Mesirow Financial Hires New Head of Municipal Bond Sales and Trading Department

CHICAGO, June 23, 2008 — Mesirow Financial announced today that it has hired Dominick Mondi as the new head of the Municipal Bond Sales and Trading department. He will report to the head of the Institutional Sales and Trading department, vice chairman Bruce Young.

Mondi joins Mesirow Financial from Bear Stearns, where he served most recently as a senior managing director. In his 28 years at Bear Stearns, Mondi headed their Chicago municipal activities and spearheaded municipal sales in the New York office. He was honored as the number one salesman of the year more than 20 times.

"Dominick's experience and background will be instrumental as we continue to focus on the municipal bond business," said Young. "It is a very opportunistic and creative time for the municipal market right now. With this addition to our already dedicated team of professionals, we hope to further our exposure via underwriting, trading and sales."

Mondi, who earned his bachelors degree from St. John's University, cites the longevity of employee tenure as one of the reasons for choosing Mesirow Financial: "After 28 years at Bear Stearns, it is comforting to move to a firm where so many have had equally long runs and are optimistic about future prospects. It's nice to see a firm so involved and invested in their clients' welfares and employees' future."

Mesirow Financial is a diversified financial services firm headquartered in Chicago. Founded in 1937, it is an independent, employee-owned firm with $32.2 billion in assets under management and more than 1,100 employees in 30 locations across the country and in London. With expertise in Investment Management, Investment Services, Insurance Services, Investment Banking, Consulting and Real Estate, Mesirow Financial strives to meet the financial needs of institutions, public sector entities, corporations and individuals and was named one of Chicago's Best Places to Work by Crain's Chicago Business in 2008. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the firm posted $490 million in revenue (unaudited), with more than $245 million in capital. For more information about Mesirow Financial, visit its Web site at www.mesirowfinancial.com.

For more information, contact: Lauren Berkowitz, Mesirow Financial, 312.595.6261.

The Mesirow Financial name and logo are registered service marks of Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc., © 2007, Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not necessarily complete and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. It should not be assumed that any recommendations incorporated herein will be profitable or will equal past performance. Nothing contained herein constitutes an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy an interest in any Mesirow Financial investment vehicle(s).

Securities offered through Mesirow Financial, Inc. member NYSE, SIPC. Insurance services provided through Mesirow Insurance Services, Inc.