is planning tolaunch a capital increase of about €50 million, most likely in the fall.

TheAustrian lender's aim is to bolster its core capital ratio, which stood at11.3% at the end of March. It also wants to use the capital increase — whichwill involve the issuance of new ordinary shares — to push forward with itsplanned expansion in Vienna and in the state of Styria.

Moredetails about the share issuances will be revealed at a later stage, BKS Banksaid.