Mr. Wim Verbraeken:

I would not be able to comment on the choice of that type of transaction or the timing. We note the committee's concern. It is not the first time this concern has been voiced and we will definitely take the Senator's point under advisement. I would like to say, however, and it has been repeated by other parties and by the Minister for Finance, that the financial investors that purchase such portfolios – KBC has never sold to them – have not been seen as treating customers worse than the banks would have done. I am not saying it is a myth but the evidence to date has not shown that this was detrimental to such customers. However, I take the Senator's point.