TWPG Thomas Weisel Prtns Grp (MM)

CHICAGO, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomas Weisel Partners and Townsend Analytics (http://www.townsendanalytics.com/) have agreed to supply clients with access to Weisel Execution Services (WES), the investment bank's proprietary algorithms and equities execution services through Townsend Analytics' flagship Execution Management System (EMS), RealTick(R). Townsend Analytics is a leading provider of multi-broker, multi-asset, multi-region and multi-route electronic trading solutions for the global capital markets. The agreement builds on Townsend's existing relationship with Thomas Weisel Partners, and allows clients to directly route U.S. equity orders to WES for execution using Townsend's direct-market access exchange/ECN routes. Clients of both firms may use Thomas Weisel Partners' suite of algorithms, which include VWAP, TWAP, Arrival Price, Volume Participation, Get It Done, Small Cap, Closing Price, SPY, and custom strategies. "Our trading team strives to provide best execution in an efficient and anonymous manner, and we have long relied upon RealTick to help us deliver this service to our clients," explains Stephen R. Blatney, Head of Electronic Trading, Thomas Weisel Partners. "This expanded relationship reaches a broader audience through Townsend's global multi-broker network, and allows both sides' clientele to benefit from Weisel's excellent execution strategies and services." "We are pleased to welcome Thomas Weisel Partners into our global multi-broker network and look forward to integrating new algo strategies as they emerge," comments Thomas Kim, Managing Director, Global Head of Trading Services for Townsend Analytics. "Our continued commitment to delivering a true multi-broker EMS solution through rich functionality, global connectivity, world-class differentiating support and internal transparency makes us an ideal partner for firms like Thomas Weisel Partners." About RealTick(R) RealTick, created by Townsend Analytics, is the electronic trading industry's premier multi-asset, multi-broker, and multi-route direct-access trading platform. RealTick delivers real-time market data, news and analytics; sophisticated trading tools; unrivaled access to brokers, exchanges and ECNs; and risk management tools to institutions, broker-dealers and individual investors. RealTick's advanced technical design is supported by state-of-the-art data centers and a redundant network for market data and orders. For more information, visit http://www.realtick.com/. *RealTick is a registered trademark of Townsend Analytics, Ltd. About Townsend Analytics Townsend Analytics has been changing the way the world trades since 1985. The Chicago-based company created many technology innovations that are now considered standards in the financial services industry. These include the first real-time financial software under Microsoft Windows(R); the first product to provide real-time streaming data over the Internet; the first integrated solution for NASDAQ trading rooms; and the first Windows-based direct-access trading solution. Townsend Analytics also developed Archipelago and the Archipelago Exchange, the nation's first all-electronic, fully open exchange. The firm has engineered direct-access solutions for money managers, asset managers, hedge funds and mutual funds worldwide. The firm's four main lines of business include Trading Services, Content Services, Exchange Services, and Risk Management Services. Townsend Analytics, Ltd. is a wholly owned, independently-operated subsidiary of Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH). For more information, visit http://www.taltrade.com/. About Thomas Weisel Partners Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TWPG) is an investment bank, founded in 1998, focused principally on the growth sectors of the economy. Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. generates revenues from three principal sources: investment banking, brokerage and asset management. The investment banking group is comprised of two disciplines: corporate finance and strategic advisory. The brokerage group provides equity and convertible debt securities sales and trading services to institutional investors, and offers brokerage, advisory and cash management services to high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients. The asset management group consists of private equity, public equity and distribution management. Thomas Weisel Partners is headquartered in San Francisco, California with additional offices in New York City, Boston, Silicon Valley, Portland, Chicago and Mumbai, India. DATASOURCE: Townsend Analytics; Thomas Weisel Partners Group, Inc. CONTACT: Anne Aldrich, +1-312-787-1642, , for Townsend Analytics; or Todd Swearingen of Townsend Analytics, +1-312-442-8656, ; or Amanda Gaines-Cooke of Thomas Weisel Partners, +1-415-364-2638, Web site: http://www.townsendanalytics.com/ http://www.realtick.com/ http://www.taltrade.com/

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