IMAP Continues to Advance With Increase in Transaction Values and More Cross-Border Deals

SARASOTA, FL--(Marketwire - September 21, 2009) - IMAP, Inc., an exclusive global organization of leading merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory firms, announced today in its 2009 Annual Report that the average value of its completed transactions was $51.6 million in 2008, representing a 280 percent increase over the last three years. During the same period, IMAP advisers completed a record 75 cross-border deals, contributing to a 53 percent increase over the last five years. So far in 2009, 39 percent of IMAP's completed transactions have been cross-border, compared with 30 percent in 2008. Stronger closing activity throughout IMAP's network in North America, Asia, Europe and Latin America indicates that IMAP continues to close deals even in this challenging business environment.

"While M&A activity has been affected by the financial crisis that began last year, IMAP's advisers still managed to complete an impressive 252 transactions with a total value of more than $13 billion," said Mark Esbeck, IMAP President. "This translates to one deal closed by an IMAP adviser every business day, proving that collaboration between IMAP offices is vital in connecting buyers and sellers on a global scale."

IMAP advisers in North America reported that most of the region's M&A activity this year has been driven by forced divestments and defensive corporate actions. Looking to the remainder of 2009, more traditional M&A transactions are expected to be strong in North America. IMAP's advisers expect domestic companies that are looking to grow and those that are willing to sell a majority stake in their businesses to do well in this environment.

The outlook in Asia for the remainder of 2009 has greatly improved, as indicated by China and Korea's economic growth in the first half of the year. IMAP advisers believe that many companies in the region will need to divest or consolidate to make up for losses accumulated during the financial crisis. Additionally, IMAP advisers in this region anticipate opportunities for buyers as government entities grant investment approvals more quickly and easily.

Europe has especially shown great resilience in 2009. A mid-year rebound in M&A activity resulted in the region originating 60 percent of all 2009 IMAP-completed transactions. IMAP's European advisers reported that sellers are reducing their price expectations, having recognized that prices were overinflated leading up to the economic downturn. Alternatively, European buyers are exhibiting less risk averse behavior in investing in new opportunities.

Even though Latin America was the last region to be affected by the global financial crisis, IMAP advisers in the region reported that M&A activity slowed down significantly during the last half of 2008 and into the first half of 2009. Collaboration between IMAP's Latin and North American offices strengthened this year, generating sell mandates even though valuations were low. In addition, many international firms have returned to Latin America to expand their manufacturing operations, as supply-chain savings offset labor-cost differentials from other regions.

To learn more or view a complete copy of IMAP's 2009 Annual Report, please visit www.imap.com.

IMAP's advisers will convene at the Çiragan Palace Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, for IMAP's Fall 2009 Global Mergers & Acquisitions Symposium. The symposium will focus on closing M&A transactions in the current economic climate, and will provide opportunities to develop relationships with industry professionals. Senior-level delegates representing law firms, private equity groups, corporate and M&A transaction advisers, as well as members of the media, are invited to attend the symposium. To register for the symposium, view a schedule of events or make hotel reservations, visit www.imapconferences.com.

About IMAP

IMAP, Inc. is an exclusive global organization of leading merger and acquisition advisory firms. Formed in 1973, IMAP is composed of 55 offices in nearly 40 countries throughout North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia and Asia. In 2008, IMAP advisers completed 252 transactions, with an aggregate transaction value of more than $13 billion. IMAP advisers provide strategic merger, acquisition, divestiture and related corporate finance services. Sellers of mid-size companies and corporate acquirers alike rely upon IMAP for essential local market knowledge and industry expertise delivered with unparalleled global reach. Every business day, somewhere in the world, an IMAP adviser is completing an M&A transaction. More information is available via the Internet at www.imap.com.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Jennifer Jameson (312) 780-7241 jjameson@dresnerco.com Sara DeNio (312) 780-7223 sdenio@dresnerco.com IMAP's Fall 2009 Global Mergers & Acquisitions Symposium Contact: Aysenaz Yeni (90-212) 288-7142 aysenazy@bprhalklailiskiler.com