The Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan (DICJ), today, signed a share purchase agreement that it would sell all outstanding shares of Ashikaga Bank it held to Ashikaga Holdings, with Ashikaga Holding Co., Ltd. ("Ashikaga Holdings"), a consortium of Nomura Financial Partners Co., Ltd., Next Capital Partners Co., Ltd. and JAFCO Super V3 Investment Limited Partnership, and The Ashikaga Bank Ltd. ("Ashikaga Bank").

On July 1, 2008, DICJ is scheduled to sell Ashikaga Bank's shares to Ashikaga Holdings after Ashikaga Holdings applies for authorization as a bank holding company under Japan's Banking Law, and authorization of eligibility and financial assistance based on to the Deposit Insurance Law.

DICJ will properly make necessary preparations with a coalition of other parties concerned in the agreement to complete special crisis management smoothly. DICJ expects that Ashikaga Bank and Ashikaga Holdings will ensure sustainability as a financial institution as well as high quality management and that it will fulfill its financial intermediate function on an ongoing basis in the area centered in the Tochigi Prefecture through implementing its business plans steadily and appropriately.