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2009-11-02: Ramius and Cowen Group Announce Completion of Business Combination - Cowen Group Inc Transaction Creates Diversified Financial Services Company New Company to Retain Cowen Group, Inc. Name NEW YORK, NY, November 2, 2009 – Ramius LLC (“Ramius”) and Cowen Group, Inc. (“Cowen”) (NASDAQ: COWN) today announced that they have successfully completed their business combination, following today’s approval of the transaction at a Special Meeting of Stockholders and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. The new company will retain the Cowen Group, Inc. name and the common stock of the combined company will continue to trade on NASDAQ under the symbol “COWN.” Cowen Group, Inc. comprises two business units, Ramius and Cowen and Company. The Ramius business unit will operate the combined company’s alternative investment management business, and the Cowen and Company business unit will continue to run the company’s leading growth-oriented investment banking franchise, as well as its research and brokerage capabilities. Commenting on today’s announcement, Peter A. Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Cowen Group, Inc., stated, “We are excited to announce the closing of this combination, which creates a diversified financial services company with significant potential for long-term growth and profitability. With an improved capital position, increased scale, enhanced business opportunities and a talented team of dedicated colleagues, Cowen Group is well positioned to meet the diverse needs of our clients and customers while creating value for our shareholders. We are confident that together we have the right combination of resources to pursue our vision and compete in today’s market and beyond.” Enhanced Growth Opportunities Mr. Cohen stated, “Ramius and Cowen and Company have experienced teams and complementary strengths that will enable the combined company to take advantage of a wide Mr. Cohen continued, “Our recent announcement regarding the establishment of the Financial Institutions Group is an example of how we plan to expand our sector coverage in the Cowen investment banking division. In addition, we believe that Ramius’s existing investment expertise and long-standing relationships in commercial real estate will contribute to the development of a full vertical capability in the REIT sector.” The company also expects to achieve annual cost savings through economies of scale, the elimination of overlapping systems and other services and the combination of two Management Team & Corporate Governance Cowen’s Board of Directors is composed of 10 members, including: Peter A. Cohen, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cowen Group, Inc.; Jules Kroll, President, JEMKroll Group, Founder of Kroll, Inc. and Chairman, K2 Global Partners; Greg Malcolm, Chief Executive Officer and President, Cowen and Company; Jerome Markowitz, Senior Partner, Conifer Securities LLC; Jack Nusbaum, Chairman, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP; L. Thomas Richards, M.D., Physician, UCSF Medical Center; Edoardo Spezzotti, Senior Executive Vice President, Unicredit; John Toffolon, Jr. Board of Directors, Westway Group, Inc.; Charles Wardell, III, Senior Client Partner, Korn/Ferry; and Joseph Wright, Chief Executive Officer, Scientific Games Corp. About Cowen Group, Inc. Cautionary Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Contacts: Media: Jean Calleja Investors: |
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