Dividend

Dividend policy

As part of its long term financial targets set out in 2005, Fortis aims to pay, on an annual basis, a dividend which is growing or at least stable compared to the previous year; taking into account not only the current profitability and solvency but also the prospects of the company. The dividend is paid in cash. This policy confirms the importance that Fortis attaches to creating value for its shareholders. The Board will propose the amount of the final dividend at the time of the announcement of the full year results and it will be subject to the approval by the General Meetings of Shareholders.
Moreover an interim dividend is paid in September. The interim dividend will in normal circumstances amount to 50% of the annual dividend over the preceding financial year. The interim dividend will be announced together with the publication of the half year results.

2006 Final Dividend

The Board of Directors of 7 March 2007 has decided to propose a total dividend of EUR 1.4 gross pershare related to the year 2006. Taking into account the interim dividend of EUR 0.58 gross per share already paid on 7 September 2006, the final dividend will amount to EUR 0.82 gross per share and will be paid in cash. This dividend proposal has been approved by the General Shareholders meetings of 23 May 2007.

The payment of the dividend is possible at every financial institution or bank within Belgium or The Netherlands, while the official paying agents are Fortis Bank Belgium, Fortis Bank Netherlands and Petercam.

The dividend from the Dutch source is subject to a 15% dividend tax.
The dividend from the Belgian source is subject to a 25% withholding tax reduced to 15% when the corresponding coupon from the VVPR strip is presented simultaneously with the share coupon. The rights attached to the VVPR strips apply only to the dividend from the Belgian source.

2007 Interim Dividend

The Board of Directors of 8 August 2007 has decided to pay an interim dividend related to the year 2007. The amount of the interim divided has been set at EUR 0.70 gross per share and will be paid in cash.

The payment of the dividend is possible at every financial institution or bank within Belgium or The Netherlands, while the official paying agents are Fortis Bank Belgium, Fortis Bank Netherlands and Petercam. The coupon number against which the dividend can be paid is coupon nr 39.

The dividend from the Dutch source is subject to a 15% dividend tax.

The dividend from the Belgian source is subject to a 25% withholding tax reduced to 15% when the corresponding coupon from the VVPR strip is presented simultaneously with the share coupon. The rights attached to the VVPR strips apply only to the dividend from the Belgian source.

Dividend overview

Dividend (in EUR)

Dividend election procedure

Each Fortis share represents one share in each of the two Fortis parent companies, i.e. Fortis N.V. and Fortis SA/NV. Shareholders can therefore decide from which parent company they wish to receive dividend. They can choose Fortis N.V. and receive dividend from the Dutch source, or Fortis SA/NV and receive dividend from the Belgian source. Shareholders must make their choice known during the dividend election period.

More information on Dividend Election in the “Fortis Governance Statement”

Timetable final dividend of 2006 (paid in 2007):

23 May 2007 General Meetings of Shareholders

25 May 2007 Fortis share quotes ex-dividend

25 May 2007 Start of the dividend election period

8 June 2007 End of the dividend election period

14 June 2007 Payment of the 2006 final dividend

Timetable interim dividend 2007:

10 August 2007 Fortis share quotes ex-dividend

10 August 2007 Start dividend election period

29 August 2007 End dividend election period

6 September 2007 Payment of the 2007 interim dividend