Jean-Paul Votron has today been officially appointed Executive Director until the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in 2008. He has also officially become Fortis's CEO.

Jean-Paul Votron (53) comes from Citigroup and succeeds Anton van Rossum, who became CEO in September 2000.

Jean-Paul Votron has gained years of experience in the international financial sector. 'But Fortis poses a completely new and exciting challenge,' he commented. 'I am really looking forward to getting to know all aspects of this company over the months ahead - customers, employees and all the other stakeholders.

'I hope to share my impressions, views and initial plans with you early in 2005,' Jean-Paul Votron continued. 'Perhaps I shall eventually emphasise different features, but the basic premise will remain the strategy that is already in place. We are targeting organic growth, capture of market shares and enhancement of our services as the biggest financial institution in the Benelux region. We shall build on this to add to Fortis' international presence by developing several platforms on a European scale and in certain cases even a global one. It is not a coincidence that we recently made new moves into southern Europe and Asia.'

Chairman of the Board of Directors Maurice Lippens, welcoming Jean-Paul Votron, said: 'I welcome you to Fortis on behalf of all the staff and the Board of Directors. Your experience will certainly help us all to expand Fortis further.'

Fortis is an integrated financial services provider active in the fields of banking and insurance. With a market capitalization of EUR 24.9 billion (30/09/2004) and around 52,000 employees, Fortis ranks in the top 20 of European financial institutions. In its home market, the Benelux countries, Fortis occupies a leading position which it aims to develop and bolster. Fortis is drawing on the expertise it has acquired in its home market to realize its European ambitions via growth platforms. Fortis also operates successfully worldwide in selected activities. In specific countries in Europe and Asia it effectively exploits its know-how and experience in bancassurance. Fortis is listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam, Brussels and Luxembourg and has a sponsored ADR programme in the United States. More information is available on www.fortis.com