Purchase of Own Securities

FBD Holdings PLC
19 December 2001


                          FBD Holdings plc ('FBD' )

                            Purchase of Own Shares


FBD announces that it has purchased 2,500 of its own Ordinary Shares. The
purchases took place on 19th December, 2001. The minimum price paid was Euro
4.75 per share and the maximum price was Euro 5.00 per share.

Date :          19th December, 2001

Issued on behalf of FBD Holdings plc by Bloxham Stockbrokers


For Reference :


        Paul O'Callaghan, 01 409 3200

        Philip Fitzsimons, 01 409 3200