EXHIBIT 99

FROM:       FRANKLIN TEMPLETON INVESTMENTS
            Alan Weinfeld, Investor Relations, 650-525-8900
            Holly Gibson Brady, Corporate Communications, 650-312-4701

            FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY INTERNATIONAL
            Katherine McMillan, Compton Consulting Group, Inc., 617-451-2030
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                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

        FRANKLIN RESOURCES, INC. ACQUISITION OF FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY
                INTERNATIONAL APPROVED BY FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD

      San Mateo, CA, March 26, 2001 -- The Federal Reserve Board today approved
the acquisition of Fiduciary Trust Company International by Franklin Resources,
Inc.
      Pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, each share of
Fiduciary Trust Company International common stock will be exchanged for 2.7744
shares of Franklin Resources, Inc. common stock, which will result in the
issuance in the aggregate of approximately 20,187,000 shares of Franklin
Resources, Inc. common stock.
      The transaction is still subject to approval by the New York State Banking
Department and other regulatory approvals. The acquisition, first announced on
October 25, 2000, was approved by Fiduciary Trust Company International
shareholders on March 14, 2001. The acquisition is expected to close in April
2001.
      Established in 1931, Fiduciary Trust Company International [OTCBB:FCNY] is
one of the oldest pure investment management firms. It has one of the longest
global track records of any U.S.-based manager--having invested in the
international markets since the early 1960s. Fiduciary Trust Company
International's clients include major corporations, public and private pension
funds, foundations, endowments and wealthy families in the United States, Europe
and Asia. The firm currently serves approximately 1,000 wealthy families and
nearly 500 institutional clients.
      Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment organization
operating as Franklin Templeton Investments. Through its subsidiaries, Franklin
Templeton Investments provides global and domestic investment, shareholder and
distribution services to the Franklin, Templeton and Mutual Series funds and
institutional accounts, as well as separate account management services. The San


Mateo, CA-based company has over 50 years of investment experience and more than
$225 billion in assets under management as of February 28, 2001. For more
information, please visit franklintempleton.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Statements in this presentation regarding Franklin Resources, Inc.'s business
which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other
important factors that could cause the actual results and outcomes to differ
materially from any future results or outcomes expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other important
factors include the following:

   -- We face strong competition from numerous and sometimes larger companies.

   -- Competing securities dealers and banks could restrict sales of our funds.

   -- Changes in the distribution channels on which we depend could reduce our
      revenues and hinder our growth.

   -- New share classes that we have introduced yield lower revenues and have
      reduced operating margins.

   -- If our asset mix shifts to predominantly fixed-income products, our
      revenues could decline.

   -- We have become subject to an increased risk of asset volatility from
      changes in the global equity markets.

   -- The levels of our assets under management are subject to significant
      fluctuations.

   -- We face risks associated with conducting operations in numerous foreign
      countries.

   -- General economic and securities markets fluctuations may reduce our sales
      and market share.

   -- Our inability to meet cash needs could have a negative effect on our
      financial condition and business operations.

   -- We face increased competition in hiring and retaining qualified employees.

   -- Our emerging markets portfolios and related revenues are vulnerable to
      political and economic risks associated with emerging markets.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Franklin Resources, Inc. filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (including an amendment on January 26, 2001) in
connection with its proposed acquisition of Fiduciary Trust Company
International. FIDUCIARY TRUST COMPANY INTERNATIONAL SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO
READ THE PROSPECTUS AND THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT
DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION BECAUSE
THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors will be able to obtain these documents free of charge at the
Commission's web site at www.sec.gov or from Franklin by directing such requests
to Investor Relations, Franklin Resources, Inc., 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San
Mateo, CA 94404, (tel: 1-800-632-2350 x28900).