Credit Suisse to Host Open Private Equity Conference on Small and Emerging Private Equity Managers

Business Wire, March 19, 2008

Showcase Speakers to Include Investment Officers from California, New Jersey, New York City, New York State and Texas Based Institutional Investors, as Well as Other Leading Industry Participants

NEW YORK -- On Thursday, March 27, 2008, approximately 350 U.S. based pension plans, endowments, foundations, private equity fund managers, and other industry participants will convene in Los Angeles, California for the Second Annual "Credit Suisse Small and Emerging Private Equity Manager Conference."

The Conference, which is open to all private equity professionals (no invitation required), will take place at the UCLA Anderson School of Management on the campus of UCLA in Korn Convocation Hall from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Credit Suisse's Customized Fund Investment Group has organized the Conference to provide a broad universe of participants personalized access to a diverse set of small and emerging private equity managers ("SEMs") and key institutional investors active in the space. Through open networking sessions and panel discussions led by market-leading investors and high quality emerging managers, the Conference sponsors intend to provide critical investor and fund manager insights and a venue for developing strategic SEM programs.

"As the number of SEM-run and focused fund mangers, companies, and fundless sponsors continues to grow, it's crucial that investors have the resources to source, diligence, monitor, and exit investments in SEM fund managers and co-investments in SEM companies," said Kelly Williams, Co-Head and Managing Director of the Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group, the private equity fund of funds division of Credit Suisse's Alternative Investments business. "We believe that this event will help emphasize the quality of SEM-focused groups and provide such groups with increased exposure to an audience of key institutional investors active in the space."

"The number of Small and Emerging Managers within the private equity market continues to increase, driven in part by the growing number of new groups being formed by experienced investment professionals starting their own fund," said Michael Arpey, Co-Head and Managing Director of the Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group. "In light of this evolving landscape, we are working with our clients to identify ways to take advantage of the changing demographics and invest alongside them in the SEMs in a way that maximizes the opportunities that this sector offers."

The Conference's Opening Remarks will be presented by Mr. John Chiang, California State Controller. The Keynote Lunch speech will be given by Stewart A. Kohl, Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Riverside Company. Speakers and panelists participating in the Conference include investment officers from California's Public Employees' Retirement System, California State Controller Office, Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, New Jersey Division of Investment, New York State Common Retirement Fund, Office of the Comptroller of the City of New York, and Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

The Conference will be preceded by an evening Welcome Reception hosted by Credit Suisse Customized Fund Investment Group to be held on March 26 at the W Hotel Los Angeles.

For more information and a registration link for the Conference, please visit:

http://www.csfb.com/conferences/sem2008

About Credit Suisse

Credit Suisse provides its clients with investment banking, private banking and asset management services worldwide. Credit Suisse offers advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high-net-worth private clients globally, as well as retail clients in Switzerland. Credit Suisse is active in over 50 countries and employs approximately 48,000 people. Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group, is a leading global financial services company headquartered in Zurich. Credit Suisse Group's registered shares (CSGN) are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York. Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.credit-suisse.com.

Customized Fund Investment Group

The Customized Fund Investment Group (CFIG) at Credit Suisse is one of the largest and deepest investment teams dedicated to private equity fund investing. The Group is co-headed by Michael Arpey and Kelly Williams, who founded CFIG in 1999. CFIG manages over $20 billion in commitments to private equity funds of funds and co-investments, both in the U.S. and internationally. CFIG's 101 professionals are based at the Group's offices in New York, London, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Portland.

CFIG specializes in developing customized private equity investment programs that address the specific needs of investors and which benefit from leveraging the Credit Suisse platform. CFIG develops fund investment programs for active institutional investors who have a specific portfolio need and for emerging institutional investors who have a need for assistance with asset allocation, portfolio development and administration, due diligence, and other advisory services, or any combination thereof. Once established, CFIG takes a service-oriented, long-term partnership approach to its customized accounts.