OREANDA-NEWS. On 17 July 2009 BTA Bank JSC (“BTA”) announced that Lazard Frères has been appointed as one of its financial advisers to work alongside UBS Investment Bank in the implementation of BTA’s debt restructuring process.

Lazard Frères, one of the world's preeminent financial advisory and asset management firms, operates from 39 cities across 24 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and South America. With origins dating back to 1848, the firm provides advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and capital raising, as well as asset management services to corporations, partnerships, institutions, governments, and individuals.

Lazard Frères and UBS Investment Bank have started to contact BTA Bank’s creditors to promote the creation of a Creditors’ Steering Committee that will facilitate negotiations with bondholders, lenders and trade finance creditors on the terms of the BTA Bank debt restructuring plan.

BTA will continue to work with White & Case, the banks legal advisor. BTA bank advisory team includes M. Favale-Tarter, LLC and John Howell & Co, independent advisers, advising Samruk-Kazyna and the government on the financial architecture and strategy with regard to BTA.