Statement re (Pre close)

3i Group PLC
23 March 2005




3i Group plc - Pre close briefing to 31 March 2005



3i Group plc ('3i'), Europe's leading private equity company, will today start
its pre close period analyst briefings ahead of the announcement of its full
year results on 12 May 2005.



The results for the full year will be based on the normal detailed valuation
exercise carried out at 31 March 2005.



The main topics that will be discussed during the briefings are:





1.  Investment


Investment, including co-investment funds to 28 February 2005, totalled £843
million.  This compares with total investment of £794 million, including
co-investment funds, to 29 February 2004.





2.  Realisations


Realisation proceeds were £1.15 billion in the eleven months to 28 February
2005.  This compares with realisation proceeds of £807 million to 29 February
2004.





3.  Unquoted portfolio

The latest Enterprise Barometer survey of the 3i portfolio was published on 25
February 2005.  The overall result was +38, a modest increase from +23 for the
fourth quarter 2004.



We expect that the level of provisions for investments that may fail and
downrounds for the period to 31 March 2005 will be at lower levels than for the
full year to 31 March 2004.





4.  Capital structure

The Board is considering returning surplus cash to shareholders and we expect to
make an announcement at the time of our full year results on 12 May 2005.





5.  Regulation



3i Group plc intends to cease being a Deposit Taker regulated by the Financial
Services Authority ('FSA') and is in discussion with the FSA regarding the
timetable for this change. 3i Investments plc will continue to be regulated by
the FSA.





Philip Yea, 3i's Chief Executive said:



'We are continuing to see strong performance across our business and are taking
advantage of the competitive dynamics of our markets.  This is particularly seen
in the very strong level of realisations from our portfolio, although investment
levels have also remained good.'





Ends





For information please contact:


Michael Queen    Finance Director, 3i Group plc                    020 7975 3400
Patrick Dunne    Group Communications Director, 3i Group plc       020 7975 3566
Philip Gawith    The Maitland Consultancy                          020 7379 5151






                      This information is provided by RNS
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