(24/11/2005) KBC : result for 3Q 2005: 543 million euro

Financial highlights - 3Q 2005: - Net profit at 543 million euros, up 49% y/y and 1% q/q - Both mortgages and AUM up 6% q/q and (again) record level of sales of life insurance - High commission income and NIM slightly wider q/q - Predominantly positive impact of developments on interest rate and equity markets - Operating expenses down 3% q/q. Cost/income, banking ytd at 58% - Very limited loan losses (5 million euros). Loan loss ratio ytd at 4 bps - Combined ratio, non-life ytd at 95% - In CEE, banking income up and expenses down q/q, while loan loss provisions were average Profit outlook for 2005: Based on current assessment of relevant economic and financial parameters, profit for 2005 is expected to come to around 2.2 billion euros. Earnings release: The full text of the earnings release is available in English, Dutch, French and German at www.kbc.com, along with a PowerPoint presentation and the quarterly financial statement (both in English). The press release is also available on http://www.companynewsgroup.com About KBC: KBC is one of the largest bancassurers in Belgium and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as a leading asset manager, catering for retail and private banking clients in Europe. KBC Group currently has a market capitalization of some 27 billion euros, employs around 50 000 people and serves approximately 12 million customers. © CompanynewsGroup