DEPFA Bank Plc, Europe’s second-biggest provider of public finance, said demand for the 14.4 million shares being sold by its largest shareholder is outstripping the amount of stock on offer.

THE main shareholder in Dublin-based German public sector finance specialist Depfa Bank Plc said yesterday it was selling its 40.8% stake after the bank posted a jump in third-quarter profit and raised its 2003 guidance.