• "Signal interest rate" of 1% now applies to further programme variants
• "Energy-efficient Refurbishment" Programme for housing projects at a rate of 1% on all maturities
• Under the KfW Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection Programmes, interest rates start at 1% even for 10-year term
• Interest rates from 0.1% in programme "Energy-efficient Refurbishment - Municipalities"

"The historically very low interest level gives us the chance to offer our programmes at even more attractive interest rates. Even for long-term investments in energy efficiency and environmental protection, financing is at unprecedented low levels. Private individuals, businesses and municipalities should seize this opportunity now to prepare for the challenges of the energy turnaround and climate change", said Dr Axel Nawrath, member of the Executive Board of KfW Bankengruppe.

"Municipalities have considerable potential to save energy. The favourable terms of the municipal programmes, particularly the "Energy-efficient Urban Refurbishment" programme, provide additional impetus for tapping this potential," said Dr Peter Ramsauer, Federal Minister of Transport.

The interest rate reduction applies to most housing loan programmes and programmes for start-ups, environmental and general corporate financing. Interest rates have also been reduced in the programmes "Energy-Efficient Urban Refurbishment" and "Energy-efficient Refurbishment - Municipalities". By offering rates from 0.1% KfW is making it easier for municipalities to finance the energy-efficient refurbishment of non-residential municipal buildings. Measures aimed at improving the energy efficiency of whole quarters will be financed at interest rates from 0.5%.

More information about the interest rate reduction and the relevant programmes is available at www.kfw.de.