Acquisition of Bromley JV

Grainger Trust PLC 08 August 2003 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 8th August 2003 GRAINGER TRUST AGREES ACQUISITION OF BROMLEY JOINT VENTURE Grainger Trust plc ('Grainger'), the UK's largest quoted residential property investor, today announces that it has reached agreement to acquire the outstanding equity in Bromley Property Holdings Limited ('Bromley') from an entity owned by Deutsche Bank AG ('Deutsche Bank'), its joint venture partner, for an initial cash consideration of approximately £24.3m payable at completion, which is expected to be before the end of September 2003. The Bromley group principally comprises BPT Limited and its subsidiaries. A further cash payment for the equity will be due in December 2004 if the Nationwide UK House Price Index rises by at least 10% between August 2002 and August 2004. If triggered, this additional payment will be a minimum of £5m but cannot exceed £10m. Grainger has also agreed to purchase Deutsche Bank's loan stock in Bromley for approximately £13.7m together with accrued interest of approximately £2.0m, payable in cash in December 2003. Funding of the acquisition of both the equity and loan stock in Bromley is from a new bank facility and existing resources. The acquisition is subject to shareholder approval and a circular detailing the proposed transaction will be sent to shareholders next month. The initial cash consideration, in the opinion of Grainger's Board, approximates to the net asset value of Deutsche Bank's equity interest in Bromley at 31st March 2003 after full deductions for marking the debt to market and for contingent tax. At 31st March 2003 the open market value of Bromley's properties was approximately £668.4m and net debt was approximately £497.3m. In the six months to 31st March 2003 Bromley produced pre-tax profits of £11.2m and £29.5m for the 12 months to 30th September 2002. Since Bromley acquired BPT in April 2001, the joint venture has successfully sold mainly assured or assured shorthold tenancy properties leaving Bromley with a portfolio predominantly comprising regulated tenancies, which are Grainger's core business. The Board of Grainger considers the acquisition is an excellent opportunity to acquire a substantial portfolio of regulated tenancies which will increase Grainger's portfolio of residential properties from over 5,000 to more than 11,500 units and further consolidates Grainger's position as the leading quoted owner of private sector residential properties in the UK. Contact: Grainger Trust plc Tel: 0191 261 1819 Andrew Cunningham, Deputy Chief Executive & Finance Director Deutsche Bank AG Tel: 020 7545 6000 Alistair Dixon Baron Phillips Associates Tel: 020 7397 8932 Baron Phillips Ends. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange QSSLFUWSDSEFA

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Grainger (GRI)
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