SNL Financial Joins Research Entitlements Consortium

Leading information provider to help develop and implement industry standards for investment research distribution

London, U.K. (May 3, 2007) — The Research Entitlements Consortium (REC), a group of buy-side firms, brokers and information providers devoted to improving investment research distribution, has announced the addition of SNL Financial to its membership, effective immediately.

Marking its 20th anniversary this year, SNL Financial is a leading multisector-focused information and research firm in the financial marketplace.

"SNL is delighted to join REC, which is quickly setting the pace for establishing best practices in research distribution and entitlement," said Mike Chinn, SNL president. "Our membership in such a distinguished body provides us with added authority as we continuously expand our research report offering for the industries we cover: Banks & Thrifts, Insurance, Financial Services, Real Estate, Energy and Media & Communications. We look forward to working closely with the consortium, through the implementation and promotion of its cutting-edge entitlement standards, to maximize the value of investment research for brokers and consumers alike."

SNL joins 26 other steering and associate members of the consortium, including Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, UBS, Morgan Stanley and many more.

For more information on the Research Entitlements Consortium, visit www.researchentitlements.net.

About SNL Financial

SNL collects, standardizes and disseminates all relevant corporate, financial, market, and M&A data — plus news and analysis — for the Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Real Estate, Energy and Media & Communications industries. For more information, visit www.SNL.com.