Company Profile For Close Brothers Group PLC

Close Brothers Group plc is the parent company of a group of companies engaged in financial services. The Company operates through three divisions: banking, asset management and securities. The Banking division comprises a number of specialist businesses focused on secured lending to professionals and consumers across a wide range of asset classes, mainly in the United Kingdom. The Asset Management division focuses on managing, protecting and enhancing the wealth of private and corporate clients through a range of capabilities in investment and wealth management, trust and fund administration and banking. The Securities division has two principal trading companies, Winterflood and Close Brothers Seydler, and a strategic investment in Mako. In July 2009, the Company completed the sale of Close Brothers Corporate Finance (Holdings) Limited to Daiwa Securities SMBC Europe Limited.

BRIEF: For the six months ended 31 January 2008, Close Brothers Group plc's interest income increased 2% to £184.4M. Net interest income after LLP decreased 6% to £M. Net income decreased 47% to £24.7M. Net interest income reflects higher interest income, was offset by higher impairment losses on loans & advances. Net income also reflects lower fees & commission income and an increase in depreciation & amortisation expenses.