Standard & Poor's (S&P) has awarded Fortis Corporate Insurance N.V. an

A (Strong) rating. It considers the outlook stable.

Fortis Corporate Insurance is part of Fortis Insurance International and focuses on non-life business, providing medium and large-sized companies with fire, transport, liability and fleet insurance.

Standard & Poor's states that the rating is based partly on FCI's sound competitive position, good operating results and very strong capitalisation. The fact that Fortis Corporate Insurance is part of Fortis is a further factor.

Patrick Coene, CEO of Fortis Corporate Insurance says: 'We have invested a good deal in recent years in enhancing the quality of our service and the return on our portfolio. This A (A flat) rating proves that our efforts have been successful. It is an extra affirmation of our reliability in dealings with clients.'

Fortis Corporate Insurance N.V. (FCI) provides non-life insurance to medium and large-sized (inter)nationally operating companies based in the Benelux countries. FCI's business lines are Marine, Property, Liability and Fleet. FCI is a subsidiary of Fortis Insurance International.

Fortis Corporate Insurance is part of Fortis, an international financial service provider engaged in banking and insurance. We offer our personal, business and institutional customers a comprehensive package of products and services through our own channels, in collaboration with intermediaries and through other distribution partners. With a market capitalisation of EUR 39.5 billion (31/08/2006), Fortis ranks among the twenty largest financial institutions in Europe. Our sound solvency position, our presence in 50 countries and our dedicated, professional workforce of 58,000 enable us to combine global strength with local flexibility and provide our clients with optimum support. More information is available on www.fortis.com