BNP Paribas Appoints John Sullivan as a Managing Director for Energy Syndications.

NEW YORK -- BNP Paribas is pleased to announce the hire of John Sullivan as a Managing Director in BNP Paribas' Syndication, Trading & Placement Group. He will report to Dan Whalen and Bucky Khan, Co-Heads of BNP Paribas' New York based Syndication, Trading & Placement Group responsible for North and South America. Mr. Sullivan will head a team focused on Energy, Power and Commodities Financing in this region.

Sullivan is a U.S. and Latin American Finance veteran with over 19 years experience in the financial services industry, including nearly 15 years in energy investment banking and syndication positions at Barclays Capital and Chase. Most recently, he served for two years at Barclays as a Director in their Oil and Gas Investment Banking Group, and, prior to that, as a Director in their Loan Syndication Group.

In commenting on the hire, Dan Whalen stated, ``John is a great addition to the Group, which has been active in the U.S. market for over 15 years and has a strong global energy presence. Investments made in loan syndications, high yield and merger and acquisition advisory gives us the ability to deliver a seamless, global product second to none. John's track record in the energy sector will assist us in achieving the additional growth we are seeking.''

Jean-Louis Duguit, Global Head of Syndications, echoed Whalen's comments and stated, ``We look forward to supporting John's efforts in bringing the global reach and expertise of BNP Paribas to the valued clients he will serve.''

Underscoring the global investments BNP Paribas has made, the market has recognized BNP Paribas' leadership with awards for European Loan House of the Year (IFR 2003), and to BNP Paribas Peregrine, Mid-cap Equity House of the Year (IFR Asia 2003). In addition, BNP Paribas acted as Joint Underwriter and Arranger for the European LBO of the Year-SEAT Pagine Gialle (IFR 2003).

About BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) is a European leader in banking and financial services, with a significant and growing presence in the United Sates and leading positions in Asia. The most profitable bank in the Euro zone, it has a presence in 85 countries with 89,400 employees. The group enjoys key positions in Corporate and Investment Banking, Private Banking & Asset Management, Insurance, Securities Services and Retail Banking.

Headquartered in New York, BNP Paribas in North America offers a broad range of corporate, investment banking and securities brokerage activities. With locations in all the major corporate and financial centers across the United States and Canada, BNP Paribas in North America serves a world-class client base of multinational corporate and mid-cap companies, major issuers and institutional buyers. As a registered NASD broker-dealer and member of SIPC, BNP Paribas Securities Corp. trades and markets a vast array of global and domestic fixed income and equity products. In the U.S., BNP Paribas offers retail banking and financial services through BancWest Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary.