Fairchild Semiconductor Seeks Amendment on Credit Facility to Call Sen

    Business Editors

    SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2005--Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS) today announced its intent to amend its senior credit facility to seek better pricing and allow the company to repay its $350 million aggregate principal amount of 10 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2009, which become callable in February 2005. The amendment is subject to completion of definitive documentation and lender participation. The company expects the amendment to be completed this month.

    Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements:

    This press release includes forward-looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and expectations and that involve risk and uncertainty. Forward-looking statements usually, but do not always, contain forward-looking terminology such as "we believe," "we expect," or "we anticipate," or refer to management's expectations about Fairchild's future performance. While Fairchild believes such statements are reasonable, the actual results and effects could differ materially from those currently anticipated. Among these factors are failure to agree on the terms of the amended credit facility; availability of existing or new lenders; changes in overall global or regional economic conditions; and significant litigation. These and other risk factors are discussed in the company's quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and available at the Investor Relations section of Fairchild Semiconductor's web site at http://investor.fairchildsemi.com or the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.

    About Fairchild Semiconductor:

    Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE: FCS) is the leading global supplier of high performance power products critical to today's leading electronic applications in the computing, communications, consumer, industrial and automotive segments. As The Power Franchise(R), Fairchild offers the industry's broadest portfolio of components that optimize system power through minimization, conversion, management and distribution functions. Fairchild's 9,000 employees design, manufacture and market power, analog & mixed signal, interface, logic, and optoelectronics products from its headquarters in South Portland, Maine, USA and numerous locations around the world. Please contact us on the web at www.fairchildsemi.com.

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CONTACT: Fairchild Semiconductor www.fairchildsemi.com Corporate Communications: Fran Harrison, 207-775-8576 fran.harrison@fairchildsemi.com or Investor Relations: Dan Janson, 207-775-8660 investor@fairchildsemi.com or Public Relations Firm: CHEN PR Barbara Ewen, 781-466-8282 bewen@chenpr.com

KEYWORD: MAINE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING HARDWARE SOURCE: Fairchild Semiconductor

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