Mannheim, September 18, 2006 — Shearman & Sterling advised MLP AG on the acquisition of an equity stake of approximately 56.6% in Feri Finance AG, Germany´s leading independent wealth management business. The purchase price for the acquired shares is approximately €64.4 million and will be financed through liquid assets.  At the same time, temporary options exist which could lead to a 100% acquisition in 2011. These options enclose a preferential price that in addition to a fixed price for the remaining shares amounting to around €47.7 million also includes an additional purchase price that is significantly dependent on future new business within the finance investment division.

The transaction is subject to approval being granted by the cartel authority.

All Feri partners will remain engaged with the company whereas the Harald Quandt Holding will transfer their entire shares to MLP AG.

The following Shearman & Sterling lawyers advised MLP AG on this transaction: Martin Winter (partner, M&A/Corporate, Mannheim) and Heino Rück (partner, M&A/Corporate, Mannheim) as well as Gottfried E. Breuninger (partner, Tax, Munich), Thomas Nägele (partner, IP, Mannheim), Georg Jaeger (partner, Labor Law, Mannheim) and Hans-Joachim Hellmann (partner, Antitrust, Mannheim) as well as the associates Eike Dirk Eschenfelder, Nicolas Ott, Dominik Mues (all M&A/Corporate, Mannheim), Aline Sellien (Labor Law, Mannheim), Christina Malz (Antitrust, Mannheim), Marion Fürmaier (European Finance, Frankfurt) and Christian Engelhardt (IP, Mannheim).

For additional information contact:
Marcus Brans | Düsseldorf | T +49.211.17888.907 |