Brussels, 27/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 27 February 2008 the European Commission opened an in-depth investigation into state support measures in favour of the German banks IKB and Sachsen LB. Several public banks saved IKB and Sachsen LB after they had experienced difficulties created by their investments and losses in US sub-prime markets. The Commission has to assess whether these measures are compatible with EU rules for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulties or actually constitute state aid. Around €9 billion was given to IKB and a group of Landesbanken granted liquidity assistance of around €17 billion to SachsenLB over the same period. In January 2008 both banks notified the Commission. Should the Commission come to the conclusion that the measures constitute state aid, such aid could be found compatible if it fulfils the conditions of the EU guidelines on state aid for rescuing and restructuring firms in difficulty. These aspects will be the subject of the second phase of the Commission's investigation. (C.D.)