BNP Paribas Appoints Five to Its Global Commodity Derivatives Group.

NEW YORK & LONDON -- BNP Paribas is pleased to announce the appointments of five senior base and precious metals marketers to its global commodity derivatives group. These appointments will augment its already significant presence in the metals dealing and finance sectors.

Paul Sharp, Claus Pramer and Jim Gavilan join the New York commodity desk, with Christian Lusted and Leigh Ashton joining the London desk. All five will report to Russell Plackett, head of metals and will be responsible for the further growth of the group's capabilities in offering structured solutions encompassing both the clients' need for reliable hedge liquidity and finance.

Paul Sharp, James Gavilan, Claus Pramer and Leigh Ashton all join the firm from Standard Bank in New York and London. Paul Sharp worked as a marketer in base metals products and was responsible for teams in London, New York, Lima and Sao Paulo since 2001. James Gavilan worked as a precious metals marketer since 2003 in New York. Prior to that, he spent six years at JP Morgan Chase. Claus Pramer spent four years at Standard in New York as head of origination - base metals. Leigh Ashton joins from Standard Bank in London. Christian Lusted joins from Amalgamated Metal Trading in London where he worked since 2002. Prior to that, he was a senior marketer at Bank of Nova Scotia between 1997 and 2002.

Commenting on the appointments, Amine Bel Hadj Soulami, global head of commodity derivatives, said, "The appointment of these very experienced professionals will further raise our profile as a meaningful participant in the commodities derivatives sector as well as further broadening our horizons in commodity derivatives by delivering expertise in new products within the metals group."

Marc Fontaine, head of commodity derivatives in the Americas, added, "The many years of experience that the team will add to the firm's core competencies in metals and mining finance, as well as being a substantial market maker in metals hedging, will significantly enhance our activity in the Americas."

BNP Paribas is an Associate Broker Clearing member of the London Metals Exchange.

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) is a European leader in banking and financial services, and ranks among the world's top 15 banks by market capitalization and total assets. It has more than 138, 000 employees. The group occupies leading positions in three significant fields of activity: Corporate and Investment Banking, Asset Management & Services and Retail Banking. It is present in 85 countries and has a strong presence in all the key financial centres. Present throughout Europe, in all its business lines, France and Italy are its two domestic markets in retail banking. BNP Paribas enjoys a significant and growing presence in the United States and leading positions in Asia and in emerging markets.