NEW YORK, Oct. 1, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International Assets Holding Corporation (Nasdaq:IAAC) today announced the completion of the merger of International Assets and FCStone Group, Inc. with a combined market value of approximately $285 million. The merger, which was approved by shareholders of both companies on September 25, 2009, unites two unique customer focused financial services companies to create a new entity that delivers execution and advisory services in commodities, currencies and international securities to over 10,000 customers in over 100 countries.

Effective with the commencement of trading today, common stock of the newly merged International Assets and FCStone will be traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol 'IAAC'. Trading in FCStone Group common stock under the ticker symbol 'FCSX' ceased as of the close of trading yesterday.

The transaction, structured as a merger of equals, will create a combined entity that will serve more than 10,000 commercial customers from an employee base of 614 people and offices in eleven countries. The Company's services include comprehensive risk management advisory services for commercial customers; execution of listed futures and option contracts on all major exchanges; structured OTC products in a wide range of commodities; physical trading and hedging of precious and base metals and select other commodities; trading of more than 100 foreign currencies; market-making in international equities; and debt originations and asset management. Based on the most recent reported results for International Assets and FCStone, the combined company has total pro forma combined assets of $1.8 billion and total pro forma combined shareholders' equity of $239 million.

"The new International Assets will be a company that is better positioned to take advantage of market opportunities and access to capital sources," said CEO and Director Sean O'Connor. "The merger is about complementary businesses that share a customer-centric focus and can be leveraged to expand and build relationships with existing and new customers around the world. With FCStone joining our group, we have strengthened our portfolio of businesses and created significant new opportunities."

FCStone Group will continue to operate as an independent business unit of International Assets, maintaining its bases of operations in Kansas City, MO and West Des Moines, IA and serving customers under the FCStone Group brand.

Pete Anderson, CEO of FCStone who will serve as President and a Director of International Assets, commented, "The merger allows us to accelerate investment in the growth of our business both domestically and internationally.