Close Brothers Group CEO sells newly vested shares

Preben Prebensen, the Chief Executive Officer of Close Brothers, the FTSE 250 banking, securities and asset management firm, has sold around half of the 20,422 shares which vested under a matching share award made to the director at his appointment in 2009.10,657 shares exchanged hands at 845.92p each, with the transaction taking Prebensen's stake in the company to 244,089 shares.The sale was made after house on Thursday evening. Just over two weeks ago the company reported a mixed set of results for the full year ended July 31st, which saw strong growth in its banking division but difficult trading conditions in securities.The banking division posted a 27% increase in adjusted operating profit to £135m. The company said its loan book increased 20% to £4.1bn and the bad debt ratio improved to 1.5%.Group operating pre-tax profit rose to £134.9m for the year compared to £78.5m the same period a year ago.Top Director BuysCambria Automobiles (CAMB) Director name: Mr Michael Wallace BurtAmount purchased: 1,000,000 @ 11.50p Value: £115,000Cambria Automobiles (CAMB) Director name: Mr Michael Wallace BurtAmount purchased: 1,000,000 @ 11.50p Value: £115,000PureCircle Ltd. (DI) (PURE) Director name: Mr Tan Boon SengAmount purchased: 30,000 @ 231.00p Value: £69,300Advance Developing Markets Fund Ltd. (ADMF) Director name: Mr Mark Hadsley Chaplin Amount purchased: 12,000 @ 420.00p Value: £50,400NR