SBK/SNB - Standard Bank Group Limited - Sanctioning of scheme of arrangement

SBK/SNB - Standard Bank Group Limited - Sanctioning of scheme of arrangement    
Standard Bank Group Limited                                                     
Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa                                    
Registration number 1969/017128/06                                              
JSE share code: SBK                                                             
NSX share Code: SNB                                                             
ISIN: ZAE000057378                                                              
("Standard Bank Group" or "the Company")                                        
SANCTIONING OF THE SCHEME OF ARRANGEMENT                                        
Further to the announcement released on the Securities Exchange News Service of 
the JSE Limited and published in the press on Thursday, 13 December 2007 and    
Friday, 14 December 2007, respectively, Standard Bank Group ordinary            
shareholders are advised that the scheme of arrangement in terms of section 311 
of the Companies Act, 1973, as amended, proposed by Industrial and Commercial   
Bank of China Limited, between Standard Bank Group and its ordinary shareholders
("the Scheme"), was sanctioned by the High Court of South Africa (Witwatersrand 
Local Division) today, being Tuesday, 18 December 2007. A certified copy of the 
Order of Court sanctioning the Scheme will be lodged with the Registrar of      
Companies for registration.                                                     
A further announcement regarding the fulfilment of the remaining conditions     
precedent and setting out the dates and times in respect of the implementation  
of the transaction will be made in due course.                                  
Johannesburg                                                                    
18 December 2007                                                                
Investment bank and joint sponsor to Standard Bank Group                        
Standard Bank                                                                   
Financial adviser and lead sponsor to Standard Bank Group                       
Deutsche Securities (SA) (Proprietary) Limited                                  
Legal advisers to Standard Bank Group                                           
Bowman Gilfillan Inc                                                            
Sponsor to Standard Bank Group in Namibia                                       
Simonis Storm Securities (Proprietary) Limited                                  
Date: 18/12/2007 12:37:02 Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
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