Fortis Board of Directors nominates KPMG as sole auditor as of 2009

Fortis announced today that its Board of Directors will propose to the 2008 Annual General Meetings of Shareholders the appointment of KPMG as its sole auditor as of the financial year 2009. Fortis decided on 9 August 2006 to request KPMG and PwC, its two existing auditors, to submit a tender. A tender process was organised in 2007, giving both firms the opportunity to prepare under the best possible conditions. The decision, subject to regulatory approvals, to assign the external corporate and consolidated audit of Fortis SA/NV, Fortis N.V. and their subsidiaries to a single audit firm will further improve the efficiency of the audit procedure.

Since its creation in 1990, as a result of the merger of the Dutch bancassurance group AMEV and the Belgian insurer AG Groep, Fortis has worked with two external auditors. As Fortis has become an increasingly international company composed of cross-border businesses, the Board of Directors has decided to switch to a single international audit firm.

If KPMG is appointed by the 2008 Annual General Meetings of Shareholders, it will perform the external audit of Fortis as of the financial year 2009. The external audit of the 2008 annual consolidated accounts will be performed jointly by the current auditors PwC and KPMG, pursuant to their existing mandates.

Fortis greatly appreciates the excellent service that PwC has provided over the years and wishes to thank the firm for its unflagging commitment.

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 32.3 billion (29/02/2008), Fortis ranks among the 15 largest financial institutions in Europe. Our sound solvency position, our presence in more than 50 countries and our dedicated, professional workforce of 60,000 enable us to combine global strength with local flexibility and provide our clients with optimum support. More information is available on www.fortis.com

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