The Office of the Registrar of Banks wishes to state that, contrary to certain recent press reports, the Registrar's recommendations regarding the proposed merger between Nedcor Limited and Standard Bank Investment Corporation Limited are still under consideration by the Registrar's Office. Until this internal process has been completed, the recommendation will not be submitted to the office of the Minister of Finance. Mindful of the urgency of the matter, the Registrar's Office is also conscious of the importance of ensuring due consideration of all aspects surrounding such a merger. The Registrar's Office will endeavour to make its recommendations to the Minister in the most complete and timely manner possible.