Fortis provides first reaction to VEB and Deminor/Test-Aankoop

BRUSSEL, BELGIUM–(EMWNews – July 17, 2008) –

Request for a Shareholder Meeting to be discussed by Fortis Board

of

Directors

on 1 August.

Today Fortis has met with the Dutch Vereniging van

Effectenbezitters

(VEB) at the Fortis Headquarters in Utrecht. The meeting was aimed

at

having a constructive dialogue and responding to the questions

raised

in the letters received from VEB. Fortis has also answered these

questions in writing. Furthermore, Fortis has confirmed that the

Board of Directors, in their planned meeting on 1 August, will

discuss the request for further open discussion by organising a

General Meeting of Shareholders.

Simultaneously Fortis has also sent a written answer to Deminor/

Test

Aankoop in response to their specific questions. Both letters to

VEB

and Deminor/ Test Aankoop are attached to this press release.

Fortis recognises the need to intensify the dialogue with its

shareholders to strengthen trust in the company. In that respect

it

is planning increased communications effort in the coming weeks

and

months, addressing questions of in particular retail shareholders

and

customers.

Fortis will publish its half year results 2008 on Monday 4 August.

Annex:

1. Information provided to the VEB;

2. Letter sent to Deminor/Test-Aankoop

Fortis is an international provider of banking and insurance

services

to personal, business and institutional customers. We deliver a

total

package of financial products and services through our own

high-performance channels and via intermediaries and other

partners.

Fortis ranks among Europe’s top 20 financial institutions. We

have a

presence in over 50 countries and a dedicated, professional

workforce

of more than 65,000. All this makes us a leader in financial

services

in Europe, a top 3 private banker and a top tier asset manager.

More

information is available at www.fortis.com.

PDF version press release:

http://hugin.info/134212/R/1236801/264036.pdf

English translation letter to VEB:

http://hugin.info/134212/R/1236801/264037.pdf

English translation letter to Deminor/TA:

http://hugin.info/134212/R/1236801/264038.pdf

Press Contacts:

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

19

Investor Relations:

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

66

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