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

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080221/ARTH001LOGO )
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
http://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 http://www.lazard.com .
Contacts:

Identia PR for Grupo MBA

Dario Minore
+54911 5927 2977
dminore@identiapr.com

SOURCE Grupo MBA

Dario Minore, Identia PR +011-54911-5927-2977, dminore@identiapr.com, for
Grupo MBA