FirstRand Limited - Commencement Of Listing Of B1 Preference Shares

FirstRand Limited - Commencement Of Listing Of B1 Preference Shares             
FirstRand Limited                                                               
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)                                  
(Registration number 1966/010753/06)                                            
Ordinary share code:  FSR        ISIN: ZAE000066304                             
B Preference share code: FSRP    ISIN: ZAE000060141                             
B1 Preference share code: FSPP   ISIN: ZAE000070900                             
("FirstRand")                                                                   
COMMENCEMENT OF LISTING OF B1 PREFERENCE SHARES                                 
FirstRand shareholders and other interested parties are advised that FirstRand  
has been able to fulfill the minimum spread requirement of 50 public preference 
shareholders, excluding employees and their associates. Consequently, the       
outstanding condition precedent in respect of the listing of 15 000 000 variable
rate non-cumulative non-redeemable B1 preference shares ("B1 preference shares")
on the JSE Limited has been fulfilled.  Accordingly, the listing of the B1      
preference shares will commence at 09:00 on Thursday 11 August 2005 under the   
abbreviated name FR B1PREF and share code FSPP.                                 
Sandton                                                                         
10 August 2005                                                                  
Merchant bank and sponsor                                                       
Rand Merchant Bank                                                              
(A division of FirstRand Bank Limited)                                          
Attorneys                                                                       
Deneys Reitz                                                                    
Date: 10/08/2005 04:00:03 PM Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za                     
Produced by the JSE SENS Department