Joint Statement re. ABN AMRO

Banco Santander Central Hispano SA
26 April 2007



26 April 2007 - Fortis, RBS and Santander Announcement

Fortis, RBS and Santander (collectively, the 'Banks') note the announcement by
ABN AMRO that it will provide the Banks with the same information that was
previously shared with Barclays. The Banks have received this afternoon the
confidentiality agreement that ABN AMRO requires. This agreement contains a
standstill provision which would prevent the Banks from making an offer for ABN
AMRO within twelve months without the prior written consent of ABN AMRO. The
Banks have requested that ABN AMRO remove this standstill provision.

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Important Information

This announcement is made pursuant to article 9b(1) of the Dutch Decree on the
Supervision of the Securities Trade 1995 (the 'Decree').

In connection with a potential transaction involving ABN AMRO, the Banks may be
required to file relevant documents with the SEC. Such documents, however, are
not currently available. INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANY DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE
POTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL
CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors will be able to obtain a free 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 such documents may also be
obtained from each Bank, without charge, once they are filed with the SEC.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of
an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any
jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such
jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made in the United States
except 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'. These
statements are based on the current expectations of the Banks and are naturally
subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Forward-looking statements
include, without limitation, statements typically containing words such as
'intends', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'targets', 'estimates' and words of similar
import. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty
because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the
future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
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 AMRO
enter into any definitive agreement with respect to the potential transaction,
satisfaction of any conditions to the potential transaction, including receipt
of required regulatory and anti-trust approvals, the anticipated benefits of the
potential transaction not being realized, the separation and integration of ABN
AMRO and its assets among the Banks being materially delayed or more costly or
difficult than expected, as well as additional factors, such as changes in
economic conditions, changes in the regulatory environment, fluctuations in
interest and exchange rates, the outcome of litigation and government actions.
Other unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements. None of the Banks
undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except to the extent legally required.




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