KBC Groupe NV

Transaction in Own Shares • Oct 15, 2012

15 October 2012

KBC announces the proposed sale of its treasury shares as part of the strategic plan agreed with the European Commission

KBC has announced the proposed sale of its treasury shares currently held on its balance sheet and representing 5,1% of its total share count of 358 million shares via an institutional private placement by way of an accelerated bookbuilding limited to institutional investors. The results of the private placement will be announced as soon as possible.

KBC's strategic plan, as approved by the European Commission in November 2009, included the sale, within an agreed timeframe, of 18.2 million treasury shares held by KBC on its balance sheet

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities in any jurisdiction, and the offer of KBC treasury shares does not constitute a public offering in Belgium or in any other jurisdiction.

For further information please contact:

Wim Allegaert, General Manager, Investor Relations, KBC Group Tel 32 2 429 40 51 E-mail wim.allegaert@kbc.be

Viviane Huybrecht, General Manager, Group Communications/Spokesperson, KBC Group Tel 32 2 429 85 45 E-mail pressofficekbc@kbc.be

NYSE Euronext Brussels ticker symbol: KBC

Disclaimer

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy any securities, and the offer of KBC Group shares by KBC Group and KBC Bank does not constitute a public offering in any jurisdiction, including in Belgium.

This communication is for distribution in member states of the European Economic Area only to persons falling within the meaning of Article 2 (1) (e) of the 2003/71/CE directive as amended by Directive 2010/73/EU and in the United Kingdom only to investment professionals falling within article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order"), persons falling within article 49 (2), (a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc) and any other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The information regarding the transaction set out in this announcement must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this announcement relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

This document may not be distributed, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia, Canada, Japan, South Africa or any other jurisdiction where to do so would be a breach of laws.

The securities referred to in this announcement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and may not be offered of sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will be no public offering of the securities in the United States in connection with this transaction.

KBC Group NV

Havenlaan 2 – 1080 Brussels Viviane Huybrecht: General Manager Group Communication /Spokesperson Tel. +32 2 429 85 45

Press Office Tel. +32 2 429 65 01 Fax +32 2 429 81 60 E-mail:pressofficekbc@kbc.be

* This news item contains information that is subject to the transparency regulations for listed companies.

KBC press releases are available at www.kbc.com or can be obtained by sending an e-mail to pressofficekbc@kbc.be