DNBNOR - PERMISSION TO AQUIRE MONCHEBANK

On 17 January 2006, the Norwegian Ministry of Finance granted DnB NOR Bank ASA permission to acquire approximately 97.3 per cent of the shares in the Russian Monchebank. In addition, the Ministry granted the bank permission to acquire the remaining shares in Monchebank provided that DnB NOR Bank ASA`s offer to purchase the shares is accepted. A permission from the Russian central bank is still pending. http://www.newsweb.no/index.asp?melding_ID=120143