Macquarie to acquire Sal. Oppenheim's equity derivatives and structured products business

• Macquarie enters the European retail equity derivatives market with the acquisition of Sal. Oppenheim’s warrant and structured products business
• Complementary to Macquarie’s leading Asian derivatives platform and its
  existing European business
• Sal Oppenheim derivatives clients to benefit from Macquarie’s commitment and growth plans for the business

Macquarie Group ("Macquarie") (ASX: MQG) today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the equity derivatives and structured products business of German private bank Sal. Oppenheim. The move complements Macquarie's existing Asian derivatives operation and adds a wider set of products to its growing European business.

Sal. Oppenheim's derivatives business has market making and issuance operations on exchanges in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Under the agreement, more than 90 Sal. Oppenheim staff based in Germany and Switzerland will join Macquarie.

"Sal. Oppenheim's strong European retail derivatives and structured products business will provide Macquarie with access to a new product suite, an advanced technology platform and a team of high calibre people with deep local experience." said Mark Gilbert, Macquarie's Head of Derivatives for Europe, Middle East and Africa. "Sal Oppenheim's clients will benefit from Macquarie's commitment to growing the business and access to new products which reflect Macquarie's global scale."

Sal Oppenheim retail equity derivatives are sold through private banks and retail brokers in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, accessing a derivatives market with more than €275 billion of issued product.

The retail equity derivatives business will use the Macquarie Oppenheim brand following completion.

Transaction terms and timing

The terms of the transaction are confidential between the parties. The impact on Macquarie's regulatory capital surplus as a result of the acquisition is not expected to be material. The transaction is expected to close at the beginning of the second quarter of 2010, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

About Sal. Oppenheim's equity derivatives and structured products business

Sal. Oppenheim is one of the major issuers of equity derivatives and structured products in Europe, including a leading position in Germany. The Business has in excess of 6,000 products on issue with a combined notional value of approximately €850 million.