Pre-Closing Statement

FBD Holdings PLC
19 December 2005









19th December  2005





Companies Announcement Office,

The Irish Stock Exchange,

28 Anglesea Streeet,

Dublin 2











                             PRE-CLOSING STATEMENT





In a pre-closing statement released to the Stock Exchange today, FBD Holdings
plc said:



'FBD has traded strongly in the year to date.



In relation to 2005 earnings, the Company is comfortable with market
expectations.



Looking ahead, we remain focused on growing market share in our core
underwriting activity, and on maximising the competitive advantages of our
direct sales business model.   In the Irish insurance market, price competition
is continuing.  As we noted in our interim statement, this will drive the
combined ratio to European norms in due course.'





For Reference

                        Telephone

FBD

Philip Fitzsimons, Chief Executive
                             01 4093200

Andrew Langford, Finance Director



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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