BRUSSELS, Belgium, Feb. 04, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Fortis Bank is pleased to announce that it has received the authorisation from the Swiss Authorities to open a Branch in Zurich (Switzerland). This opening is in line with Fortis' stated strategy to open Business Centres in 15 additional countries in Europe. Switzerland, with its high level of international trade, is part of the countries that have been identified as having high potential for Commercial Banking.
The new Business Centre 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 Swiss team is headed by Mr. Jurg Hobi, Business Centre Manager. Mr. Hobi, who has the Swiss nationality, has joined Fortis at the beginning of this year. He previously worked at Deutsche Bank Switzerland where he was head of its Large & Mid Cap business.
The Zurich Branch is situated at Oetenbachgasse 26, CH-8001 Zurich.
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 26.9 billion (31/01/2005) 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
Press Contacts: Brussels: +32 (0)2 565 35 84 Utrecht: +31 (0)30 226 32 19 Investor Relations: Brussels: +32 (0)2 510 53 91 Utrecht: +31 (0)30 226 32 20 http://hugin.info/134910/R/979088/144811.pdf
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