Distribution of E177 million

FBD Holdings PLC
17 April 2007

                              PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT



                                FBD HOLDINGS PLC

                             ('FBD' OR 'THE GROUP')



                         DISTRIBUTION OF  €177 MILLION





At a Meeting on 16th April 2007, the Board of FBD Holdings plc decided to
distribute €177m of the Company's financial reserves to shareholders.



It is intended to make the distribution on 27th June 2007 to shareholders on the
register on 8th June  2007.



The precise mode of distribution will be advised to shareholders in due course,
further to an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company which is scheduled to
follow the AGM on 22nd May 2007.   (Notice of these Meetings will issue in
coming days).   Inter alia, a special resolution to allow flexibility in the
method of distribution in the future will be recommended by the Board to the
Meeting for approval, as a possible alternative to distribution via a special
dividend.  Following the Meeting's decision on this resolution, the Board will
determine the mode of distribution.



The Board also decided at its Meeting on 16th April that, subject to the
forthcoming Annual General Meeting's renewal of the authorisation for the
Company to undertake market purchases of its own shares, (not exceeding 10% of
the issued shares in aggregate), the Company may undertake market purchases if
such purchases are deemed to be in the best interests of shareholders.







Commenting on the Board's decision, Mr. Michael Berkery, Chairman said:



'The successful development of the FBD Group has generated significant cash,
particularly in recent years. The Company has been proactive in its management
of capital and has repatriated €265m. to shareholders since March 2005. The
remaining capital not required in our businesses has been prudently invested
while the potential to deploy it to pursue development opportunities in the core
underwriting business or related financial services businesses was being
investigated.



Following its assessment of the Group's capital requirements in the context of
its ambitious growth plans, the Board has determined that €177m. of capital will
not be required to pursue those plans and has decided to distribute it to
shareholders. This is further evidence of the Group's disciplined capital
management and will enhance the return on equity for shareholders'



ENDS


                                                                      17th April
  2007



For Reference
                                                  Telephone



FBD

Philip Fitzsimons, Chief Executive
                                              01 4093200

Andrew Langford, Finance Director
                                          01 4093200



Murray Consultants

Joe Murray
                                                     01 4980300





This announcement has been issued through the Companies Announcement Service of

                           The Irish Stock Exchange.








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