The Financial Post reports in its Tuesday, Feb. 9, edition that National Bank of Canada will write down $165-million, representing the full carrying value of its investment in Maple Financial Group, after authorities in Germany shut down Maple's business activities there over the weekend. The Post's Barbara Shecter writes that on Monday, the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, another minority investor in Maple, said it is "assessing the current situation," which stems from an investigation into alleged trading-related tax fraud at Maple's German subsidiary. Teachers' and National Bank have pledged to repay dividends they received if the allegations are proven. National Bank has a 24.9-per-cent interest in Maple Financial Group. "National Bank has advised the German authorities that if it is determined portions of dividends received from Maple Financial Group Inc. could be reasonably attributable to tax fraud by Maple Bank, arrangements will be made to repay those amounts to the relevant authority," said National Bank. Teachers says it gave "the relevant authorities ... assurances" about potential dividend repayments "immediately upon becoming aware of the allegations against employees of Maple Bank last fall."