Imperial Capital Advises Health Resources in Its Investment From Castanea Partners

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - February 2, 2010) - Imperial Capital announced today the closing of an investment in Health Resources ("Health Resources" or the "Company") by private equity firm Castanea Partners ("Castanea"). Imperial Capital acted as exclusive financial advisor to Health Resources in the transaction. Castanea plans to combine Health Resources with Vitamin Research Products ("VRP"), to create a vertically integrated direct-to-consumer ("DTC") platform targeting the nutritional industry.

Health Resources, based in Hueytown, Alabama, was founded in 1995 by Layne and Tiffany Lowery. Health Resources is a leading marketer of high-quality nutritional supplements sold through various DTC channels. With a product portfolio focused on the latest developments in nutritional supplement research, the Company has built a large and growing following among consumers.

"Imperial Capital provided excellent advice during the deal and its team's in-depth expertise in the nutrition sector provided considerable benefits and value throughout the transaction process," said Layne Lowery, CEO of Health Resources.

"Our investment banking team is dedicated to advising on and implementing creative, value enhancing solutions for middle market companies," said Jason Reese, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Imperial Capital. Brian Wood, Managing Director, Imperial Capital, who led the engagement added, "We were pleased to work with such a high quality company and management team and believe that Health Resources, VRP and Castanea represent a truly exceptional combination."

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 Castanea

Castanea Partners is a private equity firm that invests in small and middle market companies in education, information, marketing services, consumer brands, and specialty retail. The firm has extensive operating and private equity investment experience in these sectors and, working closely with management, seeks to optimize business performance and realize attractive returns. Castanea participates in leveraged buyouts, growth and acquisition equity investments, and operationally challenging situations. The firm is currently investing from its third fund, a $575 million fund that targets companies with enterprise values up to $250 million.

For more information regarding Imperial Capital or this transaction, please contact:

Contact Information: Press: Anna Halloran Jacob Imperial Capital, LLC (310) 246-3675 ahalloranjacob@imperialcapital.com