Aareal Bank, Allianz, and Helaba complete EUR 650 million loan for CentrO in Oberhausen

Wiesbaden (ots) - Aareal Bank, together with Allianz Real Estate
and Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen ("Helaba"), provided a loan facility
of EUR 650 million secured against "CentrO" in Oberhausen, one of
Germany's biggest shopping centres. The financing was provided to a
joint venture between the Stadium Group and the Canadian Pension Plan
Investment Board who jointly own "CentrO", which is currently valued
at approximately EUR 1.3 billion.

Allianz Real Estate acted as Agent and Asset Manager on behalf of
the Allianz Entities. It is the first time that the company has
directly extended commercial property financing in cooperation with a
syndicate of banks. Allianz provided EUR 325 million of the overall
facility. The cooperation between parties was excellent, which
resulted in swift execution of the transaction.

Experienced sector specialists Aareal Bank and Helaba each
provided EUR 162.5 million. Aareal Bank acted as Facility Agent,
Helaba as Security Agent and Co-Agent. Barclays and Santander acted
as Arrangers for the landmark EUR 650 million financing with Barclays
acting as coordinator for the structuring. CMS Hasche Sigle acted as
legal counsel for the lenders. Orrick Hölters & Elsing acted as legal
counsel for the owner.

"CentrO" is located in Oberhausen, in the heart of one of the
largest conurbations in Western Europe (the "Ruhrgebiet") with a core
catchment of approximately 12 million people within a 60 minute
drive. "CentrO" provides for both shopping and leisure activities on
approximately 160,000 sqm of lettable area, which is being extended
by a further 17,000 sqm. Peek & Cloppenburg, one of the largest high
end fashion retailers, will anchor the new extension, which will open
at the end of September 2012. This makes CentrO one of the largest
shopping and leisure destinations in Germany, boasting the highest
annual sales revenue. As such it is also amongst the top properties
of its kind in Europe, housing more than 200 retailers (including top
international brands such as Apple, Hollister, Gilly Hicks, Desigual,
H&M and Zara) in addition to 22 bars and restaurants, a 12,000 seat
arena, a cinema, a family leisure park and commercial premises.

Aareal Bank

Aareal Bank AG is one of the leading international specialist
property banks. The Aareal Bank share is included in Deutsche Börse's
mid-cap MDAX index. Aareal Bank operates on three continents:
leveraging its successful European business model, the bank has
established similar platforms in North America and in the
Asia-Pacific region. It provides property financing solutions in more
than 20 countries.

Allianz Real Estate

Allianz Real Estate is the strategic center of expertise in real
estate within the Allianz Group and a leading international real
estate investment and asset manager. Allianz Real Estate develops and
executes worldwide tailored portfolio and investment strategies on
behalf of the Allianz companies, considering direct as well as
indirect investments The operational management of investments and
assets is currently performed in 5 international subsidiaries and
hubs in Germany, France, Italy, USA and Asia/Pacific. The
headquarters of Allianz Real Estate are located in Munich and Paris.
Allianz Real Estate has approximately EUR 19.5 bn Assets under
Management as of 31, December 2011.

Helaba

With about 5,800 employees, Helaba Landesbank Hessen-Thüringen
ranks among the leading banks in Frankfurt, the German financial
center. Via its branch offices in Paris, London and New York as well
as its representative offices in Madrid, Moscow and Shanghai, Helaba
is represented in important international economic centers. Its
strategic business model is based on the three business segments
Wholesale Business, Private Customers and SME Business as well as
Public Development and Infrastructure Business. Real Estate Lending
is a core business for the bank, with a business volume (outstanding
plus unfunded commitments) of EUR 34bn (31 December 2011). Focusing
on customers and commercial properties in Germany, selected markets
in Europe and in the U.S., Helaba's approach to markets and customers
is that of a classical balance sheet lender.

Contact:
Aareal Bank AG
Corporate Communications

Sven Korndörffer
phone: +49 611 348 2306
sven.korndoerffer@aareal-bank.com

Christian Feldbrügge
phone: +49 611 348 2280
christian.feldbruegge@aareal-bank.com

Investor Relations

Jürgen Junginger
phone: +49 611 348 2636
juergen.junginger@aareal-bank.com