Japanese yen and pound sterling. The currency weight of the U.S. dollar in the SDR basket initially was 45%, changing on a daily basis as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. On December 31, 2004, SDR 1 equalled EUR 1.14016.

SUBSCRIPTIONS OR COMMITMENTS BY THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC
TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
AS PER DECEMBER 31, 2004


	Subscription or
	Commitment by the		Amount
Name of Organization	Federal Republic(1)		Paid In
	(U.S.$ millions)
International Monetary Fund(2)		19,329.8		19,329.8
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development(3)		8,734.0		542.9
International Development Association (IDA)(3)(6)		14,196.0		14,196.0
International Finance Corporation (IFC)(3)		128.9		128.9
European Investment Bank(4)		33,658.4		1,684.2
African Development Bank(3)		1,383.9		131.4
African Development Fund(3)		1,966.3		1,966.3
Asian Development Bank(3)		2,369.2		165.9
Asian Development Fund(3)		1,779.5		1,723.9
Inter-American Development Bank(3)		1,913.7		82.3
Inter-American Investment Corporation(3)		13.3		13.3
Fund for Special Operations(3)		243.2		243.2
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)(3)		296.4		243.7
Caribbean Development Bank(3)		50.2		11.1
Special Development Fund of the Caribbean Development Bank(3)		51.0		51.0
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)(3)(5)		2306.2		605.4
Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB)(3)(5)		744.2		82.2

(1)		Subscriptions are in part committed in $, SDR, ECU or DM. SDR, ECU and DM commitments are converted to $ at year-end exchange rates, except that certain SDR commitments are converted at the fixed conversion rate of SDR 1 = $ 1.20635.

(2)		Source: computation provided by Deutsche Bundesbank. Original figures expressed in SDR, converted to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates.

(3)		Source: computation provided by Bundesministerium der Finanzen, Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung.

(4)		Source: computation provided by European Investment Bank.

(5)		Calculated using the noon buying rate for cable transfers in New York City payable in euro on December 31, 2004, which was EUR 1 per $ 1.3538.

(6)		Source: Worldbank Annual Report 2004. The amount does not differentiate between amount subscribed and paid-in. It includes installments which were not yet due.

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KFW International Finance Inactive 18-KAnnual report (foreign governments)