LEONTEQ : ANNOUNCES CEO APPOINTMENT AND BOARD NOMINATION

Leonteq AG (SIX: LEON), a leading expert for structured investment products and long-term savings solutions, today announced the appointment of Lukas Ruflin as Leonteq's CEO and the nomination of Richard A. Laxer as new independent member of the Board of Directors.

On 13 February 2018, the Board of Directors of Leonteq appointed Lukas Ruflin, currently Vice-Chairman of the company, as new CEO effective 1 May 2018. Marco Amato, who currently holds the CEO position on an interim basis, will continue as Deputy CEO and CFO as of 1 May 2018.

Christopher M. Chambers, Chairman of Leonteq stated: 'We are immensely grateful to Marco Amato for having served as interim CEO during a very difficult phase for our company. He has done an outstanding job in keeping the team together and managing Leonteq's turnaround, together with his colleagues. We look forward to continuing to count on his experience and leadership as Deputy CEO and CFO.

'After an extensive CEO search process, where we had the opportunity to interview many promising and highly qualified individuals, the Board has come to the unanimous conclusion that Lukas Ruflin is the best-suited person to take the helm of the Executive Committee, given his in-depth knowledge of the firm, his business acumen and his experience to lead a listed company. We thank Lukas for agreeing to take on the CEO role, leading Leonteq into the next stage of growth.'

Lukas Ruflin, Vice-Chairman and designated CEO of Leonteq said: 'To be the next CEO of Leonteq is a great privilege, although it was never on my agenda. Since the foundation of the firm around a decade ago, Leonteq has become a leading business in its field with a market capitalisation of around 1 billion Swiss Francs. Today, Leonteq is at an important inflection point as it is presented with real and tangible growth opportunities which we have to grasp now. Together with the Executive Committee and the whole Leonteq team, I look forward to bringing the company to the next level of its development.'

Marco Amato, acting CEO and CFO of Leonteq stated: 'Leading Leonteq through this transitional period has been an invaluable experience, and I feel grateful and proud of what we have achieved together. I look forward to continuing to work with Lukas and everyone at Leonteq and to help delivering sustainable and profitable growth.'

Lukas Ruflin (1975), a Swiss citizen, started his career at a leading accounting firm and global investment banks. From 2004 until 2012, he held various leadership positions at EFG International, including the roles as Deputy CFO from 2004 to 2007, Deputy CEO from 2009 to 2012, and CEO of EFG Bank in 2010. In 2007, he was one of the founding partners of Leonteq, then EFG Financial Products, and has been a member of Leonteq's Board of Directors since 2009 and Vice-Chairman since 2015. Lukas Ruflin holds a Master's degree in economics and a CEMS Master's degree in international management from the University of St. Gallen.

Following the appointment of Lukas Ruflin as Leonteq's CEO, he will not stand for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on 28 March 2018. The Board of Directors intends to appoint Hans Isler, a Board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2012, as Leonteq's new Vice-Chairman, subject to his re-election at the General Meeting.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PROCESS COMPLETED

On 13 February 2018, the Board of Directors of Leonteq also decided to propose Richard A. Laxer as new independent member of the Board, for election at the 2018 Annual General Meeting. Richard Laxer (1961) was Chairman and CEO of GE Capital since 2016 and a member of General Electric's Corporate Executive Council since 2006, and has announced his retirement from GE as of 31 March 2018. Mr Laxer began his career at GE in 1984. He was CEO of GE Capital Solutions from 2006 to 2008 and CEO of GE Capital International from 2013 to 2016. Among other Board memberships, he was on the Boards of Directors of Cembra Bank during 2015 and 2016 and of Moneta Money Bank from 2016 to 2017. Mr Laxer is an American and British national and holds a BSc (Hons) in business administration from Skidmore College, USA.

Vince Chandler, Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Leonteq, said: 'Richard Laxer's extensive experience in running a truly global financial services company, allied to his in-depth knowledge of financial markets, will be invaluable to Leonteq as we seek to further grow the company. With this nomination, we are completing the process, initiated a year ago, to increase the independence and skills of our Board, and with the CEO search process concluded at the same time, Leonteq is now well positioned for the future.'

LEONTEQ MEDIA AND ANALYST CALL

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