EFG-Hermes named the GTM - Egyptian Exchange's Best Brokerage Firm of 2009

EFG-Hermes Securities Brokerage Managing Director Sherif Cararah received the award.

"It is an honor to be recognized by the Egyptian Exchange and GTM," said Cararah, noting, "We work hard every year not just to maintain our position at the forefront of the market, but to deliver market-leading service to retail and institutional investors alike with a particular emphasis on value-added brokerage."

Data independently available from the region's stock exchanges confirm EFG-Hermes Securities Brokerage's regional leadership.

The firm was the number-one broker in 2008 in Egypt (37% market share and a total trading value of LE213bn, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (17.5% share last year), and Dubai Financial Market (19%).

The 2008 statistics also establish EFG-Hermes as the most active independent broker in Saudi Arabia and the third-largest broker in both Oman and Kuwait, despite the Firm having only recently extended its service to these two countries. The firm's total commissions from indirect markets tripled as volumes rose substantially last year.

The GTM / EGX Awards recognize excellence among the companies listed on the Egyptian Exchange and the financial-industry firms that support them. The awards were decided by an independent panel of industry officials. Other GTM / EGX Award categories include CEO of the Year, Best Newcomer, Best Investor Relations and Best Company Overall, among others.

The award is EFG-Hermes' first win of the 2009 awards season. Among other awards last year, the firm took home the emeaFinance Award for Best Brokerage House in the UAE, the Africa Investor Index Series Award for Best Performing Broker in Africa and the Euromoney Award for Excellence as Best Equity House in Egypt.

The firm also topped Euromoney magazine's annual Middle East Equity Research Poll for the second year in a row and its MENA Special Opportunities Fund was named 'Best Newcomer' by Terrapin's Hedge Funds World.