In accordance with the rules on financial transparency, UBS AG sent a notification on 21 September 2009 that its interest has exceeded the statutory threshold of 3% of the shares issued by Fortis.

On 21 September 2009, UBS AG held 92,493,226 effective and potential voting rights, representing a stake of 3.68%.

A copy of the notification form sent by UBS AG is attached to this press release.

The notifications received by Fortis are available on the Fortis website under "Investor relations - The share - Transparency requirements" (http://www.fortis.com/Shareholders/transparency_requirements.asp).

With insurance as core business, Fortis (www.fortis.com) employs over 10,000 people in Belgium and internationally. Its four key markets are Belgium, the United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Asia.

Fortis's 75%-owned subsidiary AG Insurance is the long-established leader in its domestic Belgian Life and Non-Life insurance markets. It is also a leading player in the Employee Benefits segment. Outside Belgium, the wholly-owned subsidiary Fortis Insurance International is active in the three other markets through direct subsidiaries, joint ventures and local partnerships. Fortis is set to become the second largest motor insurer in the UK and the company is also applying its know-how in Asia to build high value-added partnerships.

In 2008, 54% of Fortis's insurance revenues were generated by the Belgian market and 46% by the three other markets.

Fortis additionally holds a 45% interest in the structured credit portfolio entity Royal Park Investments, and is the 100% owner of several financing vehicles, of which it manages the assets and liabilities. The company is listed on Euronext (Brussels - Amsterdam).