Imperial Capital Advises Protect America, Inc. in Its Sale to an Investment Group Lead by Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC


LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 7, 2010) - Imperial Capital announced the closing of the sale of Protect America, Inc. ("Protect America" or "the Company"), a leading direct-to-consumer provider of self-installed monitored alarm systems. Imperial Capital acted as exclusive financial advisor to Protect America and helped arrange the senior financing. Rockbridge Growth Equity, LLC was lead equity sponsor along with Falcon Investments, LLC and Protect America Founder Thad Paschall. CapitalSource Bank led the senior financing syndicate which included Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs. Rooney & Associates also represented the Company in this transaction as a consulting advisor.

Protect America, Inc. was established in 1992 and is one of the fastest growing alarm companies in the nation. Headquartered near Austin, Texas, Protect America has expanded over the past 17 years to provide affordable residential security to any credit-worthy homeowner in the U.S. In the annual surveys conducted by SDM Magazine, the leading security industry trade publication, Protect America is consistently ranked in the Top Ten companies in residential system installation volume over the past several years, from over 15,000 alarm companies nationwide.

"Imperial Capital provided excellent advice and guidance through their expertise in merger and acquisition execution and deep knowledge of the Security industry," said Protect America Founder Thad Paschall.

"We are tremendously excited to be investing with Protect America's talented management team. We believe Protect America is a leading force behind the next generation of home security systems and we look forward to helping the Company become an industry leader," said Rockbridge Growth Equity Partner Kevin Prokop.

"Imperial Capital's investment banking team is dedicated to advising on and executing creative, value enhancing solutions for middle market companies, private equity funds and institutional investors," said Jason Reese, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Capital. John E. Mack, III, Executive Vice President and Co-head of Investment Banking at Imperial Capital, who represented Protect America in this transaction, said, "Protect America's leading DIY business model, combined with Rockbridge's direct to consumer focus, creates a financial and strategic partnership that will lead to significant growth in the years to come."

About Imperial Capital, LLC

Imperial Capital, founded in 1997, is a full-service investment banking firm with offices in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Houston and Minneapolis. The firm currently employs over 170 professionals and offers a wide range of proprietary products and services to institutional investors, middle market companies, and private equity firms. Imperial Capital provides institutional clients research and sales and trading of high yield and distressed debt securities, bank debt, convertible bonds, preferred stocks, and equities. The firm provides middle market companies and financial sponsors with capital markets, merger and acquisitions, capital structure, restructuring and recapitalization advisory services. More information about Imperial Capital can be found at www.imperialcapital.com.

About Rockbridge Growth Equity

Rockbridge Growth Equity is a private equity firm that has dedicated capital focusing on transactions in the financial services, consumer direct marketing, business services and sports, media & entertainment industries. Rockbridge's current portfolio includes equity stakes in Ready Financial Group, Northcentral University and One Reverse Mortgage. Rockbridge is affiliated with other leading businesses in its target sectors including Quicken Loans, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Title Source, and ePrize. More information about Rockbridge Growth Equity can be found at www.rbequity.com.

About Falcon Investments

Falcon Investment Advisors, LLC is a private equity firm with offices in Boston, New York, and Dallas, specializing in providing subordinated debt and other junior capital. Founded in July 2000 by Mr. Sandeep Alva, Falcon has over $1 billion under management. Falcon has substantial investing experience across a variety of industries. More information about Falcon Investment Advisors, LLC can be found at www.falconinvestments.com.

About CapitalSource

CapitalSource Inc. (NYSE: CSE) is a commercial lender that provides financial products to middle market businesses and offers depository products and services in southern and central California through its wholly owned subsidiary CapitalSource Bank. As of September 30, 2009, CapitalSource had total commercial assets of $10.4 billion and $4.4 billion in deposits. The company is headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD. More information about CapitalSource Inc. can be found at www.capitalsource.com.

Contact Information: For more information regarding Imperial Capital or this transaction, please contact: Press: Anna Halloran Jacob Imperial Capital, LLC (310) 246-3675 ahalloranjacob@imperialcapital.com