MLP acquires the remaining shares in Feri as scheduled

• Successful development during the past five years
• Arnd Thorn appointed as Deputy Chairman at Feri and will take over as Chairman in May
• High level of continuity through long-term engagement of the Feri partners and the establishment of a new partner model

Wiesloch, 20th April 2011 – MLP AG has acquired the remaining 43.4 percent equity stake in Feri Finance AG as scheduled. The purchase price for the shares, which were solely held by the Feri managing partners, provisionally amounts to EUR 50.6 million. MLP had already acquired a 56.6 percent majority holding in Feri in autumn 2006.

“MLP’s acquisition of a stake in Feri was a decisive step towards the significant strengthening of our wealth management business. Following successful development in recent years, Feri and MLP are now one of the leading independent wealth management companies in the German market with joint assets under management of around EUR 20 billion,” comments MLP AG Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Uwe Schroeder-Wildberg.

Furthermore, the Feri Supervisory Board has appointed Arnd Thorn as Deputy Chairman and extended his contract by five years. He will take over as Chairman in May 2011. At the same time, the longstanding present Chairman Michael Stammler will stand down at his own request. He will, however, retain a consulting role for Feri and will continue to manage key clients in addition to his chairmanship of the Feri Foundation Prize.

The Supervisory Board has also extended the contracts of the Executive Board members Dr. Heinz-Werner Rapp (Asset Allocation and Investment Strategy) and Dr. Matthias Klöpper (Finance) by five years respectively. Almost all the Feri partners remain committed to the company over the longer term and a new partner model is being established.

Dr. Helmut Knepel, currently also a member of the Executive Board of Feri Finance AG, will relinquish his active management role in September for age reasons, but will take over as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Feri EuroRating Services AG as well as acting in an advisory capacity with respect to the development and expansion of the real estate activities of the Feri Group.

Today, the Executive and Supervisory Boards already expressed their sincere thanks to Michael Stammler and Helmut Knepel for their successful contributions. “Michael Stammler has played a pivotal role in the very positive development of Feri. Under the leadership of Helmut Knepel, Feri EuroRating Services AG has established itself as one of the leading European rating agencies,” comments Uwe Schroeder-Wildberg.

“The personnel measures not only ensure a high level of continuity at Feri but also specifically prepare the way for the change of management leadership,” explains Uwe Schroeder-Wildberg. “The designated Chairman Arnd Thorn is a respected expert who has very successfully expanded Feri’s institutional business. He also possesses extensive expertise in the asset management market for wealthy private clients.”

Arnd Thorn has been a member of the Executive Committee of the MLP Group since 2009 and a member of the Feri Executive Board since October 2005. From May 2002 to September 2005 he worked for Allianz Global Investors including service as a member of the Management Board of DIT, AGI Germany and Europe with overall responsibility for European sales. Previously, Thorn was Chief Representative at ADIG Allgemeine Deutsche Investment-Gesellschaft before becoming spokesman for the Management Board. Other previous career posts include roles at Commerzbank, Arab Banking Corporation as well as Dr. Wagner & Partner. Thorn also sits on several Supervisory Boards.

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