Close Brothers is a leading merchant banking group established in 1878, providing lending, deposit taking, wealth management services, and securities trading. We employ 3000 people, principally in the UK, and are one of the largest 250 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange. Our activities are straightforward. We remain focused on markets and services we know and understand, developing leading positions and unrivalled expertise. Our approach is prudent and considered enabling us to grow sustainably, through all market conditions, building confidence among our depositors and investors. Our businesses have remained local as we continue to provide bespoke services, and developing long-term relationships ensuring our success in the future. We value our clients over everything else. What they do is important Ð they are the doers and makers of things, the wealth creators, the investors and the savers. We ensure our services meet their specific needs and invest to support them as they grow. These principles, founded in our past but applied to the modern world today, represent what we describe as Ômodern merchant bankingÕ Ð values that are embedded in our culture and that underpin everything we do. Our Business areas: Our Banking division provides lending to small businesses and individuals, with an emphasis on specialist finance. We also offer deposit taking services to UK businesses and individuals. In Securities, we provide trading services in the UK through Winterflood, a leading market-maker. Close Brothers Asset Management provides a range of financial advice, investment management and on-line investing services, helping clients to secure their financial future. www.closebrothers.com Follow us on Twitter @CloseBrothers Image credit 'PA Images'_