25th May 2007 07:32
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC25 May 2007 25 May 2007 - Fortis, RBS and Santander Announcement In view of the forthcoming bank holidays on Monday 28 May in the Netherlands,Belgium and the UK, Fortis, RBS and Santander (collectively, the "Banks") intendto make an announcement on Tuesday 29 May rather than Sunday 27 May aspreviously indicated, clarifying whether or not, and if so under whatcircumstances, the Banks will make an offer for ABN AMRO. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- This announcement is made pursuant to article 9b(1) of the Dutch Decree on theSupervision of the Securities Trade 1995. In connection with the potential transaction involving ABN AMRO, the Banksexpect to file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") aRegistration Statement on Form F-4, which will constitute a prospectus, as wellas a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO and other relevant materials. Suchdocuments, however, are not currently available. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANYDOCUMENTS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE,BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able toobtain a copy of such documents without charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of suchdocuments may also be obtained from each Bank, without charge, once they arefiled with the SEC. This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation ofan offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in anyjurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful priorto registration or qualification under the securities laws of any suchjurisdiction. This press release is not an offer of securities for sale into theUnited States. No offering of securities shall be made in the United Statesexcept pursuant to registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended,or an exemption therefrom. Forward-Looking Statements This announcement includes certain "forward-looking statements". Thesestatements are based on the current expectations of the Banks and are naturallysubject to uncertainty and changes in certain circumstances. Forward-lookingstatements include any statements related to the benefits or synergies resultingfrom a transaction with ABN AMRO and, without limitation, statements typicallycontaining words such as "intends", "expects", "anticipates", "targets","plans", "estimates" and words of similar import. By their nature,forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate toevents and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are anumber of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differmaterially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.These factors include, but are not limited to, the presence of a competitiveoffer for ABN AMRO, satisfaction of any pre-conditions or conditions to thepotential transaction, including the receipt of required regulatory andanti-trust approvals, the successful completion of the potential transaction orany subsequent compulsory acquisition procedure, the anticipated benefits of thepotential transaction (including anticipated synergies) not being realized, theseparation and integration of ABN AMRO and its assets among the Banks and theintegration of such businesses and assets by the Banks being materially delayedor more costly or difficult than expected, as well as additional factors, suchas changes in economic conditions, changes in the regulatory environment,fluctuations in interest and exchange rates, the outcome of litigation andgovernment actions. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actualresults to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Noneof the Banks undertake any obligation to update publicly or reviseforward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, futureevents or otherwise, except to the extent legally required. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
RBS.LBanco Santander