38 Acquisitions

The Group made the following material acquisitions in 2007:

(a) Indexchange Investment AG

On 8th February 2007, the Group acquired 100% of the ordinary shares of Indexchange Investment AG, based in Munich offering exchange traded fund products.

(b) Equifirst Corporation

On 30th March 2007, the Group acquired 100% of the ordinary shares of Equifirst Corporation, a sub-prime mortgage origination business.

(c) Walbrook Group Limited

On 18th May 2007, the Group acquired 100% of the ordinary shares of Walbrook Group Limited. The business serves high net worth private clients and corporate customers.