SG Corporate & Investment Banking Creates Business Development Role as it Strengthens Leveraged Finance Capabilities in Europe LONDON, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SG Corporate & Investment Banking (SG CIB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thierry de Vergnes to the newly created role of Managing Director of Business Development for Leveraged Finance. Based in London, Thierry reports to Rene de Laigue, Global Head of Leveraged & Acquisition Finance and will work closely with the European offices of SG CIB to further expand the bank's leveraged finance franchise and broaden the scope of services SG CIB provides to financial sponsors. Prior to joining SG CIB, Thierry was co-head of US-based Indosuez Capital, and head of its merchant banking business, which he joined in 1995. "We are delighted that Thierry has joined the team," commented Rene de Laigue, Global Head of Leveraged & Acquisition Finance. "His experience in leveraged finance as well as in equity co-investments and CDOs will contribute to the expansion of our European Leveraged Finance platform. With the increasing commitment of the bank to financial sponsors, SG CIB's Leveraged Finance business is very well positioned to meet the demand of the growing European LBO market." Thierry de Vergnes added, "SG CIB has built an impressive pan-European franchise and I am excited at the opportunities this new role presents to me. I look forward to contributing to the expansion of this successful franchise with the introduction of new products and services to support leading financial sponsors." SG CIB is a leader in the European leveraged finance market with 40 dedicated professionals on the ground in London, Paris, Madrid, Frankfurt and Milan. SG CIB offers a highly experienced skill set to structure senior and mezzanine financings for leveraged buyouts across Europe. Recent transactions led by SG CIB include the Bain Capital-led LBO of Brenntag in Germany, the acquisition of Pharmacia Diagnostics in Sweden by PPM and Triton Partners and the buy-out of Groupe Fives-Lille by Barclays Private Equity in France. NOTE TO EDITORS Societe Generale Group Societe Generale is one of the largest financial services groups in the eurozone. The Group employs more than 88,000 people worldwide in three key businesses: * Retail Banking & Financial Services: Societe Generale serves more than 15 million retail customers worldwide. * Asset Management, Private Banking & Securities Services: Societe Generale is one of the largest banks in the eurozone in terms of assets under custody (approximately USD 1,200 billion) and under management (EUR 300 billion, March 2004). * Corporate & Investment Banking: SG CIB ranks among the leading banks worldwide in euro capital markets, derivatives and structured finance Societe Generale is included in the four major socially responsible investment indexes. http://www.socgen.com/ SG Corporate & Investment Banking SG CIB is the Corporate and Investment Banking arm of the Societe Generale Group. Present in over 45 countries across Europe, the Americas and Asia, SG CIB is a reference bank specialising in: * Euro capital markets. A top ten player in debt and equity segments (bonds, securitisations, syndicated loans, equity-linked and equity issues). * Derivatives. Among the world leaders in equity derivatives and in many interest rate, credit, foreign exchange and commodities derivatives. * Structured finance. A worldwide leader in export, project and structured commodity finance. Combining innovation and quality of execution, SG CIB provides corporates, financial institutions and investors with value-added integrated financial solutions. http://www.sgcib.com/ DATASOURCE: Societe Generale CONTACT: Maria Brookes, SG CIB Communication, SG Corporate & Investment Banking, +44-20-7676-6771, Web site: http://www.socgen.com/

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