New CFO Van der Moolen Holding - Sale Of Chicago Options Activities Completed

Van der Moolen Holding N.V. (AEX:VDMN)(NYSE:VDM) is pleased to announce that Leo J. Pruis will join our firm on January 3, 2005. Leo Pruis will succeed Frank Dorjee as Chief Financial Officer effective February 28, 2005, when Mr. Dorjee departs from Van der Moolen. This appointment will be subject to the usual regulatory approvals.

Mr. Pruis, who is a economist and certified public accountant, has served in financial capacities at a number of financial services firms, most recently as a member of the Executive Boards of Eureko B.V. and Achmea Holding N.V. Prior to his employment there he held general management positions with Fortis N.V. and Credit Lyonnais Bank Nederland N.V. Mr. Pruis is 51 years old.

Sale of options activities

Separately, Van der Moolen announced that it had completed the sale of its activities on the Chicago Board Options Exchange on December 20, 2004. The sale was effected essentially at book value, and will consequently have no significant effect on Van der Moolen's Profit and Loss statement for the fourth quarter of 2004. With this transaction, Van der Moolen has completed its withdrawal from market making in options.