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Fortis confirms 'Ageas' will be new name and unveils logo

Rebranding in UK to be completed by first quarter 2011

30th April 2010

Fortis shareholders have given the green light for the Fortis group to adopt the new name "Ageas". During Fortis' AGMs held in Brussels and Utrecht this week, shareholders approved the name change with overwhelming support - 97% and 99% approval respectively. Shareholders were also presented with the proposed new logo.

The rebrand reflects Fortis' status as a stand alone international insurance group, following the disposal of its banking assets in 2009. Fortis operates in four key geographical regions - Belgium, the UK, Continental Europe and Asia. Now that shareholder approval has been given, the process of rebranding will begin across those regions.

The use of the Fortis name will continue in the UK with the 'Ageas' brand being introduced in a gradual and controlled way. The whole process is expected to be complete by the first quarter of 2011.

Welcoming the confirmation of the new brand name Barry Smith, Chief Executive, Fortis UK said:

Shareholder support for the new brand name 'Ageas' marks an important milestone in our development as a successful and growing insurance group. In the UK, the new brand provides a fantastic platform to restate what we stand for - true partnership with our brokers, partners and clients, delivering high levels of service and product innovation for their customers at the lowest cost. We know that this is important to customers and as we move progressively to the new brand name we will continue to deliver in these areas.

Given the controlled roll out of the brand in the UK, no changes to the Fortis name or logo for brokers, partners or clients in customer literature or policy documentation are currently required. Updates on progress will be communicated on a regular basis.

Further information for customers about our re-brand.

Further information for our distribution partners about our re-brand.

Notes to editors

About Fortis

Fortis (Insurance UK)is a leading provider of award-winning personal and commercial lines insurance solutions in the UK. Fortis UK provides both non-life and life products, distributed through a range of channels including brokers, IFAs, intermediaries, affinity partners and the Internet, as well as through its retail strategy via its wholly or partially-owned companies (RIAS, Fortis Insurance Solutions, Affinity Solutions Ltd, Text2Insure and InsureTECH Systems).

Insuring in the region of 7 million customers and working with a range of partners, Fortis is recognised for delivering consistent and high-quality customer experiences. It employs almost 3,000 people with a head office based in Eastleigh and others in Belfast, Bournemouth, Gloucester, Haywards Heath, London, Redditch, and Stoke-on-Trent.

Fortis Holdingis an international insurance company with a heritage spanning more than 180 years. Ranked among the top 20 insurers in Europe, Fortis has chosen to concentrate its business activities in Europe and Asia, which together make up the largest share of the global insurance market. It is an undisputed leader in the Belgian market for individual life and employee benefits, as well as a leading non-life player through AG Insurance. Internationally, Fortis has a strong presence in the UK, where it is the third largest private car insurer. The company also has subsidiaries in France, Germany, Turkey, Ukraine and Hong Kong. Fortis has a strong track record in developing partnerships with key distributors in different markets and successfully operates partnerships in Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal, China, Malaysia, India and Thailand. Fortis employs more than 10,000 people and has annual inflows of around EUR 15 billion.

Fortis's assets include a 75% stake in AG Insurance; 100% of Fortis Insurance International; a 45% stake in Royal Park Investments; and other financial assets and liabilities of various financing vehicles.

Press Contacts:

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