With preparations of the integration of ABN AMRO Private Banking into Fortis well on track in Asia, Fortis has declared the new Private Banking Asia leadership team for the combined private bank, which will take effect from 1 January 2009.

The new Management Team has collectively accumulated over 150 years of experience in leading markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, New York, London and Amsterdam.

Under the leadership of Barend Janssens as Head of Fortis Private Banking Asia Pacific, the members of the new Management Team will comprise the following:

Hans Diederen, Regional Head of Greater China;

Lee Chang Tze, Regional Head of South East Asia;

Hassan el Nahas, Regional Head of the Middle East (effective 1 April 2009);

Marc de Natris, Head of Brokerage Management;

Solange Rouschop, Head of Products and Solutions;

Seah Li Li, Chief Credit Officer;

Samir Dewan, Chief Administrative Officer; and

Peeter Chris ‘t Hart, Head of Marketing and Sales.

Barend Janssens, appointed Head of the future Fortis Private Banking Asia Pacific, commented, “The announcement today is an exciting step in our integration plans. We have an excellent line-up of talent with a great depth of expertise who aim to provide outstanding service to our clients. I am confident that this team will drive and realise the ambition and potential of the future combined private bank.”

After the integration is completed, Fortis in Asia will have 860 employees across five countries dedicated to private banking and managing a total of USD 30 billion of client assets and liabilities. Fortis Private Banking also holds a strong position as a top 10 private bank in Asia. The integration of the businesses in Singapore, Hong Kong and China are expected to be completed by January 2009, Taiwan at the end of the first quarter 2009 and the United Arab Emirates at the end of second quarter 2009.