Dubai, UAE, Wednesday, June 30th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:

(BUSINESS WIRE) Natixis Global Associates (NGA), the distribution arm of Natixis Global Asset Management, has appointed Sami Abdo to the newly-created position of senior sales director for the Middle East. Mr Abdo is based in Dubai and reports to Jamal Saab, NGA’s managing director and head of Middle East – North Africa (MENA).

Mr Abdo will be responsible for developing new business in the Middle East.

Mr Abdo has over 20 years’ experience in financial services, which includes roles at the Royal Bank of Canada based in London, Nomura and Merrill Lynch. Mr Abdo also served as managing director at Quilvest, a multi-family office based in Paris. He most recently worked as an independent advisor to high net worth clients in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries with a particular focus on private equity as well as real estate and hedge funds.

“Sami’s appointment signals our commitment to growing our sales presence across the MENA region,” said Mr Saab. “NGA is seeing much interest in the region for its multi-boutique approach and its broad range of investment offerings – from Latin America specialists Hansberger Global Investors to global equity funds from Harris Associates, from private equity funds from Natixis Caspian Private Equity to equities and fixed-income offerings from Loomis, Sayles & Company.

“Sami’s knowledge and experience of the particular needs of MENA investors will play an important role in bringing the expertise of these and other investment affiliates to one of our key audiences.”

About Natixis Global Associates

Natixis Global Associates (NGA) is the distribution arm of Natixis Global Asset Management. NGA works on a consultative basis from its network of worldwide offices, tailoring the expertise of its managers to meet the investment objectives of local clients. In the U.S., Natixis Global Associates includes Natixis Distributors, L.P. (member FINRA) and Natixis Asset Management Advisors, L.P. (a registered investment advisor). Both are located at 399 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. Outside of the U.S., NGA includes Natixis Global Associates S.A and business development units located across the globe, including Natixis Global Associates Middle East, a branch of Natixis Global Associates UK Limited, which is regulated by the DFSA. www.ga.natixis.com

About Natixis Global Asset Management

Natixis Global Asset Management is one of the 20 largest asset managers in the world1 based on assets under management. Its affiliated asset management companies provide investment products that seek to enhance and protect the wealth and retirement assets of both institutional and individual investor clients. Its proprietary distribution network helps package and deliver its affiliates’ products around the world. Natixis Global Asset Management brings together the expertise of multiple specialized investment managers based in Europe, the United States and Asia to offer a wide spectrum of equity, fixed-income and alternative investment strategies.

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Headquartered in Paris and Boston, Natixis Global Asset Management’s assets under management totaled $714 billion (€528 billion) as of 31 March 2010. Natixis Global Asset Management is part of Natixis. Its affiliated investment management firms and distribution and service groups include: Absolute Asia Asset Management; AEW Capital Management; AlphaSimplex Group; Aurora Investment Management; Capital Growth Management; Caspian Capital Management; Gateway Investment Advisers; Hansberger Global Investors; Harris Associates; Loomis, Sayles & Company; Natixis Global Associates; Reich & Tang Asset Management; Snyder Capital Management; Vaughan Nelson Investment Management; and Westpeak Global Advisors. In addition to the U.S. firms, Natixis Global Asset Management includes four principal affiliates based in Paris: Natixis Asset Management, Natixis Multimanager, AEW Europe and Natixis Épargne Financière.

1 Cerulli Quantitative Update: Global Markets 2009, based on 31 December 2008 AUM of $630 billion.

For media enquiries, please contact:

natixis global asset management
boston

Faith Yando

Tel: 617-449-2507
faith.yando@ga.natixis.com