Brussels, 10/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - German private banks welcomed yesterday's ruling by the Court of First Instance, which confirms WestLB's obligation to reimburse aid received and which gives the European Commission the possibility to re-calculate the amount. Thus, Wolfgang Arnold, who chairs the German banking association, considers that the decision is a major milestone for growing competition in the German banking system. From now on, in his view, there will be nothing to prevent the Commission from eliminating competition distortion. WestLB is confident, saying: "the decision is a major victory for the bank. We believe that our case will now be treated with more consideration by the Commission". We recall that, on 5 March, the CFI cancelled a Commission decision condemning WestLB to pay back the sum of EUR 808 million corresponding to aid illegally received. The Court of First Instance does not challenge the fact that this is State aid, and that it should be paid back, but considers the Commission's argument regarding its method of calculation is not sufficient (see EUROPE of 7 March, p.13).