AIM Investments Names J. Philip Ferguson Chief Investment Officer

    Business Editors

    HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2005--AIM Investments announced today that J. Philip Ferguson has been named Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Ferguson will have overall responsibility for all of AIM's long-term investment operations and will report to AIM President and CEO Mark H. Williamson.
    Mr. Ferguson brings more than 33 years of experience in the financial and investment management industries to his new role. He has held senior positions with such firms as Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers and has extensive experience in research in addition to positions in sales, marketing, and client service.
    "Phil's experience and leadership will be critical factors in helping us continue to build the resources, processes, and disciplines necessary to deliver quality investment solutions for our clients," Mr. Williamson said.
    "In recent years, AIM has made significant enhancements in the structure and operations of our investments group. AIM remains committed to making sure Phil and his team have the resources necessary to continue our efforts to help our clients reach their financial goals."
    Mr. Ferguson replaces Edgar M. Larsen, 64, who retired at year-end.
    Mr. Ferguson began his industry career as a research analyst at the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and rose to the position of equity research director within three years. From 1975 to 1984, he was a Research Liaison for Goldman Sachs, where he targeted institutional clients such as large insurance companies and bank trust departments.
    In 1984, Mr. Ferguson joined Lehman Brothers as a senior vice president and led the firm's institutional sales effort in the southwest U.S. From 1986 to 2000, Mr. Ferguson was a managing partner for Beutel, Goodman Capital Management and devoted his time to security analysis and the management of client portfolios. He was a member of the firm's investment and management committees and directed the firm's marketing and client service operations.
    Mr. Ferguson joined AIM in 2000 as a Senior Investment Officer. His focus was on overall investment policy, and he contributed to the management teams of two AIM equity funds - AIM Select Equity Fund and AIM Diversified Dividend Fund - before being named Chief Equity Officer in 2004.
    Mr. Ferguson has served as a member of several different committees that have helped shape AIM's product line and provide investment oversight for AIM's portfolio strategy and investment policies. In his new role, he will continue to focus on the oversight of AIM's equity and fixed-income portfolio managers, research analysts, and trading personnel.
    Mr. Ferguson holds a B.B.A. in finance from Texas Christian University, a certificate in International and Comparative Law from City of London College, and a doctorate of jurisprudence from The University of Texas Law School. He serves as a member of the Board of Governors of the Investment Counsel Association of America and on the Board of Directors for the University of Texas Investment Management Company.

    About AIM Investments

    Houston-based AIM Investments represents one of the nation's leading investment management companies. It is dedicated to building solutions for its clients with exceptional products and services through multiple investment management styles and a broad range of investment portfolios under the AIM and INVESCO brand names - mutual funds, retirement products, separately managed accounts for high-net-worth and institutional investors, annuities, cash management, college savings plans, alternative investments and offshore products. Founded in 1976, AIM Investments had $132 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2004. For more information, visit www.aiminvestments.com. AIM Investments is a service mark of A I M Management Group Inc. A I M Advisors, Inc., A I M Capital Management, Inc., AIM Private Asset Management, Inc., and AIM Alternative Asset Management Company, Inc. are the investment advisors for the products and services represented by AIM Investments. A I M Distributors, Inc. is the distributor for the retail mutual funds and Fund Management Company is the distributor for the institutional money market funds represented by AIM Investments.

    About AMVESCAP

    A I M Management Group Inc. is a subsidiary of AMVESCAP PLC, a leading independent global investment manager, dedicated to helping people worldwide build their financial security. Operating under the AIM, INVESCO and Atlantic Trust brands, AMVESCAP strives to deliver outstanding products and services through a comprehensive array of retail and institutional products for clients around the world. The Company, which had approximately $363 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2004, is listed on the London, New York and Toronto stock exchanges with the symbol "AVZ." Additional information is available at www.amvescap.com.

    Note to editors -- We are required to include the following information with our news release:
    Consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully before investing. For this and other important information about any AIM or INVESCO fund, please obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor and read it carefully before investing.

    A I M Distributors, Inc., Distributor.

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CONTACT: AIM, Houston David Bachert, 713-214-1465 david.bachert@aiminvestments.com or Ivy McLemore, 713-214-1904 ivy.mclemore@aiminvestments.com

KEYWORD: TEXAS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING MANAGEMENT CHANGES SOURCE: AIM

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