NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 15, 2013) - Mizuho Securities USA (MSUSA), the U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary of the global Mizuho Financial Group (NYSE: MFG), today announced the addition of senior emerging markets fixed income sales and trading appointments to build out the firm's investment grade and sub investment grade coverage for Latin America debt.

Latin America continues to be an important area of focus for investors seeking to broaden exposure to emerging economies. Adding LatAm fixed income sales and trading capabilities further aligns Mizuho with the needs of its global client base and provides a strong complement to the firm's extensive fixed income execution and distribution platform and growing emerging markets origination business.

Trading hires include Allan Grauer, Head of LatAm Trading, Sebastian Azumendi, Head of LatAm Credit Trading; and Georges Fernandes, High Yield Credit Trading. Emerging Markets Fixed Income Sales will be enhanced with the additions of Rod Eichler and Nestor Cybriwsky. Further appointments to the team are expected.

Jerry Rizzieri, Executive Managing Director and Head of Fixed Income, MSUSA, commented, "Diversifying our product lines to better service customers continues to be a high priority for Mizuho Securities USA. Latin American debt trading is a natural extension of our fixed income platform's existing Investment Grade and High Yield Credit businesses and aligns with Mizuho's expansion efforts in Brazil."

Mizuho's presence in Latin America will also continue to grow with the completed acquisition of Banco West LB do Brasil. Although still subject to regulatory approval, the acquisition of a Brazilian corporate banking subsidiary will significantly enhance Mizuho's ability to support client business activities in Brazil and across the region through more extensive financing and advisory services for potential acquisitions, divestitures or joint ventures, and greater access to loans, derivatives and other capital markets products.

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 21 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 57,000 staff working in more than 980 offices inside and outside Japan, and total assets of approximately $2 trillion as of December 31, 2012. 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/