Mizuho Securities USA, the U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary of the global Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE: MFG)., today announced the recent appointments of a managing director and ten new directors in its Fixed Income Division. The new appointments continue the expansion of Mizuho Securities USA's Fixed Income Division initiated by John Koudounis, Executive Managing Director & Head of Fixed Income, since he joined Mizuho Securities USA in May.

"Mizuho Securities USA, and our Fixed Income Division, had our most profitable year ever in FY 2007 and we are committed to a program of selective growth, including additions of key staff to our Fixed Income team, that will sustain this momentum," commented James G.W. Reed, Mizuho Securities USA President and CEO. "John Koudounis is building on the sales and trading staff already in place at Mizuho Securities USA by bringing on board outstanding individuals with proven track records and industry recognition. By attracting and retaining experienced leadership across our Fixed Income Division product areas, we will further the growth of Mizuho Financial Group's global fixed income activities."

John Koudounis, Executive Managing Director & Head of Fixed Income, joined Mizuho Securities USA in May from ABN AMRO Inc. where he spent eleven years, most recently overseeing the Fixed Income Division. "In the face of difficult market conditions, our team has been able to continue to post outstanding results," said Mr. Koudounis. "We have assembled a world class team that will continue to focus on providing the highest level of service to our customers."

The most recent additions to the Mizuho Securities USA fixed income team include:

Vincent Murray, Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income Syndicate

Pat Coleman, Director, Fixed Income Sales - San Francisco

Timothy Cox, Director, Debt Capital Markets

Reid Hill, Director, Corporate Finance

Anthony Lorello, Director, Fixed Income Sales - New York

Timothy Murphy, Director, Fixed Income Sales - New York

Mark McAdams, Director, Fixed Income Sales - Chicago

John McShea, Director, Fixed Income Sales - Chicago

Michael Primasing, Director, Fixed Income Sales - San Francisco

Dolph Tokarczyk, Director, Fixed Income Sales - New York

Robert Williams, Director, Credit Trading - New York

About Mizuho

Mizuho Securities USA Inc. is a U.S. registered broker-dealer whose principal office is in New York City and with other offices in Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston, Hoboken (New Jersey), London and, through a subsidiary, Singapore. Its parent company, Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd., is a top-tier, full-service, Japanese securities firm and a member of the Mizuho Financial Group, a Japan-based financial holding company that provides a full range of financial services through four strategic groups: Global Corporate Group, Global Retail Group, Global Asset & Wealth Management Group, and Group Strategy Affiliates. Global Corporate Group consists of Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd. and its subsidiary Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. (MHSC).

For further information, contact:

Eric Tarlow
Mizuho Securities USA
212-209-9460
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