Statement re. Press Comment

Cenkos Securities PLC
08 November 2007






For immediate release            8 November 2007




                        Cenkos Securities plc ('Cenkos')

                     Statement regarding press speculation


Cenkos notes the recent press speculation concerning a possible offer for Close
Brothers Group plc ('Close Brothers') and can confirm that in conjunction with
another party it has made an approach to the board of directors of Close
Brothers regarding a possible cash offer for the entire issued share capital of
Close Brothers at a price of 950 pence per ordinary share.



Cenkos is interested in acquiring the investment banking and asset management
businesses of Close Brothers. It is proposed that the banking division will be
acquired by the other party.



This proposal is at a very early stage and there can be no certainty that the
approach will lead to an offer for Close Brothers or that if an offer were made
it would be successful.



Enquiries:





HSBC (Financial adviser to Cenkos) [phone]


Rupert Faure Walker

Julian Gray



HSBC Bank plc, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial
Services Authority, is acting for Cenkos and its partner and no one else in
relation to matters described in this announcement and will not be responsible
to anyone other than Cenkos and its partner for providing the protections
afforded to customers of HSBC Bank plc or for providing advice on matters
described in this announcement.



Under the provisions of Rule 8.3 of the City Code on Takeovers and Mergers (the
'Code'), if any person is, or becomes, 'interested' (directly or indirectly) in
1% or more of any class of 'relevant securities' of Close Brothers, all '
dealings' in any 'relevant securities' of that company (including by means of an
option in respect of, or a derivative referenced to, any such 'relevant
securities') must be publicly disclosed by no later than 3.30 pm (London time)
on the London business day following the date of the relevant transaction. This
requirement will continue until the date on which the offer becomes, or is
declared, unconditional as to acceptances, lapses or is otherwise withdrawn or
on which the 'offer period' otherwise ends. If two or more persons act together
pursuant to an agreement or understanding, whether formal or informal, to
acquire an 'interest' in 'relevant securities' of Close Brothers, they will be
deemed to be a single person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.

Under the provisions of Rule 8.1 of the Code, all 'dealings' in 'relevant
securities' of Close Brothers by Close Brothers, or by any of its 'associates',
must be disclosed by no later than 12.00 noon (London time) on the London
business day following the date of the relevant transaction.

A disclosure table, giving details of the companies in whose 'relevant
securities' 'dealings' should be disclosed, and the number of such securities in
issue, can be found on the Takeover Panel's website at
www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

'Interests in securities' arise, in summary, when a person has long economic
exposure, whether conditional or absolute, to changes in the price of
securities. In particular, a person will be treated as having an 'interest' by
virtue of the ownership or control of securities, or by virtue of any option in
respect of, or derivative referenced to, securities.

Terms in quotation marks are defined in the Code, which can also be found on the
Takeover Panel's website. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not you are
required to disclose a 'dealing' under Rule 8, you should consult the Takeover
Panel.

The distribution of this announcement in jurisdictions other than the United
Kingdom may be restricted by law and therefore persons into whose possession
this announcement comes should inform themselves about, and observe, such
restrictions. Any failure to comply with the restrictions may constitute a
violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This announcement
does not constitute an offer or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any
securities or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities pursuant to this
announcement or otherwise in any jurisdiction.




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