FRANKFURT (Standard&Poor's) June 7, 2004--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it notes that Germany-based Commerzbank AG (A-/Negative/A-2) is in talks with Netherlands-based ING GROEP N.V. (A+/Stable/A-1) about a possible purchase of Germany-based ING BHF-Bank AG (--/--/A-2). Talks are at a very early stage, however, and it is therefore too early to determine any implications for the ratings on either Commerzbank, ING BHF-Bank, or ING GROEP N.V. Standard&Poor's expects to comment further as the transaction process evolves. ANALYST E-MAIL ADDRESSES bernd_ackermann@standardandpoors.com richard_barnes@standardandpoors.com FIG_Europe@standardandpoors.com