• Net income up 46 percent to Euro 10.4 million
  
• EBIT increase of 65 percent to Euro 15 million 
  
• Growth in all European regions

Cologne, 21 August 2006 – OVB Holding AG, one of Europe's leading financial services providers, and since 21 July 2006 listed in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN DE0006286560), continues on its course of rapid growth. Total sales commission generated in 13 European countries grew markedly in the first half of 2006 to Euro 102.8 million, an increase of 15 percent over the same period last year. Alone in the second quarter, it rose by 30 percent from 2005. The increase in the Group's profitability was well above average: earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by 65.3 percent to Euro 15.0 million and the EBIT margin grew by a further 4.4 percentage points, reaching 16.6 percent. Of particular note is the fact that all three regions – Germany, Central and Eastern Europe, and Southern and Western Europe – contributed to the growth in earnings. Consolidated net income also rose substantially by 46 percent to Euro 10.4 million (compared with Euro 7.1 million in the first half of 2005).

"We have generated earnings per share of Euro 0.80 for our shareholders, which is 48 percent higher than the previous year's figure of Euro 0.54," highlights OVB chief executive Michael Frahnert.

Total sales commission in the first half of 2006 surpassed the previous year's figures in all three regions.
Positive developments in the core market Germany were reflected in a significant increase in this segment´s earnings. There was exceptional demand in Germany for government-subsidised pension provision products, primarily because of the market's increasing acceptance of the "Riester" pension. Total sales performance in the second quarter grew by 13 percent from the previous year.

For 2006 as a whole, OVB is expecting a significant double-digit percentage increase in sales and disproportionately high growth in earnings. "Our shareholders will also profit from this positive development," Michael Frahnert says.

Key figures for the OVB Group as at 30 June 2006

Key operating figures   Unit                 30/06/2005      30/06/2006        Change

Clients                           Number             2.27 million     2.35 million       +  4%

Financial advisors           Number             3,751              4,095                +  9%

New business                 Number             312,800         308,700              -  1%

(01/01 - 30/06)                of contracts

Total sales commission   Euro million       89.4                 102.8              + 15%

(01/01 - 30/06)

Key financial figures       Unit               01/01/ -           01/01/ -

                                                             30/06/2005      30/06/2006      Change

 Earnings before interest

 and taxes (EBIT)              Euro million       9.1               15.0             + 65%

 EBIT margin                     %                     12.2             16.6             + 4,4%-points

 Consolidated net income   Euro million       7.1               10.4             + 46%

 Earnings per share

(undiluted)                         Euro               0.54               0.80             + 48%