PARIS (Standard&Poor's) Nov. 30, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today that it had assigned its 'A' rating to the Convertible And Subordinated Hybrid Equity-Linked Securities (CASHES) issue launched today by Fortis group. This up to €2.5 billion (subject to an additional €500 million option) issue is part of the financing plan of ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (AA-/Positive/A-1+) acquired in October 2007. CASHES will be issued by Fortis Bank SA/NV (AA-/Stable/A-1+), with Fortis SA/NV and Fortis N.V. (the two holding companies of the group, both rated A+/Stable/A-1) being co-obligors in conjunction with Fortis Bank. The Belgian banking and insurance regulator will accept CASHES as part of Fortis Bank's and Fortis group's core equity. The rating on this issue