According to Germany´s business paper "Handelsblatt" subprime exposure of WEST LB inclusive all subsidies amounts to 1,25 Billion EUR. Papers are rated with "A" or "AA". According to a spokesperson the situation of WEST LB is in no way comparable to IKB, the German bank troubling from subprime exposure. WestLB AG is a European commercial bank with firm roots in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany´s largest federal state. With total assets of ⬠292.1 billion as at September 30, 2006, it is one of Germany´s leading financial services providers. It is the central institution for the savings banks in some areas.