Atradius Reports 2010 Net Profit of EUR 124.9 Million *

By Atradius N.v., PRNE
Tuesday, March 22, 2011

S&P Outlook Raised to 'Stable'

AMSTERDAM, March 23, 2011 - Atradius, a global leader in trade credit insurance, debt collection and
bonding, today reported a profit after tax of EUR 124.9 million for its 2010
financial year. As a result of the improved performance of the Atradius Group
and its parent company Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A., Standard & Poor's (S&P)
has raised its outlook for Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A. and its main
operating entities to "stable" and confirmed the A- rating.

The confirmation of the A - rating is based on the strong competitive
position of the Group, its 2010 results and the increase in the level of
solvency. S&P considers that the "stable" outlook reflects the solid results
of the traditional business, despite the weakness of the Spanish market, and
the strong and sustained results that the Group has achieved in the credit
insurance business. The recovery in results and the improvement in future
earnings generation capacity are the basis for the change in outlook to
stable.

Financial highlights

- Profit after tax: EUR 124.9 million compared to a loss of EUR 113.3
million
in 2009

- Insurance revenues: EUR 1,449.7 million compared to EUR 1,589.3 million
in 2009

- Shareholders' equity: EUR 1,035.2 million compared to EUR 905.0 million
in 2009

- Gross combined ratio: 74.0% compared to 121.8% in 2009

Atradius risk acceptance increased in second half

Insurance premiums were impacted by lower insurable turnover of a smaller
base of customers. Risk acceptance grew over the course of 2010 as expected
default frequencies decreased. This resulted in an increase in new business
volumes and improved retention rates.

The Atradius regions of Oceania and Asia, as well as Germany, Central and
Eastern Europe increased insurance revenues and profits in 2010. All other
regions improved profits, in many cases quite significantly.

Isidoro Unda Chairman and CEO of Atradius commented; "Lower turnover in
2010 is reflective of the business environment in the first half of the year.
Despite a slow, global economic recovery, sales volumes of our customers and
our own risk acceptance have increased over the course of the year."

Insurance performs relatively well in difficult conditions

Profits were driven by reduced claims and lower expenses. Insurance
claims declined from EUR 1,356.8 million in 2009 to EUR 559.6 million in
2010. The gross claims ratio of 38.6% in 2010 improved significantly compared
to 85.4% in 2009. Gross insurance operating expenses improved to EUR 498.8
million
in 2010 from EUR 524.7 million in 2009. The gross operating expense
ratio improved to 35.4% in 2010 from 36.4% in 2009. Unda continued;
"Insolvency rates were relatively high, but we expect default rates to
decline in 2011. This has enabled us to increase our risk acceptance over the
course of the year. We are now at risk acceptance rates comparable to pre
crisis levels despite the higher insolvency rates."

Debt collection wins new customers despite the dip in revenue

Collections and recoveries income of EUR 42.9 million in 2010 compared to
EUR 69.6 million in 2009 reflecting fewer collections opportunities in 2010.
"In 2010 we widened our marketing and sales efforts to expand our customer
base. As a result, we have added a number of new large collections customers
that will enable us to build our service revenues as business activity grows
in 2011 and 2012", added Unda.

The outlook for 2011 - conservative growth

Unda concluded; "We expect global economic growth to continue expanding
in 2011 at conservative rates. We plan on having a higher average risk
acceptance rate than in 2010. This should provide us with a steady increase
in insurable turnover and also increase new business and service revenue.
Throughout the Atradius organisation we are committed to providing our
customers excellent service. This starts with our account teams working
directly with the customer and extends to customer service teams and
underwriters who monitor and analyse buyer risks in every market in which our
customers are doing business."

* Atradius N.V. forms part of the Group of Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A.
The figures included in the Financial Statements of Atradius N.V. could
differ,from those of Grupo Catalana Occidente S.A. due to necessary
consolidation adjustments.

About Atradius

The Atradius Group provides trade credit insurance, surety and
collections services worldwide, and has a presence through 160 offices in 42
countries. Atradius has access to credit information on 52 million companies
worldwide and makes more than 22,000 trade credit limit decisions daily. Its
products help protect companies throughout the world from payment risks
associated with selling products and services on credit.

www.atradius.com

For further information: Atradius Corporate Communications, Christine Gerryn, Tel.: +31-20-553-2047, E-mail: christine.gerryn at atradius.com - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it www.atradius.com

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