Ghiseul Bancar

Former German Chancellor Schröder joins Rothschild

Mr Schröder, who has resumed his activities as a lawyer will, in particular, advise the Group on its development in fast-growing regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the CIS, Turkey, the Middle East and China.



Commenting on his appointment, Mr Schröder said:

“I am delighted to join the European Advisory Council of Rothschild. The Bank has a

distinguished international reputation, has built leadership positions as an independent adviser in Europe and the Americas and is successfully developing its market share in Asia.”



David de Rothschild, Chairman of Rothschild, said:

“We are delighted that Mr Schröder has joined our European Advisory Council. It is a great tribute to the reputation we now enjoy and will help us to accelerate our growth strategy in regions which we believe have great potential. The exceptional knowledge that Mr Schröder has of these countries, together with his immense international experience and reputation, will be of great value to us.”



Mr. Schröder’s appointment comes to continue strengthening Rothschild’s focus on Central & Eastern Europe, where Rothschild is already very active.



As an important part of Rothschild’s CEE strategy, Romania is a key market for its Investment Bank division considering the continuous economic development and growth of advisory business opportunities in the bank’s key expertise areas: privatisation, mergers and acquisitions, debt restructuring, equity capital market offerings and asset management.



Rothschild is one of the most active international investment banks in Romania, where it started operating in 1998. Under the direct leadership of Arielle Malard, Managing Director of Rothschild & Cie in Paris, the bank has been involved in some of the most important transactions in Romania (see attachment), among which 3 in 2005: the privatization of Romania’s largest bank, BCR, with the leading financial institution in the CEE, Erste Bank, the merger of Ion Tiriac Bank with HVB Bank and the sale of Romportnet to Mittal Steel.



In order to support its operations in Romania, since 2000, Rothschild has also appointed a Senior Country Advisor in the person of former commercial banker, Mr. Florin Olteanu.



Rothschild is one of the world's leading independent investment banking groups. The Group currently has over 40 offices operating in 33 countries, employing over 2,000 personnel worldwide. Rothschild is a market leader in the investment banking industry in Europe, particularly in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Central & Eastern Europe, and also in the US, Asia and Latin America.