Sir Allen Stanford

Archived November 1, 2006

ST. JOHN’S, ANTIGUA, W.I. - 1 NOVEMBER 2006 –R. Allen Stanford, chairman and CEO of Houston-based Stanford Financial Group has been appointed Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation (Antigua and Barbuda). He was presented this honor by the Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir James B. Carlisle in a ceremony attended by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, in celebration of the country’s Silver Jubilee in November 2006.

A deeply honoured Stanford said, “My love for the Caribbean, its people and future, particularly that of Antigua and Barbuda, has been clearly displayed by my commitment to the region over the past two decades through long-term investment of capital and human resources.

“It is my hope that the grant of this great personal honour is a reflection of that commitment. I truly hope that this appointment will increase awareness of the success that the Stanford companies have achieved with Caricom nationals comprising the vast majority of our employee base, and that it will further promote the economic and social development of the region.”

Stanford, a fifth-generation Texan, has lived in Antigua for 20 years and holds dual citizenship, having become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda seven years ago. He is the first American to be knighted by the country and the 15th to receive the honour since it was established in 1998 for Antigua and Barbuda. The chivalric Most Excellent Order of the British Empire was established 4 June 1917 by King George V with the motto For God and the Empire to honour distinguished noncombatant service.

Stanford is an active member of Caribbean - Central American Action (CCAA) [previously Caribbean Latin American Action (CLAA)], which promotes private-sector-led economic development throughout the hemisphere. In addition, he supports the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and the Inter-American Economic Council (IAEC), through which the Organization of American States and private enterprise address critical development and disaster needs in the Caribbean and Latin America. He was honoured in 2006 with the IAEC’s “Excellence in Leadership Award” at the Organization of American States headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Stanford is the second largest employer in Antigua and Barbuda (after the government). Major business investments in Antigua and Barbuda include the Bank of Antigua, Stanford International Bank, Stanford Trust Company, Ltd. and Stanford Development Company Limited.

Among Stanford’s key initiatives in the Caribbean is the Alliance for Development through Education and Empowerment, a far-reaching public-private partnership with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that includes the Empowerment for Ownership Small Business Initiative to stimulate business development by providing low-interest loans to start-up micro and small business ventures.

Following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Luis in 1995, Stanford responded to the plight of the government by making the Bank of Antigua building available for the continuation of government until other accommodations were acquired and to the people of Antigua by providing emergency aid and no-interest loans for recovery efforts.

Stanford companies sponsor numerous local programs, including Junior Achievement, the Mahico Steel Orchestra, the Masters Calypso Tent and Academy, the Children’s Foundation, Inc., St. Bartholomew Center for the Elderly, World Health Day, Youth Leadership workshops, the Caribbean Jaycees and title sponsorship of Antigua Sailing Week, one of the world’s top three sailing regattas.

Mr. Stanford’s historic 2006 Stanford 20/20 Cricket Tournament reignited the West Indies passion for cricket, united the region and generated considerable profit for local businesses. His investment provided funding and technical support for upgraded infrastructure, training and competition for 19 participating nations and their cricket teams.

Stanford Financial Group is a privately held, wholly owned global group of financial services companies founded by Lodis B. Stanford in 1932. Stanford’s core businesses are private wealth management and investment banking for institutions and emerging growth companies. Stanford offers private and institutional investors global expertise in asset allocation strategies, investment advisory services, equity research, international private banking and trust administration, commercial banking, investment banking, merchant banking, institutional sales and trading, real estate investment and insurance. Stanford serves clients from 126 countries on six continents.

Securities products and services offered through Stanford Group Company, member NASD/SIPC. More information on the company can be found at www.stanfordfinancial.com.

Archived November 1, 2006

Houston, TX (November 1, 2006) – Camilo Villegas, the Colombian-born PGA TOUR rookie, has signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Stanford Financial Group. The announcement represents an increased presence with the PGA TOUR for Stanford, a Houston-based global financial services company. Stanford is the new title sponsor for the 2007 Stanford St. Jude Championship in Memphis, formerly the FedEx St. Jude Classic.

