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Fortis Customer Q & A

16th February 2009

"I have read about Fortis in the media, what has happened to the company?"

There has been recent press coverage and speculation about the changes that have taken place regarding the structure and ownership of activities within Fortis Group.

The following is a summary of the changes that have taken place.

• The Dutch Government has purchased Fortis Bank and Fortis Insurance in the Netherlands, including Fortis Group's interest in ABN AMRO.
  
  
• The Belgian Government has acquired 100% of Fortis Bank Belgium. Following this the Belgian Government agreed to transfer 25% of Fortis Bank Belgium to French owned BNP Paribas. BNP Paribas was also due to acquire 100% of Fortis Insurance Belgium.
  
  
• However, following intervention by the Court of Appeal and a shareholder vote on the 11 February 2009, Fortis Bank remains owned by the Belgian Government, and Fortis Insurance Belgium owned by the Fortis Holding Company.
  
  
• Fortis Insurance International, which includes the Fortis UK life and non-life insurance operations remains part of the Fortis Holding Company and is not subject to the ongoing negotiations between the respective Governments, and the shareholders.
  
  

"What does this mean for Fortis' insurance operations in the UK?"

When we talk about Fortis now, there are in fact two entities:

• Fortis Bank, now owned by the Governments of Belgium and the Netherlands
  
  
• Fortis Holdings, owned by the shareholders, which consists of Fortis Insurance Belgium and Fortis Insurance International, which we are part of.
  
  

Fortis' insurance activities in the UK remain part of Fortis Insurance International within the Fortis Holding Company. These operations are not subject to the ongoing negotiations between the respective Governments, shareholders and BNP Paribas.

The outcome of the recent negotiations and shareholder votes do not impact the Fortis UK life and non-life insurance businesses.

The combined scale and strength of the UK and Belgian insurance companies means that we are now part of an insurance operation of some scale, with turnover of over 12bn Euros, net profit of approximately 500m Euros, assets in excess of 70bn Euros and employing around 10,000 people.

For us it is business as usual and we continue to service our customers in the usual way. Our businesses are also separately regulated by the Financial Services Authority, here in the UK.

"What happens to my policy? Can I still make a claim?"

Yes, it is very much business as usual.

Your policy is not impacted and claims should be made in the normal way.

"Should I still buy a Fortis policy?"

Absolutely.

• Fortis UK is a robust business with a strong capital position and with continued growth in profitability. All of our UK businesses are also separately regulated by the FSA and there have been no changes to our ability sell new or honour existing policies.
  
  
• If in the event you did have cause to make a claim in the future against a Fortis insurance policy, the financial strength of our business means we have more than sufficient funds to honour claims made against Fortis policies, and any claims should be made in the normal way.
  
  

"What assurances can you give me that you won't go out of business during the current situation?"

Fortis UK operates as a separate legal entity in the UK, and is a robust business with a strong and improving capital position. This is evidenced by the business ending the half-year 2008 with consolidated shareholders funds in excess of £295m, and with continued growth in profitability. Our UK businesses are also separately regulated by the FSA.

We continue to make major steps forward in the delivery of our strategy through the launch of new products and channels and the significant appointments we are making to the team. We are optimistic that the new business opportunities we are currently developing will translate into enhanced sales and put us in an even stronger position in 2009. We have continued to receive enormous support from the market.

"Where can I find further information?"

Please refer to the Fortis Holding website www.fortis.com or Fortis UK website www.fortis-uk.com

Press Contacts:

Fortis Press Office, Tel: 023 8035 2754, E: press.uk@fortis-uk.com