Unassociated Document

 
FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
      _________________
 
Report of Foreign Private Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For April 27, 2007

Commission File Number: 001-14624

ABN AMRO HOLDING N.V.

Gustav Mahlerlaan 10
1082 PP Amsterdam
The Netherlands
________________________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
 
Form 20-F   X     Form 40-F      

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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):            

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
         Yes           No   X  

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _____
 
 
   
   
 


 
 
Amsterdam, 27 April 2007
 
ABN AMRO lifts stand-still requirement and allows due diligence by RBS consortium

ABN AMRO has repeatedly tried to engage in cooperative discussions with a consortium led by Royal Bank of Scotland. Despite explicit requests, the consortium has to date not provided us with any clarification on its indicative proposal, particularly regarding funding (including EUR 50 bln of cash), implications for staff and clients, regulatory issues, execution risk and other possible conditions. Until the receipt yesterday evening of the formal notification referred to below, the three refused to provide this information.

On Wednesday 25 April 2007, the consortium issued a press release including an indicative price per share without previously informing ABN AMRO of either such price or press release. As a further sign of the consortium's unwillingness to pursue discussions on a constructive basis, ABN AMRO received a formal notification yesterday evening from the consortium indicating preparedness to launch a public offer without the recommendations of ABN AMRO's Managing Board and Supervisory Board.

Nonetheless, ABN AMRO remains committed to exploring the consortium's proposal in a constructive manner. In order to facilitate discussions, ABN AMRO has therefore decided to remove the customary requirement for a stand-still provision and has offered the consortium access to due diligence material.

In the absence of a compelling and concrete proposal from the consortium, ABN AMRO considers that the Barclays offer is in the best interests of ABN AMRO's stakeholders and we continue to recommend that offer to our shareholders.

This is an announcement pursuant to article 9b paragraph 1 of the Dutch Securities Markets Supervision Decree (Besluit toezicht effectenverkeer 1995).

Press contact: +31 20 6288900
IR contact: +31 20 6287835
 
Press Relations Department
Head Office: Gustav Mahlerlaan 10 (HQ 9140), 1082 PP Amsterdam, tel. +31 (0)20 6288900, fax +31 (0)20 6295486
London Office: 250 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 4AA, tel. +44 207 6788244, fax +44 207 6788245
 


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This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts, including statements about our beliefs and expectations. Any statement in this announcement that expresses or implies our intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions (and the assumptions underlying them) is a forward-looking statement. These statements are based on plans, estimates and projections, as they are currently available to the management of ABN AMRO Holding N.V. ("ABN AMRO"). Forward-looking statements therefore speak only as of the date they are made, and we take no obligation to update publicly any of them in light of new information or future events.

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could therefore cause actual future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward looking statement. Such factors include, without limitation, the consummation of our proposed merger with Barclays PLC ("Barclays"); the completion of our proposed disposition of LaSalle; the conditions in the financial markets in Europe, the United States, Brazil and elsewhere from which we derive a substantial portion of our trading revenues; potential defaults of borrowers or trading counterparties; the implementation of our restructuring including the envisaged reduction in headcount; the reliability of our risk management policies, procedures and methods; the outcome of ongoing criminal investigations and other regulatory initiatives related to compliance matters in the United States and the nature and severity of any sanctions imposed; and other risks referenced in our filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information on these and other factors, please refer to Part I: Item 3.D "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and to any subsequent reports furnished or filed by us with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of the date hereof, and the companies assume no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

Additional Information and Where to Find it
In connection with the proposed business combination transaction between Barclays and ABN AMRO, Barclays expects that it will file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission a Registration Statement on Form F-4 which will contain a prospectus, a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO and other relevant materials. In addition, ABN AMRO expects that it will file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 and other relevant materials. Such documents, however, are not currently available.

INVESTORS ARE URGED TO READ ANY DOCUMENTS REGARDING THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

Investors will be able to obtain a free copy of such filings without charge, at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov) once such documents are filed with the SEC. Copies of such documents may also be obtained from Barclays and ABN AMRO, without charge, once they are filed with the SEC.

The publication and distribution of this document and any separate documentation regarding the intended Offer, the making of the intended Offer and the issuance and offering of shares may, in some jurisdictions, be restricted by law. This document is not

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being published and the intended Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into any jurisdiction in which the publication of this announcement and the making of the intended Offer would not be in compliance with the laws of that jurisdiction. Persons who come into possession of this announcement should inform themselves of and observe any of these restrictions. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of that jurisdiction.
 
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Signatures
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
  ABN AMRO HOLDING N.V.
       
       
  By: /s/ Richard Bruens
   
    Name:  Richard Bruens
    Title: Head of Investor Relations
   
Date: April 30, 2007                 
  By: /s/ Willem Nagtglas Versteeg
   
    Name: Willem Nagtglas Versteeg
    Title:
Secretary to the Managing Board