ageas SA/NV — M&A Activity 2007

Apr 16, 2007

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

13 April 2007 – Fortis, Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander

In view of recent press speculation, Fortis, Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander (collectively, "the Banks") can confirm that they submitted a joint letter dated 12 April 2007 to the Chairmen of the Supervisory and Managing boards of ABN AMRO to express the Banks' interest in putting forward a proposal for the acquisition of ABN AMRO and their preference to work with ABN AMRO to make an offer to ABN AMRO shareholders.

The Banks have requested access to the same due diligence information given to Barclays.

The Banks hope to take discussions forward with the Supervisory and Managing boards of ABN AMRO, although there can be no certainty that these discussions will lead to a transaction or the form it might take.

No further comments will be made at this time.

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This announcement is made pursuant to article 9b(1) of the Dutch Decree on the Supervision of the Securities Trade 1995. Any possible transaction would be subject to approval of competent regulatory authorities in relevant jurisdictions.

This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. No offering of securities may be made in the United States except pursuant to registration under the US Securities Act of 1933 or an exemption therefrom.

Fortis N.V., Archimedeslaan 6, 3584 BA Utrecht, Netherlands; Fortis S.A./N.V., Rue Royale 20, 1000 Brussels, Belgium

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Head Office, Gogarburn, Edinburgh EH12 1HQ, UK Registered Office, 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB. Registered in Scotland No 45551

Banco Santander Central Hispano, S.A., Ciudad Grupo Santander, Avenida de Cantabria, s/n, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain