<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.A
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>b41841gbex99-a.txt
<DESCRIPTION>STATEMENT RE SUBSIDIARY ACQUIRING SECURITIES
<TEXT>
<PAGE>

                           GREIF BROTHERS CORPORATION


                                    EXHIBIT A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SUBSIDIARY ACQUIRING SECURITIES                              CLASSIFICATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>
Fleet National Bank                                               Bank
Fleet Investment Advisors, Inc.                                   Bank
</TABLE>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
