Lincoln International in Top 25 Worldwide M&A Rankings, Including Top 10 in Germany and the United States and Top 25 in France and the United Kingdom

Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.; Frankfurt, Germany; and Paris, France April 17, 2007 Lincoln International, a leading mid-market investment bank, is pleased to announce that Thomson Financial ranked Lincoln International as one of the top 25 mid-market M&A advisors in the world for the first quarter of 2007.

Following a strong 2006 performance, in which Lincoln International was ranked No. 4 in the German market by the number of transactions either undisclosed or with enterprise values up to $200 million and No. 5 for up to $500 million, Lincoln International was named among the top 25 M&A advisors worldwide in Q1 2007 as measured by the number of announced transactions with enterprise values either undisclosed or up to $200 million. Additionally, by this same measure the firm ranked in the top 10 in Germany and the U.S. and in the top 25 in France and the United Kingdom. Lincoln International was particularly pleased with the ranking in France given that its Paris office only opened in February 2006.

These rankings reflect the power of almost 100 M&A professionals working together enthusiastically in globally integrated, industry focused teams, said Jim Lawson, managing director and co-chairman of Lincoln International. Hans Peter Peters, co-chairman, added Having professionals located in Europe, the U.S. and Asia is mandatory to succeed in today’s global M&A market; but, more importantly, we believe our common commitment to unrivaled client service will continue to generate excellent results. Our business is about providing the best possible service and building client trust.

Lincoln International in the last twelve months has provided merger and acquisitions advisory services to such large corporate clients as Akzo Nobel N.V., American Standard Companies, Inc., Dover Corporation, Edeka, Gerresheimer Group, Illinois Tool Works Inc., Itochu Corporation, Siemens AG and SUEZ S.A. and such leading financial sponsors as ABN Amro Capital, AXA Private Equity, Blue Point Capital Partners, Bridgepoint, The Carlyle Group, Code Hennessy & Simmons, Hannover Finanz, Invest Equity, Montagu Private Equity and Riverside Company.

About Lincoln International

Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition services and private capital raising for leading organizations involved in mid-market transactions. With offices in Chicago, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, New York, and Paris, as well as strategic partnerships with China Everbright and other partner firms in Asia, Lincoln International has strong local knowledge and contacts in the key global economies. The organization provides clients with senior-level attention, in-depth industry expertise, and integrated resources. By being focused and independent, Lincoln International serves its clients without conflicts of interest. More information about Lincoln International can be obtained at www.lincolninternational.com.