News

    TSX Symbol: ETC

    TORONTO, May 5 /CNW/ - Equitable Group Inc. today announced the
appointment of John Ayanoglou as the Company's Chief Financial Officer.
    Mr. Ayanoglou is an accomplished financial services industry executive.
Prior to joining Equitable, Mr. Ayanoglou's business experience has included
the role of Chief Financial Officer for two publicly-listed financial services
firms. Most recently, he was the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate
Secretary of Xceed Mortgage Corporation from 2004 to May of 2008 and prior to
that he was the Chief Financial Officer of Cartier Partners Financial Group.
Mr. Ayanoglou's career has also included working for two major accounting
firms and for The Bank of Nova Scotia. John holds a Bachelor of Commerce from
the University of Toronto and is a member of the Canadian Institute of
Chartered Accountants.
    In announcing the appointment, Andrew Moor, Equitable's President and CEO
said "As we continue to pursue our objectives of focusing on mortgage
businesses that offer the best risk-adjusted returns and building our business
in a manner to optimize ROE - we believe that John will make an important
contribution to Equitable as a key member of our hands-on leadership team."

    About Equitable Group Inc.

    Equitable Group Inc. through its wholly-owned subsidiary, The Equitable
Trust Company is a leading niche financial institution focused on
single-family dwelling mortgage lending, Commercial Mortgage - Broker
Services, a business line that funds loans on a variety of properties
including mixed-use, apartment, commercial and industrial buildings, and
commercial lending in partnership with mortgage banking organizations.
Equitable Trust is a nationally-licensed deposit-taking institution which was
founded in 1970. Equitable Trust's non-branch business model, valued
relationships with independent mortgage professionals and deposit-taking
agents, and disciplined lending practices have allowed the Company to grow
profitably and efficiently for many years.
    The common shares of Equitable Group Inc. are listed on the Toronto Stock
Exchange under the trading symbol of "ETC". For more information, visit
www.equitablegroupinc.com.

    Certain forward-looking statements may be made in this news release,
including statements regarding possible future business, financing and growth
objectives. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's
periodic reports filed with Canadian regulatory authorities. Many factors
could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Equitable Group Inc.
does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, oral or written,
made by itself or on its behalf.

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