PoGo's Financial Institutions Group has been ranked No. 1 for the Most M&A Banking Deals in First Quarter 2007

Powell Goldstein LLP has been ranked first nationally, for performing the highest volume of merger and acquisition banking deals during the first quarter of 2007.

According to a report released by SNL Financial, the firm completed six bank deals during the first quarter, worth $474.0 million. Another three law firms jointly took second position with four bank deals each.

SNL Financial is a sector-specific financial information and research firm.

Walter G. Moeling IV, chair of Powell Goldstein's Financial Institutions Practice, said, 'We are certainly very pleased to be ranked at the top for M&A deals, because we feel it is a reflection of our clients' satisfaction. To us, that is the most important gauge of our success and we are dedicated to delivering that every day.'

Deal Makers: Financial Institutions Group No. 1 in the Southeast

American Banker ranked Powell Goldstein No. 3 nationally for the number of deals we completed in 2005 with a total of 11 deals worth $476.8 million. While in 2003 our national ranking was No. 11, we were also ranked by, American Banker as No.1 in the Southeast for the banking, mergers and acquisition deals we completed in the region in 2005.

Powell Goldstein's Financial Institutions group was again recognized by SNL Financial, publishers of "Bank Mergers & Acquisitions," as one of the country's leading bank deal makers in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

For the fourth year in a row, our Financial Institutions group was ranked as No. 1 in the Southeast for having completed the largest number of banking deals in the region in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

In 2004 we were ranked No. 7 nationally for the largest number of banking deals in the country.

Chambers USA: Powell Goldstein Ranked No. 1 in Banking & Finance: Mainly Regulatory - Georgia

The Firm: The strength of Powell Goldstein's regulatory practice has not gone unnoticed by commentators. "It has the largest number of community bank clients of any firm in Atlanta that I am aware of," remarked one observer. It also stands at the vanguard of the de novo market, handling bank formations, acquisitions and going private transactions. The team recently steered the $450 million acquisition of Flag Financial by Royal Bank of Canada. This transaction is one of the largest in the Southeast region. Nearly a third of the group's work is now outside the State of Georgia. By way of example, it recently organized the $350 million sale of Texas United Bancshares to Prosperity Bancshares. The lawyers act "as advisers not just technicians," according to interviewees, and "always do a tremendous job."

The Lawyers: Widely regarded as "the cream of the crop," Walt Moeling's greatest strength lies in the tons of experience he has accumulated during his many years of practice. Perceived as "prolific" in the field of community banks, he currently concentrates on strategic consulting and problem solving. "A very pragmatic person," Kathryn Knudson handles de novo bank formation, M&A and capital raises.

Reprinted from Chambers USA website: www.chambersandpartners.com.