Bangkok--16 Jun--Bangkok Bank Bangkok Bank closed subscriptions for the ninth tranche of three-year government savings bonds, after the entire allocation worth Baht 500 million sold out via its nationwide branch network on the first day of issue. The interest rate on the savings bonds is 4.90 percent per annum. The bonds in the tenth tranche are scheduled to go on sale on July 15, 2008. Mrs. Ruchanee Nopmuang, Bangkok Bank Executive Vice President and Director for Metropolitan Consumer Banking, said the bank has completed the ninth tranche of sales of government savings bonds for the 2008 fiscal year. The bonds worth Baht 500 million carried a 4.90 percent interest rate and sold out on the first day of issue through the bank’s nationwide branch network. Customers who missed out on the ninth tranche of bonds would have a further opportunity to subscribe when the tenth tranche goes on sale at Bangkok Bank branches nationwide (excluding Microbranches) on July 15-25, 2008. The bonds in the next tranche will be worth Baht 500 million, and the interest rate to be offered on the bonds will be announced two working days prior to the first day of sale. The interest rate will be based on the average yield rate of three-year government bonds during the five working days prior to the date of fixing the interest rate, and a spread of not more than 15 percent will be added on top of the average rate. Interest rates offered on the bonds and further details are available at Bualuang Phone on 1333, and Bangkok Bank’s website at www.bangkokbank.com. The government savings bonds for the 2008 fiscal year were issued by the Finance Ministry. The Bank of Thailand is the registrar and payment agent, and Bangkok Bank is the sole distributor for the bonds. The total value of the bonds is Baht 6 billion, to be distributed in 12 monthly tranches of Baht 500 million from October 2007 to September 2008. The bonds are priced at Baht 10,000 apiece. The minimum purchase for each investor is set at Baht 10,000, and the total purchase must be in multiples of Baht 10,000 with a maximum investment of Baht 500,000. Investors will be allowed to submit one purchase subscription for each tranche. In order to ensure that the bonds are fairly distributed to the people, the bonds will only be offered to Thai nationals and residents, foundations and non-profit organizations. The bonds are not available to corporations or businesses. Interest on the bonds will be paid at a fixed rate twice a year. The bonds will become transferable after one year, and the bond holders can sell them on to financial institutions or other parties at an agreed price.Distribution schedule for government savings bonds in the 2008 fiscal yearMonth Fiscal year Tranche Maturity (year) Amount (million Baht) Distribution date Maturity date Jul 2008 2008 10 3 500 Jul 15, 2008 - Jul 25, 2008 Jul 15, 2011 Aug 2008 2008 11 3 500 Aug 15, 2008 - Aug 26, 2008 Aug 15, 2011 Sep 2008 2008 12 3 500 Sep 15, 2008 - Sep 24, 2008 Sep 15, 2011