Brookfield Announces Increased Preferred Share Issue

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 5, 2010) -

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION TO THE UNITED STATES

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. BAMBAMBAMA today announced that as a result of strong investor demand for its previously announced public offering of Preferred Shares, Series 24, it has agreed to increase the size of the offering from CDN$150,000,000 to CDN$275,000,000 or from 6,000,000 Preferred Shares to 11,000,000 Preferred Shares. There will not be an underwriters' option, as was previously granted.

Holders of the Preferred Shares, Series 24 will be entitled to receive a cumulative quarterly fixed dividend yielding 5.40% annually for the initial period ending June 30, 2016. Thereafter, the dividend rate will be reset every five years at a rate equal to the 5-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 2.30%.

Holders of Preferred Shares, Series 24 will have the right, at their option, to convert their shares into cumulative Preferred Shares, Series 25, subject to certain conditions, on June 30, 2016 and on June 30 every five years thereafter. Holders of the Preferred Shares, Series 25 will be entitled to receive cumulative quarterly floating dividends at a rate equal to the three-month Government of Canada Treasury Bill yield plus 2.30%.

The Preferred Shares will be offered by way of prospectus supplement under the short form base shelf prospectus of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. dated January 12, 2009. The prospectus supplement will be filed with securities regulatory authorities in all provinces of Canada.

The net proceeds of the issue will be added to the general funds of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and be used for general corporate purposes. The offering is expected to close on or about January 14, 2010. The preferred shares may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act.

About Brookfield Asset Management

Brookfield Asset Management Inc., focused on property, power and infrastructure assets, has over US$90 billion of assets under management and is listed on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges under the symbols BAM and BAM.A, respectively, and on NYSE Euronext under the symbol BAMA. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.brookfield.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Note: This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations. The words "will", "expected", derivations thereof and other expressions that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends or prospects identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements in regards to the issuance by Brookfield Asset Management of Preferred Shares, Series 24 and to the use of proceeds of the preferred share issue described in this news release. Although Brookfield Asset Management believes that its anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied of such assets by the forward-looking statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information as such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements include: economic and financial conditions in the countries in which we do business; the behaviour of financial markets, including fluctuations in interest and exchange rates; availability of equity and debt financing; strategic actions including dispositions; the ability to complete and effectively integrate acquisitions into existing operations and the ability to attain expected benefits; tenant renewal rates, availability of new tenants to fill office property vacancies, tenant bankruptcies, adverse hydrology conditions; regulatory and political factors within the countries in which the company operates; acts of God, such as earthquakes and hurricanes; the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts; changes in accounting policies to be adopted under International Financial Reporting Standards and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in the company's form 40-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as other documents filed by the company with the securities regulators in Canada and the United States including the company's most recent Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Results under the heading "Business Environment and Risks."

We caution that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Brookfield Asset Management, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether written or oral, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

For more information, please visit our web site at www.brookfield.com.