Acquisition

6th Apr 2006 07:00

Investec PLC06 April 2006 Investec Limited Investec plcIncorporated in the Republic of South Africa Incorporated in England and WalesRegistration number 1925/002833/06 Registration number 3633621JSE share code: INL JSE share code: INPISIN: ZAE000040531 ISIN: GB0031773103 ("Investec" or "the group") Investec plc announcement with respect to Investec Bank (Australia) Limited, awholly owned subsidiary Investec Bank (Australia) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Investec plc,has conditionally agreed to acquire N.M. Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Limited. The agreement, which is subject to regulatory approval and final due diligence,will add critical mass and scale to Investec's existing Australian platform andat the same time add to its capability to originate new business. The transaction amounts to less than 5% of the Investec group's combined marketcapitalisation. N.M. Rothschild & Sons (Australia) Limited has total assets ofapproximately A$2.1 billion (GBP890 million) and is principally involved inProperty, Resources, Infrastructure, Commercial Finance, Acquisition Finance andTreasury activities operating in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Investec Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Koseff, said the acquisitionreinforced the group's commitment to further expand into the Australian marketplace. "Through this acquisition, Investec in Australia adds depth to current expertiseacross all business units as well as benefits from new opportunities for us todeliver tailor-made solutions to clients", he said. Investec Managing Director, Bernard Kantor, said the acquisition is a naturalextension to Investec's growth strategy. "This proposed acquisition will substantially increase our revenue and loanportfolio as well as complement and strengthen established core competencies inSydney and Melbourne with the opportunity to create a firm foothold in WesternAustralia." "The acquisition will enhance our capability to achieve our growth plans as wellas increasing the number of selected clients with whom we are able to partner,and form new lasting and meaningful relationships", he said. London/Johannesburg6 April 2006 For further information please contact:Investec Investor RelationsUrsula Nobrega (Munitich)+44 (0) 207 597 5546+27 (0) 11 286 7070+27 82 558 [email protected] UK: Citigate Dewe RogersonSara Batchelor or Ged Brumby+44 (0) 207 638 9571 SA: Beachhead MediaJennifer Cohen+27 (0) 11 214 2400 About Investec Investec is an international specialist banking group that provides a diverserange of financial products and services to a niche client base in threeprincipal markets, the United Kingdom, South Africa and Australia as well ascertain other countries. The group was established in 1974 and currently hasapproximately 4 400 employees. Investec focuses on delivering distinctive profitable solutions for its clientsin five core areas of activity namely, Private Client Activities, Treasury andSpecialised Finance, Investment Banking, Asset Management and PropertyActivities. In July 2002 the Investec group implemented a dual listed company structure withlistings on the London and Johannesburg Stock Exchanges. Management and staffown approximately 16% of the equity share capital of the group. The combinedgroup's current market capitalisation is approximately GBP3.5 billion. At 30 September 2005, total shareholders' equity was GBP1 389 million, thirdparty assets under management were GBP46 billion and total assets were GBP20billion (including loans and advances of GBP7.9 billion). At 30 September 2005, Investec Bank (Australia) Limited had total assets of GBP609 million and posted a post tax operating profit for the six-month period of GBP5.8 million. In Australia Investec comprises the following core business units: • Corporate Advisory: boutique advisor with added ability to leverage the bank's structuring, financing and network capabilities; • Property Investment Banking; advisor and equity and debt provider to commercial projects; • Specialised Finance: advisor and equity and debt provider to the specialist Clean and Alternative Energies and Resources sectors; • Private Equity: investor in and partner to well established successful businesses; • Private Advisers: Australia's leading boutique wealth advisory and investment management providers; • Growth and Acquisition Finance: investor and lender to medium to large family businesses and enterprises; and • Treasury: servicing the cash management requirements of institutional and private client networks. 6 April 2006 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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