Fortis Provides First Reaction To VEB And Deminor/Test-Aankoop.

FORTIS (PINKSHEETS:FORSY) Request for a Shareholder Meeting to be discussed by Fortis Board of Directors on 1 August.

Today Fortis has met with the Dutch Vereniging van Effectenbezitters (VEB) at the Fortis Headquarters in Utrecht. The meeting was aimed at having a constructive dialogue and responding to the questions raised in the letters received from VEB. Fortis has also answered these questions in writing. Furthermore, Fortis has confirmed that the Board of Directors, in their planned meeting on 1 August, will discuss the request for further open discussion by organising a General Meeting of Shareholders.

Simultaneously Fortis has also sent a written answer to Deminor/ Test Aankoop in response to their specific questions. Both letters to VEB and Deminor/ Test Aankoop are attached to this press release.

Fortis recognises the need to intensify the dialogue with its shareholders to strengthen trust in the company. In that respect it is planning increased communications effort in the coming weeks and months, addressing questions of in particular retail shareholders and customers.

Fortis will publish its half year results 2008 on Monday 4 August.

Annex: 1. Information provided to the VEB; 2. Letter sent to Deminor/Test-Aankoop



Fortis is an international provider of banking and insurance services to personal, business and institutional customers. We deliver a total package of financial products and services through our own high-performance channels and via intermediaries and other partners. Fortis ranks among Europe's top 20 financial institutions. We have a presence in over 50 countries and a dedicated, professional workforce of more than 65,000. All this makes us a leader in financial services in Europe, a top 3 private banker and a top tier asset manager. More information is available at 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 65 66



LINK: http://hugin.info/134212/R/1236801/264036.pdf



LINK: http://hugin.info/134212/R/1236801/264037.pdf



LINK: http://hugin.info/134212/R/1236801/264038.pdf

FORTIS

http://www.fortis.be

ISIN: BE0003801181

Stock Identifier: XBRU.FORB

US: PINKSHEETS:FORSY