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Key points

• Net divestment of £340 million (investment of £968 million, realisations of £1,308 million)
• Reduction in NAV per share from £10.77 to £4.96 per share
• Total assets under management of £8.0 billion (2008: £9.8 billion)
• £732 million underwritten rights issue announced today

Baroness Hogg, Chairman of 3i Group plc, said:

"We believe that the actions taken to reinforce 3i''s financial strength give the company the time to manage its well-diversified portfolio to maximise value for shareholders, and to position us to take advantage of well-priced investment opportunities in the upturn."

3i''s Chief Executive, Michael Queen, said:

"My immediate priority is to ensure 3i performs to its potential through the current downturn and is well placed to use its strong market position to take advantage of the opportunities that will be available as the global economy starts to recover. While the operating environment remains very challenging, I have great confidence in 3i''s intrinsic strengths."

3i Group plc announces today an underwritten £732 million rights issue. The rights issue will accelerate the reduction of net debt, strengthen the balance sheet against further falls in value, facilitate maintenance of an investment grade credit rating, enable the Group to manage the existing portfolio over time to maximise returns and provide capital for new investment assets at a valuation low point.

In view of the rights issue, the Board has decided that there will be no final dividend paid in respect of the year to 31 March 2009.

The securities to be issued in connection with the rights issue have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless they are registered under applicable law or exempt from registration. The Company does not intend to register any securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States.

For further information, please contact:

3i Group plc
Michael Queen, Chief Executive -  020 7975 3512
Patrick Dunne - Group Communications Director -  020 7975 3283

The Maitland Consultancy
Lydia Pretzlik -  020 7379 5151

For further information regarding the announcement of 3i''s annual results to 31 March 2009, including a live videocast of the results presentation from 08:45am, please see http://www.3igroup.com/.