Imperial Capital Expands Institutional Research Platform

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - November 2, 2009) - Imperial Capital, a full-service investment banking firm, announced today the expansion of its Institutional Research effort with the hiring in its Capital Structure Analysis group of Daniel J. Ward and Kevin Cohen, CFA. Mr. Ward has joined as a Managing Director covering the Airlines/Transportation and Automotive/Automotive Suppliers/Automotive Finance sectors. Mr. Cohen has joined as a Vice President covering Paper/Packaging, Metals/Mining and Homebuilding. Both are based out of Imperial Capital's New York office.

With the new hires, Imperial Capital's Institutional Research Group comprises 20 professionals. Imperial Capital's Institutional Research Group delivers company- and industry/sector-level fixed income and equity analysis, uniquely addressing the entire capital structure. In addition, the group publishes macroeconomic industry reports and provides real-time desk analysis.

"We are pleased to welcome these experienced and talented individuals who will further enhance Imperial Capital's ability to provide our clients proprietary investment ideas," said Edward P. Mally, CFA, Managing Director, Head of Institutional Research Group at Imperial Capital. "These additions demonstrate our commitment to providing a differentiated and integrated research offering. We have unique insight into the relative value across an issuer's capital structure, including bank debt, high yield and investment grade debt securities, hybrid securities, preferred and common equity and special situation claims."

Dan Ward joins Imperial Capital from DiMaio Ahmad Capital, where he was Director of Research. Previous to that, he was a Research Analyst at UBS Securities for five years, providing desk and primary credit research coverage. Before joining UBS Securities, Mr. Ward spent nine years with Lehman Brothers, where he was Managing Director, Credit Research and Head of Industrials Research in the Investment Grade group. While there, Mr. Ward was selected for Institutional Investor's All-American Fixed Income Research Team for several years. Mr. Ward received his B.S. in Computer Science from Villanova University and an M.B.A. in Finance from Iona College.

Prior to joining Imperial, Kevin Cohen, CFA was a Vice President in the High Yield Research group with Banc of America Securities, LLC, where he garnered Institutional Investor's All-American Fixed Income Research Team recognition in both Paper/Packaging and Metals/Mining; he subsequently moved to the Distressed Debt/Specials Group at Banc of America Securities. Prior to joining Banc of America Securities, Mr. Cohen worked in Credit Suisse First Boston's High Yield Research group. Before that, Mr. Cohen served as an Associate, in the Equity Research group with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Cohen is a Chartered Financial Analyst. He received his B.A. in Economics and Legal Studies from the University of California, Berkeley.

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 and Houston. The firm currently employs over 160 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, M&A, capital structure, restructuring and recapitalization advisory services. More information about Imperial Capital can be found at www.imperialcapital.com.

Contact Information: For more information regarding Imperial Capital, please contact: Press: Anna Halloran Jacob Imperial Capital, LLC (310) 246-3675