MFG Mizuho Financial Group Inc

Mizuho Securities USA ("MSUSA"), the US broker-dealer subsidiary of the global Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE: MFG), today announced the expansion of its U.S. Equity Research team with the appointment of Ruben Roy to head U.S. Semiconductor coverage.

Mr. Roy, who will be based in New York, brings 10 years of experience in the semiconductor industry to MSUSA. Before joining MSUSA, Mr. Roy was a senior research analyst at Pacific Crest Securities covering specialty semiconductors. In 2011, Mr. Roy was ranked #5 in semiconductors by the Wall Street Journal's "Best on the Street" poll, and in 2009, he was ranked the #2 stock-picker in the semiconductor category by Starmine. Prior to Pacific Crest, Mr. Roy worked at Thomas Weisel Partners and UBS Warburg, where he worked on the communications components and communications equipment teams, respectively. He received his MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business, his M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Manhattan College and his B.S. from Fairleigh Dickinson University

"We are delighted that Ruben has joined our U.S. equity team," stated Carmine J. Grigoli, MSUSA's Director of Research and Chief Investment Strategist. "His experience and depth of industry knowledge will be a great asset to our firm and clients."

Robert Betack, Executive Managing Director and Head of the Equity Division at MSUSA, added, "This appointment further demonstrates our commitment to build a team of seasoned professionals dedicated to providing our clients with value-added investment ideas and analysis."

About Mizuho Securities USA Mizuho Securities USA Inc. is a U.S. registered broker-dealer headquartered in New York City, with offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hoboken (NJ), Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and London (UK). MSUSA provides a wide range of fixed income and equity securities products and investment banking services to institutional clients. MSUSA is one of only 20 firms designated as a Primary Dealer in U.S. Government and Agency securities. MSUSA also is a U.S. registered futures commission merchant ("FCM") and a member of most international futures exchanges. MSUSA's parent company, Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd., is a top-tier, full-service, Japanese securities firm and a core member of the Mizuho Financial Group. http://www.mizuhosecurities.com.

Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: MFG), based in Japan, is one of the largest financial institutions in the world, offering a broad range of financial services including banking, securities, trust and asset management, credit card, private banking services, and venture capital through its group companies. The group has approximately 49,000 staff working in more than 770 offices inside and outside Japan, and total assets of over $1.9 trillion as of March 31, 2011. Its core global corporate banking entity, Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd., has offices throughout the U.S., the Americas, and the world, providing financial and strategic solutions to major corporations, financial institutions and public sector entities. For more information, please visit http://www.mizuho-fg.co.jp/english/

Contact: Patrick Phalon (212) 282-3867