Brian K. Heywood, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Partner of Taiyo Pacific Partners, said, “We have tremendous respect for the innovation and focused strategy Matsui Securities has brought to the brokerage industry. They were the leader in shifting from a traditional brokerage business to an efficient online model in response to deregulation. They have continued to develop trading platforms which provide retail investors with competitive tools at a reasonable price. In this very competitive brokerage business, we believe that President Matsui will continue to drive further innovations which benefit both Japanese retail investors and Matsui shareholders.”

Michael A. King, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of Taiyo Pacific Partners, said, “President Matsui’s relentless focus on running a lean operating structure while providing new trading features for its online customers has made Matsui Securities a profit leader amongst Japanese brokerages. Matsui Securities’ ability to consistently deliver pre-tax profit margins above 40%, even in the post-Lehman markets, generates consistent cash flow and makes them a strong addition to Taiyo’s portfolio.”

President Michio Matsui commented, “Taiyo is well known as an investor with a long-term perspective who has demonstrated the ability to increase corporate value by building a mutually beneficial relationship with portfolio companies. We welcome Taiyo as a long-standing large shareholder who well understands Matsui’s management philosophy and who appreciates both our ability to generate high stable cash flows and the future prospects of our company.”

Taiyo Pacific Partners, located in Kirkland, Washington, was founded by bilingual professionals dedicated to friendly shareholder activism in Japan. Taiyo currently manages over $1.7 billion in assets for institutional investors. The Taiyo Fund was launched in July 2003. The investment committee consists of Taiyo’s three managing partners and Chairman Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.