Fortis CEO Herman Verwilst says that winning back consumer and shareholder confidence is the biggest task facing the financial services group.

Verwilst’s position is outlined in full page advertisements in a number of Dutch and Belgian newspapers on Monday morning.
‘Winning back your confidence is my first priority as CEO, as it is for my management team and all our staff,’ the statement reads. ‘I know something like this takes time, but I assure you that we will do our best.’
Fortis has been under fire since announcing last month that it aimed to boost its balance sheet by over €8bn, after repeatedly saying its finances were in order. The announcement cost CEO Jean-Paul Votron his job.