NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Berenson & Company, a leading independent investment banking firm based in New York City, announced today that Eric Lorentz has joined the firm's MENA practice in the UAE as a Senior Advisor.  Mr. Lorentz has spent 25 years as a highly successful and respected banker for corporate and private clients from the emerging markets of the Middle-East, Africa and Latin America.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130320/NY80550LOGO )

Mr. Lorentz was recently the Global Head for Arab clientele at Societe Generale and at Barclays where, serving also as the Deputy Head of International Private Banking, he had successfully built the bank's Middle-Eastern wealth management practice across its offices in London, Geneva and the Gulf.   Before moving to Barclays in London, Mr. Lorentz had spent several years in New York City with JP Morgan, and in Africa and the Arab Gulf with Citibank, where he headed the bank's treasury operations within the investment bank. 

Mr. Lorentz graduated from the American University of Beirut and obtained his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of California Los Angeles Anderson School of Management.  Outside his professional activities, he is an avid art collector whose interests span contemporary Middle Eastern and Latin American art, a nod to his family base in South America.  Mr. Lorentz is also a longtime supporter of charitable activities in the Middle East and in New York where he spent several years volunteering to support the needy.

"Eric's joining is an example of our firm's determination to bring Wall Street expertise to the MENA region and build a unique franchise that will enhance our clients' businesses," said Jeffrey Sechrest, President of Berenson & Company.  Islam Zughayer, Managing Director and Head of Berenson MENA added, "Eric possesses the experience and knowledge of the region that is fundamental to the foresight we aim to bring to each of our client mandates.  The depth and breadth of his personal and professional experiences over 25 years in the US, Europe and Emerging Countries, and his loyalty to his clients are some of the assets that will bolster Berenson & Company's MENA activities."

About Berenson & Company (www.berensonco.com)
Founded in 1990, Berenson & Company is an independent investment banking firm that provides high quality financial advice to a broad range of public and private corporations, financial institutions, equity sponsors, management teams and entrepreneurs.  The Firm's investment banking capabilities include a comprehensive suite of mergers & acquisitions advisory services, public and private financings of debt and equity, and financial restructuring and recapitalizations. Its business philosophy is characterized by an objective, client-focused approach, and it is recognized for its unique insights and creative problem-solving in industries that are undergoing significant disruption. 

Contact:
Chelsea Morris
T:  +1-212-446-1719
cmorris@berensonco.com

SOURCE Berenson & Company