BRUSSELS, BELGIUM–( EMWNews – April 3, 2008) –

Today Fortis and ABN AMRO announce the first step in the sale of

parts of the commercial banking activities of ABN AMRO Business

Unit

Netherlands (BU NL). This consists of Hollandsche Bank Unie N.V.,

two

corporate clients units and 13 commercial advisory branches. In

addition, the Dutch factoring company IFN Finance B.V. will be

sold.

All these businesses are currently part of ABN AMRO in the

Netherlands.

The proposed sale is in line with the commitments made to the

European Commission (EC) on 3 October 2007 aimed at overcoming the

EC’s concerns regarding concentration in the Dutch banking market

resulting from Fortis’s acquisition of certain ABN AMRO assets.

The

EC wants assurance that a solid player will enter the Dutch

commercial banking market. Fortis and ABN AMRO are taking all

necessary steps to comply with the EC’s requirements.

The sale will consist of the following businesses:

n        Hollandsche Bank Unie N.V.



n        Two corporate clients units:

n        Amsterdam

n        Eindhoven



n        13 commercial advisory branches:

n        Apeldoorn

n        Arnhem

n        Den Bosch

n        Dordrecht (Drechtsteden)

n        Groningen

n        Leeuwarden

n        Lisse

n        Maastricht

n        Middelburg (Walcheren)

n        Roosendaal

n        The Hague (Centre)

n        Utrecht

n        Zwolle

with the exception of certain assets and liabilities.

In addition to the above, the Dutch factoring company IFN Finance

B.V. will be sold.

The proposed activities represent approximately 10% of the total

Dutch commercial banking market in terms of assets and income.

Fortis

and ABN AMRO will ensure that the interests of all stakeholders

are

represented during the sale, not least those of customers. Their

contacts at the bank will remain unchanged, and they will be kept

informed of all relevant developments.

The sale of these parts of ABN AMRO BU NL is an essential first

step

in the completion of Fortis’s acquisition of certain ABN AMRO

assets.

The combined forces of Fortis and ABN AMRO will result in an

expanded

commercial banking network and more innovative product development

opportunities, and will give customers direct access to expertise

with a strong local presence.

The actual date of integration depends on several factors, such as

the progress in meeting the EC requirements.

Fortis is an international financial services provider engaged in

banking and insurance. We offer our personal, business and

institutional customers a comprehensive package of products and

services through our own channels, in collaboration with

intermediaries and through other distribution partners. With a

market

capitalisation of EUR 35.1 billion (31/03/2008), Fortis ranks

among

the 20 largest financial institutions in Europe. Our sound

solvency

position, our presence in over 50 countries and our dedicated,

professional workforce of 65,000 enable us to combine global

strength

with local flexibility and provide our clients with optimum

support.

More information is available at www.fortis.com.

Netherlands-based ABN AMRO is a leading international bank with

total

assets of EUR 1,025.2 billion (as at 31 December 2007). ABN AMRO

was

acquired by the Consortium of RBS, Fortis and Santander in October

2007 and its various businesses are being divided among the three

banks in line with their strategic priorities. Further details

regarding the acquisition and ABN AMRO’s transition can be found

on

the website www.abnamro.com/future or the websites of the

Consortium

banks: www.rbs.com, www.fortis.com and

www.santander.com.

Fortis



Press Contacts:

Brussels:           +32 (0)2 565 35 84 Utrecht: +31 (0)30 226 32

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Investor Relations:

Brussels:           +32 (0)2 565 53 78 Utrecht: +31 (0)30 226 65

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ABN AMRO

Press Contacts:

Amsterdam: +31 (0)20 628 89 00

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