Villegas currently ranks 38th on the PGA TOUR money list and, as a result, is now exempt into the 2007 Masters Tournament. Villegas is the first native-born Colombian to qualify for The Masters. A Rookie-of-the-Year contender, he has four top-five finishes this year highlighted by his 2nd place finish one shot behind Tiger Woods at the Ford Championship at Doral earlier this year.

Specific financial terms of the endorsement deal were not disclosed, but the relationship includes logo representation, personal appearances, and the player’s inclusion in Stanford branding initiatives. As part of the agreement, Villegas will be featured in a new national advertising campaign for the Stanford St. Jude Championship. He was in Memphis recently on location for the production shoot where he was featured alongside the famous gates of Graceland, Elvis Presley’s historic landmark home, as well as other notable Memphis landmarks, including the Mississippi River and The Peabody Hotel.

Villegas’ celebrity star is expanding beyond the world of golf. He’s been featured in dozens of magazines and cover shots in the last year, including the July 2006 issue of GQ and People Magazine’s “Hottest Bachelors” in 2006. Villegas is the only professional athlete chosen for the annual People feature.

According to R. Allen Stanford, Chairman and CEO of Stanford Financial Group, Villegas’ international appeal is what attracted the company to endorse the South American golfer. His popularity in his native Colombia caused Colombian TV to pick up 30 PGA TOUR golf broadcasts in 2006.

“We are a global wealth management company with a significant footprint in Latin America. Golf is a sport that transcends borders, and Camilo represents what we think of as the new international face of golf. We’ve made a significant commitment to align our brand with the PGA Tour in taking over title sponsorship of the Stanford St. Jude Championship. Our relationship with Camilo allows us to enhance our alliance with the game of golf, a sport that resonates with our clients across the globe,” said Stanford.

In addition to the endorsement deal, Stanford Financial Group will be working with Villegas to create a charitable foundation based in his hometown of Medellin, Colombia. The foundation, details of which will be announced in early 2007, will provide opportunities for Villegas to carry out signature community investment initiatives.

Villegas said he is excited about the relationship with Stanford. “I have tremendous respect for Stanford Financial Group. The company does things in a way that is of the highest quality - they only work with the best and they only partner with the best. So to be selected to represent the Stanford brand is a real honor for me. I am proud to wear the Stanford logo and expect only great things to come from this endorsement,” he said.

In May the PGA TOUR and Stanford Financial Group unveiled the new name and logo for the Stanford St. Jude Championship and announced significant enhancements for the PGA TOUR stop, including a new date and enhanced purse. In 2007, the event will move from Memorial Day weekend to occur one week prior to the U. S. Open. The Stanford St. Jude Championship is set for June 4-10. The new timing increases the likelihood that the tournament will attract many of the top international players, such as Villegas, tuning up for the U.S. Open.

Next year’s purse will increase to $6 million, making it one of the largest purses on the PGA TOUR, and positioning Memphis among the most important stops in the new FedEx Cup season. The 2007 Stanford St. Jude Championship, the 50th anniversary of the tournament, will be played at the Tournament Players Club Southwind. Organizers are planning several anniversary celebrations to commemorate the history of the event and its support of St. Jude.

Mr. Stanford said the sponsorship of the event and its support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fits nicely with the company’s community investment priorities and its goal to secure strategic marketing opportunities.

“We’re so glad to partner with the PGA TOUR, the premier sports marketing brand in the world, and at the same time support a charity that means so much to the children of the world,” said Stanford. “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital represents the best of what can be accomplished when individuals and corporations are good stewards of their resources and are committed to making
a true difference. It is for this reason St. Jude has become the Stanford corporate charity of choice, and we’re honored to be title sponsor of this important event in 2007. From a co-branding perspective, the PGA TOUR represents the qualities that we at Stanford hold in high esteem - honor, integrity and an unwavering commitment to excellence,” he said.