Fortis announces the appointment of Lex Kloosterman as Chief Strategy Officer and member of the Fortis Executive Committee, reporting to CEO Jean-Paul Votron. In this newly created position he will be responsible primarily for developing the strategic framework and defining the direction of the company. As such he will be in charge of Investor Relations, Public Affairs, Corporate Social Responsibility and Global Branding & Communications. In addition, as a member of the Executive Committee, Lex will cover Fortis Investments. The appointment is subject to the usual regulatory approval procedures and is expected to come into effect on 1 October 2006.

Lex Kloosterman (50), a Dutch national, was born in Schiedam in the Netherlands. He holds a Master's degree in Law from the University of Leiden.

Lex joins Fortis from ABN AMRO where he served most recently as CEO of the business unit Europe - Private Clients. He started his career with ABN as a management associate in the US in 1983. He rose rapidly through the ranks, holding international senior management positions in a variety of banking activities (treasury, corporate credits, structured finance, private clients, consumer finance, cards business, etc.), involving highly diverse roles (business restructuring, leading acquisitions and divestitures, executing mergers, and organising country management).

Jean-Paul Votron stated today, 'Lex Kloosterman's strong international expertise and wealth of banking experience will be key assets in developing Fortis's international growth strategy as we build one strong brand and expand our key competencies outside the Benelux countries.'

In annex: CV

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 36,2 billion (31/07/2006), Fortis ranks among the twenty largest financial institutions in Europe. Our sound solvency position, our presence in 50 countries and our dedicated, professional workforce of 58,000 enable us to combine global strength with local flexibility and provide our clients with optimum support. More information is available on www.fortis.com

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 32 20

Annex

Curriculum vitae Alexander Maria Kloosterman

CV Alexander Kloosterman (1956)

Lex Kloosterman started out as a management trainee with ABN Bank in 1983 and has held a variety of international positions since then. After his first assignment to New York, he moved to ABN Singapore as Manager of the Corporate Banking department. He returned to Amsterdam as Senior Vice President of the Foreign Credit Committee in 1989.

From 1992 to 1994 Lex Kloosterman served as (interim) CEO of ABN AMRO's Brazilian subsidiary, Banco Hollandes Unido Brasil S.A., where he gained considerable experience in business restructuring. He left Brazil to become Executive Vice President of ABN AMRO's North American operations and member of the North American Executive Committee with responsibility for the branch network and structured finance. Lex was appointed Managing Director of Investment Banking and Global Head of Structured Finance in 1989. Under his leadership, the global network of ABN AMRO's Structured Finance business consolidated its market position and won several internationally recognised awards.

Lex Kloosterman was promoted to Senior Executive Vice President in 2000. He then served as CEO for Latin America and President of the Supervisory Board of Banco Real. Upon the creation of the Wholesale Clients strategic business unit later that year, he assumed responsibility for Energy, Chemical and Healthcare clients and later (2002) for 'country coverage', effectively heading the country organisations around the world, as well as the commercial client base.

In 2003, Lex Kloosterman, as CEO of the business unit Europe - Private Clients, assumed responsibility for ABN AMRO's wealth management and its predominantly Asian consumer banking businesses in the new growth markets. Since 1 January 2006, Lex has been CEO of the Europe business unit, in charge of approximately 10,000 FTEs in 28 countries.

Lex Kloosterman has Dutch nationality and graduated from the University of Leiden with a Master's degree in Law in 1981.