Firstrand Limited - Announcement

Firstrand Limited - Announcement                                                
FIRSTRAND LIMITED                                                               
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number: 1966/010753/06)                                           
Share Code: FSR                                                                 
ISIN: ZAE000014973                                                              
Shareholders are referred to today"s announcement by FirstRand Limited          
subsidiary Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited, that it has agreed with Irish Revenue to 
settle matters relating to its alleged tax liabilities in Ireland.              
Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited has agreed to pay Eur7.5million (approximately R60   
million) in full and final settlement of the matter.                            
FirstRand had not provided for the settlement as it had always believed that    
there was no liability. However the limited effect of the payment means that the
group is still comfortable that it will achieve the results currently expected  
by the market for the half year to 31st December 2003.                          
Sandton                                                                         
5 January 2004                                                                  
Sponsor                                                                         
RAND MERCHANT BANK (A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)                       
CORPORATE FINANCE                                                               
Date: 05/01/2004 11:32:01 AM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department