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Ziegler Closes First Rated Charter School Financing in Arkansas

^{Published on 2010-06-15 12:10:22 - Market Wire}
 

CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwire - June 15, 2010) - Ziegler (PINKSHEETS: [ ZGCO ]) is pleased to announce the successful closing of the Benton County School of the Arts (BCSA) financing, the largest charter school in Arkansas. The bond issue, which was the first rated charter school financing in the state of Arkansas, received a "BBB" rating from S&P.

"As the first charter school in Arkansas to enter the bond market, Ziegler provided us with excellent options and an outstanding support team," stated Dr. Paul Hines, BCSA's superintendent.

Ziegler structured the $7.58 million tax-exempt, fixed-rate bond issuance allowing BCSA to refinance all of its existing debt and have the ability to finance new projects. The tax-exempt structure, combined with the "BBB" rating and the strength of Ziegler's institutional trading desk, reduced BCSA's average rate by more than 1% compared to the prior debt, reducing its overall cost of capital.

With this recent charter school bond transaction, Ziegler continues to fulfill its mission of advancing health, wealth and well-being through tailored financial solutions.

About Ziegler:
[ The Ziegler Companies, Inc ]. (PINKSHEETS: [ ZGCO ]) is a multi-faceted boutique investment services firm providing opportunities in investment banking, asset and wealth management, as well as alternative investments. Sectors include, healthcare, senior living, religious organizations, schools and most recently renewable energy.

Nationally, [ Ziegler's Capital Markets ] is ranked as one of the leading investment banking firms for non-profit healthcare and senior living providers, as well as religious institutions and schools.

[ Ziegler Wealth Management ] (retail brokerage) encompasses investment and consulting services for individuals, families, business owners and institutions nationwide.

Ziegler's alternative investing activities include raising and deploying capital through private investment funds with investment objectives related to the real estate, services and technology sectors of the healthcare and senior living industries.

[ Ziegler Capital Management, LLC ], an affiliate of The Ziegler Companies, Inc., provides separate account management for individuals, corporations, foundations and endowments. Total assets under management are approximately $2.82 billion as of March 31, 2010.

Certain comments in this news release represent forward-looking statements made pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, in particular, the overall financial health of the securities industry, the strength of the healthcare sector of the U.S. economy and the municipal securities marketplace, the ability of the Company to underwrite and distribute securities, the market value of mutual fund portfolios and separate account portfolios advised by the Company, the volume of sales by its retail brokers, the outcome of pending litigation, and the ability to attract and retain qualified employees.