Financial Services

The Blackstone Group

The Blackstone Group, L.P. (NYSE: BX) is an alternative asset management and financial services company that specializes in private equity, real estate, and marketable alternative investment strategies, as well as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), restructuring, and fund-placement advisory services. Over the course of two decades, Blackstone has evolved into one of the largest private equity investment firms globally. In 2007, Blackstone completed a $4 billion initial public offering to become one of the first major private equity firms to list shares in its management company on a public exchange. Blackstone is headquartered in New York City, with more than a dozen additional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Brit Insurance

Brit Insurance's operations comprise three strategic business units: Brit Global Markets, Brit Reinsurance and Brit UK. Brit Insurance refers to products and services underwritten by Brit Insurance Limited or Brit Syndicates Limited (managing Syndicate 2987 at Lloyd's), both of which are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Brit Insurance Limited and Brit Syndicates Limited are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Brit Insurance Holdings PLC. Brit Insurance has UK underwriting offices in London, Reading, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast, Leeds, Darlington, and Manchester.

E*Trade

The E*TRADE FINANCIAL family of companies provides financial services including trading, investing and related banking products and services to retail investors. Securities products and services are offered by E*TRADE Securities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC). Bank products and services are offered by E*TRADE Bank, a Federal savings bank, Member FDIC, or its subsidiaries.

Jefferies Investments

Jefferies, a major global securities and investment banking group, has served companies and their investors for more than 45 years. Headquartered in New York City, with offices in more than 25 cities around the world, Jefferies provides clients with capital markets and financial advisory services, institutional brokerage, securities research and asset management. Jefferies & Company, Inc. is the principal operating subsidiary of Jefferies Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF: www.jefferies.com). Jefferies International Limited, a UK-incorporated, wholly owned subsidiary of Jefferies Group, Inc., is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority.

Lending Tree

LendingTree, LLC is the nation's leading online lending exchange, providing a marketplace that connects consumers with multiple lenders that compete for their business. Since inception, LendingTree has facilitated more than 25 million loan requests and $185 billion in closed loan transactions. LendingTree provides access to lenders offering mortgages and refinance loans, home equity loans/lines of credit, auto loans, personal loans and credit cards via www.lendingtree.com and 800-555-TREE. Launched in 1998 with headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., LendingTree also owns and operates LendingTree Loans sm, GetSmart.com, and HomeLoanCenter.com. LendingTree, LLC is a subsidiary of Tree.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: TREE).

Lone Star National Bank

Established in 1983, Lone Star National Bank has provided banking services to communities in South Texas for the past 25 years. January 23, 2008 marked the 25th Anniversary for Lone Star Bank in the Rio Grande Valley. Lone Star National Bank is an independent and locally owned bank with over 1.6 billion dollars in assets and nineteen (19) banking centers through Starr, Hidalgo and Cameron Counties. The Corporate Office is located in Pharr, Texas.

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Natixis North America

Backed by BPCE Group, France's second largest banking player, Natixis encompasses five business divisions: Corporate and Investment Banking, Asset Management, Private Equity and Private Banking, Services, and Receivables Management. Natixis is committed to seeking the best banking and financial solutions to help its clients and partners fulfill their long-term national and international ambitions. Its 22,000 staff with high-profile technical expertise provides corporations and institutions with innovative and customized services.