/C O R R E C T I O N -- Mizuho Securities USA Inc./

             /C O R R E C T I O N -- Mizuho Securities USA Inc./

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, July 18, 2012

In the news release, Mizuho Securities unit reaches settlement agreement with
SEC, issued 18-Jul-2012 by Mizuho Securities USA Inc. over PR Newswire, we are
advised by the company that the first sentence of the second paragraph has
been corrected to read: "Under the terms of the settlement, Mizuho was not
charged with acting with fraudulent intent or engaging in intentional
misconduct and the firm did not admit wrongdoing." It previously read: "Under
the terms of the settlement, Mizuho was not charged with fraud or intentional
misconduct and the firm did not admit wrongdoing." The complete, corrected
release follows:

  Mizuho Securities unit reaches settlement agreement with SEC

NEW YORK, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Mizuho Securities USA Inc. ("Mizuho"),
the U.S. broker-dealer subsidiary of Mizuho Financial Group, announced today
that it has entered into a Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission in relation to the agency's investigation of a
collateralized debt obligation ("CDO") transaction in 2007. The agreement is
subject to court approval.

Under the terms of the settlement, Mizuho was not charged with acting with
fraudulent intent or engaging in intentional misconduct and the firm did not
admit wrongdoing. Mizuho has agreed to pay $127.5 million under the
settlement. Resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect
on the firm's financial statements.

Mizuho cooperated fully with the SEC throughout this process. The firm agreed
to the settlement to avoid protracted litigation and distraction and believes
the settlement is the right outcome for its shareholders, clients and
employees.

The SEC's investigation focused on whether certain former employees of MSUSA
provided inaccurate information to Standard & Poor's regarding assets that
would be included in the CDO, called Delphinus.  

The activity in question was isolated to a few persons, most of whom were
hired together in December 2006 and employed by Mizuho until December 2007.
The SEC has not alleged that the former employees acted with the knowledge or
approval of management.

"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with the SEC to put this matter
behind us," the Company said in a statement. "Mizuho is committed to
conducting its business with complete integrity and in strict compliance with
all applicable laws and regulations in the markets in which we operate."

Press inquiries
Jim Fingeroth
Kekst and Company
212-521-4819
jim-fingeroth@kekst.com

Jon Elsen
Kekst and Company
212-521-4811
jon-elsen@kekst.com

SOURCE Mizuho Securities USA Inc.