ICBC and Goldman Sachs Announce New Share Lock-up Commitment and Reaffirm Strategic Cooperation

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"ICBC and Goldman Sachs Announce New Share Lock-up Commitment and Reaffirm Strategic Cooperation"

"Beijing, March 25th, 2009 – Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. today announced that Goldman Sachs has committed to a new lock-up in relation to its investment in ICBC. Under the existing lock-up, the ICBC shares held by Goldman Sachs would have become free in equal&nbsp;installments on April 28, 2009 and October 20, 2009. Under the new lock-up,&nbsp;Goldman Sachs will not sell 80% of its ICBC shares at any time prior to April 28,&nbsp;2010.\r\nIn addition, ICBC and Goldman Sachs reaffirmed that they will continue their collaborative efforts under the existing terms of the January 2006 Strategic Cooperation Agreement. These efforts are focused on sharing global best practices in areas such as credit, market and operational risk management, corporate governance, corporate and investment banking and asset management.&nbsp;\r\nMr. Jiang Jianqing, Chairman of ICBC, said: “We are delighted that Goldman Sachs will remain a major strategic investor in ICBC. Our relationship over the past three years has proven very successful and we look forward to continued close cooperation&nbsp; between our two firms.”\r\nMr. Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs, said:&nbsp;“Today’s announcement underscores our firm’s confidence in ICBC and our&nbsp;commitment to China. We look forward to working closely with ICBC, one of the most important financial institutions in the world, and further developing our strategic cooperation.”\r\nGoldman Sachs’ investment in ICBC represents approximately 4.93% of ICBC’s total outstanding shares.\r\nIf Goldman Sachs pursues a sale of its ICBC shares that will be released from the existing lock-up on April 28, 2009, it will explore all potential methods of sale that would maximize value and minimize market impact, with a preference for a private sale to investors.\r\nICBC \r\nICBC is the largest wholesale and retail bank in China by assets and deposits and is a&nbsp;market leader in many business areas including corporate and personal loans,&nbsp;deposits, mortgages, e-banking, custodian services and inter-bank clearing. It provides a wide range of commercial banking services to corporate and individual customers. ICBC has approximately 16,000 outlets and employs 385,000 people across China. It had total assets of RMB9.4 trillion at the end of 2008.\r\nGoldman Sachs \r\nThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities and investment management services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centers around the world.&nbsp;\r\nContacts: \r\nICBC \r\nMedia Relations (86) 10 6610 8063 \r\nInvestor Relations (86) 10 6610 8608\r\nGoldman Sachs \r\nMedia Relations \r\nBeijing (86) 10 6627 3261 \r\nHong Kong (852) 2978 0218 \r\nNew York (1) 212 902 5400 \r\nInvestor Relations (1) 212 902 3580\r\n"

Beijing, March 25th, 2009 – Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC) and The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. today announced that Goldman Sachs has committed to a new lock-up in relation to its investment in ICBC. Under the existing lock-up, the ICBC shares held by Goldman Sachs would have become free in equal&nbsp;installments on April 28, 2009 and October 20, 2009. Under the new lock-up,&nbsp;Goldman Sachs will not sell 80% of its ICBC shares at any time prior to April 28,&nbsp;2010.
In addition, ICBC and Goldman Sachs reaffirmed that they will continue their collaborative efforts under the existing terms of the January 2006 Strategic Cooperation Agreement. These efforts are focused on sharing global best practices in areas such as credit, market and operational risk management, corporate governance, corporate and investment banking and asset management.&nbsp;
Mr. Jiang Jianqing, Chairman of ICBC, said: “We are delighted that Goldman Sachs will remain a major strategic investor in ICBC. Our relationship over the past three years has proven very successful and we look forward to continued close cooperation&nbsp; between our two firms.”
Mr. Lloyd C. Blankfein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs, said:&nbsp;“Today’s announcement underscores our firm’s confidence in ICBC and our&nbsp;commitment to China. We look forward to working closely with ICBC, one of the most important financial institutions in the world, and further developing our strategic cooperation.”
Goldman Sachs’ investment in ICBC represents approximately 4.93% of ICBC’s total outstanding shares.
If Goldman Sachs pursues a sale of its ICBC shares that will be released from the existing lock-up on April 28, 2009, it will explore all potential methods of sale that would maximize value and minimize market impact, with a preference for a private sale to investors.
ICBC 
ICBC is the largest wholesale and retail bank in China by assets and deposits and is a&nbsp;market leader in many business areas including corporate and personal loans,&nbsp;deposits, mortgages, e-banking, custodian services and inter-bank clearing. It provides a wide range of commercial banking services to corporate and individual customers. ICBC has approximately 16,000 outlets and employs 385,000 people across China. It had total assets of RMB9.4 trillion at the end of 2008.
Goldman Sachs 
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities and investment management services to a substantial and diversified client base that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. Founded in 1869, the firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong and other major financial centers around the world.&nbsp;
Contacts: 
ICBC 
Media Relations (86) 10 6610 8063 
Investor Relations (86) 10 6610 8608
Goldman Sachs 
Media Relations 
Beijing (86) 10 6627 3261 
Hong Kong (852) 2978 0218 
New York (1) 212 902 5400 
Investor Relations (1) 212 902 3580

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