These openings are in line with Fortis' stated strategy to open Business Centres in 15 additional countries in Europe. The Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary with their high level of international trade, are part of the countries that have been identified as having high potential for Commercial Banking.

The new Business Centres will deliver business services to medium-sized enterprises with annual sales between EUR 2.5 million and EUR 250 million, with an emphasis on internationally active companies with complex financial needs. In particular, it focuses on businesses seeking multiple banking services, such as leasing, factoring, risk management, trade finance, international credit facilities and international cash management.

The Czech team is headed by Mr Hans Broucke, Business Centre Manager. Mr Broucke, who has the Belgian nationality, has joined Fortis at the end of 2003. He previously worked in the financial sector and specifically held responsibilities in Corporate Banking in Brussels, Prague and Kiev.

The Prague Branch is situated at Myslbek Building, Ovocny trh 8; CZ - 117 19 Prague

The Vienna team is headed by Mr Peter Neundlinger, Business Centre Manager. Mr Neundlinger, who has the Austrian nationality, has joined Fortis in May 2005. He previously worked at Raiffeisenlandesbank as Head of the commercial customer department and most recently as commercial general manager of an industrial company in Vienna.

The Vienna Branch is situated at Euro Plaza | D, Wienerbergstrasse 41, 1120 Vienna.

The Budapest team is headed by Mrs Edit Sziraki, Business Centre Manager. Mrs Sziraki, who has the Hungarian nationality, has joined Fortis in May 2005. She previously worked at K&H Bank where she was responsible for Large Corporate Unit in Budapest.

The Budapest Branch is situated at Deak Palace, V. Deak Frenc Utca 15, 1052 Budapest

Fortis Bank is part of Fortis, an integrated financial services provider active in the fields of banking and insurance. With a market capitalization of EUR 28.7 billion (31/05/2005) and around 51,000 employees, Fortis ranks in the top 20 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