Central Bank of Argentina Approves Sale of 50% Interest in Grupo MBA to Lazard

Brings Global Access to MBA and Extends Lazard's Reach Across Latin America

The Central Bank of Argentina approved the sale of a 50% interest in Grupo MBA to Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ), one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms. Grupo MBA, parent company of MBA Banco de Inversiones, is a leading investment banking firm with offices across Central and South America.

The new entity, to be branded MBA Lazard, will offer investment banking advisory services in the Latin American region. With its existing Brazilian joint venture, Signatura Lazard, and its investment in MBA, Lazard will now have coverage in all major financial markets in Central and South America.

"Our joining together creates a powerful combination of two successful, international financial institutions," said Alejandro Reynal, Founder, Chairman and CEO of MBA. "Lazard has a nearly 160-year history of providing advice on complex, financial transactions that transcend cultures, industries and geographies.

"We share many characteristics with Lazard that will ensure the future success of our partnership, including an entrepreneurial culture, client- centric perspective, long-term approach to client relationships, and dedication to offering clients independent, trusted and unbiased advice".

"We are pursuing this transaction to enhance the resources and capabilities we bring to our clients. Our investment bankers will now have access to unparalleled industry expertise and relationships, integrated global reach, and a best practice partnership with the most focused and accomplished financial advisory firm in the world," added Mr. Reynal.

"This transaction reinforces Lazard's strategy to expand our financial advisory business, and our commitment to provide premium service to clients across geographies and industries," said Charles G. Ward III, President of Lazard. "The combination enables us to leverage Lazard's industry sector expertise and relationships, geographic reach and corporate finance capabilities with MBA's strong market knowledge, access and transactional experience in Latin America. MBA Lazard will bring us a strong growth platform in the region that will benefit our clients and our firm."

MBA Lazard will be led by Mr. Reynal as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

About MBA

Established in 1981, MBA is a leading investment banking and asset management firm in Central and South America. It provides a wide range of services to a diversified client base that includes domestic and international corporations, financial institutions, family-owned enterprises and governments. MBA has advised national, regional and international clients in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Venezuela, Paraguay, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica. In addition to its new office in Panama, which opened in January 2007 to cover Central America & the Caribbean region, MBA has had an office in Uruguay since 1987 and a joint venture in Chile called Altis-MBA since 2006. For more information on MBA, please visit www.mba.com.ar

About Lazard

Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 35 cities across 17 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. With origins dating back to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and capital raising, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments, and individuals. For more information on Lazard, please visit www.lazard.com .

Contacts:
Identia PR for Grupo MBA

Dario Minore
+54911 5927 2977
dminore@identiapr.com

SOURCE PRNewswire

More information: http://www.alejandroreynal.com