27th Apr 2007 07:02
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC27 April 2007 27 April 2007 - Fortis, RBS and Santander Announcement Fortis, RBS and Santander (collectively, the "Banks") announce that they havenotified the Supervisory and Managing Boards of ABN AMRO yesterday evening oftheir intention to make a public offer ("the Offer") for 100% of the issued andoutstanding share capital of ABN AMRO on a fully diluted basis. Thisnotification has been occasioned by the terms of the contract ABN AMRO hassigned with Bank of America regarding LaSalle Bank. Under Dutch regulations, the Banks are not permitted to provide details of theprice indicated in their notice today to ABN AMRO within the 7 days periodreferred to in section 9d(2) of the Besluit toezicht effectenverkeer 1995 (the"Decree"). Shareholders of ABN AMRO are invited to refer to the press releaseissued by the Banks on 25 April. The Banks continue to believe that their proposals offer materially higher valuefor ABN AMRO's shareholders and benefits to customers and employees comparedwith the recommended offer from Barclays. The Banks have invited theSupervisory and Managing Boards of ABN AMRO to discuss the Banks' proposalsfurther as soon as possible. This is an announcement in accordance with section 9b(2)(b) and section 9d(2) ofthe Decree. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Important Information 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 anduncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that willoccur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actualresults and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied bysuch forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to,the presence 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:
RBS.LBanco Santander