Model-based software for the global securities industry

Press release

Atos Euronext Market Solutions announces strategic investment in Coexis

London, UK – 2 March 2006 – Atos Euronext Market Solutions (AEMS), the leading global provider of IT solutions for exchanges, clearing houses, banks and intermediaries, has announced today that it has made a strategic investment in Coexis Limited, an IT provider of next generation software technology and applications for international capital markets.

“This investment will allow AEMS to continue to exceed the demands of its global customers for cost-effective, flexible and scalable leading-edge trading, clearing and trade processing solutions,” said Jean-Marc Bouhelier, CEO of AEMS.

The key component of this strategic investment for AEMS is Syn®, the core technology created by Coexis, which includes an application suite developed specifically for modelling financial market applications. AEMS will use Syn to adapt existing product offerings and to develop new offers for its customer base which needs to respond effectively to imminent market changes such as MIFID (1) or ESES (2).

AEMS will work closely with Coexis’ experienced management team, led by Terry Williams, Chairman, and Sunil Shah, CEO, to expand its presence in the capital markets business and move into new functional and geographical markets. These efforts will leverage AEMS’ commercial strength with its flagship banking and brokerage clients in continental Europe and Coexis’ key client relationships in the UK and US. Further development of the client base in Asia is also anticipated. “The senior management teams of AEMS and Coexis, who have jointly over 20 years’ experience providing mission critical applications in the regulated investment banking arena, have enjoyed a very positive long-term relationship with a history of successful global projects,” added Jean-Marc Bouhelier. “We are excited about the opportunities that this deal represents for the future of both firms as well as our customers.”

“Syn technology complements AEMS’ business knowledge and market reputation,” said Terry Williams. “Having the public backing of a technology player like AEMS with worldwide expertise in consulting, product and system integration, hosting and facilities management, as well as an ASP model gives Coexis the right opportunities for growth. The investment provides Coexis with the upside benefits of a large scale organisation, without losing the agility of a closely knit management team.”

(1) Markets in Financial Instruments Directive
(2) Euroclear Settlement for Euro-Zone Securities

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About Atos Euronext Market Solutions (AEMS) Download backgrounder

Atos Euronext Market Solutions (AEMS) is the leading global provider of IT solutions for exchanges, clearing houses, banks and intermediaries. AEMS is a 50:50 joint venture between Euronext and Atos Origin. The joint venture brings together the assets, people and technology from within these organisations, which were focused on providing technology for the financial services industry. AEMS employs approximately 1300 industry experts around the world and has live sites in 16 countries, with two major centres of excellence in London and Paris. AEMS is structured around three main client-focused business units – Exchange, Capital Markets and Clearing & Settlement. These three business units are all supported by the Global Managed Services Division. www.aemarketsolutions.com

About Syn and Coexis

Coexis, the creator of Syn, is an IT product provider with 30 years’ experience of meeting the software needs of businesses in the international capital markets.Syn applications take advantage of a process-oriented, rules-based approach which free users from the high cost of bespoke solutions and the rigidity of off-the-shelf packages. Applications include SynSettlements, (settlement of bonds and equities), SynFixRouter, SynFundsSupermarket, and SynCustomer.

For further information from Atos Euronext Market Solutions
Lee Staines
E: Lee.Staines at aems.net
Atos Euronext Market Solutions, Cannon Bridge House, 1 Cousin Lane, London EC4R 3XX
T: +44 (0)20 7379 2152
F: +44 (0)20 7379 2702

For further information from Coexis
Sunil Shah
E: sunil.shah at coexis.com
Coexis Ltd, Victoria House, Second Floor, 64 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NG
T: +44 (0)20 7613 8800
F: +44 (0)20 7033 1965

Press contact: Salli Roskilly E: salli at saffroncoms.com
Saffron Communications Limited
T: +44 (0)1763 208708