26th Apr 2007 16:56
Banco Santander Central Hispano SA26 April 2007 26 April 2007 - Fortis, RBS and Santander Announcement Fortis, RBS and Santander (collectively, the "Banks") note the announcement byABN AMRO that it will provide the Banks with the same information that waspreviously shared with Barclays. The Banks have received this afternoon theconfidentiality agreement that ABN AMRO requires. This agreement contains astandstill provision which would prevent the Banks from making an offer for ABNAMRO within twelve months without the prior written consent of ABN AMRO. TheBanks have requested that ABN AMRO remove this standstill provision. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Important Information This announcement is made pursuant to article 9b(1) of the Dutch Decree on theSupervision of the Securities Trade 1995 (the "Decree"). In connection with a potential transaction involving ABN AMRO, the Banks may berequired to file relevant documents with the SEC. Such documents, however, arenot currently available. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANY DOCUMENTS REGARDING THEPOTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILLCONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able to obtain a free copy ofsuch documents without charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov) oncesuch documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of such documents may also beobtained from each Bank, without charge, once they are filed 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. 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 circumstances. Forward-looking statementsinclude, without limitation, statements typically containing words such as"intends", "expects", "anticipates", "targets", "estimates" and words of similarimport. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertaintybecause they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in thefuture. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results anddevelopments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by suchforward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, thepresence of a competitive offer for ABN AMRO, whether the Banks and ABN AMROenter into any definitive agreement with respect to the potential transaction,satisfaction of any conditions to the potential transaction, including receiptof required regulatory and anti-trust approvals, the anticipated benefits of thepotential transaction not being realized, the separation and integration of ABNAMRO and its assets among the Banks being materially delayed or more costly ordifficult than expected, as well as additional factors, such as changes ineconomic conditions, changes in the regulatory environment, fluctuations ininterest and exchange rates, the outcome of litigation and government actions.Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differmaterially from those in the forward-looking statements. None of the Banksundertake any obligation to update publicly or revise forward-lookingstatements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,except to the extent legally required. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
Banco SantanderRBS.L