HUGIN NEWS/Fortis endows Chair in Sustainable Finance at RSM Erasmus University

Fortis has endowed a Chair in Sustainable Finance at RSM Erasmus University in Rotterdam with effect from 1 January 2007asmus Universiteit deceBep weet ervan. donderdag uit te sturen. eren. probleem hoop ik. omen voor het vastleggen van de ondert. The Chair will be held by Dr Kees Koedijk, Professor of Financial Management at RSM Erasmus University, and will be part of the University's European Centre for Corporate Engagement (ECCE) to be opened in the near future. The arrangements were finalised this week.

Professor Koedijk is famous for his work on sustainability and investment. In 2002 and 2005, he was a recipient of the American Social Investment Forum's prestigious Moskowitz Prize, a global award for outstanding quantitative research on socially responsible investing. Also in 2005, his research team received a large grant from the Stockholm-based Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research (Mistra). These awards have underpinned the existence of the ECCE.

In setting up this Chair, Fortis has demonstrated once again the importance it attaches to corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Fortis will also sponsor a number of guest lectures each year.

Professor gelegenheid van deze ondertekening zei Prof Han van Dissel, Dean of RSM Erasmus University, and Professor Koedijk signed the endowment documents this week, together with Lex Kloosterman, Executive Committee member, and Eric Bouwmeester, General Manager Corporate Social Responsibility, on behalf of Fortis. The endowment is for two years with an optional further two years.

Professor Van Dissel commented: "We are very glad that Fortis is prepared to support the school in the important field of sustainable investment. RSM would indeed like to work more closely with the business community on issues that impinge on corporate social responsibility in the Netherlands and elsewhere."

Lex Kloosterman also said how pleased he was: "Fortis regards this unique collaboration with RSM Erasmus University as a tangible expression of its policy on corporate social responsibility. We have created a connection not only with the academic world of knowledge and research but also with the students themselves. We see it as an investment in the socially responsible managers of the future. The Fortis Chair in Sustainable Finance will also yield results that we can use in our customer relations. We look forward to a successful collaboration with RSM Erasmus University with much confidence and enthusiasm.M Erasmus University er nog zou moeten veranderen? . ent? dag zal het wel rond zijn. ingen waren"

Fortis is an international financial services provider engaged in banking and insurance. We offer our personal, business and institutional customers a comprehensive package of products and services through our own channels, in collaboration with intermediaries and through other distribution partners. With a market capitalisation of EUR 42.8 billion (31/10/2006), Fortis ranks among the twenty largest financial institutions in Europe. Our sound solvency position, our presence in 50 countries and our dedicated, professional workforce of 58,000 enable us to combine global strength with local flexibility and provide our clients with optimum support. More information is available at www.fortis.com.

RSM Erasmus University isSM voor het Nederlandse bedrijfsleven jke thema'bedrijfsleven an internationally acclaimed business school dedicated to advancing the frontiers of business knowledge. In terms of student and researcher numbers, it is one of the biggest business schools in the world, offering a wide range of undergraduate (Bachelor/Master) programmes and executive education (MBA): www.rsm.nl

For more information, please contact:

Fortis Press Office Diederik Heinink [phone]

RSM Erasmus University

UniversityMarianne Schouten Media & Public Relations Manager [phone] [e-mail] nd ininkdere informatie over dit persbericht:

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