NAPERVILLE, Ill., July 31, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- John P. Calamos, President and Chief Investment Officer of CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, has announced that the firm has formalized its international sales program, naming Tariq Nasir and Tim Bridge as Regional Directors.
Mr. Nasir is Regional Director for Europe and the Middle East. He has lived in both regions. Nasir holds a BBA degree in international business from Schiller International University, London. He joined CALAMOS from the University of North Carolina, where he taught conflict resolution and served as executive director of the Meridian Foundation, which works to raise public awareness of Arab-Americans.
Mr. Bridge is Regional Director, Asia. He previously was in project finance at the HSBC Investment Bank in New York and has 20 years of financial industry experience, including assignments in Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and other parts of the Asia/Pacific region. He is a holder, Institute of Banking Examinations, U.K.
CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT has served foreign clients for several years, but the firm is now dedicating sales representatives as part of its commitment to building global stature. Overseas clients are served through strategic alliance relationships with the major wirehouses and individually managed accounts utilizing CALAMOS Convertible Portfolios. CALAMOS currently has approximately 275 international accounts, including SPT, a Dutch pension plan for dentists, which has been with CALAMOS since 1997.
Not only does the firm serve foreign clients, but it is also international in its investment selections. Specializing in convertibles since 1977, the firm pursues attractive issues for global portfolios for its individual clients and family of mutual funds.
Commenting on the staff appointments, Calamos said, "We are excited that Mr. Nasir and Mr. Bridge will be dedicated to our sales efforts beyond US borders. Substantial numbers of international investors may benefit by using convertible portfolios to combine the pursuit of attractive returns with risk management features.
"Technological advances are creating a global community. Just as CALAMOS Convertible Portfolios are finding an array of investment opportunities outside the U.S., we look forward to Tariq and Tim helping investors worldwide explore the potential advantages of convertible investing."
About CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
CALAMOS ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC. is an independent asset management firm specializing in convertible bond research and management. Headquartered in Naperville, Illinois, CALAMOS provides professional money management services to clients that include major corporations, public and private institutions, pension funds, insurance companies and individuals. The firm has experience in convertible bonds since 1977 and currently manages approximately $5.6 billion in assets. The firm also is investment advisor to a family of six mutual funds.
RE: CALAMOS Convertible Fund (CCVIX)
CALAMOS Growth and Income Fund (CVTRX)
CALAMOS Market Neutral Fund (CVSIX)
CALAMOS Growth Fund (CVGRX)
CALAMOS Global Growth and Income Fund (CVLOX)
For a prospectus containing more information including fees and expenses, call CALAMOS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC., the Funds' distributor, at 1-800-582-6959. Please read it carefully before investing.