/IRBIS, March 10, 09/ - Investment company Troika Dialog CJSC (Moscow) provided Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) with the press release:

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Moscow, London, New York, March 6, 2009 - Troika Dialog announces a strategic alliance with Standard Bank Group, under which Standard Bank becomes the owner of 33% stake in Troika Dialog. Standard Bank, in turn, pays $200 m. (originally in the form of convertible loan), transfer Troika Dialog 100% stake in its Russian subsidiary Commercial Bank (CJSC Standard Bank), as well as transfers Troika Dialog its Russian business. The deal should go through the procedure of approval of regulatory authorities, including the Russian Federation and South Africa. At the end of the approval the capital of Troika Dialog will exceed $850 m.

Standard Bank Group is the largest banking group in South Africa in terms of assets and profits. Offices of the Group located in 17 countries in Africa and 20 developing countries beyond its borders, including Russia, Brazil and China. The assets of the group, as of December 31, 2008, exceeds $162 bn. Market capitalization of the group is approximately $9.5 bn. Standard Bank Group assigned to the long-term foreign currency credit ratings of Moody's at the level лBaa1¬, Standard and Poor's at the level лBBBpi¬ and Fitch Ratings at level лA¬. The largest shareholder in Standard Bank is the Industrial and Commercial bank of China.

As a result of strategic alliance, Troika Dialog acquires the new partner in the person of Standard Bank, which ahs competence and recourses of international financial corporation with wide geographic presence, a range of products and client base. Both partners are the "champions" of developing markets.

At the conclusion of the transaction it is planned that the Russian operations of both sides will be implemented through the Troika Dialog. In addition, the Strategic Committee will be established to achieve the synergies of joint activities, as well as to identify promising new areas of business and geographic areas. Both parties will be represented on the committee an equal number of representatives.

Strategic partnership with Standard Bank is the next step of Troika Dialog on further appreciating of its positions as a leading independent investment and managing company. As a result of alliance, Troika Dialog acquires the stable platform in the form of commercial bank in Moscow with well developed technology of inter-bank transactions.

Two representatives of Standard Bank will be included in the Board of Directors of Troika Dialog, which will thus consist of six persons.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Troika Dialog Group Ruben Vardanyan, "We are glad our collaboration with Standard Bank comes to a new level. Troika Dialog has long been collaborating and now joint with a leading international banking house, in-depth knowledge and extensive experience in emerging markets". лWe are confident that this combination will actively promote not only the development of our business in Russia, but also allow us to enter new markets and expand the range of products offered to customers¬.

Standard Bank

Standard Bank Group is one of the four largest banks in South Africa. The Group provides a wide range of banking and financial services in 17 countries in Africa and 20 developing countries beyond its borders. Standard Bank opened 694 subsidiaries in South Africa and 323 offices in other African countries. Standard Bank Group is registered at Johannesburg Stock Exchange, under SBK share code. Financial year is ended in December. Standard Bank Group comprises more than 50 th. people in 37 worldwide countries.

As on June 2008, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China owns 20 % circulating shares of Standard Bank, 12 % - The Public Investment Corporation, 4% - Old Mutual Group. www.standardbank.com

Troika Dialog

Troika Dialog - is a leading independent investment bank operating in the CIS markets. The key areas of the company, founded in 1991, were trading in securities, investment banking, asset management and private equity, personal investing and finance. In addition to Moscow's Troika Dialog is represented in 23 cities of Russia, as well as in New York, London, Nicosia, Kiev and Almaty. Among its clients are - the leading Russian and international companies, financial institutions, public offices and wealthy private persons. As of September 30, 2008, shareholders' equity of the company makes $558 m. and assets exceeding $5.5 bn. for US GAAP. Currently, there are 109 partners own the company. www.troika.ru

Troika Dialog press service Tel.: +7 (495) 258-05-19 Iya Kuzmenko e-mail: Iya_Kuzmenko@troika.ru, pressa@troika.ru

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[2009-03-10]