Bank Sarasin-Alpen receives awards at Banker Middle East Product Awards 2009

Best Structured Product - Sarasin-Alpen Rabobank Enhanced Agri Note

Winning the Best Structured Product Award for the second time in a row reaffirms Bank Sarasin-Alpen's capability to build innovative and exclusive products. With this product, clients get advantage of participating in Rabobank's worldwide food and agriculture research strength, along with a 100% unconditional 'AAA' guarantee of Rabobank at maturity.

Best New Product - The Sarasin GCC Equity Opportunities Fund (USD)

The GCC Equity Opportunities Fund (USD) is the first fund launched by Sarasin-Alpen & Partners Limited. By investing equally across the equity markets of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain, the Fund provides excellent diversification. Unlike most funds, which are required to be fully invested at all times, the Sarasin GCC Equity Opportunities Fund (USD) is able to increase exposure when the market is trending upwards and reduce exposure when the market is trending downwards. It is therefore ideally suited to clients who recognize the opportunities of investing in the region yet remain alert to the risks.

"We are delighted to have done it again. This award is testimony to our perfectly balanced service offering in the Middle East," says Rohit Walia, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Bank Sarasin-Alpen. "We are also excited about being recognized for the Sarasin GCC Equity Opportunities Fund, which is the first offering from Sarasin-Alpen & Partners Limited, our asset management company."

"We are delighted that the Sarasin GCC Equity Opportunities Fund (USD) has received such a prestigious award," says Paul Cooper, Senior Executive Officer, Sarasin-Alpen & Partners Limited. "While some investors may question the timing of its launch, we believe that the current environment represents a unique opportunity to buy into the future prosperity of the region at distressed levels. Its unique investment process has been designed specifically for the region and we are extremely proud that it has been recognized in this way."

"At Sarasin-Alpen, we strive to build products which offer our clients exclusive investment opportunities, not available elsewhere," says Sudarshan Malpani, Executive Director, Sarasin-Alpen (ME) Limited. "The Sarasin-Alpen Rabobank Enhanced Agri Note's successfully tested investment strategy, efficient pricing and consistent back tested returns makes it a winning opportunity."

Bank Sarasin-Alpen provides a complete set of high quality private banking and asset/wealth management services to private and institutional clients in the region. It is a subsidiary of the Swiss private bank Sarasin & Co. Ltd, which is majority owned by the 'AAA' rated Dutch Rabobank. Bank Sarasin-Alpen has also recently launched its asset management firm - Sarasin-Alpen & Partners Limited. The company is co-owned by Sarasin & Partners LLP, London, which aims to establish itself as a leading asset manager in the region.