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- Lazard Monica Orbe, +1-212-632-6968 monica.orbe@lazard.com or Identia PR Dario Minore, +5411 5032 6300 dminore@identiapr.com MBA Lazard, the leading Latin American investment-banking group, today announced that it has opened a new financial advisory office in Lima, Peru, effective immediately. The firm has hired Peruvian banker Augusto F. Barreto as Managing Director to lead the effort. The opening of the Peru
office is part of MBA Lazard's broader strategy to offer financial advisory services across Central and South America. MBA Lazard is the joint venture between Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) and MBA Group, parent company of MBA Banco de Inversiones.
"MBA Lazard is very excited to enter Peru at a time when its economic development and business environment are so favorable. A growing number of regional and international companies are interested in investments in Peru," said Alejandro F. Reynal, Chairman & CEO of MBA Lazard. "We also feel very fortunate to have secured the professional talent and experience that Augusto Barreto brings to our group."
A native Peruvian, Mr. Barreto has over 14 years investment banking experience, 11 of those in Latin American merger and acquisitions. He joined MBA Lazard in September from Citigroup Global Markets in Lima where he was responsible for investment banking coverage for South America, excluding Brazil. Prior to that, he worked in New York for Citigroup and Salomon Smith Barney. Mr. Barreto has advised on a number of major transactions including PSEG's divestiture of Chilquinta and Luz del Sur and Electricidad de Caracas on its sale to PDVSA. Mr. Barreto has an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
"I am glad to be a part of a uniquely positioned investment bank with very strong Latin American roots combined with the global reach, presence and stature of Lazard," said Mr. Barreto. "I look forward to helping Peruvian and global clients to achieve their strategic objectives in the region."
In addition to Peru, MBA Lazard operates from Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and Panama.
About MBA Lazard
MBA Lazard is a leading investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a wide range of services to a diversified client base that includes international corporations, financial institutions and domestic companies. A 50-50 joint venture between Lazard Ltd (NYSE: LAZ) and Merchant Bankers Asociados ("MBA") headquartered in Argentina, MBA Lazard has offices across Central and South America and has advised clients in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Venezuela, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica. For more information on MBA Lazard, please visit
www.mba.com.ar/
About Lazard
Lazard, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 40 cities across 23 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central 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
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- Managing Director Augusto Barreto to lead the Peru investment
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