No increase in insurance fund premiums expected

Northwestern Financial Review, Dec 15-Dec 31, 2004

Based on the earnings results of the Bank Insurance Fund and the Savings Association Insurance Fund, the FDIC voted to keep the assessment rates charged to banks and thrifts unchanged for the first half of 2005. The FDIC projects that the reserve ratio for the BIF may decline slightly by mid-year 2005 but should remain well above the designated reserve ratio of 1.25 percent.

The FDK] projects the reserve ratio for the SAIF will remain relatively stable over the same period. The FDIC estimates the BIF reserve ratio was 1.33 percent as of the third quarter, and the SAIF ratio was 1.34 percent.